Gone for a Long Time

Alright so on to the next one! Not that I'm just trying to knock one review out after another ...but!

I'll let you know before you even read the following that this was by far my favourite concert of the trip. The Yellow Snow Tour featuring Darius & the Clouds, Rebel Emergency, Mean Tangerine, Street Pharmacy and the Johnstones! (Let's face it, they all just have fun names).
Darius and the Clouds were a young, local (from what I gather) band with crazy high energy. It was more of a "punk" concert, so moshing and/or circle dancing was not only allowed but even encouraged...by the bands! The singer for DatC (pending nickname) even jumped out into the crowd quite a few times to get everyone going. As high energy as they were...the crowd just didn't seem to be too into it. The majority of the crowd would actually back away once the moshing started during their set. They had some pretty unique songs that I could see listening to, especially after they were handing out their free (FREE!) EPs left, right, and centre...and even chucking a few out into the audience. Speaking of the audience, it was obviously a younger crowd. It seemed like there could be a handful of people over the age of 18. But it's Montreal! Who cares.

Next up: Rebel Emergency! This band all the way from Sunny California had a set full of catchy songs. You know those songs where you think the whole time "Where have I heard this before?!", yeah, those ones. They were really good...but sadly nothing that really stood out in a way that would make me go buy their CD...or download them when I got home. They just didn't seem to have their own sound, a sound that's so unique that no one else could possibly think to repeat it. They were still good, and seemed to know their instruments well, just nothing "extra special".

Mean Tangerine started setting up as the 3rd band and even though they are also a youngish band they defintitely knew how to work a crowd. Not only on stage but off as well; the drummer and guitarist were both selling merchandise before the show. They were very personable, making conversation, and not feeling the need to point out that they were "with the band". We chatted and didn't even realize they were in any band until they were on stage! Every member really knew how to interact with each other...but...not with the audience. They entertained, but for entertainments sake...Like I said above, they worked the crowd but didn't seem to want to make any "contact" either verbally or physically with anyone in the crowd. It seemed strange for such a small venue, and considering the other bands they were playing with.

Just before the headlining band makes their appearance comes Street Pharmacy. They're a mix of reggae and rock, but not within the same songs typically which was disappointing!. They had separate reggae songs, and rock songs. The songs were all very good, and the crowd was amazingly into them...but they definitely had a ...bitter tone to them. As in the singer has a few issues with past girlfriends, that show through in the songs, like the crowd favourties "F*ck Elizabeth", or "Honeymoon's Over". One of the highlights of the whole concert was when all band members from all the other bands came on stage for the last SP song, and actually toilet papered not only the stage but the band members too!! The lead singer got the TP-ing the worst, you could barely make out that he was a person anymore, except for the fact that he played all through the torment.
**Both Mean Tangerine and Street Pharmacy were on the MuchMusic show, disBAND

Now for the most important (to me) band: the Johnstones! Even though I had only heard about this band the week before going to Montreal, and only because I googled what music events were happening while we were there..I love them. They're classified as ska-punk but I'm not sure that I agree with this. Take a bite out of Right to Say, or the very cute Sunny Days. Yes they have a trumpet and a trombone, but their songs and lyrics usually do have some substance to them, and always know how to put me in a better mood. There's 6 members total in this crazy off-the-wall, unpredictable band. What I love the most is that they LOVE an audience. It tends to be a pattern with local bands that make an impression on me; not only did Jarek Hardy, the guitarist, actually respond to a pleading Facebook message I sent him about getting tickets, but he also talked to us while we were there. As did the lead singer/former drummer, Ryan Long. Both super cool and fun guys. Fun is what made the show a very memorable one. Every member of the band knew how to take control of the stage, get crazy on stage, while still handling their instruments perfectly. It made it clear to see why during their last Canadian/U.S tour they had every one of their shows sold out! Ryan Long, especially, was always front stage, right in the audience's face, and even came into the crowd quite a few times. (As I mentioned the audience was very young, so injuries are being warned of right now. My friend actually got injured twice due to the intense and unavoidable ska-dancing. Literally you can't escape it. It's like moshing but in a "nice way". To be honest, it reminded me o Molly Ringwald's dancing during the sweet library montage in "The Breakfast Club". Jarek and Ryan have most of the singing responsibility but trumpeteer Rene joined in a lot too. Ryan's voice is very recognizable and makes the songs just that much better.

The show was above the skatewear shop on Saint Catherines St, Underworld. It seemed a bit sketchy because to get inside you have to go to the alley around the shop, but once inside its a very relaxed and open space. There is coat check, and has a lot of room, but most of the room is spread lengthwise so the area near the stage isn't the biggest. It was a crazy un concert, and all members of every band was availbale to talk to either between sets or after the show.

