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Monday, August 20, 2012
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
On the Greyhound Somewhere Between Calgary and Edmonton...
Leather seats and free wi-fi, this is the nicest bus I've ever been on.
Let's see;
Left Edmonton Thursday evening to make Vancouver for Friday at noon. 99 free-lined it to Erik's, found the place empty, and promptly fell asleep on his couch. Was woken up a couple hours later with the comotion of bass amps and cabs being loaded in quickly. He was between gigs and had to split for Whistler. So quick hugs, a high-five, and I found myself with the place to myself again. I put on the Office DVDs I had watched at his place a few weeks prior, made a can of soup, and was happy to see the box of Jamacian patties I had picked up before was still hiding in the back of the freezer.
Canada Lined it to Grandville to make load-in at 6. Show was awesome, the Elixxxirs & RCR. I like how in Vancouver finishing the show before 11pm has become the norm, because I like having a night after to sit around with everybody, instead of loading gear out a dark alley with just enough time left over afterwards to call it a night. Pretty goods stories came out of hanging out afterwards, including DL3 & I dancing to terrible dance music on the speakers infront of the dancefloor, him doing Frank the Tank and me doing whatever my impression of what I think good dancing back in the 80's must have looked like.
Left Saturday morning for Kelowna. Checked into the hotel around 6 and had every intention of hitting the hot-tub, but an exceptionally boring episode of Family Guy put me to sleep for a few hours. Played Doc Willoughby's that night, my favourite bar in BC, and possibly top 5 of anywhere, including Jumbo's Clown Room in Hollywood & Les Foufounes Électriques in Montreal. Played a great, great show, I think taking a saxophone solo while crowd-surfing was the highlight of my night. Christine & Shane came down!!! And Alicia!
We left early-ish Sunday morning thinking of making a day of the beach before we had to play, but arrived just shortly before sound-check. My two new friends from Doc's (who hoisted me above their heads for that solo) came down, and after RCR played and the rest of the guys went on to Vancouver, and instead of hitting the Greyhound station and buying a ticket home, the three of us and the local punk-rock contingent of the Kamloops Music In The Park crowd went over to the Central. Where climbing other people's rooftops and playing the saxophone for everybody is aparantly my new thing. Then, we went downtown to another place where randomly we ran into Sean & Angie!!
And instead of going to the Greyhound station the next morning and buying a ticket home, the three of us drove back to Kelowna. I met up with Christine & Shane and they took me Stand Up Paddle Boarding! My first time! The first 30 minutes was alright, I was prepared for it to be more like surfing, but after a bit when my core started fatiguing I found that balancing started getting worse, and after 2 hours I could start to feel each paddle take a little more wind out of me. SUP boarding is my new favourite thing this summer. Then we went to theirs for burgers, wine, talks about music, and found a signed copy of a Social Code poster (with Morgan & Travis) in their 13-year-old daughter's room! That made my day. Then Alicia came over after dinner and hung out for a bit, then her & I went to Doc's and I got to see Colin, the awesome manager of that wonderful bar. Then we went to Flashbacks, because that's how we roll.
Went shopping for second-hand books Tuesday morning (I go through a lot of books on the Greyhound) and spent the afternoon reading in the bus terminal, shredding Taco Tuesday at the Tacotime, and waiting for the bus. A full day later and I'm still on the Prolitariat Chariot. I've managed something like 1000 km in 24 hours. At least the Calgary terminal has free wifi. And my old roommate from Vancouver, John!
Me crowd-surfing at Doc's in Kelowna:
Let's see;
Left Edmonton Thursday evening to make Vancouver for Friday at noon. 99 free-lined it to Erik's, found the place empty, and promptly fell asleep on his couch. Was woken up a couple hours later with the comotion of bass amps and cabs being loaded in quickly. He was between gigs and had to split for Whistler. So quick hugs, a high-five, and I found myself with the place to myself again. I put on the Office DVDs I had watched at his place a few weeks prior, made a can of soup, and was happy to see the box of Jamacian patties I had picked up before was still hiding in the back of the freezer.
Canada Lined it to Grandville to make load-in at 6. Show was awesome, the Elixxxirs & RCR. I like how in Vancouver finishing the show before 11pm has become the norm, because I like having a night after to sit around with everybody, instead of loading gear out a dark alley with just enough time left over afterwards to call it a night. Pretty goods stories came out of hanging out afterwards, including DL3 & I dancing to terrible dance music on the speakers infront of the dancefloor, him doing Frank the Tank and me doing whatever my impression of what I think good dancing back in the 80's must have looked like.
Left Saturday morning for Kelowna. Checked into the hotel around 6 and had every intention of hitting the hot-tub, but an exceptionally boring episode of Family Guy put me to sleep for a few hours. Played Doc Willoughby's that night, my favourite bar in BC, and possibly top 5 of anywhere, including Jumbo's Clown Room in Hollywood & Les Foufounes Électriques in Montreal. Played a great, great show, I think taking a saxophone solo while crowd-surfing was the highlight of my night. Christine & Shane came down!!! And Alicia!
We left early-ish Sunday morning thinking of making a day of the beach before we had to play, but arrived just shortly before sound-check. My two new friends from Doc's (who hoisted me above their heads for that solo) came down, and after RCR played and the rest of the guys went on to Vancouver, and instead of hitting the Greyhound station and buying a ticket home, the three of us and the local punk-rock contingent of the Kamloops Music In The Park crowd went over to the Central. Where climbing other people's rooftops and playing the saxophone for everybody is aparantly my new thing. Then, we went downtown to another place where randomly we ran into Sean & Angie!!
And instead of going to the Greyhound station the next morning and buying a ticket home, the three of us drove back to Kelowna. I met up with Christine & Shane and they took me Stand Up Paddle Boarding! My first time! The first 30 minutes was alright, I was prepared for it to be more like surfing, but after a bit when my core started fatiguing I found that balancing started getting worse, and after 2 hours I could start to feel each paddle take a little more wind out of me. SUP boarding is my new favourite thing this summer. Then we went to theirs for burgers, wine, talks about music, and found a signed copy of a Social Code poster (with Morgan & Travis) in their 13-year-old daughter's room! That made my day. Then Alicia came over after dinner and hung out for a bit, then her & I went to Doc's and I got to see Colin, the awesome manager of that wonderful bar. Then we went to Flashbacks, because that's how we roll.
Went shopping for second-hand books Tuesday morning (I go through a lot of books on the Greyhound) and spent the afternoon reading in the bus terminal, shredding Taco Tuesday at the Tacotime, and waiting for the bus. A full day later and I'm still on the Prolitariat Chariot. I've managed something like 1000 km in 24 hours. At least the Calgary terminal has free wifi. And my old roommate from Vancouver, John!
Me crowd-surfing at Doc's in Kelowna:
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Victoria Ska Festival 2012 (Mad Bomber Society & Rude City Riot!)
Got back to Vancouver the weekend before last to hang out and rehearse with the band for Victoria Ska Fest and work on new material for the next album. Stayed at Erik's for most of it, had a lot of time to myself to spend walking around and reading in cafes. The last few months has been insane, I can't remember the last time I've had an afternoon to myself. Erik's is the best for that, I've spent so much time there the past couple of years that it has that calming "home" feel to it.
Took the ferry over to the Island Friday morning with Rude City Riot. That Festival is the highlight of my summer, it was really great to be back again. And I got to hang with Sara for a bit when she wasn't running around everywhere! The usual suspects were all there, really happy to see Sterno and Jay, and Bobbi Jo and Kitchen and Zuke, and the 780 boys from St. Albert. And Ska-T! And Dane! And Finn from Edmonton (who famously [in my mind] was involved in a dancefloor incident at Xmas in Skaville during the Elixxxirs set and was kicked out before we even played!) I should stop this tangent of remember everybody who was at the festival again this year, I'd go on forever.
Was pretty anxious about playing two back-to-back sets, both bands are pretty high-energy. We were at Lucky Bar, an awesome bar that also tends to get really hot really quickly. Mad Bomber Society opened, it was great to get to play the new album for the B.C. scene, we hadn't been out here for a really, really long time. (I'm not sure, I'd ballpark 5 years? 7 years? Ska Fest 2005?) The set went over really well, and I walked off-stage feeling pretty spent. And my mohawk looked worse for wear too.
Had a fair bit of time while they changed over the stage for Rude City Riot to catch my breath. One of the funnest shows I've ever played. I think I lept up into Dusty's arms at one point during one of my saxophone solos.
Ska Fest was awesome this year, I just regret missing Danny Rebel & The KGB (they played Vic Ska Fest Tuesday while we were still in Vancouver, then played Vancouver Friday while we played Vic Ska Fest), but I got to catch up with Valerie & the band in Edmonton last night to see their show at DV8.
Going home for a week to recover from the last few months, maybe do some laundry. Then Rude City Riot is doing a weekend playing Vancouver-Kelowna-Kamloops:
Took the ferry over to the Island Friday morning with Rude City Riot. That Festival is the highlight of my summer, it was really great to be back again. And I got to hang with Sara for a bit when she wasn't running around everywhere! The usual suspects were all there, really happy to see Sterno and Jay, and Bobbi Jo and Kitchen and Zuke, and the 780 boys from St. Albert. And Ska-T! And Dane! And Finn from Edmonton (who famously [in my mind] was involved in a dancefloor incident at Xmas in Skaville during the Elixxxirs set and was kicked out before we even played!) I should stop this tangent of remember everybody who was at the festival again this year, I'd go on forever.
Was pretty anxious about playing two back-to-back sets, both bands are pretty high-energy. We were at Lucky Bar, an awesome bar that also tends to get really hot really quickly. Mad Bomber Society opened, it was great to get to play the new album for the B.C. scene, we hadn't been out here for a really, really long time. (I'm not sure, I'd ballpark 5 years? 7 years? Ska Fest 2005?) The set went over really well, and I walked off-stage feeling pretty spent. And my mohawk looked worse for wear too.
Had a fair bit of time while they changed over the stage for Rude City Riot to catch my breath. One of the funnest shows I've ever played. I think I lept up into Dusty's arms at one point during one of my saxophone solos.
Ska Fest was awesome this year, I just regret missing Danny Rebel & The KGB (they played Vic Ska Fest Tuesday while we were still in Vancouver, then played Vancouver Friday while we played Vic Ska Fest), but I got to catch up with Valerie & the band in Edmonton last night to see their show at DV8.
Going home for a week to recover from the last few months, maybe do some laundry. Then Rude City Riot is doing a weekend playing Vancouver-Kelowna-Kamloops:
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Vancouver BC
Spent the weekend celebrating the summer solstice by playing North Country Fair (Slave Lake AB) with the Mad Bomber Society, then came out to Vancouver Tuesday to rehearse with the band a few times & to play this year's Fox Seeds competition. Really fun, got to hang out with Des & Ashton, Erik, Jeremy, and Thursday before I left Ashton & Amy & I got our traditional Chronic Taco session on. (But I was so bagged I left after 10 minutes to nap in the back of the truck!)
Here's me Wednesday night at the show (taken by James) and the next morning at the beach (taken by Jeremy!)
Here's me Wednesday night at the show (taken by James) and the next morning at the beach (taken by Jeremy!)
