Hello friends...
It sure is funny, this crazy blue marble we live on, huh?
One minute, you're 10-feet tall and bullet-proof. Next minute, you're pissed off at the world and thinking more about how life sucks instead of about how fabulous it is.
It's been a wacky week. First, my dad gets sick. Really sick. Secondly, my career as a mediocre radio contributor has been resserected.
Firstly, my dad is resting comfortably at a hospital in Ottawa. His spirits are up and his family is spending lots of time cracking jokes at the foot of his bed. I am not sure whether the nurses and other hospital staff read Regina Riffing, but I apologize for anything me and my brothers might have said during our visits there. One of us might have propositioned the nice lady who came to hook up the TV in his hospital room, so that requires an extra sincere apology.
This week sucked, but all was not lost. This is the week Regina Riffing hit the airwaves.
A few weeks back when I was listening to Evan Baran's Grindhouse, I felt especially melancholy about the hours and hours I spent listening to metal shows on radio stations in Montreal and Ottawa when I was in my teens.
The Wolf's Grindhouse is Saskatchewan's only radio show dedicated to heavy metal. And it's a great show. Honest. I am officially a fan of radio in all of its incarnations -- radio is great, even though I like to complain about stations appealing to the masses at the risk of watering themselves down -- so contributing to it seemed like a natural to me.
I listen to the radio a lot. I listen to CJME sometimes, and to CBC. But when I need some music, then I listen to the Wolf. And since Grindhouse started, it's been my favourite thing on Regina radio.
Back before Christmas, I thought about my days as host of "Matte on Metal," an hour-long radio show I did on CKDJ, a show that aired on Friday nights at the rarely-listened-to radio station at Algonquin College in Ottawa. I chatted about metal and played the best of what the station had to offer. I remember fondly spinning old Saxon and Queensryche while inviting friends in for guest spots to read the news or ramble on about the latest Triumph concert.
Nobody listened, but I was ok with it.
It wasn't much different than when I was in elementary school. I would put a casette player up to a record player and play song after song, filling the time it took to change records to "rap" like a DJ. Then I'd play back my "show" when I went to bed at night.
Fast forward a few years -- I was flattered that Baran invited me to contribute to his show. We tossed some ideas back and forth, and we thought that a weekly update on metal was in order. It gives me a new voice in Regina, and gives the show an added element. I promise not to take up too much time -- the music and Baran are the reasons we all listen -- but I hope to improve on Friday night's debut.
I chatted a little about metal's history and introduced the song "Stone Cold Crazy" by Queen. It was loads of fun. But I need to get better. And I shall. I will research more and I'll work on my delivery -- on Friday's show, I sounded like a drunk person who had consumed a gallon of Nyquil.
I thank Evan for the opportunity and guidance.
I'm also happy that my bosses at the Leader-Post didn't object when I told them about my new radio gig.
But Evan deserves the biggest kudos for coming up with a name for my "bit."
Matte's Metal Minute is a quality name. I promise to work hard at living up to it.
So one other thing is happening this week - just as I did when I was in Grade 8, I put a tape recorder near a speaker and recorded Friday's show. I'll play it back for my dad tomorrow.
To me, the Wolf does, indeed, rock.
A.M.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Junos misplaced
The fabulous fellas from Nickelback have taken their lumps over the years from critics who complain about how their cheesy sound, grand melodies and in-the-box approach to rock has watered down an otherwise wonderful genre.
The dudes are talented. And they can rock. But the trouble is that they always seem to apply a musical cookie-cutter to their sound, a tool they stumbled on when lovable Chad Kroeger first put pen to paper, and pick to string. Gooey lyrics about loneliness and oral sex ooze over pop-metal have made them millions and spawned what has become a yawn-inducing genre of Canadian cheese rock. They aren’t doing anything different than what Bad Company did in 1973 or what Foreigner did in 1984, other than contemporize the sound and add a nice thick layer of camembert.
