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smi.ybs.CD groups ind-cluta. VOLUNTEER at the Crisis Centre! The Crisis Centre Is looking tor caring* dedicated people to help with SoleV Ckjinnii our 24/7 Distress Services and our Wdkf Oifk SASC Community Education programs. «•« a ^ ass • lb find out more about how you can save lives, help your community and gain valuable skills applicable CO everyday life, educational goals and che workplace, visit www.cHsiscentre.bc.ca/volunteer *" « *p LIVEMUSICVANCOUVER.COM'S >I^#IU:K COMMUNITY /i\ • 9* IM MUSIC | that better everyday magazine from USTIHfiS I CiTR 101.9 FM MAINTAINED I BY THOUSANDS BecAUttrr WORKS | Advertise with Discorder. We'll | treat you real nice and give you | a damn good deal. | | You can advertise with both CiTR | and Discorder and get a discount. | Web ads on our brand new site I also available. | | Contact our ad manager at: I promotions.discorder@gmail. com

% 8 - __. Editor Editor's Note Jordie Yow Dear Discorder: Enough doom and gloom though. There's still Art Director Nicole Ondre The August issue of Discorder is only available lots of great stuff happening in Vancouver and just in digital format. Not printing this issue was a dras­ because you can't read about it on paper doesn't Production Manager tic, but financiallynecessary , decision. We're looking mean we're not reporting on it. Check out our musi­ Debby Reis into ways to prevent something like this from hap­ cal picks at the brand new Olio Festival on page 10, pening again, but we may have to consider printing it's a good way to check out some new local bands Copy Editors on a bi-monthly basis in the future. on the cheap although if you want to read about Liz Brant, Debby Reis, Alex Smith, Discorder has two major sources of revenue: a some in more detail take a look at our profile on the Melissa Smith grant from our lovely publisher CiTR and revenue high energy MT-40 on page 13 or the beardy flannel from advertisers. The grant—we are assured—isn't rock of Minto on page 12. Ad Manager going anywhere, but you'll notice our ads have been Marie Benard If you're interested in music scenes a little further taking up less of our pages lately. We are a great deal afield you will definitely be interested in reading the Under Review Editor for advertisers' with rates as low as $50. If you're in­ feature on Sled Island in Calgary and the interview Melissa Smith terested (and you should be if you want appeal to with festival curator Colin Newman found on pages the young, cool and intelligent people of Vancouver) 18 and 21. RLA Editor get in touch with our advertising rep at promotions. For something a little less musical, but no less Alex Smith [email protected]. We have survey results from interesting, check out the performance art/walking readers which can give you a good idea about what tour Debby Reis went on with the Miss Guides on Calendar Listings sort of people you'll be reaching to share with those page 8. Melanie Coles curious. We're looking forward to reading the September If you're worried about us going out of print, it's issue on paper. Until then, we hope you enjoy Au­ Promotions Director Leanna Orr not something that's likely to happen. Everyone on gust online. the Discorder team and at CiTR is devoted to put­ Cheers, Program Guide ting together a print magazine about Vancouver's Jordie Bryce Dunn music scene.

Distribution Peter MacDonald Corrections In our last issue we accidentally asserted that Dave Duprey and Malice who run the Rickshaw Theatre CiTR Station Manager together were the same person. This is not the case and is an error of the editors not Jessica Barrett who Brenda Grunau wrote the article and is an excellent researcher.

Publisher Student Radio Society of UBC July Contributors

Cover Articles One of the regulars at Funky Winkerbeans. Bryce Dunn, Robert Fougere, Dan Fumano, Brenda Grunau, Kalin Harvey, Alex Hudson, Andy Hudson, RobertPougere photo. Philippa Laverre, Emily Lougheed, Adam Mannegren, Alex McCarter, Gord McCullough, Sean Nelson, Quinn Omori, Leanna Orr, Mark PaulHus, Nate Pike, Gavin Reid, Debby Reis, Robert Robot, Becky San­ dler, Amy Scott-Samuel, Alex Smith, Reilly Wood

Photo & Illustration Aisha Davidson, Lindsey Hampton, Robert Fougere, Tamara Lee, Quinn Omori, Nicole Ondre, Debby Reis, Josh Tran, Jamie Ward

Proofreaders Andrew Janczewski, Nicole Ondre, Debby Reis, Jordie Yow

©DiSCORDER 2009 by the Student Radio Contribute. Subscribe. Advertise. Distribute. Society of the University of British Columbia. To submit written Subscriptions are Ad space is available To distribute Discorder All rights reserved. Circulation 8,000. Discorder content to Discorder, available upon request for upcoming issues in your business, email is published 11 times a year by CiTR, which please contact: and cost simply the and can be booked distro.discorder@ by calling (604) 822- can be heard at 101.9 FM, online at www.citr. editor.discorder® current rate of postage. gmail.com. We are 3017 ex. 3 or emailing ca, as well as through all major cable systems gmail.com. To submit Please contact editor. always looking for new promotions.discorder@ in the Lower Mainland, except Shaw in White photography or illus­ [email protected] gmail.com. Rates are friends. . Rock. Call the CiTR DJ line at (604) 822-2487, trations, please contact: for more information. available upon request. CiTR's office at (604) 822-3017, email CiTR artdirector.discorder@ at [email protected], or pick up a pen and gmail.com. write #233-6138 SUB Blvd., Vancouver, B.C., V6T1Z1, Canada. AUGUST 2009 H^<#!»I5I\ www.discorder.ca /l\ *4* IN

FEATURES King Khan photographed by Quinn Omori at Sled Island

08. The Miss Guides

Debby Reis explores the ruins of Vancouver on this artistic guided walk.

10. Olio Festival

Check out what Vancouver's newest festival is all about and what we have to say about some of the best bands who will be performing.

12. Minto

Our reporter delved into a land of beard and flannel to cover this bands record release at the Railway Club.

13. MT-40

Sophie Sweetland of Vancouver's high energy dance duo sat down and chatted with our reporter about her band.

17. Michael Jackson on the Internet

Alex McCarter spent hours on the Internet diving through the many projects that were in­ spired by the King of Pop's passing. This article REGULARS REVIEWS was a much more productive use of her time than Facebook ever would be. 06. Textually Active 24. Under Review

Handmade Electronic Music: The Art of Hardware Adriane Lak / Black Mold / David Bazan / Dan 18. Sled Island Hacking by Nicolas Collins Mangan / Howling Bells / Pissed Jeans / Shaunn Far from this rainy city of ours is a city called Watt / manoeuvres 3 / Vancouver's Punk As Fuck Calgary. To the best of our knowledge it is full Vol.2 of cows and oil barons. They also have a pretty 07. Riff Raff kick ass music festival. 26. Real Live Action 21. Colin Newman The Bon / Woven Bone 8c Flight / The Famines The Wire frontman and Sled Island curator Constantines / Andrew W.K. / Collapsing Op­ took some time out during the festival to chat 14. Program guide posites / Sunset Rubdown / Dirty Projectors / Frog with a couple of our writeis. Eyes / Psychic Ills / No Kids / Destroyer Join Discorder. Textually Active: Contributors always wanted. Handmade Electronic Music: The Art of Hardware Hacking Write: editor, discorder (Second Edition) @gmail.com Illustrate, photograph: by Nicolas Collins | Routledge Press artdirector.discorder @gmail.com by Andy Hudson Other? hen I first laid hands on my Dad's pa­ invited citizens of Birmingham to walk around lis­ perback copy of How to Build Model tening to the electromagnetic pulse of their ATMs, prodution. discorder WRockets, my fingers buzzed. Here was subways and electricity grid.) the crux of a three-stage rocket, pared down to 150 Now editor-in-chief at the Leonardo Music @gmail.com pages and a handful of schematic diagrams. Journal, Nicolas Collins writes his how-to in a Now in its second edition, Handmade Electronic very engaging, useful style that finds the time to be Music hums with that same trembling current of more than a litde weird. For instance, into a three- close-packed know-how. page, illustrated primer on how to solder, Collins Get in touch! Based on years of workshops he gave to would- writes that "Successful soldering, like fundamental­ be circuit-benders at the School of Art Institute in ist Christian comedy performed in mid-winter by Chicago, Nicolas Collins keeps this guide simple an L-Dopa patient, depends on cleanliness, heat, but open-ended. Collins started hacking clocks, toys and credit card "Successful soldering, like readers in the early 1970s, when a synth cost tens of fundamentalist Christian comedy thousands of dollars. In this guide and his own music, performed in mid-winter by an Collins retains a makeshift design aesthetic and a love L-Dopa patient, depends on of found sound—the same fixations, I learned, that draw cleanliness, heat, steady hands fans of Very Low-Frequency Radio to plant wire crosses and ... timing!" —Nicolas Collins on hilltops where, far above gHATTuacmrriiK the 60 Hz city, they listen in on meteorites sizzling through the ionosphere. steady hands and... timing!" With makeshift as a design goal, Collins avoids When a lesser writer tries on such a personal style, most electronics theory and includes nothing so hi- like the guy who wrote a socialist manifesto on bike tech as a transistor (the building block of all modern repair, instructions get confusing. But Collins is an synths). His parts list, which he estimates is less than ace instructor. If he sidetracks, it s only to regale read­ $50, begins with pop-can tabs, vegetables and guitar ers with backstory on avante-garde hackers like Paul pick-ups before moving on to handmade switches de Marinis, who included vegetable bits as electrical and CMOS circuits. components so that his circuits would naturally age. Also, to keep new keeners safe, Collins avoids If I have one misgiving about Handmade Elec­ hacks on anything but battery-powered devices, tronic Music, it's only that the ebook version, which although he does set out guidelines for working is the same price as the paperback, doesn't include with AC power in the closing chapters. (I only got the videos of hacked-hardware per^faoances that as far as playing thermine-like AM radios and get­ get shipped with the paper copies. But that is a very ting a shopping list for "circuit sniffers," which are small gripe for an otherwise handy book that has wire coils that pick up electromagnetic fields.Thes e the look and feel of simple rocket science. can be used in for projects such as sound artist Christina Kubisch's 2003 work. She installed some similarly low-tech coils into headphones and then mMm:PisiWM>T.om-q Riff Gaff o-J The Bon/Woven Bones & Flight/The Famines by Bryce Dunn ll right readers, August is space jams with a sinister edge, in the upon us and not a moment songs "Flowers" and "Johnny's Mixed Atoo soon, as I know you've Up." My feelings exactly, so make sure been yearning for more pearls of you're armed to the tits with an ample wisdom—and we can't let you down, supply of ibuprofen, as both these re­ now can we? Especially when such cords are sure not to leave your head fine musical masterpieces have graced for days. my turntable with sweet sounds such Lastly, the Famines are a two-piece as that which the Bon hath sent me. guitar and drums tour de force out of Now these Torontonians boast a well- Edmonton who combine a love of art bred pedigree of past rock giants like with their music and throw in some I MIHTBICORBS fodCrf the Leather Uppers, the Exploders social commentary to boot on a new i REl£A$E$Aie m f and the Tijuana Bibles, and all linked two-sided affair. We first discovered by way of one "Classy" Craig Daniels, these guys about a year ago and then- I MJtflABlEAT foM. who knows how to write a catchy- usage of consumer iconography and | FINE f&TAILSRS ww as-measles tune, as well as keep the post-punk influences grabbed our at­ tongue firmly planted in the jowl. tention, so it's no surprise that "Free UKE THESE! m»imi Listen carefully to the A-side of their Love Is A Sales Technique" speaks on VAVw.mirTfrecs.com debut platter and don't tell me it won't the commodification of courtship to conjure up an "I've been there!" mo­ the tune of a straight forward and ment every time someone asks a "Stu­ speedy punk-laced song and "The pid Question" [ed. that's a song title]. First World War" name drops classic By the way, who did drink Canada Canadian war battles, but vows "we Dry? Flip this pancake for "Ancient should never do it again" (I think Art Director: Times," a stroll down garage rock these guys failed history class... I kid, memory lane where you'll hear the I kid). Like a strange hybrid of God­ familiar strains of the Gruesomes or head Silo's grungier moments or Layout, design, cut, the Ten Commandments plucking Duotang's twangier tunes, the Fam­ away while the drums crash and the ines like to mine a lot of different ter­ bass doth bash. A solid sender this ritory to keep things interesting both paste, commission, draw, one, and more to come methinks? musically and visually (as the record More from Sweet Rot Records jacket of their latest single can attest) photograph. this month its true, and lest you be and it seems to work. thinking its a big Alan Freedman- That's all folks—back to school like scam, I assure you no payola was next month! exchanged in the reviewing of these records (although it would be nice, Interested? hey Jordie?) [ed. and how!]. Nay, these The Bon records come free of favouritism and Boppa Do Down Records » editor, discorder not without the occasional criticism 123 Ossington Ave. (oh how I loved that Anals 7" from a Toronto ON M6J 2Z2 while back). I can say with certainty myspace.com/wearethebon @gmail.com that I really dig both Woven Bones' and Flight's newest offerings. The Woven Bones & Flight former is a trio of sun-baked Texan Sweet Rot Records psych heads driving straight into a P.O. Box 78025 Vancouver BC brick wall of Jesus-and-Mary-Chain V5N 5W1 distortion isith the tracks "Your Sor­ myspace.com/sweetrotrecords cery" and "Howlin Woof" and leaving you dizzy, while the latter feels like The Famines the aftermath of the crash-pounding Reluctant Recordings drums careening into reverb-soaked myspace.com/reIuctantrecordings The Gui The Wal

