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Tonight, I’m playing my 1002nd Solo Show…
So, Frank Turner’s 1002nd show has come and gone, and it couldn’t have been better.
To a packed El Mocambo crowd, Frank Turner played all the songs you’d want to hear, plus the gem above. As a second-to-last song, it came out of left field (I was expecting to hear Propagandhi’s the State Lottery as the obligatory can-con cover) and was a stellar way to close out the night. Of course, he finished with Ballad of Me and My Friends, but his cover of the Weakerthans’ Aside was far and away the best tune of the night. Colour me glad, that was a real hum-dinger of a good time. He did throw in a great deal of songs you’d expect (Photosynthesis, Long Live the Queen, Love, Ire, and Song, The Road, Jet Lag, I Still Believe), but it’s far too late to dive into anything more than a glancing touch on the setlist. The Weakerthans cover made my night, without a doubt.
Beyond words, if you weren’t there, suffice to say it was a perfect sing-along night with perfect company.
Tonight, I’m playing my 1001st Solo Show…
Just got back from what turned out to be Frank Turner’s 1001st show.
It was a small gig with low-attendance but big fun.
The opening band that I was able to catch, the Box Tiger, did an admirable job warming up the few in attendance, bringing a touch of driving indie rock to the night.
Following them, Frank came out and gave a relatively short, slow paced, “b-side” filled set. That’s not to say that it was poor, it’s just the crowd was not singing along at every turn as is a common sight at any FT show. Jet lag could be to blame for the more timid pacing of the set, and the song selection was largely based on the fact that he’s got a headlining gig booked for Tuesday night, but that doesn’t mean it was all obscure tracks and new numbers. Crowd favourites like The Ballad of Me and My Friends and The Road made appearances, as well as Try This At Home and Substitute.
Overall, it was a small, intimate, stripped-down treat, nearly devoid of his usual stage banter, but still delivered with a fiery passion that many have come to expect from what would just be another Frank Turner show. I have incredibly high expectations for Tuesday, and simply cannot wait for doors.
The ‘Tapped-Out “Some Lists Go To Eleven” Musical Best Of 2010
In the first of two entries which make up my look back at the year that was, I focus on my musical favourites: the albums, EPs, and concerts, which made my first year in Toronto both magical and memorable. With that saccharine sentiment gone, I can focus on outlining my likes of 2010. I considered throwing in some dislikes, but aside from not liking the new Bad Religion album and not understanding Vampire Weekend, I didn’t really have much else to say.
ALBUMS
Tokyo Police Club – Champ
I have to thank Steph for this one. If it weren’t for her listening to it constantly for the six months following its release, I’d have likely overlooked it completely. I’m glad I didn’t, because it’s full of fun, poppy tunes, which are just pleasant. Pleasantness is an attribute that is widely overlooked in music, so it’s nice to come across a band that gets it. There’s obviously much more to the album, but I can’t seem to get past how it’s just an honest-to-goodness solid listen. I hate to be blunt, but… it’s good, so listen to it. Off the album, I like Wait Up (Boots of Danger) and Favourite Colour, but you’d probably like different ones (and the same ones).
Devo – Something for Everybody
The top eleven of ’10 list couldn’t be complete with the year’s great comeback – the return of Devo! Sufficiently weird and still just as fun as ever, Something for Everybody shows that Devo never really went away, they just left us wanting more for an extended period. This album finds Devo moving away from their punk rock roots and moving to a more danceable alternative, while still keeping their irreverent, socially aware lyrical styles. My favourites are So Fresh, Don’t Shoot (I’m a Man), and Please Baby Please.
The Arcade Fire – The Suburbs
Initially, I was unsure about adding The Suburbs to this list because I don’t really like it that much. It’s an album made up of songs that are phenomenal live, but didn’t really grab me when taken to a studio environment. I like the album, but only because listening to it makes me nostalgic for what was one of the best concerts of the year. If you’ve liked everything the Arcade Fire has done to date, you’ll likely enjoy this. If you need a little more convincing, the Suburbs, Ready to Start, or Rococo should be enough to help you make an informed decision.
Gogol Bordello – Trans-continental Hustle
Gogol Bordello is a highly divisive group. Everyone who knows them either loves or hates them. I find myself staunchly in the camp of the former, considering this to be their best effort yet. Chock-full of incredibly catchy gypsy punk anthems, Trans-continental Hustle would make the ideal soundtrack for a house party, backyard cookout, or garage sale. Lend an ear to Immigraniada (We’re Comin’ Rougher), Pala Tute, and Rebellious Love, but don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.
