So today I received a email from the one and only Kate (is Great) in regards to the next set of adventures that the Bouncing Souls have in store. I can not wait too get back out on tour with them, everyone else, and the kids.
Honestly the Souls shows, fans, and adventures rule hard. It's amazing too see them every night and witness it all go down.
"Live to fight. Fight too live. Tonight were alone and the music is right. Tonight! Do you feel good do you feel alright"
Right there.....That is what it is all about. There is nothing that I have come across that can replicate the feeling of an amazing band/ and live show.....nothing.
So it looks like I will probably hop on the "dawg" (Greyhound) to head to the city of NYC for a day or 2 to visit my buddy James before the adventures start. Probably sometime on the 1st of April I will head to Asbury Park, NJ (hopefully spot the Boss walking aroiund...hehehe) load the trucks that evening, sleep, and the wake up on the 2nd of April and being our trip across country too be in Irvine, CA on the evening of the 4th of April.
"Highway Kings"
On the 5th tour actually begins at Bamboozle "Left" in Irvine with the Alkaline Trio and many others. I am stoked too see the Trio and the Souls-obviously- but as for everything else......blah!!......oh. Actually Jimmy Eat World is playing too so I hope too see them too but thats really it.
Okay there i more I want to write but that will come with time. I need to get too sleep so I can wake up for a game of street hockey tomorrow.....I bought my first hockey stick in about 15 years yesterday....S T O K E D!!!!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
A "Fly In" Only Place
So I am currently sitting here in my bedroom thinking about my current home (Montreal), my other homes (Richmond, Santa Cruz, and Oxnard) and the country I actually consider "home" (Canada-although half my life has been spent outside of this land in the US)
I just came across this piece that someone wrote in regards to term "Aboriginal/s" and how this term can/ is used for generalization. "The truth is lost in generalization and assumption"
This piece is definitely good and gets you thinking but one thing that really hit me was the fact that 90% of the Inuit communities
are "fly-in" only.
Very interesting indeed.
Anyhoo to get a complete picture of the piece I am talking about here it is stolen kindly from rabble.ca.....enjoy the reads
"Rethinking the word "Aboriginal"
Aboriginal – "original or earliest known; native; indigenous."
"Recognized in the Canadian Constitution Act, 1982, sections 25 and 35, respectively as Indians, Métis, and Inuit. It also refers to self-identification of Aboriginal People who live within Canada, but who have not chosen to accept the extinction of their rights of Sovereignty or Aboriginal Title of their lands."
Okay. So now that I have finally looked it up, I can try to understand the term that I have been categorized under as Mohawk. Although, to be honest, when my family and friends in the community are referring to each other, we don't use this word. We're just us, we're Native if anything.
So yes, the term Aboriginal does mean the First Peoples of this land. For my part, it seems that it has become the norm to use this term frivolously, without restraint, and without giving particular attention to what this word encompasses. It is a freebie for the government.
Using an "umbrella" term removes their obligation to have to individually identify each of the federally recognized Indigenous "bodies" in this country. Which I guess is a tiresome task – having to actually name Native peoples, who really warrant recognition in all of our entities of being. Nationally the word has become a way to lump everybody together into one melting pot, dangerously in that the assumption is that as First Peoples, we're really all similar. And we're really not.
This rings especially true when talking about the Inuit. Having recently returned from Inuvik in the Northwest Territories, I myself was not even entirely aware of the uniqueness of the Inuit until I got there. Inuvik is located on the East Channel of the Mackenzie Delta, approximately 100 km from the Arctic Ocean and approximately 200 km north of the Arctic Circle. The population includes Inuit (Inuvialuit), Dene (Gwich'in) and Métis. Close to 90 percent of all Inuit communities are fly-in only. So needless to say, because of my geographic isolation while in this area, I embarked on a deep learning journey as soon as I got there.
I joyously discovered the distinctive culture of the Inuit from the drumming, dancing, and singing, to the life cycle teachings and forms of governance. There is not really a separation of men and women so much as there is a focus on family and the realities of the roles that have to be taken on accordingly.
There is a generalization in some history that all Indigenous peoples have identical systems of nationhood and understand the same philosophies, which is completely false, and differs greatly amongst the Inuit as well. They are community-based peoples and have so much strength in their lifestyle and heritage. Colonization is much more recent for the Inuit, yet resiliency remains and many have kept their language, Inuktitut, alive and well.
So I thought I'd ask my Inuk youth activist friend Allen Auksaq what he thought. "The word Aboriginal to me is a word that marginalizes other races within the dominant mainstream society. It's a way to divide how our government services us. Personally I don't like the word, I prefer to call people who are Aboriginal what they like to be called. For example Inuit love to be called Inuit; not Aboriginal, not Eskimo, just Inuit. Inuit means people, and Inuk is a person. So I prefer to not use the word, but I can’t do anything about it because it's used by everyone and it seems like everyone just accepts it."
And Allen is quite right. Any Inuk who goes down south has one option for Inuit-specific services, which are only located in Ottawa. Everyone else has to go to the Native Friendship Centre, or somewhere else and hope that services will include them or that someone might speak their language.
Winnipeg alone has close to 1,000 Inuit living in the city, but there are no culturally competent programs available. Funding that is directed at Aboriginal initiatives is now going towards blanketed uses, without looking specifically at the various needs of the diversity of cultures.
The time has come to re-think how we are using the word Aboriginal. I too have to use it outside the community in official capacities, but I know that when I look around the country at "Aboriginal" programs, they're really First Nations and Métis centric. Recent articles I have read use the term quite frequently, particularly to reference cultural perspective and substance, yet there is no way for the reader to know who and what exactly they are talking about in the first place. The truth is lost in generalization and assumption.
It's quite far-fetched to think that they received a consensus from all of us, and that where we are coming from is all the same. For example, if I was reading an article about an "Aboriginal" defending their land in Saskatchewan, I should know that the person speaking up might come from a strong Cree family. We are all entitled to be known for who we are!
So is it really fair to use the word "Aboriginal" in the public sector? Do we really include, or have enough, information about the Inuit to truly use it? And what's more, is it really understood that even within "First Nations" every nation itself is distinct? While we have unity as Native peoples, we each have different traditions, customs, and languages. (I mean, I'm getting kind of tired of being told "miigwetch" all the time when I'm not actually Ojibway).
