Stoolshed

Here's a press release of our upcoming Valentine's show, on the off chance that someone from this board might be out this way...

for immediate release:

Music for Valentines Day 2006: February 14th @ the Central Bar and Grill, Victoria, BC

Stephen Franke & noises from the toolshed and Outlaw Social present:

An evening of Folk, Roots and Jazz

This February 14th 2006, two of Victoria’s finest musical groups join together to offer an intimate night of dinner and music. From sounds echoing with acoustic guitars, fiddles, banjos and low bass to the provocative electric and romping sounds of gypsy and latin infused jazz and groove, these groups promise to provide the most romantic night of the year with music as sweet as sugar on sugar and as lowdown as a Louisiana whorehouse. These three women, seven men and two bands share a history of playing music in Victoria and internationally, and their combined resumes include playing with Scruj MacDuhk, The Ragtime Millionaires, The Bill Hilly Band, Lift, The Paperboys, Particular Wave, The Seams and Dan Lapp.

While still a licensed event, all ages are welcome for those with families in tow, while others may want to leave the kids with a sitter, and put on the glitter. Each to their own, but one thing for sure: break out your finest cloth, your lingerie, leave your day-to-day at home and set your love maker to overdrive because this Valentine’s Day is going to be off the hook and red hot…

Doors @ 7pm for dinner seating

Music from 8.30pm-midnight

$10, advance tix recommended. Available @ The Central Bar & Grill and Lyle’s Place.

Stephen Franke & noises from the toolshed are poised to be Canada’s next break-out electric jazz project. These west coast musicians are creating a buzz by playing a blend of gypsy jazz, hard bop, and New Orleans Zydeco/funk with occasional politically charged lyrics. Driven forward by virtuosic instrumental performance, lush soundscapes interspersed with intelligent vocals, and infectious grooves and hooks, and after over 150 shows in 2.5 years, the band has built a dedicated and frenzied fan base from coast to coast. Their energetic live shows have earned standing ovations throughout numerous national tours while sharing stages with John Scofield, Antibalas, Jim Byrnes, Zubot and Dawson, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jackie Washington, Little Feat, Ritchie Havens and Spearhead. Stephen Franke is joined by (piano) Chris Vansickle, (drums) Allan Cameron and (bass) Alex MacCuaig.

Their debut album Songs for a Platinum Blonde Diner Waitress, currently on it’s second pressing and exceeding sales of 1700 copies, was nominated for Outstanding Instrumental Recording (WCMA 2004) and has been a media favorite, garnering glowing revues, spending months on college radio charts and receiving support and programming from CBC radio.

Outlaw Social is taking audiences by the horns with their particular style of roots music. Appalachian, country blues, and other folk roots traditionals mix with a healthy dose of original songwriting to make a show where the urge to dance spars with the serious case of goosebumps on the back of your neck. Be it the most heartbreaking version of Trouble in Mind on a nylon string banjo called "the goat", a ripping oldtime fiddle & banjo tune, or an original piece of new song; the connection between the players, the music and the audience is magnetic.

If a jug band took a day and recorded with a gospel choir, it would be something like Outlaw Social - and on a good day, you’d be closer than if you were standing in a chicken run (not that we don't like the sound of chickens - they're pretty rhythmic).

Outlaw Social are: Catherine Black (banjo, bass, vocals), Kendel Carson (fiddle), Adam Dobres (acoustic and electric guitars), Pharis Patenaude (guitar & vocals), and Oliver Swain (banjo, bass, vocals).

Ciao, Stephen.

We're actually going to put Slowcoaster on second because they're more of a party band than we are, so SF & NFTT will play first, and I'll be the guitar player in it.

I look like the guy above the Scofield picture on the left.

Let's Dance - but except for the Steveie Ray Vaughan guitar solo, or with it?

I'd have to * Dancing in the Streets. As well, though I love the man and his music, and have for a very long time, I'd * all the word for word speeches Michael Franti does every night, especially the one about his (and everybody elses) Dad and the Every soul is a poem thing.

Ciao, Stephen

www.stephenfranke.ca

One book I read a long time ago and couldn't ever find again just got re-released. Grimus, by Salmon Rushdie. Way different than most of his other stuff, which is also good, but not as creative, more poor india blah blah. Same with Hassan and the Sea of Dreams. Awesome.

Anything Kurt Vonnegut Jr. A piece of Phish trivia: Kurt Vonnegut once made an album cover for the band for one of their live discs. They didn't end up using it.

I liked the new margaret atwood Orynx and Crake, although the ending was a bit weak. And if you can fight your way all the way through John Irvings 'A prayer for Owen Meany', the end makes it completely worth the while. Don't cheat though, because it'll spoil the story.