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Ink n Iron Festival - Long Beach CA (Raygun Cowboys)
Crazy festival in Long Beach, hundreds of tattoo artists set-up through-out the decks of the Queen Mary II, burlesque & pin-up model competitions, giant classic car show, and lots of rockabilly. Our bass broke in the first song, but luckily & randomly a guy ran through the crowd to the front of the stage with an upright over his head to loan us for the rest of our set! Got to see the Polecats play again. Suicidal Tendencies, Pennywise, lots of sun, lots of rum, random tattoos, midnight 6'er on the rocks down on the water!
Drove as far as Vegas Monday, then north Edmonton-bound, 1500 miles home from Frank Sinatra Drive & Dean Martin Drive to Wayne Gretzky Drive & Mark Messier Drive! Now a few days in Red Deer followed by my retirement party at the weekly jazz jam I've hosted on-and-off for 5 years, and then North Country Fair with Mad Bomber Society! Then Vancouver back with the Rude City Riot boys. No rest for the wicked.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Los Angeles CA (Raygun Cowboys)
Tour with the Raygun Cowboys is going great. A lot of driving the last week. Show with The Rockets at Lucky 13 in Alameda CA on Thursday, and with the Polecats & Hayride to Hell at the Blank Club in San Jose on Friday. Ended up having dinner and then later hanging out at a pub called Brittania Arms in San Jose, really really awesome place. Good food, good staff, good atmosphere. I'm definitely going back next time I'm around.
Saturday we blew out our front drive tire on the I-405 coming into LA. Pretty brutal, limped off the freeway and found a side-street to jack-up the RV and put on the spare. Roadworthy after 5 or 6 hours, but still too late to catch the Misfits in Long Beach. Parked in a Wal-Mart parking lot somewhere & finishing the drive to Ink N Iron tomorrow.
Saturday we blew out our front drive tire on the I-405 coming into LA. Pretty brutal, limped off the freeway and found a side-street to jack-up the RV and put on the spare. Roadworthy after 5 or 6 hours, but still too late to catch the Misfits in Long Beach. Parked in a Wal-Mart parking lot somewhere & finishing the drive to Ink N Iron tomorrow.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Santa Clara CA (Raygun Cowboys)
Played Whiskey Richard's in Santa Barbara CA on Monday. Insane show, had a lot of fun. Tuesday was a day off, we hung out at Mal's and had showers, did laundry, then went over to his jam space afterwards to rehearse a little. Spent Wednesday in Santa Cruz on the beach, a lot of swimming and a lot of sun, and now I'm carrying a lot of sand with me everywhere. Real Lost Boys. Then did the tour of the locals all night. We were recognized a few times, which is weird because we've never played here before, but I'm still okay with that. California is awesome, I never want to go home! That said, I'm crazy homesick and can't wait to go home. Playing tonight with the Rockets in Alameda and San Jose Friday with the Polecats and Mal's band Hayride to Hell! Crazy psychobilly the next few nights, Cali is wild!
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| Mike & I standing on the bar at Whiskey Richard's in Santa Barbara CA |
Monday, June 4, 2012
Hollywood CA (Raygun Cowboys)
Awesome show two nights ago at Bar Eleven in San Diego CA. Spent our day off in Hollywood. 4-way game of Hollywood Bingo, which is where you come up with a list of 10 stupid costumes people might be wearing and you expect to see. I think I ended up winning with 6. I had both Spiderman & Homeless-Spiderman (terrible costume, old scuffed-up white running shoes), as well as Spongebob Squarepants and Wonder Woman. I think we all got points for picking Batman and Jack Sparrow or something obvious like that.
When we parked the van we walked five minutes down Hollywood Blvd until Morgan & Travis happened to be driving by and picked me up, five minutes after walking down Melrose I ran into the legendary Angelo Moore from Fishbone, who remembered me from when he hired me to play sax for his Dr Madd Vibe Experiment in Vancouver, then later ran into & talked to Norwood (bassist for Fishbone) at Jumbo's.
When we parked the van we walked five minutes down Hollywood Blvd until Morgan & Travis happened to be driving by and picked me up, five minutes after walking down Melrose I ran into the legendary Angelo Moore from Fishbone, who remembered me from when he hired me to play sax for his Dr Madd Vibe Experiment in Vancouver, then later ran into & talked to Norwood (bassist for Fishbone) at Jumbo's.
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| Mal, Oakland, Mike, Morgan, Travis, me, & Coco |
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Reseda CA (Raygun Cowboys)
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| Travis, me, Morgan |
Friday, June 1, 2012
Santa Clara CA (Raygun Cowboys)
No show yesterday. Hung around Mal's (Mad Bomber Society, Raygun Cowboys, Wrekdefy) for most of the day. Went to his rehearsal and hung out with the Hayride to Hell guys. Practiced, jammed, then late night Denny's before calling it a night.
6 hour drive this morning to Reseda CA. Can't wait, really big line-up tonight.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Stockton CA (Raygun Cowboys)
Played a really fun show in Portland at a little punk hang called Club 21. Really nice inside, a lot of pinball machines, and even though I haven't had the chance to play darts yet this tour, they did have a cheap Big Buck Hunter machine that I used to keep my game in form.
Played with the Twangshifters again, and Mike & I went on stage and played some Wanda Jackson horn-lines like we did in August when Wanda hired the Cowboys to back her up at the Edmonton Folk Festival. Afterward we tailed it to Allen's house, a big place that was mostly vacant on account of most of his roommates being musicians who were away on the road at the time.
Spent the next afternoon trying to fix the generator on the home, and Derrek and I walked down to a strip filled with little restaurants and second-hand clothing stores. Real hipster-meets-hippy.
Drove a few hours that night (Monday night was it?), parked and slept, woke up yesterday morning and finished our drive to Stockton CA.
The venue was nice, and the owners/other-bands/crowd were all really cool. It seems like a nice scene, even though it was the middle of the week and most cats didn't come out because of work or whatever.
After watching the LA Kings win game 1 in OT I ran over to the venue and we played a shorter set than normal. Everybody's voices are going, and the chops are tired for everybody I think.
Right now I'm laying on the bare floor of a Howard Johnson hotel, with just my leather jacket for warmth and my backpack for a pillow. Haven't slept yet and we're about ready to start waking up to check out and hit the road.
Travel day today, then Reseda CA tomorrow! My really good friend / first band-mate lives in L.A. now, so he's planning on coming down for the show. It would be good to see him again, I can't wait!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Portland OR (Raygun Cowboys)
Last night's show in Seattle was great. Played at Highway 99 Blues Club, amazing venue. Played with Little Ray & the Uppercuts (their guitarist was a monster!), Dragstrip Riot, and the Twangshifters. Playing with them again tonight in Portland. Allen the bassist rules, he knows Jobi (Johnnie 99), a good friend of mine who grew up a block away from me back in high school. It'll be nice to hang out with him and the rest of the band tonight. Also Mark the bar manager from the club in Seattle drove down to Portland to meet up with us and see us play again! Excited for tonight, then tomorrow (Memorial Day) is a day off for us, so we can take a look at the RV (fill it with water, get the generator working) and make our way to Reno for Tuesday night's show.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Seattle WA (Raygun Cowboys)
I'm on tour playing saxophone for the Raygun Cowboys, a rockabilly band from Edmonton AB. We're travelling in a 31' motorhome. Two beds & a pull-out couch for 5 guys is a whole lot nicer than I'm used to. Plus we have a kitchen, so buying groceries will be a lot nicer on my wallet than fast-food all the time.
Saturday night we played New City Legion in Edmonton AB as a sort of tour kick-off party. Really fun, a lot of people. Hung around town for a few days, left Wednesday night to make Penticton BC for Thursday evening. We played with our friends The Hangers from Montreal. Really fun show, afterwards we stayed up all night around a campfire in the middle of an orchid. Haven't seen those guys since they played New City last Friday!
After penticton we drove into Vancouver BC, my favourite city. My phone isn't working, so I couldn't get in touch with anyone, but a few friends surprised me at our gig. Lacey & crew showed up, and Barb was in town for a convention. Also Tyson & Andrea were there as well, it was a big Edmonton reunion. Played at the Fairview Pub with Buddy Holic, a great Buddy Holly cover band. Also Big John Bates was there, I got to meet him and he complimented us on how the horns sounded with the band.
Crossed the border this morning to play the Highway 99 blues bar in Seattle WA. Great club, dark juke-joint type place. Our first show in the USA this tour, should be a crazy Saturday night.
Here's the band two nights ago in Penticton:
Friday, March 30, 2012
Calgary AB
Sunday: Wild Bill's at Banff was great. They treated us really well, the hotel was great, and the soundguy was awesome, old punk-rocker from Vancouver. Johnny D (trumpet player from back home) & his wife stopped in, really great seeing familiar faces.
Monday: Drove to Jasper to play the Legion. Spent most of the day walking around, visited Dead Dog. The bar manager at the Legion (Mighty #31) is named Sam, wicked guy. One of the funnest shows of this tour, the hall was packed, everyone was dancing, lights were low, and the band sounded tight.
Tuesday: Hit Edmonton to load-in at the Haven Social Club. Played with Canyon Rose Outfit and King Muskafa, who let me get on stage with them to play a reggae cover of Natural Woman. I was a little hesitant to play my home-town on a week night, but the Haven was slammed and the dancefloor looked crazy from onstage. Went home and put up some of the guys in the band on spare beds/couches. West Edmonton Mall the next day to show them around, Peter aced a hole in mini-golf, but Scotty walked away Champ by a stoke. After WEM we returned to the Haven Social Club for the Wednesday Open Stage, turned into a pretty wild night.
Thursday we left Edmonton early for Saskatoon. I love playing Lydia's because the bandhouse is upstairs attached to the bar. Lydia's is probably my idea of the perfect pub: dart boards, pool tables, classic arcade games, chess, three floors, big stage and a huge sound-system, perfectly dialed-in.
Friday: Calgary. We're just outside of the city now, playing Dicken's Pub with Torches to Triggers and our friends Class Action. I don't know Calgary that well, actually even less than I know Saskatoon, but I've heard really good things about Dicken's.
Monday: Drove to Jasper to play the Legion. Spent most of the day walking around, visited Dead Dog. The bar manager at the Legion (Mighty #31) is named Sam, wicked guy. One of the funnest shows of this tour, the hall was packed, everyone was dancing, lights were low, and the band sounded tight.
Tuesday: Hit Edmonton to load-in at the Haven Social Club. Played with Canyon Rose Outfit and King Muskafa, who let me get on stage with them to play a reggae cover of Natural Woman. I was a little hesitant to play my home-town on a week night, but the Haven was slammed and the dancefloor looked crazy from onstage. Went home and put up some of the guys in the band on spare beds/couches. West Edmonton Mall the next day to show them around, Peter aced a hole in mini-golf, but Scotty walked away Champ by a stoke. After WEM we returned to the Haven Social Club for the Wednesday Open Stage, turned into a pretty wild night.
Thursday we left Edmonton early for Saskatoon. I love playing Lydia's because the bandhouse is upstairs attached to the bar. Lydia's is probably my idea of the perfect pub: dart boards, pool tables, classic arcade games, chess, three floors, big stage and a huge sound-system, perfectly dialed-in.