We have quite a long way to go before any of our peoples have fair representation and equality in services, as well as culturally appropriate programs in any capacity in Canada. Yet it is essential to acknowledge that as First Nations, Inuit and Métis, we deserve the fundamental comprehension of our diverse identities and ways of life before the "Aboriginal" label is thrown into the mix.
Education is the key to affect positive change. When we actually take the time to learn about the culture of Indigenous peoples and then respect it, we have a duty to ensure that all of our First Peoples are equally recognized.
Our right to self-determination doesn't hurt either.
Jessica Yee is a youth activist, facilitator, and community organizer. She resides in Toronto.
Keep on
I just came across this piece that someone wrote in regards to term "Aboriginal/s" and how this term can/ is used for generalization. "The truth is lost in generalization and assumption"
This piece is definitely good and gets you thinking but one thing that really hit me was the fact that 90% of the Inuit communities
are "fly-in" only.
Very interesting indeed.
Anyhoo to get a complete picture of the piece I am talking about here it is stolen kindly from rabble.ca.....enjoy the reads
"Rethinking the word "Aboriginal"
Aboriginal – "original or earliest known; native; indigenous."
"Recognized in the Canadian Constitution Act, 1982, sections 25 and 35, respectively as Indians, Métis, and Inuit. It also refers to self-identification of Aboriginal People who live within Canada, but who have not chosen to accept the extinction of their rights of Sovereignty or Aboriginal Title of their lands."
Okay. So now that I have finally looked it up, I can try to understand the term that I have been categorized under as Mohawk. Although, to be honest, when my family and friends in the community are referring to each other, we don't use this word. We're just us, we're Native if anything.
So yes, the term Aboriginal does mean the First Peoples of this land. For my part, it seems that it has become the norm to use this term frivolously, without restraint, and without giving particular attention to what this word encompasses. It is a freebie for the government.
Using an "umbrella" term removes their obligation to have to individually identify each of the federally recognized Indigenous "bodies" in this country. Which I guess is a tiresome task – having to actually name Native peoples, who really warrant recognition in all of our entities of being. Nationally the word has become a way to lump everybody together into one melting pot, dangerously in that the assumption is that as First Peoples, we're really all similar. And we're really not.
This rings especially true when talking about the Inuit. Having recently returned from Inuvik in the Northwest Territories, I myself was not even entirely aware of the uniqueness of the Inuit until I got there. Inuvik is located on the East Channel of the Mackenzie Delta, approximately 100 km from the Arctic Ocean and approximately 200 km north of the Arctic Circle. The population includes Inuit (Inuvialuit), Dene (Gwich'in) and Métis. Close to 90 percent of all Inuit communities are fly-in only. So needless to say, because of my geographic isolation while in this area, I embarked on a deep learning journey as soon as I got there.
I joyously discovered the distinctive culture of the Inuit from the drumming, dancing, and singing, to the life cycle teachings and forms of governance. There is not really a separation of men and women so much as there is a focus on family and the realities of the roles that have to be taken on accordingly.
There is a generalization in some history that all Indigenous peoples have identical systems of nationhood and understand the same philosophies, which is completely false, and differs greatly amongst the Inuit as well. They are community-based peoples and have so much strength in their lifestyle and heritage. Colonization is much more recent for the Inuit, yet resiliency remains and many have kept their language, Inuktitut, alive and well.
So I thought I'd ask my Inuk youth activist friend Allen Auksaq what he thought. "The word Aboriginal to me is a word that marginalizes other races within the dominant mainstream society. It's a way to divide how our government services us. Personally I don't like the word, I prefer to call people who are Aboriginal what they like to be called. For example Inuit love to be called Inuit; not Aboriginal, not Eskimo, just Inuit. Inuit means people, and Inuk is a person. So I prefer to not use the word, but I can’t do anything about it because it's used by everyone and it seems like everyone just accepts it."
And Allen is quite right. Any Inuk who goes down south has one option for Inuit-specific services, which are only located in Ottawa. Everyone else has to go to the Native Friendship Centre, or somewhere else and hope that services will include them or that someone might speak their language.
Winnipeg alone has close to 1,000 Inuit living in the city, but there are no culturally competent programs available. Funding that is directed at Aboriginal initiatives is now going towards blanketed uses, without looking specifically at the various needs of the diversity of cultures.
The time has come to re-think how we are using the word Aboriginal. I too have to use it outside the community in official capacities, but I know that when I look around the country at "Aboriginal" programs, they're really First Nations and Métis centric. Recent articles I have read use the term quite frequently, particularly to reference cultural perspective and substance, yet there is no way for the reader to know who and what exactly they are talking about in the first place. The truth is lost in generalization and assumption.
It's quite far-fetched to think that they received a consensus from all of us, and that where we are coming from is all the same. For example, if I was reading an article about an "Aboriginal" defending their land in Saskatchewan, I should know that the person speaking up might come from a strong Cree family. We are all entitled to be known for who we are!
So is it really fair to use the word "Aboriginal" in the public sector? Do we really include, or have enough, information about the Inuit to truly use it? And what's more, is it really understood that even within "First Nations" every nation itself is distinct? While we have unity as Native peoples, we each have different traditions, customs, and languages. (I mean, I'm getting kind of tired of being told "miigwetch" all the time when I'm not actually Ojibway).
We have quite a long way to go before any of our peoples have fair representation and equality in services, as well as culturally appropriate programs in any capacity in Canada. Yet it is essential to acknowledge that as First Nations, Inuit and Métis, we deserve the fundamental comprehension of our diverse identities and ways of life before the "Aboriginal" label is thrown into the mix.
Education is the key to affect positive change. When we actually take the time to learn about the culture of Indigenous peoples and then respect it, we have a duty to ensure that all of our First Peoples are equally recognized.
Our right to self-determination doesn't hurt either.
Jessica Yee is a youth activist, facilitator, and community organizer. She resides in Toronto.
Keep on
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Gutter, Justice, and the Fooooo
So I have myself a couple days off which is nice thing to have at the moment although the weather outside is a lil rainy. What can you do?
