April 19th

  April 19th, 2018 I saw Dave Hause in concert at the Temple-Starlite Room in Edmonton. Opening the show was James Renton and Drew Thomson.

January 16th

  My ticket stub from the January 16th, 2015 Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms solo show at The Buck in Edmonton. Opening the show were Edmonton bands Worst Days Down, Old Wives and James Renton. A great bill and show.

March 17th

                                          

 It was on March 17th, 2012 that I went to this free afternoon show featuring local Edmonton musicians Ben Sir (RIP) of Worst Days Down, James Renton of Fire Next Time, Ian McIntosh of Owls By Nature and a few others. This show was at the Pawn Shop on Whyte Avenue. This was my first time seeing all these artists perform. It was at this show that I started a friendship with Ben Sir that lasted until last year, as he passed away in April of 2023. Ben you are missed, thanks for the awesome music!

Dave Hause Live in Edmonton April 19th 2018

Last Thursday my buddy Buzzard and I went to the Dave Hause show at The Temple, which a concert room in the same building as the Starlite Room. First time I have attended a show in this room. It's a decent room for a small space venue. Not sure what the room can hold, but by the time Dave Hause came on, I would guess about 150 people, which made the room pretty full.

The first artist of the night was James Renton the lead vocalist from the local band Fire Next Time. I haven't seen James or Fire Next Time in a couple of years, so I was looking forward to his solo set. The place wasn't very full for him but he still put on a good show. He still reminds me a bit of William Elliot Whitmore, a rough whiskey soaked voice like a Tom Waits. His music as FNT music is a mix of folk and punk sounding. I enjoyed his set, he played a couple of new tunes from the forthcoming Fire Next Time album Knives. One of them songs being "Collars". I'm really looking forward to hearing the album and seeing James with a full band in the near future.

James Renton.

Next up was Drew Thomson whom hails from Hamilton, Ontario and was once the front man for the band Single Mothers. I had heard of the band Single Mothers but never listened or followed them. So I wasn't familiar with his music at all, but have to say I thought he was pretty good. I thought his vocals could have been a bit louder but nonetheless, what I could make out, he seems like a pretty good songwriter. An artist I will certainly be looking into more.

Drew Thomson.

The headliner of the night was Dave Hause from Philadelphia, accompanying Dave, was his brother Tim. It was a year ago this month that I first saw Dave Hause in concert opening for The Bronx. I enjoyed his set so much that time, so when he was announced to be playing a solo headliner set this time around, I was excited about getting to see him in concert again.

For those that don't know who Dave Hause is, he a singer-songwriter and used to play in the punk/hardcore band The Loved Ones. Now a days his music is more along the line of Americana style roots music with some pop punk flavour.

Dave and Tim opened the show with a song called "Shaky Jesus" from his 2017 album Bury Me in Philly. Actually they played a lot of songs from this album including, "The Flinch", "Helluva Home", "Wild Love", "Dirty Fucker" and "Divine Lorraine", to name a few. Which was cool as I am a huge fan of that album. Dave Hause also played keyboard on a song called "The Great Depression" from his album Devour, sounded great too, also from that album was a song called "Autism Vaccine Blues". There were even a couple old songs from his 2011 album Resolutions, including the title song and "C'mon Kid". I had never heard this album before, but did pick it up at the show.

Dave closed out the night with the Tom Petty song "I Won't Back Down" which sounded incredible and had the whole audience singing along. What an awesome show. Good times!!!

Dave Hause.

A couple pieces of vinyl I picked up at the show.

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.

1 Year Ago Today...Mar.17th

It was a year ago today that I saw James Renton of local band Fire Next Time play a solo show at the Pawn Shop here in Edmonton. This was an afternoon show with James playing on the floor of the bar, he didn't need no stage.



In concert news...James Renton's band Fire Next Time will be playing the Pawn Shop tonite opening for The Real McKenzies.

A Saturday Afternoon of Acoustic Music 03/17/2012

Saturday afternoon I made my way to The Pawn Shop on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton for some live music. Being St.Paddy's Day the ave was hopping with some bars having line ups at 9 in the morning. Thankfully there was no line up at The Pawn Shop. They had live music starting at noon with the following acts. Starting with Ben Olson followed by James Davies, Ben Sir (Worst Days Down), Ian McIntosh (Owls By Nature) then ending with James Renton (Fire Next Time). I apologize for not knowing whom was on stage and names for the first few acts. I didn't hang there all day,but the acts I did see were great.

Not sure who the first guy I saw was, either Ben Olson or James Davies, but the next act I saw was Ben Sir of "Worst Days Down". I got him mixed up with another local singer songwriter Ben Sures,oops. Anyways, Ben Sir was quite good. A hell of a song writer with a great delivery in his singing. All acts were just solo with an acoustic guitar. Ben Sir had some great stories in his songs and is going to be an up and coming musician to watch for. I got to talk to him after his set. He is a very nice guy and was nice enough to give me a pre-pressing of his new Worst Days Down CD called "Money,God And Other Drugs. Mix Tape 1" and t-shirt of his. The CD is a chronicle of his travels through Central America, stories of characters he come across, and his travel experiences. He did all of this while working with a wildlife organization called ARCAS. Which is an organization for the Rescuing and Conservation of Guatemalan Wildlife.. According to the back of the CD, Ben Sir is working on a book and CD. He will be releasing a series of demos/mixtapes of acoustic songs to get the music out there and drum awareness of the project while he completes the book and album. To read more about Ben Sir, be sure to checkout
these sites. worstdaysdown.org and manateesandjackolanterns. I am looking forward to hearing more of Ben Sir's music and stories.

The last song of Ben's set he brought out James Renton and Ian McIntosh, all three on acoustic guitar to rock out an old punk song. They said it was by a Calgary act, but missed who it was originally done by, whomever it was, it sure kicked ass.

After stepping out to get a hair cut. First one in 9 years, and something I was super nervous about. I think I would almost rather be in a dentist chair. With a few beers in me before the dreaded hair cut, I was alright and managed to get the cut done, and have to say, I am ok with it. It didn't take me long to get out of that barber shop and get back to see some more live music.

Ben Sir, James Renton and Ian McIntosh (I think?).







CD from Ben Sir's "Worst Days Down" project.



T-shirt that Ben Sir gave me. Thanks!!!



I got back in time to catch James Renton's set. James Renton is the lead singer and guitar player in the local band Fire Next Time. This was my second time catching James play solo. I have yet to see him with is full band. But it is no let down seeing him solo. His set this afternoon to a small but appreciative audience, wasn't on stage or with a mic, as there was a band setting up for the evening. So James Renton just played on the floor in front of the bar to a small but enthusiastic crowd. James mentioned he had been drinking since 9am the day before, so we were getting a rough on the fly kind of show. Wow, impressive it was. With his rough whiskey soaked voice and his gritty guitar playing, this was an amazing set. Songs of drinking, songs about the streets, Fort McMurray and some funny entertaining stories in between. He had the crowd singing along and stomping there feet to his songs. Very entertaining and a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I wish The Pawn Shop would do these kind of afternoon shows more often. It's a great way to start the day with a little hair of the dog. A fun day. Good times!!!!

James Renton performing.







A little taste of James Renton's music.



In concert news...James Renton's band Fire Next Time will be opening for Big John Bates and Murder By Death show on Saturday March 31st at New City Legion here in Edmonton. This should be an awesome show.