photos and text by Debby Reis met up with the Miss Guides on a July evening outside of Sinclair Centre for their Walking the Ruins tour. But the Miss Guides isn't your typical touristy "learn all about Vancouver's history" sort of tour. In fact, the Miss Guides don't even like to use the word "tour.^ffl&sreBlr "walk" because "tour," as they explained to me a few dajpHxter, implies being a passive consumer. Walking, on the othei^Ldnd, is described on the Miss Guides' website as "politi­ cized and empowering." But just what does that mean? The walk began with our guides, Katherine Somody, tower to the urine soaked low of the alley was just tree stump) at that location will open up. The pho­ Natalie Doonan and Sean George (also known as one of the contrasts Walking the Ruins revealed. tos have been taken over time since December 2008 anna swede, Dorian and Kidskid, respectively), The definition of "ruin" is the primary term the and are overlaid on top of one another to evoke a asking the walkers to insert earplugs. It was a little Miss Guides challenge through their exposure of sense of ghostly collage. This layered effect reflects strange, but I found myself in awe of how my foot­ dichotomies. Is the construction of the Canada Line the Miss Guides' value of oral culture and nonlinear steps resembled a heartbeat as we walked around a a ruin of sorts? What about the memory, or lack storytelling. Canada Line construction area. thereof, of what was there before? There were other "With each retelling of the story, it changes, and "We're trying to use defamiliarization as a tactic dichotomies explored on the walk as well; what is with the particular group of people, it changes, and so that... you're looking in a new way. You're being the difference between a weed and a wildflower? Or with the weather and whether it's during the day engaged, not so much as a spectator, but as a par­ art and graffiti? Exposing these contrasts made me time or the night time or what day of the week it ticipant in perceiving the city in new ways," Doonan think about them, and in this way, Walking the Ruins is, all of those factors contribute to the story itself told me. was empowering. changing over time," Doonan explained. But this was just the beginning. After crouching By the time you read this, the Miss Guides' Walk­ This statement sums up the Miss Guides' walks down at one of the doors of Sinclair Centre trying to ing the Ruins will only be on offer through special nicely, but it also reflects the nature of storytell­ imagine an unspecified workers' riot, having one of arrangement. Nevertheless, the group is still active. ing and understanding in general. And if the walk the guide's phone ring and the person on the other Not only will they be working on a project to com­ makes you think about that, then it certainly isn't end ask for someone specific in the group, and hav­ memorate the reopening of Woodward's, but when your usual tour. ing quotes read to us as though they were lines of visiting their website (themissguides.com), you can poetry, we were taken up to the viewing deck of explore the self-guided walk, All the Trees Along Harbour Centre, followed by a walk down a series of Granville Street. You can click on locations marked alleys. This movement from the glittery height of the with an "x" and a series of photos of the tree (or the

This movement from the glittery height of the tower to the urine soaked low of the alley was just one of the contrasts Walking the Ruins revealed. OLIO FESTIVAL: Music/ Comedy/ Art/Film

Intro by Alex McCarter. Festival picks written by Dan Fumano, Jordie Yow, Becky Sandler, Gord McCullough and Philippa Lavery

ecessionistas get ready to party—there is a new festival in town! Born out of a late night talk at a party earlier this year, the first annual Olio (pronounced oh-lee-oh) Festival wUl be taking place in 19 venues across the city from Aug. 13 to 16. Modeled after Pop Montreal (Olio business director Scott Roberts has helped ruRn Pop Montreal in the past), Olio wUl feature over 80 shows with enticing outside acts alongside the best of Vancouver's music, art and comedy scenes. AU for the recession-friendly price of $25!

10. "It allows people of various types to mix creativities in a way that would not be possible if we were showing each art form separately/' —Dani Vachon

The word "olio" means a medley of musical or lit­ catch yourself singing the songs again to yourself Brit-rock inspired sound. The band is an experi­ erary sections and this is embodied in the setup of on your walk home from the show. Fine Mist plays enced group of musicians who don't tour much, but the festival. Olio shows off Vancouver in a way the at the Unfamiliar Records showcase at 10:15 p.m. at spend a lot of time on other projects (like Shout Out directors feel our city deserves and it tears away the the Red Room. Out Out Out, the Faunts and the Wet Secrets) so if myth that Vancouver is "no fun city." Olio celebrates you are a fan, take this chance to see them while you the cultural smorgasbord Vancouver has to offer. White Lung can. The Whitsundays play at midnight at the Mint "Vancouver needs to showcase itself—it's a young Records showcase at the Anza Club. Wielding their own unique brand of punk rock, city, what only 100, maybe 150 years old? Montreal's White Lung comes at you like a punch to the face. 400! We may have some catching up to do—but it's Their sound is gritty and raw and the four females a great place, too," reflected Jason Sulyma (a.k.a. behind the band make no apologies. Lead vocalist SATURDAY AUGUST 15 MYIGAYIHUSBAND!), the promotions director Mish Way possesses what can only be described as a for the festival. kick-ass growl that lets you know these girls are not "We want to bring the bands out of East Van to Humans to be messed with. With this band you know you showcase to people how much talent there is," Suly­ are guaranteed an aggressive and entertaining live Made up of Peter Ricq and Robbie Slade this duo ma said. Olio brings in bigger name acts and mixes show that's going to get messy. White Lung will be combines elements of electro, reggae and dub in a them with local favourites, aiming to expose local unleashed at 11:30 p.m. at the Cobalt. fresh style that's unique in Vancouver—think heavy groups to a wider audience. For example, Chicago dance beats with a mix of disaffected and falsetto DJ duo Flosstradamus has been paired with Van­ vocals. They focus on getting people's bodies mov­ couver's Gang Violence at the Biltmore on Friday ing so the dance night they've got going on with Pop Aug. 14. FRIDAY AUGUST 14 Machine should be a blast. Humans play at 10:00 Various art forms have also been "olioed." Most p.m. at the Ayden Gallery. concert venues will also double as art showcases. On Apollo Ghosts top of this, one location each night will have music, With their fun, energetic rock songs, Apollo Sun Wi2ord art and comedy! This hodgepodge trend is some­ Ghosts have become a Vancouver staple. Found At festivals like this one, sometimes the best part thing that Dani Vachon, Olio's production director regularly in art galleries, coffee shops and small is seeing a new band for the first time. One such and the co-founder of Sealed with a Kiss, is particu­ venues around the city, the band's performances are new band is Sun Wizard, a quartet formed about six larly excited about. "It allows people of various types always enjoyable. The members clearly love to play months ago by singer-guitarists James Younger (for­ to mix creativities in a way that would not be pos­ their music and bring the audience into the show merly of the Green Hour) and Malcom Jack (for­ sible if we were showing each art form separately," with playful stage banter. Their Olio performance merly of the Hung Jury), drummer Ben Frey (for­ she explained. marks their return from a small West Coast tour merly of Adelaide) and bassist Frank Lyon. In their A different area of Vancouver is featured each supporting their new EP, Forgotten Triangle. Don't relatively brief time together, the band has moved night, with the purpose of allowing people to dis­ miss them at 10:00 p.m. at the Mint Records show­ from a rootsy folk-rock to a more straight ahead cover new venues and areas of the city in a "neigh­ case at the Anza Club. rock sound, and played a handful of well-received , bourhood crawl." Thursday focuses on Gastown, sets around town. By the time you read this, the Main street on Friday, and Downtown on Saturday. World Club boys will have just finished recording for their first The festival will finish up with a massive party at release, an EP due in the fall. Sun Wizard plays at Venue. The basic premise of Olio is fun. So, come Every so often certain artists burrow deep into 10:30 p.m. at the Railway Club. out and experience the many sorts of excitement our brain and remain there forever—but in a good Vancouver has to offer! Below is a chronologically way. World Club has been on constant repeat for arranged list of the bands that shouldn't be missed. many since their performance at Music Waste. The band's songs are multi-dimensional and aggregates Maluca of several different but well-informed musical ideas. Maluca is the stage name of Natalie Ann Yepez, a THURSDAY AUGUST 13 Evidence for this can be found in the fantastic "Sick New York native of Dominican descent. According Machines" whose Liars' pulse is interrupted by Slint- to Yepez, her music combines Latin American styles style riffing without once losing its haunting effect. such as salsa, merengue and cumbia with a dose of Fine Mist When you finish reading, go listen to World Club hip-hop, reggae and house. But don't worry, it does Duo Megan McDonald and Jay Arner have and make plans to see them play at 11:00 p.m. at not sound like reggaeton. She's recendy signed to molded the seemingly simple combination of vo­ the Biltmore. Mad Decent, the label run by Diplo, who produced cals and synth into super catchy pop songs. Trans­ her hot debut single, "El Tigeraso." As a strong fe­ porting you. into their living room with a set up of The Whitsundays male performer with a connection to Diplo, com­ brass unicorns and dream catchers* it's impossible parisons to M.I.A. and Santogold are inevitable, but Coming to us all the way from Edmonton is the to resist joining Megan as she asks the audience to Maluca looks like she's set to make her own mark. vintage garage psychedelia of the Whitsundays. If participate. Audiences have learned the words and Maluca plays at midnight at the Mad Decent show­ you haven't heard their debut self-titled album, it's now come prepared to sing and dance. Seeing Fine case at Venue. worth grabbing (or downloading) so you can hum Mist is simply fun and gets even better when you along to the Whitsunday's organ-soaked walls of

