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Rocking and Running for a Cure - 2013

Fri, 31 May 2013 15:58:00 -0400

I’m not one to beg for people’s support, even for worthwhile events I’m involved in. This one, however, is a little different.

As many of you may know, my wife Luisa has lived with Crohn’s disease since her teenage years (which hasn’t been that long, I know, I know). In layman’s terms, Crohn’s entails an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in anything from an embarrassing situation to near-critical abdominal pain. It also affects anyone and everyone around the sufferer, the least of which being myself and our two kids.

My wife Luisa is by far the strongest person I know – Rather than complain about her lot in life, she prefers to take action, which is why we’re participating in the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada’s “Gutsy Walk,” formerly known as the Heel ’n’ Wheel-a-Thon. We will both be running 5K on Sunday, June 9th at beautiful Spencer Smith Park on Burlington’s waterfront. (Us LeBlancs get around, I tell you!)

I definitely need to step up my training for the big race, not only because there’s a VERY good chance she will outrace me, but because there is an extremely good chance that Crohn’s disease will be beaten in her lifetime, but we need your help! If I’ve done a decent job persuading you to sponsor me, you may do so here. And anyone is also more than welcome to join “Team Zoom Zoom,” where once again my daughter Miranda will be acting as one of our team captains. Any amount is greatly appreciated, but if you pledge at least $15, not only will you be eligible for a tax receipt, I will add any song you suggest to my running playlist. People familiar with my music tastes know my preference is garage rock, but if someone donates enough and REALLY wants Justin Bieber or Bon Jovi on my iPod, I will begrudgingly accept. Because like their slogan goes, “It takes guts to find a cure.”

Whatever my playlist ends up being, I will share it with you all on Facebook.com/ROCKthusiast.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you all very much!
Gilles AKA ROCKthusiast

The ROCKthusiast’s Guide to Surviving the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 21:35:00 -0400

In seven short years, Montreal’s Osheaga Music and Arts Festivalhas become one of Canada’s preeminent destinations for hundreds of bands and fans. According to folklore, Osheaga was the first name used to describe the area that would eventually become Montreal by its European settlers, a word descended down from the native Mohawks as the place “where they met the people of the shaking hands.” These days, there are still plenty of shaking hands…and fists…and crowd surfers…and yeah you get the idea, hopefully! O-she-ha-ga, as it’s pronounced, may as well stand for, “Most awesome music fest in Canada!”

Having been to Montreal several times before, and having covered Osheaga in 2010 and 2011 forConsequence of Sound, it was found appropriate that I put together a survival guide to maximize the three days of “rocksanity” more than 100,000 voyagers going to Parc Jean-Drapeau on Île Sainte-Hélène will experience from Friday, August 3rd to Sunday the 5th. It’s less of an itemized checklist and moreover a series of suggestions to, as the Osheaga organizers themselves put it, “have the time of your life!”

GET YOURSELF TO THE PARC J.D.

Montreal is a city made up of a number of islands – Osheaga takes place on one of the smaller ones off the “mainland,” Saint Helen’s Island (or Île Sainte-Hélène en français). It’s easy to get to, as the well-traveled Jacques Cartier Bridge cuts right through the island. From the JC, you take the exit to La Ronde (a Six Flags amusement park) / Parc Jean-Drapeau (where the festival is actually held), followed by a slight right at Chemin du Tour de l’Isle. An infinitely better way to get to and from Osheaga, however, is by subway. The Montreal Metro system is one of the best and busiest in the world; the festival gates are right at Jean-Drapeau Station on the yellow line. Plan your trip with this interactive map!

(Each ride is $3.00 Canadian, but you can save a couple of bucks by buying a 3-day card.)

TO THE LEFT, TO THE LEFT

Osheaga’s layout is brilliantly simple and convenient, as everything is pretty much in a loop. The main concert area is actually comprised of two, identically-sized stages, side-by-side – The Virgin Mobile River Stage to the left and the Budweiser Mountain Stage on the right, near the entrance. If you look at the Osheaga schedule, you’ll notice that at no time is there ever any overlap between the two. Just so you all know, there is a steel barrier separating the stages, so if you’ve been camping out near the front for say, Metric on Sunday night, don’t expect to get the same spot for The Black Keys afterwards. There are video screens all around though to ensure no one misses a thing. The stages also look out to a fairly steep hill that is ideal for those who prefer to sit and take a load off.

(Photo by Susan Moss)

Once you exit this enclosed space and move to your left, after a short walk you’ll find yourself at the popular Electronic Picnic zone, where DJs will be mixing and spinning nonstop all weekend. If you continue in a circular direction, you’ll come across the Green Stage powered by Sennheiser, free of any sound bleed from their Virgin Mobile or Budweiser counterparts. Finally, there is the smaller Tree Stage, sponsored by Galaxie (a Canadian multilingual pay TV audio service), before you eventually hit merchandise alley and the main stages again.

STAY HYDRATED AND NOURISHED

Even though this technically is a survival guide, I probably shouldn’t have to tell you to drink plenty of water while you whoop it up at Osheaga. It’s going to be a hot one, with temperatures expected to hover near the 30° C (or 86° F) mark each day. You are totally allowed to bring a clear, plastic water bottle with you, which you can refill for free to your parched throat’s content. And according to The Weather Network, there’s also a chance for isolated showers throughout the weekend, so you may want to pack one of those disposable ponchos in a small backpack along with some requisite sunscreen. For those of you who are of the opinion that beer hydrates better than water, Osheaga has got you covered, and then some. You can consume alcohol pretty much anywhere on festival grounds thanks to Montreal’s loosey goosey drinking laws (viewed as “awesome” by visiting partygoers). Not only that, they’ll even bring the beer to YOU, as Osheaga is replete with servers holding platters of plastic cups aloft. I’ve seen them go through mosh pits to get thirsty folks their golden-hued relief, without spilling a single drop!

