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: A Primitive Evolution @ The Reverb - 12.03.2009

I had a chance to check out A Primitive Evolution (A.P.E.) at the Reverb for their self titled CD release party. I had seen them once before opening for Toronto's The Birthday Massacre back in May at the Mod Club. Quite simply they rocked my face off. Since then I've been eagerly awaiting a chance to see them live once again.

Concert Photos and Review: The Airborne Toxic Event @ Phoenix Concert Theatre - 10.19.2009

It wouldn't be a stretch to say that The Airborne Toxic Event have been having a pretty good run over the last couple of years. They've played all over the United States and England. Mikel Jollet took time to mention how crazy things get when you are on tour for so long. The Airborne Toxic Event were in Toronto for a show back in March at the Mod Club for which unfortunately I had to leave just as the encore started, or risk missing a flight so I was glad to be able to stick around this time.

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.

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.

Concert Photos and Review: Keane, Lights @ Centre In The Square

Made my way to Kitchener on the weekend to catch Keane @ Centre In The Square. This was one of their last shows on their Canadian Tour that saw them play in Vancouer, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnepeg, Montreal and even Thunder Bay. It was quite evident that there were a lot of people from outside the area who made the trip out to Kitchener to see the band. On the way in I could hear people talking about the Sound Academy show back in May. Having been at both I can say this show had a much more intimate feeling. The Venue itself was quite nice with great light and great acoustics. Maybe it was just that it was nice to see the band play in a venue where you weren't packed in like at most shows.

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

---

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.

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.

The Dead Weather @ Kool Haus 07.22.2009

The Dead Weather @ Kool Haus
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


The Dead Weather @ Kool Haus
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

So what do you do when you are Jack White have had great success with both your bands The White Stripes & The Raconteurs and have the need for a little something extra... hey start up a new super-group. Jack White's latest offering The Dead Weather which includes Alison Mosshart of the Kills, Dean Fertita of Queens of the Stone Age and fellow Raconteur Jack Lawrence strolled in to Toronto for the second time in just over a month much to the delight of their adoring fans at the Kool Haus.

The Dead Weather played songs of of their newly released (July 14) album "Horehound" a set of dirty punchy blues inspired rock that was more than well received by the Kool Haus crowd. Jack White has taken a step back in his latest venture content to mainly play drums allowing Fertita's guitar to hypnotize the crowd while Alison Mosshart's vocals literally picked us all up and dragged us to the devil.


The Dead Weather @ Kool Haus
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

There was a distinctive crowd roar when Jack stepped out from behind the drums to play guitar and vocals on a duet with Mosshart. It is surprising to think that The Dead Weather came about in just a few short weeks. I guess This speaks to the immense talent brought together in a super-group.

The band played in a wash of blue light with flashing white strobes and hardly any front lighting. Although it did make the photography more difficult than usual it did have a very cool effect often leaving Jack in silhoutte which emphasized his approach to his latest venture. Letting the rest of the band shine.


The Dead Weather @ Kool Haus
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

Opening up for The Dead Weather was New Jersey band Screaming Females. Unfortunately I missed most of this set, but what little I did see of this band blew me away. I will most definitely be keeping an eye out for the next time they roll into town.

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

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.

---

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

Barrie New Music Festival 2008

Trophy @ The Barrie New Music Festival 2008
Originally uploaded by vasquezr

The Barrie New Music Festival featured over 50 artists playing some of Barrie's downtown clubs. The festival ran from Oct 2nd - 4th. I was glad to see this type of festival in Barrie. I'm not just saying that because it means I don't have to drive to Toronto for the night(s). I only hope it will continue to grow and that the people of Barrie support these type of events. I was really impressed by the few acts that I was able to catch including: October Sky, Used For Glue, Vanderpark and Trophy.


October Sky @ The Barrie New Music Festival 2008
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Used For Glue @ The Barrie New Music Festival 2008
Originally uploaded by vasquezr


Vanderpark @ The Barrie New Music Festival 2008
Originally uploaded by vasquezr