The last 6 days have found me working shows everyday with at least 1 of those days "double dipping" (2 shows) and another day a very intense work load.
The next day after the Jose Gonzalez show the Guttertwins played the Cabaret in which I worked as well. I had never heard the Guttertwins before but knew it was Greg Dulli from Afghan Whigs and Mark Lanegan from Screaming Tree's.
The load in for this show wasn't anything too too crazy and ran fairly pretty smoothly with their crew who were nice fellows. The show did okay but wasn't sold out as it was the night before for Jose. I had also been hired by the band too sell their merch so I did end up watching the whole show. The opening band was named Great Northern and for some reason I swear that I had seen them before but can't pin point where. The Guttertwins were god but definitely weird as well. About half way through the set Greg Dulli told his band over his mic "I want this too sound like it did at soundcheck. Do what you have to do to make it that way and I don't want to say this again"...!!??...Wow! Way to harsh the mellow. I completely understand there are times where the sound is messed up, or a band member drops the ball here and there but my opinion is YOU DO NOT bring this into the show and expose the audience too this. It's just respectful. For me personally it definitely bummed me out. Then you have Mark Lanegan whom I have never met but the whole show the dude didn't say one word excepts the words he was singing. I know man I know that you have this certain persona/ image but come on......Say hello, or thanx, or rock on, or something....Just standing in the middle of the stage, with your eyes closed holding onto the mic stand is a lil funny. Let Loooooose!!!
After this show was over my little bum sped home too try and catch at last an hour or 2 of sleep before rising at 4:45am to go work another show.- I ended up only getting about 1 hr of sleep.
We had Justice in town who is from France and has a very Daft Punk vibe to them and are fairly big.
They were playing Cepsum which is a 5000 capacity hockey arena in the University of Montreal. This day started so early because we were building the whole show from the beginning too the end. The first thing that we did was unload a semi truck which was carrying all the staging, and all the barricades. I had never been part of a production as such from that level. Yes I have worked many shows, have been to many shows, but I have never built a stage before so I was looking forward to it. There was about 10 of us and we had the 38 ft by 38 ft stage up in about an hour. It was definitely manual work but nothing that we couldn't do...obviously because we did it.
After the stage was set up we then unloaded the Solotech truck (another semi) which was carrying all the sound gear, all the lighting gear, and all the tressels to hang everything on. At this time Solotech also brought in their crew so there was definitely around 30 people there unloading the truck, building tressels, and getting things organized on the floor too make it easier for everyone.
By the time we were done all of this most of the dudes I was working with were let go for the day while a couple others including myself waited around for Myspace too show up.
This tour was a Myspace sponsored tour (geeks!!). Once they arrived we went and helped them unload their gear before being cut for the day to go home.
I came back to the venue around 9:30 because I wanted to check Justice out and see the whole operation in action. The only time I have really heard Justice is here at home when Yannick has his music on. So I was familiar with both of the real big hits which was nice and I actually liked them as well.I do have a soft spot for real controlled electronic music.
Their show was definitely fun too watch and people were loosing their minds mostly I would say because most were probably on some really crazy drugs. I walked up top too the stands to look down at the floor and seeing a about 4000 people loosing it wit some holding crazy glow in the dark toys was crazy too see plus with the lights from the production of the show added a lil extra. Justice had on each side of the stage of them had 9 marshall cabinets (18 total) that were obviously dead and then center stage they had this huge wall/ dashboard of electronics also dead too.
After the show was over we waited for the venue too clear and began the next 5 hours of work.
First we helped get the band gear off the stage and then started actually doing our work by breaking down the sound gear, lights, and finally the stage. After everything was done we loaded the trucks around 2:00AM and a couple others plus myself were then asked to head too the Bell Center with the truck to unload all the staging, and barricades. My ass was definitely tired but also I am stoked to be doing what I am doing and will do what it takes to get shit done.
I ended up getting home at 4 in the morning almost 24 hours after the beginning of the adventure and CRASHED OUT!!!!
March 19th, 2008
The next day I yet another show up the street from my house at a venue named Sala Rosa which is owned by one of the fellows in the MOntreal band known as God Speed You Black Emperor. This show was only a load in/ load out which was nice because at the Bell Center the Foo Fighters were playing with Against Me! which I was pumped about. Both bands I am definitely a fan of and the AM! dudes are friends from touring etc etc so I was a guest of theirs.
AM! played a good set and there were definitely kids into them but over all it was for sure a Foo Fighters crowd.
After the AM!'s played the Foo's then came on and lit up the house. For the first section of their set they had the 4 band members plus Pat Smear and also a keyboard player, violin payer, and percussion player.
I watched about 45 mins of their set and then had too head back to the venue I was working at for load out there which was fine.
The band that was playing at Sala was named A Fine Frenzy but I didn't really watch them so I have no clue what they were about. Their load out took about 15 mins which was nice so I headed across the street to Casa which is Sala's sister bar/ venue. I had 2 friends from California staying with me who were there so I cruised over to have a beer with them.
We stayed there for awhile hanging out, listening to the DJ spin tunes before we headed down too my hood.
Before actually heading home we stopped off at Bif Tek for one last beer which ended up turning into a couple more.
It turns out the Foo's and the AM!'s were at this bar which meant alot of people. As you could imagine people were freaking over Dave Grohl and the others. Yes it was cool too see everyone in the bar but honestly it's no big thing to me personally because I've been around some of these peeps before and I am not someone too really loose their shit over it.
So I was sitting there for awhile with different friends when my friend Dustin came up too me and said I want to introduce you too Dave.
-Dustin is a photpgrapher from Toronto who I have met with the (International) Noise Conspiracy. Dustin also has taken alot of photos of the INC, the Foo's and may many others.....DustinRabinPhotography-
Anyhoo my first reaction was "Why?" and "It's okay man. I am just chilling". Things like this are always a little weird but I rolled with it. Dustin said something in his ear after introducing him too me and so I asked Dave "What did he say?".
Turns out Dustin mentioned I tour with the (I)NC so Dave and I started talking about them as a band etc etc.
