... and we're off. Better late than never. I'm loving the slicker way to add videos on Blogger now, btw.
A-Trak - Thursday 9th - The Hoxton
Fresh off gracing the cover of Billboard Magazine, this Montreal-born-former-World DMC champion (at age 15, no less) is sure to attract the douchebag set,
but his skills on the decks are worth braving the crowds of greased up
blazer & pointy-shoe wearing wankers, and self-important hipsters,
finding a bit of tile for yourself, and alternating between shaking it
& trainspotting. He's played everything from skeezy raves to
Lollapalooza, worked with Kanye, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and was the first
DJ to headline at Madison Square Gardens, and on this night he's
playing the Hoxton, the new-ish shabby-chic concert venue at 69
Bathurst.
Sold out long ago, this will be a hard ticket to get a hold of, but may be worth the exorbitant Craigslist scalper prices. Dallas Green, formerly of Alexisonfire, now operates under the City & Colour
moniker. A little bit folksy, a little bit rocky (mostly the former),
and 100% Canadian, his voice is unmistakable. He's touring in support of
his 2011 "Little Hell" album. Not much further ado is required. Go if
you can. Be envious if you can't.
Alright, ever since my run-in with the bouncer who tried to roll me for my watch,
I haven't been back to Guv, but if you're in a dark mood on a Friday
night, and feel like sweating all the bad 'tings out on the dancefloor,
make your way there. Four headliners - Cyantific, Wildinson, Chasing
Shadows & The Upbeats - will rock the decks for a huge drum n' bass
dance. Local support from the legendary Marcus Visionary & Gremlinz.
Check Destiny's website for the full details.
$25 advance, more on the door. 19+
The Ataris & The Queers - Saturday 18th - The Horseshoe
Yes,
of course I mean the LENGENDARY Horseshoe Tavern, it just won't all fit
in the big kind of font. Ease up selector. This double bill will be a
wickedly fun night. Two classic American pop-punk bands will rock the
place, no doubt.
The Queers
(n.b.: don't Google them in public places, unless you're inviting that
kind of attention) have been on the case since the early 1980's, and are
probably best described as the Ramones meet the Beach Boys... if the
Beach Boys were a little more direct about their
drinking/fucking/partying urges in their lyrics. They've How times have
changed. The only real constant is lead singer Joe Queer - they've gone
through a laundry list of band members over the past 30 years. It's
currently a 3-piece (guitar/bass/drums).
The Ataris...
well, Boys of Summer. Need I say more? OK, you talked me into it. They
formed in 95, and skyrocketed to success in the punk scened. They really
broke out with their cover of Don Henley's Boys of Summer in 2004, and
they haven't looked back. They're still very much active, and are
touring in support of their upcoming Graveyard of the Atlantic release.
$15, on the door only. Get there early, or risk missing out.
Dropkick Murphys - Wednesday 22 - Sound Academy
On
the case since 1995, these guys are one of the best-known Celtic
rock/punk bands in the world. High energy, and undeniably new-world
Celtic (from near Boston, if I recall correctly) - they're a punk band
with the added joy of bagpipes, mandolin, tin whistle, and acordian
sounds. They're touring on their "Going Out in Style" album. They're
also the only other band that can cover "Home for a Rest" that isn't Great Big Sea and have me still listen to it. That's worth it's weight in gold, innit.
Tickets work out to $53.50 each with service charge, which is a bit steep, but hey, it's the Murphys, and it's gonna be nuts. Just do it.
Biodiesel - Saturday 25th - The Garrison
Toronto
breakbeat legends converge on Dundas West (way way west... essh) for DJ
Czech's birthday bash. He's coming back from Prague to play on this
night, and he's bringing the live PA act Biodiesel in, who will bell be
playing drums & bass live, making music on the spot. Check the vid
if you don't believe me. The funky Dave Saddler, and Farbsie Funk round
out the local support. Bring your dancing shoes, and a towel. B'oh!
A Scottish indie-rock trio, they've got the real difference of actually sounding Scottish.
The lead singer's brogue is thick enough to be noticed, but not so
thick that you can't understand a frickin' word he's saying. They call
themselves "folk with layers of noise" (think early Alexisonfire and
other bands with the 'wall of sound' mentality) Their live performances
are known for being almost excessively loud, so maybe bring earplugs to
hear them at a normal level. They're touring to promote their shiny new
album "No-one Can Ever Know."
