RSS
Maximum RNR
It took well over a month, but our DJs, journalists, and editors at CJLO have finally recovered from the rocking party that was Pouzza Fest back in May. The festival's second installment brought us so many awesome Canadian musicians including Billy the Kid and Jah Cutta, and sick bands like Metalian, Junior Battles, The Snips, and Low Dead Volume—just to name a few.
It was really hard to choose a favourite band from the line-up at Pouzza Fest this year, but strangely enough quite a few members of the CJLO crew found themselves hanging out with Toronto's Maximum RNR.
First up, Angelica from BVST hosted her second session with the band in CJLO's very own production studio; next there's Abby from the Reaktor, who conducted an interview with two Max band members in a separate (and secret!) Pouzza location; and finally Stephanie from Twee Time was in the mosh pit at night to review their show at Katacombes.
It was serendipity! With so much Maximum RNR rocking our radar, we figured what better band to feature in our Pouzza Fest coverage for 2012?
--
Without further ado, let's start with Angelica from BVST, who sets the tone by telling us all about her history with the band.
Photo: Ron Wineck
I remember exactly where I was when I first heard of Maximum RNR. It was 2002, and I was in the room that is now the main management office at CJLO. The head music director held up a CD case with a white cover and bold logo that read MAXIMUM R'N'R in big black letters. "I have this [record label] rep, and this is his band, and I think you're really gonna like it," he said. We fired up the CD player, and "Switchblade" came blasting out the speakers, and I've never looked back. There were only two tracks on that CD (Switchblade and Cutthroat), but they got a really good workout at CJLO over the next few months, a harbinger of things to come.
I wasn't the only one who was smitten that day. Diego, our production director at the time, fell equally hard and fast, and when the next CD with "DFF" and "Lucky Charm" came into the station roughly six months later, we couldn't stop listening to that either. Together, we hatched a plan to bring the band to Montreal. Nearly a year later, on April 24th, 2004, they played Petit Campus to a nicely packed house. I don't remember much about that night other than how much fun I had, and how bittersweet it was to put on a show by one of my favorite bands with a friend, only to lose him the next day. In fact, Diego left on a high note (and an airplane) the very next morning, and has not been seen on this continent since.
At the show that night, I bought a copy of Maximum RNR's first self-titled EP, which collected the first four songs, as well as two new scorchers, "Stormfront" and "Southern Comfort." I would routinely drop that into my CD player and hit the repeat button, since the whole thing was usually done in the time it took to listen to one, maybe two songs by anyone else. I listened to it endlessly, and the opening guitar riff of Southern Comfort is as familiar to me now as my own mother's voice.
A year and a half later, the band spared me the trouble of hitting the repeat button, when their next EP Horns Up collected six new songs, and simply repeated them eight times over on the disc. I hit the button anyway, and marveled at how they could create a ten-second song that still felt so complete. Not that long after that, they teamed up with The Spades and released a split 7" on the mighty Relapse Records, and the ponderous "Ire of The Ram" became my new go-to track, thanks to one of the most perfect riffs ever recorded.
In 2006, the two Keiths, two Mikes, and a Louis entered CJLO studios for the first time, and recorded three tracks for us—"America," "Dogs Will Hunt," and "Queen Wasp"—all three of which can be heard on their recent retrospective The Black and White Years. Collecting all their releases up-to and including the Gymbo Jak years, this CD contains all their recorded output, which up until their latest session at CJLO just over a month ago, still totaled less than one full hour. Sadly, I somehow ended up never seeing the band during the Gymbo Jak years, but after hearing them lay down these latest three tracks at CJLO ("Attack Panther," "Train Wreck," and "Business As Usual," debuting tonight on BVST from 7pm ET on CJLO), I'm looking forward to a long future for the two Keiths, one Mike, one Curtis, and a Brenton. Oh, and for those keeping track at home, their recorded output is now officially just shy of an hour and 5 minutes, which speaks volumes about their unwavering dedication to authentic tooth-and-nails punk-influenced rock and roll. DIY 'til the end, Maximum RNR might just be Canada's hardest working band.
Angelica hosts BVST, every Wednesday from 7PM to 9PM
--
CJLO's very own Starr-Girl Abby from the Reaktor interviewed the newest members of Maximum RNR. Lead-vocalist Brenton Ellis and bassist Curtis Faux (both members of the now-defunct Toronto metal band Detroit) joked about being the center of the Sault Ste. Marie punk scene as teenagers, SOCAN grants (or lack there-of), and how awesome it is to keep doing what they love in the face of adversity.
Photo: Garry Keenan
You know that I always said it's better to do something than just sit around waiting to die.
-Randy, "I Raise My Fist" (quoted during the interview)
Sleep when you're dead.
-Abby (life philosophy)
When I sat down to interview Brent and Curtis from Maximum RNR I knew right away that this was going to be a particularly interesting interview, and it was. The guys were really open about their lives, and discussed everything from music to the "taboo" topic of politics. Though the guys come off as easy going semi-comedians, they are actually very serious about the music they make, and exceptionally intelligent and articulate when it comes to discussing it. The interview felt more like a conversation, and once the giggling ceased (on both sides) we touched on some surprisingly poignant subjects. Brent and Curtis spoke about the passing of close friends, living life to the fullest, SOCAN audits and record label injustices. It was by far one of my favorite interviews to date.