Black Keys – Brothers
The first of two entries in my list from a band hailing from Akron, Ohio, Brothers seems to be the Black Keys’ big moment. Tighten Up was a contender for song of the summer, and it seems that the rubber town duo is now something of a household name. Personally, I still like Thickfreakness better, but it’s hard to argue with Tighten Up and it’s brilliant companion video.
Murder by Death – Good Morning, Magpie
It’s not that this album surprised me so much as Murder by Death did. I knew them by name, but knew nothing of their sound prior to seeing them live earlier this year. Their mixing of alt-country and punk rock was a refreshing change of pace from my usual milieu, and a combination that I hope to find much more of in 2011. Give a listen to As Long As There Is Whiskey In The World, On The Dark Streets Below, and You Don’t Miss Twice (When You’re Shavin’ With a Knife). If you’ve any sense, you’ll like this.
The Bouncing Souls – Ghosts on the Boardwalk
Technically, this is a 2009 album, as all the songs were released through a monthly single, but the total package came out in January, so this makes the cut. This is another album that took a few listens to get used to, but once you get to that point, it’s great. Singer Greg Atonnito’s voice only gets better with age, and the rest is what you’d expect from a Bouncing Souls album: some quirky songs, some heartfelt songs, some catchy songs, and some that come out of left field. In short, it’s classic ‘Souls – a solid good-time romp. My favourites are Ghosts on the Boardwalk, We All Sing Along, and Badass.
OFF! – The First Four EPs
This was something of a wildcard for 2010. At first, I didn’t want to give OFF! any attention, considering Keith Morris to be bit too much for me. Reluctantly, I checked them out, likely on a rainy day, and haven’t looked back since. This “album” is brilliant. It is just as the title suggests, their first four EPs in one convenient package. 17 minutes long, 16 songs in total, the songs pass by at warp speed, leaving behind them nothing but a trail of blown amps and burst eardrums. It’s not a throwback, it’s not even a modern interpretation, it’s just 80s hardcore that happened to have been released 30 years outside of its relevancy period. Keith Morris is clearly at the top of his game, which is something of a pleasant change, since I always thought the modern Circle Jerks was just him going through the motions. Even if you don’t like hardcore, it’s a very small commitment time-wise, so you might as well just give them a try. Three songs I’d suggest are I Don’t Belong, Panic Attack, and the opening track, Black Thoughts. Just find them on YouTube; you’ve got three minutes to spare.
3 – Ted Leo & the Pharmacists – The Brutalist Bricks
Come on, it’s Ted Leo. Why wouldn’t he make the top ten? Funnily enough, I wouldn’t have said this before this particular album came out, but I’ve since become another in a long line of Ted Leo converts. This album is a lot of fun on the first listen, and each subsequent time you give it a spin, the politically charged lyrics make themselves more and more apparent. There are not too many socially conscious albums that you could listen to with your parents, but this is one of them. Also, “brutalist” seems not be a word, and considering our embracement of “boringest”, we appreciate Ted Leo taking liberties with the English language. Notable songs here are Bottled in Cork, The Mighty Sparrow, and The Stick, because nobody is above gratuitous stick clicks.
2 – Gaslight Anthem – American Slang
When I first heard this album, I hated it. Though unsatisfying and inadequate, it wasn’t a bad album, it just wasn’t what I was expecting from Gaslight. This did not deter me from continuing to listen, and after 6 months or so, I now love pretty much every song on this. I don’t like updating or rewriting posts, so I’ll update my thoughts here: this is a brilliant album, and I’m just a a grump. Boxer is probably the best song on the album, but I think The Diamond Street Church Choir should be considered my song of the year.
1 – Dreadnoughts – Polka’s Not Dead
I’ve already said this here, but this is by far the best album I’ve come across this year. It’s got catchy moments, driving rockers, and beautiful instrumental sections, and wraps it up in a cider-soaked package. I’m almost certainly the only person calling this the album of the year, but if you ask me, I’m the only one with any sense. This album will come out of left field for most, but the vast majority of those will emerge from their first listen a fan of Van-City’s best. Choice cuts of this album would be Cider Road, Black Sea Gale, and Za Smierc Przyjaciela.
