NEW PHOTOS : Constantines & Wintersleep at LiveCity Yaletown

The Constantines and Wintersleep both played sets spanning their entire discographies, pleasing fans and intriguing new listeners. Both sets saw the crowd singing along to choruses. The Cons had fans clapping in rhythm to the thumping bass while lead singer Bry Webb barked out the powerful pieces of lyricism that the Cons are known for-- whether it's "can I get a witness?" "love can be a shower of stones," or "you do what you can do with what you got," Webb's gravelly growl was forceful and commanding.

For the whole photo set, visit my Flickr.

Live Review: Constantines 10th Anniv. w/ Ladyhawk, Julie Doiron @ Lee's Palace, Toronto.

To celebrate 10 years as a band, the Constantines put together a mini-tour, including 3 official shows and 1 secret one in Toronto. They brought along some of their favourite bands to play with them: John K. Sampson (from the Weakerthans), Attack in Black, Metz, Oneida, Tropics, and the ones I saw on Saturday, 19 December, at Lee's Palace, Julie Doiron and Ladyhawk. That was the last show of the tour, and it felt like an extra-special celebration.

Julie Doiron was first up. I'd last seen her sell out Lee's of her own accord in what turned out to be one of the best shows I saw all year. She was once again joined by the Baird brothers, Jesse on drums and Jay on bass, and occasionally Will Kidman from Constantines on extra guitar. (Shotgun Jimmie watched on from the audience.) Julie and her band were in fine form. I liked a new song they played, one that sounded like "The House of the Rising Sun" but with different lyrics. The most noteworthy part of their short set for me was the small group of female super-fans around me. "She's so cute," squealed one young woman to her companion. Later on, the blonde one whipped out a harmonica and played along. Julie noticed; it was weird. But the drunken duo disappeared once her set ended. I was glad for it: their dancing involved bumping into me rather more than I cared for.

In the middle spot was Ladyhawk, a band I'd yet to come across. I was worried I might not like their sound before they even got on stage when I suddenly I found myself surrounded by men who kept referring to each other as "bra." (It took me a moment to understand what on earth they were talking about.) And then the band appeared. The bassist had long blonde hair, the kind that looks best when its owner is rocking out. See? The lead was in a tie-dye shirt of sorts. An odd choice, but perhaps an homage to their sound. Their set showed off a musical range from classic rock to early and mid 90s grunge to alternative. Not exactly my cup of tea, and a smidge repetitive at times, but they certainly had their enthusiasts, including Julie, watching and taking photos just off-stage. Bry and Dallas from the Cons crashed the set, joining the band to sing backup "ooh oh ooohs" during the penultimate song. (My friend Rochelle got a picture of that.) So, you know, it was a fun time.

By the start of Ladyhawk's set, Lee's Palace had filled up nicely, and once they were done there was no moving for me, for fear of not being able to make my way back to the front row. I usually like to be right up front during concerts. That way, I can see what's happening on stage and have a much better sense of being part of the show than if I was standing way back, having to look over taller people's heads to catch a glimpse of the musicians. Since the shows I go to tend not to be feasts for the eyes, it's important for me to be able to see the players; otherwise, I'd probably get bored. For Constantines's set, I was standing in front of keyboardist Will, a good spot, I was told, to keep clear of the moshers. As it turned out, it was a brilliant vantage point to watch the goings-on on stage.

It was clear from the get-go that Constantines elicit the kind of response I rarely see at concerts. (I tend not to go to big-ticket ones, though.) By the time the band played "Young Offenders," with its shout-out refrain "Can I get a witness," the concert was feeling like a religious experience. All around me people were pumping their fists in the air and singing along. Soon enough there was moshing just to my right, and mostly by people who didn't look old enough to have known the band when they first started. When bassist Dallas Wehrle tossed his ski mask---he'd been wearing a full-face white balaclava---into the crowd, there was a bit of a scuffle. A few minutes later one crazed female fan, already drenched in sweat from dancing and ramming into people, had it, holding it tight.

The Constantines played for more than 2 hours, including a 4- or 5-song encore. Julie Doiron sang lead vocals on one tune, and Jennifer Castle sang and swayed to one, too. The first encore song featured Leslie Feist. (I admit to being impressed at having Feist performing a few feet away from me, even making eye contact a couple times!) Proving once again that this concert really was a celebration, before launching into "Nighttime / Anytime (It's Alright)" vocalist Bry Webb asked for his mother to make her way onto the stage. Mid-way through the song, there she was beside me, asking Rochelle how to get up there. We told her, but with the sea of excited people all around, she decided to plant herself on the dancefloor just beneath him. When the song ended and it was brought to his attention that she was there, he told us how it was his mom who'd shouted "turn it up" when he played the newly-recorded song for her. And so the recurring, shouted refrain was born. Neat. Not to be outdone by their fans, the band was really ripping it up that night. Will Kidman's keyboard stand looked oft-abused to me, but so too were his organ and synth. A couple times during their set the organ on top fell to the ground near my head as the entire setup crashed. Upon failing to get everything working after losing the organ a second time, Will gave up and threw the organ to the ground himself, leaving him unable to play one of the encore songs.

