January 14th

 

 The concert ad for the time I saw the Canadian comedy duo MacLean & MacLean at Peoples Pub in Edmonton on January 14th, 1992. These brothers Gary and Blair were absolutely fuckin' hilarious.

Mike McDonald Live in Edmonton January 10th 2026

 

 On Saturday afternoon I got out to see Mike McDonald, the lead singer of Edmonton's Junior Gone Wild play a free solo/acoustic show at the Cask & Barrel. I didn't know about this show until Saturday morning while out for a walk down Whyte Avenue when I saw a poster for the show. So ya, promoters and venues, putting up posters for your show does work! 

 With the weather being bearable on Saturday I decided to make my way downtown to catch the show. I didn't get there until almost 4, so I'm thinking I'll have to stand for this show as every time I have seen Mike play this venue the place has been packed. Much to my surprise there was almost no one there, maybe a dozen people, very weird for a free show on a nice day and free to boot. The Cask & Barrel do a free afternoon show every Saturday.

 This would be my 12th time seeing Mike play a solo show. He did two sets with the first set comprising mostly of cover songs, many which I didn't recognize. After a short break Mike came back for his second set, this set he did a lot of his solo material, songs such as "Longest Song In The Universe", "Slept All Afternoon" and "Fifty Dollar Whore". He also played some Jr. Gone Wild songs including "Fool's Errand", "The Last One" and "Five Million Songs", those are the ones I remember anyways. Mike also told a funny story about his band Jr. Gone Wild opening for Meat Loaf back in the day. In the second set he also did a cool cover of the Warren Zevon song "Lawyers, Guns and Money". Even with a small audience, Mike still put on a great show. Always good to see Mike perform. Good times!!!

Mike McDonald.

January 8th

  My ticket stub from the January 8th, 2013 Blue Rodeo show I saw at the Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton.  This was their 25th anniversary tour.

40 Years Ago Yesterday (January 3rd 1986)

 Wow, it is truly hard to believe that it was 40 years ago already that my buddy Nerraw and I saw Dio live at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton on the Sacred Heart Tour. Opening the show was Swedish/American guitar wanker Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force.

 The day of the show Yngwie did an autograph session at A&A Records and Tapes in West Edmonton Mall. Of course my buddy and I and my brother made our way to the mall to meet him. Yngwie got called a guitar wanker in a lot of magazines at the time for his neoclassical guitar playing putting a spin on heavy metal. After meeting him in person, he is a wanker! It felt like he would rather be anywhere but there for the autograph session. He was ignorant and had no time for anyone, still got his autograph but certainly turned me off on being a fan of his.

 This show was a few months before my 16th birthday and only my sixth concert ever, and the first time having floor seats at a coliseum show (row 8). Other firsts for me at this show was experiencing a laser show, a fire and smoke breathing dragon and being close enough that I could look the musicians in the eye, see their facial expressions, the sweat running down their faces and the beat of the music running through my body. It really was life changing, from this show on, all I ever wanted was floor seats and of course the closer the better. And for a lot of years, that's just what I got. Ya, we had to line up overnight for concert tickets in order to get good seats, but that was part of the concert experience back then. And most times then line ups were a hell of a lot of fun. This was before bands had screens on the side of the stage to watch the show, you really did need good seats to see the band up and close.

 When Ronnie James Dio and his band hit the stage, I remember being blown away by the elaborate stage set up. Castles on each side of the stage, the drums on a big riser that looked like rocks, the biggest light show I had seen at the time and then of course the fire and smoke breathing dragon with bright red eyes. Dio were on the road promoting there third album Sacred Heart, which I thought was an amazing album. I also recall being surprised by how small Ronnie was, especially when he had the sword in his hand and battling the dragon. And being that close to the stage I also remember how hot it was when the dragon breather fire, this was so fucking cool to my teenage eyes, and to this day, still is.

