| Dear greeting card and chocolate companies of the world, I'm not picking up what you're putting down. Valentine's Day is a disgustingly corporate creation. Maybe I just feel this way because I'm divorced and slightly bitter, but I personally hate everything about the holiday.
That said, there's plenty of interesting local music news this month that doesn't involve pudgy cartoon cupids – so let's get cooking! First off is The Dudes's new music video for their second single from brain.heart.guitar, "Do the Right Thing." It's pretty damn funny and can be seen online at myspace.com/wearethedudes. Check out the video now before it blows up on MuchMusic (fingers crossed, guys).Speaking of the national music network (which is actually looking like a pretty lame knock-off of MTV Canada these days), this year's annual Much Does Calgary event is happening on February 10 at The Den (University of Calgary). So far, the bands on board include Woodpigeon, The Rocky Fortune, Sudden Infant Dance Syndrome (SIDS) and Five Star Affair. It's a diverse bill, and should be fun both live and when it's later broadcast on Going Coastal. Speaking of SIDS, the kids also have an all-ages show on February 17 at the Chinese National League with Azeda Booth, Spencer Davis (of The Incandescence fame) and a reformed band that will either suck or be amazing – Cities and Plains. Later that same night, SIDS are set to rock the over-18 crowd at The Marquee Room, alongside up-and-comer Shane Ghostkeeper. They're also apparently readying a few new studio releases these days and now have Boston-cream coloured T-shirts for sale. Oy vey.In other Marquee news, the movie theatre music room is also playing host to Kara Keith & The Cop and Ryan Bourne on February 3, then throwing that previously reported My Bloody Valentine tribute night on February 14. The Summerlad will be on hand to perform some Kevin Shields-penned songs, and that's the last thing I'm writing about either them or Valentine's Day.Hard working rock ’n’ roll commandos Secret Broadcast are playing a wide range of gigs this month in an attempt to transmit their sound to the masses. The first show is an all-ages one, and takes place on February 10 at The House Coffee Sanctuary in Kensington. My guess is that it'll be a little bit quieter than usual. Next up, Secret Broadcast are part of an eclectic all-ages bill at the Canyon Meadows Community Centre on February 17. This one also features Edmonton's Hills Like White Elephants (who I also heartily endorse), Lions and Tigers and Bears, Your Bleeding Heart, The Perms and Okotoks Douglas Coupland fans Hey Nostradamus!Secret Broadcast end off the month with a show for us old folks on February 26 at Broken City, alongside Simeon Ross (Infighter). I'm going to try and be there for at least one of these sets, so guys, maybe you can finally buy me that beer you promised?Morgan Greenwood (of Azeda Booth) has been making some interesting solo noise of his own lately, as evidenced by his electro set at Vern's monthly Weird Science Jam on the last Sunday of January. With a bit more digging (and a spin down to myspace.com/preytek), it seems that Greenwood has also created a great, glitchy little remix of Chad VanGaalen's "Sing Me to Sleep." Dude, colour me impressed.Committee of Public Safety is a name that’s being tossed around the all-ages scene a lot these days, and they want me to let you know that their new EP Songwriting By Committee is now for sale. The band’s myspace heading (myspace.com/comiteeops) is "experimentation leads to maximum Arcade Fire!" That’s cute.
Bankview-based bruisers The Pine Tarts are also keeping busy in February, kicking off the month with their first-ever all-ages show at Inglewood's Lynwood venue. The show also includes The Drake Equation, Face the Music, Death By Numbers and Posi Al (formerly of Boys Kissing Boys), and costs a measly $5 at the door. The Tarts also have a show tentatively scheduled at The Tequila on February 15. In the meantime, peep myspace.com/pinetarts for a pack of sweet tunes.
Finally, feel-good garage-rockers The Ostrich also have a few shows this month, first appearing at Vern's on February 10 with Lions And Tigers And Bears, then swinging by the Stetson for a set on February 24. If you haven't seen these guys yet, get on it! If you’re a local artist doing something interesting and want to have it written about, drop me a line at either alvy411@hotmail.com or myspace.com/alvy411. I’m so tired. |
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