Click play below to hear the full interview:
Pouzza Fest Interview: Maximum RNR by cjlomagazine
Abby hosts the Reaktor, every Friday from 2PM to 4PM
--
Maximum RNR are set to play three more shows in Ontario before embarking on their next tour to the United Kingdom. Lovers of metal, hardcore punk, and rock 'n' roll can check them out this Friday, June 29, at the Townehouse in Sudbury before they're off to play the Rockstar Bar in Sault Ste. Marie the next day. Their final show before they leave Canada is on July 7 at the Bovine Sex Club in Toronto.
Until then, the people of the Great White North and the UK can read Stephanie's show review below to get a little preview of what to expect the next time Maximum RNR performs in their town.
Photo: Stephanie D.
It usually comes as a shock to most people that deep in the nether regions of my twee little heart and soul lies a girl who likes it rough, hot, and filthy. And by "it," I mean my music. Grinding guitars, heavy bass, screaming vocals, black clad sweaty men, sideburns, and long hair is what I look for when I go to a show; and Maximum RNR gave it to me not once, but twice at Pouzza Fest this year.
My first "Max" experience started at Underworld on the night of May 19. I was nervous because it was my first time, and also a little late for the show after eating poutine at an alley picnic with my friends.
When we entered the venue, I could see the band and hear the singing, but had no idea where that crazy voice was coming from. Then through the mosh pit I noticed a microphone cable leading from the stage into the crowd of people going wild. And there he was, Diamond Brent Panther (aka Brenton Ellis) thrashing about in the middle of the pit like the sun with the planets moshing around him in crazy-sweaty unison.
I was thoroughly impressed with a man who can mosh, get hit, physically pick up an audience member, and belt out an amazing tune at the same time. Maybe he is a true professional, or maybe he's just crazy, but the way Diamond Brent strutted about, you would have never known that he injured his back at the Dwarves show the night prior.
Unfortunately, I was only at Underworld long enough to hear two Maximum RNR songs, which is certainly not enough to truly experience what a band has to offer. Plus, Max rarely performs in Montreal these days, is unsigned, and totally punk rock DIY, so I just had to see an entire set. Lucky for me, with the cancellation of Poison Idea, Maximum RNR were booked to headline at Katacombes on May 20, the last night of Pouzza Fest.
So off I was to Katacombes the next night.
I got there super early, and with the police and protest chaos outside, I played with the idea of spending the whole night at one venue so I wouldn't miss any Maximum RNR. However, after seeing yet another ska-punk band that sounded just like every other ska-punk band at Pouzza Fest, I escaped to the terrace outside and debated whether to leave and catch Machinegun Suzie at Underworld.
As I was drinking my pint of brew, I noticed several different people come out to gather their friends inside. "This guy is amazing, you have to see this!" they raved. "This guy" was Jah Cutta, Canada's King of Reggae, accompanied by deejay John Lee of Foufounes Electriques infamous Ska Tuesdays! I felt so lucky to catch the legendary performer of over 30 years spread the Rastafari love in song. Jah Cutta created so much happiness, and his energetic performance made even the roughest looking dude at Katacombes dance to the beat.
Jah Cutta really showed those stereotypical ska-punk bands how it's done, and I have him to thank because I ended up staying the rest of the night, finally getting my chance to see Maximum RNR in its full glory—well, almost. Lead guitarist Keith Carman was absent from their second Pouzza show.
Though he started on stage, Diamond Brent Panther quickly made his way into the crowd screaming, "Trust Us!" and everyone gathered around him once again to sing along and make rock poses through the entire set. There was lots of alcohol splatter and whisky drinking during the performance, and someone in the audience poured beer in Brent's mouth, all over his face, and into his eyes. But as usual, nothing stopped him.
With Brent in the pit and Keith C. MIA, Curtis Faux made sure that no void was left on stage by thrashing around, his hair flying, slapping that bass so hard that I could literally feel the vibration in my heart and stomach. His last name is pronounced "fox" by the way, and Curtis certainly lived up to it by injecting the band with lots of musical talent and sex appeal.
Keith Maurik, usually on rhythm guitar, proved more-than capable and make up for the lack of a lead guitarist, as he seamlessly plucked the strings on my favourite songs of the night: the super-heavy "Ire of the Ram," and that catchy hard-rock tune "Lucky Charm," both of which have those great guitar riffs that always make me bite my bottom lip and rock out like a West Island girl should.
There was a heat wave in Montreal that weekend, so drummer Mike Childs performed wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and a tattoo around his navel. I've always felt that the drums have got to be the most physically demanding instruments to play, and Mike kept up the energy by banging the skins non-stop for over 38 minutes, his enthusiasm making it seem so effortless.
Their set ended with the brand new Maximum RNR tune "Attack Panther," and for the encore we once again heard "Trust Us," a fan-favourite requested by some late-comers that missed the first few songs of the performance.
