Archive for the ‘JadedPhotography’ Category

SEX WITH STRANGERS at the Media Club Tonight!!

Posted: January 24, 2013 in Alternative Rock, Band, Dance, Dramatic Rock, Electronic, Jade Sperry, JadedPhotography, Sex With Strangers, Vancouver BC Band
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Hello all,

A quick post to say hello and to also let you know about a few shows of interest.

Tonight at the Media Club are the AWESOME bands Sex With Strangers and Fine Times with guests The Never Surprise.  The Media Club is at 695 Cambie Street in downtown Vancouver.  Doors are at 8pm and its a licensed bar so you have to be 19+.

The other show is not until February 22, 2013 at the Rickshaw Theater – here is the event link:

The Electric Demons

I’ll be at the Rickshaw show for sure taking photos and chatting up new friends and old.

Cheers!

 

 

CD Review – Mystery Machine – Western Magnetics

Posted: December 9, 2012 in Alternative Grunge, Alternative Rock, cd review, Jade Sperry, JadedPhotography, Mystery Machine, Pop Rock, Psychedelia, Record Labels, Sonic Unyon Records, Vancouver BC Band
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Mystery Machine – Western Magnetics (Sonic Unyon Records)

Released: 11 September 2012

By Jade Sperry

Formed in Chilliwack BC back in 1990, Mystery Machine are still kicking out their jams. With their new CD Western Magnetics released a few months back, they did a short tour to follow up their CD and celebrated their CD release show at the Astoria in Vancouver back on October 13.

The band have released 3 prior albums called Glazed (1992), Ten Speed (1995) and Headfirst Into Everything (1998). They’ve been on a hiatus of informal means and have recently signed on with Sonic Unyon Records (in my hometown of Hamilton ON). This new beginning has also given birth to a new album.

The current members are: Shane Ward, “Bean” Chris Switzer, Luke Rgalsky and Mario Nieva. Original band member Jordan Pratt appears on 5 of the 10 tracks. This was recorded between 1999-2011 at 3 studios in Vancouver: Mushroom, Slack and Big Midet with Vince Jones, Blair Calibaba and Tim Oberthier handling all production duties, and Noah Mintz mastered it at the Lacquer Channel.

CD Cover art

Track listings are as follows:

  1. Pronto
  2. Japanese-Dads
  3. Runaways
  4. Octagon Skylight
  5. Floatist
  6. We Won’t Return
  7. House On Fire
  8. Snow
  9. Bullshit Patrol
  10. Northern Analog

The first track “Pronto” is a fast edgy song that has a lot of fuzzed out guitars and a wall of music – much like the early 1990′s movement in bands like Sonic Youth, Nirvana and My Bloody Valentine to name a few.  Speaking of “Have you seen the world?” is the question through the song that a listener has the chance to answer for themselves.  “Japanese-Dads” is a similar song in musical style but there are no lyrics – just a good song with a happy uptempo and decent melody. “Octagon Skylight” is a ballad type song that proclaims “you’re alright/i’m your maker/you can’t deny/things are changing now”.  I like the melody of this song as it’s very smooth and re-assuring in a calm way.  This song is mixed well.  For the most part, this CD takes you back to the 1990′s in a friendly way.  The other standout songs are “Snow” and “Bullshit Patrol”.

All in all a good CD and a welcome return by Mystery Machine.  If you’re into the ’90′s alt music, this would be a CD you’d like.

Cd Review – The Zolas – Ancient Mars

Posted: October 10, 2012 in 604 Records, Alternative, Band, cd review, Indie-rock, Jade Sperry, JadedPhotography, Light Organ Records, Record Labels, The Zolas, Vancouver BC Band
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The Zolas – Ancient Mars

Released:  October 2, 2012

by Jade Sperry

After debuting with Tic Toc Tic in 2009, The Zolas climbed the precipice of cult status across Canada, thanks to a very loyal fan-base carried over from Zach Gray (vocals, guitar) and Tom Dobrzanski’s (piano) earlier years as Lotus Child.  With Ancient Mars, The Zolas are set to continue their legacy of postmodern pop. Armed with poetic lyrics, Ancient Mars trades in the cabaret glitz of Tic Toc Tic for reverbed pianos and hard, minimalist beats.  In each song, Zack Gray builds a skeleton of a setting for a song – from outer space to a college library to a Victorian jail cell – and tells stories fleshed out with the listener’s own history.

