edger

Actually, I've been wanting to check out these guys for a long time. I just seem to have something going on everytime they've played at PJs. This Friday is also not looking so good for me unfortunately. One day it will work out...

No doubt. Now that's a stressful scenario, to put it lightly. Suddenly, I feel fortunate.

Fair enough Steve. Well said, and I think I know where you might be coming from. Just remember that some of the people who you may have directly or indirectly criticised are also dealing with the challenges of balancing out their very busy lives, and are therefore sensitive to certain insinuations. Anyhow, I hope that your future days are brighter for you!

ahh sigh. i've been waiting for spring.

Yeah Deeps, sorry but I don't think it was that one post that you quoted above that was found to be offensive.

I'm enticed!

Definitely a loaded question. For me it is ever-changing, but I'd like to think that I getter a better sense of the "constants" as time goes on.

Man, that does suck!! Please confirm as soon as you can, cause my sister who never bloody well gets a chance to go out, was planning on joining me for this one... That would be the second cancellation, no? I guess my reggae fix might have to wait until Sunday at the Toots & the Maytals show...

Bump! This Thursday, I'm down are you down? ~Thursday, Mar 22nd~ EARL "CHINNA" SMITH with KIDDUS I(Featured in classic Jamaican movie Rockers), Mike Rajczak (Riddim Riders) Chinna's creative sounds can be heard on almost 50% of the grammy award winning reggae recordings. "All I want to do is play music," Chinna said in a recent interview. "I've been doing it for years, but I'm falling in love with it all over again, every day." Although he is most well known for his work with the legendary Soul Syndicate band and as Reggae's most sought after lead guitarist, his musical credits reach far beyond just guitar playing. He's composed, written, arranged, engineered, produced and played both rhythm and bass guitar. Chinna has probably had the most profound influence on the evolution Jamaican music, recording with artists like: Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, Dennis Brown, Mutabaruka, Freddie Mac Greggor, Michael Rose, Mighty Diamonds, Black Uhuru, Burning Spear, the Heptones and Sizzla just to name a few. Chinna's name appears on the credits of well over 500 albums. But, it's not just reggae where you'll see his name, he's recorded with artists of all genres, including: Lauren Hill, Eve, Erykah Badu and Joss Stone. Chinna often says that everything needs to be balanced. In his life and in his music, he's constantly seeking to find the perfect balance. He's toured all over the world, with all the greats in Reggae. He also served for many years as musical director for Grammy award winning group Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. Even though he's traveled all over the world, if you ask Chinna where his favorite place is, he'll tell you that there's no place he'd rather be than in Kingston, Jamaica at home, in his yard. »http://www.chinnasmithmusic.com« Adv. Tix: $12

Some of my questions were answered/qualified while I was in the midst of compiling my above post. Peace.

Let me just start by saying that I like Slowcoaster. I like What the Thunder Said. I do not have a running list of bands that are ranked in accordance to my preferences. I do not have the time for that, and I think it would be a futile exercise. The rest of what I will say is just random thoughts in response to previous random posts. First off I don’t think listening with your feet and not your ears has to be an either or scenario. I do not believe that the two are mutually exclusive at all times. I don’t always have to dance, but I sure like to if the music inspires me to. I do not have the technical expertise to break everything down and analyze each part of a song. When I am at a live performance I am even less likely to engage in such analysis. I save that for when I am listening to music at home generally. And while I think discussing such things has its benefits, I certainly wouldn’t think that my opinion or judgment is any more or less valid than the next persons (well except for maybe MarcO, Booche, and Hamilton). Poke, poke. However, when it comes to having input on what makes ME feel good, I seem to trust myself on that one. As Alabama Man said “people like what they likeâ€. And I don’t think taste always requires or demands an explanation. I like the fact that we all have different taste buds. “Good†is a relative and objective term. There is no magic formula. This has always been the case. It is not something that has failed to transcend time. I’m sorry Deeps but reducing the experiences that I have had at Fatties, or Burt shows, (or any number of shows including from some of the bands that you are trying to defend here) to amounting to little more than recreational perks that I may or may not have ingested is offensive to me, and just plain inaccurate. There were bands (old and new) that I was not overly enthusiastic about even way back when I was getting all “fucked upâ€. I somehow was able to form an opinion despite my state of mind. In fact, I still like to get good and “altered†once in a while, but not so that I can trick myself into liking a band. In fact a crappy band can really put a damper on a good buzz. Regardless of my general state of mind, I never seem to get to the point where I can’t discern what the music is doing, or how it is making me feel. Sure a “party vibe†and all that goes along with it, can enhance a musical experience for me, and get my feet a moving, but I would argue that the band’s ability is an essential piece to that puzzle. That vibe does not evolve out of nothing, and it especially does not evolve out of a magic little pill or bottle (in my experience anyways). Also, I am curious as to where you draw the line between old and new? If Nero decides to reunite, or if the Fatties or Burt or whoever release some new material are they still confined to the label that is “oldâ€? Jimmy Swift Band and Grand Theft Bus have been around for a relatively long time. I’m just curious what your “criteria†might be? Also, if you refer to the current CTMF thread, you will see that your band seems to have been “lumped in with the old†Would you consider this a “successâ€, or a sure-fired sign of your ultimate demise? I would argue it doesn’t mean much of anything. I just feel that drawing a fine line or dichotomizing old and new is a shaky exercise at best. People compare their new experiences (including musical listening experiences) to those that they have had before (whether way back in the past, or relatively new experiences). I would say that this goes for anything in life and will not change. None of us are a blank slate. We all have our underlying presumptions, preferences, biases, etc. This is not a newfound scenario. The Fat Cats, BNB and Nero were all exposed to the same challenges “way back whenâ€. They too were likely compared to other bands that came before, and after them for that matter. This continues to this day. I was thinking the exact same thing when Greg mentioned that there are just as many people who slag these bands for any number of reasons. This will always be the case. It can be both motivating, and discouraging to be labeled or compared when you are trying to express yourself artistically in your own unique way. But that’s the way it is. You can’t resent that. Don’t get exasperated. And don’t feel that you are alone in your experience. Perhaps this gives you a bit of a window of the perseverance, blood, sweat and tears that is required to stand the test of time. Nostalgia, and people’s taste or allegiance to any of these bands will not define what happens to your band or to the Slowcoasters of the world. You will carve out your own place in this “scene†at your own accord. Much of this will be beyond your control, as it is for those who have come before you, and who will come after you. Not all bands that deserve it, get rich and famous. Most don’t. And a hell of a lot of bands that perhaps don’t deserve it, do. But again that analysis is subjective. I agree with you Deeps (and many others) that intricacy has nothing to do with the quality or listenability of a band. Some of the most beautiful, moving, and emotional pieces of music are very simple. Their simplicity is often what makes them beautiful. In relation to that, wankery and intricacy are not the same thing. Wankery is never pleasant (again, in my subtle opinion). Anyways, all comments forwarded are meant with all due respect. Long live good music, whether it be old and in the way, or new, fresh and inspiring (or both).