After the show I did a little investigative reporting to learn more about the people behind the band. Keith M. describes his band mates Diamond Brent and Curtis as "grifters" who "make things happen." When I asked Keith how they describe him, he replied, "Oh, I'm just the asshole that keeps them in check"—banter seems to be par for the course among the guys in Maximum RNR. Hanging out with Keith was so cool! He told me a bit about his life in music, and how at one point he went to build houses in Indonesia. I really appreciated his openness and sincerity, and could totally tell he has a kind soul.
To end off the night I partied with the band, Curtis gave me a sticker, and I bought a copy of Maximum RNR's The Black and White Years, which features their entire catalogue to date, for only five bucks. The CD has been on repeat ever since. Like Angelica and Diego before me, I am smitten!
Maximum RNR Katacombes set list:
01. Trust Us
02. Say What
03. Train Wreck
04. Cutthroat
05. Speaking in Tongues
06. Lucky Charm
07. Deep Inside the Tracks
08. Kill Tom Cruise
09. Welcome to Sodomy
10. Ire of the Ram
11. I Hate the Cold
12. I Turn My Back
13. Release
14. Attack Panther
15. Trust Us (encore, by request)
Stephanie hosts Twee Time, every Friday from 8PM to 9PM
June 27th, 2012
Read by: Sarah Deshaies
Stories by: Sarah Deshaies, Jamie Lee Gordon and Tara Brockwell
Produced by: Carlo Spiridigliozzi
War talk mounts between Turkey and Syria
Turkey’s Prime Minister announced Tuesday that any Syrian armed forces approaching its borders would be perceived and treated as a direct military threat.
According to the Associated Press NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen backed Turkey’s position without confirming armed support.
Tensions between Turkey and Syria boiled over last week after the downing of a Turkish reconnaissance jet by Syrian state forces. President Bashar Assad’s military insist the reaction was a result of the military plane’s surprise incursion into Syrian airspace.
Turkey admits to entering momentarily by accident but claims the shooting happened while the aircraft was headed home over international air space. Supposedly a Turkish search and rescue helicopter was targeted without success too.
Turkey has called for Assad to step down in the war against his regime and plays host to thirty three thousand Syrian refugees including some rebel forces.
Ty Segall Band - Slaughterhouse
The increasingly prolific Ty Segall (this record credited to the Ty Segall Band is his second of 3 planned releases for 2012) has worn a few different coats throughout his young career. He's gone from garage rock saviour, and the heir apparent to the throne vacated by the late, great Jay Reatard, to sensitive singer/songwriter/stoner rock guy a la Kurt Vile. But Slaughterhouse is high octane garage rock record that slams between pummeling drums, feedback squalling guitar solos and reverb heavy screaming. The record opens with screeching feedback before blasting into "Death" which sets the tone for a record full of high energy rockers. The title track, a sub 2 minute blast of punk energy has screaming vocals that sound like they were recorded in a deep dark cave buried deep in the mix as the drums pound and the bass and guitar race each other to reach the end of the song. "Wave Goodbye" one of the records lengthier tracks is a blues-rock workout that showcases Ty's guitar skills (which are on point throughout the record, almost every track having at least some small guitar solo) which segues into the home stretch of Nugget's style jams filtered through Cramps style recording quality with screeching guitars and screaming, sneering vocals. The album closes with the appropriately named 10 minute sludge creeper "Fuzz War" and closes the book on a record that has very clear goals for how it wants to sound, and hits the mark every time. An entertaining listen that flows well from back to front.
Best of Spring 2012
CJLO staff and on-air personalities take a look back at their favourites in music this past spring, and give us a taste of what's to come in summer 2012!
Click on the DJ show pages or personal pages (hyperlinked below for your convenience) and check out our show schedule for all the information you need about our programming.
Michael Cota
CJLO Additional Content Editor and host of Here's Your Future
Top New Releases March-May
1. Julia Holter - Ekstasis (RVNG International)
2. The Men - Open Your Heart (Sacred Bones Records)
3. Mount Eerie - Clear Moon (P.W. Elverum & Sun)
4. Death Grips - The Money Store (Epic)
5. Cousins - The Palm at the End of the World (Self-released)
Favourite Release this Spring
Chromatics - Kill For Love (Italians Do It Better)
Best Live Shows/Festivals
- Atlas Sound performed at Cabaret du Mile End. The performance was almost two and a half hours of ethereal bliss and by the end of his set, I felt like I had sacrificed my sanity to the soul of Bradford Cox. You can read my full review on the performance here.
- One-man band Hellenica performed in an almost empty venue and captured my heart with his spaghetti-western anthems and pensive drones. He's also my friend who I had never seen perform before, so it was truly heartwarming.
- Metric wasn't the best show I attended for spring, but I did find it amusing to see so many tweens that travelled up-to 10 hours to come to their private Synthetica debut performance. They were all crying to "Give Me Sympathy", singing over and over "Come on baby play me something like here comes the sun..." I think I saw my boyfriend crying, but he'll never admit to that.
Summer Fun
I'm looking forward to the new Stagnant Pools release, hopefully something from Zebra Katz and Cold Warps. Of course, I'm almost peeing myself waiting for the new Animal Collective. As far as film goes, I'm stoked to see Marc Webb's take on the Amazing Spider-Man. I'm also very excited for the new Pixar film, Brave. In the TV world I'm eager to see the new Breaking Bad and Arrested Development.
