I've been a fan of Billy Talent for 10 years, they were a great band when I discovered them in high school & I've enjoyed maturing with them as each record progressed. They stopped in Halifax on tour for their latest album, Dead Silence, on April 16th to play the Cunard Centre with Indian Handcrafts, Hollerado & Monster Truck! Ben & Aaron stopped by for a chat & I decided to break out some old school Jenga.
Most intense Jenga game with their drummer Aaron, he's got skills! We chatted about the new album, the tour change over from Sum 41 to Monster Truck, early days of the band when they were Pezz & more. Listen to the interview & Jenga moves here.
While playing Jenga, Aaron & I discussed an MS Camp that he's been involved with for the past few years, if you want to know more about it visit http://mssociety.ca/calgary/family.htm
Allan Zilkowsky took this great shot of Billy Talent from the concert at the Cunard Centre. Absolutely amazing show! As a long time fan, I heard every song I truly wanted to hear from each album as well as lesser known songs that die hard fans recognize & adore. The crowd appreciated Ben taking notice of recent events that hit close to home; the passing of Stompin' Tom Connors, Boston Marathon Bombings & dedicating their song Nothing To Lose to Rehtaeh Parsons.
A great concert experience for everyone who packed the Cunard Centre. Hopefully they don't wait too long to visit Halifax again.
It was St. Patrick's Day, the most socially acceptable day to be a train wreck, I went to check out Bille Dre & The Poor Boys and a few bands celebrate the luck o' the Irish at Gus' Pub. While there I caught Sheepman, from Halifax. Hadn't really heard of them before, but they were great! Very spacey guitar sounds, giving of a vibe similar to The Smiths. Check out their song "Let's Get High" from their album Cold Feet In The Heat.
With the lights, the music & maybe a few green beverages, the crowd were ready to party.
East Coast Music Week was celebrating it's 25th year in Halifax this past weekend with musical entertainment galore! Thankfully Noisography were at quite a few of the shows taking video, many of the live performances on this post are from their YouTube channel. I spent my time getting to as many shows as I could, checking out my east coast favs & making new discoveries. There was a lot to see, so I'd say the highlights were Billie Dre & The Poor Boys, Carmen Townsend & The Motorleague playing on stage together and unintentionally seeing Slowcoaster 4 times, which were all fantastic. Here's my run down of ECMW 25:
The festival started on Wednesday & though I couldn't make it out to the first show, I did have Billie Dre & The Poor Boys drop by the radio station for an interview on Live Underground. 3 very ridiculous gentlemen, that play doomy surf rock n' roll, but we had some laughs.
If you missed them they'll be at Gus' Pub for St. Paddy's Day March 17, don't miss it, they put on a great rockin' set! Here's a video they made the last time they played Gus'.
On Thursday I started the entertainment off at Grand Parade for a free outdoor show, which seemed like a good idea until I realized it's still winter in Halifax. But great performances nonetheless from Heather Green, who had a wicked soulful pop sound & Jenn Grant giving a great set despite some random heckler when she mentioned she went to NSCAD near by.
It was now time to make a triumphant return to the Marquee, which had reopened for ECMW. It was the Cape Breton stage so naturally it was a party! Slowcoaster were on stage, I don't know if it was party rock jams or the tassels on frontman Steven MacDougall's jacket, but there were some ladies undergarments spotted near the front of the stage..... well done, gentleman!
Friday had the least amount of jumping around, spent much of it at Michael's Bar & Grill where there may or may not have been a party bus out back for all the bands thanks to JJ Bookings. The Town Heroes were great, awesome energy, the crowd was loving it. And a guitar covered in duct tape not only looks badass, but sounds it too.
The Stogies and Billie Dre & The Poor Boys made sure the rock n' roll antics didn't stay on the party bus as the place was packed with hungry music fans. Naturally, Billie Dre's bassist Corey lost his shirt as he got "wrapped up in the rock n' roll."
Saturday of ECMW is that point where everybody is starting to get a little burnt out but there's a lot left to take in so you knock a couple back & get at 'er! There were some greasy 1pm breakfasts & car retrivals to be done before going to the Delta Halifax where Spincount had a free showcase in the lobby. Since it was in the afternoon & a few may still be recovering from the night before in PJ's, Dave Gunning had to sport his on stage!
Just as we were all feeling the late night/lack of sleep, The Backyard Devils took stage & got a country stomping good time going!
When nightfall arrived it was time for the Rock Stage at Casino NS. Carmen Townsend always puts on a hell of a show but she was in fine form & killing it that night.
Carmen usually does a very cool cover of the Beastie Boys "Sabotage" this time she got some help from The Motorleague's Don Levandier before she joined them during their set for for an ode to Cape Breton.
Though every late night had turned into a morning sunrise, I made it out once more on Sunday to see the Awards Gala after party where I caught Matthew Hornell. Nice on the head to check out some folkier music after a few days of hitting up the rock shows.
ECMW was an absolutely fantastic weekend filled with amazing East Coast music, but there was a mystery phone number that Christina Fitzgerald & I delt with on Monday's radio show...
And that was all the fun we found at ECMW 2013. There's a great scene on Canada's East Coast, make sure you support it!
I caught up with Jessie Brown again on Live Underground as she's having her CD release this Friday at Michael's with the Stogies & Carmen Townsend. That's a show you SHOULD go to. Here's the interview:
The Dirty Heads had some awesome success with their song Lay Me Down featuring Rome, they're back with a new album, Cabin By The Sea, coming out June 19th. I caught up with them to chat about the new album, collaborations & more.
The Offspring have a new album, Days Go By, coming out June 26th. I caught up with their guitarist Noodles this week to talk about the album, some old demos that surfaced last year & when we might see them back in Halifax.
This Friday at Michael's Bar & Grill, The Stogies are having a tour funraiser with the Sweet Deals & Jessie Brown. I interviewed Jessie tonight on Live Underground about her upcoming album of soulful rock tunes.
