Concert Photos and Review: The Cribs , Adam Green @ Phoenix Concert Theatre - 01.15.2010

The British rock band of brothers, The Cribs, lit up the Phoenix Concert Theatre last Friday night. Along for the ride with Gary, Ryan and Ross Jarman was none other than the newest member of the band ex-Smiths and guitar legend Johnny Marr. I happened to miss Johnny when he came to town last with Modest Mouse so attending this show was a no brainer. The Cribs have been critized for being too much like other British bands, mainly "The Libertines", however their last couple of albums have a few gems on them that I'd been listening to in preparation to the event.

Concert Photos and Review: Brett Caswell and The Marquee Rose @ The Horseshoe Tavern - 01.12.2010

It's been a long time since I made the trek down to the Horseshoe Tavern for a show. On this night however I wasn't the only one making the trip down the 400. The second Nu Music Night of the year at the Horseshoe featured Barrie's Brett Caswell and his band The Marquee Rose. Brett (guitar, keys, and lead vocals) and the band consisting of Lincoln Hamyl (bass), Sarah Morano (fiddle), Dave Murray (guitar, keys), Brandyn Aikins (drums) and Carleigh Aikins (backup vocals) played a short set or songs from the upcoming release "A New Balance", Brett's first full length solo album.

Concert Photos and Review: Anvil @ Phoenix Concert Theatre - 01.08.2010

"Hello, Toronto! What the f**k happened man?" were the first words from Steve "Lips" Kudlow to the frenzied crowd at the Phoenix Concert Theatre where just a few minutes earlier he had jumped in and immersed himself the crowd to start off the show with "March Of The Crabs". A loud roar was the response from the fans who were chanting "Anvil,Anvil,Anvil" prior to the start of the show and a few times during.

Concert Photos and Review: Die Mannequin @ Sound Academy - 12.12.2009

Die Mannequin stopped through the Sound Academy to play the final show on their Canadian tour. I can only imagine its been a wild ride for the band releasing the eagerly anticipated album "Fino+Bleed" and playing opening dates for Marilyn Manson across the country. I had the chance to see Die Mannequin live once before as part of the FU Awards where unfortunately they were only up for a couple of songs. Being a fan of intimate shows I was glad to see them on the Sound Academy's small stage.

Concert Photos and Review: Silversun Pickups, Cage The Elephant @ Sound Academy - 10.15.2009

Nothing beats going to a show where you know all the bands are going to deliver. Such was the case the other night at Sound Academy. It was a bill that brought together Aussie band An Horse, Kentucky band Cage The Elephant and Los Angeles headliners Silversun Pickups.

Tokyo Police Club @ The White Rabbit -- 08.15.2009

Tokyo Police Club at The White Rabbit
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

If I haven't stated it yet on this site I happen to love the small club show. Nothing like seeing a really good band in the middle a sticky, sweaty, crazy, wild crowd in an up close and intimate setting. Tokyo Police Club played a couple of benefit shows in their home town of Newmarket, Ontario in support of Doane House Hospice. I happened to make it to the all ages show because of a prior commitment on the night of the 19+ show and yes it was wild and sweaty. Now I've been to some hardcore shows where you expect to be pushed around a bit but I didn't expect this so much at a Tokyo Police Club show. It made for a difficult but fun bit of photography.


Tokyo Police Club at The White Rabbit
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

It didn't take much for the White Rabbit crowd to go nuts. They'd been warmed up well by locals Ruby Coast and The Elwins and were very eager to see the hometown band. Tokyo Police Club played a good mix of songs from both their debut "Elephant Shell" as well as both "Smith" and "A Lesson In Crime" EPs. They had the crowd hooked from the time the bassline for "Nature of the Experiment" started to the chants of Tokyo Police Club of "Cheer It On" the encore. The band has been at numerous festivals Coachella, Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, Leeds and made appearances on Letterman and even Desperate Housewives so it was a special treat to see them in a small club with such crazed fans! Good cause, great show, good guys and loads of fun. I believe they are working on a new album now which is quite exciting after the very excellently fun "Elephant Shell". Tokyo Police Club is playing with Winter Gloves @ the CNE bandshell on Saturday August 29.