In fact, the state of Canadian rock is at its worst right now, and least inventive. So many bands are trying to follow Nickelback’s fan-friendly, mediocre rock — hello Staind, Creed, Three Days Grace, Seether and Theory of a Deadman. Aside for the odd exception, listening to Regina radio is a frustrating pursuit for anyone who prefers quality over what’s popular. There’s nothing evil, however, about wanting to hear what’s hip.
That being said, we can all appreciate anyone who manages to sell tickets, CDs and other merchandise regardless of how they approach the music. The marketplace dictate matters of commercial success. And there’s nothing wrong with that. If you adore Nickelback, then God bless you. We can also agree that music quality doesn’t exactly guarantee commercial success. Talent often takes a back seat to marketing, which obviously plays a huge role in all of this — hello Girlicious, Jonas Brothers and anyone who’s appeared on an Idol show.
There are lots of bands that aren’t exactly known for uniqueness but take special places in my music collection. But I also don’t expect them to be nominated for a Juno. I’d be stunned if Toronto’s Piledriver was nominated for a Juno, but they’re still my favourite band this week.
Presumably, a Juno award is given to an artist who produces music of exceptional quality. And with today’s announcement that Nickelback is nominated for a bunch of them, it appears whoever decides this Juno award stuff is just as vulnerable to advertising and peer pressure as those who buy tickets to see the Pussycat Dolls or Miley Cyrus.
Nickelback was nominated for Album of the Year, Single of the Year for “Gotta Be Somebody,” and Group of the Year. How they missed out on a Rock Album of the Year, I really don’t get, assuming the judges follow their own rules.
The only Nickelback nomination I can see fly is the one they received for fan choice award.
The reality is that there are so many Canadian artists who produce award-worthy music but didn’t catch the interest of the Juno people. They missed out on an opportunity to shine a light on singers and bands who don’t already sell CDs and concert tickets like Nickelback does.
Maybe the Juno people didn’t read the latest issue of SPIN Magazine, which gave a nod to Library Voices, a band from Regina that’s quickly winning fans and praise from critics. Their album Hunting Ghosts & Other Collected Shorts is a much better album that Nickelback’s Dark Horse, in my view anyway. I wasn’t asked for my opinion, but my vote would have gotten lost among all the Nickelback ballots.
What about Ontario’s Great Lake Swimmers? Other bands whose music is more Juno-worthy include The Dears, Final Fantasy, The Stills, Plants and Animals and Destroyer.
Thankfully, some envelope-pushing Canadian artists caught the eye of the Juno people, including Feist, Kardinal Offishall, Sarah Slean, Cancer Bats, Serena Ryder, Dallas Green, The Trews, Tokyo Police Club, Kathleen Edwards and Lights.
It seems to me that if bands worthy of a Juno are only those who sell the most CDs, then we really don’t need an awards show — or the expense. It makes more sense to give all the money to school music programs and mail the statues to the best-selling acts.
And on the night of the Junos is supposed to air, we can prepare for our own nod to high quality Canadian music and listen to Joel Plaskett, Rush, Gordon Lightfoot, Diana Krall, Jason Plumb and many, many others.
The dudes are talented. And they can rock. But the trouble is that they always seem to apply a musical cookie-cutter to their sound, a tool they stumbled on when lovable Chad Kroeger first put pen to paper, and pick to string. Gooey lyrics about loneliness and oral sex ooze over pop-metal have made them millions and spawned what has become a yawn-inducing genre of Canadian cheese rock. They aren’t doing anything different than what Bad Company did in 1973 or what Foreigner did in 1984, other than contemporize the sound and add a nice thick layer of camembert.
In fact, the state of Canadian rock is at its worst right now, and least inventive. So many bands are trying to follow Nickelback’s fan-friendly, mediocre rock — hello Staind, Creed, Three Days Grace, Seether and Theory of a Deadman. Aside for the odd exception, listening to Regina radio is a frustrating pursuit for anyone who prefers quality over what’s popular. There’s nothing evil, however, about wanting to hear what’s hip.
