I Was His First....(11.13.08)

THE SETTING ~ on a chilly but clear, crisp autumn night with a full moon hanging in the sky, it was definitely the blueprint of an engagement that was going to be memorable.....

and this engagement i speak o, to me, is the truest of intimate relations human beings can exchange with another....a live show....

THE VENUE ~ The Danforth Music Hall is a small venue that has been around for nearly a century and a vibe and overall history of that place seems hard to over-power.....

for instance...The Stills (the opening band that night) did a fairly decent job but for some reason  wasn't filling the venue's acoustics with the "je ne c'est quois" (forgive me french spelling) that was required.....

....after a short 35minute set....Sam Roberts took the stage and lit that sumbitch up up!!!!!

as a matter of fact...the smoke alarm went off at least 3 times and it was perfect as the heat that generated from what me and my colleagues deem as this generation's (Canadian -tailored) answer to Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen (perhaps due to the demin attire they both sport so well)....started a fire and fanned the flames...burning up the stop like i had confidence he would.....

it was my 6th time checking out Sam Roberts because from the get-go with his debut single "Brother Down" (released WAY back in 2002)...i stamped him as one of my favorite singer/songwriters as of late and out of the 5 other shows i've seen in various places around the southern Ontario region.....he NEVER let me down....

his latest tour is in support of his latest piece entitled "Love At The End Of The World" released May of this year....and for the first time in a longtime....i was eager to purchase an artist's new album based on their live performance......

there was a smokey ambiance (although artificially induced) that intensified the subtle light show the subtle light show that was suited to his tripped-out jam session with other members of the band.....

the audience was completely enamoured by his presence and the crowd participation was that to behold....dancing, singing along to his tunes, working the soul clap and fist being thrown in the air was not only by my doing, but by the hundreds in attendance were feeling it as well.....even cool, collected and French Canadian Rocker Sam Roberts himself, busted a dancing move that displayed just how hyped HE was being there.....

tonight is his 2nd night out of the 4 sold out shows scheduled at the Danforth Music Hall and i must say that the groundwork was laid for a historic set of gigs that will DEFINITELY be mentioned when accepts his entry into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame.....seriously, if you like straight up rock, mixed with a bit of soul, grassroots and heavy lyrical prowess...you should check him out......vas-y!!!!!!! (that means "come on" in French).....

(Ka)Nish

I Promised Myself I Wouldn't Scream (9.24.08)

i've never been one to feel the need to dress up unnecessarily....with the exception of the obvious occasions that flow in and out our lives (i.e., weddings, proms, graduations, fancy gourmet restaurants) my daily attire consists of lacksey-daisy, funky, street wear....heels rarely com into play in leisure scenarios, especially when i'm partaking in one of my esteemed pastimes...taking in concerts.....but special times call for special changes in uniform.....

a lil bit over 48 hours ago (it's taken THAT long to soak in)...on the last day of the summer...in this year, 2008...i left my shell-tops on the shoe rack and strapped on my leather ankle boots (with 4 inch heels i might add) for the event that i've been waiting for, for the past 13 or so years....the return  of the most powerful pop band in the universe.....the standard in boy bands bar none..."the 5 bad brothers from the beantown land" Mr.'s Joe McIntyre, Jordan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood and Jonathan Knight...ladies and gentlemen....THE New Kids On The Block.....

arriving at the venue 1 song into their set (due to a late Tex Mex dinner in the Distillery District) was slightly disheartening as i found out that I missed one song (and opening montage).......and further to my dismay i found out the song was "Single" (the latest single off of the CD a.k.a. comeback disc, "The Block")...but as minutes went by i completely let go of that disappointment and my perma-smile got bigger and bigger.....

on the menu that night was a mix of  New Kids classics like "(You Got It) The Right Stuff"and "Step By Step"....official ballads like "I'll Be Loving You Forever"and "Favorite Girl"...new joints like "Dirty Dancing", "Summertime", "Click, Click, Click" (produced by a homegrown producer named Nasri  who shared the stage with New Kids as they presented their certified gold record~certified!!!!)....

so al aspects of the New Kids career in pop were definitely represented....although there were backing track utilized to support the vocals (which is quite apparent to a musical savant like myself.....;) ....the vocals were quite impressive all things considering....Jordan Knight had a solo set which  highlighted his solo hit single "Give It To You: (circa 1999) and Joe McIntyre (my childhood favorite flavour of New Kid) flaunted his solo hit "Stay The Same" (circa 1999) accompanied by a full gospel choir....the two sets not only showcased the vocal talent that still remains but also added to the diversity to their show.....