Friday: Calgary. We're just outside of the city now, playing Dicken's Pub with Torches to Triggers and our friends Class Action. I don't know Calgary that well, actually even less than I know Saskatoon, but I've heard really good things about Dicken's.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Banff AB
Canmore was great, two packed nights at the Drake. Matt from Cranbrook came down to see us play, and Rend, my friends' band from Edmonton, was playing next door at the Canmore Hotel. After our last set I went over and hung out in the bar at the Ho with them and played the out-of-tune piano for everybody until we went upstairs to their hotel rooms. Sang some songs and composed a beer bottle symphony, all field-recorded and documented on someone's iPhone.
Just finished soundcheck at Wild Bill's, we've checked into our hotel, 4 rooms for 8 guys! Height of luxury, showered, clean clothes, and soon a quick nap in the most comfortable bed on the planet before heading back to Wild Bill's for dinner. Really excited about tonight, Wild Bill's is one of my favourite places to play.
Just finished soundcheck at Wild Bill's, we've checked into our hotel, 4 rooms for 8 guys! Height of luxury, showered, clean clothes, and soon a quick nap in the most comfortable bed on the planet before heading back to Wild Bill's for dinner. Really excited about tonight, Wild Bill's is one of my favourite places to play.
Friday, March 23, 2012
On the highway in the Rockies somewhere between Lake Louise and Banff
Got to Vancouver Sunday afternoon and spent a few days rehearsing with the band in North Van, and spent the week staying with A-team & Des. Went into the studio Wednesday to hang out with Erik and lay down some saxophone for the new Rich Hope recordings. Spent Thursday at Sean's shop in Maple Ridge getting more work done (so itchy right now!!) and met up with A-team, Des & Amy at Chronic Taco that evening, where we ran into Condor, who I ended up going downtown with to see Feldman's son's band play. Awesome, awesome show.
Friday Rude City Riot played the Cellar on Grandville Ave. It was a really fun show, we played a lot of the new material we've been working lately. After the show I ended up hanging out in the airport all night waiting for my early morning flight home for some family business & spent a few days at home. Left yesterday morning and met up with the band in Kamloops where we got to play Pogue Mahone's again. It's been a few years since we were there last. Fun night, the other bands were great. The first was a cat from Vernon who played a great set of music by himself and a bunch of loop-effects, goes by the name Windmills. The second band was really good too, VanDamsel they were called. Great songs, killer musicians, and fun guys to hang out with.
Now we're on our way to Camore to play the next couple of nights at the Drake. Always a great stage to play, I'm excited about having a day tomorrow without travel. I can't remember the last time I stayed in the same place for longer than 24 hours.
Friday Rude City Riot played the Cellar on Grandville Ave. It was a really fun show, we played a lot of the new material we've been working lately. After the show I ended up hanging out in the airport all night waiting for my early morning flight home for some family business & spent a few days at home. Left yesterday morning and met up with the band in Kamloops where we got to play Pogue Mahone's again. It's been a few years since we were there last. Fun night, the other bands were great. The first was a cat from Vernon who played a great set of music by himself and a bunch of loop-effects, goes by the name Windmills. The second band was really good too, VanDamsel they were called. Great songs, killer musicians, and fun guys to hang out with.
Now we're on our way to Camore to play the next couple of nights at the Drake. Always a great stage to play, I'm excited about having a day tomorrow without travel. I can't remember the last time I stayed in the same place for longer than 24 hours.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Vancouver BC
Went to meet Darren & Elizabeth on Grandville on Thursday, picked up some Madness & Specials patches from Rock Shop for my jacket, and went out for week #2 of Chronic Taco's crazy Thursday drink special. Then went down to the ChronTox on Cambie/Broadway to meet Amy for phase II. Ended up at her's around midnight where her roommate & I took off for Backstage Lounge to see my old Edmonton friend Joseph's funk band play, and for the $1 beer. Vancouver be crazy.
Spent Friday walking around Vancouver, first down Commercial to buy tickets for the Toasters for some friends, then Grandville to return Darren's gloves, then though downtown and Gastown looking for a restaurant that served haggis (long story). Gave up on my search and stopped in at the Black Frog, the old pub I used to work at, for a nostalgic pint. Walked back to Commercial to meet Erik to hang out at his friend's shop they were renovating for its opening the next day.
B-Line'd it to UBC to hang out with A-team for bit, then we went down to a studio under one of the sketchiest bridges I think I've ever seen. The show was great, I had a lot of fun. Rude City Riot played one of our best shows of the last few months. Well, maybe tied with Victoria. I got smoked in the face on stage, a proper looking cut on my cheek, which I didn't realize was much of anything until Dusty pointed out I was bleeding half-way through the set.
My ride to Edmonton the next day fell though, so I hung around for an extra day and took the red-eye on the Greyhound home, 18 hours on the highway, ~24 hours door-to-door. My first time on the bus for more than 6 hours. It was 16.5 hours longer than my flight out a couple weeks earlier, and a whole $20 cheaper. Lesson learned.
Recording demos soon, and tour in March:
16 - Vancouver - The Cellar Nightclub
17 - Vancouver - All Ages
22 - Kamloops - Pogue Mahones
23 - Canmore - The Drake
24 - Canmore - The Drake
25 - Banff - Wild Bills
26 - Jasper - The Legion
27 - Edmonton - The Haven Social Club
29 - Saskatoon - Lydia's Pub
30 - Calgary - Dicken's Pub
31 - Kelowna - Doc Willoughby's
Spent Friday walking around Vancouver, first down Commercial to buy tickets for the Toasters for some friends, then Grandville to return Darren's gloves, then though downtown and Gastown looking for a restaurant that served haggis (long story). Gave up on my search and stopped in at the Black Frog, the old pub I used to work at, for a nostalgic pint. Walked back to Commercial to meet Erik to hang out at his friend's shop they were renovating for its opening the next day.
B-Line'd it to UBC to hang out with A-team for bit, then we went down to a studio under one of the sketchiest bridges I think I've ever seen. The show was great, I had a lot of fun. Rude City Riot played one of our best shows of the last few months. Well, maybe tied with Victoria. I got smoked in the face on stage, a proper looking cut on my cheek, which I didn't realize was much of anything until Dusty pointed out I was bleeding half-way through the set.
My ride to Edmonton the next day fell though, so I hung around for an extra day and took the red-eye on the Greyhound home, 18 hours on the highway, ~24 hours door-to-door. My first time on the bus for more than 6 hours. It was 16.5 hours longer than my flight out a couple weeks earlier, and a whole $20 cheaper. Lesson learned.
Recording demos soon, and tour in March:
16 - Vancouver - The Cellar Nightclub
17 - Vancouver - All Ages
22 - Kamloops - Pogue Mahones
23 - Canmore - The Drake
24 - Canmore - The Drake
25 - Banff - Wild Bills
26 - Jasper - The Legion
27 - Edmonton - The Haven Social Club
29 - Saskatoon - Lydia's Pub
30 - Calgary - Dicken's Pub
31 - Kelowna - Doc Willoughby's
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Victoria BC
Got back to Vancouver Tuesday afternoon after a few month's absence, I forgot how beautiful this city is. And how rainy. Rehearsed Tuesday night at NAL, then Wednesday at our jam space. Went for sushi with A-team followed by beer & pool followed by Chron Tox with Amy. Spent Friday morning wandering around UBC campus (I also forgot how beautiful that campus is), then headed back to Danagement's for a quiet evening of sweet FA.
Left for the ferry early Saturday morning, spent the next few hours with a corner-store mending-kit sewing the right sleeve of my leather jacket back together. Got to Victoria and immediately took everyone to Big Bad John's, then split with Luis and Dusty to "My Bar" to hit a blues jam hosted by a friend of Dusty's old man. Played with the house-band, it was good to get some air running through my horn before the show that night.
We played for the Victoria Ska Society as part of a membership drive at an artist's studio in the industrial area. Lots of fun, it was great to see Sara and Dane again. Show was really fun, and everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves. Lots of dancing, Victoria is awesome.
Back to Commercial the next afternoon, and back to UBC to spend the evening watching movies at A-team's! Just got back from shopping & sushi with DL3. Going with him tomorrow as he gets more ink done by Sean, then we'll spend the next few days writing more new songs & hornlines. Rehearsal Wednesday, and the Toasters Friday! Can't wait!
Left for the ferry early Saturday morning, spent the next few hours with a corner-store mending-kit sewing the right sleeve of my leather jacket back together. Got to Victoria and immediately took everyone to Big Bad John's, then split with Luis and Dusty to "My Bar" to hit a blues jam hosted by a friend of Dusty's old man. Played with the house-band, it was good to get some air running through my horn before the show that night.
We played for the Victoria Ska Society as part of a membership drive at an artist's studio in the industrial area. Lots of fun, it was great to see Sara and Dane again. Show was really fun, and everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves. Lots of dancing, Victoria is awesome.
Back to Commercial the next afternoon, and back to UBC to spend the evening watching movies at A-team's! Just got back from shopping & sushi with DL3. Going with him tomorrow as he gets more ink done by Sean, then we'll spend the next few days writing more new songs & hornlines. Rehearsal Wednesday, and the Toasters Friday! Can't wait!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Cambridge ON
KOI Music Festival was fun, a bit of confusion involving venue changes, but still a fun show. My old man came down to see us, then I went to his place in Cambridge to spend the next day off with him and his family. Walked my little brother to school this morning, now about to leave for Hamilton to make sound check at the Casbah.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Kitchener ON (KOI Music Festival)
Opera House show went great! A lot of people showed up, a lot of people dancing. Random Hand exploded, the best I've seen them yet!! Amazing songs, amazing band to see live, I really love watching them perform. My old room-mate/drummer from Edmonton Ian M showed up with his friend Jen, Erik N & Richard B (Nothin But Time) came down, they were in town from Vancouver to perform with Ali on CBC's Cover Me Canada (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ali-Milner/114449125326601), and Kylen is in town for a two-week course she's taking in Scarborough! I was really happy with our set, I think our best one yet, and McKenzies & Smashers were incredible as always. The stage-diving during the Planet Smashers' set started right off the first song!
Stopped on our way to Kitchener at a Kelsey's for the best giant rack of ribs I think I've ever had! Sat around waiting for our set sitting in the sun on an outdoor patio sewing a back-piece on my jacket with Kylen, Peter, and his friends Matt & Dan. We're playing more-or-less at the same time as Random Hand in a different venue, at least we'll get to see McKenzies and Smashers through-out the day.
Stopped on our way to Kitchener at a Kelsey's for the best giant rack of ribs I think I've ever had! Sat around waiting for our set sitting in the sun on an outdoor patio sewing a back-piece on my jacket with Kylen, Peter, and his friends Matt & Dan. We're playing more-or-less at the same time as Random Hand in a different venue, at least we'll get to see McKenzies and Smashers through-out the day.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Toronto ON
OTTAWA WAS INSANE!! Nice club, all ages show, big green room downstairs. I felt we played really well, it was kind of intimidating playing with the Planet Smashers in the audience. The crowd went nuts for Random Hand, and the Real McKenzies owned the room when they played. I think everybody in the room turned into Scots during their set. The Planet Smashers were absolutely incredible, I got to go on stage during Hippopotamus and carried and shook one of the flower/sun/kid-pool behind the Hippo mascot. Went to the Dom around the corner with Random Hand, Charles and Sean Done, then back to Sean's for youtube browsing and floor sleeping. Drove half-way to Toronto with Random Hand, ran into the Rude City Riot van at some random gas station, and jumped ship to so I could watch Mortal Kombat on our in-car DVD player.
