Monday, April 18, 2011
Ticket Stub Of The Day Apr.18th (Tragically Hip)
Today's ticket stub is from the second time I saw the Tragically Hip in concert. This show was in 1992 at Northlands Agricom in Edmonton with Sons Of Freedom opening, a great double bill of Canadian rock n' roll.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
John Mellencamp Live In Edmonton 04.16.2011
Last night I saw John Mellencamp in concert for my third time. This show was at The Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton. I was interested in seeing this concert for a few reasons, first was that his new album "No Better Than This" is excellent and secondly, the show was in a smaller venue then the previous times of seeing him at the Coliseum here.
There was no opening act for the concert, instead there was a film/documentary from his tour last year with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson and the making of his latest album. I watched about a half hour of the film before I got restless and thought, i came here to see and hear live music, not watch a film, so I bailed. What I did see, it was alright, I'll wait til it comes out on DVD and watch it in full.
At 8:20 precisely, just like the ticket said, Mellencamp hit the stage opening with a rocking version of his hit song from his "Uh Huh" album Authority Song. Other songs performed last night included "Pink Houses, Scarecrow, Cherry Bomb, Jackie Brown, Jack & Diane, Small Town, Paper In Fire and of course some songs from his newest album Save Some Time To Dream, No One Cares About Me" and others I am sure, I can't recall the titles. He closed the two hour show with the song "R.O.C.K. In The USA", which during this song pulled a lady from the front row to dance and help him sing the song, very cool. John's voice sounded grittier then the previous times I have seen him, and he did admit he wasn't feeling all that well and almost cancelled the show (appeared to me he had a cold), thank goodness he didn't cause i thought he put on a great show. I was actually quite surprised by how rocking it was, I was kind of expecting a slower, more acoustic show, but much to my surprise he rocked the sold out crowd of 26oo people.
Now for my gripe about this event. I bought a ticket for the Friday night show, which was cancelled and rescheduled for Sunday night. That worked out good for me as I had inventory at work Friday night and was not able to go. Lucky for me I was able to sell my Friday ticket. I then bought a ticket for the Saturday night show. There were only single tickets left, so I bought a VIP Package ticket for the show. I got an excellent seat, row 2, but the package cost me 250 dollars. I thought about it, and saw that the package came with a limited edition poster and tour shirt and laminate and vinyl copy of his latest album. Well, I already had the vinyl, but thought, hey, I always buy a shirt and usually a poster as well. When you add it all up , I should break even. I got my VIP package in the mail a week before the show, I excitedly opened the parcel to see my t-shirt which was a one sided shirt with no tour dates on the back. It is a nice shirt, but it looks like something you would be able to get at any old head shop. The poster, is quite nice and is number 2859 out of 3000, but the poster is for the 2010 tour, duh, it's 2011 dumb asses. And the laminate, I mean c'mon, like it means anything, it has no access to anything, so it's really kind of a stupid idea. Having said that, I actually saw a few people wearing them at the show, that made me laugh. I feel for 250 dollars, you would actually get a real tour shirt and an up to date poster. Oh well, at least the show was good.
Tonight, John Mellencamp plays the second of two sold out shows, which I am lucky enough to get to go to again, thanks to my buddy Buzzard, as he has an extra ticket for the show. So, I guess you could call me a Mellenhead. Watch tomorrow for a review of Sunday nights show. Here is hoping he changes up the set.
Front.
Laminate.
Poster.
There was no opening act for the concert, instead there was a film/documentary from his tour last year with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson and the making of his latest album. I watched about a half hour of the film before I got restless and thought, i came here to see and hear live music, not watch a film, so I bailed. What I did see, it was alright, I'll wait til it comes out on DVD and watch it in full.
