deranger

thanks for links. not surprised by the Europe shows. hiatus-shmiatus.

Wilco Launch Their Own Label; Jeff Tweedy Plays Toronto and Montreal on Solo Tour http://exclaim.ca/News/wilco_launch_their_own_label_jeff_tweedy_plays_toronto_montreal_on_solo_tour By Josiah HughesLast summer, Chicago alt-country dudes Wilco hinted that they would be starting their own record label after parting ways with Nonesuch. Now, the hint has become a reality as the band have revealed their very own imprint: dBpm Records. According to a press release, the label will release "all future Wilco recordings and more," and will be distributed by Anti-. Frontman Jeff Tweedy added, "This is an idea we've discussed for years. We really like doing things ourselves, so having our own label feels pretty natural to me. And, to be working with Anti-, a label that has its roots in a label that was started by a punk rock guy to sell his own records, seems like a perfect fit for us." The veritable Ian MacKaye of adult-contempo indie rock will be even more DIY as he embarks on some solo tour dates in March, including stops in Toronto on March 22 and Montreal on March 25. All dates are available below. Jeff Tweedy solo tour: 
3/22 Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre 
3/25 Montreal, QC - L'Olympia de Montréal 
3/26 Portland, ME - State Theatre 
3/28 Madison, WI - Capitol Theater 
3/29 Rochester, MN - Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall 
3/30 Iowa City, IA - The Englert Theatre

was gener (freeman) the one who had the problems with smack? I always thought it was dene (melchionado). But yo he was like at least 30 lbs heavier at the toronto show last year.

no that wasn't just the sound - apparently that was their first show in a year? man could you tell, I think it was Olson who was generally the least in time but the band was flubbing notes and not tight at all. Weird, I actually thought that was what they sound like live, but my friend who was more familiar with them said no, they were not playing well or up to their usual level. I thought the vocals were alright though. They certainly took a few songs to warm up, but overall I think the singing was pretty good.

I must say was planning on skipping most of the opener, but now I'm intrigued by this local Kirsten Jones. Anyway, just spoke to someone at the Phoenix and set times are: 8:30 Kirsten Jones 10:00 Jayhawks

which in my mind is the ultimate reason to attempt a coalition. It may not be an ideal solution but if the other 3 (Libs, NDP, Bloc) parties comprise 61% of the vote and share greater similarity to each other more than the Harper conservatives, wouldn't that represent a fuller democratic exercise rather than 39% setting the agenda? I'm sure that a coalition is susceptible to as much infighting and red tape as any other gov't but we wouldn't have to sit back and watch this massive shithead dismantle what makes this country unique and beautiful. And no the Bloc are not the massive threat the Globe, National, Citizen, Star, Sun, etc would have us believe. They have more to gain by sitting at the table and working for whats best for them, then sit on the sidelines and get nothing from the conservatives. Canada is too large and too separate to withstand someone using that as leverage to pit region against region. We need a renewed sense of working together and compromise and get back a gov't that has some tiny vestige of representation for everybody. 9 billion for fighter jets says it all. Killing the census says it all. Fuck you Canada, I'm Stephen Harper.

I think on the one hand it's to help improve existing shitty conditions in prisons, but the overall justification has to do with Harper's "tough on crime" agenda- by removing certain provisions that help reduce existing prison populations like credit for time served and early parole. So-called experts have suggested that if/when Harpers policies begin to bear strange fruit we will see an increase of over 2000 new prisoners within the next few years. All this extra money comes as Harper CUTS funding to crime prevention programs, after school activities for at risk youth, community outreach programs....you know those things that almost every criminologist and sociologist says actually helps reduce crime? As opposed to building more prisons. But all of this is keeping perfectly in step with a guy who called Canada a "second-tier socialist country that you won't recognize when I'm done with it." (Harper 2002) This is the agenda - dismantle government that our ideology dislikes- (census, arts, womens groups, environmental protection, corporate accountability of any kind) increase gov't we like (military, prison, oil sands subsidy) and claim all the while what you're doing makes the country "stronger" and "better". Anyone who disagrees? You destroy them. Oh Canada.

more of the same coalitions are part of our system. wake up.

I think I might be sitting this year out. I highly recommend it for those who haven't enjoyed the Beacon run (I've done a bunch) You stand a 1 in 2 chance of hearing Midnight Rider since they play it every other night. They'll be obviously toning down the guest appearances from 2009's 40th anniversary run but some familiar faces will be there (Susan Tedeschi) If you would rather stand for the show, get floor seats, its way harder to stand on the balcony or upper balc. And if you wanna smoke during the set break or show, head for the upper balc - security up there is non-existent and looks the other way when you smoke. According to my brother who was at Warren Haynes Xmas jam, Greg is apparently still a bit shakey from the surgery and wasn't performing at the jam to the best of his abilities. Hopefully he will have further recovered by March. For those interested, Mule is taking 2011 off and Warren will be introducing the Warren Haynes Band which no one knows what will sound like. Watch for him playing some smaller venues with the band in 2011.

how did you not notice a chip that huge? fuck it though, its on the back and how it sounds and feels is 100% more important than how it looks.