11 "Fuz: ifock."

by Leanna On

n July 9,1 went in search could barely contain his excitement and fortunately tive but anticipating a trip to the bar or outside for of Minto frontman Ryan he channeled his nervous energy into a fervent and a smoke. Then, however, the band takes applause as Hoben at the Biltmore, captivating performance. Even the lisdess presence a call for more, and "spontaneously" regains their wanting to offer my con­ of bassist Suzy Easton couldn't puncture Minto's instruments for the last three songs of their set. gratulations for what energy. Musically, the band was tight. They clearly Minto's encore was nothing of the sort. I got the im­ was looking like a suc­ practise consistently and their commitment to pression that they genuinely intended to be finished, cessful CD release. "This Minto, and the album, is palpable. but the relendess calls of the crowd urged them back shouldn't be hard," I The night had the feeling of a great send-off: a bit the stage for a finalperformance . "Electrical Micro­ thought, "I'm looking for a bearded man with glass­ phone" exalted the night, and with several fans sing­ es, likely wearing skinny jeans and flannel." I have ing on stage, it gave everyone the feeling that they meot Hoben sewal times before , but for the life of were inside a Hold Steady song, or perhaps dosed me, could not distinguish him from the dozens of All they really need is with just a touch of E. doppelgangers roaming the bar, If flannel-rock were If Lay It On Me has any faults, it is that a recording a genre, Minto would epitomize it. a stage, a 24-pack of cannot match the experience of the live show. This The Vancouver five-piece consiilf of Hoben, is an album meant for a stage. The band, after all, rhythm guitarist Kalvin Olafson, lead guitarist Evret beer and some flannel. calls their music "fuzzed out arena folk rock." That Tucker, bassist Suzy Easton and drummer Jimi said, Lay It On Me is a worthy purchase. The music is Cuell. Minto has been around—in some form or quality and genuine, clearly a labour of love. Albini's like a wedding or rocket-sh^ launch. Band mem­ another—since 2002, when Vancouver Film School work is valuable and obvious; the sound is crisp and bers' mothers were in the front row, recording with students Olafson, Tucker and Hoben began jam­ instrument-forward. Minto did not need the star their video cameras as the fathers took pictures with ming together. Since then, the band has chalked^ engineer to make this launch a success, however. long-range lenses and high-powered flashes. Best to up a few changes in line-up and name, most nota­ All they really need is a stage, a 24-pack of beer and preserve the moment for posterity; one feels as if it bly the transformation from the Smokes to Minto some flannel. has been a long time coming. I hope at least a couple earlier this year. July 9 brought the release of Lay It Minto will be playing the Green Mountain Music of pictures captured Hoben as he wiped h%|wg^. On Me, a full-length album recorded at Electrical Festival on Aug. 8, and in Vancouver on Aug. 15 for with his flannel shirt between songs. Audio in Chicago and engineered by the legendary Kits Days, then on Aug. 26 for Sealed with a Kiss' That motion punctuated the show, as it slowly Steve Albini. Gypsy Fade. After thitfctiaey will be embarking on a ramped up towards the climax of the night the en­ Albini, who has worked on everything from Nir­ coast-to-coast tour of Canada. core. In my experience, encores are usually planned vana and the Pixies to Joanna Newsom, would have by the band and only half-desired by the audience. been proud of Minto's performance on the night of People clap at the end of the show, truly apprecia- the release. The show was startlingly good. Hoben ent by Aisha Davidson MT- Sardonic lyricism, fervent beats

by Emily Lougheed

n a city as full of talent as Vancouver, it's easy like it, we will try to make it into a whole song." for a burgeoning band to get lost in the fray. Sweetland's solo musical endeavours run the However, MT-40, with their sardonic lyricism gamut from dream pop to drone to surf rock. With "MT-40 was created for and resplendent hooky melodies punctuated MT-40's sound, however, Sweetland shows a pro­ by fervent beats, have been gradually making nounced contrast to the other music she has writ­ dancing, nothing else." themselveI s conspicuous over the last six months. ten. Sweetland cited influences such as John Maus, They quite notably stole the show—with some Lady Ga Ga, and "other good main-stream pop." even calling it the best performance of the five-day This contrast isn't surprising and no doubt contrib­ Sweetland said they dream of touring, they have no affair—when they played the Biltmore for Music utes to MT-40's sonic layering of beguiling hooks plans to do so at the moment. Waste. and dissonant progressions with a dance sensibility. Sweetland includes the band she played with at It's become increasingly apparent at their shows One of their most captivating compositions is MT-40's first show among her favourite local per­ that few can keep their backs against the wall and "Issabella Rosselini," a wantonly hasty romp ad­ formers. "World Club, Nii Sensae, Walter TV, Mod­ resist the urge to join in convulsive fits of spastic dressed to its namesake. It's a crowd favourite and ern Creatures, Sex Negatives. I go to their shows, get abandon. When asked if danceability was a priority the song, Sweetland admitted, is the most fun to stoked and then hope to create that kind of energy when writing songs, Sophie Sweetland (keys and vo­ play. in MT-40." cals), the female half of the lo-fi/electro/synth-punk Though they've played a few shows a month Though one has to agree on her choices for top duo, kept her reply succinct, "Yes definitely. MT-40 since they started in February, their first is still Vancouver acts, it can be said that the energy cre­ was created for dancing, nothing else." Sweetland's favourite. ated at an MT-40 show is unmatchable—a fact that While Sweetland mans their namesake MT-40 "I keep thinking about our first show, which we sets them apart from the vast assortment of talent keyboard, Reginald Bowls, who deftly programmed played in White Rock at a house party. It was also this city as to offer. a Commodore 64 as a synth, is responsible for the World Club's first show. It was really good fun even You can catch MT-40 at the Media Club, Satur­ flippandy subversive lyrics in most of their songs. though we only had like four songs and everyone day, Aug. 15, for the Olio Festival with Juvenile Hall Although that may be the case, Sweetiand said, was super wasted,*" Sweetiand said. and Sex Party. "Song writing is a collaborative effort. We both come With all the shows they're playing you might up with parts and play them for each other, and if we expect them to be getting ready to tour, but while umm CiTR 101.9 FM PROGRAM GUIDE

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8 Give em The Boot Fillln 8 (World) Suburban Jungle End Of The World (Eclectic) News (Talk) 9 Tana Radio (World) Synchronicity (Talk) 9 The Saturday Edge Third Time's The (Roots) 10 Shookshookta (Talk) PopE rones 10 Charm (Rock) (Ecl< ctic) Sweet And Hot (Jazz) Ska-T s Scenic Drive Japanese Musicquest (Ska) 11 Kol Nodedi (World) 11 (World) • Alt Radio Canadian (Eclectic) Duncan's Donuts These Are The Breaks Generation Anihilation 12pm (Talk) (Talk) (Eclectic) (Hip-hop) (Punk) 12pm The Rockers Show The Green Majority We All Fall Down (Reggae) Laugh Tracks (Talk) Fillln 1 (Talk) (Eclectic) 1 Wings (Talk) (Metal) 2 Democracy Now (Talk) Ink Studs (Talk) 2 Reel to Real (Talk) Radio Zero (Dance) Lets Get Baked Native Solidarity News Fillln 3 Blood On 3 (Talk) (Talk) Rumbletone Radio A The Saddle French Connection Nardwuar Presents Code Blue (Roots) Radio Freethinker Go Go (Rock) (Roots) (Eclectic) (World) (Nardwuar) 4 The Rib (Eel) (Talk) 4

Chips Saint Tro­ Fillln Weners BBQ (Sports) The Leo Ramirez Show Arts Report (Talk) Cafe Radio (World) News 101 (Talk) 5 (Pop) pez (Pop) Career Fast Track (Talk (World) 5 This Side Son Of Audiotext (Talk) 6 Stereoscopic Redoubt Hot Mess NashaVolna (World) 6 of Monday Nite Sam- Flex Your Head Canadian (Rock) (Eclectic) Queer FM (Talk) (Eclectic) (Eclectic) squantch (Hardcore) Way (Eel) (Ed) 7 '% Shadow Jugglers Radio Free Gak Rhythms Awesome (Dance) (Eclectic) Life On Jumpstreet (Experimental) (Edectic) 8 (World) (Eel) (Dance) 8

9 Mondo Trasho (Ed) Rainbow Groove Synaptic Sandwich 9 (Dance) (Hip-hop) Sexy In Van City Radio Hell (Live) The Jazz Show (Jazz) Eclectic) 10 10 Transcendance (Talk) (Dance) Hypnotic Groove 11 CabaRadio (Talk) (Soul/R&B) 11 Hans Kloss Misery (Dance) Hour (Hans Kloss) Basement (Hip Hop) 12am 12am I Like The Scribbles (Eclectic) 1 1

Aural Tentacles The Vampire's Ball 2 2 (Edectic) (Industrial)

