I expected to go see a guilty pleasure. They are bouncy and poppy with good harmonies and a cute girly British voice heading up the tunes. Besides that, the Ting Tings have been known to cause the occasional happy-solo-dance party in my living room. Others may write them off as pop, but that didn’t stop me checking them out last week when they hit town, promoting their new album.

What I didn’t expect was a wild and rockilicious show that I got. Despite being only two, they brought energy, quirkiness and a splash of badass that clearly graduates them out of any basic pop standard. They went from synth to guits to drums to crowd  to mics to upstage to upsidedown; keeping us overwhelmingly entertained and still producing better then studio quality sound. And neither of the two were hard on the eyes either… Her as a punky, innocent vixen and him strange, stylish and tight in the right places; and the both with the type of eyes that pierce through you to naked…..

…What was I saying?…Right. There was enough personality on stage that despite their music becoming so popular, there is nothing industry produced or disingenuous about what we saw. And judging from the songs we heard, their new album has only expanded their already likable sound. This show solidified it; I am an avid fan  and there is no longer anything *guilty* in my pleasure for the Ting Tings.

FULL PHOTO GALLERY HERE

review by: Robert Collins

REVIEW @CTV WEBSITE

GRIMES

I suppose the definition of a modern day siren would be someone whose voice can immediately bring us to tears (and potentially convince our ships to head towards their jagged rocky islands). Well then singer/ songwriter of Grimes, Clare Boucher, has it defined.

After wrestling through an unsuitably moshie crowd at the Fortune Sound Club, I talked my way to the front convincing four very intoxicated (and jovial) hipster girls to allow me to shoot in their coveted front row spots. There was a lengthy wait spent listening to them gossip about boys and things, but eventually  Boucher took the stage and I began shooting per usual. After about 1.5 songs, to my astonishment, I noticed one of the girls (having been so happy just minutes before) was wiping away floods of tears and holding her head in her hands. What? It appeared as though this girl was just that moved by the music.

I have seen devoted fanbases, but this was probably a Vancouver first to witness. Especially considering the indifferent hipster crowd, some of whom I had listened to earlier having ironic pissing contests about how excited they were that they “might, like, slit their wrists or something”. But Boucher’s winding melodies and layered sounds did have a memorizing effect; the crowd listened attentively, calmly and entranced. Grimes music just has a little of that… something…  and Boucher’s artistry sure gives those ancient ladies of the Greek Isles something to watch out for.

VIEW GRIMES PHOTO GALLEY HERE

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VERONICA FALLS

Take post punk, britpop, surf rock, 50′s classic and a little splash of moody minor chords and you have something like Veronica Falls. They have a new and unique sound, but also something keeping them classic, reminiscent of Siouxsie and the Banshees or the Breeders… maybe Pulp kinda, or.. well, enough with the comparisons.

They played for a modest crowd at the Media Club last month, proving themselves better than the turn out. Pushing through sound troubles and lack of monitors, the foursome still managed to give the same incredibly solid sound from their album. (That is, if one had heard it yet, being UK based and only less than a year old.) Despite being relatively newer, perhaps their maturity comes from the fact that they are a collaboration of musicians from previous bands (Sexy Kids and Your Twenties) I dunno, but if you missed this show you better check it out on their myspace or itunes cause we are calling Veronica Falls as being a new can’t miss act!

VIEW VERONICA FALLS PHOTO GALLERY HERE

Well 2012 has been a busy year so far, with lots of variety and too many pictures to stay up to date…. so, what have you been missing? Well, let me tell you!

Most recently, I was out this last weekend checking out some newer and cutting edge bands, Veronica Falls from England and Grimes from Montreal… but you will have to wait a few days for those ones. Prior to that, I was out enjoying another British Band and long time favorite over at the Electric Owl….

Los Campesinos!

We expect energetic pop music at it’s best; and they did not disappoint, tearing up the crowd into a right sweaty state.

Apparently, as Gareth explained,  their first show in Van was  with local favorites, You Say Party! He also told us that we’re a favorite city to come to, nicknaming us “Couver” and cooing at us with proper English cheekiness in between songs.

Well, Campes, we like you too!

PHOTOS HERE

If you are not familiar, well why not? It’s time to have a listen!

Los Campesinos You Tube

Rhythm City Mess Around

Ever see the movie Swingers? (Of course you have!) Wonder what that scene is all abut when Jon Favreau meets Heather Graham in some hip underground bar, where men in zoot suits rhythmically toss around ladies in twirly dresses, while the jazz band cries “Go Daddy-O!”…?

Well, it is just some hollywood fantasy… this type of thing is happening now too! And better yet, it’s happening frequently around our town, right here in Vancouver!

Yes, there is a whole culture of swing dancing enthusiasts out regularily at bars and halls around the lower mainland. This community is also connected to many other cities far and wide, and once tapped in, you can find out where to dance all over North America, or meet people visiting from out of town. And the best part is this friendly scene is open to all, just based one one stipulation- you just gotta love to dance.

So if you think it’s the bees knees, like we do, check out our review of last month’s dance weekender RCMA.

PHOTOS HERE

Taboo Sex Show

Hundreds of curious couples, career voyeurs and college kids came out to the convention center to see how the other side is playing. And there was much to see including sexy clothing, pole dancing demos, toys, jungle gyms, fetish devices, instructional seminars (given by porn stars?), burlesque and drag queen acts… if you can think it, it was there. In a shoulder to shoulder crowd, eyes were wide and people tried hard not to trip over their dragging jaws.