If this is one of your first times eating Montreal, it is a GREAT excuse to indulge in some of their trademark delicacies between sets. There’s poutine, which is traditionally made up of French fries covered in rich gravy, topped off by fresh cheese curds – Just look for the unusually long line leading to the onsite ‘Resto Lafleur.’ There’s also Montreal smoked meat, a must try while in town. There will definitely be at least one vendor selling it at Osheaga, but if you can, make your way to Schwartz’s at 3895 Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Trust me; how many other delicatessens can claim to have a musical named after them? I’m no “foodie,” but if I can personally recommend one edible item, it’s Kono’s pizza cones. They are so good, I made sure they made this list of the Best Food at Music Festivals.

BE ORGANIZED AND CONNECTED

Osheaga’s lineup is especially top-notch this year, meaning there are bound to be conflicts between acts you’re psyched about seeing in Montreal. (Franz Ferdinand vs. Gary Clark Jr. on Friday, hello?!) If you haven’t already, I suggest you join the 17,000+ fans who have created their own custom lineup and have shared it online. Social aspect aside, it’s actually a great way to get yourself coordinated beforehand so that you’re not constantly referring to the souvenir program all weekend. Don’t be that neanderthal who carries around a tattered printed copy of each day’s schedule. Also, what’s a festival these days without its own app? You should definitely download Osheaga’s, available for both the iPhone and Android here. Finally, by following @Osheaga on Twitter and liking them on Facebook, there really is no reason to not know everything prior to and during the three days you’ll be “deserted” on Saint Helen’s Island.

THE « FÊTE » DOESN’T HAVE TO STOP AT 11 PM

Montreal has a well-earned reputation as quite the “party” city, so much so that it makes even Vegas blush! If you’re game, there are plenty of things to do downtown once the headliner wraps up every night. Unfortunately, the festival isn’t doing Osheaga in the City this year, where additional artists would play late night shows at club venues like Metropolis on Saint Catherine Street East. If you want to take a little break from concerts, let’s just say that walking up and down Ste-Catherine can provide ample “distractions” in the form of bars and other immoral establishments. Come to think of it, this is more of a recipe for exhaustion than a survival tip, but oh well, when in Montreal…

DO YOURSELF A FAVO(U)R…

Lastly, if you’re coming to Osheaga from a (relatively) nearby American city like Boston or New York, or are a “unilingual” from English Canada, you can enrich your time in Montreal tenfold by trying to learn a little French. Considering most of the big acts don’t (and probably won’t) speak a word of français, you can get by just fine, but in my experience, Montrealers greatly appreciate it when you make an effort. I’m not saying this is the be-all and end-all when it comes to common phrases you should know for Osheaga , but it wouldn’t hurt to attempt a few of these out on your new French-language friends.

You know, the nice folks you’re probably going to end up being shoulder-to-shoulder with for several hours a day for three straight days. Just as a reminder, gates open at noon all three days.Ayez du bon temps à Osheaga !

The ROCKthusiast's Tips for Surviving NXNE

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 20:55:57 -0400

North by Northeast 2012 is here and is rarin’ to eat unsuspecting festival goers alive by the sheer weight of its imposing schedule.
A whistle-inducing 780 bands, up +20% from last year, will be taking over Toronto’s downtown core from June 11th to the 17th, causing many a music fan to run for cover, not unlike how Cary Grant does from the crop duster in the similarly titled Hitchcock thriller. NXNE can be intimidating for even the bravest of people, but it can also be unbelievably rewarding. I’ve compiled some (hopefully helpful) information for those who are thinking of attending so that your NXNE experience leans more to the latter. Hope you all have fun at one of the largest fests of its kind, but be on the lookout for that creepy-looking “Thing with 1,000 Eyes” that’s on their home page…

Tip #1: Planning Is Everything

I guess the logical place to start is with your individual agenda. Do NOT come to Toronto without a well thought out plan of who you want to see at NXNE. If you aren’t already intimate with “The Schedulizer,” found exclusively here, I have three simple words for you – Get. On. It! It’s the closest thing you’re going to find to a NXNE Sherpa. Think a festival like Lollapalooza in Chicago has conflicts? Please! At worst, they have 4 or 5 bands playing around the same time on separate stages in Grant Park, a confined area. For NXNE, I have personally counted more than 30 artists all with the exact same set time, all at different venues spread out through the entire City of Toronto. And this goes on for five straight days. My advice? Sort by time, and for every hour you intend to be at NXNE, pick an act or two that jump out at you (whether you actually know them, they play a genre you like, or just have an interesting name), and start building your sked that way.

Tip #2: Get to Know T.O.

NXNE may be a huge event, but Toronto is an even bigger city with a lot going on all the time. Fortunately, the bulk of Toronto’s best-known music bars tend to be clustered together, so if you play your cards right, you can have quite the pub crawl every night of the fest. Once you have an idea of the bands you want to check out and where they’re playing, find out how close they are to one another with this handy-dandy map I lifted from Google of all 40 NXNE venues. Heck, the distance between Parts & Labour, the bar furthest west on Queen, and The Opera House on Broadview is less than 8 kilometres (not even 5 miles). Nothing a quick cab ride or a brisk night walk can’t overcome. This is definitely a case where Toronto’s grid layout comes to the rescue.