I asked him if he was a fan and he mentioned he wasn't that much but kind of used to be. He then started talking about Dennis and Refused etc etc and I said "INC is way better then Refused man". He was like "Being in Refused is kind of like being in Nirvana....there is nothing that is comparable" I am not sure if I agree but it was definitely neat having the drummer of Nirvana say something as such to me....Kind of cool. It was a nice little chat we had all intiatted by his drunk ass. I even kind of grabbed a beer someone had bought and was offering to him out of his hands.....At first I thought it was empty and the dude was passing it over to put on the bar...Wrong. The dude was buying it for Dave but I grabbed it so Dave was already completely hammered and said "no you take it, ive had way too much" which was funny. The dude is a good dude and I have always thought he was real punk which is always nice. I still think that after a real encounter which is always nice.
Keep on
The last 6 days have found me working shows everyday with at least 1 of those days "double dipping" (2 shows) and another day a very intense work load.
The next day after the Jose Gonzalez show the Guttertwins played the Cabaret in which I worked as well. I had never heard the Guttertwins before but knew it was Greg Dulli from Afghan Whigs and Mark Lanegan from Screaming Tree's.
The load in for this show wasn't anything too too crazy and ran fairly pretty smoothly with their crew who were nice fellows. The show did okay but wasn't sold out as it was the night before for Jose. I had also been hired by the band too sell their merch so I did end up watching the whole show. The opening band was named Great Northern and for some reason I swear that I had seen them before but can't pin point where. The Guttertwins were god but definitely weird as well. About half way through the set Greg Dulli told his band over his mic "I want this too sound like it did at soundcheck. Do what you have to do to make it that way and I don't want to say this again"...!!??...Wow! Way to harsh the mellow. I completely understand there are times where the sound is messed up, or a band member drops the ball here and there but my opinion is YOU DO NOT bring this into the show and expose the audience too this. It's just respectful. For me personally it definitely bummed me out. Then you have Mark Lanegan whom I have never met but the whole show the dude didn't say one word excepts the words he was singing. I know man I know that you have this certain persona/ image but come on......Say hello, or thanx, or rock on, or something....Just standing in the middle of the stage, with your eyes closed holding onto the mic stand is a lil funny. Let Loooooose!!!
After this show was over my little bum sped home too try and catch at last an hour or 2 of sleep before rising at 4:45am to go work another show.- I ended up only getting about 1 hr of sleep.
We had Justice in town who is from France and has a very Daft Punk vibe to them and are fairly big.
They were playing Cepsum which is a 5000 capacity hockey arena in the University of Montreal. This day started so early because we were building the whole show from the beginning too the end. The first thing that we did was unload a semi truck which was carrying all the staging, and all the barricades. I had never been part of a production as such from that level. Yes I have worked many shows, have been to many shows, but I have never built a stage before so I was looking forward to it. There was about 10 of us and we had the 38 ft by 38 ft stage up in about an hour. It was definitely manual work but nothing that we couldn't do...obviously because we did it.
After the stage was set up we then unloaded the Solotech truck (another semi) which was carrying all the sound gear, all the lighting gear, and all the tressels to hang everything on. At this time Solotech also brought in their crew so there was definitely around 30 people there unloading the truck, building tressels, and getting things organized on the floor too make it easier for everyone.
By the time we were done all of this most of the dudes I was working with were let go for the day while a couple others including myself waited around for Myspace too show up.
This tour was a Myspace sponsored tour (geeks!!). Once they arrived we went and helped them unload their gear before being cut for the day to go home.
I came back to the venue around 9:30 because I wanted to check Justice out and see the whole operation in action. The only time I have really heard Justice is here at home when Yannick has his music on. So I was familiar with both of the real big hits which was nice and I actually liked them as well.I do have a soft spot for real controlled electronic music.
Their show was definitely fun too watch and people were loosing their minds mostly I would say because most were probably on some really crazy drugs. I walked up top too the stands to look down at the floor and seeing a about 4000 people loosing it wit some holding crazy glow in the dark toys was crazy too see plus with the lights from the production of the show added a lil extra. Justice had on each side of the stage of them had 9 marshall cabinets (18 total) that were obviously dead and then center stage they had this huge wall/ dashboard of electronics also dead too.
After the show was over we waited for the venue too clear and began the next 5 hours of work.
First we helped get the band gear off the stage and then started actually doing our work by breaking down the sound gear, lights, and finally the stage. After everything was done we loaded the trucks around 2:00AM and a couple others plus myself were then asked to head too the Bell Center with the truck to unload all the staging, and barricades. My ass was definitely tired but also I am stoked to be doing what I am doing and will do what it takes to get shit done.
I ended up getting home at 4 in the morning almost 24 hours after the beginning of the adventure and CRASHED OUT!!!!
March 19th, 2008
The next day I yet another show up the street from my house at a venue named Sala Rosa which is owned by one of the fellows in the MOntreal band known as God Speed You Black Emperor. This show was only a load in/ load out which was nice because at the Bell Center the Foo Fighters were playing with Against Me! which I was pumped about. Both bands I am definitely a fan of and the AM! dudes are friends from touring etc etc so I was a guest of theirs.
AM! played a good set and there were definitely kids into them but over all it was for sure a Foo Fighters crowd.
After the AM!'s played the Foo's then came on and lit up the house. For the first section of their set they had the 4 band members plus Pat Smear and also a keyboard player, violin payer, and percussion player.
I watched about 45 mins of their set and then had too head back to the venue I was working at for load out there which was fine.
The band that was playing at Sala was named A Fine Frenzy but I didn't really watch them so I have no clue what they were about. Their load out took about 15 mins which was nice so I headed across the street to Casa which is Sala's sister bar/ venue. I had 2 friends from California staying with me who were there so I cruised over to have a beer with them.
We stayed there for awhile hanging out, listening to the DJ spin tunes before we headed down too my hood.
Before actually heading home we stopped off at Bif Tek for one last beer which ended up turning into a couple more.
It turns out the Foo's and the AM!'s were at this bar which meant alot of people. As you could imagine people were freaking over Dave Grohl and the others. Yes it was cool too see everyone in the bar but honestly it's no big thing to me personally because I've been around some of these peeps before and I am not someone too really loose their shit over it.