If John Lennon and Kanye West met later tonight at a hotel bar, “Escape Artist” is the song they would write. It’s these kinds of pairings that Ancient Mars is full of:  The Zolas write classic pop songs and then fuck them up until the hooks have to fight to get out.  In October, The Zolas teamed up with Winnipeg’s The Liptonians to release a 7” split single “Cultured Man”, a quixotic snack in between the two full-length albums.

Tom Dobrzanski is the band’s on-board producer, having worked with names in indie-rock royalty like Said the Whale and We Are The City.  But for Ancient Mars, the production duties were handed over to Chuck Brody (Tegan and Sara, Ra Ra Riot, Yoko Ono, Phantogram, Wu-Tang).

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

1.    In Heaven

2.    Knot In My Heart

3.    Ancient Mars

4.    Strange Girl

5.    Escape Artist

6.    Observatory

7.    Local Swan

8.    Euphrates and Tigris

9.    Cold Moon

10.   Cultured Man (Bonus Track features The Liptonians)

The Zolas at Squamish Live Festival - picture courtesy of Yolande Cole and the Georgia Straight.

I’ve been a fan of The Zolas since their debut in 2009.  In the past years, Zack has played in a number of other bands in the Vancouver area (Henry and the Nightcrawlers) and has done solo sets opening for his friends’ shows (David Vertesi of Hey Ocean!).  Tom Dobrzanski is a brilliant artist in his own right – from producing to recording to piano man – he gets the job done.  Tom also has his own studio called VERTICAL STUDIOS here in the Vancouver area and does well for himself.  These are 2 artists that have a lifetime of talent between them; and possibly more.

This is a solid 10 song CD.  “In Heaven” is an odd but interesting song.  The music is slightly out of key and is in the minors but it has an excellent melody which gives it a moody feel.  The guitars, pianos and drums all blend together quite well, and the song itself gives off a life of its own.  It’s a well written song that has character.  “Knot In My Heart” has a really cool melody and groove.  This song changes from mid-tempo to uptempo in the bridges and the chorus.  It’s a well written song that’s mixed well.  “Ancient Mars” has a mellow vibe and is in 3/4 time.  I particularly like this song as it’s got a personality in the melody.   “Escape Artist” has a nice flow throughout its 2:42 of life.  The song starts with pianos and then it begins to build with the other instruments in a short period time.  Awesome!  The other standout songs are “Local Swan” (Montreal setting with a girl who may or may not remember a meeting), and “Cold Moon” (a ballad type song that flows well stripped down).

Photo of The Zolas at Sqaumish Festival – courtesy of Yolande Cole and the Georgia Straight.

CD Review – Hands and Teeth – Hunting Season

Posted: June 7, 2012 in Alternative, Audioblood Media, Audioblood Roster Band, cd review, Hands and Teeth, Jade Sperry, JadedPhotography, Melodic, Psychedelia, Toronto ON Band
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CD Review – Hands and Teeth - Hunting Season

Released: January 2012

by Jade Sperry

Hands & Teeth are  Kevin Black, Adam Kolubinski, Derek Monson, Natasha Pasternak and Jeff Pint and for the time being they live in Toronto.  Their release of Hunting Season is a good progression from Enjoy Your Lifestyle from 2010.    One thing this band does well is the harmonies.  Finding people to harmonize well with can be quite hard.

Here is the track listing:

  1. It’s Coming Back
  2. All That Was
  3. Le Petit Voleur
  4. Sound of Hamilton
  5. Missing
  6. Parallel States
  7. Hunting Season
  8. Song 8