 Ronnie and his band played a very mixed set, I believe they opened with "King Of Rock N' Roll" the opening track from the Sacred Heart album. Great way to start a show. They even played a couple of  Rainbow songs "Long Live Rock N' Roll" and "Man On The Silver Mountain", which of course is the band Ronnie fronted in the 70's before his stint in Black Sabbath and going solo. I think they only did one Sabbath song, that being "Heaven And Hell", I know they did that one for sure. And then of course lots of Dio songs from their two previous albums Holy Diver and The Last In Line. Of course during the show their were the obligatory solos, guitar, drums, keyboards, it was the 80's every show had these. I'll always remember how strong and unique Ronnie's vocals were and his band was stellar as well. Rounding out the band was Ronnie's former Sabbath mate Vinnie Appice on drums, Jimmy Bain on bass, Claude Schnell on keyboards and Vivian Campbell on guitar.

 Dio released a live album and video from this tour called Intermission which was recorded in Philadelphia on December 6th, 1985 and released in June 1986. I wish I still had my VHS copy of this but sadly I don't. I do however still have my vinyl copy. The cover is a little worse for wear but the vinyl still plays nice.

 My t-shirt from this show. Even though the show was in early 1986, the back of the t-shirt still has the Sacred Heart Tour 1985.

 I've also still got the tour program from that show.

 It was right after seeing this show that I joined the Dio Fan Club. I wish I still had the membership card and some of the newsletters I got in the mail, but sadly I don't. What I still do have are the autographed pictures I received. These I will always cherish!

 And this one. If this framed picture could tell stories, oh my, the stories it could tell. My friends will know what I'm talking about.

 I only ever got to see Ronnie James Dio one other time and that was on March 13th, 2007 when he came through town with Heaven And Hell which was Black Sabbath under a different name.

Rest In Peace Ronnie!

Favourite USED Albums of 2025

 

 First off, Happy New Years to all! Thank you so much for taking the time to checkout my music blog, whether you are new to the site or check on a regular basis, I thank you!

 Because I don't buy as many new releases as I once did, I thought I would do a top ten list of used records I picked up in 2025. I bought way more used records last year than new ones, as new albums are getting super expensive and I'm always checking out the used record sections in my local record shops, garage sales, thrift shops, record swaps, collector shows and friends. Digging through a crate of records regardless where, is always an adventure, the thrill of the chase or find. 

 Here are my top ten finds of 2025 in no order.

Metal Church - Metal Church (1984)

 An original pressing on Banzai Records. I actually got this album gifted to me from my buddy Nazz for Xmas in 2024, but I didn't get around to listening to it until last year, therefore it makes my top ten of 2025. A classic thrash metal album.

SNFU - ...And No One Else Wanted To Play (1985)

 Edmonton punk band SNFU's debut album on BYO Records. I'm no expert on this stuff but from what I understand this is a fourth cover variation. Thanks to my buddy Scott for this copy.

 Richard Thompson - Hand Of Kindness (1983)

 An original pressing of this release on Hannibal Records by this awesome English singer/songwriter. This is a musician that my buddy Buzzard turned me onto 30 years ago. Have always liked this album and was very happy to find it on vinyl.

 Johnny Winter - The Winter Of '88 (1988)

 Another great find, some classic Johnny Winter. This was the album he was touring for the first time I saw Johnny in concert.

 Bad Brains - I Against I (1986)

 The third release from this Washington, DC hardcore punk, reggae band. An album I have always enjoyed and was happy to find a used copy for a decent price. This is a 2008 reissue. 

  Rush - Grace Under Pressure (1984)

 Always thought I had this record on vinyl until I looked at my list, have it on CD and cassette but no vinyl, well I wasn't gonna miss out on this, a original pressing at a good price. Very happy to have this.

Girl - Wasted Youth (1982)

 I picked this one up at a garage sale for three dollars. When I got it, I was just thinking I know this band for some reason but nothing was clicking. As I'm listening to the album, I'm thinking I recognize this voice. After a few songs it all came to me, Phillip Lewis of L.A. Guns is  the lead singer before he joined them, and on guitar is Phil Collen who would later go onto join Def Leppard. A great British glam rock record.

 Faces - A Nod Is As Good As A Wink...To A Blind Horse (1971)

 Another band my buddy Buzzard turned me onto many years ago. I have this album on CD but had to have a vinyl copy. I was reading a Faces biography at the time, so i really wanted a copy of this on vinyl. Well, lo and behold I stop at the local record shop Blackbyrd Myoozik and have a look at the used records as I always do, and I found a copy. Such a great rock n' roll record!