It may have been many’s idea of a fun Saturday night, (especially being toga night which seemed to account for the college crowd) but overall the whole thing just kinda seemed over the top and a little ‘put on’. More so for me, since my press badge and large camera seemed to attract those looking for their break through close up or hostile visitors ashamed that they were caught (publicly) in such a scene. But at least the vendors were mostly of good humour creating a comical atmosphere, complete with the vagina game (contestants throw sperm shaped bean bags into an eight foot vagina to win a prize!)

After seeing it once I don’t know if I would attend again; but despite not being my scene, I can’t blame anyone else for being curious… and if you wanted to but didn’t make it, well lucky for you the press was invited..

PHOTOS/ARTICLE HERE

CONCRETE BLONDE

Nearly three decades after their inception, Johnette Napolitano proved that girls (still do) completely rock. The lights were dim and the press was forced to a birds eye view (on the Rickshaw balcony); but despite the distance we could hear that she still has the chops to be as badass as she ever was, telling us that she still longs for the return of Joey…. (baby)…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y6vc49unAc

For a 3 piece band that has had 3 drummers and 3 reunions in 30 years, they certainly proved that they were more than just a comeback special. They may have faced some career hardships but when they took the stage it was sultry and alluring with the sharp edge of live rock music. Always nice to see that a returning act has still got it.

PHOTOS HERE

CITY AND COLOUR

It was a mellow atmosphere and the Queen Elizabeth. The fans stayed properly seated and attentive for Canadian folk sensation, City and Colour. And although I never had the pleasure of seeing them, this must be a far cry from what Dallas Green was used to from his days with Alexisonfire. Nevertheless, the enthusiastic cheers could be heard between songs. During we floated alongside the acoustic and slide guitars, enjoying a nice relaxing grass roots atmosphere.

PHOTOS HERE

Following Guns ‘n Roses’ long awaited show at the Pacific Coliseum last week, a friend asked me if I thought it had really been Axl on stage; or some really good Axl impersonator. Hard to say. All the press was asked to shoot back at the soundboard (mid-stadium) and short of a $4000 lens that could investigate his pores, I was at a loss. Additionally, he was wrapped up in highly inconspicuous (yet fashionably rockin’) attire that may have suggested he was actually an Axl-like CIA plant, out on some sort of head-banging spy-mission. Welcome to the Jungle, indeed.

Though one thing I can say beyond doubt is it sure sounded like Axl, and man did he sound good! When comparing with other 90′s anthem bands that use sing alongs to hide their whiskey-weathered vocals (Hetfield, I’m looking at you); Axl proved that he can still wail with the best of ‘em. What’s more, he showed energy like a young lad; feverishly running across the gargantuan stage and never missing a note; stopping only to strike the occasional pose. The other guys did well also, even if not one of them were from the original deal. So, real Axl or not, the performance came off quite like we had always imagined it would. And considering that his very loyal fanbase has been known to riot from time to time, well… wise move, Rose… wise move.

SEE FULL GALLERY HERE

We caught Metric at Squamish Music Festival last August, and it was hot, hot, hot! Emily Haines did an acoustic set earlier that day at a side stage and then rocked the main stage right and proper! Sexy, sultry vocals backed by a formidable band proved strong artistic talent and set the crowd on fire. A definite fave of 2011!!

SEE METRIC GALLERY HERE

Miami Horror emerged all the way from “Down Unda”; from Australia to Vancouver’s Fortune Sound Club last spring, and showed us the long trip was worth the travel! This disco-pop outfit brought crazy stage antics and a dance party so wild it was practically unprecedented. This show was a can’t-miss party that was well worth wading through hyperactive fans to get the shots.

SEE MIAMI HORROR GALLERY HERE

Have you heard of Man Man? I hadn’t, and so this was one of those shows that fell into the I’m shooting because of their name category. This is always precarious, but fortunately they did more than impress. This alternative (and somewhat strange) collective used unusual style, sounds and even instruments to make music that speaks to the sub-conscience. And they were equally impressive with their show, from their wacky appearance to a volcano of energy ridden performance; they converted my ‘unknown’ to a ‘loyal fan’.

SEE MAN MAN GALLERY HERE

photos by: Tamara Lee

Last Thursday night a modest crowd came in from the cold to experience Canadian roots/reggae trio Bedouin Soundclash. Despite the sparseness, they warmed up the audience right; with high energy rhythms and soulful melodic lyrics. Above all, they played with just the heart that their fans expected.

VIEW GALLERY HERE

#1 – GIRL TALK

We caught Girl Talk at Live at Squamish last August. Ever seen him live? The thing about Girl Talk is not his incredible imagination, resulting in the most adventurous and creative mash-ups that you have heard. It is not that he catches you completely unawares when he brings you from disco to hip hop to bollywood to classic 70′s rock on a dime. Yes, this makes for an unforgettable musical adventure, but the real treat is the colossal variety, which means it appeals to everyone. Yes! No matter what your musical interests, he has something in his bag of tricks that you will like. The imminent result is a raging party filled with anyone from your friends to your grandma, and the kitchen sink. And at Squamish, he did not disappoint! He brought freaks in costumes to the stage; filled the air with grafitti and lights; and let loose, creating a sea of fanatical fun. First up, top 2011 concert, Girl Talk.

VIEW GALLERY HERE

amidst spikes, chains and large burning flames. They sacrilegiously appeared last Sunday before a modest but enthusiastic crowd, proving that they are as bad-ass as they ever were.

FULL GALLERY HERE.

Full PHANTOGRAM gallery HERE

Full ATARI TEENAGE RIOT gallery HERE

Full YACHT gallery HERE

Full DAS RACIST gallery HERE

Full HEAD LIKE A KITE gallery HERE

Full WIZ KHALIFA gallery HERE

Full YOU AM I gallery HERE

Full TORO Y MOI gallery HERE