Man, being in a rock band looks like so much fun.

Not being familiar with very much of the Cons discography---shame on me, I know---I felt more like a spectator than a participator through much of the concert. But if that's gotta be the case, this was the show to be at: the energy of the enthusiastic people around me, the voyeuristic feeling I got out of seeing Julie Doiron (sitting on the floor just off stage) lose her shit to "Young Lions," being jerked back to reality when Will's organ crashed two feet from my head, and, well, finding myself really enjoying new-to-me songs recorded over the past decade was pretty great. Highlights for me included "Subdomestic" and "Soon Enough." Looks like I got me some record-buying to do.

Photo credits: mandrs has more shots of this show. Thanks!

Images from: The Constantines: Celebrating 10 Years!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2009 @ CALL THE OFFICE LONDON, ON

Images from the Julie Doiron, Ladyhawk, Constantines show.

Happy 10th, Cons!

Thanks to Arts & Crafts and Call The Office.

A superb show review by John Teeter can be found here.

The Constantines: Celebrating 10 Years!

In the same way that everyone fell in love with Superchunk’s hyper enough bassist Laura Ballance, in the nineties, in Canada, we have Julie Doiron. Getting her start in Eric’s Trip in 1990, and then making the shift to solo work in the aftermath of their 1996 breakup, Doiron is a mainstay of the Canadian indie music scene.

So, as the leadoff in The Constantines: Celebrating 10 Years show at Call The Office, the tone was set for an amazing night of legendary music. As much a fan of the two other acts: Ladyhawk, and of course The Constantines, Sackville’s Doiron was noticeably giddy about the evening. Serving as the cooler, super cute, older sister of the two younger acts, she paced the evening to a glorious beginning with her dreamy, tender pop.

Following was Kelowna BC’s Ladyhawk who have grown a steady, bearded woodsman-like following in London. Known for their energetic and sometimes ‘liquid courage’ fueled shows, singer Duffy Driediger paced the boys through a more straight-laced driven set of their seventies inspired folk rock. Sounding like the soundtrack to a Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper motorcycle ride, the jam-packed club including a bouncing in the crowd Doiron, were treated to one of the best bands in Canada to have popped up since the Cons formation.

When it comes to making a band and keeping it together, ten years is an impressive amount of time. For some bands, that’s more than a lifetime. For Guelph’s Constantines, it seems only like a dot on the map, in the journey that continues. Widely regarded as one of the bands of note in Canada, their album Shine a Light (Three Gut Records) not only serves a reference point but, that they were making something very special.

Two full lengths later, Kensington Heights (Arts & Crafts) is the result of maturation and honing, of then eight years of being together. Far more impressive than their recorded body of work is their live show – that a culmination five talented musicians, in phase, and poised to deliver.

Though hardly likely, if this tenth anniversary mini tour was signifying the end, The Cons, certainly delivered, and left little behind. A no holds barred set list of seventeen sweat drenched songs culled from their entire catalogue. The highlight of the night was when Cons frontman Bry Webb invited Doiron up for a cover of Elevator’s “Why I Didn't Like August 93”.

Surely ten years is impressive, especially when you consider those were lived mostly within the death of the record industry. But, when you consider those years in relationship to The Constantines not surprising given the talent and energy they put into it. Here’s to ten more.

Coming up in London (Ontario that is)

In addition to being an amazing band our friends in Olenka and the Autumn Lovers run the Open House Arts Collective and put on music (and other arts) shows in and around London, Ontario. One of them even contributes to the site, but she is ill at the moment (no, not with that). But I got an email about upcoming shows that they are happy about a little while ago and thought I should share:

If you're in, or around London these are the places to be (according to the experts).

