Carpenter - October 21st 2009 @ L'Absynthe

Carpenter

The Sober Dawn

Winslow

Bar L'Absynthe, Montreal

October 21st 2009

Apparently, most people don't feel the need to see the same band more than once in a short period. Carpenter played in Montreal earlier this summer at L'Esco, yet I somehow felt the need to attend the show, alone, on a cold and rainy October Wednesday night. My initial plan was to show up right on time for Carpenter and skip the opening bands, but since I was already downtown, I decided to kill time and arrive on time for the opening bands.

I had seen Winslow play before last summer. Twice actually. The first one was at a sweaty skatepark off De L'Église, the second time was at Warped Tour (unless I'm mistaking them for another band, but I think I've got this right). I wasn't particularly impressed with their sets those few times, and I'd even say that I was slightly turned off by their performances and music altogether. Last night was not much different. But I'd replace my feeling of dislike by one of indifference. They were ok, that's it.

The good and the bad: They had a cool stage move at the end. Doesn't change the fact that all their songs sounded alike.

I totally thought The Sober Dawn were another band... I remember meeting some guys in a band last summer through a mutual friend and I'm pretty sure they said their band was called The Sober Dawn. They were kind of screamo if I'm not mistaken, but I don't think that was any of them...Anyways!

They were a great, great surprise. I was definitely not expecting this kind of band: think Hot Water Music, clearly one of their influences. I thoroughly enjoyed their set and also picked up their EP at the merch table. One my new favourite locals! Yay!

The good and the bad: Awesome songwriting, they can all play their instruments well. The bad: it took me this long to find out about them.

Carpenter is now a guaranteed good time for me. Most of their set is off their Law of the Land album, which sort of gave me the feeling of having seen the exact same set not that long ago (oh wait...I did...). The new songs are pretty rocking, especially one with a faster tempo, but still keeping a Carpenter feel to it. One thing for sure: it's always fun singing along with you, Carpenter

The good and the bad: Good energy! I wish I could kick that high without falling flat on my ass! I kind of wished they found a way to play the harmonica parts though!

Bottomline: check out The Sober Dawn and Carpenter if you're not familiar with them yet

This is a Standoff - Be Disappointed

This Is A Standoff - Be Disappointed

Blue Marble Vinyl

Released on Animal Style Records (ASR-006), March 2009

This Is A Standoff on Myspace

Well well well, what have we here! The second TIAS record, that's what! For starters I should mention that I'm biased in this review (then again this is just my opinion and the few that read this should have figured it out by now) because with This Is A Standoff, it's personal. I say this because guitarist John Meloche and I (well... mostly my band) go back a few years in the Ottawa local punk scene; him in FortyCentFix and myself in Contrabandit. So when John made me listen to the first TIAS demo, I have to say I was very stoked!

Now about this record: we can tell there has been an evolution from Be Excited, TIAS's first full length. My theory is that John plays an increasingly bigger role in the songwriting process. I find some ressemblances to FCF in these songs! Maybe it's just me being nostalgic...

What I particularly liked about this record: Knowing all the work that goes behind it! The band lives hundreds of KM apart during the songwriting process then takes the plane to jam and record. Then the band goes back home and works on getting it released through a handful of labels and distros. John and Steve's efforts go far beyond that in the fact that they design all their album art/merch, they book their own tours, etc. A+ for work ethic. Fuck, I'd even give them a scratch-and-sniff sticker for their work ethic. I also liked the shoutout to my band Contrabandit: I'm sure they've played with bigger, better-looking, harder-working bands, but they remember their roots; we remember their roots too.

What I did not really like: Uhm... I'm really trying hard to find something bad to talk about so that this review doesn't seem so one-sided, but you're shit out of luck.

The best songs: (in tracklisting order): Everything We Take, Can't Take Them All and Sunrise/Face The Sun

Daggermouth - Turf Wars

Daggermouth - Turf Wars

Red Clear Vinyl

Released on Animal Style Records (ASR-01), March 2007

Daggermouth on Myspace

Short and sweet is the best way to describe this record. I'll do the same in going over it.

What I particularly liked about this record: Production seems like it was recorded to purposely be listened to on vinyl. Also my favourite looking record so far.

