Things I Get Up To, Here And There

Set Anchors - Galleon EP

2009-10-28T09:53:00.004-04:00

Once again some new fresh tracks from yet another Ontario band. When I first was told to listen to these guys about 5 months ago I was really iffy when I checked out their myspace. I noticed that they were looking for a bunch of new members; and really when you see that on a bands myspace you wonder really what is going to come of the band in the next couple of months (example Straight Reads The Line has now lost Blake, what's next for them? I know what Blake is up to!). So after listen to the couple of tracks that they have up, I wasn't blow away with anything.

Come a couple of months ago I was on the Dancing With Paris' Facebook page and noticed someone named Evan wrote a comment about how amazing the DWP EP was (best EP the scene has heard in a long time) and that his band wanted to hook up some stuff together. See as I book the DWP guys I headed over to listen to this Evan's band and what do I find... Set Anchors. But now Set Anchors have a new line up and new tracks. After listen to the new tracks I loved the stuff right off the band.

Last week the guys through up this EP for free download (like many other Southern Ontario bands), but like many bands that do this, this one has killer song writing/structure, listening longevity, good production, and great room for growth. Now that I have been able to sit down with the Galleon EP and really take a listen, I have taken to these guys a lot more. There are a couple of things that bug me about the EP; it may just be because I'm a critical listener when it come to music, but where is the bass? That has to be the last problem for me, this is a very trebly EP, I can't even here a bass to tell you the truth and I know that they do have a bass player (Evan). Even after putting the base booster EQ on nothing really changed. Other then that at the end of 'Galleon' the cymbals and guitar get cut off very abruptly. Also I wish that the melodic vocals on 'Fading Sense Of Balance' were brought up in the mix, there are some really cool vocal line in the beginning of the song. Also this song has a great Misery Signals feel, throughout the last half of the song. 'City Under Siege has a very strong Bring Me The Horizon feel on it, couple of the vocal scream definitely have that same 'effect' on them, but when that 'effect' is used it's nice to hear the lower scream harmony under it, and that is another thing I wish was used more throughout the EP. 'Restless' is going to be the song that gets stuck in your head, and good on them to put that at the end of the EP.

Overall the EP is anything that hasn't been heard before, but it's the energy and drive that really pulls me into this band and EP, and I would love to work with these guys more in the future and can't wait to hear their new stuff. Also they have a couple of shows coming up this month with the guy in Dancing With Paris.

November 8th - Windsor
November 21st - Hamilton

Enough of this go and listen to the new EP!

Set Anchors - Galleon EP
Release: October 24th 2009

Galleon
Fading Sense Of Balance
City Under Siege
Restless

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The Canadian Scene (October 2009)

2009-10-07T09:10:00.002-04:00

So here is the first installment of The Canadian Scene iMix. Each month I am going to be pick a hand full of bands that are being active within the Canadian independent scene. All of the bands that are featured on this iMix are either touring the country, have had a new release, turning heads or are just a hard working band that I feel needs to be noticed. If you like hardcore, metalcore, pop, indie, and want to find some NEW amazing home grown talent this is going to be the monthly playlist for you. Also every month the last two tracks are going to consist of a Canadian act and an International act that if you don't already know who they are you should, this month it's Straight Reads The Line and Architects.

This months playlsit is a little on the heavy side but 7 of artists (Kingdoms, Norris, Dead And Divine, Children Of Eve, Today I Caught the Plague, Silverstein, Architects) are either out on the road or about to embark out on the road, and I know they wouldn't mind a little extra coin for food. Well enough of the reading get to the best part, the listening!

Like this iMix please rate it, or leave a comment about it.

Thanks
Piers

*if you are interested in getting your band on The Canadian Scene all you need is your music on iTunes and e-mail pierssimpkin@gmail.com, with the subject 'The Canadian Scene'*

Kingdoms - Daughters of Atlas

2009-09-26T09:04:00.008-04:00

So the Kingdoms boys are back and with a new EP??? Sort of, if you are hoping for all new tracks you are going to be a little sad to hear this. Their new release (which I think it has officially released) only has two new tracks on it and the remainder of the album is Atlantis all over again. I was fortunate to get my hands on this album at the end of August and really took a huge liking to the two new tracks 'Split The Sky' and 'The Bitmore Hotel' and when I loaded the album into iTunes I wasn't really surprised to see those two tracks run right into Atlantis. I have talked to the guys about this and yes it is the same tracks but they have been re-mastered, although comparing the tracks I really don't hear a difference.

So my last post about these guys they were doing great for themselves, an unsigned band that was really talking the Ontario scene by storm, well now a few months later they really haven't slowed down. Might as well give you a run down like last time ;0b

- Last spring they headed out on their first East Coast tour with Farewell To Freeway, Greeley Estate, and FACT
- Took a little brake from shows to play all the major festivals in Ontario, Cutting Edge Music Festival, Rock The Mill, Scenefest

- In July they announced that Underground Operation picked them up (that really wasn't a surprise)

- They are now out on tour on their fist CD Release tour with The Oxford Street Montage. Which they will join Silverstein on their last leg of their Cross Canada Tour, so out east watch on you are in for a treat once again.

- Looking to continue to be on the road once they are back from out east.

Once again these guys aren't bad off at all and congrats once again to everything that they have accomplished over the past year. It's almost been a year since Atlantis (October 3rd) has been up for free download and they have been on the scene.

I know that I usually right something about the way the album feels, what I don't like, what is awesome, but seeing how this is really just a re-release I'm not going to repeat my self (click here if you want to see what I thought of it. The only thing that I would say is in 'Split The Sky' I want to see if Hutton can hit the one held note around 3:20 in the song. It really sounds like he pushed his voice to the border of the braking point. Also the brake down at the end of the song, does anyone know who else uses that pattern? I have show it to a couple of people and we can't figure it out.

Well enjoy and go out see these guys and spread the love!

Kingdoms - Daughters of Atlas
Release: September 23rd 2009

Split The Sky
The Bitmore Hotel
Pyramids
Catharsis
Telegraph Static
Atlantis
La Serena

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Dancing With Paris - There's Something In The Water

2009-09-03T20:07:00.004-04:00

FAIL!!! Yes that is directed to me, cause I really have been lacking on the postings on here and not sharing some killer music that I have been getting me hands on. You might ask so why have you been keeping us in the dark then.... we'll it's because of these guys; Dancing With Paris, I know that I have mentioned these guys a couple of times on here, and to get back into the swing of things I figured that I would show everyone what I have been working on over the past couple of months.

So this is the first EP that Dancing With Paris have ever released and with my help, as well as many other people that have becoming part of the DWP family. With the EP only being out a little less then two months these guys have already starting to stir up things in the Ontario hardcore scene. They have had a lot of comparison to Straight Reads The Line, to the point that people have asked them if Blake is the singing in the band, Holly Springs, Deftones, Vanna... yes all these bands are in a similar genre but the things that is setting Dancing With Paris apart from every other band out there is they way they mix everything together.

There really is something for everyone on this EP. It's got your full range of scream (high, lows, mids) some Fall Out Boy sing-a-long parts, breakdowns that make you question, what just happened, slow dance sections (go and see them live and you will understand that a little better) dance beats, equine cover art and the list can go on. A couple cool featured that the EP has is each song has it's own cover and the guys have been getting some great complements on it, and I'm sure it won't be the end of it. Also if you listen to the EP on an iPod Touch of iPhone you'll get an extra treat, click on the cover art while you are listening to it and you'll see what I'm talking about!!

So I can't really review this cause it would be supper bias, but I will say that I have put A LOT of overtime hours into this project and hope that everyone that downloads this enjoys it as much as I do, even after listening to it as many times as I have! All I ask for is, if you like this ep, PLEASE PASS THE IT ON TO EVERY OTHER PERSON YOU THINK WILL LOVE IT! Dancing With Paris have started to stir the water and soon everyone will see what what actually is in the water.

Sorry again for the lock of content over the summer, but I'll get back into putting stuff up you everyone, until next time, learn to love this EP!!

Dancing With Paris - There's Something In The Water
Release: July 8th 2009

Sand Castles
Bled Dry
Orange County
(Boardwalk)
Hardwalk (Of Champions)
Titanic
There's Something In The Water

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Dead And Divine - The Machines We Are

2009-07-14T14:53:00.007-04:00

So last night I got my fingers on the new Dead And Divine album and figured that I haven't put anything up in quite sometime it was time to get back to pimping out the Canadian Scene once again.