Kevin G.
Host of The Wakeup Call
Top New Releases March-May
1. The Just Barelys - Mad Bits (Self-released)
2. Skatton Club - Little Big Band (Self-released)
3. The Menzingers - On the Impossible Past (Epitaph)
4. PS I Love You - Death Dreams (Paper Bag Records)
5. A Tribe Called Red - A Tribe Called Red (Self-released)
Spring Favourites
Here is a list of some tracks that have seriously kicked my butt this spring:
- The Ketamines - Skin Trade
- The Long Distance Runners - Knuckles
- Perfeck Strangers - Work To Do
- Jordan Klassen - Go To Me
- The Lumineers - Ho Hey
- SpaceGhostPurrp - No Evidence
- Cold Specks - Holland
- Cousins - Thunder
- Paper Beat Scissors - Season's Rest
- Andrew Sisk - Fulltime
What up radio fam! This is MF Gold checking in for the CJLO Spring Picks. We were asked to keep a March to May time frame, but considering that June 20th is officially the first day of summer and there’s been a lot of hot new stuff out in the past few weeks, I decided to extend the time frame from March to June 19th. Aight let’s get right into this cause I got a lot of picks.
Top 5 Local Releases
5. ‘The Case’ – Black Glovez (Generale Q, Truth Vibez & Elon Skee): Can I just say Black Glovez has been killin’ it this year. From videos to lyrical content to flow to production, these cats have been on their self-expansion and promotion grind! Definitely keep your eyes peeled for more of their releases.
4. Piu Piu Documentary Promo Album: Featuring some of the greatest beat makers of this city (including Kaytradamus, Incubator, Ken Lo, Musoni, Dr. Mad, and more!) this film is an insane initiative and the promo album is a blessing and a half.
3. ‘Love of My Life’ Remix – Kaytradamus: As I mentioned earlier, Kaytradamus is one of the greatest beat makers in this city, so there’s no doubt that he’s one of the only people I would trust to remix such a classic track. As a matter of fact, I think I like it better than the original.
2. Collation Vol.1 – Dead Obies: This mix tape killed me! From the Franglais to the flow to the references, that dirty beat, it was genius. I think that’s how I mashed up the replay button on my stereo.
1. Sunwalk – Modlee & Vlooper: Nothing, I mean nothing, beats a sexy EP release to kick off the summer. The Modlee Vlooper combo is absolutely blow mind! Had me feeling shivers down my spine and allllll that.
A few outside the city releases that really caught my eye:
- Seeds – Georgia Anne Muldrow
- Fort Apache – Camp Lo & Ski Beatz
- 1999 – Joey Bada$$
- Trophies – Apollo Brown & O.C
Top 5 Videos
5. ‘Fly Over Egypt’ – The Narcicyst: This is number five only ‘cause it’s actually outside of our timeframe (it was released January 25th). It’s so beautiful and profound that I couldn’t skip over it. Plus the track is insane.
4. ‘Wonderful X Anna Wise’ – Sikk: Honestly, Sikk is pretty much the Sickest dancer I’ve seen in years. Great track selection also.
3. ‘They Want it All’ – D-Shade (ft. The Narcicyst & Omar Offendum): A play on Pulp Fiction will always have me hooked. So Funny!
2. ‘No Church in The Wild’ – Jay Z & Kanye West: Remind you of Montreal much?!
1. ‘Combien de Mort’ – Emrical: Thank you, Emrical, for honoring Fredy Villanueva and the many others like him.
Top 5 Events (and then some)
They were all great, so I’m just gonna put them in chronological order.
6. Slang Rap Democracy – Deciphering the Cipher: Ten local rappers on a panel discussing the future of the hip hop scene in Montreal. Amazing! It happened in February though.. man I’m having a hard time with this time frame.
5. The Goods ft. DJ Lexis and Scott C: Let’s be honest, the Goods is always great but that night so much of the local fam came out so it made it even greater. Plus the Lexis/ Scott C DJ duo is insane.
4. 24 Hours of Vinyl 4th Edition: Be sure to check out my recap video.
3. Slum Village with opening acts Big Pooh and Dr. Mad: um.. ALAIZ OU RIEEEEEEEN!
2. The Launch of the Piu Piu Documentary + Live performance by Onra: Big shout-outs to the Queen Bee, Aisha C. Vertus.
1. Mos Def (Yasiin Bey) with opening acts Nomadic Massive and The Narcicyst: No Offense Mos, but the local fam really stole the show.
Top Upcoming Releases/Events I’m Psyched for
- Kaytradamus & Krystrale collabo album coming out June 28th
- Conn Shawnery ‘Cs02’ coming out July 13th
- Hip Hop Revival #5 at Les Bobards. Word on the street is that MF Gold might be making an appearance on the stage.
- Nomadic Massive's new release. OK so I might have a little more info than that, but I think I’m supposed to keep it on the DL. What I can say, however, is that they’ve been cooking up some ridiculous hotness for us all.