3 CiTR Rebroadcast 3 CiTR Ret >roadcast CiTR Rebroadcast CiTR Rebroadcast CiTR Re broadcast 4 CiTR Rebroadcast mt 5 5

14 tures, background on current sandwich: soft and sweet and classic! SUNDAY issues and great music. best enjoyed when poked Aug. 17: "Transition" by John REEL TO REAL queerfmradio@gmail. com with a stick and held close Coltrane with his "classic" (Talk) 2:30-3pm TANA RADIO to a fire. quartet. This recording was Movie reviews and criticism. (World) 9- 10am RHYTHMSINDIA discovered after his death (World) 8-9pm LET'S GET BAKED and stands as one of his best. NATIVE SOLIDARITY NEWS SHOOKSHOOKTA Alternating Sundays (Talk) 3-4pm Aug. 24: "Proof Positive" (Talk) 3-4pm (Ta/tylO-llam Featuring a wide range of Vegan baking with "rock by trombone pioneer J.J. A national radio service and A program targeted to Ethio­ music from India, includ­ stars" Uke Laura Peek, the Johnson is his most personal part of an international net­ pian people that encourages ing popular music from the Food Jammers, Knock statement—with J.J. is his work of information and ac­ education and personal de­ 1930s to the present; Ghaz- Knock Ginger, the Superfan- working quartet. tion in support of indigenous velopment. als and Bhajans, Qawwalis, tastics and more. Aug. 31: Charlie Parker peoples' survival and dignity. pop and regional language would have been 89 on Aug. KOL NODEDI numbers. THE RIB 29. We'll celebrate his birth­ RADIO FREETHINKER (World) 11 am- 12pm (Eclectic) 4-5pm day with a variety of his best (Talk) 4-4:30pm Beautiful arresting beats ALL AWESOME IN YOUR EARS Explore the avant-garde recordings. Promoting skepticism, criti­ and voices emanating from (Eclectic) 8-9pm world of music with host cal thinking and science, we all continents, corners and Alternating Sundays Robyn Jacob on the Rib. examine popular extraor­ voids. Always rhythmic, TUESDAY From new electronic and dinary claims and subject always captivating. Always experimental music to im­ them to critical analysis. The crossing borders. MONDO TRASHO PACIFIC PICKIN' (Eclectic) 9- 10pm provised jazz and new clas­ (Roots) 6-8am real world is a beautiful and The one and the only Mondo sical! So weird it will blow Bluegrass, old-time music, fascinating place and we want THE ROCKERS SHOW Trasho with Maxwell Max­ your mind! and its derivatives with Ar­ people to see it through the (Reggae) 12-3pm well—don't miss it! thur and the lovely Andrea lens of reality as opposed to Alternating Sundays CAREER FAST TRACK Berman. superstition. Reggae inna all styles and TRANCENDANCE (Talk) 5:30-6pm [email protected] fashion. (Dance) 10pm-12am WENER'S BARBEQUE Join us in practicing the SON OF NITE DREAMS GIVE 'EM THE BOOT (Sports) 4:30-6pm BLOOD ON THE SADDLE ancient art of rising above (Eclectic) 6-7:30pm (World) 8-9:30am Daryl Wener talks about the (Roots) 3-5pm common ideas as your host Alternating Mondays Sample the various flavours world of sports. Everything Alternating Sundays DJ Smiley Mike lays down Join jolly John Tanner, radio of Italian folk music. Una from the Canucks to the Real cowshit-caught-in-yer- the latest trance cuts. survivor for almost half a programma bilingue che es- World Rock Paper Scissors boots country. [email protected] century now, heard alternat­ plora il mondo della musica Championship. ing Mondays with an eclectic folk italiana. [email protected] SHAMELESS musical mix of many eras (Eclectic) 3-5pm from the '50s to today. THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM FLEX YOUR HEAD Alternating Sundays MONDAY (Rock) 9:30-11:30am (Hardcore) 6-8pm Dedicated to giving local BREAKFAST WITH THE THIS SIDE OF MONDAY Open your ears and prepare Punk rock and hardcore music acts a crack at some BROWNS (Eclectic) 6-7:30pm for a shock! A harmless note since 1989. Bands and guests airplay. When not playing Alternating Mondays may make you a fan! Dead­ from around the world. the PR shtick, you can hear (Eclectic) 8-ll&m Fun and independent music lier than the most dangerous some faves you never knew Your favourite Brownsters, supported by a conversation­ criminals! you liked. James and Peter, offer a sa­ LIFE ON JUMPSTREET voury blend of the familiar al monologue of informa­ borninsixtynine@hotmail. (Dance) 8-9pm and exotic in a blend of aural tion, opinion and anecdotes CHIPS WITH EVERYTHING delights. focusing on the here, the CRIMES & TREASONS (Pop) 5-6pm breakfastwiththebrowns@ now and the next week. MORNING AFTER SHOW (7-fip-/iqpj9-llpm Alternating Sundays hotmail.com [email protected] (Eclectic) 11:30am- lpm crimesandtreasons@gmail. British pop music from all An eclectic mix of Canadian decades. International pop JAPANESE MUSICQUEST RADIO FREE GAK indie with rock, experimen­ (Japanese, French, Swedish, (World) 11 am- 12pm (Eclectic) 7:30-9pm tal, world, reggae, punk and CABARADIO British, US, etc.),'60s sound­ Syndicated from CJLY Koo- ska from Canada, Latin (Talk) 11 pm-12am tracks and lounge. tenay Co-op Radio in Nelson, THE JAZZ SHOW America and Europe. The For the world of Cabaret B.C. (Jazz) 9pm- 12am Morning After Show has lo­ Tune in for interviews, skits, SAINT TROPEZ Vancouver's longest running cal bands playing live on The musical guests and more. It's (Pop) 5-6pm ALTERNATIVE RADIO prime-time jazz program. Morning After Sessions. Radio with sass! Alternating Sundays (Talk) 12-lpm Hosted by the ever suave, Welcome to St. Tropez! Play­ Alternating Mondays Gavin Walker. Features at LAUGH TRACKS ing underrated music from 11pm. (Talk) l-2pm several decades! Hosted by David Barsamian. WEDNESDAY Laugh Tracks is a show about st.tropezl [email protected] Aug. 3: "Jazz Contemporary" CANADIAN VOICES is a fine overlooked date by comedy. Kliph Nesteroff, SUBURBAN JUNGLE (Talk) 12-lpm trumpet great Kenny Dor- from the 'zine Generation (Eclectic) &-l0am QUEER FM Alternating Mondays ham with his working band. Exploitation, hosts. live from the Jungle Room, (Talk) 6-8pm Aug. 10: "Blues in Orbit" generationexploit@yahoo. join radio host Jack Velvet Dedicated to the gay, lesbian, PARTS UNKNOWN by Duke Ellington and his com, [email protected] for an eclectic mix of music, bisexual, and transexual (Pop) l-3pm Orchestra is one of his most sound bites, information and communities of Vancouver. An indie pop show since appealing recordings and WINGS inanity. Not to be missed! Lots of human interest fea­ 1999, it's like a marshmallow as always with Duke... a (Talk) 2-2:30pm dj@jackveh>et. net

15 POP DRONES sexy-in-vancity-radio EXQUISITE CORPSE (Nardwuar) 3:30-5pm POWER CHORD (Eclectic) 10- 11:30am (Experimental) 7:30-9pm Join Nardwuar the Human (Metal) l-3pm HANS KLOSS' MISERY HOUR Experimental, radio-art, Serviette for Clam Chowder Vancouver's longest running ANOIZE (Hans Kloss) 1 lpm-lam sound coUage, field record­ flavoured entertainment Doot metal show. If you're into (Noise) 11:30am-lpm Pretty much the best thing on ings, etc. Recommended for doola doot doo.. .doot doo! music that's on the heavier/ An hour and a half of avant- radio. the insane. nardwuar@nardwuar. com darker side of the spectrum, rock, noize, plunderphonic, artcorpse@yahoo. com then you'll like it. Sonic as­ psychedelic, and outsider as­ NEWS IOI sault provided by Geoff the pects of audio. An experience THURSDAY LIVE FROM THUNDERBIRD (Talk) 5-6pm Metal Pimp. for those who want to be RADIO HELL educated and EARitated. END OF THE WORLD NEWS (Live Music) 9-1 lpm HOT MESS CODE BLUE [email protected] (Talk) 8- 10am Featuring live band(s) every (Eclectic) 6-7:30pm (Roots) 3-5pm week performing in the From backwoods delta low- THE GREEN MAJORITY SWEET AND HOT CiTR Lounge. Most are from AFRICAN RHYTHMS down slide to urban harp (Talk) l-2pm (Jazz) 10am-12pm Vancouver, but sometimes (Eclectic) 7:30-9pm honks, blues and blues roots Canada's only environmental Sweet dance music and hot bands from across the coun­ with your hosts Jim, Andy news hour, syndicated by jazz from the 1920s,'30s and try and around the world. RAINBOW GROOVE and Paul. CIUT 89.5 FM Toronto or '40s. (Dance) 9-10:30pm [email protected] www.greenmajority.ca. HYPNOTIC GROOVE DUNCAN'S DONUTS (Techno) 11 pm-12am SHAKE A TAIL FEATHER THE LEO RAMIREZ SHOW DEMOCRACY NOW (Eclectic) 12-lpm (Soul/R&B) 10:30-12am (World) 5-6pm (Talk) 2-3pm Sweet treats from the pop AURAL TENTACLES The finest in classic soul The best of mix of Latin underground. Hosted by (Eclectic) 12-6am and rhythm 8c blues from American music. RUMBLETONE RADIO Duncan, sponsored by It could be global, trance, the late '50s to the early'70s, [email protected] A GO GO donuts. spoken word, rock, the un­ including lesser known art­ (Rock) 3-5pm duncansdon uts. wordpress. usual and the weird, or it ists, regional hits and lost NASHA VOLNA Primitive, fuzzed-out garage com could be something different. soul gems. (World) 6-7pm mayhem! Hosted by DJ Pierre. News, arts, entertainment WE ALL FALL DOWN [email protected] I LIKE THE SCRIBBLES and music for the Rus­ ARTS REPORT (Eclectic) l-2pm (Eclectic) 12-2am sian community, local and (Talk) 5-6pm Punk rock, indie pop and Beats mixed with audio from abroad. whatever else I deem worthy. FRIDAY old films and clips from the nashavolnaxa AUDIOTEXT Hosted by a closet nerd. Internet. (Talk) 6-6:30pm www.weallfalldowncitr.blog- SYNCHRONICITY SHADOW JUGGLERS The juiciest Canadian writing: spot.ca (Talk) 9- 10am THE VAMPIRE'S BALL (Dance/Electronic) 7-9pm poetry readings, author inter­ Join host Marie B and dis­ (Industrial) 2-4am Broaden your musical views, short stories, spoken INK STUDS cuss spirituality, health and Dark, sinister music to knowledge with DJs MP, word, etc. (Talk) 2-3pm feeUng good. Tune in and soothe and/or move the Socool, Soo 8c their guests. Underground and indie co­ tap into good vibrations that Dragon's soul. Industrial, Working across music genres SAMSQUANTCH'S mix. Each week, we interview help you remember why goth and a touch of including electronic and HIDEAWAY a different creator to get their you're here: to have fun! This metal too. Blog: http:// club-based music. (Eclectic) 6:30-8pm unique perspective on comix is not your average spiritual­ thevampiresbaU.blogspot. shadow.jugglers@hotmail. com Alternating Wednesdays and discuss their upcoming ity show. com. All-Canadian music with a works. [email protected] SYNAPTIC SANDWICH focus on indie-rock/pop. SKA-T'S SCENIC DRIVE (Dance/Electronic/Eclectic) [email protected] FRENCH CONNECTION (Ska) 10am-12pm 9-llpm (World) 3:30-5pm Canada's longest running Ska SATURDAY If you like everything from THE CANADIAN WAY French language and music. radio program. electro/techno/trance/8-bit (Eclectic) 6:30-8pm [email protected] THE SATURDAY EDGE music/retro '80s this is the Alternating Wednesdays CAFE RADIO (Roots) 8am-12pm show for you! (World) 5-6pm THESE ARE THE BREAKS A personal guide to world 8c www.synapticsandwich. net FOLK OASIS Iranian talk and music syn­ (Hip-hop) 12-lpm roots music—with African, (Roots) 8- 10pm dicated from CJSF Simon Top notch crate digger DJ Latin and European music BEATS FROM THE BASEMENT Two hours of eclectic folk/ • Fraser University, Burnaby, Avi Shack mixes under­ in the first half, foUowed by (Hip-hop) llpm-lam roots music, with a big em­ B.C. ground hip-hop, old school Celtic, blues, songwriters, Hosted by J-Boogie and phasis on our local scene. classics, and original breaks. Cajun and whatever else fits! Joelboy. The latest tracks, C'mon in! A kumbaya-free STEREOSCOPIC REDOUBT [email protected] [email protected] classics, rare and obscure, zone since 1997. (Rock) 6-7:30pm current events and special [email protected] PsychedeUc, acid punk, RADIO ZERO GENERATION ANIHILATION features of peeps coming freakbeat, prog and other (Dance) 2-3:30pm (Punk) 12-lpm into the studio. Listeners SEXY IN VAN CITY grotesque and sociaUy rel­ An international mix of A fine mix of streetpunk and can expect to be enter­ (Talk) 10-11PM evant artifacts from 1965 to super-fresh weekend party old-school hardcore backed by tained... church. Your weekly dose of educa­ today, with an emphasis on jams from new-wave to for­ band interviews, guest speak­ klymkiw@gmail. com tion and entertainment in Vancouver's freak flag with eign electro, baile, BoUywood ers and social commentary. the realm of relationships pride. and whatever else. crashnburnradio@yahoo. ca and sexuality. www.myspace. com/stereo- www.radiozero.com sexyinvancity.com/category/ scopicredoubt NARDWUAR