so with tunes has to come dance routines...and above all else it is in THIS area that their star-power shone bright and i was thoroughly impressed....they toned down the elaborance that the late 80's early 90's called for in the dance routines and slicked it up with glides, half-turns and sways that were perfectly executed almost effortlessly AND in-time (even Jon, the one member that never really looked committed to any of the dance moves in the past, turned up his A-game and just let the smoothness flow ~ go Jon!)...reminiscent of the New Kids of ol'...Danny had a bit of a cipher and broke out with a breakin' routine that was so on-point that it almost shammed the previous attempts on world tours a decade ago...these "Kids" have certainly turned into men behind the scenes over the past couple of years and have seasoned their performance skills that had me (an overtly admitted NKOTB-lifer) jaw-dropped and truly impressed...i'm a fan of well executed choreography...so true words i speak.....

along with the fireworks and backdrop of blinking lights, dropping platforms and "surprise" other-end-of-the-venue numbers that are somewhat mandatory in a huge stadium such as the ACC.....

the New Kids On The Block show was smartly broken up with an assortment of interludes and intermissions....there was an "in memory of"tribute to some of the musical influences that surround the group.....the montage included images of Aaliyah, 2Pac, Biggie Smalls, Frank Sinatra, Jam Master Jay and Luther Vandross to name a few, along with departed members of their immediate and business families.......a "who's in the audience" segment turned the cameras onto the crowd (for reasons that are very...ummm....let's say rock n' roll a la Motley Crue circa 1986...you get the point.)while playing the Lady GaGa track..to get the chicks in the crowd (not me....i opted to take a bathroom break instead) up and on their feet.....

the last of the three Toronto dates that launched their now, world wide tour (and actually the first date on sale for their Canadian leg)..... was COMPLETELY sold out....i've been to a lot of concerts in this very stadium over the years and have NEVER heard it pinning with as much praise as it was that night.....the place was roaring and busting out at the seams....the decibel that was reached in the Air Canada Centre was deafening and on-going throughout the entire show (i felt like i was 11 years old again watching them on their Magic Summer Tour @ Maple Leaf Gardens ~ the crowd was older but the energy just as invigorating)...the ovations (yup, plural) were so mind and ear drum blowing that Donnie himself had to stop the show, line up all the NKOTB members and just take it all in.....

now usually i would find the screaming annoying after about 30minutes but this was absolutely a moment to behold.....tears were welling up in more than one set of the New Kid's eyes (Donnie confessed to just how moved he was by the undeniable positive response authored by the Toronto crowd that night) i must say...to be honest, i was emotional as i took in the enormity of the venue and how it was filled to the rim with NKOTB supporters.....and how the colossal arena engulfed the even larger welcome being emitted from the T.O. New Kids Chapter....when it all boils down...i'm an admitted AND PROUD New Kids fan..they came on the scene just in time to pop my pop-music/boy band-cherry and were tailor made to suit my demographic and now i have a new found reason to stand behind them as true, seasoned, professional performers and great practitioners of their trade...so i'm shelling out the propers they deserve for lacing  up their boots one more time despite years of critical battery (both during and after their reign in pop-culture) and getting it done.....

the show on September 21st will go down as one of my favorite live shows of all time....and this comeback tour will go down in the history books...well done New Kids...and well played.....

ya....their music isn't trailblazing or groundbreaking...but when it comes to that boy band brand of the pop music genre, they are now cemented as the true cornerstone that led the way....and for that...they are trailblazers and the ground definitely shook that night at the ACC.....

hang tough boys.......hang tough.........

(Ka)Nish

Blowin' Up Blog Spots From Here To Afrika...Like Boom! (7.03.08

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 @ Harbourfront Ctr.

talk about total turn around...in the 180 direction....for the past 6 months the concert scene in T.O.  (according to my personal taste and schedule availability) has been the Kalahari desert.....dry.....then all of a sudden subtle hints of the summer season arrives and whoops....can't even keep up with all the concert announcements and gigs....

and although i just found out that the Propagandhi show on July 27th is completely sold-out (super-ass.)this show kinda eased the hurt....