Tokyo Police Club at The White Rabbit
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Tokyo Police Club at The White Rabbit
Originally uploaded by vasquezr




Tokyo Police Club at The White Rabbit
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Ruby Coast:

Ruby Coast at The White Rabbit
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

As mentioned earlier one of the openers were Ruby Coast. This is the second time I've seen Ruby Coast play live. Having been impressed at the Sound Academy show when they opened for Arkells I was really glad to see them on the bill this night playing another solid set. Can't wait to see and hear more.

Arkells @ The Mansion Night Club 07.24.2009

Arkells @ The Mansion Night Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Arkells @ The Mansion Night Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

I've seen a lot of Arkells over the last few weeks. It is quite something to see a band play in different venues and types of shows. A festival at Wiarton, headlining a show at The Sound Academy and now playing at a packed small sweaty club show.


Arkells @ The Mansion Night Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Originally I had not planned on making it to this show having just seen the band at The Sound Academy and having plans to see/review the Hey Rosetta! show at Harboufront Centre. However, when I found out HR! would be playing early I made a last minute decision to boot it back up to Barrie to see them again. Hey what could I do... they were playing a club show in what I guess I'm now considering to be my hometown. Secondly, with the rate of popularity that Arkells have been seeing I thought perhaps it may be rare to see them playing a small club like this in the Toronto area.


Arkells @ The Mansion Night Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

It was definitely the right decision. Arkells stepped up to the stage and proceeded to give the Barrie audience what at this moment I can call the club show of the year. The band played played songs off of "Jackson Square" the new "Country Boy" and two covers Smokey's "Tears of Clown" and the Boss' "Dancing in the Dark".


Arkells @ The Mansion Night Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Frontman Max Kerman shared a funny story about being seranted in the washroom a few minutes before taking the stage. Seems somebody was singing the lyrics to "John Lennon". If you don't know the song by now check it out on their myspace page: Arkells @ Myspace and you'll get the joke.


Arkells @ The Mansion Night Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

The club was packed, hot and sweaty. Seriously one of the warmest shows I've been to ever. The music was great and crowd was loud and energetic. One of the best shows in Barrie in a long long time.

Hey Rosetta! @ Harbourfront Centre 07.24.2009

Hey Rosetta! @ Harbourfront Centre
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

I was really glad to see that Hey Rosetta! made it onto he short list for the Polaris Prize this year. So it was quite a treat to be able to catch them at a free show at Harbourfront Centre. I admit before the show started I was worried there weren't too many people at the Sirius Stage for the show. Not too fear by the time the band got started into "There's An Arc" there was already a good size crowd on their feet enjoying the show.


Hey Rosetta! @ Harbourfront Centre
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Hey Rosetta! went on to play some of my favourite tracks off the album including, "I've Been Asleep for a long, long time", "Red Heart" on which I felt the strings really sounded great this night, "Holy S**t What A Relief", and "New Goodbye"


Hey Rosetta! @ Harbourfront Centre
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

As a big fan of the band it would have been nicer to hear more from them perhaps a lengthier show like the one they played at Lee's Palace a few months ago. In any case they are always fun to watch.

The show was recorded by the CBC and can be found and heard on the CBC radio 3 website so go check it out!
Band Website: www.heyrosetta.com


Hey Rosetta! @ Harbourfront Centre
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Hey Rosetta! @ Harbourfront Centre
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Hey Rosetta! @ Harbourfront Centre
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Arkells, Still LIfe Still, Ruby Coast @ Sound Academy July 17,2009

Arkells @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

I've been listening to "Jackson Square" quite a bit lately. A mishap with my ipod connection has restricted me to listening to CDs in the car once again and I can't seem to get this one out of my CD player. I've also had the opportunity of watching Arkells play live a couple times in the last couple of weeks. Once in Wiarton and now this show at Sound Academy for Bookie's Big Blast. I can't seem to get enough of them. They get better every time I see them.


Arkells @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Ok seriously enough gushing... I was glad to see Arkells play a full set including every song on "Jackson Square". This allowed them to play some of the songs they didn't play at the Wiarton show "I'm Not The Sun" and "The Choir" along with a well rocked out cover of Smokey Robinson's "Tears Of A Clown".

Arkells have had a great year making the long list for the Polaris Prize and their live show has matured greatly since the first time I saw them play at last years Virgin Festival. Many of their songs are so well suited for live shows with lots of opportunity to sing or clap along. Audience participation is almost mandatory as front man Max Kerman challenges the crowd during "Oh The Boss Is Coming" asking if they've ever really worked a day in their lives. Great show, can't wait to see more.