That being said, we can all appreciate anyone who manages to sell tickets, CDs and other merchandise regardless of how they approach the music. The marketplace dictate matters of commercial success. And there’s nothing wrong with that. If you adore Nickelback, then God bless you. We can also agree that music quality doesn’t exactly guarantee commercial success. Talent often takes a back seat to marketing, which obviously plays a huge role in all of this — hello Girlicious, Jonas Brothers and anyone who’s appeared on an Idol show.
There are lots of bands that aren’t exactly known for uniqueness but take special places in my music collection. But I also don’t expect them to be nominated for a Juno. I’d be stunned if Toronto’s Piledriver was nominated for a Juno, but they’re still my favourite band this week.
Presumably, a Juno award is given to an artist who produces music of exceptional quality. And with today’s announcement that Nickelback is nominated for a bunch of them, it appears whoever decides this Juno award stuff is just as vulnerable to advertising and peer pressure as those who buy tickets to see the Pussycat Dolls or Miley Cyrus.
Nickelback was nominated for Album of the Year, Single of the Year for “Gotta Be Somebody,” and Group of the Year. How they missed out on a Rock Album of the Year, I really don’t get, assuming the judges follow their own rules.
The only Nickelback nomination I can see fly is the one they received for fan choice award.
The reality is that there are so many Canadian artists who produce award-worthy music but didn’t catch the interest of the Juno people. They missed out on an opportunity to shine a light on singers and bands who don’t already sell CDs and concert tickets like Nickelback does.
Maybe the Juno people didn’t read the latest issue of SPIN Magazine, which gave a nod to Library Voices, a band from Regina that’s quickly winning fans and praise from critics. Their album Hunting Ghosts & Other Collected Shorts is a much better album that Nickelback’s Dark Horse, in my view anyway. I wasn’t asked for my opinion, but my vote would have gotten lost among all the Nickelback ballots.
What about Ontario’s Great Lake Swimmers? Other bands whose music is more Juno-worthy include The Dears, Final Fantasy, The Stills, Plants and Animals and Destroyer.
Thankfully, some envelope-pushing Canadian artists caught the eye of the Juno people, including Feist, Kardinal Offishall, Sarah Slean, Cancer Bats, Serena Ryder, Dallas Green, The Trews, Tokyo Police Club, Kathleen Edwards and Lights.
It seems to me that if bands worthy of a Juno are only those who sell the most CDs, then we really don’t need an awards show — or the expense. It makes more sense to give all the money to school music programs and mail the statues to the best-selling acts.
And on the night of the Junos is supposed to air, we can prepare for our own nod to high quality Canadian music and listen to Joel Plaskett, Rush, Gordon Lightfoot, Diana Krall, Jason Plumb and many, many others.
Friday, January 30, 2009
The glorious return of Piledriver
If there was ever a reason to be excited about heavy metal in Canada, now is the time thanks to a cherubic fellow named Gord Kirchin.
As the leader of Piledriver, Kirchin was a hero to thousands of young metal fans who crammed arenas and older folks who similarly filled smoky metal cubs in the 1980s. While Van Halen and Twisted Sister attracted the big crowds, Piledriver had its own fans, particularly in Europe, where right-thinking headbangers loved Kirchin’s fresh, wild approach to the genre.
Kirchin strapped on a leather mask with spikes, recorded sounds of saws and made sure plenty of blood was spilled. The cartoon approach was fabulously funny, and Kirchin and his fans appreciated the melding of comedy and ultra heavy metal. Thankfully, while the song titles and lyrics were deliberately mind-boggling, the music was mind bending. Kirchin and his recruited bandmates had the chops, and the sounds helped usher in a new era of new metal, popularized by the likes of Merciful Fate, Venom and Metallica.