Seun Kuti (the son of the James brown of African/Nigerian music, Fela) & Egypt 80 (made up of most of the original members of Fela Kuti's own Egypt 80)...was yet another wicked and admission FREE show @ The Harbourfront Centre.....

as soon as we arrived (the place wasn't was packed as the Lee Perry Show 2 nights ago; probably due to the middle of the week/post long weekend factor) there were pockets of happy, jubilant and jovial nouveau hippies freestyle and free-form dancing and this added to the purplish-haze i was drifting in and out of (so it was a bit tricky) and the thumpin' sounds of funk bass and happy Nigerian trebled rhythms lit up the atmosphere....properly placed backup vox'd phrases laced the tunes that were seamlessly mixed together with commanding chants, crowd participation and crazy dance moves maestro'd by Seun Kuti himself.....

at first, upon taking in the first 15 minutes, i didn't feel the urging compulsion to move too outwardly, may a bit of a head-nod and a lil leg tap...but as soon as the 16th minute came upon me, i was infiltrated with the need to clap my hands, sway to and 'fro and cop a lil 4 step routine of my own (so maybe on the 18th minute, i looked like one of those crazy hippies myself......not even close...i didn't muster THAT much energy) but nonetheless....i was certainly feeling it...BIG TIME!!!........

i couldn't help but to leak a smile and laugh with a childish glee at how amazing this FREE performance actually was....i've never any of the Kuti's live & direct (only via A/V) so it was a delicious treat that left me yearning for seconds.....and leftovers.....to such an extent that after the show, the band was conducting a signing  and i actually lined up (lining up is something i don't do very often f it isn't absolutely necessary) for a T-shirt &/or CD to get inked......BUT i soon bailed out with my wallet still in tact (again, lining up is NOT an easy task for me)....

i must say this....gawd bless the Harbourfront ctr (Dennis, good job buddy.) for opening up the 7th sense, once again, and exposing it to righteous sounds for the past 4 years or so....gawd bless indeed......L

next up....Break, Beats & Culture July 4th -6th...starting with Ladytron on Friday.....

Summer. Is. Good.

(Ka)Nish

The Black Ark Has Landed....and there's enough ackee and saltfish to share (7.01.08)

so what on this not-so-green earth and infinite universe can be better than a FREE LEE SCRATCH PERRY SHOW right here in beautiful Toronto in the ever-so-fresh and new summer season?????????...well...i'm sure a couple of things....the point is.....nothing i can recall in recent memory.....

so last night at the Harbourfront Centre, the Jamaican E.T. himself...Lee "Scratch" Perry blessed my eye-sight and ear-scope with his wacky, prolific and prophetic sounds.....

it was his first time playing with this native-Canadian backup ensemble so i (along with the hundreds upon hundreds there) felt honoured....

i got there with about 30 minutes to spare as "my inside source"got word that he was running late leaving the hotel (he's Jamaican: time is of no true measure~i can say that because i got the "jamdown genes" in me too....so i completely overstand)...

so bubblin' with about 8 other cohorts in the crew (holding down the back barricades with force ~ good work sean & mike!!!!)...it was a good vibe (for lack of a more powerful term) as the mystic was blowing through the air and the smiles were constantly being shared....it's true....Lee Perry brings it out by and large....AND in droves.....

the crowd was laced with all sorts and i truly believe that the majority were there to specifically check out this Dub Giant wrapped up in about 5 foot 4 inches of flesh which is Mr. Perry.....to be honest since it was apart of the long-weekend festivities, there were  stragglers that were just passing through to check out the hubbub and had no idea what they were getting into.....those folks didn't last very long as the crowd of thousands reduced to about hundreds by the middle of the set....

it was the first time i checked out the 72 year old dub creator, however, i DID know what to expect.....his music, some might argue, takes the passenger seat to his far-out-er-space-y-ness (hybrid nonsense word count: 1)...he has fully endorsed MJ and drops his psy-ence (hybrid nonsense word count: 2) on Guinness ads....but to me, the two-sides are a cohesive package....and i fully enjoyed the mixture of sight & sound~

(his smoking head gear was definitely a sight and the dub was certainly sweet sweet sounds)

this man of history, The Teacher, The Upsetter, The Scientist, The Deep Roots Music Conductor...is a pivotal part of all things classic and it was an event to witness this rare occurrence (as i don't think he's ever been to Toronto for a gig before~you're welcome to educate me of the contrary).....

it was a good evening.