Hon. Mention – The Thermals – Personal Life
I almost forgot about the Thermals this year. When I realized the fantastic Personal Life came out in 2010, I was gutted that I couldn’t find a spot in the top 11 to slot it into. Much less heavy than their previous effort, Personal Life finds the Thermals contemplating more emotional, personal topics. It’s still their trademark style of distorted power pop, it’s just a little more reflective, as the title suggests. Their lead single of the album, I Don’t Believe You, is a must-listen, but Power Lies and Your Love is So Strong are also wonderful. Combine this album with Ted Leo’s Brutalist Bricks, and you’ve got a real hum-dinger of a good time.
ALBUMS I MISSED
I think it’s important to look at the albums I missed this year, a sort of atonement for my year’s musical misdeeds. Primarily, this list is for my own reference, a musical to-do list for January. Part information, part shame, this is what I missed in 2010, but thought it likely would have been great.
Grinderman – Grinderman II
I know, I know, I missed a Nick Cave album. I’m glad tar and feathering is out of style these days.
The Hold Steady – Heaven is Whenever
The Hold Steady are brilliant, and this particular oversight was more a result of my getting obsessed over other albums this year, and the ‘Steady’s and my schedules not lining up. I’ll settle this debt soon.
Bomb The music Industry – ADULTS!!!: SMART!!! SHITHAMMERED!!! AND EXCITED BY NOTHING!!!!!!!
I had no idea this album was even coming out. I think it’s an EP? Everything else they’ve done to date is fantastic, so I expect more of the same. You should check them out too. Let’s meet up in two weeks and discuss this album.
Fake Problems – Real Ghosts Caught on Tape
Many cool friends recommended this album to me, so I take no pride in missing this album. I just hope they don’t take this oversight to be a slight against them. Let this be a lesson – Fake Problems is good, and disappointing cool friends will make you feel bad / have a stomachache.
Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record
I’ve never actually listened to a full album by BSS, so my thought that I missed something good stems solely from my perception of what I should think of them, rather than direct experience. It’s fifty-fifty that I’ll resolve this oversight.
EPs
I don’t listen to too many EPs, partly because I don’t have a means for playing vinyl (in the case of 7” releases), and partly because they just don’t make too many of them anymore, it would seem. I’m probably wrong about that last point, but here’s a ranking of my favourites from the past year, linked to when I previously wrote about them.
LIVE SHOWS
Looking back at my rankings of what I consider to be the best shows I attended over the past 365 days, I come to a few conclusions. First, I really need to get out of town more. It doesn’t happen often, but the couple times I did venture outside the GTA, it was generally a swell time. Second, I seem to only like three venues in Toronto. I know it’s wrong, but the rankings don’t lie. Third, there are a lot of solid performances I’ve left off of this list, which distresses me because I know I’ve seen a lot of really good sets this year, but I feel like if I make this post any longer, the site will buckle from ramblings. Below you’ll find my top ten for 2010, with only two appearances by Frank Turner, which shows considerable restraint on my part.
10-8 – Osheaga Festival, w/ The Arcade Fire, Devo, Frank Turner, Pavement, Owen Pallett, Gaslight Anthem, Stars, Weezer, John Spencer Blues Explosion @ Parc Jean Drapeau (Mtl.)
7 – Against Me / Dead to Me / Moneybrother @ the Town Ballroom (Buf.)
6 – The Weakerthans @ the Horseshoe Tavern (Tor.)
5 – Bad Religion / the Bouncing Souls @ the Kool Haus (Tor.)
4 – The Thermals @ Lee’s Palace (Tor.)
3 – Ted Leo & the Pharmacists / Screaming Females @ Lee’s Palace (Tor.)
2 – Social Distortion / Lucero / Frank Turner @ the Kool Haus (Tor.)
1 – Murder by Death / the Schomberg Fair @ the Horseshoe Tavern (Tor.)
So that’s about it. That’s the best of what I liked in 2010, as far as music is concerned. Thanks for reading, leave comments, buy American.
Found Video: Frank Turner – I Still Believe
Well, it’s that time again. That wonderful, festive time when Frank Turner blesses the yearning masses with a new song or video. This time around, it’s like a double Christmas, as the new video is of a new song entitled I Still Believe. It’ll be found on his upcoming EP Rock & Roll, due to come out in early December.
The song itself has been a staple of his live show for the last six months or so, meaning it won’t be all too familiar to anyone who have seen him perform live in recent months. Despite the familiarity of the source material, it’s nice to hear the studio version of this particular jam.