- Kaytradamus at Osheaga
- Kalmunity Vibe Collective’s three free nights at Jazz Fest
- MusicIsMySanctuary.com celebrating five years at the Jazz Fest
- The Narcicyst’s last performance in Montreal (before he leaves Montreal for a minute) at the Jazz Fest
Ouf! .. C’est beaucoup, non ?! Well this city keeps me busy and psyched about music all the time so it’s pretty hard to condense. Be sure to take the time to google some of these picks. I promise you’ll be grateful you did.
Brian Doc Holidae
CJLO Program Director, Hip-Hop Music Director, and host of Phantastiq Cypha
Top New Releases March-May
1. Union - Analogtronics (Fat Beats)
2. Fraction & Fresh Kils - Extra Science (Self-released)
3. Georgia Anne Muldrow - Seeds (SomeOthaShip Connect)
4. Lushlife - Plateau Vision (Western Vinyl)
5. Homeboy Sandman - Chimera [EP] (Stones Throw Records)
Favourite Release this Spring
Union - Analogtronics
Summer Fun
This summer is going to be a little insane for comic geeks. The Avengers hit theatres with one of the strongest showings in movie history; just before the Goliath of summer, Dark Knight Rises (the third Batman installment), is set to drop. What does it mean for the geeks of the world? Best summer ever? Perhaps.
With an obvious lack of new ideas in Hollywood, it's a good bet they'll start turning to a medium that often is made fun of, even if compared to its other print counterparts, it hasn't done too bad. Comic books may be available digitally, but true fans of the form want their own copy of Batman #1 —note: not the first appearance of Batman (that was Detective Comics #27), but rather the first appearance of the Joker. So with all that said, I'm looking forward to a summer that sets the bar in comic book-based movies. I look forward to more Avengers, more Spiderman, and if Batman does well: the possibility of more DC Universe movies. They may have messed up their last few, but there is still hope for a company that re-launched their entire comic book universe and saw an increase in sales.
On the music front, I have been a big fan of The Alchemist for a while and his new project, Russian Roulette, is set to drop on July 17th. Now in all honesty I've heard the album, so I can't really say I'm looking forward to something I've heard but I am looking forward to the official release and seeing the album make its mark on the scene cause it's good. The Alchemist takes his time to put us through a kind of weird Cosmonaut adventure through music and get some of the most underrated artist in hip hop to spit versus that would make commercial kids think twice about what they're doing.
Oncle Ian
Co-host of The Go-Go Radio Magic Show
Top New Releases March-May
1. White Fence - Family Perfume Vol. 1 & 2 (Woodsist)
2. Ty Segall & White Fence - Hair (Drag City)
3. The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Aufheben (‘a’ Records)
4. Giant Giant Sand - Tucson (Fire Records)
5. Patti Smith - Banga (Columbia)
Best Live Shows/Festivals
- Strange Boys, White Fence, Ty Segall @ Il Motore
- Hiroshima Shadows, Red Mass Disco 3000, Duchess says @ Il Motore
- The Reigning Sound @ Il Motore
Summer Fun
- Red Mass' upcoming first LP. I already know it's gold.
- Peter Buck's upcoming first solo LP. The first released song "10 Million BC" takes it back to the garage. Pete sings!
- Glass Passenger Uppers & Downers. The album launch is June 28th!
- Woods Bend Beyond September 18!!!
- Go-Go Radio Magic Show sessions. We're lining 'em up folks, should be fruitful!
Stephanie Dee
CJLO Magazine Editor and host of Twee Time
Top New Releases March-May
1. The Men - Open Your Heart (Sacred Bones Records)
2. Dry Feet - 10 Songs by the Band... (Burger Records)
3. Parlovr - Kook Soul (Dine Alone Records)
4. King Tuff – King Tuff (Sub Pop)
5. La Sera - Sees the Light (Hardly Art)
Favourite Release this Spring
With only one listen, I immediately knew that Open Your Heart by The Men was going to be on repeat for a very long time, and it certainly has been since the day it was released in early March. When the very first guitar riff on the track "Turn It Around" fell upon my ears, my hands went straight up in the air, and my fingers formed the infamous sign of the horns. Then came "Animal", and that invisible air guitar fell into my arms as my body formed itself into a crazy rock pose as if by magic. "Country Song" is just so beautiful and made me think (which I rarely like to do, but I had to make an exception), while the guitar-work and drums on "Oscillation" and "Please Don't Go Away" left me wanting to know and to jam with these guys so bad. The title track, "Open Your Heart", reminds me so much of the music from one of my favourite bands (The Buzzcocks), and "Candy" is something my dad would have introduced me to as a kid, if it had existed, which would have shaped my life forever. "Cube" is total madness and grinding metal, while the track “Presence” starts quiet, builds up with the introduction of guitar, then drums, then a low humming mantra; the song finally climaxes into pure, perfect, shoegaze-y noise. The album ends with “Ex-Dreams”, and I’m left entranced with the sound of dual lead-guitars and crazy tuning reminiscent of Sonic Youth. Open Your Heart has everything and I don't say that often. In fact, the only other records that truly fall into my FUCK YEAH! music category are the Ramones first album and Exile on Main St. by the Stones.