"Music IS the Only Converter"

(Ka)Nish

Good Friday....Good Times (3.30.08)

just a week ago today, a commemorative holy holiday recognizing the crucifixion of a prophet/religious founder/leader, under the common, public, statutory name of Good Friday was upon us....but to a heretic like me (L), it was Great Friday...."Great?" you may ask??????......well in this greater city of Toronto, on that "good' day, rolled in a great band....311....it was the first show of the year so it broke my proverbial 2008 concert series cherry...and it was extreme;y pleasurable to say the very list.....

my arrival at the venue (Sound Academy formerly known as The Docks) was strategically planned between the opening act, Slightly Stoopid (whom i've seen open for Fishbone a couple years back)... and the headliner...311!!!!

the atmosphere outside usually lends an indicative sign of what the atmosphere inside holds...so i witnessed a quiet chaos unassumingly due to the location as Sound Academy is poised out along Lake Ontario just a bit southeast of all the "action" but far enough for me to feel like this was the only event going on that Friday night....and to a die-hard 311 supporter like me...it certainly was.....

as i walked into the maze that they call an "academy", i felt like i was thrown into another dimension as it seemed as though it took light years to get inside via strange portal-like corridors lined with security guards and wallflowers...but i kept my mind on the matter and found my way to the main area where in 20 minutes i was to witness exactly what i came for....

now usually i may indulge in an alcoholic beverage in the form of a beer when i check out a band to wet the palette during the show and to add, ever so slightly to the celebration of a night out (PSA: remember kids you don't alcohol or to take your clothes off, for that matter, to have a good time..BUT it IS nice sometimes...but be responsible!!!)....and usually due to "all ages" events there is some sort of hoop to jump through to get it....whether it be a restricted VIP area or otherwise....this venue had a "VIP" section...in the back...BUT it had one bar that had a line of 3 to 4 rows deep around it....i'd say about 100 people herded into this tiny little space....being cavorted into drinking down their beer as quickly as possible in order to join the rest of the party by the stage....needless to say i was unimpressed and a lil annoyed with the theory of having 3/4 of the concert-goers that are over 19 being confined to 1/4 of the space...this unfortunate occurrence led me to remain completely sober the entire time...and you know what?????...it wasn't so bad....i just hung tight with my Red Bull and chilled....

enough about the wacky venue....

311 played a smorgasbord of tunes ranging from all their albums which span across nearly a decade and a half of tunage....so for someone who has been down with them for over a decade...it was a delicious treat.....from the hits such as "Come Original", "Amber", "Down" and "Love Song" (The Cure cover) that kept the crowd participation up and bubblin' nicely.....to rarities that i haven't heard often at a 311 show before like "Plain", "Nutsymtom" and "Prisoner"....

the show kept driving without many breaks and/or interludes....no "Are You Ready" intro (sadly missed) or a long, stale gap between the first set and the encore...there was no pause in energy that seemed to have filled the place up to the rim,,,,,ut was buzzing with an appreciated mix of attentive listening and overall absorption by the masses taking in the outstanding vibes this band creates and bazerk, ape-shit thrashing, moshing and dancing (ya......i'm talking to the guy in front of me...other than the band, he was source of glee)....

coming out of there about 90 minutes later, i felt like i usually do after a 311 show....blissful, content, extremely positive and amped with energy...but this time was slightly different...there was also a sense of relief (that my 311 hunger was satisfied.....i haven't seen them live in about 18 months) and an anxiousness for the next time they come to town....

Crowd Favorite: Down, Love Song, Applied Science/Drum Line

My Favorite: You Wouldn't Believe, Prisoner, Freeze Time, SA's wicked dance moves, and of course, that dude in front of me

(Ka)Nish

How Many Licks Does It Take??? (11.26.07)

who said girls can't rock???????...well, i have.....with the recent displays of faux-femme-fatale rockers trying to piddle on the scene is quite embarrassing both as a female artist and as an overall appreciator of the strong female archetype in music.....i.e., Janis Joplin, Sade, Tine Turner, Etta James, Nina Simone etc.etc....it seems like this generation is desperately searching for rock n' roll songstresses, but can't seem to find one....for example...Janis Joplin rocked and didn't really need to depend on a larger-than-life gimmick....no fancy hair-do...just the gusto to rock out with Big Brother & The Holding Company holding her up proud as the bridge between them and the crowd....in my experiences, it's rare/few-and-far-between occurrence to see a female-fronted band throw it down with conviction, purpose and raw energy......there was the Lisa Kekaula of the BellRays (awesome band and insanely awesome frontwoman~check them out!!!)...now i add another...enter the events of Sunday, November 11th inside The Mod Club on College St. in Toronto....

Juliette and the Licks....a band fronted by    LA born actress Juliette Lewis (made infamous by playing characters in movies such as Cape Fear, From Dusk Til Dawn, Kalifornia and Natural Born Killers)...the grapevine has promised this band to rock hard...so my expectations were high...AND with seeing clips with my own eyes via the dummy-tube, especially Nardwar The Human Serviette (by the way look him up...by far Canada's most unhinged, off-beat, and dare i say most knowledgeable music journalist~it's true...ask Snoop)......i had to buy a ticket for this one.....

