| Did everyone have as much fun at Sled Island as I did? C’Mon totally killed it, Destroyer was fantastic, Spoon sounded good but were kind of boring, The Walkmen played "The Rat," CPC Gangbangs sparked it up, and Bobby Conn was a perfect glam-rock finale, but it was Boredoms that blew everyone else out of the water. Most of the local openers I saw held their own as well (big shout outs to Forbidden Dimension), and according to reports, even the small shows were packed.
The festival is over, but here’s still a ton of shows to report for July. On Saturday, July 7, the always awesome Azeda Booth, former Falconhawk front-woman Kara Keith and her new band The Cop-Outs, The Grim Beat, Secret Broadcast and The Sessions are assembling for an all-ages show at the Knox United Church.
Speaking of Jane Vain, the Calgary chanteuse is appearing as part of a rave/rock hybrid party called The Boombox, also going down on the July 7 at the Royal Canadian Legion No. 1. The bill includes Diego Medina’s live music project Lovesinger, along with more dance-oriented names like Wax Romeo, Mama Miche and DJ Spilt Milk. Break out the glow-sticks!
Also on the July 7, sideburn-sporting singer savant Kris Ellestad (now backed by a full band) is performing at the University of Calgary's Boris Roubakine Theatre. Beija Flor are also on the bill, and readying the release of their new album, The American. Following his Neil Young night from last year, Markus Overland of Lucid 44, Gutterawl and Grandfather Fire And The Holy Morning has curated an evening of Creedence Clearwater Revival cover songs. Raccoon, Seven Story Redhead, Brittle Siren, The Brenda Vaqueros and Neckers dude gone solo Bil Hetherington will appear at the Bamboo Tiki Room on July 11. There is no cover, bands start at nine, and all proceeds go to the Brain Injury Rehab Center. Proud Mary keep on burnin’!
If you haven't caught Calgary’s newest and coolest trio The Draft Dodgers yet, you can see them with The Ex-Boyfriends and The No No Spots on July 21 at The HiFi Club. With Daniel Christiansen (previously of Prom Date And The Rough Lovers) on guitar and vocals, Kevin Stebner (of totheteeth/tothehilt) on drums and vocals, and Glenn Alderson (of The Corta Vita) on bass, you should know exactly what to expect from these post-hardcore chuckleheads. If not, visit myspace.com/draftdodgers.
Pressure Kill Common Style played their last show ever, opening for The Walkmen on June 28. However, reports indicate that several of band members already have new projects on the go, so keep your eyes and ears peeled for a prog-metal monster featuring the Flegel brothers.
The Consonant C have now returned from their tour of the States, and as they appeared at Broken City last week, seem to still be in one piece. Their debut full-length has also been completed, and can apparently be purchased in two shops in Victoria, or by emailing the band. An official Calgary CD release show should be announced soon.
You must have heard or at least heard about Hot Little Rocket’s new album How To Lose Everything by now as well, but if not — get on it!
Finally, The Ostrich are closing out the end of the month with a pair of shows, first at Broken City on July 26 with The James T Kirks, then on July 28 at The Castle with The Trophy Wives. Craig Fahner of Sudden Infant Dance Syndrome, Gaye Rage fame has also joined The Ostrich on organ, keyboard and theremin. Yes, you read that correctly. They’ve posted a spooky new track on their myspace page (featuring Fahner) called "Mt. Fuji In Red," live from CJSW.
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. You never call your mother! |
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