Best Live Shows/Festivals
Duchess Says @ Club Lambi: Annie-Claude Deschênes delivered the best performance of spring 2012, hands down. I’m usually not one to mosh, but she left me no choice! Annie-C hypnotised and entranced me, and there I was dancing and jumping around like a crazed lunatic as the crowd became entwined in her eyes and infinitely-long microphone cable. Drummer Simon Says tapped his drum sticks to begin the song “Ch.o.B.”, and my friend’s eye-glasses went flying off his face while the moshing and destruction of the band’s Church of Budgerigars prop continued. He miraculously retrieved his specs at the bottom of the sea of running shoes and sweat unscathed, which was quite the sight to see in-and-of itself. Duchess Says even topped Gogol Bordello, which I had said was the “best show I’ve ever seen” just days earlier. If it were legal to marry a show, I would be on my honeymoon with Duchess Says right now.
Other shows I attended, and loved, this spring:
- The Men @ Il Motore
- Gogol Bordello @ Metropolis
- Strange Boys, White Fence, Ty Segall @ Il Motore
- Maximum RNR @ Underworld
- CRABE + American Devices + Devil Eyes @ Casa del Popolo
- The Normals + Electric Vomit + Allan Fine (The Chromosomes) @ Casa del Poplo
- Jah Cutta + DJ John Lee @ Katacombes
- Trade Secrets + Archery Guild @ Your best friend John Jacob’s House
- Parlovr + Goose Hut @ L’Escogriffe
- Silver Dapple + Archery Guild @ Le Divan Orange
Summer Fun
This summer I’m really looking forward to Parlovr’s triumphant return from touring for Kook Soul to play Club Lambi on June 30th, the release of Hypnotic Knights LP by JEFF The Brotherhood (in pre-order right now) on July 17th, Sigur Ros at Osheaga (if I can afford the damn thing) in August, and getting to DJ for a really good cause at the Head & Hands Serve volleyball tournament!
Beansie Saretsky
CJLO Station Manager and host of Let Them Eat Cake
Top New Releases March-May
1. CJLO 1690 AM - "You're Related" Vol. 1 (Self-released)
Such a great experience at CJLO 1690AM. An amazing collection of local artists covering other local artists.
2. Beach House - Bloom (Sub Pop)
A dream of sangria and ivy on brick walls.
3. Screaming Females - Ugly (F.A.B. Distribution)
Marissa's vocals are incredible as always - a hard, driving album that gets you pumped for nights outside without coats on.
4. Purity Ring - Obedear [single]
One more single towards the full album!!!
5. Mirroring - Foreign Body (Kranky)
This collaboration between Grouper and Tiny Vipers was the perfect soundtrack for the transition from snow to slush - all of those melancholic emotions one experiences at the end of a long winter leading into a dirty spring.
Favourite Release this Spring
I'd have to say Beach House... some of the songs are a little repetitive but this has definitely been my spring 2012 album.
Best Live Shows/Festivals
White Lung @ Il Motore: I had never heard of this band before, but it was by far one of the best concerts I'd ever been to. Their stage presence was incredible. You could tell that they were at the point of hating each other, but the music was so tight and together that the drummer storming off the stage once the show was finished just seemed like a fitting extension of their music.
Summer Fun
Purity Ring's full album release: OMG I've been waiting for a year and a half for this moment to come. Seriously.
Rye Rye's full album release: This album is going to be hands down one of the best albums of the summer. Rye Rye's "Hardcore Girls" was my ~summer jam~ last year and I have high hopes that this album will be an upbeat and impressively rapped extension of this single.
Mason W
Host of Midnight Love Affair
Top New Releases March-May
1. Travis Bretzer - Making Love (Old Ugly Recording Co.)
2. TOPS - Tender Opposites (Arbutus Records)
3. Vanilla - Soft Focus (Self-released)
4. Kool Music 5 - Running Back to Everyone (Movie Star)
5. Brazilian Money - Doug Nasty (Self-released)
Favourite Release this Spring
Mac DeMarco - Rock and Roll Night Club (Captured Tracks)
Best Live Shows/Festivals
- Nite Jewel @ Il Motore
- Black Dice + Strong Boss + Cop Car Bonfire @ Il Motore
- Mozart’s Sister + Country @ Cabaret Playhouse
- Mac DeMarco + Each Other + Freelove Fenner @ Le Divan Orange
- Each Other + Boyhood + Homeshake @ Old Silver Door
- POP WINDS: Record Release//Funeral with Majical Cloudz + Zooey + GOGO + Cop Car Bonfire @ La Tour Prisme
Summer Fun
It is always impossible to tell what is coming up in the summertime in Montreal. There will be loads of spontaneous shows and tons of things you run into. Looking ahead, I only see one (there were two, but MF DOOM got cancelled) that I can confirm. Of course, there are several amazing shows at the Jazzfest, and many other festivals, but here is my summer peak. Check it out!
tUnE-yArDs + Mozart’s Sister July 31st @ Cabaret La Tulipe
Jazz Festival:
- Al Stewart July 6th @ Club Soda
- Tangerine Dream June 20th @ Salle Wilfred-Pelletier (Place des Arts)
Andrew Wixq
CJLO Metal Director and host of Grade A Explosives
Top New Metal Releases March-May
1. High on Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis (E1)
If you like your metal sludgy and loud and slightly Motorheady, this album will be on your top 10 for the year too.
