Throwback Thursday...Compromise

A few posters from the times I saw local hardcore band Compromise play.

Tim Hus Live in Edmonton Jan.23rd 2015

Last night I went to the Tim Hus and 100 Mile House concert put on by the Full Moon Folk Club at the St. Basil's Cultural Centre. This was my first time seeing both bands.

The evening started with the Edmonton band 100 Mile House. They are a three piece band led by husband and wife couple Denise MacKay and Peter Stone and rounded out with fiddle player Scott Zubot. Peter is originaly from London, England which wasn't hard to tell with his thick English accent. Their music is definitelly folk music, but I just couldn't get in to them. The harmonies between Peter and Denise were really good. Other then that, not my cup of tea.

100 Mile House.

Headliner of the night was Calgary based singer/songwriter Tim Hus. I have been wanting to see Tim for a few years now and finally got my chance last night. When I first head Tim Hus years ago, he reminded me a lot of Stompin' Tom Connors, whom is one of my all time favorites. Well Tim toured with Stompin' for a couple of years in a row and I can see why Stompin' Tom passed the torch onto Tim to carry on singing about Canada after Stompin's passing. A great choice.

His show was a whole lot of Canadiana. Songs about picking Saskatoon berries (Talkin' Saskatoon Blues), the Canadian Pacific Railway (Canadian Pacific), Fort McMurray (A Hundred Grande), Hockey Mom's and the list goes on. His singing is a lot like STC and his between song banter was funny, and again a lot like STC. Tim even did "Bud The Spud". His music is very upbeat and full of great stories about Canadians. This show was even better then I was expecting. I would definitely go see him perform again. Good times!!!

Also a big shout out to MG for the free tickets.

Tim Hus.

T-shirt.

Throwback Thursday...Social Distortion

Some posters from times I have seen Social Distortion in concert.

Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms Live Jan.16th 2015

On Friday night my Cuz and I went to the Brendan Kelly show at the Buckingham here in Edmonton. Brendan Kelly is a member of the Chicago based band The Lawrence Arms. I know very little about the band, but my brother has mentioned being a big fan of them, so I took my brothers advice and figured I would checkout this show. As well, the three opening bands all being local bands were bands I was familiar with, that and I like the venue. So it was off to the show we go.

First act of the evening was James Renton lead singer and guitar player of the band Fire Next Time. This was my third time seeing James play solo, and the previous times I had seen him he was amazing. So I was looking forward to seeing him again, has it had been a few years since the last time. I had hyped him up a lot for my Cuz, but sadly on this night James seemed off for some reason. Too drunk or not drunk enough, I'm not sure, though I would lean to the not drunk enough. I was surprised by how packed the venue was already for the first act. James came off as angry on this night, he played some stuff that I wasn't familiar with. So that might have had something to do with it. He messed up the start of a couple of songs, and had to start over. His half hour set was alright, but have definitely seen him put on better shows. The last song of the night "Rosewood Jesus" was fucking awesome, just wish the rest of the set had been as good. Nonetheless, still a musician well worth checking out.

James Renton.

Next up was the pop punk band Old Wives. They play a 90's style of pop punk, remind me of bands from the Fat Wreck Chords label. Just not my thing, the music felt dated to me. So didn't much enjoy their set. I do have to say though that there drummer was kick ass.

Old Wives.

The last local band of the evening was a band lead by Ben Sir called Worst Days Down. This was my first time seeing this band live, and they didn't disappoint. They rocked the hell out of the Buckingham. Great energy and vibes from this four piece, great lyrics and great music. They remind me of a mix of Vancouver band Carpenter, Social D and Gaslight Anthem with way more edge. Loved their set.

Worst Days Down.

Headliner of the evening was Brendan Kelly from the band The Lawrence Arms. This was his second time playing the Buckingham apparently. They flew him up for this show and then the following night he was playing in Calgary.

The place was super packed by the time Brendan hit the stage with the crowd seeming pumped about his show. I just wish I knew his music better. The crowd was singing along and getting right in to it. For the first time hearing his solo show I have to say he was quite good. His singing was great and his playing was good as well. Wish I could tell you more, but I can't. I will say that I will be picking up some of his music in the near future. All and all a fun night of live music. Good times!!!

Brendan Kelly.

Throwback Thursday...Corb Lund

Some posters from times I have seen Corb Lund in concert.

Scott Ian (Book Review)

Well during the holiday season I got around to reading a few books. Another book that I finished, one that I got as an Xmas gift was the book by Scott "Not" Ian of Anthrax called "I'm The Man, The Story Of That Guy From Anthrax".

This was a great read about the history of the band from the start right up to last years release of their album "Worship Music". Lots of great stories, including ones about drinking with the likes of Lemmy, Dimebag and Zakk Wylde, absolutely hilarious. His experiences with smoking weed, in which he later finds out he is allergic to, hence the bad trips he had with it. His story about doing mushrooms is a good one as well.

Also his stories about meeting and hanging with the late great Cliff Burton. Scott has been through a lot of ups and downs in his music career between band line up changes, record label struggles, and tour stories. All these are told with a sense of humour and lots of heart.

Nice to see Anthrax getting back to where they once were with the line up of the Among The Living days minus Spitz. The Big Four tour of a few years ago seemed to bring the band back together and get them back on the right step.

A great read and worth picking up if you are a fan of Anthrax.

In concert news...Anthrax will be playing in Edmonton on Saturday May 2nd at Rexall Place opening for Volbeat.

Throwback Thursday...Guns N' Roses

Some posters from the times I have seen Guns N' Roses in concert.

Sex, Drugs, Ratt & Roll: My Life In Rock - Book Review

Just finished reading the book Sex,Drugs, Ratt & Roll: My Life In Rock by Stephen Pearcy of Ratt. I was never a fan of the band Ratt when I was a teen during there hey days of the 80's, but figured this would be an interesting read as I love reading about the glam scene of Hollywood's Sunset Strip back in the day.

And as the title suggests, it's all about sex, drugs and rock n' roll. These guys did alright with the sex and rugs that's for sure. Some good stories here about hanging with the guys from Van Halen, Motley Crue, WASP among others. I even learned that Jake E Lee who played with Ozzy for a while had a stint in Ratt before they got big, didn't know that. Also that Stephen had broke both his legs in a skateboard accident when he was hit by a car as a teen. That is when he really started to get into music.

What blows me away about these glam bands of this scene is how they went from playing the Strip to touring the world in first class buses. It wasn't like nowadays where bands tour the country in vans logging many miles playing shit holes waiting for there big break. Seems like back then if you were big in LA, you got signed to a major label and away you went. Lot different these days.

I found the book to be a quick read and entertaining.

Thanks Cuz for lending me this book. I enjoyed it.

Throwback Thursday...U2

Some posters of the three times I have seen U2 play Edmonton.