Tip #3: Know That NXNE Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Five nights of kick-ass music may not seem like all that much, but believe me when I tell you that by Day 3, the weariness starts to catch up with even the most experienced NXNE veteran. Don’t be a wuss and make sure you reach the finish line by doing little things like keeping club hopping to a minimum (even though you now have a neato map to help you get around). May I suggest sticking to a maximum of two locations on any given night? What’s more, I don’t mean to come off like the straitlaced older brother from a cheesy after school special, but try to pace yourself when it comes to drinking. Getting plastered first thing Wednesday will pretty much ensure a “NXNE DNF,” and you don’t want that, right? And it goes without saying that you should plan ahead by appointing a designated driver or relying on taxis or the TTC to get around town. Be aware of the fact that buses, streetcars and the subway stop running around 1:30 AM, and some shows will be going until close to 4 in the morning.

Tip #4: Mix Up Your Playlist

If you wanted to, one could easily see nothing but punk bands or feedback-loving distortionists, and probably have a great time, but why add to the risk of burning yourself out early? NXNE is the perfect opportunity to experiment with different music styles and genres. NXNE.com is an invaluable resource here, with bios on every single performer. A year or two from now, you could be that cool guy bragging about how you saw so-and-so before they blew up and started headlining larger places like Sound Academy. While you’re at it, take a minute to soak in some of the history of some of these venues like the Horseshoe Tavern, the Bovine Sex Club, Sneaky Dee’s, Lee’s Palace, and the el Mo. (Well, not literally, as that would be pretty gross.)

Tip #5: Eat Well and Stay Hydrated

Toronto likes to puff itself up as a world-class city when it comes to food and dining. I’m not saying you need to do 5-star meals every night of NXNE, but why not start your evening at a reputable establishment like Jack Astor’s or Milestones before the shows at say Yonge-Dundas Square to avoid settling for “street meat” later in the night from a hot dog vendor? Or even worse, the McDonald’s at Queen and Spadina. And carrying a pack of gum on you means you always have a quick and cheap source of hydration handy, not to mention a way of alleviating potentially foul-smelling breath at the end of a long night.

Tip #6: Dress for Comfort, Not Style

True, studded leather jackets that weigh more than the people wearing them are usually apropos at a punk rock show, but at NXNE, it’s more than O.K. to dress down for the occasion. And with temperatures expected to range between 22-27 degrees Celsius for the fest (roughly 72-81 Fahrenheit), it’s probably best to just go with that classic Misfits T-shirt. Chuck Taylor All-Stars are also much easier to lace up and will be kinder on your feet than 20-hole Doc Martens. That goes for you too, ladies – I’d leave your high heels at home!

Tip #7: Look Out for Freebies

There are no shortage of ways for anyone in Toronto to experience NXNE. One of the most convenient and economically feasible options is through the ol’ reliable all-purpose wristband, which you can get here for as little as $50 (Cdn. or U.S., as we’re pretty much on par again). But there’s a lot more to be had for nothing during NXNE, and not just all the concerts taking place at Yonge-Dundas Square. The only catch really is that is helps to have your ear to the ground in terms of being on Facebook and Twitter. Follow and like lots of bands and, more importantly, @nxnefest promotional partners for info on how you can get in on the action. Much like our neighbours to the South(by Southwest), there promises to be a disgusting amount of industry sponsored par-tays during the daytime with free food, beer, and surprise surprise, music! As well, new this year is a one day vinyl Record Show happening at NXNE headquarters inside the Hyatt Regency on King Street West. And while it’s not officially part of the fest, Metric are playing a free concert at Queen’s Quay and Lower Jarvis on June 11th.

Tip #8: Be Ready to Change on the Fly

No matter how much of this advice you take to heart, a situation may arise during NXNE where you’ll be tempted to throw everything I’ve written out the proverbial window and call an audible in the name of spontaneity. It’s cool, I totally understand. As I post this with one week to go before the music starts, there are no less than ten “special guests” slots still on the NXNE schedule. Far be it for me to actually know who might fill them, but I know I’m willing to drastically alter my carefully-laid plans should Jack White decide to play a last-minute show while checking out his protégées The Black Belles before his next festival date in the UK. Just sayin’, you know…

Tip #9: Enjoy the Music and Be Social

Don’t get caught up in who the so-called experts say you should see at NXNE. With a mind-boggling number of bands playing the festival, every Tom, Dick and Harry is going to have different artists on their “must-see” and “best bet” lists. (Ahem! For the record, I “ROCKmend” A Place to Bury Strangers, Uncle Bad Touch, Bass Drum of Death, Reigning Sound, and The Mahones!) Whoever you do end up seeing, give them a chance, no matter how big or small they may be, and know how much the musicians themselves appreciate how you’ve chosen them over the many, many other possibilities available (for the most part, anyway). And if they’re particularly good, let everyone else know what they’re missing by tweeting it to the world – Just don’t forget to include the #NXNE hashtag. Just do me one favour and try not to overuse the term “killing it” when describing a performance. That gets annoying awfully fast, but that’s more of a personal plea than final tip!

rockthusiast@gmail.com

Live Review: Red Hot Chili Peppers at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre (4/27)

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:40:00 -0400

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are entering an interesting period in their nearly 30-year history as a band. They’re not quite ready to hit the nostalgic casino circuit, yet at the same time, more than a few people have turned their noses up at the sight of their name on festival posters, claiming their relevancy has passed. Even their most fired up fans would probably concede that these longtime rock funksters have gone down on the musical Scoville heat scale in recent years.

