AD Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 So last night in Ottawa, Myself, SmoothedShredder and some others went to Zaphod's to support my friend's band The Soirée. (They played great, check them out sometime). None of us knew anything about the other two bands on the bill, just that they were both American. The headliner was a band called Sybris, from Chicago. They were ok, nothing special. But the middle band, called Anathallo were absolutely fabulous. They were an 8-piece with all sorts of instruments on stage, a huge 3-foot bass drum, all sorts of percussion everywhere, keyboards, guitars, bass, trombone, flugelhorn, clairinet, trumpet, samplers.. Also played with some found stuff, socket sets, velcro, used their brass instruments as percussion... They all sang, with or without mics, they were all into it, and the show was as entertaining as some of the best shows I've seen. The music was complex, layered, challenging, but very exciting, fresh, and nuanced. Hard to descibe too At first I thought it sounded like the Polyphonic Spree was fucking the Arcade Fire, but after thinking about it I think there was way more to it than that. Here is the promo article for the band: For more than five years, the Anathallo collaborative have taken part in a process of continual transformation. What began as a youthful post-punk ensemble in the Spring of 2000, utilitizing horns, guitars, and a collection of dumpster-retrieved drums, has since expanded outward crossing genres with an ever increasing sense of purposeful risk, and fluidity. Two dead vans and 11 independently booked U.S. tours later, the group continues to bring its intensely celebratory and theatrical 'marching band gone wild¹ performances to a growing grassroots fanbase across the nation. The seven members, toting horns, piano, bells, guitars, chains, pipes, smiles, and a slew of junk to beat have surprised even the most jaded hear-alls with an orchestral and performative experience. With four independent releases, and a new release slated for the new year, the thought of throwing in the towel is overridden by emerging concepts, developing artistic ideologies, and a group of odd but normal people, lifelong learners, unable to shake the search for inspiration, and an attraction to sounds. Anyways, I think everyone at Zaphod's last night (maybe 30 people?) were absolutely blown away by this band. I felt kinda lucky to have been there to witness their show. They are playing 3 more Canadian dates. (Last night was their first ever show in Canada). Jan 19 2006 - Main Hall - Montreal, QC Jan 20 2006 - Underground - Hamilton, ON Jan 21 2006 - Silver Dollar - Toronto, ON Anyways, I'd highly recommend you check these guys out before they retreat back home. AD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairySari Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 Well, if I can't get a ticket to BSS on Saturday, maybe I'll go chek em out at the Silver Dollar. They sound interesting. Anyone want to join me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shainhouse Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 I'm in Toronto on the 20th... Ah well, now I know. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dJEd Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 i'll check em out whenever i can. stupid dead PC. AD knows whats oop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blane Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 thanks for the heads up Alan. Might check them tonight.Also, thanks for mentioning Polyphonic Spree, I've been trying to remember their name for a week now and it wasn't coming to me. Reason I was trying to remember is that another band that reminds me of them crossed with Flaming Lips, the Animal Collective, is playing Montreal and Toronto late next month. Check them out:http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/artistInfo.php?id=53Should be fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shainhouse Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 Animal Collective are great. Check out the EP they did with Vashti Bunyan, a highly underrated UK singer. It's great. I'll be at the Toronto show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 Question: Who likes the Polyphonic Spree??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulky Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 Well...thanks for the heads up. I'll check out those other bands too. I'm gonna go check Anathallo out at the Underground. Haven'tgone to see any live music in a while! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 I DO I DO!! the spree give me glee!and that's the kind of rhyme a spree fan would say... i knowa friend of mine saw anathallo in NY state awhile ago and told me they were awesome. too bad i'm booked for both those local dates this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dJEd Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 i'll pass on the polyphonics. you'd think with 45 people in the group one of them could come up with something interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 you'll pass on anything that doesn't sound like waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh! waah!! wah!! waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dJEd Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 i, like most people, only pass on things that suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister slippery Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 I love the Polyphonic Spree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooly Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 you'll pass on anything that doesn't sound like waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh! waah!! wah!! waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!hahahahahhaaits funny because its true haha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dJEd Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 alexis, if you didn't like Mr SS, you might have a shred of a valid opinion regarding music tooly, don't start or i'm going to find the haynes thread!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooly Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 one of these days youll find a sweet haynes box set on your doorstep, and murph will have warren shaved into his back, while monty will have haynes shaved into his fur, just to remind you who rules hahahhaafucker!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 (edited) djedy, if you had a drop of happiness in your soul, and an ounce of rhythm trying to escape your body through your hips or booty....even you're feet...you would like something that didn't sound like it needed to be shot and put out of it's misery.cheer up my friend. and mr ss, while seeming to lose their way slightly are still presently capable of mighty fun things.edit to add: i'm going to make you your very own googly eyed monster so that you can magicly tranform into mr smiley pants Edited January 19, 2006 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 cheer up my friend. and mr ss, while seeming to lose their way slightly are still presently capable of mighty fun things."Seeming to lose their way slightly"? Could you give some more details, maybe? (That's not a chalenge, just a query.) I've been seeing them since mid-2004, and I think they're getting better and better. The most recent show of theirs that I saw, mrss2005-12-22, was the best yet, and it seemed to me as if their recent heavy touring had noticably improved the band. I also have the new album, "The Edge", and like it a lot.Aloha,Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 (edited) i don't like the new direction the album has taken them. i don't like their sound as much without the trumpet player, i think that space needs to be filled.i LOVE the band, i LOVE the sound, i LOVE seeing them live, the vibe, it's all great. but the more recent shows i've been seeing seem to have less of that crazy super high oh my god i just can't take it anymore energy. they seem a bit more mellowed out...which is fine, but isn't what i go to see from that band.edit to add: maybe i just got too used to and attached to the old album....i did listen to it for months on end everyday when i walked darius Edited January 19, 2006 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 Cool. I know they have some shows coming up with Nick Ali guesting on trumpet (Feb. 2 at Lula Lounge, I think, and in Ottawa on Feb. 1, opening for Fertile Ground), and I'm looking forward to that a lot, along with this Saturday's show at The Rainbow here in Ottawa.Aloha,Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dJEd Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 happiness is for jerks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 happiness is for jerks.From Brain Candy:Grivo: Hold it! I wanna talk about drugs.Crowd: Heroin!Grivo: No, not heroin.Crowd: Speed!Grivo: No, not speed.Crowd: Hashish!Grivo: No, not even hashish.Crowd: Horse tranquilizers?Grivo: Not horse tranquilizers. I just heard about this new drug that makes you happy. I just wanna say-- Fuck happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Low Roller Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 Animal Collective are great. Check out the EP they did with Vashti Bunyan, a highly underrated UK singer. It's great. I'll be at the Toronto show.Good call. I'm digging the album "Feels" right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted January 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 Well...thanks for the heads up. I'll check out those other bands too. I'm gonna go check Anathallo out at the Underground. Haven'tgone to see any live music in a while! Great! I'd be interested to hear what you think, same goes for you Blane if you make it out tonight. Wanna know if my hyperbole matches up to what others think Love Polyphonic Spree and Animal Collective too, great bands for sure. AD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shainhouse Posted January 19, 2006 Report Share Posted January 19, 2006 I like the spree! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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