But unlike their contemporaries, Piledriver figured it was okay to make fun of yourself and your music along the way. So on Piledriver’s 1983 debut album in Metal Inquisition, there’s Kirchin in full garb holding an upside flying V and using it to jackhammer a youngster’s head. But the best thing was that the music was as good as the cover was ridiculous. The popularity of the band escalated and the band played all over the world and a second record was released.
However, as things like this usually go, the band died and Kirchin essentially dropped off the musical map before 1990. He recorded a similarly excellent metal record under a new band Dogs with Jobs, but Kirchin wasn’t heard from again -- until now.
Kirchin has quit his day job, cashed in some RRSPs and is giving the metal world a whirl again.
Renamed The Exalted Piledriver – seems there are many Piledrivers throughout the world – Kirchin recruited some new members and has already played a number of gigs in and around Ontario and more gigs are planned. Just like in the old days, there’s interest in Europe, and the band was recently added to the Open Air Festival in Germany in July.
And the band's new CD Metal Manifesto is available through the band's website.
The coolest thing about Piledriver’s second life is that young metal fans have the opportunity to hear an excellent blend of classic hardcore and contemporary sounds.
Bands like Lamb of God, Coal Chamber and even Regina’s own Into Eternity are doing special things with the metal genre, but I urge you to give Piledriver a whirl, and enjoy the heavy hilarity.
Here they are on the web...
http://www.sofa-q.com/
A.M.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The weekend in music
THURSDAY:
— Regina Folk Festival presents: Mighty Po Po (pictured) — The Exchange
January 29, 7:30 —11:30 p.m., Tickets $14 in advance, $18 at the door. Advance tickets available from Vintage Vinyl, Bird Films and the SCES.
— Grassroots Regina presents: Nathan Rogers — The Club at The Exchange. 8 — 11:30 p.m., $12 at the door.
— Steve Arsenault performs at The Pump Roadhouse. Doors open at 8 p.m. Cover is $5.
— Jack Semple performs at The Whistle Stop (Casino Regina — Coffee Shop Series).
FRIDAY:
— Bastards, Knuckles Up, Amour Fou & Urindump perform at The Distrikt. Doors open at 9 p.m.
— Live Heavy Metal Karaoke - The Exchange. 8 — 11:30 p.m.
— Steve Arsenault performs at The Pump Roadhouse. Doors open at 8 p.m. Cover is $5.
— Chris Matchett & John Bjerke at The Whistle Stop (Casino Regina - Coffee Shop Series).
SATURDAY:
— Steve Arsenault performs at The Pump Roadhouse. Doors open at 8 p.m. Cover is $5.
— Honeymoon Suite & Headpins at Casino Regina Show Lounge.
— Third Degree Birnz performs at The Drink. Show’s at 8 p.m. Cover is $5.
— Bob Evans performs at The Exchange, 8 p.m. — midnight. Tickers are $15, $20 at the door, tickets are also available at Bach and Beyond, Cobb Swanson Music and B-Sharp Music. www.bobevansguitar.com.
— RSO Mosaic Masterworks Concert Series presents: Three’s Company — with guest artist Trio Frontenac at Conexus Arts Centre, 8 p.m.
— Jeffery Straker performs at Holy Rosery Cathedral Hall.
— Chris Matchett & John Bjerke at The Whistle Stop (Casino Regina - Coffee Shop Series).
Monday, January 26, 2009
CDs out Tuesday
Bruce Springsteen "Working on a Dream."