The Licks...incredible rock band....they kept it going.....if the drummer faded out, the guitar boosted in...if the bass was weary, the drums blasted back....great band regardless of who the lead singer was and what "star-power" she may have possessed......however, in tune with my rant above about kick-ass, awesome females that can rock...she did indeed.....she definitely seemed to think that her band was the greatest band in the world (a true indication of being selfless on stage~as a frontwoman/man you have to have that chemistry that you are apart of the band not below, above or beside them...it's key to be a cohesive crew.....it's true)......

Juliette had an energy that was truly refreshing to see...it seemed as though this is what she really wanted to do....what she was meant to do and she was going balls to the wall doing it (figuratively, of course)....it was awesome to behold.....she was into her songs (American Boy...a new favorite of mine) and most importantly into the audience that was all about the band...there were even a few that seemed to know what head gear was to be sported by the songstress (maybe from checking out other shows???)and adorning the same piece...kinda freaky but still endearing.....from singing with a fan on stage to diving into a crowd of 200 or so people....she seemed to want to make a connection with the on-lookers....again bridging the crowd to the band.....

there were a couple of times throughout the show where the emotions were a little drama-school with the outward expressions (especially during a choice ballad)...keep in mind, she IS an actress...and some of the theatrics were a lil bit...well..."actressy"......but if she truly felt it then...hey....so be it!!!!.....

in all checking out Juliette and the Licks, especially after not going to a music gig in what seems like months.....was a great experience and not-a-waste-of-money night...it also helped me keep the faith that more woman can rock than i thought (i think you have to be over 25 to really let go of the pretty and get into the dirty......hmmmm...maybe a future blog post of mine????...stay tuned)...

(Ka)Nish

Beasties On The Mic...Check 1. Check 2. (9/24/07)

tailored-fit suits and a giant crystal ball...nuff said. that and....I LOVE ADROCK.

seriously, Adam Horowitz and i in past lives reigned in a majestic union over the universe...HA... kidding?????

he is a fly, vintage B-Boy...truth be told....still not enough. no. not enough said at all....

so i'll start this tale from the beginning.....

it was my fourth time seeing one of the oldest B-Boy crews on the planet...25 years strong!!!...the incomparable OMC's....The Beastie Boys...they've grown up to be well-polished gentlemen...one major indication...(as the aforementioned)...suits!...flashing new, crisp and fresh attire ornamented by hats, pocket squares and ties...they took the stage at the scant and measly crowd at the Air Canada Centre Friday the 21st of September...although this venue is quite a challenge to fill especially during the last few days of the solstice (a.k.a the beginning of Yom Kippur and Ramadan...hmmmmm) i've seen the ACC packed to the rafters at many a show...one in which was the Beastie themselves in 2004....so it was a little disturbing to see such a semi-packed stadium...nonetheless they brought non-stop action....at the beginning of the show it seemed as though they weren't feeling the vibe, but the Beasties kept on trucking showing and proving that they are constant professionals...it is still a mystery why the nosebleed sections were rammed and completely full while the centre section on the 200 level (where i sat at the last Beastie show in T.O. in 2004~amazing seats!!!!)...were virtually empty?????...a lil mis-management by ticketmaster perhaps?????...computer glitch????...record company exec's that want to be hip and hang with the kids at the rap show???...or maybe a record exec's offspring that got tickets but decided to go to Europe for the weekend instead??????...boooooooooo...whatever it was, i was a lil vexed that my options were limited and that those seats in cyber-land were "taken" when in reality, they were vacant.....

but i proceed ......

playing old school sure-shots laced with vintage and newly released instrumental jam pieces off the new album "The Mix Up"....a definite rhythmic ride...highly recommended....the boys from NYC were well-stocked in ass-kicking musicianship.....Money Mark~ the amazing jumping-bean acrobat extraordinaire lit up the keys, as usual.....Alfredo Ortiz ~held it down on percussion, some skins AND the didgeridoo...yes the didgeridoo!......and of course the stupendous force of Mr. Mix Master Mike on the un's et deux's....they took it way passed the 3rd dimension inflating the originally limp crowd utilizing tried and true microphone commands i.e., "Throw your hands in the air"....and "The ladies in the house say...".....

Good work boys!!!!

Crowd Favorite: No Sleep Til Brooklyn

My Favorite: The Suits...of course!!!!