So I'm not going to write to much about this, just cause I haven't sat down and really listened to it, I'm on my second listen right now, and to be honest, I feel that there is a lot more hype over this album then it is worth. There hasn't been anything that has blown me away with the album. The lyrics that Tobin has come up this time run very close to what Mike from Holly writes about (and come on you name one of your songs D.R.U.G.S. really...) BUT Tobin does not have the same deliverance and passion behind then what he is singing. If you are going to try and mimic something like that make sure you have the backing power. When it comes to the music, there are A LOT more dynamics and thought out parts compared to their last album The Fanciful but nothing that has given me chills or blows me away, which sucks. Finally after all the time these guys have been a band they finally have one of the most solid teams behind them and it seems like they have lost their drive and started to get lazy. I know a hand full of bands that if they were given this opportunity they would have run with it and brought something to the table that the scene did not see coming.

All in all I know that the kids are going eat this up when it first comes out but once the same kids find something that has more to offer and more of a want to better the scene, they are going to forget about this album and pass their new love on to everyone, to anyone reading this I STRONGLY SUGGEST DANCING WITH PARIS and not just cause they are my boys but because they are thinking outside the box and have just dropped an EP that has something for everyone on it. And if given the opportunity would slay D&D very night on tour, maybe not in playing, but in the way that kids will go away talking about them rather then Dead And Divine.

Again this is what I think and I know that a lot of people will agree with me but won't speak up and say so, so don't worry I just did for you.

Dead And Divine - The Machines We Are
Release: August 4th 2009

The Sugar Sickness
Creature
Chemical Valley
Neon Jesus
D.R.U.G.S.
For Your Health
Teeth
Mechanical Orchestra
Lovely Bones
Cassandra Syndrome

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Alexisonfire - Old Crows / Young Cardinals

2009-06-18T20:55:00.003-04:00

Ok so I know that is has been way to long since I have posted anything on here but I have been really busy working with a band that I have started managing. I have mentioned them a couple of time on here, and for anyone that doesn't know who I am talking about they are Dancing With Paris. We have been prepping for the studio for the last month and that has been really eating up my time, in a great way. The new EP is shaping up to sound amazing, for example the track (working title "Brad's Song) that we were finishing up tonight is a mix of Misery Signals and classic Alexisonfire (but with more of a dance feel), curious I guess you will have to wait to hear what I'm talking about OR if you are in the Toronto area on TUESDAY JUNE 9TH they are playing at Holy Joes with NORRIS (great friends of mine) and Faceless Hulk or if you are in the Belleville, Ontario area on SATURDAY JUNE 13TH they will be playing in Campbellford with Amnesia Amnesia but other than that you are going have to wait until the EP drops!

But all that being said here is a little treat for all the Alexis fans. Just tonight they released another song called "No Rest" from their upcoming album "Old Crows / Young Cardinals" (which is due out June 23rd) and for your listening pleasure here it is.

ENJOY and I will be throwing more stuff back up here so drop me random views now and then and see what is new!

Alexisonfire - Old Crows / Young Cardinals
Release: June 23rd 2009

Old Crows
Young Cardinals
Sons of Privilege
Born and Raised
No Rest
The Northern
Midnight Regulations
Emarals Street
Heading for the Sun
Accept Crime
Burial

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K'naan - Troubadour

2009-05-18T19:10:00.002-04:00

After spending most of your childhood watching a civil war erupt in your home country is something that most people only hear about and never really get to take in a full story from someone that has experienced that and turned all that negativity into drive, a drive to prove that it doesn't matter where you come from you can do anything if you put your mind to it. With K'naan's new album "Troubadour" (which defines as any wandering singer or minstrel; fitting because the definition of K'naan is "traveler") you can get a little taste of what he saw and experienced growing up in the beginning stages of the Somalia Civil War (which is still underway today) and what it was like for him making the transition to a Canadian lifestyle.

Now I know if I read that first paragraph I would pass this off as a political record of some sort and not give it a solid listen, BUT this album has nothing to do with that at all. The first half of the album K'naan takes you back to his days in Somalia and paints a picture of what it is truly like growing up an Africa war. The first couple of tracks "T.I.A" (This Is Africa), "ABC's he calls out almost ever rapper that has ever said that they are true gangstas, by true gangstas I'm referring to the Hollywood glorified gangsta, cause after listening to a couple of the things K'naan lists off (walking through The Lake Of Blood, seeing kids and "gangstas" carrying Oozes, learning the Africa ABC's on streets) would put any North American gangsta in their place. Once you listen to the first half of the album you'll see what I'm talking about. I have had the chance to see some of the things that K'naan mentions throughout the first part of the album and it is a reality to a lot of Africa's still today.

The tracks "Wavin' Flag" and "Somalia" are the turning points of the album, from here K'naan's lyrical content changes focus from his Somalian life to his new North American lifestyle. He still goes back and touches base with a few memories from africa but only to show that without his time in there he wouldn't be the same person that he is today. Over the next couple of tracks the content is a lot lighter and has more of a up beat feel to it; talking about Western Union, his lost love Fatima, inspiration, but once you get to the last track "People Like Me" it's almost like the album has gone in a full circle. I say this cause you find out more about why K'naan left Somalia and some major things that he had to leave behind. Overall this raps up the album in a great way!

I know that this album has been out for awhile now but I have been listening to it on and off from the day it came out, if you like any or all of the other Hip-Hop albums that I have posted on here, this is going to be another one that you will fall in love with. Looking at my ratings that I have given each track in iTunes that album gets a 4.6/5, take that how you want, but if that still hasn't sold you on it here are a couple of guest that K'naan has got to join him on the album. Damian Marley (actually K'naan tracks half of the album at Bob Marley's studio), Adam Levine (Maroon 5), Mos Def, Kirk Hammett (Metallica), and a couple ofthers.

Enjoy

K'naan - Troubadour
Release: February 24, 2009

T.I.A.
ABCs (featuring Chubb Rock)
Dreamer
I Come Prepared (featuring Damian Marley)
Bang Bang (featuring Adam Levine of Maroon 5)
If Rap Gets Jealous (featuring Kirk Hammett of Metallica)
Wavin' Flag
Somalia
America (featuring Mos Def and Chali 2na)
Fatima
Fire in Freetown
Take a Minute
15 Minutes Away
People Like Me

(Remember go out and support all the artist that are on Things I Get Up To, Here And There, buy their merch, albums, go to shows, with out your help these guys won't be able to keep doing this and bringing you new music)

IF YOU WANT THIS ALBUM MESSAGE ME AND I'LL GET IT TO YOU BLOGGER KEEPS TAKING IT DOWN

AGAIN YOU SAY, WELL THIS IS WHAT I SAY...

2009-04-29T03:07:00.002-04:00

COME ON REALLY THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. SO I GUESS THE GUYS AT UNIVERSAL (and really any of the last major's they are left standing). THEY DON'T REALLY LIKE PEOPLE PROMOTING THERE STUFF, HOW MUSIC IS BEING PROMOTED IN THE DIGITAL 2.0 AGE.

WHAT AM I TALKING ABOUT YOU MIGHT ASK, WELL I JUST GOT AN E-MAIL LETTING ME KNOW THAT; YET AGAIN ANOTHER ON OF MY POST HAVE BEEN DELETED; YES I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS COPY WRITTEN MATERIAL IN ON THE SITE BUT LET ME KNOW THAT YOU WANT THE LINK TAKEN OFF, AND I'LL TAKE IT DOWN WITHIN 24 HOURS AND IF I DON'T DO THAT THEN TAKE IT DOWN!

I find this really funny looking at where they are coming from, and a friend (Shawn Lefebvre if you want anything produced or engineered he is the man to go to) and I were talking about this (and the new EP that we are doing with the guys in Dancing With Paris [get ready for dance parties meeting in the middle of "core" pits]) and how the remaining majors are like the Titanic:

Shawn:
it's like the Titanic the bitch's are going down. and they're the ones to blame

Piers
And our job is to come in and try and save it right at the end, but we will get there a little to late and all will be lost but a few straggles... and we'll save them.... and ya we'll feel bad that the ship sunk... but really we can make a new ship that will float way better and withstand hits from icebergs way bigger then that!!!

Now I like that analogy!

Shawn:
hahaha I dig it! Piers let's build an Arc. We'll grab 2 bands of each genre.

Piers
you don't have to go any further I'm there! And we will rule the world, and I'm putting that analogy up on my blog, I just fell in love with myself and you a little more hahaha

Shawn:
hahahahahaha

So if you love major labels and think that they are still the answer good luck you you I hope that we get there to save you fast enough, and to all these that are sad that they missed "the infamous Titanic" don't worry we are working on building a bigger and better ship that everyone can go on a ride for!

