So today I'm wandering around Bayshore Shopping Centre here in lovely west-end Ottawa(nice mall, for those of you thinking of doing the Ottawa Tourist Thing this summer), and I'm just putzing around, you know, hunting for a job opening somewhere maybe, and I hear 'Love Song' by The Cure over the PA, only it's not the Cure. It's the 311 cover. Weird to hear 311 in a shopping mall. Oh, and this writer has an interview at Music World Friday. So let's all hope he can get a job he'll actually maybe like.
This Just In: southern Ontario hardcore band Keep It Up have been added to the Alexisonfire/Boysnightout show at Babylon April 21st. The bill also features Blue Skies at War, who've been called Canada's answer to Boysetsfire(presumably that means pre-major label Boysetsfire). The show is sold out, but if you have a) a ticket or b) major clout with the organizers, you get Keep It Up in your face too. Booyah!
Some highlights from the Project 86 camp's latest e-newsletter: "Eight years into what has been a whirlwind career for the Orange County natives, Project 86 are returning to their roots, releasing their fourth studio album, entitled Songs to Burn Your Bridges By, June 1, 2004 on Tooth &
Nail Records....*a bunch of history-of-the-band stuff*....In 2003 the band parted ways not only with both record labels, but with their management company as well. From there the band worked independently, gaining new management (Zambooie Artists Management), beginning their own production company, Team Black Recordings, and started recording a new record themselves, eventually persuading Matt Hyde(Slayer, No Doubt) to join them in their efforts. Seeming more like an evolution from (1999's)Drawing Black Lines than the ominous direction (2002's)Truthless Heroes took, (Tooth and Nail president Brandon) Ebel recognized the transformation as a welcome change. And from there the band and label began talks, first in healing their relationship and joining forces for the upcoming project." So there you have it. After releasing their first three records with Tooth and Nail, the Project are back home, so to speak. I for one look forward to the new record.
Essential listening for today is Goldfinger's self-titled 1996 album. This fine, fine piece contains the classics 'Here In Your Bedroom' and 'Mabel', and was one of my first introductory punk rock primers. Yes. Move on it.
This Just In, Part II: Point Of Recognition's 2000 album, Refresh, Renew, a killer record to be sure, has an error: the second track is called 'Self-Inflicted Death Setence'. Not 'Sentence'. Just thought I'd mention it. Man, I miss them.
A little concert news for the masses: local band If Tomorrow Comes have been tapped to open for Evergreen Terrace; I can't remember offhand when this show is, but it's confirmed. Rejoice!
Ottawa band The Transit are, as you read this, touring half of Canada with their four-man rock ruckus, and the fellas at junkedcamera.com were in Kingston April 7th to catch them opening for Bear Vs. Shark; check out the live shots and review right over here. I think The Transit's homecoming show in Ottawa is May...2nd, I think? I think.
Congratulations to my Toronto Raptors on their two-game winning streak to wrap up their season. Too bad they couldn't win like that when it counted: in the NBA playoff race. BOOO! BOOO, I say!!!
I can't rave enough about this band Duvall, so instead of doing that, I'll let you all read this interview with vocalist/ringleader Josh Caterer, covering his former bands and where they're at now, emo and God. Yesh yesh y'all. Oh, and there won't be a Smoking Popes reunion, so quit your bellyachin'! [rockrebel]
We lied about Killswitch Engage the other day(maybe even yesterday); their new album is called The End of Heartache and it ain't out til May 11th. So we're a bunch of filthy liars around here. Sue us. It'll be a great record, by the way. [soundthesirens]
One of my longtime favourite pop bands, the venerable Fountains of Wayne, are gonna tour the world! Yes, it's true, kiddies. Okay, the band are only touring America. Whatever. No Canadian dates listed as yet. FoW won 'Best New Artist' at the Grammys a couple months back - even though they've been around since 1996. The Grammy folks aren't really on the ball. Tour itinerary:
04/19 - Syracuse, NY @ Landmark Theatre
04/22 - Piscataway, NJ @ Livingston Recreation Center
04/23 - Washington, DC @ Bender Arena
04/26 - Myrtle Beach, SC @ House Of Blues
04/28 - West Palm Beach, FL @ SunFest
04/29 - Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House Of Blues
05/01 - Atlanta, GA @ Music Midtown Festival
05/02 - Nashville, TN @ Best Buy Nashville River Stages
05/06 - Boston, MA @ Avalon
05/07 - New York, NY @ Roseland
05/08 - Chicago, IL @ 93XRT Rockin' De Mayo Fest
05/13 - Las Vegas, NV @ Palms Hotel & Casino
05/14 - Chula Vista, CA @ Coors Amphitheatre
05/15 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern LG
05/28 - Norfolk, VA @ Town Point Park
05/29 - Dewey Beach, DE @ Baycenter At Rusty Rudder
06/18 - Birmingham, AL @ City Stages
06/27 - Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest
07/03 - Harrisburg, PA @ American Music Fest
07/14 - Albany, NY @ Empire State Plaza
07/25 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Hartwood Amphitheatre
If you wanted to see The Jealous Sound in Montreal opening for Switchfoot only to discover that they'd bailed on the tour, fret not: the band are heading out again with Piebald. The tour hits Ottawa at Club Saw May 26th. For the rest of the shows, check this here out.
As we reported here last week, Squad 5-0's new album Late News Breaking is done and will hit stores(in America anyway, who knows about us here in Canada) June 29th, and a tour with ex-D-Generation frontman Jesse Malin is being put together right as you read this!!! Aren't you excited?? [aversion]
This has me a little amped: a new Beastie Boys album summer? To The 5 Boroughs is apparently upon us. We'll see. And check it out: Beastie ringleader Adam Yauch is apparently the producer behind the new studio album from Bad Brains. No joke! New Bad Brains!
Even though Sir Jorge of Culver of hardcorechristian dislikes Atlanta metal heavyweights Norma Jean, he still posted the other day where apparently almost every show on the band's current tour has been a sellout. I highly approve! Norma Jean kill.
Holy crap: Illinois newcomers Haste the Day are gonna open up on the Zao/As I Lay Dying/Throwdown tour this summer. If this show doesn't come to Ottawa, heads will roll. Scallen or Nick or Josh, I hope you're reading this!!
If you watch MTV(sad if you do), behold, a reason to exist further: Norma Jean(them again) are cohosting Headbangers' Ball this coming weekend. How 'bout that!
Billy Graham, perhaps the greatest evangelist of our time, is doing another Crusade this summer. Who's the big-name musical act this time out? Relient K. Are you kidding me? What is this, a joke?
Head Automatica, a side project of Glassjaw vocalist Daryl Palumbo, are touring with Lostprophets and Dashboard Confessional. That has to be an early contender for the Weirdest Tour of the Year award. [punkhardcore]
Is it just me, or are N.E.R.D. annoying? Just a question.
noisetheory.org likes the new album from Dead Poetic - a lot, apparently. Four of five stars? Heck yeah. I gotta hear this record!
Calgary's finest punk band Belvedere are touring Canada on the Grind Tour soon; check out this feature on the band with frontman Steve Rawles, and check out the dates for the Grind jaunt here while you're at it.
The End! Wow, long update today.
Posted by mike at April 15, 2004 05:36 PM