June 11th

  The gig posters from the June 11th, 2009 Leeroy Stagger show I saw at the Haven Social Club in Edmonton.

The Wallflowers Live in Edmonton June 6th 2025

  Last Friday Cuz, Buzzard and I went to the Wallflowers concert at Midway Music Hall. Even though game two of the Stanley Cup Finals was the same night, we still went. We were able to watch the first two periods before we went to the show. The opening band Brother Elsey we weren't really interested in seeing so we figured we could see at least two thirds of the game. Well by the time we got to the venue, we still ended up seeing most of the opening. I was actually surprised by how many people were already at the show with the hockey game on. I guess not everyone was interested as us in the game.

 So the opening band Brother Elsey is a band from Detroit consisting of twin  brothers Brady Stablein  (vocals and guitar), Beau Stablein (vocals and bass) and Jack Stablein (vocals and guitar). their music is a mix of country, folk a little rock. I thought they were alright but nothing I would go out of my way to see again.

Brother Elsey.

 During the intermission between bands the hockey game was still on, so lots of people were keeping their eyes on there phone for updates of the big game. Well with a minute left in the game with the Oilers trailing by a goal, a guy in the crowd near the front of the stage, which is where we were, lifted his phone up high and had the game streaming on his phone, so of course everyone in his vicinity was watching, well with 18 seconds left in the third period the Oilers tied the game up, at that point the crowd lost their shit, lots of cheering and high fives all around, we were going to OT. And at that point, The Wallflowers hit the stage. Was it all the cheering that brought the band on, or were they keeping an eye on the game and knew now was the time to come on. Regardless, here were The Wallflowers led by Jakob Dylan of course.

 I was super excited about seeing The Wallflowers again as the last time I had seen the band live was in 2001 when they opened for John Mellencamp, and the last time I had seen Jakob Dylan was in 2010 doing a solo set at the Edmonton Folk Festival. So it had been too long since last seeing him play.

 The band opened their set with the song "Sleepwalker" from the 2001 album Breach. The Wallflowers last album was Exit Wounds released in 2021 an album that I really liked, so I was looking forward to hearing some songs from the album. And they didn't disappoint, playing a handful of songs from the album. One of the songs from said album that I really wanted to hear "The Dive Bar in My Heart" was played early in the set, and it sounded awesome. Jakob and his band were great and I was surprised to see Chris Masterson on guitar, who usually plays in Steve Earle's band The Dukes.

 Of course the songs that got the biggest cheers and singalongs were from The Wallflowers biggest selling album Bringing Down The Horse released in 1996. hard to believe that album is almost 30 years old already, wow! Songs played from that album were "God Don't Make Lonely Girls", "One Headlight", "6th Avenue Heartache" and "Three Marlenas". In the middle of the set, I was surprised to hear Jakob do the Van Morrison song "Into the Mystic" and man did he ever do a great job of it. To close out the set they did another song from his latest release Exit Wounds, a song I really wanted to hear live and he did it, the song being "Who's That Man Walking 'Round My Garden". So fucking awesome. 

 With lots of cheering we got the band out for an encore which included two covers, starting with the Cat Stevens song "Wild World" and then into an old Tom Petty song "The Waiting". then one more song which I totally forget what it was now. All and all an awesome concert. Good times!!!

The Wallflowers.

June 10th

  My ticket stub and reviews from the Dr. Hook concert I saw on June 10th, 1990 at the Edmonton Convention Centre. Though the reviews are terrible, I know myself and many others in attendance had a hell of a time.

June 7th

 June 7th, 2016 I saw James Taylor in concert at Rexall Place in Edmonton. This was such a great show!

June 2nd

  June 2nd, 2000 saw me at the Motorhead show at the Agricom in Edmonton with opening bands Speedealer and Nashville Pussy. Unfortunately Fu Manchu cancelled.

June 1st

  It was on June 1st, 2004 that I saw Misery Signals play a free show in the basement of Megatunes an old record shop that used to be on Whyte Avenue. The show was in celebration of their Of Malice And Magnum Heart album release. This show was insane, the basement of Megatunes was way over capacity with people on the main floor just listening to the band as you couldn't stuff another person in the basement. The show was super good, the band was excellent, the place was super hot with condensation running down the walls, super loud and super fun.

May 30th

  On May 30th, 2013 I saw the Supersuckers headline a show at the Pawn Shop in Edmonton. Opening the show was Lydia Loveless and locals The Preying Saints.

 Got my ticket stub signed by Supersuckers lead singer Eddie Spaghetti.

May 28th

  I saw Primus play the Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton on May 28th, 2013. This was a great show with lots of visuals in 3D, neat to see the crowd decked out in 3D glasses for the show.

May 27th

 No ticket stub for this show, but do have to poster for The Sadies with The Pack A.D. opening at the Starlite Room in Edmonton on May 27th, 2010. The Sadies were touring for their just released album Darker Circles.