Ciao, Stephen

www.stephenfranke.ca

Funny. I usually smell like mine.

Good to hear from you again ty-pn...firing packages at the companies can never hurt. At least we'll be on their radar.

SugarMegs - please come say hi and introduce yourself. I'm still putting the sanctuary names with the faces. I think in Vancouver Slowco will hit the stage around 10.30-11pm and play til midnightish, and we'll take over from there and finish the night. We're all sharing gear so changeover won't take long.

Hello all!

It's 2006 and we're bringing it in by playing some shows on either side of the country. We've slowed down playing shows, as we rehearse and work on songs for an upcoming album, but we're still happy to be part-time slaves to the road. Theses shows promise to be a hefty party as we trade off some shows with Slowcoaster:

Wednesday January 11th, 2006

Moncton, NB: The Paramount

w/ Slowcoaster

Thursday January 12th, 2006

Fredericton, NB: The Cellar

w/ Slowcoaster

Friday January 13th, 2006

Halifax, NS: The Attic

w/ Slowcoaster

Saturday January 14th, 2006

Antigonish, NS: St.FX University: The Pub.

all night long

-----------------------------------

Friday January 20th, 2006

Victoria, BC: Steamer's Pub

w/ Slowcoaster

Saturday January 21st, 2006

Vancouver, BC: The Fairview Pub

w/ Slowcoaster

Thursday January 26th, 2006

Canmore, AB: The Canmore Hotel (The 'Ho)

w/ Slowcoaster

Friday January 27th, 2006

Edmonton, AB: The Power Plant (U of A)

w/ Slowcoaster

Saturday January 28th, 2006

Calgary, AB: Brew Brothers (close as possible to the birthday)

w/ Slowcoaster

Monday January 30th, 2006

Banff, AB: The Rose & Crown

w/ Slowcoaster

That's all for now. Hope the year treats you well, come out and see us when we're in your 'hood.

On a side note, March we'll be in Hamilton, Toronto (CMW 2006), Montreal, and yes BradM: there will be an Ottawa show on March 4th.

Side note number two: Sens and Canucks in the finals.

Side note number three: Grampa Belfour and the Leafs out in the first round.

Ciao, Stephen.

info@stephenfranke.ca

www.stephenfranke.ca

By the way, we're slow on promoting ourselves, but all the west coast shows, except for Whistler, are a double bill with Stephen Franke & Noises from the Toolshed. We'll be doing 3 shows with Slowcoaster in the Maritimes too, next wednesday, thursday and Friday.

Ciao, Stephen.

I too, am a fan of the Danny Powter. It may be bubble gum, but holy sh!t what a great job of recording and producing. As well, the album has some really great Macy Gray-like tracks. I heard he recorded the album with the help of his brother producing, and got it to the company. I could be wrong.

Stephen

Hey y'all, I know I should post this on the western front of the cavern, but everyone plays here, so up it goes:

For any board members west of the rockies, Stephen Franke & Noises from the Toolshed have a couple of holiday shows coming up:

Friday December 9th: Vancouver BC, The Fairview Pub

Saturday December 10th: Victoria BC, Steamer's Pub

And we'll announce the finalized schedule soon, but we'll be touring the maritimes, BC and Alberta with Slowcoaster in January.

Hope you're all well. Go Canucks. Go Senators. Boo Leafs.

Stephen

www.stephenfranke.ca

'Canadians' seemed weiry of musicians and 'Americans' pot.

I must disagree with the way things are put on this thread. This is the second time I've commented on border issues on this board, but I've got lots of experience, having now crossed the border as part of 4 different tours. Legally.

No matter what american musicians complain about, their government is still worse, and canadian musicians have it way worse. Not only is Canada bigger, longer, and we have the expense of crossing it to reach only 1/10 of the USA's population, but it costs $1200 american to get your paperwork within 30 days of your gig. American musicians earn american money most days, and have to pay only $400 canadian, good for any gig in Canada they mention at the time of paying, and here's the clincher: they don't have to plan ahead. Just show up at the border, fill out papers, pay and off they go. Canadians playing in the States have it WAY harder than americans in Canada.

I wholeheartedly agree that borders should not stop musicians, and those b*stards in government should fry for not making it so.

My schedule is in place. I'm getting into TO on Dec 18th for a family visit. The Orbit Room is where I'll be on monday the 19th. Providing the sisters play...

I've gotta agree with Deeps on this one too. I'm all for freedom of speech no matter what, and I don't even care about racism, discrimination and sexism, because women make up half the world so it's just rhetoric, I hate all religions equally and racism is as stupid as race in this modern homogenized world. In other words, I support humans, and humans only. Ye who live by the label, die by the label.