Deep House Collective?

Their show at the Horseshoe in Toronto Dec. 2nd was amazing. My 2nd time seeing them and could not believe how fuckin good they sound. Super tight, amazing pop hooks played with a wicked sense of tone. I've been talking them up to friends and I highly recommend seeing and experiencing them. I totally agree with Ms. Huxtable and was thinking the same thing watching them: that bands don't write songs like that anymore - really, really good songs with fantastic melodies.

yep

what are set times J?

no kidding. - massive quantities of intoxicants - Hep C - hodgkins lymphoma - liver transplant - marriage to Cher

Brain - Ross and I both send our condolences. Really sorry man, stay strong.

I saw Neil at Camden on the Greendale tour and some guy starts heckling Neil halfway through the opening set in between a song as Neil is trying to narrate the story. Without missing a beat Neil tells the guy loudly, "sit down and shut the fuck up or get out of here." Audience applause. Accommodation is the key: work with the people around in a way where everybody can be satisfied to the best of our collective abilities. If you wanna dance, awesome, just don't be a fuck head and ruin others times. You wanna sit when others are dancing? try to find another spot where you can see (if possible) instead of bitching about someone standing in front of you. The whole business about the lawn chairs would drive me fuckin nuts if I hit the Blues fest more often. Have a seated section but don't let those fuckers take the best spots because they use a lawn chair to claim it.

I've seen Justin Rutledge a few times and although I think the comparison is accurate as far as similar sounds with regard to the whole band, in no way does he come anywhere near Ryan Adams emotional delivery or songwriting. I find Justin's songs fairly pedestrian and without much by way of strong vocal melody. However, I have not heard any of the new album and I'm only basing that on the 2 previous times I saw him play. His band does play very well behind him though and Burke Carrol is one of Canada's best steel players.

Indeed sweet news and been awhile since Fat Cats have graced a TO stage. welcome back. can't wait.

Gordie: "Ok guys, the key to good guitar tone is to turn the amp volume to 11, the guitar volume to 11 and make sure that everyone in the room is completely deaf by the end of the night."

I thought the acoustic set was interesting but I really wasn't too pleased with the sound where I was - floor, right side of right centre. The song selection for the acoustic set was cool, but I'm a fan who has grown very very weary of hearing the same "hits" by the Crowes considering how much material they can draw from (yes I'm aware that part of having a 20 year career is playing the songs people recognize and love) but I really don't need to hear Jealous Again, Hard to Handle or She Talks to Angels. That said, I was glad they got those tunes out of the way during the acoustic set. The electric set was obviously the more familiar territory for the Crowes and I think it showed with the band quickly finding the groove (or perhaps because they had just played a set and we're already warmed up). Luther also seemed to finally let loose a bit during the electric set. I was very disappointed that Rich was on the far side from me, last few shows Luther was on stage right and Rich on stage left. As such, I couldn't really hear anything at all Rich was playing though when I strained to hear through the rest of the band I could pick it out. The show certainly had its moments but I never felt like the energy from the band picked up much beyond the novelty factor (for them) of the acoustic set. However, I was very impressed with the energy from the audience on the floor and was proud that so many fans chose to move around a bit and get active. Too often at Massey Hall shows or Toronto shows do we fall victim to the "hand-in-my-pockets" I'm too self-conscious vibe that this city is known for. It was really nice to see people dancing, moving and letting the band know they were loved and welcomed back. I think Chris was on auto pilot when he left the stage after the encore and said something to the effect of "see you again soon". No Chris, if the hiatus is real, we won't be seeing you again for a long time under the Crowes banner. Perhaps under the solo act banner but that may have well been the last Crowes show Massey Hall will see for some time.

sorry, the 'wow' was mainly because they've been around so long (20 years) and I figured if you (you being anyone for whom this is a first Crowes show) hadn't seen them by now it was either because you're very young or just not a fan at all. I realize it also may not have been in the cards until now but for fans of live music who have been around for awhile I thought a Crowes show at some point in a 20 year career would maybe have been a given. but I'm also a super fan who have seen them many times so I'm biased. no disrespect intended.

First show? wow. It may well be your last as well. I'm thinking "indefinite hiatus" will be several years with a "reunion" tour to follow sometime after 2016. I really hope Rich does some more solo stuff. I thought Paper was brilliant. Anyway, Weds. will hopefully be amazing.

It was way loud but the sound at the phoenix is generally like that, way too much low end. But what got me about the show was the "laptopist" and percussionist they have on tour who was putting in that atmospherics throughout the whole show. The background noise that was totally unnecessary and generally made things worse in my mind. They seemed to be toying with how they're playing certain songs, specifically certain guitar parts. Generally a bit looser and with the background noise is was the strangest Dr. Dog show I've seen (my 5th).

Dr. dog are back this Saturday at the Phoenix. tickets are still available for $20. Early show, doors at 5:30 PM and I have no idea what time Dr. Dog will take the stage but I'm guessing sometime between 8 and 9. There is an opener and I don't know what they're called. Should be fuckin good.