Tag Archives: Video

Concert, DVDs, Indie, Live Shows, Music, Music Video, New Release, Review, Watch This

The Weakerthans – Live At The Burton Cummings Theatre – DVD/CD Review

2 Comments

Many fans of indie rock know who The Weakerthans are and what exactly they do.  For years now the Canadian four (and sometimes up to six) some have been creating amazing albums that are heavy on the indie but also incorporate folk and twang into their material.  They are a band that I label as an “accident band”.  What I mean by that is I became a fan of them by accident.

Back in the days of slinging coffees at the café at the Borders Books & Music I worked at I came across a Weakerthans’ album at a listening station one day while on break.  This was at a time and age when the internet was still ruled by AOL and MySpace was just an idea waiting to be hatched out.  I remember clearly putting the headphones on at the listening station and checking out a couple tracks from Left and Leaving.  Liking what I heard, I recall reading a bio about the band while listening to more tracks and taking a double look at the card when it mentioned one time Propagandhi member John Samson.  Seriously, my mouth dropped open.

I was maybe 23 at the time and was slowly opening my musical tastes more.  Being a punk rocker at heart I was in awe that the bassist of one of my favorite punk rock bands was fronting such a melodic and low-key band.  I heard enough, grabbed the CD, and took it to the register for purchase.  Needless to say my musical appreciation was given a boost thanks to the Weakerthans and to this day I am still an avid fan though I have yet to see them live.

Having missed them the couple times they did roll though Cleveland one could say I was excited to see that they had released  a live DVD/CD titled Live At The Burton Cummings Theatre on Epitaph Records/ANTI- Records.  Performed in their hometown of Winnipeg, Canada in April of 2009, the band recorded the performance at the Burton Cumming’s Theatre (yes, the sweet mustached Burton Cummings of The Guess Who).   Just to clarify I believe the theatre was named after the classic rock musician and that he has nothing to do with it.

The DVD/CD captures the perfect evening of a show with the talented indie rockers as well as their dedicated fans who filled the venue up the night it was recorded.  With no fancy light shows or theatrics the band hit the stage and played a very fun and great sounding show.   Their sound, I should add, almost sounds studio and one could be fooled until the fans started hooting and hollering after every song.

Playing songs old and new the band just sounded amazing and looked ever so comfortable on the stage.  Hearing them open with “Everything Must Go” really reminded me why I have been a fan for so long but seeing how happy they were performing the song brought a whole new appreciation from me for them.  With the crowd cheering and the band just having fun it was apparent that this show was going to be a good one.  Speeding things up they broke into “Tournament Of Hearts” immediately after.  With five members on stage it appeared as if Samson’s wife Christine Fellows was hiding in the shadows offering vocals as well.

The band’s (and the crowd’s) friend Julie played on some songs as well including “Night Windows” where she offered some violin. Keeping the show rolling the band broke into “Reconstruction Site” a twangy delight of a song to listen to as well.  The band completely rocked out during “Aside” all while Samson smiled big while singing.  “Bigfoot” was another track I really got a kick out of with all the instrument playing.

Hearing perhaps my favorite Weakerthans song of all time, “Plea From A Cat Named Virtue”, put the biggest smile on my face even if I was watching a recording of the show.  The song revolving around a wise feline carried on perfectly, even the trumpet playing at the close of the song.  Samson also offered a simple impromptu guitar solo that was cut short on the CD but the DVD shows the humorous moment.

During “Wellington’s Wednesdays” Samson pulled up a fan on stage named Ernesto who had the pleasure of filling in a guitar solo in the key of E.  I must say after a nervous start Ernesto started jamming hard with the rest of the band as Samson took the honorary member’s place in the crowd for a short moment.  The band then followed up “The Reasons” as well as “Sun In An Empty Room”.  I swear if it were not for the fans cheering at times my mind tried to argue with me that I was not listening to a live album.

Overall the show was a fun time full of a great set by an outstanding band.  The DVD featured shots of the band throughout the 75 plus minute performance with good angles as well as occasionally would focus in on a true fan singing along.  Capturing The Weakerthans in their hometown was one hell of an idea and even if I have not seen them live in the flesh, I am glad I had the opportunity to have this performance in my possession.

The DVD/CD ranks high with my all time favorite live albums and I have listened to it multiple times now and I am not just saying that.  Great music by a bunch guys made even more entertaining by the simple fact that they were having a blast while doing their job.  If you are a fan of indie rock or just want to spend the evening with some great music do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Live At The Burton Cummings Theatre.

Track Listing (DVD/CD):
01. Everything Must Go
02. Tournament of Hearts
03. Our Retired Explorer (Dines with Michel Foucault in Paris in 1969)
04. Night Windows
05. Reconstruction Site
06. Aside
07. Civil Twilight
08. Bigfoot
09. Plea From A Cat Named Virtute
10. The Reasons
11. Sun In An Empty Room
12. Left and Leaving
13. Wellington’s Wednesdays
14. Benediction
15. Manifest
16. One Great City!
17. This Is A Fire Door Never Leave Open
18. Virtute the Cat Explains Her Departure

Cincinnati, Eye Opener, Music, Music Video, Rock, The Awesome

New Foxy Shazam Video For Your Viewing Pleasure

Leave a comment

So one of the bands who I am most excited about releasing new material this year is Cincinatti’s Foxy Shazam.  I might have mentioned something about them before…

Today Foxy Shazam released a new video today that pretty music takes Peter Pan, The Darkness, and hot chicks wearing knee high tube socks making for a fun time all in a black & white format. The lead singer who looks like V from V Is For Vendetta guy is hyper awesome and I just see good things happening with this arena rock band.