Playing the Opera House tonight, this room is incredible!! Really excited/anxious!
Playing the Opera House tonight, this room is incredible!! Really excited/anxious!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Ottawa ON
Last night was awesome!! We played the Monte Cristo in Ste Therese as part of the Music 4 Cancer Festival, with all the proceeds given to the Canadian Cancer Society. The organizer Jay was a really awesome guy. All the bands killed it, Random Hand is ****ing incredible live! Had a lot of fun playing our set, and The Real McKenzies made the night. Free pool, awesome rider, and Pauli McKenzie and I had a saxophone jam backstage, with me on my tenor and him on his bamboo saxophone. It sounds really great, I'm going to shop around for one when I get home. Peter and I spent the night at Pat from the Hanger's, now we're at Ritual in Ottawa, about to play with Random Hand and the Real McKenzies again and the Planet Smashers!! Haven't seen them since Victoria Ska Fest.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Montreal QC
Left Vancouver Friday morning with Dan, drove the Jeep and trailer across the country to Montreal. Got in Monday and met Val, Danny Rebel, Pat, Lora, and a bunch of their awesome friends at the Olde Orchid for drinks and open stage. LORA HAD MY LEATHER JACKET I LOST IN VICTORIA FOR ME!!! Spent Tuesday around Stomp downtown, Lora, Mike & I hung around after-hours and then we went over to watch the Planet Smashers rehearse at their space. So tight!! Really impressive rehearsal, no mistakes, no time wasted, all business. After that we went down to meet Random Hand and introduce ourselves, they're really, really awesome guys. I'm really looking forward to hanging out with them this tour. We're playing Ste Therese tonight with Random Hand & the Real McKenzies, I can't wait!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Vancouver BC
Flew into town Wednesday afternoon to make my sushi place for lunch. Settled into Erik's for my stay of couch-surfing and hit rehearsal at our new space in North Van. Sushi for breakfast Thursday, then met Barbara and Jamie from Edmonton on Grandville to walk around, then took them back to Broadway for sushi again at my sushi spot. Another long rehearsal, then back to Erik's for left-over sushi. Skateboarded a lot Friday afternoon, threw a Florida tour t-shirt in Canada Post for Sara in Victoria, then hit Shark Club for soundcheck.
Dan's old friend Fife was the soundman, he was the best, quickest, and funniest soundguy I've ever seen. Doing soundcheck was like being on the business-end of a machine-gun-laden firing-squad. Everything was so rapid and to-the-point.
B-Monster was awesome, a lot of spy flavour, and Giraffe Aftermath was incredible! The horns were great, I didn't get a chance to talk to them at all after though.
Our set was great, strong with a lot of energy off the start. It was Erik's last show with the band, end of an era. Tried climbing around the stage as much as possible. Stages seem to shrink to the same tiny size no matter what when there are 8 guys in the band.
One solid week of rehearsals left, and then we're off for tour with Planet Smashers, Real McKenzies, and Random Hand. Pretty excited, I'm really hoping to learn a lot watching those guys play.
Dan's old friend Fife was the soundman, he was the best, quickest, and funniest soundguy I've ever seen. Doing soundcheck was like being on the business-end of a machine-gun-laden firing-squad. Everything was so rapid and to-the-point.
B-Monster was awesome, a lot of spy flavour, and Giraffe Aftermath was incredible! The horns were great, I didn't get a chance to talk to them at all after though.
Our set was great, strong with a lot of energy off the start. It was Erik's last show with the band, end of an era. Tried climbing around the stage as much as possible. Stages seem to shrink to the same tiny size no matter what when there are 8 guys in the band.
One solid week of rehearsals left, and then we're off for tour with Planet Smashers, Real McKenzies, and Random Hand. Pretty excited, I'm really hoping to learn a lot watching those guys play.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Rude City Riot September 2011 Eastern Canada Tour Dates
09.14.11 - Ste-Thérèse, QC @ Monte Cristo
09.15.11 - Ottawa, ON @ Ritual
w/ Planet Smashers, The Real McKenzies, & Random Hand
09.16.11 - Toronto, ON @ Opera House
w/ Planet Smashers, The Real McKenzies, & Random Hand
09.17.11 - Kitchener, ON @ KOI Festival
w/ The Planet Smashers
09.19.11 - Hamilton, ON @ Casbah
w/ The Real McKenzies, & Random Hand
09.20.11 - London, ON @ Call The Office
09.21.11 - Kingston, ON @ Time To Laugh
w/ The Planet Smashers, The Real McKenzies, & Random Hand
09.22.11 - Quebec, QC @ L'Agitee
w/ The Real McKenzies, & Random Hand
09.24.11 - Montreal, QC @ Club Soda
w/ Planet Smashers, The Real McKenies, & Random Hand
09.26.11 - Thunder Bay, ON @ Croc's
09.29.11 - Saskatoon, SK @ Louis' Pub
w/ The Real McKenzies
09.30.11 - Regina, SK @ Distrikt
w/ The Real McKenzies
10.01.11 - St Albert, AB @ LB's Pub
09.15.11 - Ottawa, ON @ Ritual
w/ Planet Smashers, The Real McKenzies, & Random Hand
09.16.11 - Toronto, ON @ Opera House
w/ Planet Smashers, The Real McKenzies, & Random Hand
09.17.11 - Kitchener, ON @ KOI Festival
w/ The Planet Smashers
09.19.11 - Hamilton, ON @ Casbah
w/ The Real McKenzies, & Random Hand
09.20.11 - London, ON @ Call The Office
09.21.11 - Kingston, ON @ Time To Laugh
w/ The Planet Smashers, The Real McKenzies, & Random Hand
09.22.11 - Quebec, QC @ L'Agitee
w/ The Real McKenzies, & Random Hand
09.24.11 - Montreal, QC @ Club Soda
w/ Planet Smashers, The Real McKenies, & Random Hand
09.26.11 - Thunder Bay, ON @ Croc's
09.29.11 - Saskatoon, SK @ Louis' Pub
w/ The Real McKenzies
09.30.11 - Regina, SK @ Distrikt
w/ The Real McKenzies
10.01.11 - St Albert, AB @ LB's Pub
Monday, July 25, 2011
Tampa FL
Sitting in a coffee shop in downtown Tampa, killing time before heading back to the airport to fly back to Vancouver.
Friday's show at Full Sail University in Orlando was a lot of fun. We played a longer set than usual (75 min) and had everything filmed for us. It was a nice change to play on a full 90' stage. During our set a painter set up his easel on the side of the hall and painted an interpretation of our music to give to us after. Right after Full Sail we drove to Tampa to play another set that night at New World Brewery. Great bands, and one of the funnest shows we've done yet.
Slept all morning the next day and headed off for Cape Coral in the afternoon. Met up with Andy Jeter again and had our first Golden Coral experience. Awesome. Too much food, and way too much rain, and we finally made it back to our hotel.
Made it down to Rack 'Em Billiards and had my first game of darts in way too long. Andrew & his staff are amazing, we were treated like gold. All the other bands that night were awesome.
Up late-morning Saturday and drove back to Orlando. Checked out some of Disney World & ate at Dan Aykroyd's House of Blues. Went to a giant outdoor outlet shopping-mall and spent the evening fighting heat-exhaustion or sun-stroke or something. Early to bed, early to rise, up this morning at 5 am to drop off Dusty, Stefan, & Peter at the Orlando airport. Had breakfast after at the Waffle House just outside of Tampa. Don't know what's happening with our tour-schedule the next couple weeks, might not play again until our September tour across Canada.
Andy & me:
Friday's show at Full Sail University in Orlando was a lot of fun. We played a longer set than usual (75 min) and had everything filmed for us. It was a nice change to play on a full 90' stage. During our set a painter set up his easel on the side of the hall and painted an interpretation of our music to give to us after. Right after Full Sail we drove to Tampa to play another set that night at New World Brewery. Great bands, and one of the funnest shows we've done yet.
Slept all morning the next day and headed off for Cape Coral in the afternoon. Met up with Andy Jeter again and had our first Golden Coral experience. Awesome. Too much food, and way too much rain, and we finally made it back to our hotel.
Made it down to Rack 'Em Billiards and had my first game of darts in way too long. Andrew & his staff are amazing, we were treated like gold. All the other bands that night were awesome.
Up late-morning Saturday and drove back to Orlando. Checked out some of Disney World & ate at Dan Aykroyd's House of Blues. Went to a giant outdoor outlet shopping-mall and spent the evening fighting heat-exhaustion or sun-stroke or something. Early to bed, early to rise, up this morning at 5 am to drop off Dusty, Stefan, & Peter at the Orlando airport. Had breakfast after at the Waffle House just outside of Tampa. Don't know what's happening with our tour-schedule the next couple weeks, might not play again until our September tour across Canada.
Andy & me:
Friday, July 22, 2011
Ft. Lauderdale FL
We met Andy Jeter Wednesday for lunch at a Cracker Barrel. The Kansas City BBQ chicken was unreal. Drove to Ft. Lauderdale to check into our hotel rooms. Attached to the lobby was a sports bar with dollar-beer, all-you-can-eat ribs, and karaoke. The whole band took up the back table all night, highlights include Dusty legit killing it singing some Billy Idol, me ridiculously killing it singing (yelling) "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," telling people over the mic that my grandfathers-grandfather originally recorded the song and giving shout-outs to the staff, and when the whole band on the patio singing Happy Birthday Top Gun-style for the waitress. After the bar closed up Scott & I hit the swimming pool to beat the insane Florida heat, stupid hot even in the dead of night.
Got up the next day and drove down to the beach. So hot, us nine pasty-white definitely Canadians definitely stood-out. Went down to the Monterey Club where we played with Askultura & The Sheffield Crew. Awesome show, the bands were all awesome & inspiring to watch, and the bar staff at Monterey Club are some of the raddest people on the planet. If I lived in Ft. Lauderdale that bar would be my second home.
Andy & the band outside Cracker Barrel:
Got up the next day and drove down to the beach. So hot, us nine pasty-white definitely Canadians definitely stood-out. Went down to the Monterey Club where we played with Askultura & The Sheffield Crew. Awesome show, the bands were all awesome & inspiring to watch, and the bar staff at Monterey Club are some of the raddest people on the planet. If I lived in Ft. Lauderdale that bar would be my second home.
Andy & the band outside Cracker Barrel:
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Ft. Worth TX
Woke up in time to rush to the Vancouver Int'l Airport for 9 am. Scott was held behind at U.S. Customs and Immigration, so we all stayed with him and ended up missing our flight, which led to us missing our connections and putting us behind schedule. Finally flew to Ft. Worth later that afternoon and spent the night at a Super 8. None of us really slept, and we were up at 5 to make the airport early to catch our flight to Tampa to meet up with Dusty, Peter, and Stefan. Sitting in the back of a 12-person van, we're now driving to meet Andy Jeter in Ft. Myers before moving on to Ft. Lauderdale. So far, our only experiences this trip involve fatigue and crazy heat. And I haven't exchanged my currency yet, so I have a pocket full of Canadian money I can't spend anywhere.