Definitely not your average 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.

After taking a couple of weeks off following their Cleveland coronation, RHCP were back on the road for another leg of the I’m With You tour, kicking things off with a sold-out, 2-night stint at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre. Whether the Chilis felt they had something to prove to a city which has treated them so very well in the past, there was a tangible energy in the notoriously cavernous building that was reflected in the night’s setlist. During second song “Can’t Stop”, singer Anthony Kiedis tore up the handwritten piece of paper in front of him in apparent anger. Not sure if this meant he was calling an audible, but what Toronto ended up getting was an impressive string of number one hits like “Dani California”, “Otherside”, “By the Way”, and “Give It Away” that made the next hour and a half fly by. About the only song that didn’t elicit a reverential response was “Hard to Concentrate” from Stadium Arcadium (Mars disc). What it did give was everyone a chance to pull out their lighters a la Barney Gumble in the old Simpsons episode where he chants “We want Chilly Willy!”

If Red Hot Chili Peppers are anywhere as “lively” at Bonnaroo or Lollapalooza as they were their first night in Toronto, there will be a lot of positive things shouted at them the rest of this year. Despite not having made the Stanley Cup playoffs for the last seven seasons, still new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer got a rousing ovation when he came out for the encore wearing a Maple Leafs sweater. (It was louder than the reaction Flea got, and he was walking on his hands!) If that’s not an indication of how excited this crowd was, I’m not sure what is…

For photos from the show, visit ROCKthusiast on Facebook.

Setlist:
Monarchy of Roses
Can’t Stop
Dani California
Otherside
Look Around
Throw Away Your Television
Hard to Concentrate
The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie
Right on Time
If You Have to Ask
Factory of Faith
Under the Bridge
Higher Ground
Californication
By the Way
Encore:
Around the World
Give It Away

Festival Review: Slacker Canadian Music Fest 2012

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:54:55 -0400

It isn’t SXSW, with its dichotomy between free tacos and megastars like Jay-Z playing impossible-to-get-into shows, but for the past 30 years, Canadian Music Week has been an important event on the industry calendar. In 2012, CMW gained Slacker Radio as a title sponsor, and the festival portion saw more than 4,700 artists representing 43 countries play 82 venues over 5 days. It was also scheduled to immediately follow SXSW, and you could definitely feel the road weariness from anyone who was involved with both. Don’t even ask about those who had to go on to JUNOfest in Ottawa! The ROCKthusiast took in a select number of showcases around Toronto the weekend of March 23-25, and I am proud to report back on what I deemed to be the Top 5 acts of CMW!

Gloryhound
Friday March 23, Sneaky Dee’s, 6:35 PM

These are four lads from just north of Halifax, Nova Scotia who aren’t afraid to take some of that down-home friendliness the East Coast is known for, rough it up a little, and slap a leather jacket on it. Hope they don’t take offense to me comparing them to a rocking Canadian version of the now-grounded Jet; check out their EP Electric Dusk at Gloryhoundband.com.

PS I Love You
Friday March 23, Lee’s Palace, 10:00 PM

It’s hard to imagine, but PS I Love You’s live act has got even louder in anticipation of their upcoming album Death Dreams. Not only does Paul Saulnier now bust out a double neck guitar, he also plays a mean bass on new song “Princess Towers”. Oh, and the band have also added a third member to ensure they’re never without a strong guitar presence.

Parlovr
Friday March 23, El Mocambo, 12:00 AM

Toronto’s El Mocambo a bit of a shady history, one that Montreal visitors Parlovr fully embraced during their midnight set. Maybe it was this element of local danger that fueled these free-spirited Quebecers to absolutely kill it at the Dine Alone Records party. Or perhaps it was the Jägermeister that seemed to be flowing pretty liberally. Whatever it was, this three-piece was incredibly tight while previewing songs from their soon-to-be released Kook Soul.

The Sheepdogs
Saturday March 24, Canadian Room @ Fairmont Royal York, 9:45 PM (The Indies)

If you think you heard a lot from Saskatchewan’s Sheepdogs in 2011, just you wait until their new album comes out in the Summer, their first for Atlantic Records after winning that Rolling Stone cover contest. It’s also produced by Patrick Carney, drummer for The Black Keys, and anyone who was at the Indies definitely heard their bluesy influence on the new song they debuted. This ended up being overshadowed, however, by them bringing out CMW special guest Paul Rodgers to jam on a cover of Free’s “All Right Now”.

Oberhofer
Sunday March 25, Phoenix Concert Theatre, 8:15 PM

I have to give Brad Oberhofer props – After five days of live music madness (even more when you consider how many people were also at SXSW), he was all energy during one of the last CMW events. He pleaded onstage for more time before headliner The Temper Trap, jumped on amplifiers to get a better look at the crowd, blended more than one of his fast-paced indie pop songs together, and then finished by asking if anyone wanted him to come over so he could keep playing. A welcomed pick-me-up to end CMW!

Live Review: Band of Skulls at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre (3/30)

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:10:00 -0400

On a night where the rest of North America could see them perform on the Late Show with David Letterman via the magic of videotape, Band of Skulls returned to Toronto to rattle some bones at a jam-packed Phoenix Concert Theatre on Friday, March 30th.

