Peaches spins Lee's Right Round

Peaches treats the Lee's Palace audience to some champagne

I have added another notch to my Peaches belt.

Last week my Google cellphone suggested that I might be interested in the fact that Peaches was playing at Lee's Palace. Some might say that it's creepy for my phone to know me so well, but I'm willing to have a robot scour my search queries and perhaps this very blog to learn about my love of Peaches and warn me of an upcoming show.

Peaches is the kinda that you wanna

What a show! I have seen her almost a dozen times and her performance has constantly evolved. In the beginning she sang to music played off her minidisc recorder. Now she is a full-fledged DJ and raps to her own tracks mixed in with other bumping filler. If she has a signature DJ move, it's adjusting knobs with her ass to the audience like this picture below.

It was a short set, but she hit most of her career points, the crowed responded the loudest to Kick-It (probably recognizing it from that Sumo Subaru commercial) For the encore Peaches climbed into a giant penis costume and proceeded to pull a white-semen scarf from the tip like a naughty magician.

Peaches in her Vest of Many Titties

Record Store Day at Criminal Records in Toronto!

On Record Store Day, independent record stores around the world get swarmed with record hounds seeking limited editions and exclusive releases by their favourite artists.

I lined up at 11:30 last night in front of Criminal Records on Queen St West for their midnight opening. I was not early enough and abandoned the line in favour of a better position in the morning.

I can justify record purchases as an unemployed shlub, only because of their limited nature, I guess I'm a sucker in that respect.

I was up just before 7 and since I'm right across the street I was quickly in line, but not first (I was 5th, not bad). I chatted with the folks in line to pass the time and soon enough we were spending money on records!

Here's what I picked up:

Nirvana
Hormoaning (UMe)
This EP was originally released in Australia, this is the first time it has been released in North America

City and Colour
Sometimes (Record Store Day Exclusive)
- hand numbered of 500 (mine is #126)
- 2 x 180g black vinyl
- silk screened jacket
- includes bonus track "missing"

Daft Punk
Tron Soundtrack EP (Walt Disney Records)
Exclusive track 'Castor', Unique picture disc design of identity ring on clear vinyl disc with ring in 3 different colors: Blue, Yellow & Red, and overall first vinyl release, packaged in clear cellophane wrap see through sleeve to allow for visibility of picture disc, all disc information to be printed on sticker on sleeve.

The White Stripes
Lafayette Blues / Sugar Never Tasted So Good (Third Man Records)
Reissue of the White Stripes second single from 1998. Limited quantities available on white/black swirled vinyl. 7'' vinyl single, fold-over picture sleeve in poly bag

Let's Shake Hands / Look Me Over Closely (Third Man Records)
Reissue of the White Stripes first ever release from 1998. Limited quantities available on red/black swirled vinyl. 7'' vinyl single, fold-over picture sleeve in poly bag

Deftones
(singing) Covers (WBR)
LP Exclusive to RSD. Tracks previously available digitally and on import CD singles.
-The Cars' "Drive",
-Drive Like Jehu's "Caress",
-The Smiths' "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want",
-Sade, "No Ordinary Love",
-Jawbox "Savory",
-The Cardigans' "Do You Believe",
-Lynyrd Skynyrds's "Simple Man",
-Japan's "Ghosts",
-Duran Duran's "The Chauffeur",
-Santo and Johnny's "Sleep Walk"
and a live cover of The Cure's "If Only Tonight We Could Sleep"

UPDATE: picked up Skysaw the next day.

Julie Dorion Live at The Garrison Toronto

I took some video with my flip camera at last nights Julie Dorion show at The Garrison.

Radiohead's New Album: The King of Limbs

I just ordered the new Radiohead album The King of Limbs. Unlike 2007's In Rainbows this time the band isn't allowing fans to name a price, and are selling the download version for a reasonable 9$ I decided to get the deluxe edition, since Radiohead vinyl never seems to depreciate in value (it ships in May, I will review it here when it arrives). I am just waiting for the download to finish up here in this Second Cup coffee shop and then I will head home to give it a listen since I can't use headphones to hear new Radiohead (crank the speakers!).
CLICK HERE TO ORDER NEW RADIOHEAD ALBUM THE KING OF LIMBS

   
   

"That's Called Chin Music"

Eric Nagler hands you a brick in a sock and you ask "What kind of music does this make?"

I'm at the jam space watching the guys run through the set, just heard them play a great Clowns. Colin was getting shocked by his amp being plugged into an ungrounded outlet. They worked out the beginning of Days Alight, different since Momo is gone.

The Stormalongs played in Sudbury this past weekend. The show went well I'm told, although the car battery died on them as they tried to leave. I really want to go with the guys next time they go out of town. I'm missing all the rock n' roll adventure.

I had a Johnny Cash dvd I was going to sell at a CD store, but since they would probably only give me 2$, I figured I might as well just give it to Colin. 

 

Adam "momo" Morello is alive and well (not dead I assure you)

Momo rocking

The Stormalongs have announced that Adam Morello has decided not to continue as the bands rhythm guitarist. He is however still alive. The band's recent posts may have led fans to believe that Morello had joined the ethereal plane, posting a video called "A Tribute To Adam", and otherwise eulogizing their guitarist on facebook (Guys, Youtube, please! I can't embed facebook video).