16 //W////_W////, MICHAEL JACKSON ON THE INTER

ince Michael Jackson's untimely death, the Internet has been flourishing with creativity inspired by the pop star. The online MJ sea, however, is a large and overwhelming place, littered with many low quality video and photo montages. Yet, there certainly are some gems too!

by Alex McCarter

Remixes A Never Ending plaster sculpture by American artist Jeff Koons in 1988. It features an'80s Jackson and his pet chimp Thousands of Jackson remixes are floating around Moonwalk Tribute Bubbles nestled on his knee. More modern versions in many different styles, but these three are worth (http://www.eternalmoonwalk.com) of the work can also be found. As a bonus, links the effort: MJ may have passed away, but this does not mean to each artist are provided, should you be curious that his dance style ever will. One of the best about specific pieces. 1. Telemitry's "Smooth Criminal" tribute sites, Eternal Moonwalk takes this UteraUy. (http://www. welikeitindie. com/music/m]4. mp3) People from around the world send in their moon­ A weU done electro mix was made by a lesser walk, which is then added to a flow of others. Each known electronic group from Tennessee called International Jackson one is numbered, giving the visitor an idea of the Telemitry. The group has turned Jackson's classic, number of people have uploaded the dance (thou­ "Smooth Criminal," into a more powerful, bass- Lookalikes: sands). Jackson's original moves are an obvious first laden version with catchy synth triUs. "submission," and after this, the dances continue in A Photo Essay random order. So send one in or simply be amused (http://www.guardian.co. uklmusicl 2. The Hood Internet's "Billie 'Wildcat* Jean" by the many interpretations of the moon walk, gallery/2009/jun/26/michael-jackson- (http://www.thehoodinternet.com/2009/06/michael- including a few fans who seem to think of it as a bokatikes?picture=349436980) jackson-vs-ratatat. html) high-kneed backward march. Jackson's style and morphing face was not One of the most popular remixes is a mash-up Warning: Theme music is repetitive, you might want exactly trend setting in his later years. Yet, after his of "BiUie Jean" with the Ratatat classic "Wildcat." to put it on mute. death, many impersonators cropped up to show This mix boasts a whopping 661 hearts on the their best Michael face to the world. Interestingly, music blog aggregator Hype Machine (www. in this photo essay, which was put together by the hypem.com). Take a listen and you will be busting Michael Jackson Art U.K. newspaper the Guardian (www.guardian*. out moves in no time (then load them on to never co.uk), people from China to L.A. to Mexico City ending moonwalk, see below). Compilation and beyond, all choose to imitate the later-in-life, (http://www.vvork.eom/.m~200906) paler Jackson. 3. DJ Z-Trip's "I Want You Badr" Jackson's bizarre and eccentric character easily (http://www.kickinthepeanuts.com/music/ spawned odd ideas. Vvork, a contemporary art JacksonSiwantyoubackztrip. mp3) blog from Southern Germany began to compile the This remix takes the framework of the classic lots of Jackson related art soon after his passing. Jackson 5 song "I Want You Back," but gives it a Adding multiple works every day, site visitors are catchy modern twist This is hard to master, yet DJ able to see the huge range of art the pop star in­ Z-trip does just that. ^ spired, including a personal Jackson Pollock-esque painting done by MJ and one of his good friends, Macaulay Culkin. Another highlight is a golden art by Josh Tran 12 Monotonix at Tubby Dogg

ISLAND

Calgary June 25-27 Reviews by Quinn Omori and Leanna On photos by Quinn Omori

lfi led Island is one of the best music festivals in Canada. A number of Vancouverites made the journey inland to see it and among them were three of our reporters. Check out what they saw and their interview with festival curator and Wire frontman, Colin Newman.

Thursday, June 25 Japandroids at the Royal Canadian Legion #1

Coming from Vancouver, I already knew what Japandroids were capable of Uve, but after aU the dust that Pitchfork kicked up had settled, it was intriguing to see just what kind of crowd would greet Brian King and Dave Prowse after playing last year's festival to a handful of show goers. This time around, they almost fiUed Sled Island's largest indoor venue, performing to a crowd that was intent on shouting all the words to songs like "Sovereignty" and "Young Hearts Spark Fire" back at the duo.

Mount Eerie at the Central United Church

The music of Sled Island ran the gamut from Final Fantasy to Andrew WK. In spite of this diversity and the volume of shows, Mount Eerie's performance achieved singularity. It was, in my experience, the only show that bordered on Japandroids spiritual. The stunning Central United Church provided echoing acoustics and an impressive venue for the moving lo-fi performance. Sitting in pews felt appro­ priate. On stage, Anacortes resident Phil Elverum exhibited awkward candour and endearing sincerity. His show was a charming juxtaposition. The music was "This show could never happen in gentle and poignant, punctuated with self-conscious questions to the audience about set length. Then, in contrast, he cracked jokes about the death of Michael Vancouver!" —Kalin Harvey Jackson—which happened the day of the show—which were met at first with discomfort from the audience, foUowed closely by laughter and reUef. "So I hear Michael Jackson died. It's about time. It's a relief, merciful, reaUy. This one's for him," he ventured. With that, Elverum once again began to play, and offered touching, intimate music fit for both an elegy and a church.

King Khan & BBQ. at the Royal Canadian Legion #1

"This show could never happen in Vancouver!" ProOPon City chief Kalin Harvey shouted at me during the raucous King Khan 8c BBQ show in the packed upper room of the Legion downtown. King Khan & BBQ set up and played on the floor with wavering stacks of amps as their only protection from the heaving crowd. In a style decidedly un-Monotonix, [ed if you don't know what that means skip ahead and read the Monotonix review] Khan voiced his discomfort at the pros­ pect of the "stage" becoming overrun by the audience. With a group that rowdy, however, I would have been wary, too. Typical of Khan 8c BBQ performances, they played almost every song from their eponymous album."WaddUn'Around" was one of the best, and I will confess to waddling along as I danced atop a speaker. Unfortunately what is also typical of Khan was the liberal use of back­ ing tracks to support the live show. Although this ensured consistency with the album and allowed the crowd their enthusiastic sing-along, the result was a Uttle King Khan 12 Puberty artificial after the festival's many impressive Uve performances. I will, however, venture to say that not a single person left dis­ appointed, including the volunteers who were crowd surfing as a means of transportation. Overly loud, over capacity and with people standing on every surface, the show was a treat for any visiting Vancouverite, and a nightmare for any bylaw officer.

Coathangers at the Tiki Room

Apparently, earUer in the day, this Atlanta quartet's set went off the rails after the ladies took offense when a heckler let every­ one know that he'd Uke them to lift their shirts up. At the Tiki Room, the boys in the audience were more gentlemanly, letting the band focus on delivering a set of rambunctious post-punk that sounded Uke Bratmobile doing a reading of a "Fairytale in the Supermarket."

Friday June 26

Monotonix at Tubby Dogg

Monotonix have songs. I've heard them. They've got verses and choruses and audible lyrics. At least they do on record. Live, the band pumps out the same riffs over the same back beat for an hour straight. Of course, it's hard to notice the musi­ cal redundancy when those "songs" are sound tracking what can only be described as complete chaos. The IsraeU rockers started off crammed into a notorious Calgary hot dog joint, but rewarded the sizable crowd that had gathered outside the tiny "venue" by dragging their gear outside to play on the sidewalk. I can say, with confidence, that it's the first time I've seen some­ the Coathangers one stagedive off of a mailbox. It's the first time I've seen someone stagedive off of a mailbox.

20. HEALTH at the Marquee

With the release of last year's remix album, HEALTH Disco, HEALTH solidified a fact that they hinted at on their self-titled debut: they can't seem to decide if they want to be a noise band or a dance act. Happily, the resulting schizophre­ nia of skittering beats and cacophonic blasts of sound is heaven for anyone who has trouble deciding between "weird punk" and Daft Punk. Coupling that unique combination with the L.A. band's boundless live energy made this one of the highUghts of the entire festival.

Saturday June 27

Githead at Local 510

If you've heard of Githead, it's probably be­ cause they share their singer/guitarist, Colin Newman, with a little band called Wire. In ad­ dition to Newman's vocals, both bands share a less-is-more approach to songwriting. But while Wire's compositions are economically cold and calculated, Githead opens things up to warmer textures that, during this early af­ ternoon show, helped shake off the hangover caused by the previous night Apparently, the festival organizers are keen on having more of these afternoon showcases next year, which is a welcome addition, especially if the bands that play early are this good.

Liars at Dicken's

There's something about Liars that doesn't suit a large stage, but while their claustropho­ bic guitars and tribal beats were a bit lost when they played the mainstage earUer in the evening, they sounded right at home on the tiny stage at Dicken's. The band stuck mostly to the post line­ up change part of their catalogue, splitting the difference between their punky latest, the droney tunes from Drums Not Dead, and the witching hour anthems from They Were Wrong So We Drowned, throwing in one treat for their oldest fans—a rare performance of "Loose Nights on the Veladrome."

21 Ppypi?

fc ABOUT SLED

art by Jamie Ward //////////////////^^^^ by Quinn Omori and Al Smith ollowing at Sled Island 2008, Co- We sat down with New-