What I did not really like: Although it is short, it also gets repetitive kind of fast. It's a record that you listen to once in a while, keyword "once".

The best songs: (in tracklisting order): Abracadabra Holmes, Hawt Lixx and Frisky Business

We Are The Union - Who We Are

We Are The Union - Who We Are

Green Marble Vinyl

Released on Animal Style Records (ASR-005)

We Are The Union on Myspace

Ok so I'm being kind of cheap with this review; the reason for this is that I haven't really updated this blog in a while and I'd like to get back into it, but by adding more records rather than talking about some that I've had for a while. Don't get me wrong though: this is a good record by a good band!

What I particularly liked about this record: It was a good surprise! I had only heard a song or two and was expecting more of a ska-punk combo than a punk-ska album (if that makes any sense... I understand myself!)

What I did not really like: It's somewhat repetitive. A lot of the songs feel like they were written on the same pattern and chord progression.

The best songs: (in tracklisting order): "Your allowance exceeds my rent", War on Everything and Ourcore

Transit - This Will Not Define Us

Transit - This Will Not Define Us

Blue Marble Vinyl

Released on Animal Style Records (ASR-004)

Transit on Myspace

What I particularly liked about this record: To be honest, not so much...

What I did not really like: I bought this record because I liked the cover art. Yes, I judged a record by its cover. I guess it's just not my thing!

The best songs: (in tracklisting order): I'm going to skip out on naming songs because it's been forever since I listened to this record, and I don't feel like forcing myself through the whole thing just to find my 3 favourite.

A Wilhelm Scream - Career Suicide

A Wilhelm Scream - Career Suicide

Grey Marble Vinyl

Released on Nitro Records, Asscard Records and Jumpstart Records (ACR021 / JST057), October 2007

A Wilhelm Scream on Myspace

I have a confession to make: although this is my favorite album from arguably one of my top 5 favorite bands, I did not own a copy of Career Suicide until 2 days ago.

Let me explain! It all started with the 5 to 9 video that was posted on the Nitro Records website before the album was released. This video was so powerful, we just knew what AWS was about to unleash would be of epic proportions. And then in got leaked. And I downloaded it telling myself I'd buy it soon, but never got around to it. I'm sorry!

This balls to the wall song was the first to feature bassist Brian Robinson (ex The Fullblast ) and you can just tell that his arrival was motivation for Trevor to take his songwriting to a new level. If this is a sign of what happens when a technically more advanced band member joins the band, then I can't wait to hear the next album since it will be the first since Mike Supina's arrival (ex Alucard... in case you don't get the name, read it backwards hehehe).

But to talk about the music on this record: I can't describe it. You have to listen to it if you like fast-paced punk rock. After all, it was voted best punk album of 2007 according to the punknews.org community.

What I particularly liked about this record: Holy powerful! Palm muting, guitar harmonies, catchy lyrics, BASSLINES!!!

What I did not really like: When I started this blog, I told myself I'd find at least one thing that I slightly dislike about every album I'd write about. However, the only bad thing I can say about this album is that I doubt that A Wilhelm Scream will be able to top this album with their next one.

The best songs: (in tracklisting order): Argh I can't pick just 3! I'll have to go with Die While We're Young, These Dead Streets and Our Ghosts

A Wilhelm Scream - Mute Print

A Wilhelm Scream - Mute Print

Yellow Marble Limited Edition

Released on Nitro Records and Suburban Home (SH146-1), April 2004

A Wilhelm Scream on Myspace

Like many people I associate a certain band, album or song with a certain moment or feeling. To me Mute Print was the first time I understood someone's elaborately-developed frustration through a first listen.

It was the first weekend of August 2005 at the Vans Warped Tour in Montreal Quebec (the year in recent history that was in the Hippodrome's parking lot) only a week or two before they would release the Ruiner album. I was so excited to see them that I skipped out on watching a big band playing right before just so I could watch them set up on the Ernie Ball stage at the entrance of the venue. My biggest memory of that set was seeing guitarist Trevor Reilly throw his defective (at the time) Burgundy Les Paul onto the asphalt while swearing loudly. He wasn't taking his instrument for granted, he was just really pissed off that his guitar would let him down like that. I told him that I witnessed that incident the following year when I opened for them at Babylon in Ottawa and he was surprised that someone remembered that. Well I'm not forgetting it anytime soon.

