Guitar Licks » Toronto Bands

Taste of the Danforth 2011

Chris — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 17:15:40 +0000

We decided to check out the Taste of the Danforth this year and it was … well, busy as usual. The weather was fantastic! It drizzled a little bit during the visit which brought out that high humidity that I love so much. The sounds, smells and overall atmosphere is quite intoxicating to take in, in such a short period of time.

We live about a 15 minute walk away, but it seems to take much longer due to the fact that some 1.3 million people who show up every year to the Taste of the Danforth, were right in front of us. If you ever get the opportunity to visit the festival, I highly recommend going … unless you hate crowds and good food!

This year we came armed with a decent sized back pack to put some of the zillion or so delicacies that we were bombard with from every direction in, to take home with us for later consumption. Greek food (obviously), Ethiopian, Taiwanese, Japanese, Irish, British, the Islands, Mexican, to name only a few, food stands are everywhere. Calories as far as the eyes can see. We bought a little bit of food to taste as we walked along the 3 km stretch of closed off roadway and then as I said bought a little bit more to stuff in my backpack to eat today!

The journey lasted around 3.5 hours. The dogs they aren’t a barkin’ all that much but as for my wife’s … It was just plain fantastic to get out of the ‘olde house for a while and finally enjoy some of the spectacular local events that are held in the little city of Toronto.

I’ve got some pic’s on the camera phone that I’ll upload sometime soon but I can’t find that damn USB connector. Am I the only one in the world to loose that thing from time to time?

Keep on Jammin’

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Nash the Slash and Iggy Pop interview

Chris — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:15:53 +0000

Here is a rare video of Nash the Slash and Iggy Pop interviewing themselves after a concert in Calgary Alberta sometime in 1982. I think it was 1982 because Nash was on a North American tour with Iggy Pop from February-April in 1982.

They just appear to be having a great time in each others presence. I’m not sure what they’re getting at or if there is any purpose to the interview but it sure is entertaining at times! In one section someone alludes to the fact that it is being shot in a local TV studio somewhere in Calgary.If anyone out there knows more about the video please tell me, I’d love to find out.

Nash can’t remember, but he thinks there are serious stories to be told here, but..he…can’t…. remember. Jim…..Help!!! Just kidding. Iggy and Nash remember everything that happened over the entire six week tour, but they refuse to incriminate each other.
Nash the Slash’s Gravesite

At one point in the video, they show us some of the finer points of yoga and stretching. Come to think of it, they may have been the forerunners of the 20 Minute Workout video’s? Remember that show?

The video is very poor and grainy at times, I’ll warn you now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGZnP_oNVko

A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of meeting the man, without the bandages, at a local patio. It was so cool to finally meet a boyhood legend that it left me speechless … yes speechless!

Keep on Jammin’

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Just listening to some good old Wilton Said

Chris — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 05:01:24 +0000

I’m sitting back and relaxing this morning with a cup of Joe and not craving a smoke! Quitting is not all that hard … it’s just fighting the cravings once or twice a day that is a killer!

When checking out Facebook to see what was up, I realized that a buddy of mine (Wilton Said) had some sort of new web site, actually it’s his newsletter, that I was unaware of so I visited it. The newsletter had been around for a while, man am I ever behind on the old computer, so I just had to search for some neat ideas from this great keyboardists!

The site is nice and sleek. Simple to navigate and of coarse full of great tunes from the band! Right now I’m listening over and over to a song that I believe, sums up the idea of the band. It’s called The Empty Sky part 1. Every time I hear it, this one song brings me back to the first time I saw Wilton and his band at the Nuance festival for the first time two years ago.

I came across this fantastic interview of Wilton on Bill’s Prog Blog that I enjoyed reading. It talks about Wilton’s humble beginnings, what he and his band are up to now and what’s to come in the future. If you’ve never heard of this band before or your just into music that will make you think, then your search is over! Enjoy everyone and your welcome!

Keep on Jammin’ Wilton Said

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My next live gig is at Sarah’s Cafe on Danforth Ave.

Chris — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:37:46 +0000

I’ll be performing on Sunday July 11th at Sarah’s Cafe Bar which is located at 1426 Danforth Avenue, Toronto. I normally don’t announce where I play but this is unique venue to play. It’s an open mike event with a crowd that is quite musically educated. It’s full of singer song writers that mostly entertain the audience with their own original works of art. The audience just sits back and respectfully admires the performers. Now this is a crowd that I am looking for!