Lyrically, it’s a nice departure from his usual trend of singing about past loves and protest songs to something more reverential toward rock and roll. Full of chances for audience participation and leading with a town crier’s call, it’s catchy and fun, sure to be a live staple for some time. My only issue is that there seem to be no hat-tips to Joe Strummer anywhere in the lyrics, which I’m fairly sure is a criminal offence in the UK. I mean, Jerry Lee Lewis get’s his due, as does Johnny Ramone (or Johnny Lydon?), but nothing for Joe? Not to get into a whole thing here, but Clash > Ramones any day of the year. Anyway, maybe you’ll catch something I didn’t, and my gripe will be null and void. I hope you enjoy the tune as much as I did.
Mass Hysteria at the Kool Haus with Social Distortion
Despite my previous railings against the establishment, tonight found me once again trudging through the parking lot of Toronto’s Kool Haus to take in another punk rock exhibition. The featured artists tonight were Frank Turner, Lucero, and the legendary Social Distortion.
The night’s lineup was simply sublime. Going in a logical and chronological order, the night’s lineup was sure to display a linear regression of punk rock, showcasing, in a way, bands and their influences. Is it a stretch to say Frank Turner was influenced by Lucero, and Lucero was influenced by Social Distortion? Perhaps, but I’m going to need empirical evidence to back up your claims. I was there, and you weren’t.
Sadly, I wasn’t able to catch Frank Turner’s set as I was caught in traffic returning from a dash across the border. Actually, I was able to catch the last 45 seconds or so of my personal favourite, (and perennial show-closer), Photosynthesis, but I don’t think that’s substantial enough of a viewing to really be able to comment. I was able to catch his first show of the weekend the night before at the Horseshoe Tavern (where he played for roughly 90 minutes, no less!), and that was an absolutely religious experience, to say the least, so I really wasn’t too distraught about missing the overwhelming majority of his set. We did have a field reporter in the crowd, one Mr. Stephen Henderson, and he felt that while the set was good, compared to the previous night’s performance, Mr. Turner’s Kool Haus set was little more than a duplication of the previous night’s effort, truncated for time by removing a few songs here and there. Apparently, even the stage banter was more or less phoned-in from roughly 18 hours earlier, which sounds a little unfortunate. In my opinion, if it was anyone else but the hardest working man in punk rock, I would be offended. However, because it is Frank Turner, some exceptions must inevitably be made.
Second on the dockett was Memphis, Tenessee’s Lucero. Now, in the interest of being completely up front, I’m not the most educated when it comes to the ways of Lucero. I know more or less that they exist, I have a general understanding of what they sound like, but I don’t know much past that. I don’t know what songs they played, I don’t know if they played hits or b-sides, I just know it was fucking brilliant. Honestly, when I saw Murder By Death, I thought I had just heard the most interesting voice in punk rock. I know think I may have been mistaken. It’s singer Ben Nichols’ gravelly, soulful voice is what takes this band to another level of excellence, though the inclusion of a pedal steel guitar and some pianos/organs certainly don’t harm their cause. Despite my unfamiliarity, my cohort Stephen was quite happy to see them again, though disappointed that their newfound horn section were not along for the ride. Thankfully, the lack of brass did little to deflate his enthusiasm, as he and about a dozen other of the Lucero faithful in attendance sang their under-represented hearts out in support of their chicken-fried rock idols.
Following Lucero’s 50-odd minute set, Social Distortion appeared to an uproarious wave of elation and enthusiasm. To say that Social D was the most anticipated band of the night would be an understatement. Obviously, being the headliner does mean that most in attendance are there to see you, but it wouldn’t be far from the truth to say that EVERYONE came for Social D and were delightfully surprised that singer and guitarist Mike Ness’ “hand-picked” openers were both fantastic in their own right.
The night itself proved to be something of a special night as Mike Ness had elected to do away with his usual mechanic-couture look, opting instead for a crisp white shirt, suspenders, a fashionable long wool coat, and his trademark slicked back hair. The rest of the band also seemed to be in their sunday best, which helped to add just a dash of class to their otherwise down-and-out-down-on-his-luck brand of punk rock. Perhaps instead of selling out they had bought in?
The setlist itself was fairly predictable, as Social Distortion sets tend to be. As is the case with many of these older, long-in-tooth punk bands, their setlists are generally a 70/30 split between fan favourites and curveballs. For Social Distortion, these curveballs came in the form of a song off of their forthcoming album entitled Bakersfield and the inclusion of (in my opinion) songs like Still Life and Through These Eyes. In fact, you’ll find the entirety of their setlist below.
