Square Pegs... Wicked wicked wicked. For a bunch of high school age kids from Guelph, they sure do rock. They are, to be fair, kind of rough and a little uninspired at times. Nice to see Pest is not the only mixed gender band in Canada that can rock.
Sloan... Thank god the live show kicked. It was good to see the songs of the album performed with some balls, something I feel the album lacks. I am cynical about the album but Shawn Duggan says it really grows on you. It is a shocker the first time tho, clean guitar and pro-duct-shun. But the show was great, as everyone I think is aware I really prefer a good all ages show to a stupid drunkin' rock fest, a well planned all ages show in the green room often is as memorable for me as say Bite, Vic Chestnut or Scarce on one of those really ON nights at the old Deuce. So it was GREAT that Sloan was able to rock in front of the kids. At least they get up and dance! The show was fun, the songs were slick, I think its obvious which songs should be singles (the second last two? Mebe the last one as well? Don't know the names well enough yet) but I still fear the album is not going to be a run away hit. Far from being poppy and commercial/alternative, its rather arty, not that thats bad, but will it get them mentioned in Spin and such? Jale... I didn't stay... what can I say, I never muched went for them, tho I can see why people like them, they are not my bag. FYI, about 1/3 of the crowd up and left when Sloan ended, of not more. And frankly, thats not a suprise, as jale has never been a hit with the kids, they rarely have played all ages, and haven't impacted on that constituency. Bite... was really disappointed, I think, but understanding of the family feud here in Halifax. I talk to two of 'em who seemed fine with it but disappointed that more people didn't show up, seeing as how many records and cassettes (!) had been sold in this town since the one show at the Deuce. 12 people at the Khyber show. Yeck. Really! Well, thats about all.... finally, David Ledden and I met face to face... and I went to the Fungk-shun (sp?) after the fun at the Trade Mart. BY THE WAY! --- If any out of town bands are COMING and want to make sure people know... MAIL ME POSTERS and I or my high school type friends will poster for you. Its amazing, really, that people are bringing great bands to great venues and NOBODY knows 'cause posters are not put up outside of the fooking Mokka and the Dischord. Waye .. bringing music the Fairview and Woodlawn since 1990....