So I was sitting there for awhile with different friends when my friend Dustin came up too me and said I want to introduce you too Dave.
-Dustin is a photpgrapher from Toronto who I have met with the (International) Noise Conspiracy. Dustin also has taken alot of photos of the INC, the Foo's and may many others.....DustinRabinPhotography-
Anyhoo my first reaction was "Why?" and "It's okay man. I am just chilling". Things like this are always a little weird but I rolled with it. Dustin said something in his ear after introducing him too me and so I asked Dave "What did he say?".
Turns out Dustin mentioned I tour with the (I)NC so Dave and I started talking about them as a band etc etc.
I asked him if he was a fan and he mentioned he wasn't that much but kind of used to be. He then started talking about Dennis and Refused etc etc and I said "INC is way better then Refused man". He was like "Being in Refused is kind of like being in Nirvana....there is nothing that is comparable" I am not sure if I agree but it was definitely neat having the drummer of Nirvana say something as such to me....Kind of cool. It was a nice little chat we had all intiatted by his drunk ass. I even kind of grabbed a beer someone had bought and was offering to him out of his hands.....At first I thought it was empty and the dude was passing it over to put on the bar...Wrong. The dude was buying it for Dave but I grabbed it so Dave was already completely hammered and said "no you take it, ive had way too much" which was funny. The dude is a good dude and I have always thought he was real punk which is always nice. I still think that after a real encounter which is always nice.
Keep on
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Don, Jose, and gang
So today my friend Don, his friend Jose Gonzalez and a couple other musicians were in town to play a show at the Cabaret.
This show I was looking forward too for some time.
#1 because I would get too hang out with a very sweet man who I have spent many days with on tour over the last 4-5 years. he goes by Don but also referred too by some as the "swedish cowboy"
#2 I think that Jose Gonzalez is a musical genious.
#3 I think that the swedes (all of them) are all amazing amazing people.
The beginning of my day was spent at another venue loading in a band from the US named Mike Doughty.
I had agreed a couple days ago to "double dip" and take on 2 shows in 1 day which stoked me out due too keeping busy as well as making a couple extra dollars.
The first load in went well with only a couple heavy pieces of gear which took a good 4-5 people each.
After this load in was down I walked 2 blocks up the hill to the Cabaret to get ready for Jose Gonzalez load in and show. I showed up a lil early and found out from my friend Duncan that the clothes dryer in the venue was not working so i packed a garbage bag full of towels and headed to the laundry mat so the band/ and crew would have some nice fresh, fluffy towels after their showers.....That's even if they used the showers...Who knows?
I had agreed to do the 2 shows because last time I saw Jose he was just on stage with a guitar and that was it so my thinking was "this load in will be quick". Turns out I was a lil wrong. On this run Jose had 2 other band members plus a lil production going with a bunch of lights etc etc. It wasn't anything hard at all I just didn't want too screw up my 2 jobs for the day.
It was so nice too get too see Don. An amazing human being this man is and a total bad ass. Don does FOH for the (I)NC and him, the rest of those dudes, and myself have had some really really good times. Don is someone I consider a real true friend and is someone I definitely care about even though I don't talk too him that often and only see him every couple of years but everytime our paths cross there is a major embrace at first and then we just exchange stories and hang out. A definite fun time I just wish him and I were around all the other dudes in the INC as well....hehehe
The Jose show tonight was sold out in advance which was nice. Last time he played Montreal he played a bigger venue however it was seating only therefore the capacity is a little different. Tonight was a standing show in a smaller venue and it ruled.
The dude is an amazing guitar player who finger picks the whole time and plays in some weird tunings which I have never seen. I still can't put my head around the whole thing but its amazing to watch and the songs are all really soothing.
After the show was over my friend Oli, myself and there crew quickly broke down the stage and started packing things up. We actually broke the stage down really really really quick which was nice for me because I was on a tight schedule with my other load out a couple blocks away. After all their gear was in their bus/ trailer I headed down too Saints to load out the band I had loaded in there earlier in the day before my evening was done. When I arrived at the Saints all their gear was packed up and ready to get carried up the stairs which was nice. JUST IN TIME!!! It took about 20 mins to get them loaded up, I then got payed, and headed up into my neighborhood where Don, his boys Jose and gang were looking for a bar we had planned meeting at. I ran into them all on the the street I live on really close too my house which was nice so I could run upstairs, drop of my things, and take everyone to the correct watering hole they were trying to go.
This show I was looking forward too for some time.
#1 because I would get too hang out with a very sweet man who I have spent many days with on tour over the last 4-5 years. he goes by Don but also referred too by some as the "swedish cowboy"
#2 I think that Jose Gonzalez is a musical genious.
#3 I think that the swedes (all of them) are all amazing amazing people.
The beginning of my day was spent at another venue loading in a band from the US named Mike Doughty.
I had agreed a couple days ago to "double dip" and take on 2 shows in 1 day which stoked me out due too keeping busy as well as making a couple extra dollars.
The first load in went well with only a couple heavy pieces of gear which took a good 4-5 people each.
After this load in was down I walked 2 blocks up the hill to the Cabaret to get ready for Jose Gonzalez load in and show. I showed up a lil early and found out from my friend Duncan that the clothes dryer in the venue was not working so i packed a garbage bag full of towels and headed to the laundry mat so the band/ and crew would have some nice fresh, fluffy towels after their showers.....That's even if they used the showers...Who knows?
I had agreed to do the 2 shows because last time I saw Jose he was just on stage with a guitar and that was it so my thinking was "this load in will be quick". Turns out I was a lil wrong. On this run Jose had 2 other band members plus a lil production going with a bunch of lights etc etc. It wasn't anything hard at all I just didn't want too screw up my 2 jobs for the day.
It was so nice too get too see Don. An amazing human being this man is and a total bad ass. Don does FOH for the (I)NC and him, the rest of those dudes, and myself have had some really really good times. Don is someone I consider a real true friend and is someone I definitely care about even though I don't talk too him that often and only see him every couple of years but everytime our paths cross there is a major embrace at first and then we just exchange stories and hang out. A definite fun time I just wish him and I were around all the other dudes in the INC as well....hehehe
The Jose show tonight was sold out in advance which was nice. Last time he played Montreal he played a bigger venue however it was seating only therefore the capacity is a little different. Tonight was a standing show in a smaller venue and it ruled.