Check out Arkells at their new site. Have a listen they've got some really cool acoustic and live versions of their songs. Oh and if you are from Barrie they are playing this Friday @ The Mansion Night Club!


Arkells @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Arkells @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Arkells @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

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Still Life Still:

Still Life Still @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Still Life Still @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

This is the third time I've seen Still Life Still play live and it was by far my favourite. The band sounded great and seemed to be very well received by the Sound Academy audience. I'm a big fan of their "Pastel" EP and I expect a big year from them after their full length release on the "Arts & Crafts" Label. According to their schedule on myspace they're off to do a few shows out west and are back in September for a couple of gigs @ Lee's. Still Life Still on myspace.


Still Life Still @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

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Ruby Coast:

Ruby Coast @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

I was really glad to see Ruby Coast on the bill for this show. I've been wanting to see them for a while now. They've got a sound that reminds me of a fun blend of Los Campesinos, Tokyo Police Club and Born Ruffians. They were very impressive and I'll be glad to see them again soon. Ruby Coast will be playing a few shows in mid August including one @ Phoenix Concert Theatre on Aug 11. Ruby Coast on myspace.


Ruby Coast @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Ruby Coast @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Jet @ The Mod Club

Jet @ The Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Unfortunately I hadn't seen Jet live since their Live 8 performance in Barrie just about four years ago. At the time they were still feeling the success of their release "Get Born". The set was short but they really gave the crowd a good kick in the but to help infuse some much needed rock n roll into the lineup. I was glad to get a chance to get to see them again. The fact that it was a club show at the Mod Club made it even sweeter. What can you say about Jet. You don't say much you just listen and have fun and rock out a bit.


Jet @ The Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

This time around the Aussie rockers were in Toronto before the upcoming release of their third studio album "Shaka Rock". Jet played through their set including the latest songs "K.I.A", "She's A Genius". The band seemed to be having a really good time that night. Hey you should feel good on your birthday. Even more so when you have a crowd in front of you. Yep,Front man Nic Cester was celebrating his 30th that night with the mod club crowd and was quite amusing as he kept reminding the crowd. Jet continued to play other favourites "Put your money where your mouth is","Are you gonna be my girl", and finished of with electrifying "Cold Hard Bitch". The crowd was very responsive to the bands energy and Nic got a celebratory drink from a fan on stage. A shout out from drummer Chris Cester also went out to three fans who snuck in at sound check. Overall good fun.


Jet @ The Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

The Birthday Massacre, A Primitive Evolution @ Mod Club

The Birthday Massacre @ Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Toronto goth band The Birthday Massacre finished off their tour with a fantastic show Sunday night at the Mod Club.


The Birthday Massacre @ Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

The sextet thrilled the crowd with songs mainly off of their last album "Walking with Strangers" with a sprinkling of songs from their previous releases "Violet" and "Nothing and Nowhere". TBM successfully balances dark synth swirls with hard heavy guitar sounds of hardcore metal bands. Their live show is also a great balance of high energy (nobody stays still) and great audience interaction. The mod club made the perfect setting for lead singer Chibi who makes it a point to meet her adoring fans up close multiple times during the set.

The Birthday Massacre @ Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

The Birthday Massacre @ Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

The Birthday Massacre definitely came out to rock starting out the night with fan favourite "Red Stars". They played a solid set including a cover of Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone". They were a lot of fun to watch and even more fun to photograph. Check out their site: http://www.thebirthdaymassacre.com


The Birthday Massacre @ Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

The Birthday Massacre @ Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

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A Primitive Evolution:

A Primitive Evolution @ Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


A Primitive Evolution @ Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Also on the bill were Toronto's A Primitive Evolution, A.P.E. for short, and in short this band just rocked my face off. I knew going in that I was going to like them, but they completely surpassed my expectations. Hard rocking guitars all they way blended with great expressive vocals, upbeat tempos and rockin' female bass player.
This is a band I can't wait to here more from and see again... hopefully very soon. I still can't stop playing their "Beyond True" mix that can be found at:
http://www.myspace.com/aprimitiveevolution.


A Primitive Evolution @ Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

A Primitive Evolution @ Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

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Photographers Notes:
I Shot most of this show with my wide angle Canon EF-S 10-22mm. Knowing this lens isn't ideal in low light conditions I took advantage of the fact that I did not receive any flash restrictions and decided to use my 580ex ii on top of my 40D to add some fill.