The lead-off track  “It’s Coming Back” has a melodic sound which gives it a very whimsical feel.  It reminds me of someone who has come 360 degrees in their life and are looking back on the darker thoughts.  With lyrics like “We know what you are”,  “I hide in the dark” and “Scars are fading fast” sounds to me like someone has gone through something traumatic in their childhood. “All That Was” starts with a whimsical melody that builds into the bridge and chorus – and with lyrics “I can’t see out of this haze” leads one to believe they are in a state of confusion.  Lovely piano work at the beginning and end of this song.  “Sound of Hamilton” is a song close to my heart as it’s a song about my old hometown Hamilton ON.  And I have to say that lyrically and musically this song is spot on.  The melody and the total song itself sounds creepy – almost like you just went to Dundurn Castle and got spooked out and ran for your life in the downtown alleys with only the thought of “getting out” before it’s too late.  “Missing” is a fairly upbeat song but with a melancholy melody that is slightly off key and reminds me of the Detroit sound (The Ronnettes) in the first verses.  The lyrics speak of “you try to see the whole world and suddenly it’ll bring you down” because you may not be aware that our culture is now global in the 21st century.  I really like how this song flows – almost like water.  “Parallel States” has wonderful harmonies which weave through the song and make it sound alive.  There is really good depth from the middle of the song to the end.  “Hunting Season” is uptempo and has quirky lyrics that sound like they have a bite to it.   I really like the male/female tradeoff in the song as well as the guitars in the beginning of the song.  The melody is very warm, positive and inviting.  The bridge is slowed down to vocalize gently and then the song evens off.  This is song the one I like the best.  It’s the way that the song is structured by lyrics and melody.  And the last song “Song 8″ starts out as s spooky melody however it ends up as a laid back song.   The lyrics are whimsical with just enough spook to it.  This band pulled off that song very well.

I’d rate this CD at 8 out of 10.  Song structure, melodies and harmonies are really well captured in this 8 song CD.  If you like good music that is frantic, lazy and down to earth, then this band is for you.  Any one can easily identify with subjects within the song.  If you like Hey Rosetta!, David Vertesi and Mother Mother then you’ll probably like this band as well.  I’m looking forward to more songs from this band.

A video for your enjoyment from Hands & Teeth -  “Hunting Season/Sounds of Hamilton” – an impromptu performance at Toronto’s Capital Expresso.  Video shot and edited by Mitch Fillion.

Toronto’s The Bloody Five CD review

Posted: May 21, 2012 in Alternative, Alternative Rock, Alternative Southern Rock, cd review, Hard Rock, Jade Sperry, JadedPhotography, Lampshade Productions, The Bloody Five, Toronto ON Band
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CD Release:  The Bloody Five

Released:  Summer of 2012

by Jade Sperry

The Bloody Five are a rock band out of Toronto ON who are moving up the in the local club circuit.  They’ve got an EP that was released in June 2010 (Bedroom Music – a FREE download) that I reviewed – that EP totally rocked!!  And in 2012 they’ve done 2 things which is heading in the right direction – they’ve done a cover version of the classic song by The Demics called “(I Wanna Go To) New York City” this past February.  And in the summer of 2012, they’ll release their debut CD which is definitely a progression of their musical skills.

The track listing is as follows:

1.    Release

2.    Tethered

3.    Just Joking

4.    After You

5.    Under This Mountain

6.    Exit Sign

7.    (I Wanna Go To) New York City

8.    And For Me The Forest

9.    Bedroom Music

10.   Never Again

11.   Je M’excuse

The Bloody Five are Tomi Fear (guitars), KD has got the pipes, Jay Appleby (Bass) and Raw Beats Sedan (Drums).  The mastering of the CD is the work of one talented guy from Toronto – Producer Joao Carvalho who reminds me of Rick Rubin.  Vancouver artist David Vertesi worked with Joao on his solo CD Cardiograpphy.  The other songs on this CD were recording and mixing the CD was done by Derek Hoffman (in the band Brighter Brightest)  The cover song was mixed by Brian Moncarz.  And the band traveled to New York in the summer of 2011 to shoot the video for the song and had help via Kevin McLaughlin (owner of Autoshare), Chris Nelson and videographer Martin Wojtunik.  And CBGB’S and The Ramones somehow.