2. Mares of Thrace - The Pilgrimage (Sonic Unyon Metal)
See High on Fire, except its Canadian, and two chicks, and slightly doomier.
3. 16 - Deep Cuts From Dark Clouds (Relapse Records)
Gritty angry metal. Much like Unsane, so if you know them, you'll love this. Noticing a pattern?
4. Ihsahn - Emerita (Candlelight Records)
Former Emperor member releases a solid black metal esque solo album featuring a line up of elites. If you like the metal that they like in Norway, this will do well for you.
5. Skip the Foreplay - Nightlife (Epitaph)
Montreal's greatest synthesis of electro and hardcore. Totally understandable if you hate it, but this guys is just eating it up. RIYL: Enter Shikari, Attack! Attack!
Top New RPM Releases March-May
1. Gossip - Joyful Noise (Columbia)
Incredibly poppy female fronted stuff.
2. Humans - Traps (Hybridity Music)
From Vancouver, this electro out fit puts out some quirky stuff. RIYL: Errors
3. iVardensphere - I Dream in Noise: remixes Volume 2 (Metropolis Records)
Harsh industrial/dark wave from this Vancouver bunch. RIYL: Terrorfakt
4. 16Volt
Sounds like true industrial from the early to mid 80s. If you like old Ministry, or mid range Throbbing Gristle, you should love this.
5. Simian Mobile Disco - UnPatterns (Wichita)
More indie than some of their older stuff. Still a damn fine record from these electroheads. RIYL: LCD Soundsystem
Emaciate Beats.
Former host of retired CJLO show Death Metal Disco
Top New Releases March-May
1. Yellow Claw - Krokobil ft. Sjaak & Mr. Polska
2. TNGHT (Hudson Mohawke x Lunice) - Bugg'n
3. Major Lazer - Get Free (Andy C Remix)
4. Modeselektor - This (Pickster One Remix)
5. Killsonik - Bloodlust
Favourite Release this Spring
Profresher - Krop Du$ta EP
Best Live Shows/Festivals
I Love This City Festival, San Francisco
Forget the best show so far this year, this was probably the best show of my life and definitely the pinnacle of my spring. Good weather turned out decent crowds for its first day as the concert roared to life; the only bummer being Chuckie cancelling his main stage appearance. The overall consensus between my friends, the crowd, and I was that Borgore managed to peak above everyone else— a true feat when you have the international superstars like Sebastian Ingrosso and Afrojack playing at the same time. The second day was much gloomier (back to normal San Francisco weather) but many more people turned out, although it has to be noted that it never felt overcrowded. You could get pretty much as close as you want, except the main stage. First on my lineup for the second day was Helicopter Showdown, which as much as it pains me to say this about my hometown brethren, they were just not that good. They didn't do anything wrong, or mix badly, but they didn't play any of their well-known songs, a mistake made all too often. After a disappointing opening act, a heavyweight line-up of Dubstep's finest took the reins of the "Bass Stage," with Kill The Noise, Doctor P, Feed Me and Excision blasting into the night. Switching between that stage and the Main Stage, which was Madeon, Laidback Luke (THE performance of the weekend) and Tiesto, I was in pure and complete EDM bliss. Excision closed the small stages at 10:50 leaving my friends and I to only see David Guetta. While he mixed well, it should be noted that a friend who I was with saw him at Ultra Music Festival in Miami and said that, song for song, the mixes were exactly the same. Remember, not every DJ is a DJ.
Summer Fun
Neo-G-Funk pioneer and Friend-of-the-Show Profresher (aka Billy Blacklight) just put out a new EP on his Bandcamp page called Retro Super Future, and you can check out the title track on his Soundcloud page. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'd put my money on it-- this guy will be famous one day. The originality he brings to each of his tracks is absolutely unrivaled and for me. His songs contend with the huge Electronic Dance Music (EDM) artists, yet the depth of these four songs go past any level he's achieved before. It may very well be my EP of the year so far.
Speaking of huge EDM artists... Knife Party will have their new EP dropping in the very near future! I've listened to some of the tracks and I must say, there is something so much different than 100% No Modern Talking. This is definitely their most eclectic and wide-ranging EP, with so many different genres and styles.
Another concert I'm looking forward to in the future (although more of a festival) is the World Electronic Music Festival (WEMF) August 17th and 18th in South Algonquin. There are many reasons why this concert is so exciting, from the camping, to the local Montreal DJ's playing, to the headlining superstars coming out to the middle of nowhere in Ontario!
Henry Rollins - The Long March Tour 2012 @ Corona Theatre
I had the privilege of seeing Henry Rollins perform a spoken word show on June 15th at the beautiful Corona Theatre on Notre Dame Street West.
For two and a half hours, the former lead singer of Black Flag and the Rollins Band stood on a bare stage, legs akimbo, mic to his face punk-rock style, rarely ever breaking his pose. Never once did he take break, even for a sip of water, of which there was none present.
He started his show by briefly talking about the Montreal student demonstration without going into great detail. He did express his support of those who believe that education is an important right, rather than a privilege. More specifically, he noted that it was vital our society continue to strive to be better through available mechanisms, education in this instance, rather than traveling down the rabbit-hole of dumbing-down participants that make up society.