Fthe legend- lin Newman returned man behind Calgary's ary perfor- as the festival'22 s cura- Warehouse club to mance by tor in 2009 in addition talk about Sled Island's post-punk to performing with his coming of age as a group Wire other band, Githead. major music festival. who feel different to that. There's a hunger—people that's great here: the co-opting of different spaces. Then he introduced us really want to get on board [with Sled Island] and It's really quite important. be represented. to his wife and gave us D: Since you're presenting this evening's show at the D: That's kind of what we noticed last year—we Warehouse, can we talk a little about that? Did you chocolate! What a guy. came in thinking that we would watch the bands personally pick all of the bands? And why did you and kind of keep to ourselves, but then there were choose them? Anyway, this is that: all these people... CN: Just picked the five coolest bands. Or the four Discorder: We were wondering about your involve­ CN: Yeah, I think it's an effort worth making. It's be­ coolest, and us! Any festival, anywhere in the world, ment with Sled Island. How did that come about? coming a destination festival. The city tourism office that put on a room with those bands in it, would be Obviously Wire played the festival last year... is prepared to help them now, as a cultural event. guaranteed to get attention. You've got Holy Fuck, And that's the other thing that's reaUy important to who are just one of the most wildly talented bands Colin Newman: That was pretty much what hap­ me: it's never sold as a rock festival because it isn't out there—especiaUy in Britain right now, they are pened! Wire played Sled Island [2008] and out of just a rock festival. There are a lot of good bands on, the name to drop. HEALTH, who are in a simtfar the gigs we played last year, it was the most memo­ and some bands you've never heard of, and some position from that L.A. scene; you've got [Githead], rable—the Legion show, anyhow. It's just the energy crap bands as weU. But there's also a load of other whatever that means; you've got Women, who have of the city, really. The event itself is just completely stuff going on aU at once, and as the festival goes done Calgary very proud, without even anyone crazy. It's without any real logic—way too much stuff on, that wiU only grow. It is a cultural festival. And I knowing they're from Calgary. When they played going on, all at the wrong time, it's too loud, it's too think that within the context of Calgary, that's very in London, they got pick of the week in Time Out hot, it's too everything—but that's kind of how a fes­ important, so that the rest of Canada can get an in­ [ed. Your critical guide to arts, culture and going out tival should be, reaUy. There was something I really kling of what's going on. in London]. And we got the Sub-Linguals, who are liked about it, although I do have some criticisms. a local band that we discovered in April who play Anyway, there was a thing at the Palomino bar on extremely raw rock, and I think probably could suc­ the Sunday last year, and Zak [Pashak, the 2008 Sled D: Have you seen many of the shows so far? ceed in other places besides Calgary. So I think it's Island organizer] kind of sidled up to me and said, good to have them on that stage. I think it's a good "Um, do you want to be our curator next year?" CN: I went to the Factory party last night. Did you lineup, yeah. And I was like, "Are you sure?" And he said, "Yeah!" go to that? It was... inexplicable! They'd taken ev­ And then I got formaUy invited a couple of months ery space they could and stuffed something into later. So I came and spent a week here in April with into—art, cinema, bands, DJs. It was very hot, full Malka [Spiegel, Newman's wife and Githead band- of really young kids, all very dressed up. It had that mate who is also a founding member of 1980s Is­ energy to it, like a community discovering itself. We raeli post-punk band Minimal Compact], and just were supposed to judge a dance competition and took on a lot of how people think here—what the turned up at 11 p.m., but nothing had happened by problems are, what the festival needs to develop, just half past 12 so we went back to the hotel room! If where the whole thing was going. I think it's worked I was stiU 20,1 would have been up aU night. An­ out quite weU, and I think that the third year is the other interesting thing is that most of these places year that it starts to really establish itself as some­ are not really venues. I think that's another thing thing more than a city festival of Calgary. It's start­ ing to take on a greater significance, certainly within ///////////////////^^^^ Canada. And it is gaining some national attention. Githead photographed by Quinn Omori You know Q on CBC? I did a bit on Sled Island with them, kind of just talked it up a bit. Made him [the CBC's Jian Ghomeshi] look sUghtly foolish because he didn't know who Women were! I didn't do it on purpose, but if you're supposed to know about mu­ sic... [Listen to the podcast here: http://podcast.cbc. ca/mp3/qpodcast_20090624_l 7431. mp3. Newman lays the smack down at 11 minutes and 30 seconds.]

D: Did you have any preconceptions of Calgary? Coming from other parts of Canada, we tend to be like, "Oh God, Cowtown."

CN: WeU, we didn't even have that I'd never even heard of it. Actually, Margaret [Fiedler, formerly of Laika and current Wire guitarist] had her post-wed­ ding-reception in Banff, and she had been through Calgary, so we knew a Uttle bit about it. Certainly not any sort of judgmental thing about where it stands in the level of... whatever... in Canada. But, um... yeah, it's in the middle of fucking nowhere!

D: But it has this whole culture of the macho, cow­ boy, oil-baron...

CN: Of course, but there are so many people here

23 BEYIEWS„, Under Review: Adriane Lak / Black Mold / David Bazan / Dan Mangan / Howling Bells / Pissed Jeans / Shaunn Watt / manoeuvres 3 / Vancouver's Punk As Fuck Vol.2

Adriane Lak singer/songwriter Chad VanGaalen. Bazan (who was also the only perma­ observational tales through use of Morning Glow The album is a coUection of experi­ nent member), it's not surprising that his signature graveled voice, simple (Mineral Music) ments with noise that differ greatly Curse Your Branches isn't too much wordplay and unpretentious song from the sweet pop songs that Van­ of a departure from his earlier work. structure. Take for example the ridic­ Adriane Lake's website describes her Gaalen is best known for. The bleeps Here, Bazan is stiU strumming an ulously catchy foot tapper and album music as "adorkable indie female elec­ and bloops of circuit bending are acoustic guitar and singing earnestly, opener, "Road Regrets," a song about tronica," a label that, regrettably, fits combined with electronic beats to mostly about matters of faith and being on the road for long stretches perfecuy. The whimsy is laid on thick create a coUection of songs that could reUgion. Curse Your Branches begins and finding peace and humour in it. on Morning Glow, most of which is have very weU been written by R2-D2 at the beginning—as in, the Book of "Robots," easUy the best song on the made up of bubblegum vocal harmo­ himself. Genesis. When Bazan sings the story album, is a fun little tale of a five day nies and quirky, life affirming lyrics that WhUe a majority of the tracks on of Adam and Eve on opener "Hard to stint spent without ceU phone service. are a Utde too cutesy to be enjoyable. Snow Blindness would be best suited Be," he sets up a recurring theme for Accompanying the lyrics for each It's a shame, since Lake herself comes for a droid make-out party, the al­ the album since many of these songs song is a sentence or two that acts as off as pleasantly likable and who con­ bum isn't entirely self-indulgent arty deal with the Fall (think Milton, not an explanation or meditation—a nice sistently offers bubbling positivity and fluff from some hack electrician. Van­ Mark E. Smith). Uttle bonus to visualize as you lose unabashed romanticism. But a song Uke Gaalen's strength as a songwriter and If you are a fan of Pedro the Lion yourself in the thickness of his voice "Cadillac Cat" is too sugary for its own composer really comes through as (and/or Bazan's synth pop side project and pretty guitar chords. With some good, featuring meowing sound effects he manages to create viable rhythm Headphones), there's no reason you of his strongest work to date and an and a chorus that includes the lyric "A and melody out of an array of quirky won't enjoy this. But for the uniniti­ already large fan-base, Nice, Nice, Very Cadillac cat / Where it's at / A kitty cutie noises. Combined with his playful­ ated, Bazan's droning voice over slow Nice could very weU be the album that kooky cat." Elsewhere, Lake tends to re­ ness and pop sensibilities, the sweet folky pop can be a bit much. The word solidifies Mangan as the standout art­ peat the title lyric ad nauseum (see: "So melodies of "Metal Spider Webs" or "plodding" comes to mind. StiU, Bazan ist he is. Beautiful" and "The Fullness of Life"). the bouncing beats of "Memes" sound is undoubtedly a talented songwriter —Nate Pike These candy-coated sentiments are set strangely enjoyable. But aside from and he manages to write thoughtfully against a backdrop of squiggly synths the odd accessible gem, most of the about faith whUe never preaching. The and dense, syncopated beats—this helps album sounds Uke luUabies for video closest he comes to sermonizing is on to reduce the sweetness somewhat but game fanatics. the upbeat rocker "Bearing Witness," not enough to make it palatable. Black Mold is an ambitious and but it doesn't hurt that the song has Howling Bells The two best songs on the album are creative effort, but it is definitely the most memorable melody on the Radio Wars the instrumental tracks, which place not for everyone. Fans of the genre album and injects some energy into a (Nettwerk) the full focus on Lake's lush electronic are sure to had Snow Blindness as a largely lifeless release. arrangements. The vaguely Parisian masterpiece, while new listeners will —Dan Fumano There are certain expectations that "Jacques Cousteau" sets a dreamy accor­ probably just think their CD or MP3 come along with using the word dion waltz against burbling synthesizers player is on the fritz. "howling" in your band name, none and fluttering percussion, while "Lost —Mark PaulHus of which are fulfilled by Aussie four- UmbreUa" features haunting piano piece HowUng BeUs. This isn't to say arpeggios and harp flourishes. These Dan Mangan that Radio Wars is a bad album—it tracks show that Lake is a talented pro­ Nice, Nice, Very Nice features plenty of bouncy, vaguely ducer and arranger, despite being ham­ (Fue Under Music) atmospheric pop rock songs that faU pered by her syrupy songwriting. . David Bazan somewhere between the chiming —Alex Hudson Curse Your Branches Dan Mangan is a heck of a talented guitar leads of '90s Britpop and the (Barsuk) guy. His poignant few friUs approach buzzy syirA-fock of Metric. Vocalist to songwriting is refreshing and the Juaiiita Stein is, in particular, a dead Curse Your Branches is the fuU length songs he produces sit so comfortably. ringer for Emily Haines, and spends solo debut from David Bazan, the They are easy to sing along to and most of the collectidn sounding Uke Black Mold Seattle-based singer-songwriter best have a habit of winding their way into she's trying to recreate Old World Un­ Snow Blindness is Crystal Antz known as the driving force behind the the consciousness and staying there. derground, Where Are You Now? She (Flemish Eye Records) now-defunct Pedro the Lion, who are This feeling continues on his sopho­ almost succeeds, but the tunes are known for their melodic, down-tempo more release, Nice, Nice, Very Nice hampered by her often heavy-handed Snow Blindness is Crystal Antz is the pop rock and poignant lyircs. Since and doesn't stop until long after the lyrics. "Golden Web" drives its man- first coUection of songs released by Pedro the Lion was reaUy less of a music is over. There is something so as-spider metaphor into the ground, Black Mold, the gUtch underbeUy of band and more of a creative outlet for very real about the way he spins his whUe opener "Treasure Hunt" features