“Release” is the first song.  Slighty off key, it has a creepy or unsure sound to it.  It’s slow sombre music that suddenly drives you straight into to the drums pounding, bass raging, guitars off in a clean buzz with vocals sounding strained, sad and pleading.   Just for a second I got the shiver that this song makes you physically feel.  Good choice for the leadoff song!   “Tethered” has a blues feel in the beginning with slow harmonicas.  But then the voltage of the song rises instantly out of nowhere.  Because it slams into your face so fast that the song takes right off into the horizon.  It’s a well written song that this band can pull it off.  “Just Joking” and “After You” are solid ballad songs with hurt and raw emotion which generates the emotion of the song across to the listener.  I felt as though the four band members were playing it just for me.  In my living room.  With a cold beer.  Good work!  Hands down my favorite song on the CD is  “Under The Mountain”.  Wonderful melodies with what sounds like a mandolin that truly makes the emotion in this song.  The vocals are particularly good in this song as well.  In 3/4 time,  “Exit Sign” is another song that really smacks you in the face and screams “HELLO?” Pieces of this song are reminiscent of The Beatles, The Ramones and Green Day to name a few.  One thing I really like about this band is the age dimension.  It’s quite evident that the band have a vast knowledge of music to work with and its evident in this one song.  The Cover song of  (I Wanna Go To)  New York City is very well done.  Upbeat tempo which Green Day do so brilliantly in 3/3 (tempo).  The last four songs are on the Bedroom Music EP which you can download for free by clicking the link at the beginning of this article.

This CD rates a 9 out of 10.  I like the vocal sounds with the music and the music is very well written and performed by all four members.  I would suggest this CD to anyone who likes good music of any kind.  So and get your hands on this CD!

Watch the video by The Bloody Five

Disclaimer – article was released with errors and not to my knowledge.  I have fixed the errors and will post accordingly to various sites.

CD Review – Jack White – Blunderbuss on VEVO/YOUTUBE tonight!

Posted: April 27, 2012 in Acoustic, Alternative Southern Rock, Band, Blues Rock, cd review, Garage, Jade Sperry, JadedPhotography, Lampshade Productions, Melodic, Nashville TN USA singer/songwriter, Solo Artists, Southern Blues, Southern Rock
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Jack White – Blunderbuss

Released: 24 April 2012

by Jade Sperry

Jack White is an amazing artist.  From his humble roots growing up in suburban Detroit to forming some of the best bands in the 21st century including The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather.  He’s a father, 2x ex-husband, singer/songwriter, producer, a player of many instruments, and an occasional actor (in 2003;  Mutant Swinger From Mars and in Cold Mountain).  He’s always declined to speak about his private life saying that “If you asked Michelangelo what kind of shoes do you wear, it’s not relevant to his art and thus is irrelevant”.  Jack feels that same way.  Married in 2005 and divorced in 2011 (to Karen Elson) he’s now debuting a secular and introspect to his musical taste.

Jack White performing in Nashville 2012. Photo by Jo McCaughey.

The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather are some of the bands he’s put together in the 21st century,  but there are bands that have not been famous and in fact they pre-date The White Stripes.  Those bands are The Upholsters, Two Star Tabernacle, Goober and the Peas and The Hentchmen.

The track listing for the Blunderbuss CD are:

1.   Missing Pieces

2.   Sixteen Saltines

3.   Freedom at 21

4.   Love Interruption

5.   Blunderbuss

6.   Hypocritical Kiss

7.   Weep Themselves To Sleep

8.   I’m Shakin’

9.   Trash Tongue Talker

10.  Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy

11.  I Guess I Should Go To Sleep

12.  On and On and On

13.  Take Me With You When You Go

All of the songs on this debut CD are alive and crackling with high energy.  The first song, “Missing Pieces”, is a really well done piece of blues.  The Rhodes piano makes the song feel more like classic rock and it works the hard sound of the  guitars.  The whole song flows like sweet wine on a hot summer day.  “Sixteen Saltines” has a hard guitar line that is very catchy.  Energetic, good melodies and acerbic lyrics that sounds like a personal song in some ways.  When you have a  line that states “Who’s jealous of who?” you know its about something or someone.  “Freedom at 21″ has jazzy drums with two guitar lines – one on the hard lower fret notes and the other with spaced out high fret notes.  The vocals are strained with a held back anger in the lyrics speaking , “And she don’t care what kind of wounds she’s inflicting on me”.  Yikes!  “Love Interruption” is a stripped down song with backing vocals by Ruby Amanfu – which is a dynamite call.  Both singers sing of love, corruption and changing friends to enemies.  The acoustic guitar work is done well in this song.  “Bunderbuss” is Jacks’ take on grass roots blues music.  Simple melodies sound beautiful with the standup bass (by Bryn Davies) and the Pedal Steel (by Fats Kaplin), soft vocals and acoustic guitars give the song a dreamy feel good feeling.  “Hypocritical Kiss” is a song that is about hurt, betrayal and lies.  Lying to impress people is just not a good idea – it can lead you so far but eventually you’ll be caught in a web of lies and no one is impressed by that.  Well played by all the musicians and good mixing makes me like this song a lot.  I can definitely  relate well to the lyrics in this song.