This event is called Acoustic Afternoon and is run by a well known local music lover/performer/promoter named Dan McLean Jr. This is not the only show that he runs in Toronto. He also runs gigs for local musician’s like Emerging Artists at Free Times Café at 320 College St on the last Wednesday of every month, The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern at 370 Queen St W and of coarse the one at Sarah’s.

While at Sarah’s last Sunday I met this guy sitting at the bar named Jason. If you have a moment, check out some of his Pod Cast shows that are available on his site. Anyway, Jason told me that he had just played on stage a minute ago. He said that he just recently started attending some shows and was going up on stage to try out some of his new material and said that the crowd is just amazing!

So if you’ve got a minute to spare this coming Sunday then head off to Sarah’s Cafe Bar and kick back for some fantastic local talent! Hell, maybe I’ll get my crowbar out to pry open my wallet and buy ya a beverage or two, cheers!

Keep on Jammin’

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Playing at a talent show at work

Chris — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:23:53 +0000

Well I was asked to perform at this years talent show at the old hospital. It was fun just going up there and playing a few songs with 2 separate acts! The guys in each act are great co-workers. I’ve met both of them over the years and we get together with once in a blue moon for a little relaxing jam.

The first act was with Adrian. We both played guitar and shared vocals on Hole Hearted by Extreme. We pulled it off ok. Adrian, no not the guy from Rocky, is a great bass player with audio skills that most musicians would love to have on stage with them. His place is crammed with tons of sound equipment. Mic’s, a couple of sound boards set up and functioning, a couple of computers, instruments, even a couple of disco balls all ready to be fired up!

In the second act I performed with Sean. Sean is a south paw who played guitar and the harmonica. His main forte is drums. The number we played was Neil Young’s acoustic version of Rockin’ in the Free World. Sean pulled off a great harmonica solo half way through the song and the crowd seemed to like it.

The only thing that made my blood boil was the DJ/sound guy. He is a great guy don’t get me wrong, it’s just that he was very late to show up and we only had a couple of seconds for a sound check each right before each song. The sound was distorted and unbalanced so much so that some of the audience members commented on it after the show. I guess when your a group that is using a Karaoke sound board in a live show, what can you expect, right?!

I am a perfectionist that loves to use nuances of sound and push them to it’s limits, that is what I’m known for during performances. Depth is my best friend. That day, I left depth behind, only to use the polite words of the audience as a prop.

So that’s what is new with me so far this summer. Otherwise I’ve been doing some great gardening, welcoming new neighbours next door and taking life real easy. Once in a while you just have to sit back and not only smell the roses but work on them too!

Keep on Jammin’

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RUSH enters 2010 Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

Chris — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 04:01:28 +0000

RUSH will be inducted to this years 6th Annual Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The event will be taking place on March 28 at The Toronto Centre for the Arts. Also included in this years inductees is Robert Charlebois.

RUSH declined playing for the event despite the Hall of Fame’s insistence. They instead wanted to follow proper protocol having other acts pay tribute to them by performing their own unique take on some of the RUSH’s most popular songs. Man this is gonna be a great show!

First up will be Hamilton folk/roots musician Jacob Moon, at Rush’s invitation, will perform his solo acoustic version of “Subdivisions,” which has gone viral on YouTube.

Then there’s St. Catharine’s own rockers Alexisonfire. They will do their interpretation of Tom Sawyer and last but not least California bass virtuoso and Geddy Lee protege Les Claypool, will do his rendition of The Spirit of Radio.

There will be another tribute to the band by way of a Documentary. It will highlight the rise of RUSH’s past 40 years as Canada’s most celebrated band! it will be by filmmakers Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn titled RUSH: Beyond The Lighted Stage. The premiere will take place at this years Hot Docs Festival from April 29 through to May 9 (see www.hotdocs.ca/festival).

So hats off to the old boys because it’s about time!

Hey RUSH, Keep on Jammin’

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Rush performing 2112 Live in 1976

Chris — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 22:51:24 +0000

Rush’s 1976 album titled 2112 was a huge hit in my circle of friends. After listening to it the first time on the radio I had to go out and purchase it! Once I had it in my sweaty little palms I literally ran off to my brother Tim’s stereo a Apollo 861 by Electrohome and began my long journey in trying to reproduce this album on my guitar!