This was the second time in roughly six months that the English trio with the biker gang-sounding name have played to a capacity crowd in Canada’s largest city – They previously wowed at the cramped Garrison on Dundas Street West in September 2011. Since then, Band of Skulls have released their second proper album, Sweet Sour, but before the thousand or so Torontonians gathered at the Phoenix could feel the full brunt of their rock assault, they were treated to a opening volley by Brooklyn-based We Are Augustines. They muscled through seven songs from their outstanding debut Rise Ye Sunken Ships, and also snuck in something new they’ve been fine tuning called “Ballad of a Patient Man”. They may bill themselves as being from New York City’s hottest scene, but burly singer/guitarist Billy McCarthy’s voice is reminiscent of Irish tenor’s, with a strength that overwhelms any hint of an accent. He also built up quite the sweat, asking at one point if anyone in attendance had a towel. (Psst – Don’t wear anything long-sleeved on stage next time you’re in town!)

You couldn’t help but notice that it was a surprisingly older audience that had come to see Band of Skulls. The fact that they’re a bit of a throwback to the UK power rock trios of the late-1960s probably had a lot to do with this. While there are definite similarities to groups from the past like Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Band of Skulls are still learning how to work a crowd; I lost count of how many times frontman Russell Marsden raised his arm in the air between thunderous riffs so as to incite a reaction. He would have benefitted from the stage presence seminar at Canadian Music Week!

One area where there were absolutely no complaints was in the pacing of their 17-song, just over an hourlong set. After charging out of the gate with “Sweet Sour”, their latest album’s title track (it also happened to be what they played on Letterman), the show eased in to a decidedly more bluesy and psychedelic groove, switching seamlessly from Sweet Sour cuts to those from 2009’s Baby Darling Doll Face Honey. By the time they hit “I Know What I Am”, the throng at the Phoenix were ready for full-on headbanging action, which carried through to the epic “Light of the Morning”, and didn’t let up until the final singalong during “Impossible”. As for Band of Skulls themselves, they will be carrying on their North American tour until Coachella, after which they’ll jaunt over to Europe for the summer, where the Reading Festival in August will act as a homecoming of sorts.

For photos from the show, visit ROCKthusiast on Facebook.

Setlist:
Sweet Sour
Lies
Patterns
Fires
Bruises
Wanderluster
Cold Fame
Bomb
Blood
Lay My Head Down
Hollywood Bowl
I Know What I Am
You Aren’t Pretty But You Got It Going On
Light of the Morning
Death by Diamonds and Pearls
Encore:
Devil Takes Care of His Own
Impossible

Live Review: The Black Keys at Toronto's Air Canada Centre (3/14)

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 09:25:00 -0400

The Black Keys are rock music’s equivalent of being on a roll, a streak they more than kept alive as they blew into Toronto’s Air Canada Centre on Wednesday, March 14th. It didn’t take long for the duo born and raised in Akron, Ohio to make everyone wish it were August already and they were seeing the band in the open-air Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, where the North American leg of the El Camino tour will wrap up before it jets off to Europe.

No matter where you were in the ACC, it was sweaty, which had everything to do with the Keys’ combustible and electrified mixture of blues, soul, and glam. Not only sweaty, but loud. No one complained though as guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney blistered through a 90 minute, 21-song set that leaned heavily on tracks from the aforementioned El Camino as well as 2010’s Brothers. I think it’s fair to say that these are the songs the majority of the crowd recognized, considering how much their fan base has ballooned based on the success of their last two albums. While there was never really a time where the cheering subsided, there were veritable explosions of approval for current modern rock radio hit “Gold on the Ceiling”, as well as the back-to-back shot of “Tighten Up” and “Lonely Boy”.

This is one music bubble that isn’t going to burst any time soon. The Black Keys may have honed their skills to the point where their live show runs like a well-oiled machine, but they still brought plenty of energetic fuel, topped off with a level of enthusiasm that made Torontonians feel they were witnessing something unique. It is going to be incredibly tough for any act playing Toronto in 2012 to top them in terms of intensity, enjoyment, and sheer rock awesomeness – That is until they come back to town in August!

Setlist:
Howlin’ for You
Next Girl
Run Right Back
Same Old Thing
Dead and Gone
Gold on the Ceiling
Thickfreakness
Girl Is on My Mind
I’ll Be Your Man
Your Touch
Little Black Submarines
Money Maker
Strange Times
Chop and Change
Nova Baby
Ten Cent Pistol
Tighten Up
Lonely Boy
Encore:
Everlasting Light
She’s Long Gone
I Got Mine

Live Review: Green Day’s American Idiot at the Toronto Centre for the Arts (12/29)

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:23:00 -0500

Punk rock met theatregoing elegance on a snowy night, as after a full year on Broadway, where it was hyped as “the first great musical of the 21st century,” Green Day’s American Idiot made its national touring premiere at the classy Toronto Centre for the Arts on December 29th. It is a story of angst, sex, drugs, despair, and finally redemption. Oh, and lots of glitter too. The soundtrack isn’t too bad either; it kind of helps when your source material is one of the most prominent rock albums of the 2000s. I had my doubts as to how it would “play out,” but any Mamma Mia!-type worries I may have had were quickly quashed, Quadrophenia-style.

For the uninitiated, there are 21 musical “numbers” in American Idiot, presented in concert review setlist form below. There isn’t much in the way of dialogue between characters, but the plot is simplistic enough for everyone to easily follow along. It’s basically about three friends - Johnny, Will, and Tunny - as they search for meaning in a confusing, sometimes downright depressing world. Their paths diverge along the way, Johnny meets the show-stealing St. Jimmy, and, well, trouble starts a-cookin’. Unfortunately in the form of heroin. Whether showtunes are your thing or not, you can’t help but be impressed by the voices on these guys (and a few girls), as together they provide a multitude of singing ranges that are normally the domain of one vocalist exclusively. The fact that the leads also play guitar and don’t have to rely on the backing band is also pretty cool.