The dude is an amazing guitar player who finger picks the whole time and plays in some weird tunings which I have never seen. I still can't put my head around the whole thing but its amazing to watch and the songs are all really soothing.
After the show was over my friend Oli, myself and there crew quickly broke down the stage and started packing things up. We actually broke the stage down really really really quick which was nice for me because I was on a tight schedule with my other load out a couple blocks away. After all their gear was in their bus/ trailer I headed down too Saints to load out the band I had loaded in there earlier in the day before my evening was done. When I arrived at the Saints all their gear was packed up and ready to get carried up the stairs which was nice. JUST IN TIME!!! It took about 20 mins to get them loaded up, I then got payed, and headed up into my neighborhood where Don, his boys Jose and gang were looking for a bar we had planned meeting at. I ran into them all on the the street I live on really close too my house which was nice so I could run upstairs, drop of my things, and take everyone to the correct watering hole they were trying to go.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Shouting Out the Devils
So this evening the Habs were in town too play the New Jersey Devils at the Bell Center downtown.
A big game this was. The Devils being in 1st place in the East with 86 points and the Habs being in 2nd with 85 points.
A couple weeks ago the Habs were in 1st in the East but it goes back and forth for awhile however for the city of Montreal lets hope this trend is done and we stay in 1st for the next 2- 1/2 weeks.
In the long run we are in the playoffs so if we happen too loose 1st place in the East we still have the playoffs in front of us.
So the game started off by the Habs looking like a tight, ready to play team.
The first goal scored was by Smolinski off of a drop pass from Kostopoulos going over Brodeur's left shoulder for a top right hand corner goal. Beautiful set up and beautiful goal. 1-0 Habs!
You could tell that the Habs came out to play a good game of hockey against a good good team. And that we did. We played tight, we played offensively and we played to win.
I sat at my local watering hole with a friend and many other hockey enthusiasts and cheered the whole way through while drinking some good ole Rousse.
Fun times.
Carey Price earned himself a shout out against the master goalie Martin Brodeur. The student beating the master!!!
I am leaving home in a couple weeks for another tour with the Bouncing Souls which is going to rule but the one thing I will miss and miss REALLY REALLY bad is the beginning and most of the playoffs. My fingers are just crossed that the Habs go far and when I am finally home we are that much closer to the Cup.
I am not that worried and plan on watching any game I can however there are not going to be many (if any) places in the Empire playing the Montreal Canadiens hockey games. Makes sense although they should. This team needs to be watched, wtinessed, and watched carefully. GO HABS!!!!
A big game this was. The Devils being in 1st place in the East with 86 points and the Habs being in 2nd with 85 points.
A couple weeks ago the Habs were in 1st in the East but it goes back and forth for awhile however for the city of Montreal lets hope this trend is done and we stay in 1st for the next 2- 1/2 weeks.
In the long run we are in the playoffs so if we happen too loose 1st place in the East we still have the playoffs in front of us.
So the game started off by the Habs looking like a tight, ready to play team.
The first goal scored was by Smolinski off of a drop pass from Kostopoulos going over Brodeur's left shoulder for a top right hand corner goal. Beautiful set up and beautiful goal. 1-0 Habs!
You could tell that the Habs came out to play a good game of hockey against a good good team. And that we did. We played tight, we played offensively and we played to win.
I sat at my local watering hole with a friend and many other hockey enthusiasts and cheered the whole way through while drinking some good ole Rousse.
Fun times.
Carey Price earned himself a shout out against the master goalie Martin Brodeur. The student beating the master!!!
I am leaving home in a couple weeks for another tour with the Bouncing Souls which is going to rule but the one thing I will miss and miss REALLY REALLY bad is the beginning and most of the playoffs. My fingers are just crossed that the Habs go far and when I am finally home we are that much closer to the Cup.
I am not that worried and plan on watching any game I can however there are not going to be many (if any) places in the Empire playing the Montreal Canadiens hockey games. Makes sense although they should. This team needs to be watched, wtinessed, and watched carefully. GO HABS!!!!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
One big winter wallop
So today in Montreal and the rest of Eastern Canada we got hit with a monstrous winter storm.
Monstrous! Just today in Montreal we were dumped on with about 35 cm's of snow with some other areas getting hit with around 50 cm's. That's insane. This winter we have had almost 4 meters of snow dumped on us.
Personally its definitely been amazing to witness and be a part of. "You don't see this in Richmond, or California" is what I said earlier this evening to a friend while walking home from work.
Today I had to load in/ out a bunch of fellows by the name of Corb Lund who were from Alberta. I guess the lead singer of the band used to be in a punk band from Alberta named the Smalls. I've never heard them but there's plenty who have. So when I headed down to the venue the storm wasn't super bad. Yes there was a lot of snow, with lots of snow falling, windy, and icy. But it was fun. After load in I headed back up home which was insane. It was a full on blizzard with visibilty around 50 ft in front of you. No one on the streets and no one driving around. My house isn't to far from the venue (and actually all the venues) so I just walked back too the hood to catch the HABS vs Kings game (we won!!!!!). While I was in the bar watching the game you could see the wether getting worse and worse and worse.
This evening the conditons have been the same. White out conditions. No one on the streets. No cars. Everyone who is on the streets are walking in the middle of the street because the sidewalks aren't cleared (you don't wanna sink) and the streets are. Its totally crazy too see.
I do think this storm today and even tomorrow is definitely one of the biggest snow storms I've seen. Totally insane!!
2 days ago it was +2C and everything was melted. Now there is TONS and TONS of snow everywhere. A couple blocks from my house my street was actually closed because cars couldn't make it up the hill. Even if you have a 4x4 the snow is too slippery. 2 days ago nothing!!...hehehehe......Fun FUN FUn....Im into it. Plus the Habs won too!!!
Monstrous! Just today in Montreal we were dumped on with about 35 cm's of snow with some other areas getting hit with around 50 cm's. That's insane. This winter we have had almost 4 meters of snow dumped on us.