May 26th

  My ticket stub from the Punk-O-Rama show I saw May 26th, 2000 at the Golden Garter in Edmonton. Such a great line up and all for $17.50. Bands on the bill were Dropkick Murphys, The Bouncing Souls, Dwarves and The Distillers.

May 25th

  On May 25th, 2002 I went to see Edmonton hardcore band Compromise play a going away show at venue called The Movement, This was the only show I saw at this venue. The bill had a shit load of bands, most I don't remember other than Compromise and Tandum Vitalis who were really good as well.

The Starlite Room 35th Anniversary Street Party May 17th 2025 (Edmonton)

  Last Saturday Buzzard, Cuz, A-Bomb, Shultz and I attended the 35th Anniversary Street Party for the Starlite Room (The Bronx/The Rev/Temple). A venue I have been attending for 35 years now and have seen many shows at this venue and have some really really good times at. And this street party is one more to add. An excellent triple of local bands Whitey Houston, Jr. Gone Wild and Corb Lund and The Hurtin' Albertans, a show that they held on the street in front of the Starlite Room. A late afternoon start with the weather co-operating, wasn't exactly sunny and hot, but then with it being May long weekend, at least it wasn't snowing, cause we all know that can happen too.

 The afternoon started with the two piece band Whitey Houston with Lyle (Whitey) Bell on bass and vocals and Rob (Gravy) Hoffart on drums and joining in on the fun was Kimballz on maracas, watching her is always fun. Whitey Houston has been around since 1999 but don't play very many shows anymore, (this would be my 5th time seeing them) but this show was excellent, playing songs from their self titled 2005 album, songs such as "Heavy Metal Parking Lot", "I Get Around", and fan favourite "I Got Fucked By Liberty Mutual". A solid set of fuzzed out bass heavy rock. We were off to a great start.

Whitey Houston.

 Next up was Jr. Gone Wild who were playing the last show of their four date tour. This would be my 16th time seeing them in concert. The band don't play too many shows lately, so it's always a pleasure to see the band live. And after three previous shows the guys were sounding good. 

 JGW opened their set with a couple of old songs such as  "I'm So Glad" from their 1995 album Simple Little Wish and then into "I Don't Know About All That" from their 1990 album Too Dumb To Quit. And then in to a smattering of newer songs from their awesome 2021 album Still Got The Jacket. The new material goes over so well with their audience, playing such songs as "Five Million Songs", my favourite "Old And Ugly", "Girl In The Crowd", another fave of mine "Warren's Van" and "Fools Errand" that had the crowd singing fuck you to the sky. Such a great set by these Edmonton veterans. With how great their last album is, I'd love to see these guys put out a new album and play more shows. Keep up the great work Mike McDonald (guitar and vocals), Dove (bass), Steve Loree (guitar) and Quinton Herbert (drums).

Jr. Gone Wild.

 Headlining the street party was Corb Lund and The Hurtin' Albertans. This would be my 12th time seeing them play live. Corb who was the bass player in the Edmonton metal band the smalls has played this room a many times not only with the smalls but with his solo band too. By the time Corb and the boys hit the stage the crowd had swelled to, hmm, by my guess I would say 900-1000 people. A very mixed crowd of cowboys, metal heads, scenesters and old time fans of Corb.

 With Corb Lund reissuing his old material on vinyl for the first time here in the near future, Corb and The Hurtin' Albertans were treating us to two old albums from front to back. Starting with his 2002 album Five Dollar Bill and then for the second part of their set it was the 2005 album Hair In My Eyes Like A Highland Steer. With Corb having 12 albums out, you don't get to hear too many of the older songs anymore. So it was so awesome to hear oldies like "Expectation and the Blues", "Five Dollar Bill", "Apocalyptic Modified Blues" and "Daughter You Don't Marry No Guitar Picker" and of course "Time To Switch To Whiskey" which is one song that has been in his sets forever and always has the crowd singing along.

 And for the second part of the show it was the Hair In My Eyes album which included old favourites like the title song "Hair In My Eyes Like A Highland Steer", "Always Keep An Edge On Your Knife", "Big Butch Bass Bull Fiddle" and "All I Wanna Do Is Play Cards". Both these albums that Corb and band played are so damn good, and so nice to hear so many of these songs again. Corb and his band The Hurtin' Albertans sounded great and looked to be having a whole lot of fun playing these songs again. All and all this was an incredibly fun day, not only the great music by all three bands but, running into so many friends, seemed like every time I turned around I was running into someone I knew. Some great visits with friends I don't see often enough. This was a great start to what looks like should be a great summer of shows. And last but not least a very Happy 35th Anniversary to the Starlite Room. Here is hoping this venue will be around for many more years. Good times!!!

Corb Lund and The Hurtin' Albertans.