Friday, March 25, 2011
2011 West Coast Reggae Caribbean Music Awards (WRCMA)
Over a casual telephone conversation last Tuesday with my friend Drew McIntosh I decided it would be a good idea to jump in a van with him later that week and drive the 1200km to Vancouver. Drew is the founder & organizer of Solidarity Rock, an "artist run non-profit organization that works to partner Canadian and Cuban rock bands, artists and creative people." That Friday he was organizing a punk-show at Lana Lou's to raise funds and collect donated instruments to bring with him to Cuba the next week.
Basically, me being that friend that doesn't have any commitments, plans, or a "job," I'm always down for a last-minute road trip.
Stuffed my bag with a half-empty shaving kit, a change of clothes, put on my suit, threw my saxophone over my shoulder, and left for Vancouver Thursday morning via my jazz gig Wednesday night.
Got in town Thursday night a few hours before last call. Met up with my friend Lacey and went to Malone's, the bar she works at downtown: another successful St. Patrick's Day.
Spent Friday afternoon walkng around my old chow digs on Cambie & Broadway for cheap sushi, then walked through the nation's capital of nice neighbourhoods (Main & Hastings) to get to Drew's gig. Anti-Party was definitely my favourite band of the evening, the Receptionists were amazing, and the AK-747s were perfect to close the night. I wish we had more shows like that in Edmonton. Especially the Receptionists, they killed it! Stayed late after the gig playing the sorely out-of-tune piano and singing with a group of Edmontonian ex-pats. Melissa came in from Victoria that night, her and Lacey came by later to rescue me from any more cheap Blue Ribbons.
Saturday I brought Lacey & Melissa back to my sushi spot to meet Ashton (A-Team) and Erik for lunch. B-Line'd to Commercial to catch the train to Danagement's. Surfed the couch for a while listening to the Valuable's EP and caught a sneak-peek at the new album art for the upcoming Rude City Riot album. Should be out on Stomp Records in June hopefully.
The WRCMA's was pretty swank, black tie and red carpet. Rude City Riot was nominated for two categories (Album of the Year and Best Overall Dance Artist/Group - All Genres), our man on drums Richard Brown recived the nod for a few more categories with other bands he's in, and Ras Nikhilesh who laid down some vocals on our album walked away with the Promising & Upcoming Artist award. Fun night, lots of wine and jerk chicken and Guiness Extra Stout; Sean Fury and Angie were there, and I saw Jon and a few other cats I haven't seen since I moved back to the prairies.
Hopped the SkyTrain back to Malone's to meet up with everybody. The world's greatest bartender hepped me to a new shooter, 1/2 Fireball and 1/2 Sambouca. It's the greatest shot ever, and in gratitude I've been introducing it back home named in his honor. (I know it's probably already a shot with a different name, but in my circles it's the "Nick Hart" shot.) Went back with Lacey & Melissa and stayed up late sipping glasses of wine with her room-mates over a long game of Trivial Pursuit.
16 degrees and sunny when we left Vancouver Sunday morning. By the time we got to Jasper it was dark, the roads were ice, and snow was everywhere. Got home safe and sound, nowhere else I'd rather be.
Danagement and I at the WCRCMAs:
Basically, me being that friend that doesn't have any commitments, plans, or a "job," I'm always down for a last-minute road trip.
Stuffed my bag with a half-empty shaving kit, a change of clothes, put on my suit, threw my saxophone over my shoulder, and left for Vancouver Thursday morning via my jazz gig Wednesday night.
Got in town Thursday night a few hours before last call. Met up with my friend Lacey and went to Malone's, the bar she works at downtown: another successful St. Patrick's Day.
Spent Friday afternoon walkng around my old chow digs on Cambie & Broadway for cheap sushi, then walked through the nation's capital of nice neighbourhoods (Main & Hastings) to get to Drew's gig. Anti-Party was definitely my favourite band of the evening, the Receptionists were amazing, and the AK-747s were perfect to close the night. I wish we had more shows like that in Edmonton. Especially the Receptionists, they killed it! Stayed late after the gig playing the sorely out-of-tune piano and singing with a group of Edmontonian ex-pats. Melissa came in from Victoria that night, her and Lacey came by later to rescue me from any more cheap Blue Ribbons.
Saturday I brought Lacey & Melissa back to my sushi spot to meet Ashton (A-Team) and Erik for lunch. B-Line'd to Commercial to catch the train to Danagement's. Surfed the couch for a while listening to the Valuable's EP and caught a sneak-peek at the new album art for the upcoming Rude City Riot album. Should be out on Stomp Records in June hopefully.
The WRCMA's was pretty swank, black tie and red carpet. Rude City Riot was nominated for two categories (Album of the Year and Best Overall Dance Artist/Group - All Genres), our man on drums Richard Brown recived the nod for a few more categories with other bands he's in, and Ras Nikhilesh who laid down some vocals on our album walked away with the Promising & Upcoming Artist award. Fun night, lots of wine and jerk chicken and Guiness Extra Stout; Sean Fury and Angie were there, and I saw Jon and a few other cats I haven't seen since I moved back to the prairies.
Hopped the SkyTrain back to Malone's to meet up with everybody. The world's greatest bartender hepped me to a new shooter, 1/2 Fireball and 1/2 Sambouca. It's the greatest shot ever, and in gratitude I've been introducing it back home named in his honor. (I know it's probably already a shot with a different name, but in my circles it's the "Nick Hart" shot.) Went back with Lacey & Melissa and stayed up late sipping glasses of wine with her room-mates over a long game of Trivial Pursuit.
16 degrees and sunny when we left Vancouver Sunday morning. By the time we got to Jasper it was dark, the roads were ice, and snow was everywhere. Got home safe and sound, nowhere else I'd rather be.
Danagement and I at the WCRCMAs:
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Vancouver BC
Drove to Vancouver and back last weekend. Left Thursday morning, arrived around midnight just in time to lock the keys in the car. $50 later and it was straight to bed.
Friday afternoon headed to Grandville Street to shop for skinny jeans and vintage clothes, then to Cambie & Broadway for my favourite sushi. Then after a quick nap made Malone's for sound-check. Played with Tre & his band Reggae On The Rocks Friday night, Fresh!! Great band, cool vibe. We played well that night, the sound from on stage was a bit of an issue, and we were playing without Michael (he was out-of-province), but it was still really fun.
Stayed in bed all morning/afternoon Saturday, and after some delicious gnocci hit Malone's for the second of our two-nighter. Giraffe Aftermath was sick, crazy how full they sound as a band even though they're a trio now. Much respect, and the vocal harmonies kill. Our set felt a lot better than Friday's, and I think everybody in the band was playing a little more next-level than we were the night before. Both nights were a lot of fun, hearing Reggae On The Rocks and Giraffe Aftermath was awesome, and Malone's is a great venue downtown Vancouver. I didn't want to leave town to go home after that!
So I didn't. Instead we got together and Erik & Lacey took us to Grandville Island Brewery, then sushi (back to my sushi place on Cambie & Broadway), then wine & Trivial Pursuit, then some movie that I ended up falling asleep during five minutes after it started.
Hit the road Monday for the 1,200 km trip back home to 780. The album is being mixed, soon-to-be-mastered, and the artwork is almost complete for the tentative April release. Can't wait! The rough mixes already sound pretty Tony Danza.
Steve Kitchen's (Combination13) poster for our show last weekend:
Friday afternoon headed to Grandville Street to shop for skinny jeans and vintage clothes, then to Cambie & Broadway for my favourite sushi. Then after a quick nap made Malone's for sound-check. Played with Tre & his band Reggae On The Rocks Friday night, Fresh!! Great band, cool vibe. We played well that night, the sound from on stage was a bit of an issue, and we were playing without Michael (he was out-of-province), but it was still really fun.
Stayed in bed all morning/afternoon Saturday, and after some delicious gnocci hit Malone's for the second of our two-nighter. Giraffe Aftermath was sick, crazy how full they sound as a band even though they're a trio now. Much respect, and the vocal harmonies kill. Our set felt a lot better than Friday's, and I think everybody in the band was playing a little more next-level than we were the night before. Both nights were a lot of fun, hearing Reggae On The Rocks and Giraffe Aftermath was awesome, and Malone's is a great venue downtown Vancouver. I didn't want to leave town to go home after that!
So I didn't. Instead we got together and Erik & Lacey took us to Grandville Island Brewery, then sushi (back to my sushi place on Cambie & Broadway), then wine & Trivial Pursuit, then some movie that I ended up falling asleep during five minutes after it started.
Hit the road Monday for the 1,200 km trip back home to 780. The album is being mixed, soon-to-be-mastered, and the artwork is almost complete for the tentative April release. Can't wait! The rough mixes already sound pretty Tony Danza.
Steve Kitchen's (Combination13) poster for our show last weekend:
Monday, January 10, 2011
Vancouver BC
Long, long day. Woke up and went with Erik to grab some dinner at Solli's Deli before returning to Mushroom Studios. The full band was present (minus Michael), plus Condor (with engineer Rachel and runner Darryl), plus Danagement, plus photographer, plus Combination13 Steve Kitchen. Had a quick little photo sesh outside Mushroom for the album cover, then went inside to finish some of Richard's percussion. Kevin from Ska-boom! fame came to lay down some trumpet lines on some tunes, including my original "Dan Cowan Riot Stomp." Monster player, first-take kind of cat.
Dusty brought in a cat named Nicklesh (I think that's the proper spelling) to sing Jamaican dub-plate style lines over "Reaper," blew my mind. He's amazing, there's talk of getting him on "25 years" and "Kick Me When I'm Down" as well, I'm really looking forward to hearing more and working more with him in the future.
Finished up some bass tracks, and Kevin & I finished recording the rest of the horn lines for the album. I finished around 1:30 a.m. and ran around the control room giving celebratory high-fives to everyone. (We had a ridiculous amount of people stop by and hang out through-out the day. Great feeling to have that almost extended-family vibe happening in the middle of the hammerhouse grind.)
In between downing pots of coffee and typing all the swear words I know into the recording console, I didn't really do much today outside of sit next to Condor and hit the Talk-Back through all the sessions. And for that I claim Engineer credit, 10%.
For posterity's sake, let the World Wide Web's hall-of-records show that I recorded these songs this weekend with a brutal, brutal case of strep throat and tonsillitis. (Whatever the medical term for that is, I don't know, I saw it written on wikipedia somewhere.) Point being, every time I played my saxophone it felt like somebody was torquing a rusty screwdriver through my neck. I never want to have do go through that again. That sucked.
Dusty brought in a cat named Nicklesh (I think that's the proper spelling) to sing Jamaican dub-plate style lines over "Reaper," blew my mind. He's amazing, there's talk of getting him on "25 years" and "Kick Me When I'm Down" as well, I'm really looking forward to hearing more and working more with him in the future.