Franz Ferdinand "Tonight" (Sony)
Renee Olstead "Skylark" (Reprise)
"2009 Grammy Nominees" (Rhino)
"The Empyrean" (Adrenaline)
The Bird and the Bee, "Ray Guns are Not Just the Future" (Blue Note)
Pat Green, "What I'm For" (RCA)
Hoobastank, "For(n)ever" (Island)
Keith Jarrett, "Yesterdays" (ECM)
Dean Martin, "Amore" (Capitol)
Steve Martin, "The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo" (40 Productions)
Paul McCartney, "Amoeba's Secret" (EP) (Hear Music)
Kylie Minogue, "Boombox" (Astralwerks)
Mark Olson, Gary Louris, "Ready for the Flood" (New West)
Enrico Rava, "New York Days" (ECM)
Duncan Sheik, "Whisper House" (RCA)
Various Artists, "Wow Gospel 2009" (Verity)
Various Artists, "WWE: The Music, Vol. 9" (Sony)
Soundtracks and scores:
"World's Fair: To Broadway with Love" (DRG)
Franz Ferdinand "Tonight" (Sony)
Renee Olstead "Skylark" (Reprise)
"2009 Grammy Nominees" (Rhino)
"The Empyrean" (Adrenaline)
The Bird and the Bee, "Ray Guns are Not Just the Future" (Blue Note)
Pat Green, "What I'm For" (RCA)
Hoobastank, "For(n)ever" (Island)
Keith Jarrett, "Yesterdays" (ECM)
Dean Martin, "Amore" (Capitol)
Steve Martin, "The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo" (40 Productions)
Paul McCartney, "Amoeba's Secret" (EP) (Hear Music)
Kylie Minogue, "Boombox" (Astralwerks)
Mark Olson, Gary Louris, "Ready for the Flood" (New West)
Enrico Rava, "New York Days" (ECM)
Duncan Sheik, "Whisper House" (RCA)
Various Artists, "Wow Gospel 2009" (Verity)
Various Artists, "WWE: The Music, Vol. 9" (Sony)
Soundtracks and scores:
"World's Fair: To Broadway with Love" (DRG)
Lamb of God concert announcement
NO FEAR ENERGY MUSIC TOUR FEATURING
LAMB OF GOD
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
CHILDREN OF BODOM
AS I LAY DYING
MUNICIPAL WASTE
AND
GOD FORBID
SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2009
SASKATOON PRAIRIE LAND PARK – SASKATOON, SK
DOORS 6:00PM SHOW 7:00PM
TICKETS ON SALE SATURDAY JANUARY 31ST @ 10AM
Tickets available at Ticketmaster Or Charge by Phone 306-938-7800 &
1-800-970-7328
Tickets (incl. GST) $39.50
(Plus FMF & Service charges)
**GENERAL ADMISSION**
Fresh off of their west coast run with Metallica and upcoming visits to Finland, UK, Ireland, Australia, Japan, and Indonesia, Lamb of God have teamed up with No Fear Energy for the North American tour in support of their fifth studio album “Wrath” which will be released by Epic Records February 24th. The tour commences in Phoenix, Arizona on April 2nd and covers 35 markets in the US and Canada, ending in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina May 15th.
“No Fear Energy is excited to be working with Lamb of God, Live Nation and the solid line-up of support bands for this upcoming tour,” said No Fear’s Vice President Of Marketing, Britt Galland. “The music on this Tour fits perfectly into the no-holds-barred lifestyle of those who buy No Fear Energy drinks and gravitate toward the action- sports properties associated with the No Fear brand image. We’re anticipating another popular metal tour, along with some unique product promotions and contests.”
Tickets and more information are available at www.livenation.com
Lamb of God has put together one of the strongest bills to come out of the metal community in recent times. As I Lay Dying and Children of Bodom are the main support acts on the tour, with the opening slot rotating between Municipal Waste and God Forbid. Lamb of God drummer, Chris Adler, commented “I cannot wait to begin the first North American run of the ‘Wrath’ world tour. The package we have lined up is guaranteed to leave sore necks and broken eardrums across the country. If you are into metal, there is something here for everyone, this is not a tour to miss. We are working up one hell of a show and can't wait to play the new material. See you there! “
Don’t miss Lamb Of God with special guests Children Of Bodom, As I Lay Dying, Municipal Waste and God Forbid at Saskatoon Prairie land Park on April 12th 2009.