It wasn’t one of the songs listed in the playbill, but a great, surprising moment occurred at the end when the curtain rose for a second round of applause - The entire AI cast all had acoustic guitars to serenade us into the night with probably Green Day’s most well-known song, “Good Riddance”. It was a wide-ranging audience that turned out for opening night, an eclectic mix of theatre season ticket-holders and black eyeliner-wearing Billie Joe Armstrong wannabes. I even saw a few Mohawks in the audience. Regardless of anyone’s background, I’m sure a lot of people said they had “the time of their life” that evening.

If you’re not too broke from “Spend-mas” and don’t mind a little cussin’ as well as an onstage sex scene, American Idiot is definitely worth seeing. The music is top-notch (kudos to the show’s continuously conducting music director), and it stops far short of feeling overproduced. But as we briskly left the theatre, I shuddered slightly at the notion of Canadian production companies like Dancap and Mirvish bringing other, more gaudy musicals north of the border. Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, anyone?

American Idiot runs until January 15th, 2012 at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, and check out where Green Day’s bleeding heart grenade will be going off next at AmericanIdiottheMusical.com.

For photos from the show, visit ROCKthusiast on Facebook.

Setlist:
American Idiot
Jesus of Suburbia
Holiday
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Favorite Son
We Are the Waiting
St. Jimmy
Give Me Novacaine
Last of the American Girls / She’s a Rebel
Last Night on Earth
Too Much Too Soon
Before the Lobotomy
Extraordinary Girl
Before the Lobotomy (reprise)
When It’s Time
Know Your Enemy
21 Guns
Letterbomb
Wake Me Up When September Ends
Homecoming
Whatsername
Encore:
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)

ROCKclusive: The 20 Best White Stripes Songs of All-Time

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:10:00 -0500

And so, after a full week plus one day of sometimes intense voting, the ROCKthusiast and WhiteStripes.net are proud to reveal the 20 Best White Stripes of All-Time as voted by YOU, the Candy Cane Children of the World!

A big, red-and-white-striped THANK YOU to absolutely everyone who took the time to let us know of their faves via Facebook, Twitter and even by email. Now that the Top 20 have been determined, we are working on something special to immortalize them in a way Jack and Meg White would be proud of. Without further ado (drum roll please), here is the FINAL list:

Ball and Biscuit

Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground

I’m Slowly Turning Into You

Death Letter

Seven Nation Army

Fell in Love with a Girl

Hotel Yorba

I Fought Piranhas

Black Math

Truth Doesn’t Make a Noise

The Denial Twist

We’re Going to Be Friends

Blue Orchid

Screwdriver

300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues

Hand Springs

Catch Hell Blues

Jolene

I Want to Be the Boy to Warm Your Mother’s Heart

As a fan, I am more than OK with these results; hope you all are too, but if not, let the discussion continue!

Gilles LeBlanc a.k.a. ROCKthusiast

ORIGINAL POST (Dec. 1st, 2011):

Full disclosure alert - As the ROCKthusiast, I blog about a fairly wide variety of musical ensembles, but there has always been one that stood apart from the moment I first heard them, and that band…is The White Stripes. I’ve pretty much been holding a vigil for them since the day they announced they would

no longer be performing as a group or making music between them. (February 2nd of this year, the day before my birthday BTW…way to ruin that, Jack and Meg!)

It’s not like The White Stripes haven’t given me any gifts to be thankful for - I got to see them play live on three occasions, more than a lot of people, I know. I was also witness to what was one of their final public appearances together, at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival (where they premiered Under Great White Northern Lights). Oh, and my surname is the last lyric in “Lafayette Blues”, which I always found pretty cool.

But enough about me…I’ve decided that I want to give back to one of the most impactful duos in history in the form of a fan assembled, greatest hits-type playlist. Think of it as a collaborative Christmas present to them! Speaking of collabs, I wouldn’t even think of trying to pull this off if I didn’t have the help and support of WhiteStripes.net. So, from now until December 8th, I want the Candy Cane Children of the world to help compile, once and for all, the TWENTY BEST White Stripes songs of all time. No Raconteurs or Dead Weather please; non album tracks like “Jolene” are fine, so long as it features Jack and Meg White in all their peppermint swirl glory.

You can vote for your three (3) favorite White Stripes song by commenting on this post, answering the question I’ve asked at Facebook.com/ROCKthusiast or emailing rockthusiast@gmail.com. I’ll also accept tweets using the hashtag #WhiteStripesGH or #WSGreatestHits (Feel free to follow me @ROCKthusiast!)

There will be a second part to this (hopefully fun) exercise, but let’s just choose the songs for now, shall we? I mean, seriously, if Fall Out Boy has a Greatest Hits album, don’t you think The White Stripes deserve a showcase for their “best of?”

Audio ROCKmendation: The Salads - Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:59:00 -0500

I don’t mean to get all “bah, humbug” on everyone, but Christmas music just isn’t my thing. I think I’d rather strangle myself with garland than have to endure Michael Bublé’s new holiday themed album…or even worse, the Biebs’ Mistletoe! Thankfully, there are timeless classics like Tom Waits’ “Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis”, as well as “Christmas in Hollis” by Run-D.M.C. to offset any off-key carolling (in my opinion at least). And now, there’s even a ska punk Xmas album to add to your collection!