Finished up some bass tracks, and Kevin & I finished recording the rest of the horn lines for the album. I finished around 1:30 a.m. and ran around the control room giving celebratory high-fives to everyone. (We had a ridiculous amount of people stop by and hang out through-out the day. Great feeling to have that almost extended-family vibe happening in the middle of the hammerhouse grind.)
In between downing pots of coffee and typing all the swear words I know into the recording console, I didn't really do much today outside of sit next to Condor and hit the Talk-Back through all the sessions. And for that I claim Engineer credit, 10%.
For posterity's sake, let the World Wide Web's hall-of-records show that I recorded these songs this weekend with a brutal, brutal case of strep throat and tonsillitis. (Whatever the medical term for that is, I don't know, I saw it written on wikipedia somewhere.) Point being, every time I played my saxophone it felt like somebody was torquing a rusty screwdriver through my neck. I never want to have do go through that again. That sucked.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Vancouver BC
Recording!!!
New Years day (Saturday) I came down with the flu. After a few days my sore throat turned out to be tonsillitis, which turned out to be strep throat. (wtf?)
Flew in Thursday night (my first day out of bed and out of the house since getting sick) and met Erik for cheap Van sushi. My new first-order-of-business whenever I get back to Vancouver. Back to Erik's to crash on his couch.
Friday morning I showed up at Nimbus with enough pain medication to permanently erase my memory if I wanted. Spent all day with Kevin & I laying down the horn parts to four or five songs. Didn't stay late, called the session at about the 12-hour mark. Back to Erik's couch to crash. (And more sushi.)
Saturday afternoon (this afternoon, after going out for sushi for lunch) Erik and I showed up at Mushroom where Erik layed down some bass tracks before Kevin and I hit some more tunes. We only covered two songs this evening, but one of them was my original ("Dan Cowan Riot Stomp") and both songs we recorded had saxophone solos, both of which I'm really happy with. So tonight marks the last of my saxophone solos to be recorded for the album. To celebrate, I'm back on Erik's couch, alone in the house with the lights of and Futurama in the DVD player, blogging and about to fall asleep. (We also ordered in sushi for dinner.)
Tomorrow we're taking band photos for the album artwork and (among other things) wrapping up the last three songs that need horns. This album sounds so amazing, Al (Condor) is an amazing producer.
S.W., 10%, G.B.
I can't wait for this album to be in the can. I'm very proud of how it's sounding, I want everybody in my life to hear what Rude City Riot has been doing these past few months.
New Years day (Saturday) I came down with the flu. After a few days my sore throat turned out to be tonsillitis, which turned out to be strep throat. (wtf?)
Flew in Thursday night (my first day out of bed and out of the house since getting sick) and met Erik for cheap Van sushi. My new first-order-of-business whenever I get back to Vancouver. Back to Erik's to crash on his couch.
Friday morning I showed up at Nimbus with enough pain medication to permanently erase my memory if I wanted. Spent all day with Kevin & I laying down the horn parts to four or five songs. Didn't stay late, called the session at about the 12-hour mark. Back to Erik's couch to crash. (And more sushi.)
Saturday afternoon (this afternoon, after going out for sushi for lunch) Erik and I showed up at Mushroom where Erik layed down some bass tracks before Kevin and I hit some more tunes. We only covered two songs this evening, but one of them was my original ("Dan Cowan Riot Stomp") and both songs we recorded had saxophone solos, both of which I'm really happy with. So tonight marks the last of my saxophone solos to be recorded for the album. To celebrate, I'm back on Erik's couch, alone in the house with the lights of and Futurama in the DVD player, blogging and about to fall asleep. (We also ordered in sushi for dinner.)
Tomorrow we're taking band photos for the album artwork and (among other things) wrapping up the last three songs that need horns. This album sounds so amazing, Al (Condor) is an amazing producer.
S.W., 10%, G.B.
I can't wait for this album to be in the can. I'm very proud of how it's sounding, I want everybody in my life to hear what Rude City Riot has been doing these past few months.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Vancouer BC
Flew in late Thursday night from Toronto and met up with Lacey and Erik at the Biltmore to see Lucero play. Those cats are sick live!! Crushed a bunch of $3 cans of Pabst and saw my Edmonton friend Mike Brennan before going back to spend the first of the weekend's worth of nights on Lacey and Erik's couch.
Played X-Mas in Skaville Friday night at Anza Club. Reggae On The Rocks, Elixxers, and Los Furios were all incredible. Ska bands in Vancouver are monster! Ran into everybody at the show, including Chris & Andrew from the Black Dog (780) and Finn and Eddie (also from Edmonton!) Crazy night, I thought our set was a lot of fun.
Went to Mushroom Studios the next morning at the crack of 10:30 to begin tracking drums and bass for the new album. Recording with Condor again! And Erik turned us on to Chronic Taco (Chron-Tox) and Uncle Phatti's (sp?) Pizza. Spent 16 hours in the studio Saturday, and 17 hours on Sunday.
Michael and Alex moved on to Nimbus Studios Monday to lay down the keyboard parts. I walked down Grandville Ave by myself in the +15 weather, fascinated by the giant snow-capped mountains and gorging myself on $5 20-pce sushi until I decided to hit the airport and go home for Christmas a few weeks early. So I packed my bags, and before I left I went to the Legion on Main & 22nd with Lacey for $3 pints and free pool. I didn't appreciate at the time when I impulsively decided to fly back home so soon exactly how cold -25 is.
It's a different kind of cold when you have all fall to acclimatize yourself. Tomorrow I'm digging out my skates and hockey sticks, going to try to hit the outdoor rinks as much as possible the next few weeks. And when I'm not out playing hockey I'll be indoors, keeping warm and practicing for January when the horns go back into the studio to finish up this album.
Oh hey! There's a sweet saxophone solo in this song at 2:24!
Played X-Mas in Skaville Friday night at Anza Club. Reggae On The Rocks, Elixxers, and Los Furios were all incredible. Ska bands in Vancouver are monster! Ran into everybody at the show, including Chris & Andrew from the Black Dog (780) and Finn and Eddie (also from Edmonton!) Crazy night, I thought our set was a lot of fun.
Went to Mushroom Studios the next morning at the crack of 10:30 to begin tracking drums and bass for the new album. Recording with Condor again! And Erik turned us on to Chronic Taco (Chron-Tox) and Uncle Phatti's (sp?) Pizza. Spent 16 hours in the studio Saturday, and 17 hours on Sunday.
Michael and Alex moved on to Nimbus Studios Monday to lay down the keyboard parts. I walked down Grandville Ave by myself in the +15 weather, fascinated by the giant snow-capped mountains and gorging myself on $5 20-pce sushi until I decided to hit the airport and go home for Christmas a few weeks early. So I packed my bags, and before I left I went to the Legion on Main & 22nd with Lacey for $3 pints and free pool. I didn't appreciate at the time when I impulsively decided to fly back home so soon exactly how cold -25 is.
It's a different kind of cold when you have all fall to acclimatize yourself. Tomorrow I'm digging out my skates and hockey sticks, going to try to hit the outdoor rinks as much as possible the next few weeks. And when I'm not out playing hockey I'll be indoors, keeping warm and practicing for January when the horns go back into the studio to finish up this album.
Oh hey! There's a sweet saxophone solo in this song at 2:24!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
My String Quartet Arrangement!!
I just finished arranging OutKast's "Hey Ya" for string quartet for my uncle's wedding in Toronto next week!!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Vancouver BC
Flew into town last Monday and lived with Lacey and Erik for a week. Erik's playing bass in the band now! And the deadly Richard Brown on drums! Monday we hung out with A-team (she moved out to Van this summer) and had sushi, bleached my hair, late night pool, and finally late late night Megazords from Mick D's.
Tuesday I had coffee with Danagement, we rehearsed the band, and I fell asleep in my clothes watching Scrubs using a pillow for a blanket and a blanket for a pillow. Wednesday I hung out with my friend Eric from the Bert, Thursday Rude City Riot and Ivy League Brawlers played the Venue opening for Angelo Moore of Fishbone's side project. Crazy fun night, thought the show was great. Sat in with Angelo's band, unreal.
Slept threw my flight home, ended up home safe and sound way later than I wanted to be. Toronto for family business at the end of the month, then RCR is busy in Vancouver recording and playing shows. Can't wait!
Tuesday I had coffee with Danagement, we rehearsed the band, and I fell asleep in my clothes watching Scrubs using a pillow for a blanket and a blanket for a pillow. Wednesday I hung out with my friend Eric from the Bert, Thursday Rude City Riot and Ivy League Brawlers played the Venue opening for Angelo Moore of Fishbone's side project. Crazy fun night, thought the show was great. Sat in with Angelo's band, unreal.
Slept threw my flight home, ended up home safe and sound way later than I wanted to be. Toronto for family business at the end of the month, then RCR is busy in Vancouver recording and playing shows. Can't wait!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Nakusp Music Festival
Left Friday morning with the Danagement team (plus Jazz) and had a nice day, long drive with some nice stops along the way. Ran into my good friends from St. Albert Dave and Trudy right away and hung out at their campsite for a bit. Played a good set, my saxophone gave me troubles, luckily I had my second horn along with me. Turned out to be a bad spring, fixed it on stage mid-set, hopefully nobody noticed. Good set, had a lot of fun, beautiful sunny weather. Hung out in our air conditioned dressing room for a bit afterward, then beer tent, then hotel, then beach, then more campsite, then house party, then more hotel. Spent the entire drive back to Vancouver sleeping in the backseat. Crazy fun night.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Maple Ridge, Vancouver, Victoria Ska Fest
Sunday:
Flew in from Edmonton and met Lacey at Bon's for breakfast. Drove out to Maple Ridge to play AdStock with Ninja Spa, Bone Daddies, Danny Rebel & the KGB! DR&KGB are on tour from Montreal right now, so they met us at Danagement's house for BBQ. So delicious, so good.
Monday:
Played the Cobalt with the Valuables, Danny Rebel & the KGB, and the Fabulous LoLo! All the bands sounded so great, best ska show I've been to in a long time. The staff at the Cobalt are hilarious and really nice, and it's a really fun room to play. Probably my favorite venue in Vancouver right now. Stayed up stupid late with Jeremy afterward watching Star Trek TNG.
Tuesday:
Definitely a write-off from the night before, didn't get out of bed until after 8pm. Kris B, Becky, and Jen from Edmonton ska-band Utopian Skank drove to town on their way to Victoria Ska Fest and crashed at my place for the night. Walked around the Drive and hung out, they told me of their plans to go to Victoria Ska Fest, sleep in their car and in parks, and see all the shows and workshops and just party for four days. They invited me to come along, but being broke and not having money for tickets made me pass on the offer so I could instead stay home and practice all week.
Wednesday:
I took them to Bon's for breakfast before they left for Victoria, and somewhere over breakfast I decided Ska Fest was a great idea, packed a bag, sleeping bag, and saxophone (to practice in the downtimes) and took off with them for the ferry. The Valuables played that night, which I got to see because it was a free show. It was Haig's birthday that night and we all ended up at their Motel to party. The whole night is kind of a mystery for me, my brain stopped recording memories sometime between seeing nobody in particular stealing the Mountie hat off of the RCMP bear in front of the tourist shop, the 780 LBC in the beer gardens, and an alleged 10-minute conversation I had with a "pizza-keep" and patrons after telling the rest of the guys to "wait here, I got this."