NB: The Johntones are hilarious, and quirky. Their music videos are all really unique, like Can't be Trusted. Ryan and Jarek have a blog called "Tall Guy Short Guy", and the band loves make parodies of videos like "Whip my Snare" and "I'm on a couch". Look out for the band touring during the springtime.

Vraiment Beau

The title says it all...if you haven't noticed...all the millions of you out there, I've been gone for a quite a bit...Well let me fill you in with the music I went all the way to Montreal to take in!

I'll start with the concert that started this whole "weekend away": Les Trois Accords. My friend loves this band and unfortunately they only play in Quebec! So it was decided we go to see them on January 13,2011. They played a smaller venue, much like the Myer Horowitz in Edmonton. Opening for LTA was a band from Winnipeg called Les Surveillantes (the Supervisors). And to be honest, I really don't like making comparisons in music because everyone is different...BUT this band is like a less morbid version of The Burning Hell! They play witty songs about observing everyday life and love, with a French twist. Their vocals really add to the mix however, because even though their lyrics are what would typically draw you in, for myself...who understands only basic French...I still loved it. What surprised me is that they didn't use the whole stage; all four members, one girl included, gathered around two microphones and made it much more intimate. When Les Trois Accords (the three chords) came to the stage they quickly (and very brightly) turned the stage lights to the audience and immediately began playing. The crowd was so obviously into singing along that the lead singer invited everyone to the front (it had been a sit-down concert), and the crowd stayed at the front of the stage until the very last song. There was a huge variety of people attending from little kids, teens, to couples and more mature concert-eers (I made that up...). All of the opening band was available to chat afterwards, and one member of LTA came out. Of course we had to say we came all the way from the West, and I'm not sure if they either doubted us...or thought we were crazy! The venue, L'Etoile Banque Nationale, is in the newer outdoor shopping area called Dix-Trente (it intersects the Highways 10 & 30). It was really nice, but really...nothing too special...it was also in Brossard which we traveled to by Metro (across the river) and about a 1 hour bus ride, and back by about a $40 cab ride. Not to say that it wasn't an awesome concert...but personally it wasn't worth it to not understand more than half of it. If I was a local it would be a great venue, but if traveling there don't expect too much.

Thank you Happy Birthday

Just announcing (not sure how "announce-y" it is if you've already known/bought it, but humour me) a new album release today (1/11/11) by Cage the Elephant! The new album is called "Thank You Happy Birthday" and if the single "Shake me Down" is any indication, it's sure to be epic. This follows their debut release, Cage the Elephant, from 2008. Go. Now! Run out to your local music emporium and buy, buy, buy! (Well maybe only one, I'm not sure what you would do with a stock of CD's...hoarder)

They're Red Hot - looking back at 2010 and forward to 2011

So Phonics is amazing as always and one of the DJ's created a "Modern Rock Countdown" - 102 of the best modern rock songs of 2010. I wish I had the time/patience/creativity to do this... however, I will list quite a few of the songs and albums that totally changed how I view/listen to modern music (I was foolish to think that good music started petering out in the 90's)*:

Songs

• Back Against the Wall & Shake Me Down- Cage the Elephant
• Camilo - Said the Whale
• Stadium Love - Metric
• 1901 & Girlfriend - Phoenix
• I Know What I am - Band of Skulls
• Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes
• Northshore & Hell - Tegan and Sara
• Audience and Louder than Ever - Cold War Kids
• The Ghost Inside - Broken Bells
• Rhinestone Eyes - Gorillaz
• Animal - Neon Trees
• Meet Me in the Basement - Broken Social Scene

Albums

• Brothers - the Black Keys
• Power Leopard  - Christian Hansen & the Autistics
• Of the Blue Color of the Sky - OK Go
• Record in a Bag - Hollerado
• Champ - Tokyo Police Club
• Sigh No More - Mumford & Sons
• Jackson Square - the Arkells 
• Contra - Vampire Weekend
• The Suburbs - Arcade Fire
• Behave Yourself (EP) - Cold War Kids
• Congratulations - MGMT
• Business Casual - Chromeo
• Hurley and  Death to New Metal - Weezer (as well as their other two releases; busy boys!)
• Pink Friday  - Nicki Minaj

There are quite a few bands coming out with new 2011 CD`s that should be mentioned (and counted down for):
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Cold War Kids
Cage the Elephant
Cake
U2
Coldplay
Blink 182
Radiohead
Bestieboys
System of a down

PPS. Upcoming Concert Reviews and envious moments to be ready for in 2011:
- Les Trois Accords
- the Johnstones
- Besnard Lakes
- Tokyo Police Club & Two Door Cinema Club
- Michael Bernard Fitzgerald
- Sasquatch Music Festival
!

* expect a few edits to the best 2010 songs section!