Personally its definitely been amazing to witness and be a part of. "You don't see this in Richmond, or California" is what I said earlier this evening to a friend while walking home from work.
Today I had to load in/ out a bunch of fellows by the name of Corb Lund who were from Alberta. I guess the lead singer of the band used to be in a punk band from Alberta named the Smalls. I've never heard them but there's plenty who have. So when I headed down to the venue the storm wasn't super bad. Yes there was a lot of snow, with lots of snow falling, windy, and icy. But it was fun. After load in I headed back up home which was insane. It was a full on blizzard with visibilty around 50 ft in front of you. No one on the streets and no one driving around. My house isn't to far from the venue (and actually all the venues) so I just walked back too the hood to catch the HABS vs Kings game (we won!!!!!). While I was in the bar watching the game you could see the wether getting worse and worse and worse.
This evening the conditons have been the same. White out conditions. No one on the streets. No cars. Everyone who is on the streets are walking in the middle of the street because the sidewalks aren't cleared (you don't wanna sink) and the streets are. Its totally crazy too see.
I do think this storm today and even tomorrow is definitely one of the biggest snow storms I've seen. Totally insane!!
2 days ago it was +2C and everything was melted. Now there is TONS and TONS of snow everywhere. A couple blocks from my house my street was actually closed because cars couldn't make it up the hill. Even if you have a 4x4 the snow is too slippery. 2 days ago nothing!!...hehehehe......Fun FUN FUn....Im into it. Plus the Habs won too!!!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Being Home!
Tonight I had an amazing night with some cool peeps. I went to a show at the venue down the street named Cabaret which I also work at sometimes. THe artist playing this evening was named Amanda Mabro who is a jazz, soul-ie singer backed by a band. She and her band were pretty good actually and I am glad I got too see the show.
After the show a couple of friends/ people who work at the Cabaret came up into my neighborhood to the local-pub/ restaurant for some food and drinks. My time was spent talking too some homegrrls named Meghan/ and Dara about growing up, Canada and Canadian culture. It was so neat and cool. I left Canada when I was 12 so there are definitely ALOT of things I missed out on in this country. The things I missed out on were definitely made up for better/ or worse in my time spent in the US but there were definitely times of difference.
I found out the Meghan was born, and raised in Chilliwack, BC which is cool/ funny. Both my Mum and Dad were rasied, and grew up in Chilliwack, BC and both have most of their family still living there so I have been there many many many times. It was funny having that bond for sure. It makes you think about how small Canada and it's people really are. THere are more people that live in California (36 million) then there is in all of Canada (33 million) with Canada being the 2nd largest country in the world by area.
Living in the states and living where I have lived I have definitely come across other people who have lived in other places I have etc etc but honestly that is far and in between.
But coming across people who have come from the same places where your roots have actually been formed is always a nice thing and for me that is Canada, the Prairies (where i was born.....Grande Praiire....the end of the Prairies although we are still called "GRANDE'), Chilliwack and all of southern British Columbia, Vancouver Island.
Also this evening I was informed of the Canadian Heritage Minutes which were 1 min or so commercials during television in Canada which were a short stories about some historic event in Canadian History......RAD.....!!!!
After the show a couple of friends/ people who work at the Cabaret came up into my neighborhood to the local-pub/ restaurant for some food and drinks. My time was spent talking too some homegrrls named Meghan/ and Dara about growing up, Canada and Canadian culture. It was so neat and cool. I left Canada when I was 12 so there are definitely ALOT of things I missed out on in this country. The things I missed out on were definitely made up for better/ or worse in my time spent in the US but there were definitely times of difference.
I found out the Meghan was born, and raised in Chilliwack, BC which is cool/ funny. Both my Mum and Dad were rasied, and grew up in Chilliwack, BC and both have most of their family still living there so I have been there many many many times. It was funny having that bond for sure. It makes you think about how small Canada and it's people really are. THere are more people that live in California (36 million) then there is in all of Canada (33 million) with Canada being the 2nd largest country in the world by area.
Living in the states and living where I have lived I have definitely come across other people who have lived in other places I have etc etc but honestly that is far and in between.
But coming across people who have come from the same places where your roots have actually been formed is always a nice thing and for me that is Canada, the Prairies (where i was born.....Grande Praiire....the end of the Prairies although we are still called "GRANDE'), Chilliwack and all of southern British Columbia, Vancouver Island.
Also this evening I was informed of the Canadian Heritage Minutes which were 1 min or so commercials during television in Canada which were a short stories about some historic event in Canadian History......RAD.....!!!!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Hey Little World...which they did not play
So last night I checked out the Swedish Rock band who go by the name of The Hives.
They played at the Metropolis here in Montreal. Their original show was booked at Club Soda which has a capacity of around 800 or so I'd say and that show sold out extremely quick so the show was moved to the Metropolis which has a capacity of around 2200. This show was also sold out. Good for them.
I had only seen The Hives once before years ago in San Francisco with The (International) Noise Conspiracy and I definitely enjoyed them. I will say though that I still feel/ and think that the (I)NC are a better band and have a better live show. Personal opinion of course.
The Hives were definitely super tight last night and the kiddies were feeling it big time. Their stage set up was extremely basic as any rock bands set up should be. Their production was pretty much nothing as well. Behind them they had their red neon lighted sign that says The Hives and that was really it. No crazy back drops and no crazy lights as well. Just a straight up rock show.
They played at the Metropolis here in Montreal. Their original show was booked at Club Soda which has a capacity of around 800 or so I'd say and that show sold out extremely quick so the show was moved to the Metropolis which has a capacity of around 2200. This show was also sold out. Good for them.
I had only seen The Hives once before years ago in San Francisco with The (International) Noise Conspiracy and I definitely enjoyed them. I will say though that I still feel/ and think that the (I)NC are a better band and have a better live show. Personal opinion of course.
The Hives were definitely super tight last night and the kiddies were feeling it big time. Their stage set up was extremely basic as any rock bands set up should be. Their production was pretty much nothing as well. Behind them they had their red neon lighted sign that says The Hives and that was really it. No crazy back drops and no crazy lights as well. Just a straight up rock show.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
We did our best
So this evening the Montreal Canadiens played their 1st game of 4 of the West Coast starting in San Jose.