Thursday:
Woke up in the backseat of the Jeep, everybody else had slept in the park nearby, but were woken up by some dude with a leaf-blower at 4 am. Hung out in Beacon Park (Bacon Park) being awesome until going to the dub workshops at L&M. Went to the show that night, but since I didn't have tickets I sat on the hill just outside watching and listening to the show and hanging with Sterno and Jay and the girls from AdStock and and and pretty much everybody that I know from the Vancouver scene. It was crazy how awesome that hill was. Victoria Police are the coolest people on the planet after coming up to me and casually telling me to "keep the beer discreet, there are children around." Midnight beach party with everybody afterward, and then some crazy after-party show with KB at some club that spilled out into the square after hours where a drummer had set up and was jamming with a trombonist and baritone saxophonist. Back to Bacon Park to sleep under the stars with KB, Sterno, and Jay.
Friday:
Woke up freezing at 5:30, went to the Jeep to sleep in the driver's seat, and ended up sleeping until after noon. Went to the Brian Dixon clinic at L&M (awesome,) chilled downtown at Chapters for a bit to check my email and get my coffee on, and then Micky D's for Becky's custom McDouble w/ tomato, lettuce, and McChicken sauce. Delicious. Went to the harbor to see the Aggrolites play. Didn't have a ticket, but I stood right outside watching over the fence right off the side of the stage. Sick view, sick band, what they did on stage should be illegal. It was another clinic of Brian's, that band schooled everybody that night. Danagement came to Ska Fest for that show, and let the four of us take the 2nd bedroom, couch, and Murphy bed at where he was staying. Showers, in-suite laundry, private hot tub, rooftop patio. Nice change from sleeping in a park.
Saturday:
Went to the free show in the afternoon to see Danny Rebel & the KGB play with LoLo. Sara pulled me backstage for free beers, which was the start of one of the funnest and most random days of my life!! Sat around all show bullshitting with everybody, and managed to have a "casual" 5-minute conversation with Angelo of Fishbone. I mean "casual" because it was chill, but the whole time I was trying to not act star-struck or say something dumb. Which is 95% of the time for me, so I was pretty nervous.
Sara came through HUGE for me, she totally made the trip for me. After asking me if I was excited about Fishbone that night, and after the story of not having tickets and sleeping in parks, she hooked me up with the show that night. Long story short, it was the best show I've ever seen. Spent their entire set backstage with my elbows on the side of the stage looking like a jack-ass geeking out over the band. They were absolutely incredible. I was hanging out with Danny Rebel & the KGB all night, and Lorraine (LoLo) went on stage to sing with Fishbone at one point!! A day of free food, free beer, and free Fishbone is probably the best day ever to happen to anybody ever.
Sunday:
Caught (and slept on) the first Ferry of the day, had sushi with KB, Becky, and Jen before they left for Edmonton, and spent the rest of the day sleeping. I'm sure I'm forgetting most of the awesome stories. I definitely SHREDDED for 7 days straight.
Sara!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Twassawen BC
Played the mighty 296 last night. Just us, two sets. Nice stage, three cameras from the local television station set up to record and re-broadcast later. Fair crowd for a Thursday night, hung out after for a bit throwing darts, something I haven't done since I moved out West.
Hey look! We made the paper!
http://www.delta-optimist.com/entertainment/Rude+City+Riot+Legion+show+tomorrow+night/3131361/story.html#ixzz0qQ152TKY
Hey look! We made the paper!
http://www.delta-optimist.com/entertainment/Rude+City+Riot+Legion+show+tomorrow+night/3131361/story.html#ixzz0qQ152TKY
Monday, June 7, 2010
Toronto ON
4am and I'm sitting in Pearson waiting to fly home. Saturday night we played Renaud in Lonquiel QC. Great, great bands. Beatdown especially was sick, and PL Mafia has a crazy tight horn section. Had my first plate of poutine of the trip, and my friends Melissa and Darryl from back home in St. Albert drove up from Vermont to hang. Drove back to Toronto after and spent the next couple days relaxing with family.
Play in Vancouver Thursday at The Stage in Twassawen infront of some video cameras for some live feeds, sounds interesting. I'm not sure the details, but I'm excited. And then Saturday we're playing with the Bad Habbits at the Bourbon.
Play in Vancouver Thursday at The Stage in Twassawen infront of some video cameras for some live feeds, sounds interesting. I'm not sure the details, but I'm excited. And then Saturday we're playing with the Bad Habbits at the Bourbon.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Montreal QC
Drove into Montreal Wednesday in the Scotty-Flav-Mobile. Unfortunately, we left our guitars behind in Toronto. Thursday we went looking to rent a replacement axe, but it's impossible to rent one in Montreal without a Quebec driver's license or a full cash deposit, apparently. Valerie from Ska-Montreal came through huge and hooked us up with the Wax Buckets' contact information. Mick from the Wax Buckets came through huge and arranged for us to use the Forbidden Beats guitar for our show the next night. Huge!
Spent Thursday evening putting up gig posters around town with Dusty and tried to hit up Schwartz's Deli for some smoked meat sandwiches, but didn't want to wait in the epic out-the-door and around-the-corner line-up. Settled instead for yet another hotel meal. Delicious AND expensive.
Soundcheck Friday started well. L'Hemisphere Gauche is a great venue. Small room, big stage. Dance pit, cheap beer, total punk-rock bar. Love it, totally my kind of bar. Wandered around, checked out some shops, a great vinyl place, and tried to meet Kevin at a jazz club down St. Denis, but got lost walking around and headed back to the club. Amazing (amazing) Portuguese 1/2 chicken, with potatoes and salad across the street. I definitely ate way, way too much. Unintentional binge and purge, if you know what I mean.
Unfortunately Kevin received some urgent news from back home about some family matters. We bumped the set up to be earlier in the night so he could take off and fly home to be with everyone. Forbidden Beats played a great set, and the Wax Buckets were really cool to trade set times with us on almost zero notice. They played a lot of great songs and had a lot of energy on stage. Both other bands tonight were fantastic, it was a pleasure to be able to hear what's going on in the ska scene out here and share the stage with some quality Montreal bands.
Back at the hotel, we play Bistro Pub Renaud in Longeuil QC tomorrow night. Excited, last show out East before playing back home in Vancouver BC on the 10th. We'll be a trombone short, RCR will be a five-piece for tomorrow night. Interesting?
Spent Thursday evening putting up gig posters around town with Dusty and tried to hit up Schwartz's Deli for some smoked meat sandwiches, but didn't want to wait in the epic out-the-door and around-the-corner line-up. Settled instead for yet another hotel meal. Delicious AND expensive.
Soundcheck Friday started well. L'Hemisphere Gauche is a great venue. Small room, big stage. Dance pit, cheap beer, total punk-rock bar. Love it, totally my kind of bar. Wandered around, checked out some shops, a great vinyl place, and tried to meet Kevin at a jazz club down St. Denis, but got lost walking around and headed back to the club. Amazing (amazing) Portuguese 1/2 chicken, with potatoes and salad across the street. I definitely ate way, way too much. Unintentional binge and purge, if you know what I mean.
Unfortunately Kevin received some urgent news from back home about some family matters. We bumped the set up to be earlier in the night so he could take off and fly home to be with everyone. Forbidden Beats played a great set, and the Wax Buckets were really cool to trade set times with us on almost zero notice. They played a lot of great songs and had a lot of energy on stage. Both other bands tonight were fantastic, it was a pleasure to be able to hear what's going on in the ska scene out here and share the stage with some quality Montreal bands.
Back at the hotel, we play Bistro Pub Renaud in Longeuil QC tomorrow night. Excited, last show out East before playing back home in Vancouver BC on the 10th. We'll be a trombone short, RCR will be a five-piece for tomorrow night. Interesting?
Monday, May 31, 2010
Toronto ON
Pretty chill day. Spent the afternoon walking around town with Kevin, Dusty, and Jeremy putting up posters for the show at Horseshoe Tavern, then ran into Scotty and went shopping for a bit. Sound check was smooth, saw an old school Mad Bomber Society sticker on the bar fridge.
Back to the hotel before the set where I assembled my first MEGAZORD of the tour (my secret McDonald's composite sandwich) and watched a bit of Star Wars. Show was great, the other bands were great, everything was just great. Zephan's friend Erin came down to hang out and catch the band, really cool chick.
Back at the hotel. Failed at my attempt to make dollar-store cheese and macaroni without milk or butter and with cut-up pan-fried chicken wieners. Pretty savage. No check-out time tomorrow, no sound-check, time for sweet sweet sleep.
Back to the hotel before the set where I assembled my first MEGAZORD of the tour (my secret McDonald's composite sandwich) and watched a bit of Star Wars. Show was great, the other bands were great, everything was just great. Zephan's friend Erin came down to hang out and catch the band, really cool chick.
Back at the hotel. Failed at my attempt to make dollar-store cheese and macaroni without milk or butter and with cut-up pan-fried chicken wieners. Pretty savage. No check-out time tomorrow, no sound-check, time for sweet sweet sleep.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Toronto ON
Pulled into our hotel downtown, but couldn't check-in until three. Went down to a cafe patio on Yonge St and had iced tea in the billion degree Toronto sun. Checked in to our awesome, awesome suite and hit the pool with Jeremy and then laid around poolside working on our sunburns. Still had enough time afterward to catch a nap before soundcheck, afternoon was full of aces.
Drake Hotel is posh, and the Underground club is a dream to play. Nice set-up, great looking room. Feels like playing a club from the '20s. Eric our sound-man was super, super clutch. He's a huge reason I liked playing the club so much, if only every sound-guy was as good.
We were the only band of the night, played two sets, both went pretty well. Some Toronto fans came out, and we sold the very first copy of the Imposter Man single. We just had them printed and mailed to us last night, they look sick.
Hit the hotel after before going out with DL3, Flav, Kevin and Scott down to Hard Rock Cafe, but it was too late so we hit Fran's all night diner instead. Pretty chill night all around.
Headlining Horseshoe Tavern tonight, excited to play on the same bill with other bands for once this weekend. Downtime the next few days in Toronto as we go around meeting everyone. Then Montreal for a couple shows. All the ska shows in Quebec I've ever played are unreal! Can't wait!
Drake Hotel is posh, and the Underground club is a dream to play. Nice set-up, great looking room. Feels like playing a club from the '20s. Eric our sound-man was super, super clutch. He's a huge reason I liked playing the club so much, if only every sound-guy was as good.
We were the only band of the night, played two sets, both went pretty well. Some Toronto fans came out, and we sold the very first copy of the Imposter Man single. We just had them printed and mailed to us last night, they look sick.
Hit the hotel after before going out with DL3, Flav, Kevin and Scott down to Hard Rock Cafe, but it was too late so we hit Fran's all night diner instead. Pretty chill night all around.