Motorhead - Iron Fist (1982)

 Why I never had this album on any format is beyond me. I could've sworn I did, but nope. So, wasn't going to let this copy pass me by. An absolute classic album!

Joan Jett - The First Sessions (2015 RSD Release)

 I'm a big fan of Joan Jett so when I saw this in the used bins I had to do a double look. I don't recall this album from Record Store Day. Demos and such from 1979.

December 31st

  It was on December 31st, 1999 that I saw Big Sugar play the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton. Opening the show was Scratching Post. 

Favourite Albums of 2025

  My list of my top ten albums that I got in 2025 in no particular order. I didn't buy to many albums this year. I feel like I am out of the loop on new bands and releases. Some new stuff, some reissues, a live album and a few that came out in 2024. Nonetheless, here is my list!

Kerry King - From Hell I Rise

 Ok, this album actually was released in 2024, but I didn't get it until early 2025. The debut solo album from Slayer guitarist Kerry King. A classic thrash album. I don't buy many metal albums these days from new bands, but this one is really fucking good!

Corb Lund Band - Five Dollar Bill

 Alberta's own country-roots rocker Corb Lund's third solo album originally released in 2002 on Stony Plain Records. I've always loved this album but only had it on CD. So I was happy to see New West Records reissue Corb's catalog on vinyl. Still one of my favourite albums of his. This was a must have for me, along with his previous albums.

Altameda - Crazy Blue

 Former Edmonton band now based in Toronto released their fourth album in 2025. I absolutely love this album. It took a few spins for it to really hit me, don't get me wrong, Iliked it from the start but the more I listen to it, the more I like it. Troy Snatarse and Erik Grice hit it out of the park yet again, great songwriting, great harmonies and melodies. A gem of an album from these alt/folk rockers.

Worst Days Down - Stay Innocent

 The posthumous release from Edmonton punkers Worst Days Down. Led by Ben Sir (RIP) who sadly passed away in April 2023. This is a hard album to listen to without shedding some tears. An album featuring some new songs the band had been working on before Ben's passing, as well as some previously unreleased songs and demos from 2014. Thanks for the beautiful music and memories Ben, we miss you!

Jon Spencer - Sick Of Being Sick!

 Another 2024 release that I didn't get until 2025. I picked this up at his show here in Edmonton and even got it autographed. This album is a short 20 minute jam packed album of garage punk rock. Love this album!

Laura Jane Grace - Adventure Club

 This solo album from Laura Jane Grace, formerly of Against Me! is such an awesome album. It's a rocking album with lyrics touching base with struggles of sobriety, mental health, religion, being trans. Dark lyrics, fun lyrics, it's allover the place. But such a great album. This record probably got the most spins of all the records I bought this year. Was so disappointed when she cancelled her cross country tour.

Warren Zevon - Epilogue: Live At The Edmonton Folk Music Festival

 Warren's very last live performance was captured at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival on August 9th 2002. And luckily it was recorded, it might not be the best performance by Warren, but it is very nice to have. Warren passed away in September 2003. This was a Black Friday Record Store Day release. How I wish I had gone to this show.

Dave Hause - ...And The Mermaid

 I really like this album by Dave Hause with his back up band The Mermaid. A more rocking album than his last few releases. I missed Dave's show here in Edmonton this past September as I was in Vancouver. here is hoping Dave comes through town again in 2026 with his band.

Neil Young And The Chrome Hearts - Talkin To The Trees

 Another release from Neil, as he has been punching out all kinds of albums in the last couple years, but this actually a new album of new music. His first album of new music in three years, and with a new back up band The Chrome Hearts, it's not Crazy Horse but still a great rocking back up band. The more I listen to this album the more I like it.

Porno For Pyros - Porno For Pyros

 Last but not least the debut album by Porno For Pyros, this was originally released in 1993. Led by Perry Farrell of Janes Addiction, this was the band he put together after the demise of Janes. Love this album and I now finally have it on vinyl, thanks to my buddy Nazz, who gifted this to me for Christmas. This copy is a 2025 reissue from Rhino Records. This pressing sounds amazing!