“Weep Themselves To Sleep” has a good musical opening which reminds me of saloons of the 1800′s.  It’s a choppy song musically especially during the bridges.  Some parts of the music is just a bit off key but it goes down well with lyrics.  My favorite lyric in this 12 song brilliant CD is “that the villain will play the victim/the tame can’t shake the reins of demonizing brains that mean to kill them”.  “I’m Shakin’” sounds like The Cramps songs used to in the 80′s.  It’s about love, being nervous, jumping, sweating  …. you know.  Karen Elson also does some backing vocals for this song.  “Trash Tongue Talker” has a neat opening with drums and piano.  In 4/4 time slow this song picks up speed for a superb ending and a good ol’ jamming.  Jack is on piano in this song and I can hear the fun flowing out his fingers hitting keys.  Again this song has fluidity that keeps you moving in some ways, whether you’re clapping or jiving its a song that is up at the top in this collection.  “Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy” sounds like honky-tonk with piano tunes of old.  I like how Jack sings from a lower note and brings it up a notch towards a higher note at the end of verses.  The bridge of the song is upbeat and has a feel good song.  “I Guess I Should Go To Sleep” is short, sweet and has a bluegrass feel to it.  The melody is in fact rather complicated in its simplicity.  You could in fact sing this for kids to go to sleep.  “On and On and On” begins with the upright bass whose notes are more in the off key to give it a foreboding and personal feel.   I particularly like this song and how the piano is fed through a Leslie speaker, because it gives the song a whimsical feel and look back perhaps into Jacks’  life and how it has changed him over the last decade.  And the last song “Take Me With You When You Go” is definitely the best song for me on the CD because it’s actually 2 songs bridged together or if not, its brilliant because the song starts slow and then suddenly it’s kicked into high gear and then just ends.

I don’t give out high marks in giving a review but this is a solid body of work that stands up and exceeds the bands that Jack has involved himself in.  On a scale of ten this record is 11.  Superb songwriting skills and the knowledge to paint a story in your head for a brief moment in time.  And if you like the music Jack creates with other people you’ll be blown away by this gem of work.

Jack White Unstaged (directed by Actor Gary Oldman) is on Jacks’ YouTube/Vevo channels which are being  broadcast at 9pm EST/6 pm PST.  You can then hear Jack perform his new work by clicking on the link above.  I will be watching this broadcast and hopefully you will too.

The Truth behind a new career …

Posted: March 20, 2012 in Jade Sperry, JadedPhotography, JadedPhotography News
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NEW BEGINNINGS!

Watch for a New Beginning starting April 2, 2012 here on JadedPhotography!!  And this is not an April fools joke.

With new beginnings, there’s always going to people I leave behind no matter what the reason is.

1988-1993

My past is pretty….fucked up.

I may have been seen as a “player” by many, but in fact, I was totally clueless, introverted AND not confident when I was younger.  Totally effing clueless.  And I know I lost a good person whose initials are PM because he wanted something more that I couldn’t give him at that time.  I’ve since found out that PM is engaged, and I wish him much good luck on the other side of Canada.  There were other people who wanted something more from me but same thing – I just couldn’t do it.  Looking back on it all is sad for me but no regrets.  I had to leave because I wanted more from life.

There is also another person who was my BFF for a long time but I haven’t heard from her in about 10 years now.  Her  original initials are ML.  I hope your recent birthday (March 16) was a good day to you and I hope (finally) you’re happy with your life.

I dealt with all of this by moving away to Victoria BC and eventually I made my way to Vancouver.  And I haven’t look back until recently.  Weird.

1994-present

I decided to become much more extroverted and confident when I moved out West.  Having said that, I forced myself to practice talking in front of friends, and gradually I got it down to a T.  Things are still going strong and I’m off to start the career I’ve always wanted to do and that is Live Band Photographer and Freelance Writer (band show reviews, CD reviews, EP reviews, video reviews, etc.).

If either PM or ML  contacted me, I would like that.  My contact info page has been redone with my new business card.  But I’m not waiting for it either.