Basically they rocked really hard that day, in a way that would really have an impact on me in the long run. A Wilhelm Scream was my new standard for live shows: anything less would just be 'okay'.

So I bought the CD and borrowed a friend's CD player (I was ahead of my time with my Minidisc player haha) before even jumping in the shower after getting back from Warped Tour. You should've seen my smile when I first heard the intro to William Blake Overdrive.

Overall a solid album that spent a LOT of time in my cd player! I still think some of A Wilhelm Scream's best songs are on this record.

What I particularly liked about this record: The second half of The Rip. I lose my voice every time they play it live.

Heartless and headstrong. Jump right over the bodies. Life's a race. It's an obstacle course.

Hide, but you'll never have a choice when you go.

They would have noticed you if they had known, but you're fucked.

They'll only love you when you're gone,

or barely hanging on to all your organs and dignity while you're rotting in hospitals.

Don't believe it? It's not your fault. You're just worthless. You're one in a million.

Where is god? The ornament,

the holiday song whored out on reading materials in latrines and porta-johns?

Don't believe this.

You're not worthless. It's us against millions and we can't take them all.

But we can take them on.

What I did not really like: The song Retiring. I think it could've remained a B side.

The best songs: (in tracklisting order) Famous Friends and Fashion Drunks, Anchor End and The Rip

A Wilhelm Scream - September 26th 2009 @ Underworld

A Wilhelm Scream

The Riot Before

One-Timer

Underworld, Montreal

September 26th 2009

This is my first show "review" on this blog. Coincidentally, it was also the day that I realised how outdated my bulky digital camera is, which means no photos of this one. Sorry!

Oddly enough I had forgotten about this A Wilhelm Scream show until a week before. I'm usually one to write it down on my calendar and start being stoked a whole month ahead. This time around was just going to be me having a good night out with friends and girlfriend. No fireworks, no special effects, no dramatic entrance: just good tunes, good vibe with good people.

First obstacle: the venue was double-booked! ARGH! This meant for me that I was going to be tired since I'm an old fart (not really but I act like one). It also meant that last minute addition to the bill, local party punkers Dig it Up! would be taken off the bill. Darnit!

After a few beers at Foufs, the show began around 10:15 with One-timer. I was pleasantly surprised to finally see them live. I was supposed to play a show with them back in August but they had dropped off the bill. They were not outstanding, but they were good.

The good and the bad: Energetic stage presence by the singer, but they need to work on their songwriting. Guitar felt empty and basslines fell flat.

Next up was The Riot Before. I had not really heard of this band until the day of. Then again I might have heard about them but discarded the info, classifying them with the other Riot bands. The songs I heard on myspace were good too. However the live show was not my thing but then again I didn't really know the songs/lyrics. I'm sure I would have enjoyed a whole lot more had I known what to expect a bit more.

The good and the bad: The bass sounded great! Wicked tone! The lead guitar though was awful. He actually played his rusty strings till his fingers bled though, but despite the effort it was just plain bad.

The main course for the evening, A Wilhelm Scream, came on. I had not seen them in an intimate venue since their show at the Gymnase (with Living with Lions) last summer. It was good to regain my usual A Wilhelm Scream enjoyment spot: right in front of Trevor Reilly. Not only being a wicked guitarist and awesome entertainer, he also writes all music and lyrics.

They played about half of Career Suicide as well as classics from Ruiner and Mute Print. They also played a new song called Skid Rock (if I remember correctly) which was fast, technical, with a slight metal influence. This song is going to appear on an EP to be released this fall.

The band members are just plain level-headed nice guys: I had the chance to talk to all of them quite a bit when I opened for them in Ottawa in summer 2006, but they can be approached by just about anyone. They stayed on stage after their set to shake hands and give high fives to those who wanted one, they could also be seen having beers at Foufs before the delayed show.

The good and the bad: All around solid performance by the entire band (the current lineup is at its best, I remember first seeing them with their original guitarist and bassist). I can't think of a bad thing about their set... Maybe that I didn't sing loud enough, despite my best effort...

Oh and I picked up Career Suicide and Mute Print on vinyl, I'll post them up here soon enough.

Stay classy!