Headlining Horseshoe Tavern tonight, excited to play on the same bill with other bands for once this weekend. Downtime the next few days in Toronto as we go around meeting everyone. Then Montreal for a couple shows. All the ska shows in Quebec I've ever played are unreal! Can't wait!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Hamilton ON
Played the Phog Lounge in Windsor ON Thursday night as part of the Pitter Patter Festival. Good show, nice city. Tunnel Barbeque for dinner beforehand, Kevin R. Tang unlocked his jaw and shovelled an entire bowl of coleslaw into one bite. Almost died. Messed up his chops at the show, blistered the inside of his lower lip, smashed his trombone slide on the mic stand and needs to get it repaired, and then fell out of the shower the next morning and smashed his elbow. Then lost his BlackBerry somewhere between Windsor and Toronto. The best part of the story is way too Legend to talk about outside of the band.
Friday we drove to Toronto to play Supermarket in Kensington Market, again as part of the Pitter Patter Music Festival. Awesome venue, bar-meets-vegan-restaurant themed off a super market. Walked around after soundcheck with Flavio ("Cirillo the Sicilian Armadillian") and Scott ("Nappy") down Queen St and up College to Little Italy to find a patio to have dinner and shop around.
Good show, hilarious comedian/musician opening. Then a sick sick MC after us freestyling in his underwear. The show last night was originally supposed to be in Hamilton and was moved to TO last minute, but we still had our hotel reservations in Hamilton, so we drove back after the show. Chill night, we all pretty much went straight to sleep. Toronto again tonight playing the Drake Hotel, and tomorrow at Horseshoe Tavern. About to check into our hotel where we can homebase out of for a few days. Kitchenette, shower, fantastic.
Friday we drove to Toronto to play Supermarket in Kensington Market, again as part of the Pitter Patter Music Festival. Awesome venue, bar-meets-vegan-restaurant themed off a super market. Walked around after soundcheck with Flavio ("Cirillo the Sicilian Armadillian") and Scott ("Nappy") down Queen St and up College to Little Italy to find a patio to have dinner and shop around.
Good show, hilarious comedian/musician opening. Then a sick sick MC after us freestyling in his underwear. The show last night was originally supposed to be in Hamilton and was moved to TO last minute, but we still had our hotel reservations in Hamilton, so we drove back after the show. Chill night, we all pretty much went straight to sleep. Toronto again tonight playing the Drake Hotel, and tomorrow at Horseshoe Tavern. About to check into our hotel where we can homebase out of for a few days. Kitchenette, shower, fantastic.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Windsor ON
Met up with Jeremy, Kevin, and DL3 at Jeremy's new studio (the Stood) on Main around midnight last night, hung out until 4 and taxi'd to the airport. Didn't board until 8. Didn't sleep on the flight. Landed around 3:30, left Pearson around 5. Drove to Mississauga to pick up rental gear, then left for Windsor after 8. Checked in after midnight. Still haven't slept.
WOOOOOOO00
Tomorrow night is the first show of the tour!! Can't wait! Counting down the shows (and sleeps) until Edmonton.
WOOOOOOO00
Tomorrow night is the first show of the tour!! Can't wait! Counting down the shows (and sleeps) until Edmonton.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Vancouver BC
Down to "917 Main" (or 719 Main? Whatever, the old Colbalt) last Friday for sound-check. Any bar with the words "GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS" above the cold black steel front door is awesome. James Weekes and Sterno came out! And hung out with some of the Valuables through-out the night as well.
Had a lot of fun on stage, we played really well. Elixxxers were fantastic, and SubCity Dwellers were awesome!! Hung out for a bit afterward and shot the shit, cool guys. Can't wait to see them again.
Now I'm in down-time, before we head out East on tour for a couple weeks. Sitting in my room practicing as much as I can. Can't wait to hit the road again!
Had a lot of fun on stage, we played really well. Elixxxers were fantastic, and SubCity Dwellers were awesome!! Hung out for a bit afterward and shot the shit, cool guys. Can't wait to see them again.
Now I'm in down-time, before we head out East on tour for a couple weeks. Sitting in my room practicing as much as I can. Can't wait to hit the road again!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Vancouver BC
Crazy week! Tuesday I moved into Lacey and Erik's to house-sit (cat-sit) for the better part of two weeks. Met up with Kevin and the guys from Walk Off The Earth to rehearse at Rockspace and learn a few tunes, then went over to the Bourbon to play the set with them. Awesome guys, fun show.
Friday afternoon Rude City Riot played CBC Radio One from 3 to 6:30 as part of the pre-game show for the Blackhawks-Canucks game that night. A few of our songs were broadcast through-out the show, including my original "Dan Cowan Riot Stomp." Sterno made it out, pretty rad.
Went to the Vogue Theatre afterward with Kevin to sit-in with Walk Off The Earth again. First time on that stage, it's insane! So huge. And the backstage is a labrynth!
Too many drinks to celebrate and I found myself at Railway Club to see Flavio play. Was going to make Bourbon to see Jeremy play too, but too much tequila at Railway and a house party in West Van (I think?) with Kevin sounded like a better idea.
Also a good idea at the time: going to Chilliwack the next day to party and play another show with Walk off The Earth. Would have been perfect, except I was a little less than under-the-weather. The ride to the gig was brutal; pretty hilarious in hindsight. Fun night, love hanging with WOTE. Couldn't wait to get home though and crash. Ended up blowing off a few important things Saturday, but that'll happen.
Rude City Riot plays the old Cobalt on Friday. Excited to play with them again. We're playing with the Elixxxers and Sub City Dwellers from Winnipeg. Sub City used to play the bar I used to work at in Edmonton a lot last year, can't wait to hear them again. Should be a fun night.
Reverend Out.
Friday afternoon Rude City Riot played CBC Radio One from 3 to 6:30 as part of the pre-game show for the Blackhawks-Canucks game that night. A few of our songs were broadcast through-out the show, including my original "Dan Cowan Riot Stomp." Sterno made it out, pretty rad.
Went to the Vogue Theatre afterward with Kevin to sit-in with Walk Off The Earth again. First time on that stage, it's insane! So huge. And the backstage is a labrynth!
Too many drinks to celebrate and I found myself at Railway Club to see Flavio play. Was going to make Bourbon to see Jeremy play too, but too much tequila at Railway and a house party in West Van (I think?) with Kevin sounded like a better idea.
Also a good idea at the time: going to Chilliwack the next day to party and play another show with Walk off The Earth. Would have been perfect, except I was a little less than under-the-weather. The ride to the gig was brutal; pretty hilarious in hindsight. Fun night, love hanging with WOTE. Couldn't wait to get home though and crash. Ended up blowing off a few important things Saturday, but that'll happen.
Rude City Riot plays the old Cobalt on Friday. Excited to play with them again. We're playing with the Elixxxers and Sub City Dwellers from Winnipeg. Sub City used to play the bar I used to work at in Edmonton a lot last year, can't wait to hear them again. Should be a fun night.
Reverend Out.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Vancouver BC
Rehearsed last Tuesday night with everybody at NAL, Wednesday night we all met at Danagement's for BBQ, vocal rehearsal, and band meeting. Big plans for the next few months, big plans for end of summer, big plans for fall. The law of calculated momentum.
Bussed it to Venue Thursday with Jeremy for load-in/sound-check. Met-up Scott and Rochelle across the street at Cafe Creep before the show. Then on our way back met-up with Lacey and friends. Zephan caught me on stage before the first song of the night with a special delivery of Jagermeister. Always awesome, those are always welcome. And Sterno was there! Great turn-out in the friend department.
We played tight, just listened over the recordings earlier today. I had a lot of fun, we opened for Lions in the Street and the Town Pants. Both awesome, awesome bands! Ended up being a ridiculously fun night, met Aaron from Town Pants , great guy! The muscles in my face that I use to laugh and smile were loser sore Friday morning, which means I probably got Hurtin' Albertan that night. Fantastic.
Tuesday Kevin and I are getting together with Walk Off The Earth to rehearse before we sit-in for some songs with them at the Bourbon that night, and again Friday at the Vogue. Pretty excited to see them again, really looking forward to seeing what happens.
Bussed it to Venue Thursday with Jeremy for load-in/sound-check. Met-up Scott and Rochelle across the street at Cafe Creep before the show. Then on our way back met-up with Lacey and friends. Zephan caught me on stage before the first song of the night with a special delivery of Jagermeister. Always awesome, those are always welcome. And Sterno was there! Great turn-out in the friend department.
We played tight, just listened over the recordings earlier today. I had a lot of fun, we opened for Lions in the Street and the Town Pants. Both awesome, awesome bands! Ended up being a ridiculously fun night, met Aaron from Town Pants , great guy! The muscles in my face that I use to laugh and smile were loser sore Friday morning, which means I probably got Hurtin' Albertan that night. Fantastic.
Tuesday Kevin and I are getting together with Walk Off The Earth to rehearse before we sit-in for some songs with them at the Bourbon that night, and again Friday at the Vogue. Pretty excited to see them again, really looking forward to seeing what happens.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The Province
TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2010Rude City Riot in studio
Rude City Riot has recorded three more songs with producer Garth Richardson. The ska band is on a remarkably varied bill April 29 at the Vogue. Appearing with them are the rowdy rogue-folk Town Pants and straight-ahead rock band, Lions in the Street.
[correction: We recorded at Nimbus Studio with producer Alex Aligazakis, not Garth. Also, we're playing April 29 at the Venue, not the Vogue.]
Friday, March 26, 2010
Vancouver BC
So fun last night!! The Slackers are sick. One of the tightest bands I've ever seen. And monster players. Holy shit they were good.
We played the Rickshaw Theatre. Awesome stage, concrete floors and walls, theatre seats and old-school balcony. And it's right on the shitty part of East Hastings. I took my first back-alley East Hastings stroll yesterday to get to soundcheck before doors. If those walls could talk... I'm sure they wouldn't stop crying.
I had a lot of fun playing. The sound on stage was great, haha, but for whatever reason I could only hear the horns through the monitors on the far side of the stage. But I had a clip-on mic, so I just ankle'd it crosstown whenever I needed to make sure my playing was solid.
The Valuables played after us, they were awesome! I dig them lots. K'tang pulled double-duty and filled in for their 'bone player, haha, his poor chops. Cool that he got to play with the Valuables, he played really well too.
Slackers were phenomenal. So good. I saw them at Victoria Ska Fest last year, I've forgotten since then just how tight they are. Musicianship alone is huge, and their sound is Heavy.
Funnest show in a long time. And watching Dave Hillyard gave me some ammunition to hit the shed and grind it out for a while more. He's good.
We played the Rickshaw Theatre. Awesome stage, concrete floors and walls, theatre seats and old-school balcony. And it's right on the shitty part of East Hastings. I took my first back-alley East Hastings stroll yesterday to get to soundcheck before doors. If those walls could talk... I'm sure they wouldn't stop crying.
I had a lot of fun playing. The sound on stage was great, haha, but for whatever reason I could only hear the horns through the monitors on the far side of the stage. But I had a clip-on mic, so I just ankle'd it crosstown whenever I needed to make sure my playing was solid.
The Valuables played after us, they were awesome! I dig them lots. K'tang pulled double-duty and filled in for their 'bone player, haha, his poor chops. Cool that he got to play with the Valuables, he played really well too.
Slackers were phenomenal. So good. I saw them at Victoria Ska Fest last year, I've forgotten since then just how tight they are. Musicianship alone is huge, and their sound is Heavy.
Funnest show in a long time. And watching Dave Hillyard gave me some ammunition to hit the shed and grind it out for a while more. He's good.
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