Concert Photos and Review: Editors , The Antlers @ Phoenix Concert Theatre - 02.16.2010

There has been much criticism for Editors for anything after the well received "The Back Room". There was another dismal review in pitchfork for "In This Light and on This Evening". Although "An End Has A Start" didn't quite do it for me "In This Light and On This Evening" has grown on me.

Concert Photos and Review: Guns N' Roses @ Copps Coliseum - 01.24.2010

It has been a long wait but Guns N' Roses have finally made it back to Ontario. The band who now has a cast of eight made their way through Hamilton; the sixth stop on their thirteen date Canadian Tour.

Concert Photos and Review: The Darcy's , Songs From A Room , Arietta , Oh No Forest Fires @ The Horseshoe Tavern -- 01.23.2010

All good things come to an end. Thus is the harsh reality for Oh No Forest Fires and their fans. For the last couple of years this band has been tearing up the local stages with their intense and energetic live show.

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: 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: Phoenix, Holy Fuck @ Sound Academy - 12.05.2009

It would appear Phoenix has been trying to put the french back into freedom fries. The quartet out of Versailles consisting of Thomas Mars (vocals), Deck D'Arcy (bass),Laurent Brancowitz(guitar) and Christian Mazzalai have finally taken North America by storm with the help of their fourth album release "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix". The band has been busy making appearances on late night television performing on SNL, Letterman, Kimmel and having their songs appear on television shows and commercials.

Concert Photos and Review: Fox Jaws @ Lee's Palace - 09.25.2009

Ok so I tend to follow Barrie area bands somewhat. What can I say I know the reality of having to make the trip up the 400 hiway daily and there is always a special place in my heart for those bands from the region. Having missed their cd release show at El Mocambo last month I was definitely looking forward to catching Fox Jaws @ Lee's Palace this time around. The last time I saw them play in Toronto was in October. Now I already liked Fox Jaws at the time but it was the first time I had chance to hear Carleigh Aikins voice in its raspy splendour at a venue with half decent sound.

Juliette Lewis , Band of Skulls @ The Opera House - 09.11.2009

Juliette Lewis @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Juliette Lewis was in town on double duty this weekend promoting her upcoming film "Whip It!" and of course playing a gig at the Opera House with her band The New Romantiques. Juliette has been providing us with her musical contributions for years. Her earliest being on the soundtracks of her films "Natural Born Killers" and "Strange Days". To be honest I wasn't quite listening back then. However having heard some of her new album "Terra Incognita" I was compelled to see what Juliette could bring to a live audience.


Juliette Lewis @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Having watched her performance of "Fantasy Bar" on Craig Ferguson's Late Late show I had an idea that she might be fun to watch. There's no doubt that she brings everything she's got to a performance. Everything from the screeching vocals, to the feathered outfit, to the knee pads its obvious Juliette is there to rock. Though I was not blown away I found the performance to be very energetic and entertaining. Juliette Lewis seems to have surpassed the efforts of some of her fellow Hollywood actors/musicians winning over a loyal fan base who helped her sing along to one of my favourite tracks on the new album "Suicide Dive Bombers".


Juliette Lewis @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Juliette Lewis @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Juliette Lewis @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Juliette Lewis @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Juliette Lewis @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

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Band of Skulls

Band of Skulls @ The Opera House
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Band of Skulls opened the show at the Opera House. I missed out on NXNE this year and Band of Skulls was one of the bands I was most looking forward to seeing. To say I was happy to see them back so soon is an understatement. This British trio was formed in 2008 and have put out a very impressive debut album "Baby Darling Doll Face Honey" with great tracks "I Know What I Am", "Impossible", "Fires", "Blood". Yeah I can go on and on I really like this album. I enjoyed their live performance just as much. The vocal combination of Russell Marsden and Emma Richardson works very well together. Their bluesy rock will be compared to Jack White and the White Stripes or Dead Weather but that can only be viewed as a compliment. There is much more to Band of Skulls. I'll be glad to see them again next time they make it to town.

