mark tonin

Last year it was partly planned, partly random, if I remember correctly. This year a plan is unfolding ... I've got a site booked, as do at least two other friends, and we are on campsites in the same area. Having said that, my campsite is full (max. 6 per site). I'm not 100% sure about the others, but think that they are likely full as well. I could ask though just to be sure. Or another site could get booked, but I think you'd have to book for 2 nights, which gets pricey. Peace, Mark

Babsy and edger, the two of you know how to make a grown man feel warm and fuzzy inside! CJ and DEM ... nice that you can make it! I'm going to try and squeeze in the whole thing, but am not 100% sure yet about the specific logistics. Heck, I'm still working out some logistics for this upcoming week/weekend! edger, I'm thinking that we may be able to head down together, maybe with one or two others depending on the vehicle we are taking. I'll send you a message to discuss. Peace, Mark

link to Diesel Dog article in View magazine Peace, Mark

A good guess, I think. I can't speak for all of the shows and posts that get pinned, but some of them get pinned because the people involved (bands, promoters, venue owners, etc.) are contributing members of jambands.ca. Peace, Mark

I'm hopin' that you are right! Peace, Mark

Yes Brad, I realized this after I posted ... I've actually seen UM twice, at the Toronto and Ottawa Big Summer Classic shows. Having said that, I don't feel like I've really experienced the band, as UM played early on at both of those shows, and I wasn't really settled in and focused on the band as much as I like to be. I look forward to seeing UM as the headliner, to really experience what they are about. And everybody has been raving about the Town Ballroom in Buffalo as a venue, so it will be nice to finally get there for a show. Peace, Mark

Once again Joni, your kinky mind makes me smile! :) Peace, Mark

A sweet poster niffermouse ... I get emotional and tingly when I look at it ... Peace, Mark

Wow, another great show in April! This will undoubtedly be a blast! Peace, Mark

Sounds like a fun night ... wish I could be there! I notice on the new disc that the words to the song "Workin Through The Week" were written by Kennedy and Morrison. Is this Kennedy person a friend of backbacon?!? Peace, Mark

Thanks Baj ... I've been called much worse! It was a treat to see you and captainsunshine at the Lanc ... the two of you radiate positive energy! Peace, Mark

Unfortunately I can't make the Toronto show, but Buffalo is looking good ... a band I've never seen, in a venue I've never been to ... I'm excited! Peace, Mark

Joni, I'm very glad that you are a lurker no more ... nice to see your post! I look forward to spending more cyberspace time with you, in addition to the time that we spend together in "meatspace." (Thanks to timouse for that word!) Peace, Mark

Sweet show! Three sets of music, electric > acoustic > electric ... the first electric set was mostly covers, and the final set featured most of the songs on the new disc. The guest musicians helped to fill out the sound in a big way! Bobby Banks really stepped up to the plate with his sax playing, Darren Schott's mandolin and fiddle playing during the acoustic set was a treat, and Summer Martin's voice added a huge punch to the end of the show. Well done dogs ... a great effort! Hamilton is in for a treat on Friday the 13th! Peace, Mark

Wow, where is the old chuch Babsy?!? Good luck ... some Blind Boys could sound nice in a church ... Peace, Mark

In for Darien Lake! Peace, Mark

Diesel Dog story in KW Record Oh, you Dog Cambridge quintet has turned a year of upheaval into another round of funky, goodtime rocking JASON SCHNEIDER Go to a Diesel Dog show if you want to strut your Birkenstocks and shake your butt. Who doesn't? (Apr 5, 2007) Although it's getting harder and harder to find kids in Birkenstocks, sarongs, and dreadlocks roaming the streets anymore, it's a sure bet that they'll all find their way to a Diesel Dog show. The quintet, based in and around Cambridge, has just released its second album, Year Of The Dog, thereby giving their fans a new batch of funky, goodtime music to get their beads and butts shaking. Of course, that's too narrow an assessment of the band's sound, and for bassist Ian Richardson, the challenge with the new album was for Diesel Dog to go beyond the stereotypes of being a typical "jam band," without alienating its audience. "I am comfortable with being called a jam band, but don't really use the term myself much," he says. "A lot of people who are not in the scene aren't familiar with the term. When a co-worker asks me what kind of music I play, and I say we're a jam band, they don't really get it. "I like to call us old school roots rock," Richardson continues. "Sure, we are a part of that scene, and yes we are a band that 'jams' so I guess we do fit the bill. As far as what's going on in that scene now, I think it's grown and is still growing. "It's kind of morphed into a very general all-encompassing genre that can include many subgenres that range from funk to bluegrass and everything between. I don't think it would ever be a mainstream genre that will have many artists topping the pop charts, but I think it's definitely here to stay." Year Of The Dog is only the band's second album in its six-year existence, and according to Richardson, it's the result of a few upheavals in between. "We've had a few personnel changes. Our sax player left, we gained a female percussionist/singer, then lost her, lost our drummer, gained a new drummer, lost him, then got the old drummer back and now we've gained a new sax player. "We've also incorporated an acoustic set into our live show. We usually open the night with it, but recently we've experimented with doing it in the middle of a three-set night." Somehow, Diesel Dog managed to focus all the turmoil into the new material which clearly displays hints of everything from funk and reggae, to bluegrass and psychedelic rock. Yet, lyrically, the band seems to have its feet firmly planted on the ground, as Richardson explains. "The song themes range from singing about day jobs, Canadian/American relations, old flames, and travelling across Ontario. I don't do a lot of the writing so I can't really speak to specifics, but I think it's easy to tell by the titles what the songs are about. "Mainly, the new record documents many songs that have been a part of our live repertoire for some time now. There are a couple of songs that are brand new, and the old ones have been stripped of the extended jam sections that usually occur when playing live. When recording the album our goal was to have a finished product that was a step above our first offering." That goal seems to have been accomplished, so look for Diesel Dog to be burning up the highways around Ontario this summer. And if you're not sure where to find them, just follow the convoy of VW vans. (Sorry guys, I couldn't resist!) LIVE DIESEL DOG CD RELEASE PARTY THE LANC, 574 LANCASTER ST., KITCHENER APRIL 7 10:30 P.M. $5, $15 WITH CD 519-743-4331

Huge belated birthday hugs to you Brad! Many people contribute a lot to this board, but I can't think of anybody who contributes more than you do. I know that it's already been said, but thanks for being born! Peace, Mark

Unfortunately I can't be at this event, but I will gladly buy a ticket as a small token of my love and support for this wonderful couple. Peace, Mark

Ditto. OK, maybe not ditto on the fucking Easter part. And maybe not ditto on the crucifying rabbits part. But the show at the Lanc is going to be a blast, and will be even more fun with a bunch of skanks! I've got a few of each of the posters with the five dogs ... they will be available at the shows ... more could likely be printed if there is enough demand. Chris is a fantastic artist! Peace, Mark

Good luck with the mini-tour ... I'm sure that you'll have a blast! Peace, Mark

Man oh man this is sounding like a fun night ... wish I could be there! Peace, Mark

Awesome meggo ... very nice to read this story! Peace, Mark

Check out http://www.cometogethermusicfest.ca for the latest festival update. In addition to the acoustic talent that has been announced, Diesel Dog, The Droops, and Superstack have all been confirmed to play at the festival, with more bands to be announced soon. Peace, Mark

I used priceline for the first time earlier this month, and it worked well for me. I bid for a 4 star hotel, and got a room at the King Edward in downtown Toronto for $70 U.S. plus taxes, which seems like a good deal to me. I'd definitely use priceline again. Peace, Mark