He turned his monologue to the cultural and political state of United States. From bath salts to homophobia to Planned Parenthood to American foreign policy, Rollins ran the gamut of what we can see as an interesting time for our neighbors to the south.
Rollins let us in on the joys of turning 50, and how it pains him when people tell him that he's made the halfway point of life ("What, are you Mr. Metric?!"), even when he knows the American average is in the 70s and that he's hit "field goal range".
"I'm not a workaholic... I'm a work slut"
Henry Rollins hasn't done much musically since 2002's Rise Above: 24 Black Flag Songs to Benefit the West Memphis Three and the tour for that album, which I am so sorry I didn't get to see. That's not to say he hasn't been busy.
Besides the lengthy spoken word tours he embarks on, Henry Rollins runs his own music label and publishing company, 2.13.61 (named after his birth date), hosts a weekly radio show on Los Angeles radio station KCRW, hosted his own TV show on IFC, performed various voice-over work, has made numerous appearances in movies and TV shows. He seems to be interviewed for every punk documentary ever made (seriously, find me one he isn't in!). The self-proclaimed "work slut" tends to take any job offered to him, but as he mentioned during the show: "I say yes to employment, because inactivity will not do for me. I don't like sitting around. I don't want to watch the grass grow, I don't want to watch the parade, I want to be the damn parade". And so with that, he began describing his latest adventures as host for the National Geographic show Animal Underworld. From eating rats and drinking cow urine in India to wrestling alligators in the south, he entertained the crowd with stories from his latest adventures around the world. Especially amusing were the ways his cameraman would torment him, for example, making him drink the cow urine twice since "he didn't get the shot".
The show ended with two fascinating stories: one being a recent visit to North Korea and the other, Tibet. Both stories were somewhat disheartening considering what little you can do to help the locals while visiting. Lead around by North Korean guides, and fed propaganda during the entire visit, you got the feeling that a visit to that country was little more than a check mark on his bucket list of countries to visit. The story about his visit to Tibet involved watching Chinese soldiers bullying local Tibetans, and being powerless to help.
Henry Rollins is intense. This is not an overstatement. This is what makes him a compelling a story-teller. His show was a non-stop battering wave of statements, anecdotes and experiences, bursting with both humor and gravity that never ebbed, enticing listeners to want to hear more. This was my second time seeing Rollins perform his spoken word, and I wouldn't hesitate to see him a third time.
June 25th, 2012
Read by: Aisha Samu
Stories by: Carlo Spiridigliozzi, Aisha Samu, Gregory Wilson and Niki Mohrdar
Produced by: Carlo Spiridigliozzi
Rescue crews scramble to start search
Search and rescue crews are working to reach people trapped underneath rubble of a partially collapsed mall.
In a report by CBC News, one person is believed to have been killed after a rooftop parking lot collapsed on Saturday. The incident occurred at the Algo Centre Mall in Elliot Lake, Ontario.
Clean up crews heard tapping underneath the rubble on Sunday which led to the rescue operation. Crews are working to stabilize the twisted metal and concrete in order to reach those trapped underneath. In all, nine people remain unaccounted for said the OPP.
Many residents have said that the roof was in need of repairs. A local newspaper also said that the roof went through recent repairs to close up leaks.
Morsi calls for unity after winning presidency
Egypt’s new President Mohamed Morsi is calling for national unity following his election win.
According to BBC News, the Muslim Brotherhood member won with around fifty two percent of the vote, beating former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik.
Morsi becomes Egypt’s first democratically elected leader.
Thousands of Muslim Brotherhood supporters celebrated the win in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.
Many world leaders congratulated Morsi including the U.S. who called the election “a milestone for Egypt’s transition to democracy”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hoped that the peace treaty would continue despite the Brotherhood’s opposition to the treaty.
Morsi has already reached out to secular and Christian voters in an effort to be more inclusive.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces promised to hand over power to the new president by June thirtieth.
Flickr photo by: Gigi Ibrahim
Saudi Arabia allows women to participate in the Olympics
According to BBC news, Saudi Arabia will allow women to participate in the Olympic games for the first time.
This decision will eliminate recent rumors that the Saudi team would not be able to participate in the Olympics all together due to sexism.
However, the country’s Olympic committee will still be overseeing the participation of women’s athletes who can qualify.
With only a few weeks away, Saudi officials say that the only female athlete that they feel meets Olympic standards is showjumper Dalma Rushdi Malhas.
Many Saudi religious groups are outwardly against the participation of women in sports as there is almost no public tradition of women’s involvement in sports in their country.
However, compromises will be made in order to preserve the countries dignity. Modest, lose fitting garments and sports hijabs will most likely be worn in order to cover the hair, but not the face.
This is a huge step for Saudi Arabia as it is upending the years of opposition women have faced in order to gain attention in the popular public.
Although it was thought that since April, Saudi rulers had decided to maintain the ban on allowing women to take part in the Olympics.
However, it has been said that for the past six weeks, discussions have led King Abdullah to push for women’s participation. By doing so, he believes it will allow women to play a more active role in the Saudi Arabian society.
Pages
Staff Login | Advertise | Our Location | RSS | Contact Us