Yup, the old boy had to settle down sooner or later...

Oh, and I meant to mention that I enjoyed the opening Hey Pockey Way cover. Nice addition there Drawbar!

Well please give Joel a big warm hug and a kick in the ass on behalf of Todd and I. Oh, and please let him know/remind him that we are getting married in July and would love to have him there if he happens to find himself or is able to venture back to this neck of the woods. Enjoy the tour!

Their drummer is smokin! That's what stood out to me the most on Saturday.

Good times are better when they are shared with others. Good music is the tie that binds. All the rest is gravy.

I echo Deep's sentiments. I'm glad that we made it down early enough to catch the last half of the Achievers. I unfortunately missed the pedal steel though (much to my dismay as that was really what I was looking forward to... but you know what it's like getting a bunch of people moving early in the evening). Regardless it was nice to be introduced to your band GoodRev. I would definitely check you guys out again. Slowcoaster was rockin (see other thread). The place was packed!! All kinds of people seem to come out of the woodwork on St. Patties... go figure... Well despite the fact that some of Todd's pedals were not in working order, the show was good times. The sound was CRANKED (as usual in the Casbah). Add that to my steady decline in hearing ability. GOod times do not come without their hazards I suppose. Lots of people dancing. Truthfully my recollection is a little foggy on this one. Thanks to Willy for the pre-game shennanigans. That obviously got things off on a good start for me. And thanks to Wassink Wild Card and MarcO for giving me and my sleepy, spacy hubby a place to crash. Mmmmm....late night chippies...

What Sarahbelle said.

THanks for the updates Friendly and Bri. We've basically lost touch with Joel since he went to the UK. Todd would definitely be interested in what he has been up to. He's certainly looking sexy with that new haircut! Big City Litty!

Yeah, I thoroughly enjoyed myself in Hamilton the other night. Slowcoaster is very easy to move to. Had the place jumpin for sure. It was too bad that we didn't get to see more of them. A lot of energy for three guys! I will check them out again for sure. One of my highlights at Come Together last summer was floating along to Slowcoaster, late night in the saloon.

The Acousticats (Fat Cats) are going to be playing Sat. March 30th at the Winchester Arms in Dundas. Nice little pub. Usually a pretty cool vibe in there. I myself love a good 'ol acoustic gig. They don't seem to happen as much these days. Save travels east!

Happy St. Patties everyone, wherever your shannanigans may take you! I'll see you at the Casbah Sarahbelle! Greg, too bad we'll miss you tonight. I feel like it has been ages since the last time we chatted! Hope you have a good night either way.

Well I voted earlier for Freddy, which was mostly due to his "technical" singing abilities, but yes in terms of sheer enjoyment, I would put my vote beside any of the members of THE BAND!!!

I'd say Freddy takes the cake on this one too.

Freddy hands down. Fully in agreement with Plant. I've always liked Vedder. Chris Cornell can sing too (imo)