 

CD Review – Se7en Sided “Life On Hold”

Posted: February 29, 2012 in Alternative Rock, cd review, Edmonton AB Band, Jade Sperry, JadedPhotography, Progressive, Rock, Rock and Roll, Se7en Sided
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CD Review – Se7en Sided – Life On Hold

Released – September 20, 2011

by Jade Sperry

Se7en Sided are a stellar band from Edmonton AB.  Their CD Life On Hold was released on September 20, 2011.  At that time I was hospitalized and couldn’t even listen the CD until I was released in early October.  The 12 song CD is a good progression from their first CD “The Silver Lining.  The band had Randor Lin produce and engineer the CD and it was mastered by Charles Carvalho at Joao Carvalho Mastering.   I really enjoy this bands’ music as it speaks the truth about how lives are lived – it’s honest music.  Not a lot of bands do that – tell it like it is.  Straight up music.

The track listing is as follows:

1.    All I Got

2.     Restart

3.    Letter

4.    Wild One

5.    Do You Miss Me?

6.    Who We Are

7.    You and the Rain

8.    Thank You

9.    Carry On

10.   I Wouldn’t Trade

Edmonton’s Se7en Sided

All of the songs on this CD are very well written musically.  Lyrically, I find this band has honest music and I think that has carried over to this new CD from the 2010′s The Silver Lining.  I hear more maturity with the songs lyrically which is good because time marches on.  Darren Rogers fronts the band and has superb vocals with a good range.  Dan Sittler is shredding with lead guitars, Marcus Engel on bass and Aaron Hanley on drums.  This band is musically tight and you can hear how well they perform as one unit in studio and onstage.  They’ve played with bands like Econoline Crush, Defualt, Armchair Cynics, The Artist Life and Social Code.

Starting out the CD is “All I Got” which starts with a female voice letting you know what’s coming up with a 30 second spot of guitar work and then full on into a fast tempo, slightly punked out guitars and then its off in another direction musically – more rock and a ballad like melody in the middle eights.  Basically it’s a song about true feelings of devotion.  Following the person who means the most to you.  This is a really well written song both lyrically and musically.  “Restart” starts out fairly slow and questions a relationship that maybe hasn’t fully ended and how to face that emotion in each other.  The bass and drums work well together as does the guitars.  Awesome song!  This writer’s favorite song is “Letter” that is pure kick ass music.  The guitars just shred so good and the melody flows out of the instruments like a waterfall.  I really dig the melody of this song in general and I honestly can say that this music is Se7en Sided and original.  “Who We Were” starts out like a ballad with slow lead in music that gets a bit more defined by about the 1 minute 50 second mark.  Going separate ways is hard to deal with at any point in time but as days goes by you realize that you’ve grown in an opposite way to your partner’s life.

Other songs that are a highlight – “Carry On” and “I Wouldn’t Trade”.  Overall this CD has songs and lyrics for anyone to listen and relate to.  Honest music through and through.

You can find the band at the following sites:  Twitter  Facebook  YouTube  MySpace

Live Acoustic Session (from October 23, 2011) which is from the band’s YouTube channel.

Jesse and the Dandelions – CD review of “The Lions Tooth”

Posted: February 24, 2012 in Alternative Rock, Jade Sperry, JadedPhotography, Jesse and the Dandelions, Lethbridge AB, Psychedelia, Trippy Rock Melodies
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Jesse and the Dandelions – The Lions Tooth

Download the album here for FREE:  Download THE LIONS TOOTH

Released:  February 15, 2011

by Jade Sperry

Congratulations to Jesse and the Dandelions for being the 100th post here on WP blog!!  Thanks guys for this milestone that I share with you!!

Jessie and the Dandielions

This trio of musicians come from Lethbridge AB and they are Jesse Northey, Nick Vedres and Tyler Stewart.  There is an interesting story of Jesse when he was younger – he was a figure skater who was the best and the only boy who did such a thing and was known in Fernie BC for figure skating.  But, when Jesse was in grade 7, kids starting beating him up because of his passion for skating.  So he got his parents to get him an electric guitar which was a bright blue strat knockoff – a “Yamaha Pacifica”.

This band is inspired (and have toured with) Hey Ocean!, Attack In Black and We Are The City.  They have some exposure from their debut on CBC Radio 3, Canadian community radio stations as well as Alberta’s CKUA.  And they bring in the banjo and harmonica along with electric guitars.

