Perm Press

I went to the laundromat. As I watched my clothes tumble in the dryer and suddenly ten minutes had passed. I wasn't watching the clock, I was watching the clothes. I figured I should have the time to write if I have the time to watch my jeans dance with my t-shirts.

I returned empties to the Beer Store. I continue my boycott of the Beer Store, I won't buy stuff but I will take their money.

My new bed is so comfy. It's not conducive to writing. I need to get a desk for my "office" room.

I read an article in Rolling Stone, A Perfect Circle to release first new album in 14 years. I was working at Sam The Record Man the last time they put out a record. James Iha (of Smashing Pumpkins) is in the band and is also apparently in studio with said Pumpkins (Corgan, Chamberlain, Schroeder) but D'arcy is out. Billy Corgan needs a lady bass player.

Sam sign on the rise

The Sam the Record Man sign is going up on the city's Public Health building right at Yonge & Dundas square. It should be done in the next few weeks, hopefully. Storm is brewing and they say we get snow tonight.

the bottom part of half of the Sam the Record Man sign without the record.

I used to work at Sams. It was pretty sweet. When it closed and Ryerson University bought the property they lied about respecting the sign and left it out of plans for it's new building. I always hoped the city would do the right thing and find a place for it somewhere prominent.

for now, a subtle sign amongst some bright lights. 

Sam The Record Man NOW Magazine Ad

I used to work in the video department at the greatest store on Earth, Sam the Record Man. This was an ad placed in NOW magazine back in May 2005. Christian, Christa and I were able to choose some titles and write a blurb. It was one of the few times we got to give any real input. I'm only transcribing a few, it's time consuming to retype!

Clerks X
Kevin Smith
Ten years after his breakout hit Clerks, Kevin Smith is still working late nights at the Quickstop. Clerks X celebrates the convenience store that started it all (Mecca of all things Askew) with 3 discs loaded with commentaries for the theatrical release and the Sundance cut, a Q & A with the cast and the great "Snowball Effect" documentary. the animated lost scene is a must see as is Randal querying Dante to the depths he would go for Mans ultimate dream…"The Flying Car". A true comedy classic, Clerks X is an essential addition to your collection to be enjoyed for decades to come.
Julien Chabot @ Sams 3 years

Bubba Ho TepDon Coscarelli
Elvis is alive and well… living in Writer/Director Don Coscarelli's offbeat horror-comedy cult hit. Bruce "the Man" Campbell is Elvis, retired and waiting to die in a texas nursing home.When an evil soul sucking mummy shows up to feed off the easy targets, Elvis joins a conspiracy minded JFK(Ossie Davis in one of his final great performances) to flush out the ancient egyptian before he flushes their souls. Watch it again and again and when a friend who hasn't seen it comes over watch it again.
Julien Chabot @ Sam's 3 years


ElephantGus Van Sant
Winner of the Palm d'Or and best director awards at the 2003 Cannes film festival, Elephant is Gus Van Sant's (My Own Private Idaho, Good Will Hunting) realistic and haunting portrayal of high school life on an afternoon that should have been like any other.His use of non-actors and a minimal script creates an unconventional and captivating film. this is a simple yet hard hitting picture in which Van Sant offers us an objective look at high school violence and gun control. The film leaves you with a somber feeling considering these evens have happened and seem inevitable to happen again in the future. A unique docudrama fit for every film enthusiasts collection.
Christa Szakonyi @ Sams 2 years

Pick up your EarsStephen Fears
Joe Orton was one of the bad boys of swinging London in the 60's, Hero of the anti establishment, and winner of several awards for his plays. The film "Pick up your Ears" charts Orton's life in a series of flashbacks and benefits from a strong performance by Gary Oldman in the leading role. Most of the narrative revolves around the year 1964-1967, from Orton's first West End success to his death at the hands of Kenneth Halliwell, his live-in partner. Oldman is superb in this role, his Orton is totally convincing, charming selfish and occasionally infuriating. Alfred Molina co-stars as Halliwell, Vanessa Redgrave as Orton's agent, the formidable Peggy Ramsey. Stephen Fears does a fine job with direction. Excellent cinematography by Oliver Stapleton, and very good period music by Stanley Myers.
Christian Wehrhahn @Sam's 3 years

Sam The Record Man in Angel Eyes

Chicago, Illinois-The Windy City, Home of The Smashing Pumpkins, Sears Tower... Wrigley Field... Honest Eds...? Sam the Record Man...? It becomes quickly apparent to any Mel-Moose loathing Torontonian that Jennifer Lopez and Jim "Jesus" Caviezel are not in sweet home Chicago, but rather Sweet Toronto. Angel Eyes is the story of a mysterious man, drawn to a feisty female police officer, an unusual relationship ensues in which not everything is as it seems.

Jesus gets a Halo from Sam the Record Man's iconic neon 

When I worked in the video department at Sams it was a hobby of mine to take screenshots from films featuring my employer. I will continue to post more over the next few weeks. If you think you know what's coming take a guess in the comments.

Sam The Record Man in Half-Baked

Sam's iconic records reflect in the window of the Pizza Pizza

Butterstuff, Butternuts, ButterCUP across the street from Sam the Record Man

Sam The Record Man has betrayed many Hollywood films for their Toronto location. In 1998's Half Baked set in New York City, kindergarden teacher Kenny accidentally kills a diabetic horse cop outside the Pizza Pizza, across the street from Sam the Record Man.

Although the giant neon records no longer spin we are lucky to have had them immortalized in this modern stoner classic.

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.