If you are looking for either the Lights EP or MSTRKRFT's Fist Of GOD let me know and I'll toss you a link for it.

Other than that keep coming back cause I'm still going to put killer Canadian content on here!

Pee's

MSTRKRFT - Fist Of God

2009-04-29T02:58:00.005-04:00

Well after almost 3 year in hiatus the boys in MSTRKRFT are back and better then ever. This time around with more ass shaking tunes, heavy bass, some killer guests and yes of course the classic electronic sounds that they brought last time around. The fist time listening through new LP all I could think about was what better time then now to drop an album like this, the summer heat is coming back, the late night dance parties are on the forefront, people are ready to spend their days by the water and with all this happening this album is going to be part of everyone's soundtrack for the summer.

If you are unfamiliar with these guys they are two guys that have been a part of the Canadian music scene is more ways then one. Jess was in a band that some of you may have heard of, Death From Above 1979? After the release of "You're a Woman, I'm a Machine" and playing countless tour, appearing on such late night shows as David Letterman and playing with heavy hitters NIN, Queens Of The Stone Age (too name a couple), Jess decided to create a remix album of "You're a Woman, I'm a Machine" with fellow MSTRKRFTer Al-P or Alex Puodziukas. To me this was MSTRKRFT's first unofficial release because when listening to "Romance Bloody Romance: Remixes & B-Sides" you can hear a lot of the MSTRKRFT sound that you have learned to love.

Enough of the history lesson if you want to learn more about D.F.A. look it up that's what the Interweb is for right? I'll be posting their album later so if you want to get your hands on it keep checking back, but until then you are going to have to live with this one, and I know that you will have no problem with that. Right from the get-go this album is balls to the walls, and you don't need a sub to feel the bass pounding through your body, but if you have access to a killer system I STRONGLY RECOMMEND LISTENING TO THIS ALBUM ON IT. The theme that I kept feeling throughout this album is, dance your asses off until you are soaked in sweat, than dance some more, which is perfect for the summer season. Another thing that I love about this album is that they have thrown some great sing alone songs into the mix. The one that stands out the most is "Heartbreaker" which features R&B's John Legend....

AND THAT'S ALL I GOT BLOGGER ALREADY TOOK THIS DOWN ONCE FOR HAVING IT UP AND DOWNLOADABLE (read this and I explain the situation).

IF YOU WANT THIS ALBUM COMMENT THIS POST (with you e-mail address) AND I'LL THROW YOU THE ALBUM.

Alexisonfire - Young Cardinals

2009-04-26T12:11:00.003-04:00

So where is the new track that Alexis released last week. The album is going to be out on June 23d, but I'll probably get my fingers on it before then and I'll throw it your way, so keep looking back here for that, as well as more Canadian content oh snap!

After listening to this track a couple of times I'm still a little unsure about what to think of this. I know that when they were recording this album Wade was saying that they were writing some of their heaviest stuff to date, but listening to this I'm getting a punk vibe rather then a heavy Alexis. And I'm going to warn you now, that is George in the verses, not Wade.

Well enjoy and let me know what you think.
NEW ALEXIS HERE

Farewell To Freeway - Only Time Will Tell

2009-04-23T13:10:00.004-04:00

So this album has been out for about a week now and I've gone through it a handful of times but I am still waiting for it to really catch me. There just hasn't been anything that has caught me off guard and that is one of the tings that I love about listening to new albums the chill factor and the "what was that".

So far (and it isn't looking to good) the only tracks that I really keep going back to are "Years" and "Waking The Giant". In "Years" there is motion in the track, it isn't the same feel throughout the entire track with no dynamics; unlike the 5 songs before it. The last 1/3 has a killer lead tapping line that brings everything together for the final "chapter of the song". For me this is one of the stronger sections of the entire album and I wish that they had done something more with it, maybe a lead into the following track? For "Waking The Giant" it has a similar feel (you will notice this a lot throughout the album) as the last part of "Years" but isn't as captivating and ear pleasuring. It almost seems as though they came up with this section and couldn't put it to any other songs on the album so they made it into it's own instrumental track.

I touched about this above briefly but I feel that this album has a lot of reoccurring themes, parts, songs, throughout my listing time with it. I first noticed this after a couple times through, especially when you throw the album on loop. The first (No Fate, No End) and the last songs (Portrait) have a very identical chorus, I actually tried putting them back to back so I knew I wasn't going crazy. The way they change it up is in "No Fate, No End" they put a little break/groove in after the first time the chorus plays and then back into the chorus they go but the last chorus comes back to you (if you are listen to the album on loop or if you have listened the album a bunch). This is just one of the many things that you will start to notice once you give this album a solid listen, and makes a lot of the tracks mesh all into one track.

I really want to love this album but it just isn't happening for me, there isn't one track on here that has gave me chills or turned my head. I look back and remember the first track I heard from these guys (In These Wounds) it had it all the drive, the emotion in everything, each track you could tell everyone stood 100% behind it. Again listening back through that entire EP every track has that same feel, but there are ten-thousand more things happening throughout the EP, if you haven't heard their first EP let me know and I'll hook you up. I'm really not a hater of these guys and gal, they all are killer people and have done A LOT for the Canadian hardcore/post-hardcore, whatever you want to call it scene and I respect them for everything they have done. To me it looks like once they got signed to Victory (and amazing on them) that Victory looks at it's bands for quantity vs quality and this album looks like they went that route (like they do with a lot of other bands), it seems rushed and not enough song structure lovin' was put into it. Everything else is there, production, levels, performance (I would have liked a little more of their live feel like on In These Wounds) but it is missing that chill factor that gets me and other people digging bands, but I guess Only Time Will Tell how this album is taken.

I could be wrong about all this and you might think that this is the best thing that they have released to date, take a listen and you be the judge. Who knows live this stuff might slay, and speaking of live; EAST COAST they are head out your way right now with Kingdoms and Greeley Estates then it's WEST COAST lovin! So look out for them and when they do hit your town/city go out peep the show tell me how this stuff is live, I didn't get a chance to catch them when they pasted through Toronto.

ENJOY and support these guys however you support your favorite bands or bands in your scene (suggestions, buy music, merch, go to shows, give them a meal, a place to lay their head, there are some ideas)

Farewell To Freeway - Only Time Will Tell
Release Date: April 14th 2009

No Fate, No End
The Last Thing I’ll Ever Say
Smoke Signals
When We Hit The Ground
The Dude
Years
Here As One
Waking The Giant
Cemetary Dates
Portrait

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NEW TUNES SOON?

2009-04-18T18:54:00.004-04:00

Well hell yes there will be, don't you worry. I know that it has been a week now with nothing new for your ears but I'm still stuck on the Vanna album and with all this warm weather Lupe was calling my name. I have some great stuff coming your way in the next few posts here are a couple of bands that you are going to see: Farewell To Freeway, NORRIS, K'naan and much much more.

This week I'll throw up the new FTF, and the reason why I haven't do so already is cause I haven't had the time to sit down and really listen to the new album as a whole, but if you want your fix of sooner and you are in the eastern part of Canada they are heading out your way with Kingdoms and Greeley Estates so look out for them!

Other than that go back and listen to the new Vanna album cause I know you haven't listen to it enough yet!

See you soon!

(don't know if everyone has seen this video but I'm throwing it up cause it is said to see Mike leave the band but I totally respect his decisions. If you want to know why he is leaving there is a bog up about it on their myspace and guidelines to fill his spot if you are interested and this is the song they are getting people to rock for them. (click me!!)

Vanna - A New Hope

2009-04-10T22:48:00.007-04:00

Alright, I know that these guys aren't Canadian, and 90% of everything that is up here is Canadian so why would I put it up? Well to justify putting them up on the blog and giving them some MAJOR love is that they are coming across the border with tour mates, The Human Abstract, Oh, Sleeper, and IWRESTLEDABEARONCE to kill Toronto and Montreal, so if you are in either city or near the city's head to any of the bands myspace's to see when they are coming your way and get out there!

I was so lucky to get my listening ears to this album before it come out (unknowingly) and fell in love pretty much intently. before this album I had never heard of Vanna but I'm so glad I stumbled upon them, it has been something refreshing to the ears. I say this knowing (after you listen to the album once or twice you see what I mean) these guys have not written something that is so original and something that has never heard of before, BUT for all the true music lovers you are going to fall for this one. I may only be saying this because most people don't pick apart each song, guitar lick, transition, vocal melody... apart the way I do when a band/artist truly catches my attention.