Momo will be missed. His musical talent is matched only by his rugged good-looks. I have been fortunate enough to see my friends Colin, Matt, and Mo jam together in different incarnations for more than 10 years now. I consider myself lucky to have watched the captured lightning for so long.

The Stormalongs will continue as a three piece, but are actively searching for a guitarist to fill Momo's large shoes. This would be a perfect opportunity for ME to join the Stormalongs, but my inability to play guitar would prove rather embarrassing during the audition process.

Smashing Pumpkins New Single Tom Tom FREE!

You can download the new Pumpkins track Tom Tom from the sidebar embedded to the right(if you don't see it you may need to clear your cache). The entire 44 track album will be released for free in this manner.

Paying customers may choose to buy the second volume of The Smashing Pumpkins epic Teargarden By Kaleidyscope album available from Amazon. It's a limited edition deluxe 12-inch vinyl picture disc with tracks Freak, Spangled, The Fellowship and Tom Tom, plus the unreleased B- Side Cottonwood Symphony. The box also includes a 4 song EP CD.

Pick it up for the Pumpkins fan on your Christmas list. (Sorry Dad, I think Mom is calling dibs on this one for me).

Happy Birthday Nick Stormalong!

I'm blogging from the floor of Stomalongs jam space, deep beneath my brother's office, from which I'm ganking internets. I carry earplugs in my bag for just such an occasion, it is very LOUD.

The pre-jam ritual of beer and Pixies was on. Then, just before the rock began, Colin presented Nick with a gift of 12 year old Scotch on behalf of the band to wish him a happy birthday. Colin made note of the auspicious nature of their meeting, and that without Nick, the rock would cease to exist and The Stormalongs never would have been.

The Stormalongs will be playing a show at the Garrison this Thursday, November 18th. It's on Dundas just west of Ossington (1197 Dundas W). If you're in Toronto then please come out.

Happy Birthday Nick, from a huge fan of you and your band!

Melissa Auf Der Maur rocked Toronto's Tattoo

Melissa Auf Der Maur's rocking bass shook the core of all those in attendance last night at Tattoo Rock Parlour. The former Hole/Smashing Pumpkins bassist hit Toronto for the second date of the "Canadian" leg of her world tour (Canada is in quotes cause she's only doing Ontario and Quebec). She had a new band, which is inconsequential since everyone in attendance was there to see @XMadmX.

She played tracks form OOOM! and her debut self titled. She closed out the set with Black Sabbath's Paranoid. Some might remember Melissa's brief stint as the frontwoman for the Sabbath cover-band worshiping Hand of Doom.

I was rocking out pretty serious, which I'm sure annoyed the surrounding subdued hipsters, but Melissa said she appreciated the movement, so suck it up, Queen Street hipsters.

People take a lot of pictures of Melissa, she has some hardcore fans. I try to just get a few good ones and put the camera away. Some douche was holding up his camera trying to take a video (enjoy your blown out audio). I can however appreciate someone with a good camera taking interesting shots (as long as it's not for the whole show).

If you want to see some high res pics check out buying shots for bands, an local music blog that uses majestic plural pronouns so often its jarring.

The Stormalongs Riot Stance, Out...Soon

Momo rocks the background while Matt's bass rumbles in the foreground 

The Stormalongs recorded a free digital ep to be released later this week. The political set was recorded last night as Rob Ford was declared victorious in Toronto's vote for Mayor. Although Stormalong Momo Momolo stands to benefit from the repeal of the vehicle registration tax, no one in the band seemed happy about the election results. However the band did seem quite happy with the results of the recording, nabbing several good off-the-floor takes of some politically charged covers and a new tune.

The ep will be released as soon as the band decides on which takes to use. Possibly tomorrow.

Auf Der Maur to rock Tattoo in Toronto Next Week!

Next Thursday (November 4th) Canada's Goddess of bass will rock Tattoo Rock Parlour. I live just down the street and can't wait to feel that heavy rhythm. You can click here to get tickets(only 12$)!

Live Auf Der Maur in Canada next month!

How could anyone not be excited about Melissa Auf Der Maur's first live dates since the spring release of her sophomore album OOOM!? I just got an email with these upcoming shows, next month is going to rock for anyone with the common sense to get out of the house and watch a red haired Goddess wield a bass like a battle axe. I would love to see her at Call The Office, but Tattoo is conveniently down the street from my house.



CANADA
11/02/10 London, CA @ Call The Office
11/03/10 Hamilton, CA @ Casbah
11/04/10 Toronto, CA @ Tattoo
11/05/10 Ottawa, CA @ Mavericks
11/06/10 Montreal, CA @ Cabaret Juste pour rire

Weezer's Hurley is awesome & indie, Hipsters rejoice!

Hey Weezer, I'm back. I was pissed off at you since your last album was such a huge disappointment. But now I realize now that Raditude was just the fulfillment of a contractual obligation and a huge fuck you to your former label Geffen.