At 8:20 precisely, just like the ticket said, Mellencamp hit the stage opening with a rocking version of his hit song from his "Uh Huh" album Authority Song. Other songs performed last night included "Pink Houses, Scarecrow, Cherry Bomb, Jackie Brown, Jack & Diane, Small Town, Paper In Fire and of course some songs from his newest album Save Some Time To Dream, No One Cares About Me" and others I am sure, I can't recall the titles. He closed the two hour show with the song "R.O.C.K. In The USA", which during this song pulled a lady from the front row to dance and help him sing the song, very cool. John's voice sounded grittier then the previous times I have seen him, and he did admit he wasn't feeling all that well and almost cancelled the show (appeared to me he had a cold), thank goodness he didn't cause i thought he put on a great show. I was actually quite surprised by how rocking it was, I was kind of expecting a slower, more acoustic show, but much to my surprise he rocked the sold out crowd of 26oo people.
Now for my gripe about this event. I bought a ticket for the Friday night show, which was cancelled and rescheduled for Sunday night. That worked out good for me as I had inventory at work Friday night and was not able to go. Lucky for me I was able to sell my Friday ticket. I then bought a ticket for the Saturday night show. There were only single tickets left, so I bought a VIP Package ticket for the show. I got an excellent seat, row 2, but the package cost me 250 dollars. I thought about it, and saw that the package came with a limited edition poster and tour shirt and laminate and vinyl copy of his latest album. Well, I already had the vinyl, but thought, hey, I always buy a shirt and usually a poster as well. When you add it all up , I should break even. I got my VIP package in the mail a week before the show, I excitedly opened the parcel to see my t-shirt which was a one sided shirt with no tour dates on the back. It is a nice shirt, but it looks like something you would be able to get at any old head shop. The poster, is quite nice and is number 2859 out of 3000, but the poster is for the 2010 tour, duh, it's 2011 dumb asses. And the laminate, I mean c'mon, like it means anything, it has no access to anything, so it's really kind of a stupid idea. Having said that, I actually saw a few people wearing them at the show, that made me laugh. I feel for 250 dollars, you would actually get a real tour shirt and an up to date poster. Oh well, at least the show was good.
Tonight, John Mellencamp plays the second of two sold out shows, which I am lucky enough to get to go to again, thanks to my buddy Buzzard, as he has an extra ticket for the show. So, I guess you could call me a Mellenhead. Watch tomorrow for a review of Sunday nights show. Here is hoping he changes up the set.
Front.
Laminate.
Poster.
Record Store Day 2011
Yesterday Saturday April 16th was the fourth annual Record Store Day,the celebration of independent record stores around the world, for those that still actually buy their music. Record Store Day is held the third Saturday of April every year.
This year I didn't make it out to all the indie record stores in Edmonton, but I did make it to Blackbyrd Myoozik and Permanent Records on Whyte Ave. Both stores has sales and special releases and bands performing in store.
Permanent Records had bands playing all afternoon starting at 1pm. The first band I saw was a band from Vancouver called Vicious Cycles, they played a punk/garage rockabilly kind of music, kind of reminded me of The Reverend Horton Heat. I though they were pretty good and had the packed record store a rockin'.
The next act to play was local two piece band (Gravy on drums and Whitey on bass) Whitey Houston. The band haven't played too many gigs lately so it was cool to see them play a free show. This band always kicks ass and is loud for only two guys. I am sure the stores next to Permanent Records had their walls a shaking. Whitey Houston was excellent and I highly recommend seeing them play live.
It was good to see lots of people out supporting the record shops.
After Whitey Houston's set, I picked up the 7 inch single (I Got Fucked By Liberty Mutual b/w Turning) they were selling. These songs are also available on their full length self titled album that came out in 2005.
7 inch single.
Whitey Houstons song "I Got Fucked By Liberty Mutual"
My purchases for the day.
The Flaming Lips Box Set - Heady Nuggs 1992-2002 which includes 5 albums
- Hit To Death In The Future Head
- Transmissions From The Satellite Heart
- Clouds Taste Metallic
- The Soft Bulletin
- Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
This box set was limited edition release of 5790, the set I got is numbered 1242.