Nothing quite says “season’s greetings” like speeding up traditional standards and injecting them with just the right dose of sunshiny, Jamaican-tinged reggae rock. That’s precisely what Canadian band The Salads did. As their singer Darren Dumas explains (a.k.a. Mista D), “We really wanted to record a few Christmas songs and donate the profits to charity (War Child), so we put the idea out to a bunch of our friends in other bands we know, and the response was an overwhelming success. That response is called Christmas with The Salads & Friends! Available on iTunes on Dec.6!”

You can get a taste of what’s sure to be an extremely fun album here, and The Salads are offering “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” as a free download - I think Saint Nick had better watch out, and I’m not just talking about his milk and cookies!

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=”http://thesaladsrule.bandcamp.com/track/santa-claus-is-coming-to-town” _mce_href=”http://thesaladsrule.bandcamp.com/track/santa-claus-is-coming-to-town”&amp;amp;amp;gt;Santa Claus Is Coming To Town by The Salads&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

rockthusiast@gmail.com

Audio ROCKmendation: Marianas Trench – Ever After

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 10:10:00 -0500

I admit it — after I first heard the single “Haven’t Had Enough” upon its surfacing online, I feared the worst; Marianas Trench, the vocally acrobatic foursome from British Columbia, have come a long way since the release of their first album in 2006, and that’s in large part due to their massive sophomore album, 2009’s Masterpiece Theatre. The band began to fold elements of pop music into their sound, and the new album Ever After is another step in that direction.

Fans of the band often look back to the seemingly now-abandoned rock punch of 2006’s Fix Me and lament on the ways the band have changed, but to understand the Marianas Trench of 2011 is to keep in mind front man Josh Ramsay’s life-long affinity for the Beach Boys and rock music of decades past. Rock and pop music have a long history of overlapping, and Ever After is an excellent example of how a well-crafted album can bleed outside of the lines.

Try as they might, Marianas Trench haven’t crafted their Pet Sounds album just yet. What they have accomplished is a pop album that listens with all the same dexterity and complexity of any album Michael Jackson ever released; Ever After is infectious, gleans with meticulous production, and features more lush harmony work than anything Marianas Trench has done before. The rock elements still exist (and Ian Casselman’s drum work is exceptional), but on this
album they aren’t necessarily cast as main characters as employed into the ensemble.

Marianas Trench have created a brilliant new record, and while their longtime fans may not be inspired to grow with the band, the result is a remarkable record that will cement the band’s place on the Canadian music scene for years to come. If you’re at all skeptical, listen to the epic album opener “Ever After” and decide for yourself, this is a pop album for rock fans.

Guest author Bobby Foley
bobbyisms.com – @fsu_bobbyisms

Audio ROCKmendation: The Love Machine - Love Is on Your Side

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:30:00 -0500

Who says radio doesn’t do enough to support new artists? Early in the morning of November 19th, 2011, The Love Machine were declared the winners of Ottawa alt rock station LiVE 88.5’s “Big Money Shot.” Lots and lots of love, not luck, was on their side throughout the competition, which awards bands from Canada’s capital substantial funds and exposure to take their music careers to the next level. (Just ask Hollerado, who took home the BMS crown in 2009!).

Not saying it was a premonition or anything, but The Love Machine have been offering a track called ‘Love Is on Your Side’ from their year-old album Sweater Weather as a free download on their web site. And is it ever an apropos victory song - After beginning with with what sounds like a live jam session, it eases into an indie pop groove, complete with anthemic, singalong chorus that I wouldn’t put pass Coldplay trying to steal!

Feel free to show TLM some love of your own by warming up with Sweater Weather for yourself through their label 45 Records. Cozy! Click the photo below to listen to and download ‘Love Is on Your Side,’ or go to http://loveisonyourside.viinyl.com/

Once they had a chance to compose themselves, Allan Gauthier of The Love Machine told me:

“Words can’t describe how honoured we are to win this year’s Big Money Shot. We are literally still in shock. This year has been a wonderful journey and we’ve met so many talented bands that we are proud to call friends. We’ve also been introduced to industry professionals in pretty much every field who have answered plenty of questions about our business and careers as musicians. We’ve learned a lot about our craft and ourselves throughout this experience and gained the tools to bring our band to the next level. We would like to thank LiVE 88.5 and Newcap Radio for giving us this opportunity and a massive thank you to all of our fans for supporting us throughout our journey and this whole competition. We truly feel blessed!”

rockthusiast@gmail.com

Video ROCKmendation: The Rural Alberta Advantage - Good Night (Live Phoenix Concert Theatre)

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:26:00 -0500

The Rural Alberta Advantage Say “Goodnight” to 2011

After a loooong year of touring behind their second album Departing, the Rural Alberta Advantage finally returned to their hometown of Toronto for their last show of 2011 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre.

Yeah, never mind their misleading band name or the fact that a lot of their songs are about life on the prairies - The RAA are from T.O., and have developed quite the rabid fan base there. It’s easy to see why; after a high-energy, definitely-not-folky headlining set, they had one more surprise before sending everyone into the cold night.

Grabbing only an acoustic guitar, a tambourine and a single drum, the three band members - Nils Edenloff (a native of the not very rural city of Edmonton), Amy Cole and Paul Banwatt - made their way through the sold-out crowd and climbed on top of the club’s main bar counter for an extremely unplugged version of ‘Good Night’ from the aforementioned Departing. I don’t think anyone who was there, myself included, will experience such a reverentially hushed environment again any time soon!

rockthusiast@gmail.com

Video ROCKmendation: The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldier (Live Orlando Calling 2011)

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:02:00 -0500

Raconteurs Ride Off Into Orlando Calling Sunset

I would have loved to have been in Orlando, Florida on November 12th, 2011 for reasons that have nothing to do with someone dressed in an oversized mouse costume. The inaugural Orlando Calling music festival was happening, featuring The Killers, Pixies, and a band originally hailing from Michigan but now fighting out Nashville, Tennessee…The Raconteurs!