The majority of the songs on the album are structured in a way that is refreshing and captivating from the fist time you listen to the album to the twentieth time through. Most bands that are in this scene today I feel do not have this much talent under their belts, Vanna has the screeams, dissonant break downs, pop your hips breaks, catchy melodies and excellent song structure (the only thing I'm wondering is, is it the magic of Steve Evetts or are these guys killer song writers?). Listening through this album you can hear that these guys listen to much more then just metal and hardcore from the way their pre-chorus' and verses lead into the chorus' (Into Hell's Mouth We March) has actual from and isn't part after part. After going through this album (now 30 times) I am still finding new things out about it. For example, it wasn't until I through my head phones on did I notice some of the suttle leads ("The Same Graceful Wind", listen during the first "drop out part right side) that Nick and Evan through behind some of the heavy grooves and "breakdowns".

Once again another way to turn peoples heads in this scene is melodies, vocal and guitar. Now a days bands seem to be scared of melodies but need to remember you don't have to sing to have melodies in songs, use those higher strings on the guitar. With Vanna they have captured the melodies and the ball braking, Harley riding riffs. I can see why bands tend to steer away from this because it is harder to fall into the scene that embraces you the best. I do know this is how a lot of bands get lost or don't get to show their full potential because they aren't teamed up with the right bands or tours. That being said this tour that these guys are on now will really make them shine and I can't wait to see them.

Enough of this, take a little sample listen and head out to get this album YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED, and if you are come over to me at the show and kick me in the nuts.

Vanna - A New Hope
Release: March 23rd, 2009

Let’s Start An Earthquake
Into Hell’s Mouth We March
The Same Graceful Wind
Like Changing Seasons
Trashmouth
Safe To Say
We Are Nameless
Sleepwalker
Where We Are Now
Ten Arms
Life and Limb
The Sun Sets Here

DOWNLOAD

**A Little Update, the guys told me that when it does come to the studio magic, although Steve is an amazing man he only helped with the small things, these boys did all the hard work***

Cancer Bats - Hail Destroyer

2009-04-06T16:34:00.006-04:00

I know that this isn't a new release (but in the UK a limited addition has just been released, just some random info for you) but a couple of people have been asking me to post it up so they can get a feel of the whole album, and hey if you want it I'm sure I already have it and have no problem putting it up!

When listening to any of their albums I have never truly been pulled in, compared to when seeing these guys live, for me this is where they truly shine. Because of this reason I never really was sold on them, until I saw them back in 2007 when they were touring with The Architects, The Gorgeous and Johnny Truant. But saying that, this album definitely has a much better live feel and a more intense sound compared to their first major release Birthing The Giant. Another thing that seems to come up all the time (not just recently) is how grounded and down to earth these guys are, and seeing some of the artists that they got out for this album it really shows that everyone has made love for Cancer Bats. They have Tim McIlrath of Rise Against on Harem of Scorpions, Wade MacNeil of Alexisonfire on the track Deathsmarch and Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent on the track Smiling Politely, out of these tracks my favorite is Smiling Politely because it has a French Immersion (their "breakout" song off of Birthing The Giant) feel to it with a little twist.

Overall this album is a easy listen to, if you grew up listening to punk rock and hardcore you are going to eat this up like it's been your first meal for a week! And you can expect to see these guys around your town a lot more, after playing all of Taste Of Chaos this year they have really started to make a name for them selves south of the boarder and already have a huge following in our homeland as well as our European family to the east! I know this is a little shorter entree but it will have to do.

ENJOY!

Cancer Bats - Hail Destroyer
Release: April 22nd 2008

Hail Destroyer
Harem of Scorpions (feat. Tim McIlrath of Rise Against)
Deathsmarch (feat. Wade MacNeil of Alexisonfire)
Regret
Bastard's Waltz
Sorceress
Lucifer's Rocking Chair
Let It Pour
Smiling Politely (feat. Benjamin Kowalewicz of Billy Talent)
Pray For Darkness
PMA 'Til I'm DOA
Zed's Dead, Baby

DOWNLOAD

The Holly Springs Disaster - The Home Alone

2009-04-01T15:33:00.007-04:00

I think that it's time to give you something that will get you riled up again, and who better to do this non other then the boys in The Holly Springs Disaster. After seeing these guys for the 7th time last week all I need to say is they keep getting dirtier, tighter, and more intense. It was awesome to hear the new stuff that they have been working on and let me tell you it's still the same old Holly, sweet sing-a-longs (sounds like there is even an actual chorus in the song King Kong), awesome dynamics, similar song structures to Motion and when it came to their set structure killer like always and still feeding the kids what they want!

For anyone that has no idea what I'm talking about here's a little run down. Holly Springs Disaster are 5 dudes that come from the little Saskatchewan town of Weyburn and started to playing together after most of their past bands fell apart (Away From Here, Prevail and Short Story). From there they created this little know EP The Home Alone. From there the guys took to the road to show what they had to offer and right from the get-go they where turning heads. On this EP alone the guys had a couple of runs at Canada but always headed home to write a couple new tracks then it was right back out again. After their fifth run and a new demo My Pet Monster (and if anyone has that demo toss it my way!!!!) they were picked up by Underground Operation, who released their first real EP, Motion, Sickness, Love which I'm guessing most people have, or have at least heard of. On Motion they went back to their demo's and re-recoded a couple of songs to create the story of Motion, Sickness, Love. On this EP you can hear their first recorded version of A Nice Night For A Neck Injury, for me this is awesome to hear cause you can really see the progression of these guys if you compare the new vs the old.

So I guess for all you Holly fans here are two new tracks that you might not have heard and one that shows you where this all started. Well I hope this ties you over until their new FULL LENGTH comes out, and it shouldn't be to much longer because they start recording it April 20th, 4/20... if you know the guys you will know the significance of the date.

(Also just on a side note, if you wonder why these guys are SO tight live think of the number of times that these guys have played some of these songs. Practice makes PERFECT!)

The Holly Springs Disaster - The Home Alone
Release: 2005

A Nice Night For A Neck Injury
Get Out Of Here You Nosey Little Pervert Or I'm Gonna Slap You Silly
Say It Again, Maybe It'll Happen

DOWNLOAD

Ahh! Nothing New

2009-03-23T14:51:00.004-04:00

First off sorry that there hasn't been any new music posted for almost a week now. I went away last week and there wasn't any interweb so I couldn't post any stuff. I'm getting some new stuff ready for everyone and will have it up later this week. But until then let this entertain you until then.

And yes he does sing both parts just you wait!

Enjoy and new music coming soon!

Kingdoms - Alantis

2009-03-16T10:37:00.007-04:00

10 months ago if someone told me that Kingdoms were going to be one of the next up and coming bands to look out for in 2009 I would have asked who? Partly because these guys 9 months ago these guys were just starting to write their debut EP Alantis. Fast forward to today and already these guys have accomplished more then most bands in the scene right now. Instead of going into details about everything they have under their belt here is a quick list:

Signed to UOBA (Underground Operations Booking Agency)
Endorsed by, Arc Cloathing, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Cutthroat Clothing and SIT Strings
Played Edge 102.1's F U Awards and nominated for the Best New Band of '08
Shared the stage with such bands as (on more then one of two occasions) Protest The Hero, Straight Reads The Line, Callahan, Lifestory:Monologue, Dead And Divine, and so on
Already have had over 10,000 downloads of this EP Alantis

So by looking at the list you can see that Kingdoms have really made their mark in the past 10 months (with out a label reping them either) and they aren't slowing down anytime soon. Just recently they have acquired their new guitarist and are writing new material and hoping for a new release sometime this springs, and when it drops you can count on it being on here, for your listening pleasures.

But until then you are going to have to learn to love (which you will) these five tracks. As soon as you start up the EP there is no messing around, you are hit instantly with everything, from guitar sweeps, pounding drums, aggressive vocals, the odd time signature. Oh and this all happens within the first 20 seconds of the EP, so get ready for a ride. By the end of the opening track "Pyramids" you are then introduced to the melodic side of these guys, and a great sing-a-long part when you see them live. Throughout the EP you will notice a great blend of heavy vs. melodic, and how it's different in every song. Sometimes its a heavier feeling part with calming vocals, or it's heavy all around but the lead line underneath everything is laying the soothing melody. It's something to definitely listen for through out the EP, and this could also be why this EP is appealing to so many kids in the scene right now.

Like a lot of the other bands that I have shown you recently these guys are playing on the upcoming SRTL tour, head over to either of the bands myspace and see when they are playing around your area.

Enjoy once again!

Kingdoms - Alantis
Release: October 2008

Pyramids
Catharsis
Telegraph Static
Atlantis
La Serena

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Shad - The Old Prince

2009-03-12T15:16:00.006-04:00

I haven't had any Canadian Hip-Hop (if you have seen any of Shad's video's you will get the Fresh Prince reference, and if you don't get it look up "The Old Prince Still Lives At Home") on here yet and why not start with non other then Shad.