24 REMEMKL

BLACK MOLD HOWLING BELLS DAN MANGAN PISSED JEANS the pompous group-sung refrain "We to actually notice. When the singer ones we love require little else in the —Adam Mannegren are the watchtowers / We are the light isn't droning and making little to teUing, and that is what Watt has done that emanates / We are the key that fits no sense with his tuneless reverbing here—and quite effectively at that. / We are the world that radiates." waUs, he occasionally sounds a Uttle —Nate Pike Howling Bells are best when at Uke Nick Cave doing a soUloquy for their least affected. "Ms. Bell's Song" Grinderman. At other high points, Various Artists is a refreshingly straightforward mid- one might think they detect the alco­ Vancouver's Punk As Fuck Vol.2 tempo acoustic strummer with chord hol imbibed vocals of Mark E. Smith. (Independent) changes that subtly shift the mood Big swooping rock guitars, combined Various Artists from dark to light. The album finishes with thrashing cymbals and banging, manoeuvres 3-a collection of be Vancouver's Punk as Fuck is back for with a secret track placed four minutes crashing drums. AU this topped off electronica (So CaUed Recordings) another round and this time the com­ after the final song ends ('90s style, with a singer who sounds like he's half pUation is bigger, better and stronger! back when people listened to CDs!). drunk, half dead, or perhaps, like he's Who knew beautiful British Colum­ Volume 2 is packed with 30 hard­ It's unclear why it was relegated to an pissed his jeans and he's super mad. bia had so much talent in the catch- hitting blasts from some of Vancou­ afterthought since the song features —Amy Scott-Samuel aU realm of electronica? manoeuvres ver's most notorious punk bands. This a hypnotic electro groove and Stein's 3 offers a nice cross-section of the round VPAF comes out swinging— most poignantly bleak lyrics, "It's an­ genre: from blippy IDM gone wrong the first track a direct upper cut from other lonely Monday." Howling Bells to distorted electro dance rock, to acid the fine-tuned street punk outfit the would be weU served to always foUow //////////////////////////^^^ flavoured techno. Rebel Spell. With the pace set, the this blueprint of simplicity. ShaunnWatt Sinewave contributes a song awash hits come hard and fast, pummel- —Alex Hudson Adyn in lush, Air-reminiscent ambience. ing the listener with a barrage of beU (Independent) It's a dreamy beach scene with a sonic ringing punk rock. The track list bobs tide roUing in with a nice groove of a and weaves through thrash, hardcore, Is being a sincere and seemingly beat on top and some massive atmo­ skate, garage, crust, crossover and //////////////////////////////^^^^ good-hearted person worth anything spheric (or underwater) reverbed au­ more, all without a second wasted. It's Pissed Jeans in the music business nowadays? Of ral texture. Michael Red's "Top Score" no holds barred, and VPAFs corner King of Jeans course it is all about the music, but is is just plain fun. An offbeat pumping is stacked with the city's most dirty (Sub Pop) music reaUy worthwhUe if the artist bass line, selective percussion and a rotten punks; China Creeps, Imped- has simply recorded it just to hear the catchy 8-bit melody tastes like old ers of Progress, Golers, Mr. Plow, Sure, this music has its qualities, sound of his or her own voice? Clearly school Nintendo married to an ana­ the Jolts and a battalion more are on though they're pretty hard to detect this is not the case with Vancouver re­ log synthesizer. Simple and sparse, the the card.This 66-minute title bout is after the first listen, and maybe even cording artist Shaunn Watt. Adyn is a Lighta! crew heavy hitter puts snules fast, loud and deUberately offensive. harder after a further ten listens. This coUection of pretty understated folky on faces with this track. It wUl knock you down and help you is the kind of music you spent your pop songs collected over the past two The closing track, "Rose Black's up, only to knock you down again. It early teens pogoing to—smashed off years. They are tiny little snapshots Shadow" by Elonious Funk, is a wiU leave you bloody, sore and asking your face in the middle of the trashy, of the people, places and things that choice pick with haunting '40s horror for more. It wiU knock you out with a grim-fueUed rock club of your home­ move him, each carrying an under­ radio-theatre strings and chilling fe­ toothless grin across your face, prov­ town. So drunk, that you no longer current of devotion and thanksgiving male vocal samples served on top of a . ing once again that Vancouver is still care, can no longer dance, or even see to these individual moving forces. The hip-hop beat, imbued with an unpre­ as "Punk as Fuck." straight for that matter. And of course, CD opens perfectly with the sounds dictably stuttered groove with plenty —Mark PaulHus you have no interest in good mu­ of birds singing and a child's voice fol­ of triplets. sic. You just want to get wasted! If it lowed by the clean crisp sounds of a The overaU selection is varied but serves no other purpose, this is a great guitar and Watt's sweet voice launch­ high in quality and sonically diverse. album to have a sweaty work-out to. ing into "Your Garden." And then The variation of sound from track As in, work out the sweat, work out there is my personal favorite, "Take to track might prevent it from being that deep lurking primal angst and Me With You," which again, is bare, the CD to just hit play at your next work out those god damn demons honest and revealing. It's this naked electronica-friendly hang out session, whUe you're at it. King of Jeans is your simple deUvery that acts as theme for but So CaUed Recordings has done a archetypal dark, grunge rock album. this album. Guitar, voice, overdubs nice job in giving the public a taste of You'U barely be able to hear the lyr­ and a bit of back-up instrumenta­ what's avaUable from beautiful B.C. in ics, but you'U be too busy thrashing tion is what you get and it works re­ the ever-morphing wide expanse of and doing high kicks off your couch ally weU. Sometimes stories about the electronica. '//////////s, 25 BEYJ£M„

ACTION

26 REVIEWS

Constantines the end of a long tour. ThankfuUy they didn't let ex­ Nardwuar leapt into the crowd with frenetic maracas, Ladyhawk haustion get in their way, and nearly every song was then passed them off to an eager young attendee. The Lightning Dust delivered with an intensity beyond their akeady raw audience, wide-eyed and ready for anything, foUowed June 16 studio recordings. his cues, crouching down and popping up Uke a col­ Lifetime Collective Near-perfect renditions of old favourites "Night­ lective jack-in-the-box. In climax, Nardwuar donned a time/Anytime" and "Young Lions" finaUyshu t most Canadian flag helmet and dove excitedly off the stage. This was an odd one. Flyers for the show advertised of the crowd up, and newer songs were done justice Andrew WK. continued to fuel this energy, albeit Ladyhawk, Lightning Dust and "very special guests." as well. The chugging bass-driven "Trans Canada" with a younger and predominantly male crowd. A I didn't know what to expect going in—maybe a never sounded so menacing. A few songs with Steve pervasive mUdew smeU originated from sweaty few extra members of Black Mountain. Instead, the Lambke on vocals were the low points of the set, but young men, Pabst beer droplets that misted the air crowd was treated to a full set by Guelph, Ontario's only because frontman Bryan Webb's husky growl is and a flood the BUtmore had earlier that afternoon. Constantines. Interesting venue, too—the event was so much better in comparison. Andrew W.K. gave the crowd exactly what was ex­ hosted by the clothing shop Lifetime Collective in If you missed this, don't worry too much—Life­ pected—an excuse to flail, spray beer, and yeU, "It's Mount Pleasant. time Collective plans to host more shows like this. tune to party!" The bliss of the audience was pal­ Black Mountain side project Lightning Dust Good luck to them, though, because topping this pable, and shirts were shed. kicked off the night, and were somewhat disap­ one won't be easy. Andrew W.K., famous for partying and writing pointing live. Vocalist Amber Webber relied heavdy —Reilly Wood songs about partying, was indeed one big walking on a shuddering, Grace Slick vocal effect, which was party. Lyrical highlights included "Let's get a party hauntingly effective for darker songs, but it began going" (from "Party Hard) and "we want to have fun to feel overused when the band shifted into more and we want to get wasted" (from "We Want Fun"). upbeat territory. Their performance was competent Andrew W.K. Audience members were catapulted onto the but not captivating, and the loud and uninterested The Evaporators stage, toppling equipment and grabbing hold of crowd didn't help matters. Vicious Cycles anything to slow their trajectory. Though Andrew Ladyhawk was up next and they debuted quite June 23 WK's voice boomed through the PA, it was impos­ a few new songs. With the exception of one song Biltmore Cabaret sible to spot him in the mess of churning bodies. that seemed to take its inspiration from cheesy '80s The Evaporators/Andrew W.K. finale was delayed by metal, the new material sounded just like you'd ex­ It would be hard to match the sheer joy of this par­ trashed equipment—half an hour later, the evening pect: pummeling, grimy, sentimental bar-rock. They ticular night. The crowd sparkled with sweaty chests came to a close with Wimpy from the Subhumans ' might be treading old ground, but when a band and the spray of beer in the air. AU bands embodied making a guest appearance. AU this was in the name completely nads a sound you can't fault them too fun with unbridled enthusiasm, shameless in their of recently released split 7" by W.K. and the Evapo­ much for sticking with it. antics and lyrics. After a solid set by Vicious Cycles, rators A Wild Pear. Give it a Usten! The Constantines took the floor soon after, look­ the Evaporators showed their usual panache with a —Brenda Grunau ing every bit as tired as you'd expect them to be near fuU set of props and costumes, theatrics and antics.

/////////////////////////M^^ Dirty Projectors photographed by Nicole Ondre REVIEWS

Dirty Projectors photographed by Nicole Ondre

Collapsing Opposites only perform on the occasion of a birthday. [On this carnival of music in a live setting, and no crowd of Fanshaw occasion, the birthday of illustrious CiTR/Discorder weU-manicured younglings was going to sour this Julianna Barwick alumnus Parmida Zarrinkamar. Hi Parml -ed.] night. Tally Ho! CoUapsing Opposites was the last to play, and You can count me as a new fan of Montreal The Milkies front man Ryan McCormick's experience shone three-piece Elfin Saddle who opened the show with June 26 through as he recited his monologues and sohlo- turbulent and haunting Japanese-flavoured classi­ Funky Winkerbeans quies with a poignancy reminiscent of Jonathan cal alt-folk. Sound different? You bet! Bowed-bass Richman. TactfuUy dealing with an interruption heavy and trance-inducing, Elfin Saddle transport­ One day after the passing of the King of P^>p, five from a drunken navy veteran in the crowd, McCor­ ed you through time and space to a weird alternate bands put their mourning aside and took the stage mick declared, "Congratulatipif, sir, on a completely universe where Shoguns invented punk with the at Funky Winkerbeans to celebrate the continuum successful life!" And congratulations to aU the bands use of singing saws, recorders and half accordions. of twee. The bar had a heavy air of somnolence as on a completely successful performl^sl Fantastic! ' lone soldiers, obviously devastated by the loss of Mi- —Robert Fougere Unfortunately, I was distracted by Corona and chael, occupied most tables, many looking as though conversation during Witchies set. Also from Mon­ they had not showered or shaved in months. treal, Witchies sounded power poppy and meaty The first band up was TaUy Ho! This aptly named with distortion, offering whiffs of Lou Barlow or duo was charged with the task of warming up the Dinosaur Jr. They definitely played hard and fast, crowd. Fortunately, they were up to the chaUenge Sunset Rubdown which I can always get behind. with a newly expanded repertoire of songs, aU fea­ Witchies But this night belonged to Sunset Rubdown in turing lush vocal harmonies and instrumental ac­ Elfin Saddle aU of their obtuse and lyricaUy ambiguous glory. companiment that matched their country stripes June 30 Ringleader Spencer Krug was spirited and loose, his and neck scarves. Brooklyn native Juliana Barwick . Richard's on Richards band was charged and the dense crowd was very re­ followed up, playing what was her first-ever Cana­ ceptive. Opening with "The Empty Threats of Little dian show. Barwick's effect-heavy looping vocals It's not always easy being an old fart who has a love Lord," they were off to the races. Their set spanned channeled the orcas of Howe Sound, haunting the affair with strange music, being that some of this the entirety of their recorded output but favoured patrons of Funky s Uke delirium tremens. Fanshaw strange music can attract a rather large "too cool the last three albums and reUed more on the heavier foUowed this performance with the necessary indie for you" hipster quotient. Like the music itself, these songs, which seemed to please the crowd. After an grooves to reground the audience. crowds can be a Uttle intimidating for the uniniti­ hour and a bit, the band briefly left the stage, only Before the headliners there was a surprise ap­ ated. But I had simply waited for too long to see to return for an excellent three-song encore that in­ pearance by the birthday band, the Milkies, who Spencer Krug and his merry band play their oddbaU cluded "Us Ones In Between" and an amazing rendi-

28 REVIEWS tion of "Dragon's Lair" from the new album. Then, with a wave and a "thank you," the band left the stage as the hipsters and I filed out into the warm June evening with wishes fulfilled and smUes on our lips—this was indeed a good night to be cool. —Nathan Pike