Bob Dylan's album "In Concert Brandeis University 1963".
Paul Simon's latest release "So Beautiful Or So What".
Mastodon and ZZ Top split 7 inch single "Just Got Paid" I like Mastodons version.
Blitzen Trapper 7 inch single "Maybe Baby b/w Soul Singer".
Bad Brains - "Pay To Cum b/w Stay Close To Me" 7 inch single.
The new Fucked Up album "David's Town".
I also bought a cassette yesterday for the first time in years. I got the Jr. Gone Wild tape called "Folk You,The Guitar Sessions".
Some old school flyers from the punk days of Edmonton at Permanent Records.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Concert Shirt Of The Day Apr.15th (Wild T & The Spirit)
Today's t-shirt is from the time I saw Wild T & The Spirit play at Peoples Pub in Edmonton in 1993. Wild T used to play at Peoples quite often and always packed the place. Always a great show and a good time with Wild T performing. I have helped Wild T with his merchandise booth at a few of the shows, the guys in the band were always super nice and always kept me stocked with beer while watching the booth and show. Great guys.
Front.
Front.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Concert Poster Of The Day Apr.14th (Big Sugar)
Today's poster is yet another one from a Big Sugar show I saw. This show was in 1997 at the Edmonton Convention Centre with Big Rude Jake opening. I went tot his show with my friend A-Bomb and probably others, but don't recall. And again Big Sugar put on an amazing show. Good times!!!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
KISS Collectible Of The Day Apr.13th
Today's KISS Collectible is a Gene Simmons Xmas ornament that Janis got me last year. The ornament was done by Kurt S. Adler and came out in 2010. The details on the Gene figurine are done quite well with Gene in his 1970's are outfit. here is hoping one day I will eventually be able to do a whole Xmas tree in KISS ornaments.
Concert Shirt/Poster Of The Day Apr.13th (The Who)
Today's t-shirt is from The Who concert Janis and I saw in 2006 at Rexall Place in Edmonton. Sure the only original members were Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey but nonetheless I thought it was a great show. I wish I could have seen them 30 years ago, but at least I can say I did see them. Pete can still play wicked guitar and do the old windmill thing and Roger sounded pretty good on vocals as well, drummer Zak Starkey (Ringo Starr's son) was awesome on drums, very impressed by him. The Who were touring for their album Endless Wire, which I think is very underrated.
The opening band for this show was a band from Winnipeg called Inward Eye, they were actually quite good, a nice break for an up and coming Canadian band.
Front.
Back.
Setlist for Edmonton Show.
I Can't Explain; The Seeker; Anyway Anyhow Anywhere; Fragments; Who Are You; Behind Blue Eyes; Real Good Looking Boy; Sound Round; Pick Up The Peace; Endless Wire; We Got A Hit; They Made My Dream Come True; Mirror Door; Baba O'Riley; Eminence Front; A Man In A Purple Dress; Mike Post Theme; You Better You Bet; My Generation; Won't Get Fooled Again
Encore:
Pinball Wizard; Amazing Journey; Sparks; See Me Feel Me; Tea And Theatre
The opening band for this show was a band from Winnipeg called Inward Eye, they were actually quite good, a nice break for an up and coming Canadian band.
Front.
Back.
Setlist for Edmonton Show.
I Can't Explain; The Seeker; Anyway Anyhow Anywhere; Fragments; Who Are You; Behind Blue Eyes; Real Good Looking Boy; Sound Round; Pick Up The Peace; Endless Wire; We Got A Hit; They Made My Dream Come True; Mirror Door; Baba O'Riley; Eminence Front; A Man In A Purple Dress; Mike Post Theme; You Better You Bet; My Generation; Won't Get Fooled Again
Encore:
Pinball Wizard; Amazing Journey; Sparks; See Me Feel Me; Tea And Theatre
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