Guitars, tips and great music discussions
I’ve never been in a Mosh Pit before but it sure looks fun! A Mosh Pit looks like something that you should experience at least once in your life, if your in GREAT shape that is. This pic shows that it’s open up for anyone and isn’t that what life’s all about?! Has anyone out there been in one before I’d love to know what it is all about!
God that looks like a blast doesn't it!
Keep on Jammin’
I have been a lover of the Big Band sound ever since I was little musician! When I found out about an old band mate had a Big Band called The 905 Band I just had to check them out.
Chris W. was the drummer and singer of Pylis. He also played guitar a wee bit and he was pretty good, even thought he thought that I was the least talented in that band! Now that wasn’t nice of him now was it?! Ha, gotcha CHICKEN MAN!
I caught up with him when the Keyboardist Tony F. and his wife thought that it would be a great idea if we got together for a concert with other bands from that time for a night of live music! What a FABULOUS idea I thought. I must admit that performing with these guys again really got my musical juices flowing. We did the show at The Hardball Cafe in Milton in November 2006.
So before we jammed he said that his band called The 905 Band was playing at Timothy’s in Etobicoke and I thought it would be great to see both of them. I went into the bar with this sign saying I liked you better on the drums and went right up to him in front of the stage while the band was playing trying to put him off his game! It didn’t work but we all got a laugh out of it!
The sound that these guys had was amazing! The mix was perfect and their set list was very impressive to say the least! I had the chance to meet a few of them after the show and these guys are a class act! The one singer/bassist well …
If your a lover of that Big Band sound then treat yourself someday and checkout where and when their playing next … it’s worth the drive trust me on this one!
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’
This years 25th anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concerts was one of those shows that you wish that you had taken in! Both shows this year took place on Oct 29-30 at Madison Square Garden in New York city.
For Thursday’s show, the line up and set list was unreal! On Friday the line up was just as impressive!
There were far too many acts for me to single out which one that really got my attention but the best act that I saw on line was Stevie Wonder and Jeff Beck playing superstition! God those boys still ROCK!
If most of you like myself, who were not one of the many lucky ones in attendance at either show, it will on HBO U.S. in between Nov. 30, 2009 – Jan. 03, 2010 and HBO Canada in between Nov. 9th to Dec. 30th 2009 in HD. I just programed my PVR right now!
So did anyone out there check out either show in New York?
Keep on jammin’
Cat Stevens is going back out on the road after 30 long years of obscurity! I wonder what kind of groups will be following him? Ah, I know that was a bad one! I just love the man’s songs.
Scottie, Myro is what we called him amongst other names, was the one who taught me some of his songs. They were simple to play but much more fun to listen to. I always thought that both of us would get a chance to see this legendary folk guitarist/song writer perform together. Myro if your reading this post, if I win the lottery we’re there brother!
Singer-songwriter Yusuf Islam, known as Cat Stevens in the 1970s, takes the stage in Dublin on Sunday, the first performance of his first full tour since 1976.
Born Steven Demetre Georgiou in London, the folk legend disappeared from the music scene after he converted to Islam in 1977 at the height of his popularity.
He began making sporadic stage appearances in recent years. In 2006, he recorded a new album, An Other Cup, following it with Roadsinger this year.
Now 61, Islam is going back on the road with his Guess I’ll Take My Time tour.
He told the Irish Times that he hopes his old fans will turn out for these concerts.
“A lot of people might have thought — because of the way that my image per se had changed throughout the media — that my actual persona would change as well. But, in fact, you never really stop being yourself, you know,” he said.
Islam opens in Dublin’s O2 Arena on Nov. 15. Then he’s at Birmingham’s NIA the following Monday, Nov. 23, Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Dec. 5 and London’s Royal Albert Hall on Dec. 8.
No dates have been confirmed for appearances in Canada, the U.S. or other countries. CBC News
Keep on Jammin’ Yusuf Islam
So John Mayer and Jennifer Anniston are planning to go to the Oscars are they?
Well to me I couldn’t really care about what the great guitarist does in his personal life and to be honest with you, I’m pretty sure he couldn’t care what I do in mine! All I know is that I just love how the guy makes music with his axe not his ex?!
A recent article from the site Newspostonline.com is something that caught my eye today. Are they seeing each other again, good for them. Are they going to get married, raise a family and live happily ever after is not a concern with me, but others it seems like it is so important. Why are so many people so intrigued with celebrities personal lives so much? Don’t they have lives and worries of their own?
I just had to get this off my chest!
Keep on Jammin’ John