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Sam Baker and Gurf Morlix play moving performance

Tuesday, 23 February 2010 10:58 Richard Amery

There were a couple killer shows this week beginning Wednesday, Feb. 17 Two of Austin, Texas’ finest songwriters Sam Baker and Gurf Morlix warmed up a sold out Geomatic Attic, Feb. 17 during their “Alberrrrrrrrrrrrrrta” tour which includes several Alberta dates.
Sam Baker plays some mournful harp on one of Gurf Morlix’s songs. Photo by Richard Amery They played a couple of long sets of darker themed country and folk songs from 8 p.m. until well past 11 p.m., which were interspersed with a lot of jokes to take a edge off of all the ‘hanging’ songs. I caught the last set of the show, which included lots of laughter and superb songwriting. The duo traded songs, adding guitar and harp to each others’ songs where they were needed.
Baker’s harp playing was especially tender, mournful and soulful.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 23 February 2010 11:13 ) Read more...

White Cowbell Oklahoma provides testosterone fueled mayhem

Tuesday, 23 February 2010 10:28 Richard Amery

There was good times at the Slice, Feb. 18 at the Slice thanks to White Cowbell Oklahoma’s special brand of beer, testosterone and chainsaw fueled, ear-bleeding mayhem. You wouldn’t know these high energy southern rockers were from Toronto if you hadn’t asked, as their deep southern fried riffs sounds like they come from down near in Florida or Georgia with the likes of Lynard Skynard or the Outlaws. They opened up their latest tour in Lethbridge, which was unusual as they usually end their tour here. Chainsaw Charlie sets his cowbell on fire. Photo by Richard Amery
They pulled out all of the stops and stage moves, not only including selections from all of their CDs, but all of their favourite stage moves. They set a cowbell on fire, baptized most of the 50 people in the audience with Jägermeister and shredded rolls of toilet paper with a chainsaw.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 05 September 2019 18:07 ) Read more...

Brasstronaut to bring jazz tinged pop to Lethbridge

Friday, 19 February 2010 09:11 Richard Amery

Brasstronaut, who play the Slice, Feb. 22, are not a jazz band even if they do use a lot of keyboards and horns on their new CD, ‘ Mount Chimaera.’ which will be released March 2.
“It’s probably a good idea to clarify that. We’re not a jazz band. We’re making pop music but we’re making it in a very experimental way,” said bandleader, keyboardist/vocalist Edo Van Breeman, who also runs the record label Unfamiliar, which put out the band’s new CD ‘Mount Chimaera.’ Brasstronaut play the Slice, Feb. 22.

“I don’t even know how to read music though some of the other guys also perform in jazz bands,” he said.
They played the Slice last September en route to the Sled Island Music festival.
“It was absolutely fantastic. It was a really wonderful experience. The people were really supportive,” he said.
The band kicks off the tour for their long awaited full length debut in Vancouver with the Bell Orchestre (which includes members of the Arcade Fire) which should draw up to 1,000 people, then goes to Kamloops the next day and Lethbridge on Monday.
They are used to playing for an average of 400 people at home town shows but got asked to play four shows in two days at a huge music festival in Rejavik Iceland called the Airwaves Music Festival in September which attracted 2,000 fans.

Last Updated ( Friday, 19 February 2010 09:21 ) Read more...

CKXU Loves You with unusual love songs

Thursday, 18 February 2010 11:36 Richard Amery

Most of the bands involved with the Weezer tribute, Feb. 12, were back at the Slice, Feb. 13 to show their shy and sensitive sides during CKXU Loves You 4. Thew Darby And Joan Club playing love songs at CKXU Loves You 4. Photo by Richard Amery

Thew Darby And Joan Club playing love songs at CKXU Loves You 4. Photo by Richard Amery

The event brought together Jesse and the Dandelions, Lustre Creame and the Darby and Joan Club, who reinterpreted their favourite love songs.
Jesse and the Dandelions went all the way back to the ’50s to play an earnest version of “Earth Angel.”
On the other hand progressive rock trio Lustre Creame took things a step weirder by tackling songs by Chicago, a decent version of “That Thing You Do” from the movie of the same name and something by Tenacious D.
The Darby and Joan club had a solid set of retro ’80s sounding emo music including covers of songs by Sloan and the Church which were well played.
The event, while not drawing a huge crowd, did raise $400 for local university and community radio station CKXU, 88.3 FM.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor

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Last Updated ( Thursday, 18 February 2010 11:43 )

Local bands love Weezer

Thursday, 18 February 2010 10:24 Richard Amery

A group of local bands combined forces to pay tribute to one of their favourite bands — Weezer, Feb. 12 at the Slice. At least their first two albums. Tyson Wiebe does his best Rivers Cuomo impression. Photo by Richard Amery

Tyson Wiebe does his best Rivers Cuomo impression. Photo by Richard Amery

I caught the end of Bluerton’s set, Jesse Northey of Jesse and the Dandelions sported a pair of thick horn rimmed glasses like Weezer singer Rivers Cuomo.
The idea was to form impromptu bands to play the first two Weezer albums all the way through, almost note for note. Record Holder’s Nicole Hembroff sang back up vocals and Quint Viskup was on drums. Aaron Trozzo jumping. Photo by Richard Amery

Aaron Trozzo jumping. Photo by Richard Amery

The next band, Pinkerton, included a who’s who of Lethbridge’s indie music scene including Aaron Trozzo, Jeff Orriss, Tyson Wiebe and Jon Vornbrock who exchanged instruments throughout an energetic set which had an almost full house dancing until closing time. Both bands got together for an encore of “Hash Pipe”, one of Weezer’s latter day hits.

— By Richard Amery, L.A Beat Editor

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Last Updated ( Sunday, 21 February 2010 01:21 )

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