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

Keane @ Sound Academy

Keane @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Keane @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

The boys from Battle,East Sussex rolled into Toronto last week for the first time since May of 2007. Known for their piano/keyboard rock/pop style they wowed the packed audience at the Sound Academy. The band played a set of about nineteen songs almost half from their latest release "Perfect Symmetry". As always Tom Chaplin could be found encouraging the fans to sing their hearts out and sing they did.


Keane @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Keane (Tom Chaplin, Tim Rice-Oxley, Richard Hughes, and new addition the Mighty Quinn) seem to have a knack for writing very catchy tunes that had the two thousand plus fans at the Sound Academy singing to the top of their lungs. Granted most of them aren't blessed with the vocals of Chaplin himself but hey its all good fun.


Keane @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Keane @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

The set started off with "Lovers are Losing", followed by old crowd favourites "Everybody's Changing" and "Bend and Break". The band slowed things down through the middle of the set with "Playing Along", "Try Again", and "You Haven't told me Anything" and then build back up to finish off the set with two great sing along songs "Somewhere Only We Know" and "Crystal Ball". During the short wait for the encore fans could be heard chanting Keane, Keane, Keane with almost as much fervor as USS fans. With no surprise the last song was once again Bedshaped.


Keane @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Keane @ Sound Academy
Originally uploaded by vasquezr
Keane have announced a Canadian tour starting in September. Toronto is not on the list but they will be playing a couple of shows in Ontario, Thunder Bay and Kitchener. I had originally speculated that they may be playing the Ontario leg of Virgin Festival... but the dates don't seem quite right. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

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Photographers Notes:
The Sound Academy is one of Toronto's best lit venues. For this show I used my canon 17-55 2.8 along with a rented canon 70-200 2.8 mounted on my trusty 40D. Lately I've been using my 40D exclusively in an effort to travel light. This works nicely for club shows with no song limit. I may think about carrying two bodies again for pit shows since changing lenses just seemed to waste too many precious seconds.

The Airborne Toxic Event @ The Mod Club

The Airborne Toxic Event @ The Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


The Airborne Toxic Event @ The Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

The first time I had heard of The Airborne Toxic Event was last summer before the Virgin Festival in Toronto. On the strength of some of the songs I heard on their myspace page I marked them down as a band to see. Unfortunately I wasn't able to catch their set. Since then I've noticed the band getting quite a bit of publicity. From a horrible album review in Pitchfork to a great performance on Letterman. I was quite eager to see them live to see the real deal.
The Airborne Toxic Event played at the Mod Club in Toronto after having sold out the El Mocambo. The band which consists of singer and guitarist Mikel Jollett, guitarist and keyboardist Steven Chen, bassist Noah Harmon, drummer Daren Taylor, and keyboardist and violist Anna Bulbrook took to the stage playing songs from their debut cd including Wishing Well, Papillion, and Gasoline.


The Airborne Toxic Event @ The Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


The Airborne Toxic Event @ The Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Though it was evident that the bands singer Mikel was not feeling well the band continued much to the delight of the fans at the Mod Club who were fully engaged by the time the band got to playing Happiness is Overrated.
A big part of this band's sound is the violin played by Anna Bulbrook. A sound which led the band into their performance of Sometime Around Midnight (their current hit). The band finished this part of their set with Innocence which featured most band members jumping off of speakers onto the stage including the violinist.
Unfortunately I had to make my way out as the band got into their encore which started with Does This Mean You're moving on ? The answer for me was yes... but hopefully not for long. Although I do hear quite a few strong influences (as suggested by the Pitchfork review) when listening to the bands songs I still can't stop myself from playing them my on iPod. Their album in my opinion is really really good, their live show is even better. I'll be sure to catch them the next time they are in Toronto.


The Airborne Toxic Event @ The Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


The Airborne Toxic Event @ The Mod Club
Originally uploaded by vasquezr