| Dear Vancouver, you’re a miserable son of a bitch. May you sink into the ocean forever. No offence.
Make sure that you keep your eyes peeled for a Fake Cops benefit show in Calgary this summer. Fake Cops and the Vertical Struts (from Edmonton) just had all of their gear stolen, not to mention their van, during a recent trip to Vancouver. A complete list of the stolen items can be found at www.verticalstruts.com/stolen
"We stopped by the Railway Club for 45 minutes to say hi to The Cape May," says Fake Cop Ian Russell. "And when we came back to where we had parked the van, all that was left was a pile of broken glass." So be careful when you’re playing in those big cities, gang – those robber types are just looking for pawnshop fodder on wheels. Especially when you’re in Vancouver, because if there’s one thing that we all know, it’s that Vancouver citizens are as crooked as the day is long – especially in the summer.
Are you listening Phattoe? If not, then start paying attention, because Toronto isn’t much better. Torontonians are all a bunch of dishonest louts as well.
Phattoe have been accepted to T-dot O-dot’s annual North By Northeast (NXNE) music festival. "It’s kind of a big deal for us. We’ve never played (NXNE) before," says guitarist Jonny V. "We’re trying not to put too many expectations on the show. We’ve invited some industry people to our showcase and besides that we’re just going to spend the rest of the weekend networking with other bands. We’re music fans in our spare time. There’s nothing we like more than drinking beer and watching bands, so that’s what we’re going to do. If we make any connections out of it, then that’s just gravy." OK Phattoe, that sounds good. But just remember – guard your van like it’s your right phatnut.
After reading last week’s edition of Fast Forward, which featured an article with outdated information about Calgary metal act Verbal Deception, the band’s publicist gave us a call. According to her, Fast Forward is now "the laughing stock of the metal community." We at Fast Forward are not afraid of a good laugh, but not at the expense of a local band, so let’s set the record straight.
The band’s original lineup included guitarist Kresho Klarich, keyboard player Walt Fleming and drummer Johnny Iocca. However, Iocca was replaced with Jordon Borgeault in 2004. Since that time the band has been keeping busy by getting their six-song EP to the No. 12 position on the National Campus Radio Loud Charts, getting favourable reviews on international metal website The Metal Observer and opening for Three Inches of Blood the last time they were in Calgary. If that weren’t enough, the band is fleshing out their lineup with bass player Terry Baldwin. The article in last week’s issue indicated that Verbal Deception was content as a three-piece, but obviously things have changed for the band. Baldwin was recently in the studio laying down bass tracks for Verbal Deception’s new album (due out this summer). You will have the chance to check out power-prog metal stylings of Verbal Deception as they debut their new bass player on Saturday, June 4. If you miss them at that show, keep an ear open, because according to the band they have been contacted by an international extreme sports show to contribute some music to the soundtrack.
Another Calgary band is putting out an album this month. Wade are poised to unleash their new CD entitled (Parenthesis), produced by the ever-prolific Chris Herrard of Heebee-Geebees fame. You may think that Wade took their name after Wil (no relation), but it’s actually borrowed from the brand name of a drain pool at the University of Calgary, just like so many other bands before them (Nickelback, Creed, Live etc.). Go check out their CD release party at The Big Secret Theatre on June 4.
Wade aren’t alone in our city. Many other bands have named themselves after bathroom accoutrements – Pussy Monster, Falconhawk, The A-Team. Oh, that reminds me. These bands (and more) will be playing at the release party for 90.9 With A Bullet (a compilation to celebrate CJSW 90.9 FM’s 20th anniversary) at The Ship & Anchor on June 15. This double-disc anthology features songs from Calgary’s best bands from the last 20 years. Buy it at the show, or at a store near you.
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