Shad has been kicking around the Canadian music/Hip Hop scene now for a few years, and has now started really make his mark and show everyone that he is a true artist. When you listen to this album you will notice that he doesn't rap about typical rap issues but more about the social environment that surrounds him. On this album you'll hear everything from, why he is living at home still, what's going on in the "rap scene", what he does/how he rocks shows, pretty much the stuff he is rhyming about is super clever and thought provoking. It's an album that you can't take in all at once, every time you come back to it there is something new you learn about it, and for this reason I would say that this album is at the top of my list for Hip-Hop albums, up there with Lupe and Jay-Z.

Even though this album was released at the end of 2007 it still is as fresh as it was when it first came out and it seems that it is still gaining momentum. This summer he has landed a full time spot on Warped Tour and was nominated for an Indie Award for "Best Urban Artist" but just lost to Classified (another killer hip hopper for the EAST COAST and has a new album coming out in April, so look back here for it!). There are many more but I think it's time to start the listening...

NOW, get to the listing now and enjoy, and all you kids going to Warped Tour remember to look out for at Shad, and go over say "word up" and buy all of his stuff!

Shad - The Old Prince
Release: Oct 23, 2007

Intro: Quest for Glory
I Don’t Like To
What We All Want (ft. Kamau and Relic the Oddity)
Brother (Watching) (ft. B and F Kabango)
Now A Daze
The Old Prince Still Lives At Home
Out of Love Pt. 2
The Last Three Years Interlude
I Heard You Had a Voice Like An Angel / Psalm 137
Compromise
Exile
Get Up
Outro

DOWNLOAD
(remember go out and support everyone on this blog so that out Canadian Music scene can keep pumping out new and better music!)

Straight Reads The Line - The Author

2009-03-09T19:17:00.005-04:00

Yet another band that are hitting the highways over the next month, but if you are anywhere other than Ontario you sadly going to miss these guys. Straight Reads The Line are heading out on a small Ontario tour with guests (on select dates) Lifestory:Monologue, Kingdoms and The Oxford Street Montage in support of their latest release The Author. This will be their second time out on this release; just last fall they crossed this great country of ours.

If you still haven't heard this album or SEEN these guys live you are missing out on one of the top Canadian Metalcore bands out right now. After really making a name for themselves on there 2007 cross Canada Tour (January/February I must mention) with label mates Dead And Divine agency's and labels started to take notice to not only SRTL but also D&D. Fast forward to 2009 both bands are back on the same label once again, (they started off on Verona Records but are now both on Distort Entertainment). Distort picked these guys up last summer and got them right into the studio so they would be able to release this album upon the world...

Whenever I listen to this album I find myself listening to it a couple times through, because it hits you so fast and quickly that it feels like an EP rather then a full length. I'm not saying this is bad thing, rather it's awesome that they have released something that seems a lot shorter then it actually is. With peoples attention spans becoming less and less it's harder for bands to keep people interested for more then 5 or 6 songs at a time, but the way this album is laid out it makes the listener think they have listened to less then they actually have.

You know what just listen for yourself, if you like all the stuff that I have already posted you are going to love this as well! Also if you are in the Toronto area on March 12th 2009 head down to the Opera House and be apart of CMW as well as SRTL's tour kick off with some other guests suck as BLEEDING THROUGH & THE ACACIA STRAIN. If you are wondering where else these boys are heading all their tour dates are posted on their myspace.

ENJOY!

Straight Reads The Line - The Author
Release: Oct 28, 2008

Pilgore
The Jig Is Up
Last Call
I Wouldn't Go Out, There's Some
The Orchid Killer
Fashionably Late
Sweet Chin Music
I'll Have Hime Shot When I Can Afford
Mortimer
Gok Bing Lam

DOWNLOAD
(REMEMBER, support these guys they have worked had to get where they are today, and if you don't support bands like these, our killer Canadian Music Scene will die out, and that would suck, so GO BUY THEIR SHIT AT A SHOW NEAR YOU)

Lifestory:Monologue - Demo

2009-03-04T22:41:00.009-05:00

I'm glad that I waited to right this tonight, because I came across this little treat tonight while at a Dancing With Paris jam. And the treat is couple of songs from a new demo that Lifestory:Monologe is releasing in support of their first East Coast tour.

Alright, before I get into the tracks, IF YOU ARE ON ON EAST COAST GET OUT AND SEE THESE GUYS AND SHOW THEM YOUR DANCING FINGERS. You will only get that after you see them live or if you have seen them live before. Over the past year these guys have been hitting the Southern Ontario scene hard, sharing stages/halls with bands like Farewell To Freeway,Kingdoms, Dead And Divine and the list goes on.

I First saw these guys back at Indie Week 2007 and didn't know what to think of it at first. This what went through my head. Some bearded man shouting, not yelling or screaming, shouting through out the whole set, with the occasional soft soothing vocals from the baby faced guitarist and poster boy bassists (GO AND SEE THEM LIVE AND YOU WILL KNOW). But then all of a sudden the other guitarist busts out a bow and starts playing his guitar (WHAT?). So as you can see a little confusing at first but what there's more! The next think I see is a curly afro bouncing up and down from behind a keyboard, and a dude in the back (behind all the amps) with some sort of light board on shaking a tambourine, and when it comes to the back bone of the band, ask him about his tats, I know I did!

Reading that you must be thinking what do these guys sound like? "Looking at the bands that they have played with they MUST be heavy", well think again, they are a soothing, calm, energy driven band. Dueling leads, catchy riffs, epic periods, and chant along parts (just to name a few). If you don't know them take a listen to their EP "Hold Me, In The Wind, My Friend" to get a sense of the band and from there move to the Demo. For all you LSM lovers you are going to love these two songs! At one point it almost sounds like (in Candles) they use part of a vocal melody from Spice Girls' "Viva Forever" (fuck ya)!

Take a listen and once again IF YOU ARE ON THE EAST COAST(or on the way out to the east coast)GO OUT AND SEE THIS GUYS!!

Demo
Released: March 3rd 2009

Candles
With Rain

Lifestory:Monologue - Hold Me, In The Wind, My Friend
Released: October 26th 2007

Dancing & Kisses
Ultimate!
Wolves Behind Me
Sway The Stalks
Rejoice, Rejoice

DOWNLOAD
(GO SEE THEM)

Black Lungs - Send Flowers

2009-02-28T08:41:00.004-05:00

I don't know if everyone knows this but, Alexisonfire are recording their new album "Young Cardinals" and usually when people find out that one of their favorite bands are recoding their new album they can't wait to get their hands on it. I thought that Wade's (guitarist in Alexis) side project Black Lungs would hold people off until the new Alexis album drops. Now a lot of people know about Dallas' solo stuff City And Colour and Wade's seems to fly under the radar in comparison to Dallas' success, but if you look at the two projects they are nothing a like so if you are thinking that this is another Dallas album think again. City And Colour is acoustic and folky, where Black Lungs is Dirty Rock & Roll, stuff you shake your hips to (the twist anyone). Listening to the album you will find out that Wade isn't just the other dude that sings the odd time in Alexis, but he is a solid song writer as well as a great guitarist. Enough of all this, if you love Alexis you are going to love this stuff; if you can't wait for the new album to drop is will tie you over until then; if you like Dirty Rock&Roll you are going to love this stuff, enough said...

Black Lungs - Send Flowers
Released: May 20th 2008

A Blessing and a Curse
Fire and Brimstone
When It's Blackout
Hold Fast (Sink or Swim)
These Moments Define Us
For Her
So It Goes
Timeless
In Memory

DOWNLOAD
(Once again whenever any of these guys are passing by your town head out and support them, that always put on a killer show and have worked really had to get where they are now)

Callahan - Callahan

2009-02-26T14:36:00.007-05:00

Alright so it is that time again to show some more love to yet another killer Canadian band. This time these guys are repin' the West Coast of Canada and are they ever doing a great job at that! After the release of their first full length album; featuring guest vocals from Rody from Protest The Hero and being produced by Julius "Juice" Butty (Alexisonfire, The Gorgeous, Sleeper Set Sail) these guys hit the road almost immediately touring with Canadian heavy weights Straight Reads The Line. With this years CMW coming up they are heading back across this vast land of ours (March 3rd to March 28th), to play CMW@ The Bovine then heading back to Vancouver to this years Taste Of Chaos (if they get enough votes, which I'm sure that will not be a problem). For all their upcoming tour dates but check out their myspace.