ABOUT LIVE NATION
Live Nation's mission is to maximize the live concert experience for artists, fans and sponsors. Our core business is buying and producing artist rights and monetizing those rights via our global distribution pipe. Live Nation is the largest producer of live music concerts in the world, annually producing over 16,000 concerts for 1,500 artists in 57 countries. The company sells over 45 million concert tickets a year and expects to drive over 60 million unique visitors to livenation.com in 2008. Live Nation is transforming the concert business by expanding its concert platform into direct concert ticketing and building the industry's only artist-to-fan vertically integrated concert platform. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol "LYV."
LAMB OF GOD
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
CHILDREN OF BODOM
AS I LAY DYING
MUNICIPAL WASTE
AND
GOD FORBID
SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2009
SASKATOON PRAIRIE LAND PARK – SASKATOON, SK
DOORS 6:00PM SHOW 7:00PM
TICKETS ON SALE SATURDAY JANUARY 31ST @ 10AM
Tickets available at Ticketmaster Or Charge by Phone 306-938-7800 &
1-800-970-7328
Tickets (incl. GST) $39.50
(Plus FMF & Service charges)
**GENERAL ADMISSION**
Fresh off of their west coast run with Metallica and upcoming visits to Finland, UK, Ireland, Australia, Japan, and Indonesia, Lamb of God have teamed up with No Fear Energy for the North American tour in support of their fifth studio album “Wrath” which will be released by Epic Records February 24th. The tour commences in Phoenix, Arizona on April 2nd and covers 35 markets in the US and Canada, ending in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina May 15th.
“No Fear Energy is excited to be working with Lamb of God, Live Nation and the solid line-up of support bands for this upcoming tour,” said No Fear’s Vice President Of Marketing, Britt Galland. “The music on this Tour fits perfectly into the no-holds-barred lifestyle of those who buy No Fear Energy drinks and gravitate toward the action- sports properties associated with the No Fear brand image. We’re anticipating another popular metal tour, along with some unique product promotions and contests.”
Tickets and more information are available at www.livenation.com
Lamb of God has put together one of the strongest bills to come out of the metal community in recent times. As I Lay Dying and Children of Bodom are the main support acts on the tour, with the opening slot rotating between Municipal Waste and God Forbid. Lamb of God drummer, Chris Adler, commented “I cannot wait to begin the first North American run of the ‘Wrath’ world tour. The package we have lined up is guaranteed to leave sore necks and broken eardrums across the country. If you are into metal, there is something here for everyone, this is not a tour to miss. We are working up one hell of a show and can't wait to play the new material. See you there! “
Don’t miss Lamb Of God with special guests Children Of Bodom, As I Lay Dying, Municipal Waste and God Forbid at Saskatoon Prairie land Park on April 12th 2009.
ABOUT LIVE NATION
Live Nation's mission is to maximize the live concert experience for artists, fans and sponsors. Our core business is buying and producing artist rights and monetizing those rights via our global distribution pipe. Live Nation is the largest producer of live music concerts in the world, annually producing over 16,000 concerts for 1,500 artists in 57 countries. The company sells over 45 million concert tickets a year and expects to drive over 60 million unique visitors to livenation.com in 2008. Live Nation is transforming the concert business by expanding its concert platform into direct concert ticketing and building the industry's only artist-to-fan vertically integrated concert platform. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol "LYV."
Miss out on Eagles tickets?
Hey friends...
I had heard a rumour this might happen, and it was confirmed today when a third Eagles show was added in Saskatoon. For details, read today's leaderpost.com.
http://www.leaderpost.com/Entertainment/Eagles+landing+again/1219252/story.html
I had heard a rumour this might happen, and it was confirmed today when a third Eagles show was added in Saskatoon. For details, read today's leaderpost.com.
http://www.leaderpost.com/Entertainment/Eagles+landing+again/1219252/story.html
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