Sat Nov 21: Sam Allen CD Release show @ Chaucer's Pub
>http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=173599208287&index=1

Sun Nov 22: Le Cyc @ The Arts Project
>http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=193956459601&index=1

Tue Nov 24: Our friends the Wooden Sky will be at Call the Office (not an open house show)
>http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=172489954652&ref=ts

Fri Nov 27: Olenka and the Autumn Lovers @ Call the Office
>http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=207661971367&index=1

Tue Dec 1: a new intriguing (monthly) night at Call the Office, Hoot! Night. Singer/songwriter's showcase
>http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=176217764507&index=1

Fri Dec 18: I just noticed this listing, the Constantines w/ Ladyhawk AND Julie Doiron will be at Call the Office! woo!
>http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=177966783080&index=1

John K. Sampson Joining the Contantines for 10th Anniversary

Just got a note that says that Weakterthan John K. Sampson will be joining the Constantines for the December 11, Lee's Palace 10th anniversary show. Believe it or not the show is still not sold out: "there are still tickets available at Rotate This, Soundscapes and online at Ticketmaster - yes they are available at Ticketmaster the strikethrough was editorial in nature. The full tour slate (to the best of my knowledge as of this moment) goes:

Tuesday December 8th, 2009 Ottawa, ON Mavericks Bar
Wednesday December 9th, 2009 Kingston, ON The Grad Club
Thursday December 10th, 2009 Hamilton, ON The Casbah
Friday December 11th, 2009 Toronto, ON Lee's Palace
w/ Attack In Black & John K. Samson
Saturday December 12th, 2009 Toronto, ON Lee's Palace
w/ Oneida, METZ
Sunday December 13th, 2009 Guelph, ON Ebar
Tuesday December 15th, 2009 Waterloo, ON Starlight Room
Wednesday December 16th, 2009 Peterborough, ON Montreal House
Friday December 18th, 2009 London, ON Call The Office

Constantines - Credit River

Video Vault: Jello Biafra with DOA, Blue Peter, Deadly Snakes, Eric's Trip & More

This website launched in March of this year. We post alot of video - live video, music videos etc., but a whole lot of stuff happened before March 2009 - so I'm going to do occasional posts where I dig back and find video (live or otherwise) from the past just to revisit some great stuff or so that you can see things you might have missed the first time around.

Nathan Lawr - Barking At Your Door (2006)



Death From Above 1979 - Dead Womb (2005)



Jello Biafra with D.O.A. (1990)



Constantines - Working Full Time (2005)



Broken Social Scene - Fire Eyed Boy (live on Letterman 2006)



Final Fantasy - No Cars Go (live in Bristol - 2006)



Blue Peter - Don't Walk On Past (1983)



Teenage Head - Some Kinda Fun (1983)



Eric's Trip - Girlfriend (1994)



The Deadly Snakes - I Can't Sleep At Night

Constantines 10th Birthday Party at Lee's Palace

The Constantines are celebrating their 10 year anniversary as a band with two shows at Lee's Palace on December 11 and 12! If you're going and you're sure you're going and you can order tickets right now you can get some extra birthday presents from Arts & Crafts.

Each ticket purchase includes a free, instant download of the "Too Slow For Love" EP. A ticket + vinyl bundle that includes the "Our Age" 7" vinyl is also available for an additional $4 (shipping included). The pre-sale ends Wednesday October 7 at 6PM EST. The show will feature special guests, and many other surprises, more details in the coming weeks.

Go here to get the birthday goodies!

The Constantines - Nighttime/Anytime (It's Alright) (Live)

CBC Radio 3 Session: Chad VanGaalen & the Constantines

While I was in Ottawa for Canada Day, CBC Radio 3 was here in Toronto for Chad Van Gaalen and the Constantines at the Harbourfront Centre. Today they have hilights from that show out in podcast form:

"Canada Day was ablaze with live performances from Constantines who performed hit after hit after hit and Chad VanGaalen who surprised screaming fans with a lineup of new songs - all exclusive to CBC Radio 3."

Download it Here
or for a full list of Sessions Podcasts see nxew.ca/sessions.html

Constantines and Chad Vangaalen Free Show at Harbourfront Canada Day

Music lovers in Toronto have a great chance to celebrate Canada with two amazing Canadian Acts: Constantines and Chad Vangaalen.

Constantines are one of Canada's finest bands, featuring angular guitars, driving drums, and curious lyrics. Their latest, Kensington Heights, shows the band in great form, maturing for sure but maintaining that pure, high energy. Also one of Canada's hardest working bands, Constantines recently finished their second Rolling Tundra Review across Canada (with Winnipeg's legendary Weakerthans) but also have a handful of dates this summer (including a great gig in NYC tomorrow!).

Chad Vangaalen has also been a darling of Canada's indie scene, with his latest, Soft Airplane, demonstrating Vangaalen's quirky interest in dark and gloomy matters. Contrasted with his quivering voice, the CD makes for some fine, if unsettling listening. Read more about Vangaalen's recent U.S. tour at my earlier post. After this gig, Vangaalen heads out west for the Dawson City Music Festival on July 17th, the Regina Folk Festival on August 7th, and the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival on August 14th.