Now if you are looking for the Callahan recipe here it is:

Takes a block Rock with a dash of Metalcore, stir in 3 cups of southern spice, add a cut of hardcore (not traditional) break downs, dice up a fair portion of soothing vocals and sprinkle a little piano spice on top. Let it simmer on the stove for 42.1 minutes and serve while it is still hot.

And here you have
Callahan

Callahan - Callahan
Release: October 1st 2008

You're No Daisy
Texas Chain Wheel
You Foul Beast
Zombie Walk - Cellphone Talk
Getting Naked Doesn't Make You My Type
Oh Chatwin, Where Art Thou
Oswald Cobblepot
You Had Me Convinced
Davenport
Karaoke Knights
Say Goodnight and Go

DOWNLOAD
(now if you are in Canada you have no excuse NOT to go out and see this guys and give them your money, they will show you how to put on a show!)

Finch - Self Titled

2009-02-23T11:34:00.003-05:00

Finch, know these guys haven't really done anything since Say Hello To Sunshine but last July they released this EP Self Tiled. I have found listing to this EP ]if the guys had released this EP in between What It Is To Burn and Say Hello To Sunshine. It seems more of a step backwards for the guys, but after listening to this EP then going back to Sunshine I have learned to love that album even more now. One other thing that would have been nice if there were a couple more tracks on the EP it seems once you start to get into it, it's over.

But anyways if you are Finch lover you will enjoy this and it's something new from the band.

Enjoy

Finch - Self Titled
Release: July 22nd 2008

Daylight
Famine or Disease
From Hell
Chinese Organ Thieves

DOWNLOAD
(these guys aren't doing any shows in North America right now but if you are in Europe of Australia check them out!)

Moneen - Saying Something You Have Already Said Before - A Quiet Side of Moneen

2009-02-21T11:38:00.004-05:00

If you love Moneen and loved their last album Red Tree then you are going to love this EP. Now it's not any new music but the took a couple of tracks from (manly Red Tree) their last couple albums and re worked them; adding piano, strings, stronger vocals from Kenny and making you fall in love with the tracks all over again. There really isn't much more to say about the EP, if you are a Moneen lover this will keep your ears happy (hopefully) until the new Moneen stuff drops.

Enjoy.

Moneen - Moneen - Saying Something You Have Already Said Before - A Quiet Side of Moneen
Release: January 1st 2009

Prepare Yourself ... The Worst Is Yet To Come
This Is All Bigger Than Me
There Are Millions of Reasons Why This May Not Work ... And Just One for Why It Will
The East Has Stolen Something the West May Want
The Song I Swore Never to Song

DOWNLOAD
(Remember when these guys come back around go and peep then and give them all the support that they deserve, that have been doing this a long while now!)

City And Colour - City And Colour

2009-02-20T08:27:00.007-05:00

Alrighty so I'm pretty sure everyone know City And Colour AKA Dallas Green. Well here is the EP that was circling around before he released Sometimes. On here you can hear some demo stuff that he was fooling around with and stuff you may never have heard before. That's all I really have to tell you about it, it's just a nice little treat if you are a Dallas lover. "Tip of the Album" where did he get the name for City And Colour? If you don't know the anwser it's easier then you think.

Oh and for all you that don't know who Dallas Green in look up the band Alexisonfire.

Enjoy.

City And Colour - City And Colour
Release: N/A

How Come Your Arms Are Not Around Me (acoustic)
Missing
Serravalle
This Sudden Injury
So Low
Save Your Scissors
The Sleeping Sickness
Urgency

DOWNLOAD
(enjoy the rare stuff and if either Dallas of Alexis are passing by near you head out and check the stuff out, and support them!)

The Gorgeous - Great Lakes

2009-02-19T10:13:00.005-05:00

So I just got my hands on my own copy of this album, even though I have been listening to it for years. This album is the definition of Hardcore and Canadian Hardcore at it's best. These guy came up punched everyone in the face and got the fuck out of here, just as fast as they came into the scene. They loved making music but it was becoming routine... I don't know where to even start with these guys, even though this album came out in 2005; if it came out today they would still be a head of the game and turning heads! The best thing I can say about this album is that it was and still is a huge underground success and if you don't know it, and love the hardcore/metalcore scene you need to know this album front to back, it has everything you could ever ask for.

As you listen through and hear the dirtiness and "live" feel of the album try to imagine five drunken dudes playing this but with 73.67% more aggression and love for playing live, and that is what makes a "gorgeous" show. If you did get to see them live you loved every minute of it and if you didn't get the chance you should look some of the stuff up on YouTube (2nd last show)

Don't Enjoy it LOVE IT!!

The Gorgeous - Great Lakes
November 22, 2005

Lake Ontario
Shy Guys
Jamboree at the Jubilee
King of the Delta Blues
Mistresses and Marriages
Kissed and Dissed
Banned from the band
Dinner and Dancing
Love them and leave them
Dumb and Dahmer

DOWNLOAD

(I don't think that they guys are going to mind you taking this but check out Barn Burner and support them, seeing as this is the band that some of the guys made up after The Gorgeous...)

And remember...If you didn't come to dance get the fuck out of here!

Lily Allen - It's Not Me It's You

2009-02-18T15:45:00.006-05:00

Ok so ,I just found out that some how my Lily Allen post got deleted, so I'm throwing it up again. I'm not going to write about it again and all you need to know about it is that it is one of the best albums of 2009 so far! Everyone that I have shown it to or have talked to about loves is and can't get enough of it!

Listen and enjoy!

Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You
Released: February 9, 2009

Everyone's At It
The Fear
Not Fair
22
I Could Say
Back to the Start
Never Gonna Happen
Fuck You
Who'd Have Known
Chinese
Him
He Wasn't There

DOWNLOAD

In:Avaite - 1985

2009-02-18T10:44:00.006-05:00

Ok, I try and get new music up everyday but I have been lacking the past couple of days, BUT I do have something that will make up for the mixed days. IN:AVAITE. Now if you love Circa and the days when Anthony Green was kickin it with the Saosin boys, you are going to eat this stuff up! I have been listening on and off to this album for the past couple of week and have found myself waking up in the morning and singing their stuff (a true sign that these guys are doing something right).

Here is my "Tip of The Album" on your first couple of listens you will hear some awesome double lead lines but it isn't until you throw some headphones on to truly hear the doubles, try it, you will enjoy the ear candy!

Finally, I know that I have fallen for these braz and I really hope they head up north and show us how they do what they do.

Enjoy!

In:Avaite - 1985
Release: October 14th 2008

In the End
Redefining Automation
Question Everything
Through the Light Darkly
Transcendental Weather
Ascension
Eulalia
Awake
We All Seek the Truth
Kissing Tigers
And the World Will Know
In the Beginning

DOWNLOAD

(Like always sample the stuff, if you like go and support the band however you support bands, buying merch, going to shows, buying albums, tell all your friends about them...)

Castillan - Daisy

2009-02-11T09:56:00.003-05:00

So here is another mellow band to play while you are in bed, with your girl, and make some long time loving happen. I came across these guys looking through one of the new release days that Absolute Punk puts out every week.

But really this EP is a great one to sit and listen to, anywhere at any time. These guys are out of Dallas Texas and have only been around a few months. Before this they released a demo, but don't waste your time on that, this is the direction that Castillan is heading! If you are in the mood for some traditional in indie rock meets ambient, these guys can give you all that and some more? I would say that are similar to Guelph Ont. Lifestory:Monologue but replace the yelling-shouting with soothing vocal lines!

Castillan - Daisy
Release: September 25th 2008

A Selfish Love
A Shifting Reef
Ink Heart
Hero Now a Crow
Separate Branches
When Daisy Tumbled Short of His Dreams

DOWLOAD
(If you are in the Texas area make sure you check these guys out, and if not head over to there myspace and get them to send you some merch or tell them how much you like listening to their music and making love at the same time!)

Minus The Bear - Acoustics

2009-02-09T09:27:00.003-05:00

This one is for all the lovers out there; of a little band called Minus The Bear. I find that everything that these guys release, create, perform has never disappointed their fans, and here is another installation. It may not be new songs but they have thrown a wicked twist on this stuff. It's all acoustic, and if you think you love Minus The Bear now wait until you hear these EP! With the acoustic stuff it really does show how well their songs are structured together, you hear new things that you didn't hear on the albums and if you take some of the complex delay off there is a lot more to the songs! Overall it's a great EP to throw on and chill too over and over again!

