Bumbershoot 2008 - Day 3 September 1, 2008

Rhett Miller of the Old 97's

I've loved the Old 97's for years. I must have had a period when I was really depressed that I don't remember anymore because the 97's and Nada Surf were my must see choices of the fest, and I have spent hours listening to their CD's.

The set was great, and was comprised of mostly new material that I didn't really know. I loved it though, and really loved guitarist Ken Bethea who showed you don't have to be a kid to rock..
Ken Bethea

Langhorne Slim



Strange Fruit
Performance art from Australia

Monotonix
Ami Shalev

Last but not least, the highlight of the day for me which was Tel-Aviv rockers Monotonix's aborted 15 minute set at the Exhibition Hall.

When we arrived, we found their equipment set up on the floor instead of the stage, and when the band finally began their set I couldn't see a thing as I was pretty much in the back of the throng. Having no barrier between band and audience made for a crazy, anything can happen, energy, so I eventually made my way through he crowd as close as possible. At that point, Ami was pretty much performing atop the audience limbs. In that slim 15 minute set he managed to moon the crowd, play 3 or 4 songs, and ride atop the crowd in a garbage can. Reports are the the fire marshall shut down the show for the tossing of said garbage can.

Catch most of the show plus Avi's closing remarks at YouTube HERE

Dandy Warhols- Richards On Richards June 18, 2008

Finally a really great Dandy's show!

I've seen the Dandy Warhols probably a dozen times. They are one of my favourite bands, and I would never miss them, but it's been awhile since I saw them put on a truly memorable show. In fact, they've been so consistently unmemorable that I didn't even right anything about the last show I saw.

This show was a pretty short notice practice show in anticipation of festival season across the pond. The entire "tour" consisted of only 4 shows, and Vancouver was one of the lucky cities.

One of the VERY lucky cities, because this show was the best I've ever seen them. What was different? Maybe the fact that they'd "Practiced a lot" which Courtney jokingly told the crowd when someone yelled out how great they sounded. Maybe the fact that they seemed to be genuinely having fun. Maybe the long stretch off the road had made them hungry for it again.


Maybe it was that the new material they played off the new album, Earth To The Dandy Warhols may be the strongest songs they've released in years.

Courtney definitely brought his "A" game, being very dramatic with his performance both with his instrumentation and with body. They sounded amazing and except for a few dropped lyrics that I'm sure only Glen noticed, they were all I could have hoped for.

They'll be back in September and so will I!

Two Hours Traffic at the Railway Club - March 8, 2008

Two Hours Traffic are my favourite new band. Not just Canadian band, but favourite new band period.
Liam Corcoran

Their new album Little Jabs has rarely been on constant rotation since I first heard "Caught For The Summer" and we made a point to go see them on their swing through Vancouver after the Raveonettes show.
Liam Corcoran

Oddly enough, they were another band that sounded great but weren't very compelling to watch. What happened to showmanship? What happened to making a connection with your audience? Singer Liam Corcoran barely opened his eyes the entire performance, and I can't remember if he uttered a single sentence.
Liam with Andrew MacDonald

Thankfully, the music did all the talking that was necessary.
Alec O'Hanley

The Raveonettes at the Plaza Club- March 8, 2008

Sharin Foo

This was our second time seeing The Raveonettes in a few months who are touring in support of their new album Lust Lust Lust. It's an amazing album, and made the "Must List" of Entertainment Weekly.
Sharin Foo

The Last time we saw them, was at Richards in October. The album hadn't been released yet, and for reasons unknown they gave a lackluster performance that Sharin actually apologized for at the end of the set.
Sune Rose Wagner

This show was quite a bit better although not as good as the first time I saw them. At that time they toured with a full band, and not only did they sound amazing but the band provided a much needed personable presence on stage.
Leah Shapiro

These last couple of times have been with drummer Leah Shapiro. Her small kit, and and entertaining presence help break up the lack of charisma of the band. That said, I Love Love Love the Raveonettes, and have a serious girl crush on Sharin, who was voted one of Blender Magazines hottest rockers.
Sharin Foo