The show was pretty significant in that it was one of their first back together after more than three years apart as a supergroup. They can be forgiven for being a little shaky at times, like they are here for ‘Broken Boy Soldier,’ the title track (er, sort of) off their 2006 debut Broken Boy Soldiers. What I found interesting is how the cameraperson in the crowd seems to struggle along with the Racs at the start, particularly Brendan Benson with his guitar, but almost as if by Disney approved magic, they all come into focus at just the right time. There’s a look Benson gives Jack White about 1:10 in as White begins singing, almost as if to say, “Yeah, we’re all on track now.”

Once all THREE guitarists are in sync (touring member Mark Watrous joins in on another electric to complement White’s acoustic), it’s off to the races to try to catch up with drummer Patrick Keeler, who is an absolute machine on this song. Don’t go crosseyed around 2:53 watching some of his blurry stickwork!

Just as the video is about to cut off, White asks, “Alright, you feel good?” After seeing this, I know I sure do!

(Video clip courtesy of RockPeaks.com)

rockthusiast@gmail.com

Audio ROCKmendation: Hacienda - Savage

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:50:00 -0500

Yeah, winter weather is unfortunately on the way, but the occasional blast of musical heat can go a long way towards reminding me that a new festival season isn’t far off. San Antonio, TX foursome Hacienda have a new 7-inch hot off the record press - The A-side features a song called ‘Savage,’ and is meant to pique our interest for their brand spanking new album due out sometime this spring. Or should that be picante?

It definitely has a spicy kick, but not by way of any scorching guitar licks. Spacy keyboards, almost with hallucinogenic properties, come to the forefront here. Feet can’t help but move to its hypnotic rhythm. “Savage is a departure for the band,” Hacienda tells me by email. “But it’s got a groove that we couldn’t help but follow. After all it’s boogie, groove, and beat that attracts us all.” Hacienda have been making audiences dance up a sweat lately as the opening act for City and Colour, who even more recently became their labelmates on Toronto’s Dine Alone Records.

‘Savage’ has some Dallas Green-esque lyrics to it like “My heart is racing to what we are,” but those probably have more to do with all the time Hacienda has hung out with Dan Auerbach. The Black Keys singer just so happens to also be their record producer. Now that’s hot! Make a run for the border (or Rolling Stone in this case) and corral ‘Savage’ for yourself!

Hacienda - Savage by hacienda_tx

rockthusiast@gmail.com

Audio ROCKmendation: Amos the Transparent - Sure as the Weather

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:48:00 -0500

Amos the Transparent are the latest group in a long, harmonious line of Canadian musical collectives. Well, actually, the Ottawa-reared band with the massive, multi-instrumental sound isn’t all that new - Their first album, Everything I’ve Forgotten to Forget, came out in 2007, with a 5-song EP called My What Big Teeth You Have following it two years later. Their recording dry spell is about to end, though, with a deluge of new songs that are going to be distributed pretty creatively.

Amos are cooling our tongues with a drop of water they’ve christened ‘Sure as the Weather,’ available as a free download below. It will be part of an EP being released on November 29th, Goodnight My Dear. There will be another EP on December 20th, I’m Falling Apart. The two will then be combined, with extra tracks, into Goodnight My Dear…I’m Falling Apart, which you’ll be able to pick up on vinyl February 14th.

‘Sure as the Weather’ has a bit of a country twang to it, but “it’s gonna be OK” as band founder Jon Chandler sings. Apparently all the songs on the November EP will lighter than the Amos usual, while the December ones will be noticeably heavier. Chandler adds, “I’m very excited to debut these songs from the upcoming record as the softer, more organic side of Amos.”

rockthusiast@gmail.com

Audio ROCKmendation: Dad Rocks! - Weapons

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:47:00 -0500

I don’t know if Snævar Njáll Albertsson was ever told that his birth name will “never fit on a marquee love,” but I think we can all agree that Dad Rocks! is a pretty awesome name for a solo project. While he IS a relatively new father, songs of his like ‘Weapons,’ despite its forceful title, won’t exactly inspire people to throw up the sign of the horns any time soon. More gentle plucking than flat out rocking, although someone is playing some pretty mean horns, ironically enough.

Albertsson currently plies his trade in Denmark, but is originally from The Land of Björk™, AKA Iceland. Amongst all the long, Scandinavian sounding contributors’ names on Dad Rocks! Bandcamp page is Canadian Charles Spearin, the handsomely moustached guitar player from Broken Social Scene. (Who does kind of look like a modern-day Viking when you think about it!)

Take a page from this official video and don’t steal Dad Rocks! full length debut Mount Modern from any of those pirate sites. Yarr, Paper Garden Records be his record label - Get it on vinyl or CD from them and avoid being plundered!

Here’s what Albertsson himself has to say about ‘Weapons:’

“The song is basically about being addicted to something to the extent that it becomes kind of unhealthy. I had a period in my life where I was way too addicted to my mobile phone, and I slept bad because I had it turned on during nights, and was expecting messages or e-mails. My girlfriend read Twilight a lot during that time as well, so in this song I’m simply reflecting about these weird addictions.”

rockthusiast@gmail.com