Your new record Hurley is really good, when I first heard the single Memories I knew you were trying again. Other tracks that stood out for me:

-Unspoken is bad-ass classic high school poetry.


-Where's My Sex? is straight irony looking back to Pinkerton, back when Rivers was Tired of Sex. it has a crazy change up too.

-Smart Girls is on the fucking money.

Your choice of Jeorge Garica from Lost as your cover and no title on the cover is classy. Epitaph is a lucky label.

I will see you next time you rock Toronto. Please consider the recent rumored all-Pinkerton shows to coencide with your Deluxe Edition release in November of your 1996 classic.

New album from Melissa Auf Der Maur, Out Of Our Minds! Out Now!!!

Support Canadian Bass Chicks-Buy OOOM!

It's taken a few years, but Melissa Auf Der Maur's second album is finally available, and it rocks!  The record/comic/short-film project brings the former Hole/Pumpkins bassist back to the art school roots she abandoned for a 90's alt-rock roller-coaster. She is also no longer a slave to a label (Capitol) and though she is using EMI's distribution arm to get the records in stores, this project is as indie as it gets. I recommend buying the cd/dvd, cause the short film really is excellent. If you can afford the whole package, go for it, but at the very least pick up the album, cheapskate.

BUY OUT OF OUR MINDS! CLICK HERE!!!

I managed to get on the list to the album release party through sheer vigilance and twitter.

It was being held just down Queen W. at the gallery beside the Great Hall.

I ran into Andrew and some other superfans and stuck with them most of the event. The conversation was quite heavy on talk of the Them Crooked Vultures show coming up. I'm a fan but didn't get tickets cause I can't afford em.

I tested the free beer theory by walking up to the bar, asking for a beer and getting one without having to pay. I walked back to my group and savored the taste of Steam Whistle for a moment before confirming to everyone it was gratis. That was nice cause I could now afford to buy the LP (and I did!). Melissa knows Andrew well and came to talk to our group. I had a feeling she wasn't going to play because she was dressed up so nice. She thanked us for our support, and autographed my LP. Melissa is the most accessible rock stars ever, she always has time for her fans.  

Melissa then gave a speech and then we watched the OOOM trailer and the music video. She did not play a set, but promised to return soon (she did just rock the Horseshoe last month).

Melissa Auf Der Maur's OOOM! New Video!

Watch the new video from Melissa Auf Der Maur Out Of Our Minds!

I cant't wait till this record comes out. If you want to pick up the ep or get me something awesome for my birthday go to her store HERE.

And leave comments below!

Sunny J's Albums of the Decade 2000-2009

The year is wrapping up and so is the decade. A decade marred by terrorism, economic collapse and auto-tune. How can so much music suck? Billbord declared Nickleback the band of the decade, gross.

Douchebags win TV singing contests and are considered legitimate acts, so it's no surprise music sucks enough Nickleback could be considered the "best".

But not everything about this decade sucked, some really good albums came out. Notice most of these came out toward the beginning of the decade, maybe they have had longer to settle in my brain as great. I haven't heard anything lately that has had that instant classic album feeling, so here is my list, the best of the decade, in no way complete, in no way difinitive:   

Big Dumb Face, Duke Lion Fights the Terror!!

Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit's first solo record is sheer brilliance, epic in scope and concept, hilarious and yet to many people, unlistenable. Drugs help but are not necessary. I love this record, but it's not for everyone. I'm putting it at the top of my list because the next record is at the top of everyones list, and is starting to get smug.

Radiohead, Kid A

This album poster has been on my wall for almost ten years now, but I still remember the day Colin showed up at O'Gorman just as school ended with Kid A in hand, a day before it's release. I remember the impromptu listening party at Jay Byck's house, and finding the secret liner notes. Everyone was expecting something different from Radiohead and they delivered. Kid A changed the game.

Weezer

Colin and I listened to all 28 minutes of Weezer's highly anticipated follow up to Pinkerton on the edge of our seats. It was the soundtrack to our summer, it was playing at every house, and in every car. You could not escape it. I let a teacher borrow it and he ended up having to buy it for his son.

Queens Of The Stone Age Songs for the Deaf,

I knew this would be huge, it wasn't. It did put QOTSA on the radar of everyone who missed Rated R. Dave Grohl on drums, fucking incredible.

Peaches, The Teaches of Peaches


I saw Peaches live at the El-mo after seeing her in a one page spread in Spin. I read about her music and knew I wanted to listen to it. That first show blew me away and I bought the LP. I love to introduce people to her hyper-danceable raunch.

A Perfect Circle,Mer De Noms

Incredible production and songwriting as well as the vocal powerhouse that is Maynard James Kennan. The follow up Thirteenth Step could not hold a candle to Mer De Noms. I'm glad I never got that APC tattoo.

Auf Der Maur

Her debut, solid. She just rocks. If you don't know it your a shitty Canadian. Can't wait for new music next year!

Tenacious D

One of the best comedy albums ever, funny lyrics with well crafted songs and Dave Grohl on drums, So overplayed in the Sam the Record Man basement, it would elicit cringes from some staff.