Strike Anywhere - Iron Front EP

Strike Anywhere - Iron Front EP

Clear Vinyl with Green Splatters

Released on Bridge 9 Records (B9R120), Summer 2009

Strike Anywhere on Myspace

For a long time now I've been accused of having opposite taste when it comes to Strike Anywhere: my favorite albums are Dead FM, Exit English and Change is a Sound, in that particular order. I guess what I'm about to write means good things for others? Is this the exception to the pattern?

For some reason it feels like I've heard these songs before. Maybe it's due to singer/lyricist Thomas Barnett running out of keywords for his songs and having to recycle them: generation, time, lives, crime, amplify, gunpowder, etc. The list goes on, you get the point. In a way, it makes it much easier to remember the lyrics in case you feel like singing along at a live show, which is (by far!!!) the best Strike Anywhere related activity.

What I particularly liked about this record: The vocal delivery in the chorus of Hand of Glory ("what you gonna do, what you gonna do when it's all gone without a warning"). I also enjoyed the mix of poppy-punk with the classic Strike Anywhere style at the bridge until the end of Twilight's Last Gleaming.

What I did not really like: The song Failed State. It's in the running for least favovrite Strike Anywhere song of all time. Maybe if I strongly believed in every word Thomas sings I could say something positive about this song

The best songs: (in tracklisting order) Orphan Age and Twilight's Last Gleaming. This is really too bad, because they are the 2 out of the 4 songs on this EP that do not appear on the upcoming Iron Front album. Is this a sign of things to come? Eeesh I hope not!

Polar Bear Club - Chasing Hamburg

Polar Bear Club - Chasing Hamburg

Blue Vinyl Limited Edition

Released on Bridge 9 Records (B9R123), September 2009

Polar Bear Club on Myspace

This is the first vinyl I ever bought! I make it sound like it was a long time ago, but it was only last week and I received it today by the time it got here. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed for two reasons:

1. I had been listening to their previous release nonstop for the past week or two (which is outstanding)
2. I had already heard what are, in my opinion, the best songs

Chasing Hamburg is still a darn catchy record on its own and I'm certain that my appreciation of it will grow exponentially once I know all the songs by heart. I've already listented to this on a loop for the past 4 hours...

What I particularly liked about this record: The guest vocals by Aaron Scott on Song to Persona. As a pretty hardcore Marathon fan, I was glad to hear most of the band reunited, albeit in a different style from what I've grown accustomed to. (guitarist Nate Morris and drummer Emmett Menke both played in Marathon with Aaron Scott)

What I did not really like: The vocals on most of Take Me To The Town. What the hell were they thinking? Dealbreaker for the entire album? I thought so on my first listen through... not the case however. Unfortunately, the chorus reminded me of Tuts My Barreh, without actually sounding like it...

The best songs: (in tracklisting order) Living Saints, Light of Local Eyes, One Hit Back

My dad's leftovers

These are the old paper-smelling records I was writing about just a few moments ago!

In other words, the records that I deemed worthy of keeping from what is left of my dad's vinyl collection.

Santana - Abraxas (PC30130)

Nena - 99 Luftballons (BFE 39294)

The Beatles - Abbey Road (Apple SO-383)

Micheal Jackson - Thriller (QE38112)

John Lennon - (Just Like) Starting Over & Yoko Ono - Kiss Kiss Kiss (Split EP: GEF 99131)

I'm not going to review them, but I'm seriously hoping that everyone has already heard at least 2 songs on each of those records (or 2 versions of the same song in Nena's case)

I also found evidence that my brother used to have a vinyl collection at some point in his life:

A Fresh Start

I'd qualify this new hobby of mine as a fresh start. I wish I could say the same with everything about this new vinyl collection: there's always that old-paper smell. You know, the same whiff you get walking in a used book store.

I didn't buy them that way: the few discs in question were passed down from my father, along with the main piece of artillery behind my vinyl enjoyment:

Ain't she a beaut' ? This was my father's Dual 510 belt-drive turntable. It is now my Dual 510! Thanks dad!

So from now on, I'll put on my amateur-collector hat and share my collection with those who wish to read. I'll also share my experiences as an avid show-goer. I'll even tell you all about the new CDs I buy (in case the band didn't release on LP... which you know... happens quite often)