Minus The Bear - Acoustics
Release: October 7th 2008

Guns & Ammo (new track)
We Are Not a Football Team (from the album, Highly Refined Pirates)
Burying Luck (from the album, Planet of Ice)
Knights (from the album, Planet of Ice)
Pachuca Sunrise (from the album, Menos El Oso)
Throwin' Shapes (from the album, Planet of Ice)
Ice Monster (from the album, Planet of Ice)

DOWNLOAD
(Enjoy the chill session and when they pass through your area go and peep them at the show and buy some shit)

He Is Ledgend - 2008 Demos

2009-02-06T13:43:00.004-05:00

So here is another band has crafted their sound to a T, they haven't really released anything in a while but it looks like there is rumour that a new release should be out March or April, let's hope so. Here are the most resent demo's that that have "semi" released. I don't know if this stuff is going to be on the upcoming record but non the less it should tie people over until the new stuff drops.

I'm going to keep it sweet and short this time!
Word

He Is Legend - 2008 Demos
Release - ??

Decisions Decisions Decisions
Stranger Danger
Don't Touch That Dial
Everyone I Know Has Fangs

DOWNLOAD

(so when the new stuff drops remember to go out and pick it up where ever/however you do that. I'm sure I'll have a little sample running around on here)

A Day To Remember - Homesick

2009-02-03T09:21:00.005-05:00

Well another Tuesday and you know what that means, today is new music day for the average listener. A couple of the new releases that you will see on shelves or added to the iTunes Store this week are, The Fray, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, VersaEmerge, and these guy A Day To Remember. And today might just be a day that they are going to remember for a long while, see as today is the release of their third full length album "Homesick". After listening to this album for the past week I fell in love with it quickly! From the first group vocal on "The Downfall Of Us All"; which I don't think they could make it any sooner. To the guests that appear on the album, Mike Hranica of The Devil Wears Prada on "I'm Made of Wax, Larry, What are You Made of?", Vincent Bennett of The Acacia Strain on "Welcome to the Family" (which is a fitting) and everyone's new girlfriend Sierra Kusterbeck of VersaEmerge on the closing track "If It Means a Lot to You". When it came to the lyrics they really grabbed me; if you are in or have ever been in a band that tours you will be able to relate to a lot of lyrical content on this album.

Overall I can't really say enough for the album it has the guitar squeals, the breakdowns, the hip popping/sing alongs... Just listen and you'll know, so far best release of 09!

A Day To Remember - Homesick
Release: February 3rd 2009

The Downfall Of Us All
My Life For Hire
I’m Made Of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of?
NJ Legion Iced Tea
Mr Highway’s Thinking About The End
Have Faith In Me
Welcome To The Family
Homesick
Holdin’ It Down For The Underground
You Already Know What You Are
Another Song For The Weekend
If It Means Alot To You

DOWNLOAD

(see how these guys are not going to be home until everyone is singing La La La, go out and help the guys get home that little bit sooner!)
Enjoy, I sure am!

VersaEmerge - VersaEmerge

2009-02-02T08:55:00.005-05:00

So late last week I managed to get my hands on the new Versa EP "VersaEmerge". I have been listening to it on and off ever since I got it and in doing this I have noticed on major thing. Unlike there last release (Perceptions) where I was pulled in right away, this time around it is tacking a lot longer to love. They have a much stronger Paramore sound and less of the Circa love. Through out the EP the two tacks that really have pulled me in are "The Hider" and their remake of "Clocks". The rest of the stuff is just missing something that I can't quite put my fingers on. The recording/production sounds amazing, and with that behind them this is going to push the EP "to the front of the pack" of bands that have this similar vibe going for them.

There's my two cents on this EP, take it how you want, overall I'm still waiting for the light switch to get flipped right on... maybe a headphone listen??

VersaEmerge - VersaEmerge
Release: February 3rd 2009

Theatrics
The Hinder
Past Praying For
Moments Between Sleep
Whisperer
Clocks

extra
In Pursuing Design (acoustic) I know I put this on the last one as well, but it is a killer track!

DOWNLOAD

(Now remember head out and get their stuff, see them live and show them your love, these guys have been working hard to get to this level, so help them out!)

New music?

2009-01-31T11:41:00.003-05:00

Sorry no new stuff today, I'm heading to a friends wedding so I don't have the time to give you anything new for your ears, but you have got enough new stuff from last week to last you the weekend!

WORD

Jaydiohead - Jay-Z x Radiohead

2009-01-30T07:12:00.000-05:00

So everyone has heard of the Grey Album, well there is a new playa in the game and you can all it (?) JAYDIOHEAD. Jay-Z's flow this time has been paired up with tracks from Radiohead. The man behind the music is Minty Fresh Beats, he is a DJ based out of New York. I would say (not being a big Radiohead lover) that some Radiohead lovers might be a bit disappointed with this, only because if they are looking from some vocal trade offs it doesn't really happen. I does happen on the odd track; such as "Dirt Off Your Android". Other than that factor the tracks, and how they are arranged is killer, it has definitely added something new to the "mash up" scene. Well enough of this get the album and listen for yourself, you be the judge! Oh and my favorite track is "No Karma", you'll see why...

Jaydiohead - Jay-Z x Radiohead
Release: December 30 2008
(I have included what songs are used in each track)

Wrong Prayer - "Pray" (Jay-Z, American Gangster) + "I Might Be Wrong" (Radiohead, Amnesiac)

99 Anthems - "99 Problems" (Jay-Z, The Black Album) + The National Anthem (Radiohead, Kid A)

No Karma - "No Hook" (Jay-Z, American Gangster) + "Karma Police" (Radiohead, OK Computer)

Lucifer's Jigsaw - "Lucifer" (Jay-Z, The Black Album) + "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" (Radiohead, In Rainbows)

Optimistic Moment - "Moment of Clarity" (Jay-Z, The Black Album) + "Optimistic" (Radiohead, Kid A)

Dirt Off Your Android - "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" (Jay-Z, The Black Album) + "Paranoid Android" (Radiohead, OK Computer)

Dreaming Up - "American Dreamin'" (Jay-Z, American Gangster) + "Up on the Ladder" (Radiohead, In Rainbows [Disc 2])

Change Order - "Never Change" (Jay-Z, The Blueprint) + "Gagging Order" (Radiohead, B-side of "Go to Sleep" from Hail to the Thief)

Fall In Step - "Fallin'" (Jay-Z, American Gangster) + "15 Step" (Radiohead, In Rainbows)

Ignorant Swan - "Ignorant Swan" (Jay-Z, American Gangster) + Black Swan" (Thom Yorke, The Eraser)

DOWNLOAD

(seeing how Minty Fresh is giving this one out for free this one is on him)

Ten Second Epic - Hometown

2009-01-29T09:40:00.006-05:00

Well seeing as I'm on a role with the Canadian bands why not keep it going, this band (unlike yesterday's blog) are still around and kickin it. This is their second full length release (with Black Box) and their second release in 2 and a half months, (October 14th 2008 they released an EP called Viral, fitting for the times). But here is their new LP "Hometown". When it comes to the album I'm still going through it but nothing has blown me out of the water, but it did take me 6 listens to the new Fall Out Boy album to get it. It was cool to hear Lights on the track Every Day other than that still waiting. But I can really see this album talking off in the "pop/rock" or whatever you want to call it scene. And this will definitely be the band that your girlfriend is going to be listing to for the next little while. But take a listen and pick it up where every you get your music, the stuff is up for download on iTunes and in all store... if you still buy CD's.

Ten Second Epic - Hometown
Release: January 27 2009

Welcome to Wherever You Are
Life Times
Every Day (featuring Lights)
Yours to Lose
Costa La Vista Baby
Well That's the Thing
Windows
Get So Far
Stand Up
First and Foremost
Further Now

DOWNLOAD
(so after you fall in love with the stuff head out and support the guys, they need to eat as well, you can count one at least a couple cross Canada Tour, on this album. So when they come through your town go and hit them up)
Enjoy

Kathleen Turner Overdrive - Marauders! Wolves! Scavengers! Party!

2009-01-28T10:27:00.007-05:00

So last year (2008) in Canada really seemed like "The Year Of The Brake Up". It seemed like every month a new band was throwing in the towel. Band like KINCAIDE, Sydney, Shotgun Rules, Seconds To Go, Means, Johnny Truant (I know that they are from the UK, but Canada was their second home, so they count), and this band Kathleen Turner Overdrive. Now these guys sort of came up out of no where and made a there mark on the scene very quickly. Getting signed to Underground Operation, heading out on the road with bands like Farewell To Freeway, Means, Shortline Hero, Protest The Hero, getting on all the festivals and large events in Southern Ontario last summer. So I guess they came they saw, they partied across this amazing country of our and peaced out. So if you never did get to see them they put on a very dirty show with short shorts, booze driven sets and the occasional mic stand miss hap (just a quick recap; hope I didn't bore you, but really you didn't have to read it you could just download the shit).