So here's your chance to see two of Canada's finest, free. The show is from 7:00 - 11:00 at Harbourfront Centre, with Vangaalen likely to start at 8:00. Better get there early!

Opening Eyes: Lightning Dust

There are people out there that will not go to a show when doors open, or even a hour after doors open. I have never been one of these people so I thought I'd try to shed a little extra light on those opening bands that get us warmed up for the show but inevitably end up playing to a half empty hall.

Concert: Rolling Tundra Revue featuring the Constantines & Weakerthans (Saturday night show) opening with . . .

Lightning Dust

Hailing from East Vancouver the band Lightning Dust took the stage about a hour after doors open and as they started into their first song a small group of us had gathered at the stage. Their first song breathe started with a brooding heavy tone, something that brought up images of dusting crypts covered in fog. As the vocals start in what I would describe as a sorrowful plea, it was very well matched with the entire tone of the song. It had drawn me in and as they continued into their set, I'd say they kept that slight brooding and dark feeling which really worked for them. Their third song "Listened On" made me realize why the name Lightning Dust was so familiar as they get fairly regular play on CBC Radio 3 with the track. All in all, this is one band that I had not given enough attention to and was glad to have gotten to see live. I hope that you check them out too.

I was hoping to get a chance to talk to the band members but the Commodore is often harder to get that kind of access. If I was willing to give up my front and centre spot, I would have gone to the merch table as I believe there was a note that they would be there. Sadly, they left by the time the show was done even their merch was gone so I couldn't grab a CD. Looking up on them, the band is Amber Webber and Joshua Wells from Black Mountain and I can only guess but it looked like Ashley Webber joined them on stage.

I highly recommend you check out this band and it looks like you might have a chance to see them in your neck woods as they're going on tour!
06-May-09: The Pawn Shop w/ Jon Rae Fletcher - Edmonton, Alberta
07-May-09: Broken City w/ Jon Rae Fletcher - Calgary, Alberta
11-May-09: The High Noon Saloon - Madison, Wisconsin
12-May-09: The Crofoot ballroom w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Pontiac
13-May-09: Beachland Ballroom w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Cleveland, Ohio
14-May-09: Queen Elizabeth Theatre w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Toronto, Ontario
15-May-09: Ukranian Federation w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Montreal, Quebec
16-May-09: Iron Horse Music Hall w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Northampton, Massachusetts
17-May-09: Wilbur Theatre w/Bonnie Prince Billy - Boston, Massachusetts
18-May-09: Higher Ground Ballroom w/Bonnie Prince Billy - South Burlington, Vermont
19-May-09: Union Pool w/Soft Drugs and Family Band - Brooklyn, New York
20-May-09: Santo’s Party House w/ Bonnie Prince Billy - New York, New York
21-May-09: The Apollo w/ Bonnie Prince Billy - New York, New York
23-May-09: Schuba’s w/Cotton Jones - Chicago, Illinois
24-May-09: 7th St Entry w/Cotton Jones - Minneapolis, Minnesota
26-May-09: Hi Dive w/Cotton Jones - Denver, Colorado
27-May-09: Kilby Court w/Cotton Jones - Salt Lake City, Utah
29-May-09: Triple Door w/Cotton Jones - Seattle, Washington

As for the following show, it was pretty awesome as one would expect. The opening band Lightning Dust was something that was not so expected, a very welcome surprise.
- AofA

Victoria Shows for the Weekend of April 25-26 (and beyond)

I already did one post about April shows in Victoria, but I've found a few new ones since then and this weekend is particularly full of quality performances. So just to be brief:

Saturday:

If you won tickets, 1/2 of Metric is putting on an acoustic afternoon show at the Zone/Victoria Dance Connection radio station, just like the one in Vancouver yesterday that fellow NxEW blogger B. Lee wrote about


Metric - Help, I'm Alive (acoustic)



And at 9:30 Logan's is hosting a CD release show for alt-country groups the Gruff and the Deep Dark Woods.

The Deep Dark Woods - All the Money I Had Is Gone



Sunday:

The buzz-worthy, Perez Hilton wooing Montreal/Toronto electropophip-hop duo Thunderheist play Lucky Bar. The Nirvana-loving (seriously, check out their myspace) electro-pop group Winter Gloves open.

Winter Gloves - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana cover)



Monday:

In promotion of his new release that has, in the words of fellow NxEWer Tagish156 "A veritable who's who of Canadian hip-hop... and Joel Plaskett," Nova Scotian rapper Classified is playing two shows at Element, an all-ages in the afternoon and another that night.