The CD is on Esper Records, which is an indie label from Lethbridge AB.

They have their first album of 9 songs and the list is as follows:

1.  Advice

2.  Bible and a Gun

3.  Cait from L.A.

4.  Every Move a Picture

5.  In Limbo

6.  Lion and a Bird

7.  When You Die You Get A Planet

8.  Where The Wild Things Are

9.  Van

This is a really good tight musically driven band.  The music reminds me of Bob Dylan meeting Jet (from Australia).  “Advice” has a good melody and is stripped down instrument wise.  And they have musical breaks that are in time and on time.  I can hear a Nirvana influence in the guitars and it sounds really awesome in this song in particular.  Fast paced and funky with a dash of Nirvana.  “In Limbo” has a Spanish flavor in the melody.  The song is mostly in minor notes which give it a darker side but in a subtle way.  (“Torn between the yes and the no”) is a good way to describe most people in this day and age.  And it  just sounds so damn cool as do the guitars in the middle.

All in all, I really dig the music in general.  The only downside for this writer is the song “When You Die You Get A Planet” which has a melody and opening that is very much like the band Jet with their song “Are You Gonna Be My Girl”.  Other than that, I think this band could go places as long as they are dedicated to the music.  Another song that is very good is “Van” which is live off the floor.  Great sound!

I’m looking forward to seeing them tomorrow night in Vancouver at the Whiskey Dix.  They are also playing in Victoria tonight (February 24) so if you need a place to go tonight for a fun atmosphere, check out Logan’s Pub.  Band is on first so get there early!

They are playing a show tonight n Vancouver at  Whiskey Dix w/ Community Trees and My Dearest Friends

A live video of Jesse and the Dandielions with a song called ONLY A ROCKET CAN SAVE US on Vimeo.

Latest EP by The Manvils – Black Tornado

Posted: January 24, 2012 in 5 song EP review, Alternative Rock, Jade Sperry, JadedPhotography, Power Punk, Progressive, Rock and Roll, The Manvils, Toronto ON Band
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The Manvils had quite a year in 2011. They moved from Vancouver to Toronto and celebrated the new release of their EP Black Tornado. They hooked up with producer Sho Murray who recorded their debut CD Buried Love. The concept that they acquired is to record songs in each of their favorite cities – Vancouver, Toronto and Chicago. The band in general are progressing as songwriters and performers as this first EP release clearly shows the creative side of the band in general. They’ve also shared the stage with larger bands including Metric, Stereophonics, Bif Naked, Sonic Youth and Ben Harper just to name a few.

The tracks on this EP Vol. 1 are:

  1. Lions of a Lost Tongue
  2. Black Tornado
  3. Alone With You
  4. Castaway
  5. Hot Volcano

Starting with the song “Lions of a Lost Tongue” has a good melody but is a bit erratic in the beginning which works well with the Eddie Van Halen guitars. I particularly like the vocal work by Mikey Manville (singer/songwriter/guitars) and as always Greg Buhr (bass) lays down some root chords and is the backbone that is persistent in this song. Jay Koenderman (drums) keeps the beat like melted iron. The EP title song “Black Tornado” has a shifty kind of beat with straight on rock and roll but has confidence woven into the song like a heartbeat. Choppy and fuzzed out  guitars are layered in the song which makes the melody sound like it’s on the dangerous side. ”Alone with You” has a moody and dark melody with guitars that remind me of a murder and mayhem. With lyrics that say “I won’t leave myself alone with you” and “blood on my hands” confirms the feeling. “Castaway” has a definite haunting sound with a moody and dark melody which reminds me of being lost or having lost someone or something. Tense vocals throughout the song pick up the desperation that climaxes with an abrupt end to the song. Wow! “Hot Volcano” is an off-tempo, stop/stutter and frantic melody that works really well with Mikeys’ vocals. Choppy guitars end the song with a little bit of honey that makes the final notes all that much sweeter. Emotions are hard to get across to the listener through a song but Mikey manages to do this well. And his skills as a songwriter show up and are on the same page as the rest of the band. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them on an international stage in the near future.

For all things Manville their website has a lot of information including CD’s, past media articles and a tour sections to see where the band will be touring in 2012. The bands website is here.

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