Dirty Projectors Richard's on Richards July 2

This show wasn't originaUy on their tour, but it was added shortly after the Dirty Projectors played at the Malkin Bowl last May. Someone must have real­ ized this was what Vancouver needed after counting the number of people who crowded the stage while Dirty Projectors was on and how many skipped out on the closing act, TV on the Radio, to go some­ where quiet and digest what they had heard. Dirty Projector's leader, Dave Longstreth, has a reputation as an ambitious musician. Fans that have been foUowing the band for years enjoy the sort of records that demand repeated listens to unpack aU the pieces, and there those pieces were on stage: the baby-falUng-asleep loveliness of "Two Doves," the west African style guitar picking in "Temulca Sunrise" that had been ghettoized to daylit folk fes­ tival stages for too many decades and the Mariah Carey high-school-bedroom-Walkman-fest-fueled vocal performance of Amber Coffman in "Stillness is a Move." It would be tragic if the studio was the only place where these components could be trans­ formed into their labouriously constructed wholes. Instead, the band members proved that the stage is where they belong, reproducing the complex ar­ rangements with authority and grace. Escaping the traditional role of backup singers, the triple-female- vocal harmonics functioned as the lead instrument in most songs. The concrete intensity this adds to a live performance is hard to overstate, but I'll try: the interplay between their voices and Longstreth's impossibly personal lyrics caused your reviewer to have a nearly transcendent realization of the deep underlying and eternal beauty of every smaU epi­ sode in one's Ufe, or at least, the one that happened that night at Richard's. —Kalin Harvey

Frog Eyes Chet Victoria, Victoria! Sunset Rubdown photographed by Tamara Lee July 11 Media Club

There was something for every taste and fancy on the bill on this Saturday night at the Media Club. Moving from the bittersweet indie pop of Victo­ ria, Victoria! to the lonesome, atmospheric soul melodies of Chet and the visceral shrieks of Carey Mercer and his experimental quartet Frog Eyes, the evening granted listeners a bounty of musical (and •

29 REVIEWS

in some cases, theatrical and mythological) perfor­ drone with a Jackson PoUock splash of song struc­ the stage. mance, while also serving as an impressive show­ ture were in luck. The quartet (although I could only Perhaps the ultimate triumph of the night was piece of the diversity of the Vancouver/Victoria see three from my vantage point) stopped about that the show did go on, despite its headliners ab­ indie rock scene. four times, which was the only indication that they sence. A solemn air permeated both sets, with both Opening the proceedings, a soft, laid-back 40 min­ had completed a song. To be honest, most of the set bands mentioning Ashworth's accident, thank­ ute set by Chris, Johnny, Joe and Jonah of Victoria, sounded like a jam or perhaps songs that the band ing the audience for attending despite it and with Victoria! saw the group playing to warm appreciation knew but the audience didn't. These psychedelic Cryptacize going so far as to dedicate a song "to despite a waning stage presence. The resulting effect devotees did manage to hypnotize me for a moment, Owen" (though this tribute's solemnity was dissi­ on the crowd was obvious once Chet took the stage. living up to their name and generally pleasing the 80 pated by the audience and band members' playful Patrons chatted and seemed preoccupied and disin­ or so people busting the seams of Little Mountain. laughter). Though a number of people up and left terested for the bulk of their set The disconnection Altogether, a complementary string of bands and midway through (including several of this writer's aside, Chet evoked a rusty, nostalgic soundscape pleased patrons made this a good show but not a friends—you guys suck), a sizeable crowd was still thanks to the warbUng vocals of Ryan Beattie, some triumph. in attendance, proving that, yes, we all "knew" Ca­ soulful organ work and heavUy reverbed guitar licks —Robert Robot siotone, and yes, we knew we still wanted to have reminiscent of the Walkmen. a good time. FinaUy it was time for. the performance art por­ —Sean Nelson tion of the show. Frog Eyes' frontman and centerpiece Carey Mercer, a force on stage, was the antithesis of the tranquU grace emitted by the evening's earUer acts. No Kids His mythology-based, manic and angst-ridden lyrical Cryptacize diatribes demand a fair bit of patience to fuUy absorb. July 16 Destroyer Mercer guides his devout foUowers on a theatrical jour­ The BUtmore The Shilohs ney through the dark dimensions that are his lyrics, Attics & Cellars a journey as raucous and volatile as the performer "Do you know about Casiotone for the PainfuUy July 17 himself. The songs are layered, unsettling coUections Alone?" the BUtmore doorman asked. Biltmore Cabaret of melodies resulting from a clashing of disharmo­ "Yeah, I know about Casiotone," I replied naively, nious sound elements. The reaction to Frog Eyes assuming he was making small talk about the eve­ Dan Bejar played a surprisingly good solo set as De­ on this night seemed Uke wonderment bordering ning's headlining act. stroyer at the BUtmore in spite of a loud, drunken on confusion and unease—an uncomfortable and "No, he was in a car crash and couldn't make it audience. Accompanying himself with only an dangerous stew of sound and noise befitting a band to the show." acoustic guitar, Bejar drew heavily on his back cata­ with the complexity and intensity of Frog Eyes. Which posed a question: would the show go on logue, including a good mix of old favourites such as —Gavin Reid without Mr. Ashworth? (who, the audience was as­ "Beggars Might Ride" with his stronger new mate­ sured, was thankfully okay) The answer was yes, rial Uke "Foam Hands." thanks to scheduled openers Cryptacize and No Though Bejar is usuaUy known more for his skills Kids. as a songwriter than a live performer, over the years Jokingly welcoming the audience to "open mic he has gained confidence in his abUity in front of Psychic Ills night," No Kids' Nick Krgovich started off his band's an audience. Though he may never have the stage Indian Jewelry set with a polished rendition of "Prisoner of Desire." presence to rival legendary performers such as the Solars New material and favourites like "For Halloween" oft-cited-Destroyer-mentor David Bowie or even July 14 even managed to get some traditionaUy immobUe New-Pornos bandmate Neko Case, the man can Little Mountain Studios (and thts evening sullen) Vancouverites to dance! play a solid set. Bejar had a few tricks up his sleeve No Kids set out doing what they do best: deliver­ to win his audience over, such as playing a short Little Mountain Studios: small, sweaty, under con­ ing nuanced grooves and slow-jams that sound as if cover of one of his greatest New Pornographers struction and perfect for this relatively underground they were written by your overeducated, Gen-X hip­ songs, "Streets of Fire," and pausing to take a request Uneup. I caught the end of Vancouver's Solars, so I ster cousin who's usuaUy penning clever screenplays in the middle of the set. can't say much more than that they were loud. As and witty reviews (or in Krgovich's case, the musical For aU his abUity, there was no winning over for Indian Jewelry, the interweb tells me that they In the Yard, Havin'Fun). Along with new songs from some of the crowd, as there was a steady stream of are from Houston and that their sonics can cause a forthcoming full-length, Krgovich also introduced bar room chatter throughout the set, which Bejar seizures. If head-bobbing to sludgy industrial-esque the ever-talented Rose Melberg as an additional was unable to completely drown out with his gui­ stew means seizures in Texan talk, then seizures I member of the band, who went on to perform beau­ tar. This might have been accomplished if he had a had. Drawing on too many influences to mention, tiful harmonies alongside him. fuU backing band, but in spite of that he still man­ they reminded me of the first time I heard Barry Speaking of beautiful, the soothing tones of aged to elicit an encore, in which he closed the night Adamson. I knew I liked it—didn't reaUy know what Cryptacize's Nedelle Torrisi were the next to perme­ with the classic from Your Blues, "Don't Become The kind of music it was, but it was definitely sinister. ate the Biltmore's air. Despite the hardships caused Thing You Hated." Unfortunately, the power in the buUding—which by an impromptu sound check and its ensuing feed­ Faring a bit better with the crowd noise were the used to be a butcher shop—cut out for a whUe, eat­ back problems, San Francisco's Cryptacize soldiered ShUohs who played a tight set that drew heavUy on ing into their akeady short set. [ed. This was actu­ on, and, with just the right touch of reverb, deliv­ influences of '60s folk rock bands. They were easily ally due to someone stepping on the power cord and ered a set full of the confident, jangly and whimsical the rockingest act of the night and turned quite a pulling it out of the unfortunately-placed wall outlet. songs the band is known for, mostly coming from few heads during their set. Watch what you're doing jerks!] Back up again for their new, more pop-focused album, Mythomania. Attics 8c CeUars warmed the crowd up with some just half a song, and the crowd was again thrust into The band succeeded in charming at least this writer charming baroque pop incorporating ceUo and violins - darkness with only a lonely drumbeat to latch onto. (who also had the good fortune to see them play at into every song. It sounded lovely and it was worth the They caUed it quits. Check these guys out if they the Media Club earUer this year), though perhaps effort of showing up on time just to see them. ever make it over the border again. not the thinning crowd who were somewhat apa­ —Jordie Yow The Psychic IUs' latest album, Mirror Eye, hasn't thetic due to Casiotone's cancellation. The band cap­ received the best reviews (it's a poor follow-up to tivated at least a few other audience members, who Dins), but their live show wasn't bad. Those into clamoured for an encore after Cryptacize vacated

3Q-' ZULUS LATE SUMMER HAPPENING! A busy month of music at your community record store. $6 USED CD BLOW OUT CONTINUES! Check out our amazing selection of ultra cheap CDS priced at $6 each or 6 lor $30 - now located on the other side of our store at 1976 West 4th Ave! Check them out quick as there are some pretty great CDs just waiting to go on a Summer road trip with you!

AUGUST NEW RELEASES AVAILABLE AT ZULU The finest selection of essential new sounds. MODEST MOUSE- Mo Dues First and Your Next SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE - Luminous Night CMP GQ/LP MEDESKI MARTIN ANO WOOD - Radiolarians UK FORD PIER - Adventurism CO STONE ROSES - S/T Deluxe CD, 2GO/DVD, LP RON ABE - The Steeping Eye GD/LP ANTONY & HE JOtlNSONS - Aeon CD/7" SIC ALPS - Long Waf Around to t Shortcut USHTNK DUST - Infinite Light CD/LP 2LP BtiFfltSai-Dr^armer CANYONS-Fire Eyas ir PORTUGAL THE MAN - Tlie Satanic Satanlst ONEIDA-Rated 0 CO/IP CLARK - Totems Flare JAYKAWKS-AttWogrCQ FIERY FURNACES -1'« Going Away CLUTCH - Strange Cousins From The West CD GREY MACHINE | disconnecter TNE OEWMFEATWR - Herelwwiatf CD MAGNOUA ELECTRIC CO. - Josephine MOST SERENE REPU8UC - And the ever WYE OAK ~Tt* Knot CO expanding universe CO DESTROYER - iay Of Pip W a*s+t I soo DAYS OF SUMMER co

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I My,M^f IsTOflE HOURS 1972-1976W4thAM *.*«* •}»-?« Vancouver. BC ttana-fta M-M Sieve Willims tet 604 7383232 * **-** ^t MBIM* __m __^_m_s i^^Mc temwa& UnsaillS Unfl ISE rrPfH mwf ZULUS LATE SUMMER HAPPENING! A busy month of music at your community record store. SATURDAY AUGUST 15TH HIPPY DAZE AT ZULU RECORDS! Giant outdoor party with live performances on the street in front of the store from THE EVAPORATORS, APOLLO GHOSTS, ROSE MELBERG, NO HORSES and more! Plus more sidewalk sale mayhem! See store ortnrw.zulumeords.com tor complete details! JAY REATARD Instore! ' _ Friday August 28th 8PM atador Records recording artist JAY REATARD stops by Zulu as Mpart of his record store only tour!! This is his only Vancouver performance — open to the public; come early its going to be crazy! EACH CD 16.98 SALE

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