Social Distortion’s Set
The Creeps
Another State of Mind
Mommy’s Little Monster
Sick Boy
Don’t Drag Me Down
I Was Wrong
Bye Bye Baby
Still Life
Ball and Chain
Through These Eyes
Bakersfield (new)
King Of Fools
When She Begins
Making Believe
–encore–
So Far Away
Prison Bound
Down Here (With The Rest Of Us) [as requested by Frank Turner]
Ring Of Fire
As you can see, notable fan favourites like 1945, Bad Luck , Let It Be Me, and the ubiquitous Story Of My Life were not deemed worthy of prime-time. They also did not include any material off of their last studio album, Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll. This is all too unfortunate, but the fact is that this was a solid 18-song set running nearly 90 minutes, leaving no fan feeling cheated or disappointed. Plus, I always say it’s better that a band doesn’t play all the songs you’d like, so you have a reason to see them again. Silver linings and open windows.
Borrowed from GLK Creative
Overall, considering this was the first time I’d been afforded the opportunity to take in either Lucero or Social Distortion, I left the Kool Haus completely satisfied. It’s hard to believe that in the span of a week I’ve taken in two punk rock bands that have been touring more or less for thirty years apiece. Are the cornerstones of the modern punk rock movement becoming afflicted with the Rolling Stones Syndrome? Are they just going to milk us music fans for every dime that we have through incessant touring and merchandise sales? It’s entirely possible, but to be honest, I don’t care much. Keep touring, I say. Any day I’m able to see Mike Ness “singing” (I use this as a relative term) Don’t Drag Me Down is one fine day.
Found Video – Frank Turner: Photosynthesis
I know I am habitually prone to speaking in hyperbole, but this time it’s completely justified: Frank Turner is by far the best singular musician that I’ve seen in the last decade. One of the first posts I ever made on this blog sang the praises of this plucky UKer, so I won’t repeat what’s already been said here. I also won’t talk about his performance at Osheaga, as that’ll be covered in a big ol’ post coming in the next few days.
Instead, I’ll give you another nugget of Turnery goodness, a video which happens to feature my favourite song of his. The premise is nothing short of stellar, and I wish I was that child playing about on a Telecaster under the watchful eye of Frank Turner. If by some miracle you still aren’t convinced he is one of the finest, most generous and hard-working musicians alive today (you don’t need to share my fanboy perspective, just agree that he’s Boss), then you need some kind of mental check-up. See below for Frank Turner’s Photosynthesis, off of his album Love, Ire & Song.
Seriously. If you didn’t care for this, please seek medical help as soon as humanly possible. And unfriend me from your Facebook, delete me from your phone, and unfollow me from your Twitter.
Frank Turner on Israel Boycotts
One of BB’s favourite artists, Frank Turner, is back in the news following a series of controversial dates within the Israeli borders.
Obviously, and quite rightly, the recent actions of the Israeli government regarding their enforcement of the blockade of Gaza has drawn a great deal of attention internationally, both from the public and private sectors, from diplomats and punks alike. Similar to the kind of reception Arizona’s new immigration laws have received, the overwhelming calls have been for swift political action, sanctions and boycotts of Israel, as if these actions would somehow honour the lives of those gravely effected by Netanyahu and his cronies.
To draw from Propagandhi’s A Public Dis-service Announcement From Shell, “it’s easy enough to sit in your comfortable homes in the West, calling for sanctions and boycotts … but you have to be sure that knee-jerk reactions won’t do more harm than good.” Sure, these words may have originated with the Shell petroleum company, but that doesn’t mean they don’t apply. This is where Frank Turner comes in. Read the rest of this entry
Don’t Call it a Comeback
Continuing his streak of choosing spectacular songs for release as singles, Frank Turner’s gone and turned loose what is arguably one of the best songs off of Poetry of the Deed. His new single, and the following video, is for the song Isabel.
Despite not writing something about it in a timely manner, I was able to catch him at one of his Toronto shows, and he happened to play this tune at the time. I can vouch for this song being fantastic in both a full-band and solo-acoustic setting. Being one of the BB’s favourite artists of the past year, we fully back everything he does and produces, because at this point, he seems to be able to do no wrong. Good job, Frank! Come back soon.
Folk Punk’s Great White Hope?
As the prophecies kept within the confines of the previous post proclaimed, this post is about Frank Turner. Now, one thing that most people close to me know is that I’m cranky. I don’t like people who like popular things, and I throw the term “hipster” around far too much, and all too often with an air of contempt. I am mature enough to admit that sometimes I am in the wrong, and sometimes it is good to hop on the band wagon. This is one of those times, and he is one of the best of our times. Read the rest of this entry
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