So if you are in the the Norma Jean meets The Gorgeous you will dig this little EP entitled "Marauders! Wolves! Scavengers! Party!" and really sums up the EP. Enjoy.

Kathleen Turner Overdrive - Marauders! Wolves! Scavengers! Party!
June 3rd 2008

The Shits
Total Fuckin' Blackout
Ex-Vegas or Pussy Thieves
Alas The Wreckage
Gin and Slime
Sweatin' to the Gallows

DOWNLOAD
(no seeing as they are not playing shows anymore head over to their myspace and tell them that they fucking blow goats, or something like that)

VersaEmerge - Perceptions

2009-01-27T09:45:00.007-05:00

So if you ever wondered what it would sound like if Paramore made some sweet lovin with Circa, you would come out with something like this. Versa have really made a "new" name for themselves over the past 12 months, getting a new vocalist, crafting their sound and releasing this EP. Also in the next week and a bit they are releasing their new EP (Feb. 3rd) which is sounding a lot more on the Paramore side of things which is saddening because the Paramore/Circa feel really got me into loving them (hearing it for the first time in our back "junk room" while shoot air soft out the window at random stuff) Take a listen and in the upcoming weeks I'll probably get my fingers on the new EP, but until then enjoy this one!

VersaEmerge - Perceptions
Release - July 1st, 2008

Percipere
In Persuing Design
Consider the Sea
The Reification of Notion
The Authors
Clocks
New Frontier

PLUS
In Persuing Design (acoustic) (PureVolume Exclusive)

DOWNLOAD
(and remember head out and see these guys live, buy their merch and anything else they have to offer. Right now they have a bunch of touring about to go down so head to their myspace and peep the dates)

KINCAIDE - Unreleased EP 2008

2009-01-26T10:41:00.007-05:00

It sucks that this EP never got released, it really would have thrown my boys out in front of a lot of the Canadian bands that are out there now. Getting to see them play this stuff night after night (on our 2007 tour) was so amazing, so I only feel that it is right to let others hear this and love it as much as everyone on the tour did.

KINCAIDE - Unreleased EP

Wood and Wire
Augustine
Our Moms Used To Play Ball Together
Hang Your Teath
The Gallows

DOWNLOAD
(seeing as they are done touring, go and show them some love where ever you can, and just maybe they will head across Canada one last time??)

Today I Caught The Plague - Ms. Mary Mallon

2009-01-25T14:51:00.007-05:00

Alight if you like Protest the Hero here is something a little heavier for you. These guys are based out of Ottawa and this EP is solid all the way through take a listen!

Today I Caught The Plague - Ms. Mary Mallon EP
Release Date: July 4th, 2008

The Artisan Movement
Columbella
Curious Lives of Human Cadavera
The God City Gunfight
Dearest Delia,
Dead Girls Don't Smile

DOWNLOAD
Enjoy - If you like what you hear go and see them live, buy their shit and spread the love!

Architects - Hollow Crown

2009-01-19T15:53:00.009-05:00

Architects - Hollow Crown
Release Date - January 26th 2009

Early Grave
Dethroned
Numbers Count For Nothing
Follow The Water
In Elegance
We’re All Alone
Borrowed Time
Every Last Breath
One Of These Days
Dead March
Left With A Last Minute
Hollow Crown

DOWNLOAD
Enjoy - If you like what you hear go and see them live, buy their shit and spread the love!

Hair Cut For Christmas

2008-12-12T14:00:00.005-05:00

So for the last year and 8 months my hair has not been cut, until today. The day finally came for me to say "SEE YA" to my long ringlets of hair, but they will not be wasted, how could anyone let hair like that go to waste! So where did it go you ask... well some people know that I said last new yeas that I was growing my hair to donate to a cancer charity that makes wigs for children that have lost their hair due to their cancer treatment. The charity that I have chosen to donate to is A Child's Voice Foundation located in Mississauga.

Now I know that I said I was going to be cutting my hair with Mr. Rob Dyer when he cut his hair, but I couldn't take it anymore, my locks were taking over. So Rob if you are reading when you do giv'er the old chop I'll still be there! And I don't know how girls can take it, all long hair all the time ahhh!! Well here are some before and after pics of my wonderful NEW and old look :ob

SHOCKING?!?!?!
Piers

The Wet Hair Look

Before

NOW

AIDS

2008-12-03T10:57:00.002-05:00

I know it's a little after National AIDS day but I was looking through some videos and this one really stud out. I always like the thinking outside the box stuff.

Pee's

WINTER IS HERE

2008-11-25T11:11:00.001-05:00

See as winter has finally hit most of this great country of ours, and for me someone that HATES the cold I though that it was only appropriate to show some of the inner beauty that the cold winter can bring us. Looking through these photo's did warm my heart up to the winter weather and reminded me why winter does have some killer parts to it!

Here are a couple that I have chosen from 50 Beautiful Winter Wonderland Photos. Take a look and remember why we all do love winter even if it is for a split second when you see stuff like this.

Enjoy,
Pee's

Did You Know?

2008-11-24T09:38:00.000-05:00

A friends sent this to me and it has some pretty cool fact about what is going on in the world today. Everything from Internet usage, world population, the future of computers, marketing ways and how everything has become very accelerated now that we have entered the Digital Age. If you have 5 minutes take a look, because in the 5 minutes of you watching it around 694,000 songs we downloaded....illegally.

Pee's

Beached Whale

2008-11-21T01:57:00.002-05:00

A conversation with a Sea Gull and a Beached Whale, I'm pretty sure this is what they would talk about!

read more | digg story

Now this is what I'm talking about!

2008-11-20T13:05:00.003-05:00

This is something that I have been waiting for, this has taken a load off of my mind!

Ahh.
Pee's

www.letmegooglethatforyou.com

The Girl Talk Debate!

2008-11-17T12:23:00.003-05:00

So over the past couple of weeks people keep coming to me and asking how Girl Talk is getting away with what he is doing.

Here are a couple of the questions that keep coming up; "Does he have all the rights for the stuff he is using?" "Do all the artists know he is using there stuff?"

Seeing as most of my best friends, family, friends family's, keep asking me how can someone get away with taking popular music from over the last 2 decades (sometimes even more) "mix it/mash it" up with other artists and not get in legal trouble.

Well seeing as I see myself well educated in the music industry and up to date with what is happen to music in the Digital Age, here is my answer to how this is happening:

1) Does Gregg Gillis (Girl Talk) get all the proper rights to all the sames that he uses on his LP's as well as live?

NO, I read once (in one of his older blogs) that he has only ever asked one person to use their stuff, and the only reason he did end up asking them was because he ran into the them at the airport, and there response was "ya that's cool I don't care, I've made my money off of that track"

For all the other 500+ samples he has used, he has not let any of the artist know, they only way that they would have found out was through word of month but others.

2) So how can he get away with it?

GT says all the samples he uses fall under fair use, here is example of what he is talking about, which provides an exemption to copyright law under certain circumstances. Fair use allows book reviewers to quote from novels or online music reviewers to use short clips of songs. He feels that because his samples are short, and his music sounds so little like the songs he takes from that it is unlikely to affect their sales.

Again because the music industry is just starting to get a hold on the Digital Age, this is all fair under the copyright laws right now. And another way that GT as backed up his point even more is by providing a Wikipedia page for the new LP "Feed The Animals" where every artist is listed, at what time the artist comes into the album, what song he uses as well what song he uses. The link below will take you to the page it you feel like reading more into it.

Feed The Animals

Well for now that's all I feel like getting into with the Girl Talk debate, but one last thing that I tell people all the time. Listen to "Feed The Animals"and make a game out of it, can you get all 300+ artists on the LP???

Pee's

Girl Talk - Live at the Fillmore (Weezer - Lil' Wayne Mix)

FELLOW SOUTHERNERS THIS ONE IS FOR YOU, now get out there and vote!

2008-11-04T11:31:00.002-05:00

Take a little watch and I think you'll get the hit.

Pee's

Palin Vs The French Canadians

2008-11-02T13:10:00.002-05:00

Just come across this and it just makes me laugh at who could be running the great US of A and all I really have to say is....

Obama!

Pee's

OH MY GOD IT'S SO EASY! hey, if that's what gets you off.

2008-10-28T21:59:00.005-04:00

I'm just wondering while they were doing this segment of the show how no one behind the scenes or anyone in the audience, didn't realize what it looks like they are doing on national television. If you don't know what I'm talking about, sit back watch and laugh! (and this is SFW)

Pee's