After attempting to reproduce as much as I could all my buddies were lining up for lessons! The learning curve was not that bad for most of my buddies but at times I must admit it was frustrating! During this period I was playing in this band called Deuce with Brian McGlinchy and Eddie Cudek from Gemini. We attempted 2112 and in the bands eye’s it was perfect, as for me well…

Then I joined a band with the great keyboardist Tony F. and guitarist Mike Vantresca? We didn’t have a name but we sure sounded fantastic! I recall trying to play 2112 and with Tony’s magical keyboard sounded quite better then Deuce, sorry guys.

Rush – 2112 (Live 1976)
Uploaded by tinkerdill. – Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Then after leaving Pylis, I was playing with Domenic Nardone, Eddie Steel and Jon Penrose. I must admit Domenic was outstanding on this tune! It was like Dom was born to play anything that Neil Peart could do.

So I hope that you all enjoy vintage RUSH performing 2112 and I know I’ll be thinking of Domenic on drums whenever I listen to it!

Keep on Jammin’

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The Old Gasworks was a Toronto institution for music lovers and bands

Chris — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:01:54 +0000

The Gasworks was an iconic Toronto bar that helped launch the careers of many a band. The name of the bar was also in the movie Wayne’s World!

Just a side note here folks, the trivia of Wayne’s World is something that everyone will find quite funny and familiar to all of us who grew up in the area!

Credit Dan McLaughlin

The bar was at 585 Yonge St. and man that bar rocked! Back in it’s hey day, it was considered Toronto’s entertainment district, man has that changed!

The thing that I remember the most was the beer bottles that they served there, they were HUGE! They were called Quarts if memory serves me correctly?

Information about this Toronto institution on line is quite limited. I did find a neat blog post that talks about this person’s wildest time at the Gasworks! It talks about the ambiance of the place right down to the red and white vinyl table cloths.

Credit Burlap Jacket

Has anyone out there been inside the hallowed halls of the Gasworks in it’s heyday? We’d love to hear some wild stories!

Keep on Jammin’ at the Gasworks!

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Nuance Holiday Soundscapes for the Kids music festival’s Toy Drive

Chris — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:44:23 +0000

This segment of Nuance, Toronto’s premier Progressive/Art Rock music festival, is called NUANCE Holiday Soundscape for the Kids It will be focusing on a Toy Drive for the needy children of this city.

The toys will be delivered to the United Way of Toronto and it’s agencies. The United way for many years have proven themselves the best bang for your charity buck! Kudos to Wilton Said in his choice of charity groups to support! The event information is below.

NUANCE Holiday Soundscape for the Kids
A Showcase of Indie Art Rock/Pop
Date – Sun Dec 6th.
Venue – THE BLACK SWAN TAVERN (2nd floor), 154 Danforth Ave just east of Broadview, Toronto Ontario
Door Cover – $10, or $5.00 with Toy Drive. (new, unwrapped,non-violent)
NUANCE Website – http://www.myspace.com/nuancegta
All Ages (under 18yrs accompanied by an adult)
Doors open at 7:00pm

Featuring….
Amnesia Vivace
Wilton Said…
Lorne Hind 360

This years show will be truly a worthy case. Not only will the children benefit from proceeds from the show but the Prog/Art Rock community will help support local merchants during these tough economic times that we are all facing.

As I’ve said before about past Nuance shows, the annual Toronto Indie Music Festival, the talent here is unmatched and it will not disappoint! I’ve been there, done that and now I’m hooked!!!

So come out with the gift of a toy and support the many aspects of NUANCE Holiday Soundscape for the Kids this coming Sunday December 6th and have a very Merry Prog/Art Rock Christmas Everyone!

Keep on Jammin’

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NUANCE Soundscape Sundays

Chris — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:41:48 +0000

Hole shit it’s that time again kidz and I just about forgot! Tonight is NUANCE Soundscape Sundays!
It’s a celebration of everything progressive and art rock all in one location and at the fabulous price of $5 admission!

For more info. please go to the NUANCE Soundscape Sundays site for further info.! Hope to see ya there! Wilton, I hope to see ya …

Keep on Jammin’ Wilton and friends!!!

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