It was a big game. The Habs were tied 1st place in the Eastern Conference with the Pens at 81 points where San Jose had 80 points in the West.
The Habs ended up loosing this game but in all honestly played a wonderful game and worked hard.
Some of the goals let in by Price could have been avoided however ALL the goals that the Habs did score were good goals made after amazing plays. It was not the Habs night which is fine because you can not win them all.
The line which is known as the "2nd" line however is our strongest line came out strong yet again. Kovalev, Kostisyn, Plekanec!!!!
We now have to play Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Anaheim this week/ weekend.
It was a big game. The Habs were tied 1st place in the Eastern Conference with the Pens at 81 points where San Jose had 80 points in the West.
The Habs ended up loosing this game but in all honestly played a wonderful game and worked hard.
Some of the goals let in by Price could have been avoided however ALL the goals that the Habs did score were good goals made after amazing plays. It was not the Habs night which is fine because you can not win them all.
The line which is known as the "2nd" line however is our strongest line came out strong yet again. Kovalev, Kostisyn, Plekanec!!!!
We now have to play Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Anaheim this week/ weekend.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
"Working In The Fields TIll You Get Your Back Burned"
BRUUUUUCE!!!!!
This evening I just saw the almighty Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at the Bell Center here in Montreal.
Whoa!!!!
Honestly this show was something I had planned on attending for the last couple months, but up until this evening I didn't have tickets and for a couple hours of today I did actually think about not going due to saving money.
Well!!!!! So much for that and I made the right decision......Friggin eh!!!!
I was trying to get a ticket through a friend/ and the peeps I work for however the demand was high therefore my chances disappeared. To begin with I wasn't trying to get a freebie and had offered to pay months ago but there was still a slight chance that I could get hooked up with a ticket.
So earlier today I found out there was nothing that could be done and some extra tickets actually got released so I jumped on thee ol Internerd and scoped out the scene.
I made contact with some dude who was selling a General Admission ticket for lower then face value. After thinking about it for an hour or so I actually had decided to skip it and i'll take my lose.
I was working another show this evening which was in the direction of the Bell Center so once I was done with this show.....MEN (2 ladies from Le Tigre spinning records.....the show flopped!!) I called this ticket fellow back up and metr him right in front of the venue. I made sure the ticket was legit, gave him my cash and walked into the most amazing place ever with thousands of other Bruce fans for our night of ROCK!!!!
SERIOUSLY!!!! GOING TO THIS SHOW WAS THE MOST AMAZING THING EVER AND IM GLAD I MADE THAT CHOICE!!!
I will say I completely lost it, danced my lil butt off non stop, sang along to at least "almost" each word being sung (honestly I was singing my toosh OFF!!!), my fists pumping, ass shaking, and this whole time I had the biggest grin on my face. So big that I actually made my cheeks so sore and my throat/ voice are definitely very sore......SO WORTH IT!!!!!!!!
There is nothing else like hearing 20 000 people sing along in unison to these amazing songs by an amazing band.
There definitely aren't many artists/ groups that can do what Bruce and his gang do. I do thing it's still got a very 80's/ 90's thing too it...Huge show singing along. These days you do not have many many bands that have this effect.
Below is the set list for this evenings rock show and let me just end again by saying THIS WAS THE SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 28, 2008
Montreal, Quebec
Bell Centre
Night
Radio Nowhere
Magic
Lonesome Day
Gypsy Biker
Reason To Believe
Because The Night
She's The One
Livin' In The Future
The Promised Land
Waitin' On A Sunny Day
Darkness On The Edge Of Town
The River
Devil's Arcade
The Rising
Last To Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands
Girls In Their Summer Clothes
Jungleland
Born To Run
Dancing In The Dark
American Land
This evening I just saw the almighty Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at the Bell Center here in Montreal.
Whoa!!!!
Honestly this show was something I had planned on attending for the last couple months, but up until this evening I didn't have tickets and for a couple hours of today I did actually think about not going due to saving money.
Well!!!!! So much for that and I made the right decision......Friggin eh!!!!
I was trying to get a ticket through a friend/ and the peeps I work for however the demand was high therefore my chances disappeared. To begin with I wasn't trying to get a freebie and had offered to pay months ago but there was still a slight chance that I could get hooked up with a ticket.
So earlier today I found out there was nothing that could be done and some extra tickets actually got released so I jumped on thee ol Internerd and scoped out the scene.
I made contact with some dude who was selling a General Admission ticket for lower then face value. After thinking about it for an hour or so I actually had decided to skip it and i'll take my lose.
I was working another show this evening which was in the direction of the Bell Center so once I was done with this show.....MEN (2 ladies from Le Tigre spinning records.....the show flopped!!) I called this ticket fellow back up and metr him right in front of the venue. I made sure the ticket was legit, gave him my cash and walked into the most amazing place ever with thousands of other Bruce fans for our night of ROCK!!!!
SERIOUSLY!!!! GOING TO THIS SHOW WAS THE MOST AMAZING THING EVER AND IM GLAD I MADE THAT CHOICE!!!
I will say I completely lost it, danced my lil butt off non stop, sang along to at least "almost" each word being sung (honestly I was singing my toosh OFF!!!), my fists pumping, ass shaking, and this whole time I had the biggest grin on my face. So big that I actually made my cheeks so sore and my throat/ voice are definitely very sore......SO WORTH IT!!!!!!!!
There is nothing else like hearing 20 000 people sing along in unison to these amazing songs by an amazing band.
There definitely aren't many artists/ groups that can do what Bruce and his gang do. I do thing it's still got a very 80's/ 90's thing too it...Huge show singing along. These days you do not have many many bands that have this effect.
Below is the set list for this evenings rock show and let me just end again by saying THIS WAS THE SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 28, 2008
Montreal, Quebec
Bell Centre
Night
Radio Nowhere
Magic
Lonesome Day
Gypsy Biker
Reason To Believe
Because The Night
She's The One
Livin' In The Future
The Promised Land
Waitin' On A Sunny Day
Darkness On The Edge Of Town
The River
Devil's Arcade
The Rising
Last To Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands
Girls In Their Summer Clothes
Jungleland
Born To Run
Dancing In The Dark
American Land
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