The Doves - The Commodore June 9, 2005

Inspired by the exotic adventures of The Travelling Head, here is my attempt at sharing some of my musical adventures.
Let's start here, with my "review" of the Doves last night here at the fabulous Commodore Ballroom in beautiful Vancouver.

If there was an opening act we totally missed it as the band gets on stage shortly after we get drinks. I am already feeling like a sardine and I can barely see anything from our spot centre floor. Damn it, I hate being so short. They open with Pounding and it's already magical. They do have a multimedia show with running video of everything from what looks like old film the Titanic to swirling galaxies. They also have a beautiful light show, which sends twinkling stars and patterns around the room. Musically they are beautiful, blessed with some remarkable vocals and ethereal twisting guitars.



I love these guys! I'm sick of having to hop up and down to see anything so I leave Glen for my usual perch by the stage where what you gain by being able to see is awful sound. I wonder what the drum stick is doing on the guitarists mike stand? I can't stand not hearing it properly. I go to find Glen, who I now can't even see in the mass of people. I make my way to the other side of the stage, hoping for better luck sound wise. In my new perch the sound is much better as I'm now by Jimi's monitor. Cedar Room closes the show and the band leaves the stage.

The roadies are setting up another drum kit on stage and the audience is mildly participating in my least favourite concert tradition of the screaming and clapping for an encore. We all know they are coming back, so it's a particularly halfhearted effort. I'm totally expecting Catch the Sun, the only song I've ever heard on the Radio

Minutes later, the band is back, but wait! Jimi is now behind the drum kit, and drummer Andy is singing Here It Comes. Things return to normal for Satellites and for the final number There Goes The Fear the finale is augmented by a drum solo on the side drum kit by Jimi, and cowbell banging by guitarist Jez. No Catch the Sun, but I'm still all warm and fuzzy from the experience.

Here are my photos for you all to admire, which I now will admit is my real purpose for doing this Blog in the first place.

The Raveonettes May 5, 2005- Richards On Richards Vancouver

Scene from the show:
The club is dark, and as our main characters are sitting there, a blonde gorgeous woman approaches. She has “secret agent” smoky good looks in a black trench coat and impossibly high pump heals.
Scene begins.
Glen: Is that Sharin?
Keri: Um, I’m not sure.
Glen: Should I say something?
Keri: Do you want to? I don’t know if it’s her or not.
Glen: What would I say? I think you’re hot? I think you guys are great? She’ll call security or think I’m a loser.

Paralyzed into inaction, neither of us do anything and Sharin disappears into the darkness.
End Scene

Here's Glen with Sharin

The Raveonettes

Duran Duran-GM Place March 4, 2005 Vancouver

Sure I used to like Duran Duran when I was young, but this is 2005 and I'm just not feeling that nostalgic, but Marsi can't go, and Peter and May are both friends of mine, so off we go. Unexpectedly high ticket sales have led to the horrible realization that our great seats have become bad seats with the movement of the stage. As the concert starts, Peter notices that a lot of seats are empty by the front. "Let's do a recon?" I say, and off I go to check it out.

Wow! I make it all the way to the front with no hassles! I go get Peter and May. As we make our way to the front I make the mistake of saying "Act like you belong" and they stop in complete unison. "No really!" I say, "Everyone around me didn't belong there either!!" but they wouldn't budge. No camera but my cel phone, and here it is to share.

Duran Duran Via Cel Phone
Duran Duran

R.E.M-Richards On Richards Dec.16,2002 Vancouver

REM Keri Dubitz
These are from a surprize appearance the R.E.M made at this very small club in Vancouver. I was lucky enough to have a couple of ins, so I knew they would be there. Thanks Barb! Thanks Frank!

R.E.M. Keri Dubitz
This photo was actually published in the Province, a local newspaper.

Me and Michael
Yup, I got to meet Michael, and as he is my hero, I pretty much made a fool of myself but he did the right thing and pretended not to notice.