Guitars, tips and great music discussions
I hope that all of you out there are having fun during this holiday season and don’t drink and drive cause it ain’t worth it!
So Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) and to everyone reading this blog!
Keep on Jammin’ in the New Year
The Ramones are the forefathers of what genre? Some might call them new masters of garage rock minimalism. Others refer to the Ramone’s unique sound as either punk, new wave, power pop, or even surf punk but I just call them a GREAT Rock & Roll band!
So where did this idea for a post come from you say? To be honest with ya I was going through the paper the other day … while waiting in the ER at work as a patient this time around! I threw out my back a little bit while moving a VERY LARGE SET patient in a stretcher to his room. The Star (a big newspaper in Toronto) hands out free papers for patients and friends for free. I found an article in the Travel section. It was about what to do and see in Berlin, if your ever there, then this article about the Ramone’s Museum jumped right off the page at me. Check out the exhibits on the site, their really neat … I think you have to be a die hard Ramones lover to appreciate them.
My God they pulled off some great albums, 24 I think in total! The one’s that I had at one point in my life were Ramones (1976), Rocket to Russia (1977) and End of the Century (1980). I know that it’s hard to picture any of these musical creations in a vinyl collection such as mine but I knew they were a true stand out band that had their eyes wide open about the world in which they/we live in.
Tunes like Hey Ho … Let’s go!, Rock & Roll High School (I fell in love with that little riff just before the chorus, that was my idea of speed guitar soloing!!!), I wanna be sedated, Pet Sematary, Do you remember Rock and Roll Radio and a ship list more!
The thing that ties the Ramones way of life or legend together the most is not a song, album or scandal but the bar that seemed very close to their hearts and that of coarse was CBGB’s in New York city. I just drove by the place in a cab the couple of times that I was in the New York city and that was the closes that I ever got to the place! CBGB’s has such a close relationship with the band that they hold a Joey Ramone memorial ever year for the God father of Punk (or whatever you yourself classify them as being).
I’ve never been to Germany before but has someone out there been to this historic city and went to see the Ramones Museum? Is it worth going to even though you may not be a HUGE Ramones fan? Just wondering!
Keep on Jammin’
Old Town Fries in Orillia Ontario are the best fries in the land! An old friend of the family opened up this great Chip Wagon in the Town of Orillia that reminds me of Brantford’s own famous chips called Stan’s Chip Wagon! The owners were 2 nice guys called George and Stan. I never did get their last names, sorry bout that guys.
Bob is one of those hard working nice guys that you just love to see succeed in no matter what they are doing! Bob and his partner Lynne Kirkby seem to be the perfect working couple.
My wife and I went up to check out their Old Town Fries and we loved their culinary delights! A mutual friend called Jerry says that Bob’s Dogs are the best thing on the menu and it’s hard to argue that one. Also did I say that Bob is a fabulous guitar player?
OLD TOWN FRIES, in the City of Orillia, is as their slogan says “more than just fries”. What better addition to your meal of fresh cut fries than a quarter pound of pure beef hamburger, half pound Big Dog hotdog (or little dog for the smaller appetite), five perfect slices of Peameal bacon, mild sausage, or crispy chicken served on a bun, or hot Buffalo wings all dressed the way you like them. Is your mouth salivating?
Their Chip wagon in the parking lot beside Trombly’s Tackle Box 595 West St. S. in Orillia. So if your ever up in the Orillia ask the locals for directions and I am more then sure everyone knows the way to the Old Town Fires! Tell bob and Lynne that I sent ya!
Keep on Jammin’
The 1980’s pioneer synth-rock band DEVO, that gave us those red flowerpots (a.k.a. “energy-domes”) that they wore on their heads and their signature phrase Are we not men, we are DEVO is back on tour this year. DEVO stands for (The De-Evolution Band) just in case your wondering!
The only exposure, and greatest memory, of the band was way back when they played Massey Hall in the early 80’s.
My brother took me to a show and we had seats on the first balcony, first row centre/right. It was my first concert that my brother Tim took me to. At one part of the night, there was this guy beside us that was passing around his binoculars. I thought that from our vantage point we didn’t need to use them but when it was passed to me, I said why not! As I placed the spectacles up to my face, smoke was coming out of the right eye lens … do I need to say anymore?
In the middle of the show the lights went down and there was a low repetitive drone sound coming from the band. All you could see on stage was the lights from their amps or on stage computers. This went on for about 2 minutes then in the balcony above us this flash pot went off! It was the lead singer from the band (Mark Mothersbaugh) hanging from a rope with a single spot light on him!
He proceeded down the rope to our balcony. Mark then undid his belt and started whipping members of the audience! They were falling all over the place, wow! Then he went over the first balcony onto the floor and continued whipping more in attendance. I recall seeing this older couple with wild hair, weird clothing and rolling around on the ground like they were having a seizure.
I wish the band well and if you get a chance to see these crazy kidz when they come to your neck of the woods go out and see them! Just watch out for Mark’s belt.
Keep on Jammin’
Lee’s palace is a fabulous place to see a band. The history of the bands that have played there is long and legendary! It is Toronto’s premier alternative Rock venue.
The first floor is where the bands play and the top floor, called the Dance Cave, is where … well all the dancing goes on!
The list of past performers are a who’s who of international Alternative Rock bands. My favorites that have graced us with their musical presence were Shuffle Demons, Nirvana, Grapes Of Wrath, Tragically Hip, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Pursuit Of Happiness, Forgotten Rebels, Scott Merritt (a good old Brantford boy), The Lemonheads, Crash Vegas, Gaye Bikers on Acid, Goo Goo Dolls, The Tea Party, I Mother Earth, The Headstones (Hugh Dillion), Smashing Pumpkins, Spin Doctors (guitarist is from Toronto), The Rembrandts, Blind Melon, Philosopher Kings, Ed The Sock (he is a real sock!), Collective Soul, Oasis, Big Sugar, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Better Than Ezra, Alanis Morissette, The Presidents of The United States of America, Great Big Sea, even Yoko Ono played there in 1996 (with her and John Lennon’s son Sean in the backup band Ima!). As a side note: the best band that I ever saw there was called Needy Fingers, with world renown bassist Todd Williams! Cerafim, now called Counterpoint, performed there as well! Now that is an impressive line up!
The venue known as Lee’s palace has been open since 1985, It is located at located at 529 Bloor St. W. Toronto in The Annex section of the city. I have been in this place so many times that I can’t remember. Maybe it had something to do with earlier visits to Ye Olde Brunswick House only a hop, skip and a stagger away! Anyways, I just love that place!
The hall itself originally was opened in 1919 under the name of Allen’s Bloor Theatre. Part of the Allen’s theatre company that was started off by it’s owners in Brantford Ontario. Across the street is another great hall called The Bloor. Check out the video if your into local history.
So who else out there had a good time in this Toronto Landmark that they can remember! Go ahead, test out your old grey matter and write back here soon!
Lee’s Palace, Keep on Jammin’
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!
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 7:00pmFeaturing….
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’