Check out the new video for “Oh Lord”:

Front man Eric Nally had this to say about himself and what Foxy Shazam is:

I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was one of two white boys in an all-black high school. The band name Foxy Shazam came from a saying in my school meaning, “cool shoes.” If you had cool shoes kids would say those are “foxy shazam.” Because of this we have a lot of soul, and try to let it bleed through our music as much as possible. Mom and Dad were pretty poor as I was growing up but always supported my musical interests nonetheless. In the early years they bought my band cheap guitars and amps and drove us to shows in the family Thunderbird. I owe them big time and will someday repay them.

When I listen to a Foxy Shazam record I think of Evel Knievel, Bruce Springsteen, my childhood, Van Morrison, my old friends from high school I don’t talk to anymore, Elton John, the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and beyond, Iggy Pop and my first kiss. One of my favorite things to do when listening to my music is to close my eyes and picture a crowd of six million people all chanting “Foxy! Foxy! Foxy!” The lights go out and my band walks on stage. It gives me goose bumps. It all makes sense to me. When you listen to our record, think of your favorite things and it’ll make sense to you as well.

Foxy Shazam is not concerned with what category it falls into. We want to stand for our generation.

We want to be the biggest band in the world.

We are the Michael Jordan of Rock N’ Roll.

I have the feeling Eric will be repaying his folks in no time.  He has such a positive and energetic attitude about what he is in and loves to do.  This band is going to be getting a lot of attention in 2010, or so I think.

Artist, Music, New Release, Watch This

The “Socalled” Movie

Leave a comment

There are a ton of movies coming out in 2010 that I know I want to see.  Many of them will be blockbusters and will be the cause of my wallet feeling a little thin but it is always worth it.  I love being visually entertained almost as much as I love listening to music.

I recently was given a heads up about a movie, rather a documentary, about a guy who goes by the name of Socalled.

Socalled?  Yes.  I even have a picture of him…

So who is Socalled?  Well looking at him he looks just like a normal Joe (ok, maybe not completely) but if you read the below synopsis you will find out he is far from just a regular guy.

Meet Socalled. He’s unstoppable. A pianist, singer, arranger, rapper, producer and composer (and also a magician, filmmaker, and visual artist), he’s blasting through the boundaries that separate music from different cultures, eras, and generations.

Socalled is a musical alchemist, always looking for the next old thing to make new again. The “socalled” Movie shows him introducing funk trombone legend Fred Wesley (of James Brown fame) to klezmer music, while wowing Wesley with his knowledge of funk. When Dolgin comes across LP’s from the 1950’s by lounge pianist Irving Fields, he looks up 94-year-old Fields and inspires him to pen a new hit song.

Shot in Socalled’s Montreal neighbourhood where Hasidic Jews and hipsters crowd the sidewalks, and in New York, France and the Ukraine, The “Socalled” Movie is a cinematic multi-faceted depiction of inspiration, collaboration and transformation.

Socalled defies category and refuses limitations. The “Socalled” Movie examines his energy from all angles and transmits the urgent creative spark to everyone watching: now’s your chance – go out there and make something!

Here is a trailer for the video that will be available for rent (??? rent ???) on YouTube thanks to the National Film Board of Canada:

Some of the guest musicians this guy has gotten to play with him is just insane!  I can not wait to see the whole documentary.

For more info check out:

http://www.nfb.ca/socalled
http://www.youtube.com/socalledmovie
http://www.myspace.com/socalled

00's, 80's, 90's, Music, Music News, Punk, Rock, The Awesome

Bad Religion To Release Live Album & Give It Away For Free

1 Comment

Thanks to Matt for posting this one out to me…

Punk rock legends Bad Relgion (BR) recently announced on their website that they will be recording a live album and giving it away for free to all their fans.  The album titled 30 Years Live will be recorded during BR’s 2010 tour and given away to all fans who sign up on their mailing list.  If you are a BR fan, make sure you sign up so they can email you a link to the album for download.

Oh and if you have not heard yet BR will be playing back to back shows for a month starting March 17th.  Sadly they will not be making it this way, but how awesome is that?

Bad Religion 30th Anniversary Celebration from Bad Religion on Vimeo.

Hip Hop, Music, Music Video, Punk, Rap

P.O.S. “Optimist” Video

Leave a comment

I know my last blog was about P.O.S. and I feel I am starting to sound like a super fan, but when artists release videos like this…

…you have to talk about it and share it with others.

I’m not sure if you read my review of the P.O.S. CD Never Better but I did state how organic sounding the beginning of “Optimist” was and how I thought it was cups.  I had no idea he created the beat from the game that combines cups and stacking skills…very original!

I was lucky enough to receive an email today on how the song was actually created:

P.O.S. describes how “Optimist” was created:

I made the beat to this song after my friend Alegra taught me how to play a game she learned when she was young. Based off of taking a few upside down cups and tapping on them and swooshing them around. The main rhythm of the beat was made by setting up some mics and playing the game. (You see it clearly at the top of the video) I added the organs and pads to kind of soften up the hard noise of the clapping and cups. I wrote the words while listening to the beat in my car, driving around mpls (Minneapolis) trying not to sweat how it came out. This was one of the last songs I wrote for the record and I was just not about feeling any pressure. Not from the label, not from my fans, no pressure no stress. That’s where the inspiration came from for this song I think. Not worrying about what anyone has to say about anything, ever. Doing my own thing and expecting the same from everyone else. That’s where the refrain comes from, “We make our own and if they don’t feel it, then we are not for them”.

I loved the idea of this video as well as how P.O.S. created the song and just had to post it here.  I hope you all enjoyed it.