Classified f. Joel Plaskett - One Track Mind



And of course, Thursday sees the Rolling Tundra Revue with the Weakerthans and the Constantines roll into town at Element.

I'll be at at least one of these, and probably more, if that's any incentive. Not that you should need any.

Feist + Constantines = Dolly Parton

Found this via Yellowbird Project which sells exclusive t-shirts designed by indie artists to raise money for charity. It's a cover of 'Islands in the Stream', originally performed by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.

Constantines and Feist - Islands in the Stream


(You can download it for free at yellowbirdproject.com.)

Rolling Tundra tour rolls into London

The Weakerthans and The Constantines
April 3, 2009 | The Music Hall | London, ON

When I first heard the The Rolling Tundra Revue 2009 Canadian National Tour was going to toboggan through London, I knew immediately that I was going to be at that show. Having never seen The Weakerthans live but being a fan of their music just felt like an epic fail to me.

Fast forward a few months and the usual cacophony that is being a newish parent of a two year old, and the week of the show had jettisoned itself into my lap and I still hadn't remembered to get a ticket – I blame the London promoters, as its better than thinking it was my usual lazy complacent self missing a show and not realizing it till a week later.

Thankfully CBC Radio3 and a friend came to my rescue on the day of the show and rather than griping about missing the show, I was answering a text from said friend who was alerting me that someone had mentioned having a spare ticket to the London show. Two and a half hours later I am on my way to nab free tickets…

Sadly I got to The Music Hall on the late side and missed entirely the $100 set. I know I am total knob for doing that, but remember that 2 year old daughter I have? I do not - as much as I can - ever miss bath, bottle and bed time with her. Plus who starts a rock show on a Friday night at 8:00pm?? Seriously! So I can't tell you how it was except the one person I got the tickets from who I ran into inside the show, said, "her voice is incredible". I get the impression she got the evening started just right. Albeit early.


Now I am going to put this out there right now. When it comes to The Constantines I wasn't really sure I knew where I stood with them: I mean I had heard enough of their music, and had enough friends recommend them, but I never really had gotten much further.

That was until their live show.


They came right out and kicked my posterior! And while they hammered through their set, I realized I knew and recognized a lot more of their song work than I had anticipated. And what's more to the point, is there was an energy in the songs that I don't think can ever be encapsulated in the context of a studio recording. And I realized that was the secret to this band that had so many of my friends calling themselves fans. That anyone who has seen this quintet from Guelph live knows just what I am talking about. They played through an hour or so long set and left me thoroughly impressed, highlights of course being Hard Feelings and Trans Canada. They even had John K Samson of The Weakerthans come out and sing a ditty with them much to the delight of the jam packed club.

And to close out the night, was of course, The Weakerthans. I have such a hard time picturing John K. Samson manning a bass for the punk/ska outfit Propagandhi and yet it sort of makes sense in his music, him coming from those roots. There's no doubt that this group from Winnipeg has a strong, and devoted following in London as I'd hazard a guess that a good chunk of the first 6 rows at stage's edge knew the words to literally every song. And it wasn't gender specific either – it seems his lyrics have a broad appeal that runs deep. Especially considering the dude behind me which proclaimed every song was "his total favourite" as he sang the lyrics over the my left shoulder. They cobbled a set list from a good cross section of their current album as well as pleasers from albums gone by.

The highlight of their set had to be when they pulled a guy who was front row centre, and all night was air jamming and singing along the words to ever single song, up on stage. As Samson had him put his air strumming to real life he played the chords and that kid was beaming ear to ear by the time the song finished. But also I was a fan of the encore of "One Great City" solo by Samson or the all Casio keyboard version of Anchorless.

In the end I left a renewed fan of one band and a new fan of another. A great show, a great night, and me on my way home happy to have not missed it.

Some Great Indie Shows Coming to Winnipeg

Now that it is warming up outside, Winnipeggers can once again venture out of their houses to all of the great Canadian indie shows that are happening around the city. Here are a few you should check out: (links to the artists' CBC Radio 3 pages can be found at the bottom)

Plants and Animals: March 24 Park Theatre $13

Hey Rosetta!: April 9 Shannon's Irish Pub

The Weakerthans & The Constantines: April 17 Burton Cummings $29.50

Melissa McClelland: April 21 Park Theatre $15

Bloc Party & Hot Hot Heat: May 3 Burton Cummings

Joel Plaskett & Friends: May 5 Garrick $20

The Stills: May 16 Garrick $20