BUT, violence is another matter. I've always thought of Canada being somewhat above the violence perpetrated and perpetuated by other nations. I liked the example of Canada under Trudeau being a nation built upon peacekeeping. And I will not support violent american gang hype being spread into canada under the guise of 'cool' or ghetto. We have more history and stories of our own than most people can imagine, but it's ignored because of the hype of american lifestyle. I would like to see Canadians be an example of how you don't have to become a clone of violent american culture, be it gang or government, to be an intelligent and well adjusted human.

And if people argue that the canadian film industry will lose revenue, then maybe they should ask how many canadian dollars are sent south through box office sales every year...

Why should a violent film of american gang crap get tax credits?

By denying violent and sexist gang related films tax credits, we'll be upholding canadian values and sending a message at the same time, that we can actually speak with women before, and after, sex.

Jeff Carter would be the guy. He's done MMW, Spearhead, String Cheese, Ratdog, and a whole resume of others. Also, the most recent C~ome Together poster.

His email is fourserious at rogers dot com

He just moved to the Toronto area from Victoria. Very professional, works also as the graphics guy for pacific music (distributor and manufacturing) so he knows all formats, crop lines, set up, etc.

Unfortunately he's a big Leaf's fan.

That's almost better than Jon Stewart's America (the book).

Haha. I've had the same problem repeatedly, but in a different situation: because I play in a band, I have my contact info all over the net, my band website, new music canada, etc., so industry people go there, pilfer my info, and send me crap I don't want. Which I hate. And unfortunately, when I get spam from these industry people, especially at something addressed to buycd@stephenf...(obviously from a 'bot) I get pissed, and I email back without thinking or sensoring my responses.

As a result, I've ended up in email wars on a dozen occasions. Indiepool and I went head to head. The guy (who I don't know) from Bandspace.ca got so mad at me when I told him to f@ck off, he threatened to hit me in the head next time he saw me. I told him if he sent his name he would be on the guest list on our next show (he's from Toronto), because I figured, growing up on a farm in smalltown ontario, being also that I'm a loudmouth, I'd been in lots more fights than some random musician starting up a music-selling business. He wouldn't send his full name and became apologetic. Priceless.

I stopped emailing these morons because I thought I was just some aggro-email guy. Now I find out there's likeminded folks.

Good to know I not alone and not completely crazy...although I do recognize that I need to relax a little. I still hate priests. Not that I've been touched. I swear. Now I've said too much.

An announcement for those blessed enough to live on the west coast (read: not for torontonians):

HALLOWEEN 2005

with

GRAND THEFT BUS (www.grandtheftbus.com)

&

STEPHEN FRANKE & NOISES FROM THE TOOLSHED (www.stephenfranke.com)

Including a visual interpretation by artist NICK LANE

Saturday October 29th

The Media Club

695 Cambie

$12 advance tickets available Saturday October 8th at Zulu, Highlife & Scratch Records

Also, for those on the island:

Victoria

Friday October 28th, 2005:

GTB and SF & NFTT @ Steamer's pub

Ciao, Stephen.

Dammit! I knew I wasn't losing my mind, always looking for that mysterious lost object...end up looking like Randy (cheeseburger).

But I've turned a new leaf. No more gitch.

"I'm free, baby." - Kramer

My girlfriend's (who is now the mother of my child) cousin is Rowdy Rody Piper. Does that now make him my cousin in law?

Well, there was the time my parents caught me with the waterwings wedged between the couch cushions...Sticky situation.

It's not the music award ceremony, but a showcase slot.

At these conferences, they have a whole bunch of selected bands play, probably 4-5 venues, and 4-5 bands per venue.

We were supposed to play the Media Club Saturday night instead, but we had them change it because we're playing our first ever bar show in the states! Seattle on october 22 at the Rainbow.

If you want to come, email me, and we'll hook up and sneak you in (rather than paying; we're not allowed a guest list on this night)

Sh!t, what am I thinking. We've got two shows in Vancouver before that:

Friday October 21st @ 1am: The Lamplighter, Vancouver BC (1 hour set for western canada music awards)

Saturday October 29th (halloween) The Media Club, Vancouver BC w/ Grand Theft Bus.

Either of those work?

Probably in December. Friday December 9th to be exact...and another in Victoria the next day.

Maybe we see you there, eh?

Though perhaps I should be using the west forum, here's our upcoming dates in Alberta, because I know the Albertans post here mucho often...

Thursday October 6th: Calgary, Mount Royal College (whatever the hell the bar is called)

Friday October 7th: Canmore : The Canmore Hotel

Saturday October 8th: Edmonton: The Sidetrack Cafe

If you know anyone who'll be interested in coming down, please send them these dates.

That's how we rock it in the V-dot.

You like my mullet wig that much?