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.

20 Years Ago Today...July 10th

It was twenty years ago today that I saw Nazareth play here in Edmonton at the Convention Centre.

Also on this day, two years ago I saw, what they used to have in the summer here for a few years, the Sounds Of Old Strathcona Festival. This was an all day outdoor fest they held on Whyte Avenue here. Sadly this festival was short lived.

In concert news...Nazareth will be playing in Edmonton three times in the next month at the Century Casino, the dates are Friday July 12th, Thursday the 25th and Friday the 26th.

18 Years Ago Today...May 27th

It was eighteen years ago today that I saw Furnaceface play the New York Theatre in Vancouver.





Also on this day three years ago today I saw The Sadies with openers Pack A.D. play the Starlite Room here in Edmonton.



As well on this day two years ago I saw a couple of shows, the first one was a band called The Details play an in store performance at Permanent Records here in Edmonton.



And then in the evening of the same day I made my way to the Starlite Room to see Anvil play.





It was a very busy day as earlier in the day I also went to Axe Music for a meet and greet with Anvil.

SOS Music Fest July 10th

On Sunday my friend Hurl and I went to the second annual SOS Music Festival (Sounds Of Old Strathcona) in Edmonton. This years festival was scaled back to just one day. Last year they had a bunch of bars on Whyte Avenue involved with bands playing all for three days, but this year just the one day street fest. They shut down Whyte Avenue (2 blocks off of it,anyways), which is the main strip in Edmonton from noon til 7pm.

Most of the bands playing this year I had never heard of, but for free, hell I'll check them out. The first band of the afternoon playing the main stage on 103 street was local band Scenic Route To Alaska. They are a three piece band that play a folk rock type of music. I thought they were quite good. The Fest was off to a good start, not a lot of people out to see them, but then the weather here has really sucked as of late, with lots of rain and overcast. So, I think people were tentative to come out. Overall, they were good.





On the quick run home to have a cold beer, we stopped to see Luke & Tess Pretty play on the smaller stage on 105th street. That didn't last long, as they were a couple of kids playing. Didn't really even give them a chance, damn we were thirsty after all. Who knows, maybe they will be the new White Stripes.



After a couple quick beers, it was back to the main stage to catch Vancouver duo The Pack A.D. This was my second time seeing them play live. Not really a fan of them, but they were probably the most recognizable name on the bill. For a duo, they sure are loud and rock out pretty good too. Still can't say I am a fan of them though. I will say though, that drummer Maya Miller can play the drums quite well and is entertaining with her between song banter.







Next stop was The Commie for a pint of beer before heading down to the 105th street stage to see Toronto band The Heartbroken. Again, a band I had never heard before but will be looking in to picking up some of their music real soon. They play a country/folk style of music, lead singer Damhnait Doyle has a very nice voice and easy on the eyes. Also some great song writing. I enjoyed their set. Watch for them as an up and coming Canadian band. Good stuff.







A quick jaunt home for another beer and off to see local rock band Wool On Wolves. They are a talented band of musicians that also put on a great show. Another band well worth looking in to.









After a few highballs at Hudsons, it was time to see Calgary band The Dudes play the main stage. I'm surprised I have never heard this band before as they have been around since 2006 from what I understand. They came out rocking reminding me a bit of an edgier Modest Mouse with a bit of Change Of Heart in them when they let it all rock out. I was really impressed with them. Probably my favorite band of the afternoon. Or maybe I was just getting a good buzz on. Don't matter, they rocked!!! By the time The Dudes hit the stage the sun was starting to come out finally and the street was starting to get busy.









We didn't hang around to catch the last act of the day who was a band called Wobble Wobble. That was enough for us. All and all a fun day of music and drinks, the weather cooperated, a decent turn out for the festival and good times!!! here is hoping they continue this festival. It is a great way to get introduced to a bunch of new bands.

The Sadies w/ The Pack A.D. 05/27/10

Last night at The Starlite Room in Edmonton was The Sadies with The Pack A.D. concert which I was lucky enough to see, as I won tickets for this show through Vue Weekly magazine. Thanks Vue!!!

The show started with openers The Pack A.D. from Vancouver who are a two piece band consisting of Maya Miller on drums and Becky Black on guitar and vocals. I wasn't really expecting much from this band as I have heard a few songs from their myspace site and can't say I really much cared for what I had heard. I was at the show early so I ended up catching their set. I was pleasantly surprised by how good they were, not excellent by any means, but way better live then on album. I thought Maya on drums was quite good as she wails on them drums like there is no tomorrow. They aren't all that original, but am glad I finally did get to see them. I have a friend in Vancouver (Scotty) who has been hyping them for quite sometime now and had been urging me to check them out. The crowd seemed to be into them a lot as well. I would give The pack A.D. a 7 out of 10.







Next up was the headliners The Sadies a four piece band from Toronto who play a psychedelic/countrified/surfabilly kind of music. This was my seventh time seeing them play live and once again they didn't let me down. They are on tour for their newest album that just came out in the past few weeks, the album is called Darker Circles and I highly recommend picking it up. The band is lead by the Good Brothers. Dallas Good on guitar and Travis Good also on guitar and fiddle.

This band never ceases to amaze me in concert. I was only able to catch an hour and twenty minutes of their set as I had to catch a bus home and damn work the following day. I hate when work gets in the way of a good time. The Sadies are known to put on 3 hour shows and by the time I left it seemed like they were just starting to get rolling. What I did see was pure magic playing lots of songs from their new album such as Postcards,Whispering Circles, Another Day Again a very Pink Floyd like song and they also played one of my favorite Sadies songs Higher Power in which Travis breaks out the ol' fiddle and fuckin' gives er', that song always gets the crowd dancing and shaking what they got. I know I was!!!

I am always impressed with how Travis and Dallas feed off each other and take turns singing. And drummer Mike Belitsky and stand up bass player Sean Dean sounded good as usual. Another amazing Sadies show, just wish I could have stayed for the whole show. Oh why couldn't this show be on a weekend damn it.

Anyways, I give The Sadies live performance a 10 out of 10.