Def Leppard at the Amphitheater

Just got home from Ontario place were Def Leppard played to a sold out crowd at the Molson Amphitheater. An Absolutely Fantastic show, very impressive. I think Joe Elliott's been a bit pissed at British music press lately as he feels the band has not been given the respect it deserves. I'm willing to bet that there's some truth to that, but one thing is certain, they sure get the respect they deserve in Toronto, the fans love em, and they really got into it at last nights concert. It's unbelievable how great they sound live, this is the first time I've ever gone to see them, I'll definitely go again when they come back. This was also the best deal of the summer as far as concerts go: lawn seating was only $20 bucks. How can you go wrong. Indecently the opening band was Heart, need I say more. They put on a fantastic set, and saved the best for last with a stellar rendition of The Who's Love, Reign O'er Me, one of my all time favorite tunes...click on the image to see full size btw...

NXNE 2011 - Toronto

Just got home from the NXNE concert at Yonge and Dundas Square. The North By North East Festival is THE music event of the summer. Like last year, bands played all day and well into the night. The concert ended around 4:00 am, and thousands of music fans showed up for this once a year event. It's not only Yonge and Dundas that draws the crowd, bars and clubs all over the city hosts bands of all shapes, sizes and styles, and as an added bonus most of the bars kept serving till 4:00 in the morning, how often does that happen. Among the headliners for Saturday night included two iconic bands that need no introduction and certainly know how to kick it. Men Without Hats took the stage around 8 pm and played a fast paced set that lasted just under an hour, it really got the crowd going. DEVO hit the stage at approximately 9:30, what a set they put on. It lasted about an hour and a half in which they played many of the old classics plus some of the newer material including tracks off their latest album "Something For Everyone" the first studio release in 20 years . I'm glad I saw the show, wasn't certain I was gonna to make it...it's easy to see why their still doing it after 30 years ... I'm on my out the door to buy the new album right now.

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DEVO Headlined Saturday nights concert.

From Assorted Concert Photos

Thousand packed Yonge and Dundas Square to see DEVO play a set that lasted just over an hour an a half.

From Assorted Concert Photos

The energy of this band is unbelievable, you could tell they were all having a great time. It's easy to see why they're still doing it after 30 years.

From Assorted Concert Photos

From Assorted Concert Photos

As is the case with DEVO the occasional costume change seems to be one of their hallmarks. But don't let that that fool you, these guys are amount the most talented musicians in the world.

From Assorted Concert Photos

From Assorted Concert Photos

Just like every year thousands and thousands jammed Yonge and Dundas Square for this free summer concert which features bands from all over the world.

From Assorted Concert Photos

From Assorted Concert Photos

Another great Canadian Band "Men Without Hats" also played a great set that lasted just under an hour.

From Assorted Concert Photos

I was thoroughly impressed with Men Without Hats, this is a band I never got to see during the 80's. One thing you'll notice about these of 80's bands that you don't really see allot of today... singers that actually sing, and the musicians actually play instruments... No lip syncing...

From Assorted Concert Photos

Below is DEVO's opening from the NXNE concert in Toronto. Yours truly was at the very front just to the right of the stage, although I don't think I'm in this footage. This will give you an idea of just how energetic and electric this show was.

Spoons CD Release Party - June 1, 2011

Last Night at The Revival, a club along College street in Toronto The Spoons had their CD release Party for the new album "Static In Transmission". As usual the venue was filled to maximum capacity and everyone there had a great time. This is the first release of new material by the Spoons since 1988s "Vertigo Tango", and the new album is nothing short of spectacular (of course it should be, it's not like they haven't had 23 years to write it). New member Casey MQ (keyboards) and Chris McNeil (Drums) did a fantastic job fitting right in to their new roles as part of one of Canada's greatest bands. The resurgence of the Spoons continues to move ahead full throttle, as newspaper articles, TV and radio appearances along with a fantastic new video in support of the latest single "You Light Up" has once again garnered lots of attention. How far will Gord and Sandy take it this time?, well that's anyone's guess. With a Canadian tour planned as well as an album of great new material to perform I'd say the possibilities are limitless. I've included some pics I took a the show... very dark at the Revival, very hard to get anything worthwhile... The link to the entire album is at the very bottom (smaller icon) enjoy...
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From Spoons CD Release Party

From Spoons CD Release Party

From Spoons CD Release Party

From Spoons CD Release Party

Spoons CD Release Party

Spoons - You Light Up - Video Shoot.

I was invited to the shoot for the Spoons new video last Sunday. The new singles called "You Light Up" and it's off the new album Static In Transmission, which also came out last week. What a fantastic time I had, and what a fantastic new single. They played it a bunch of times while they were filming and then they performed a mini-concert that lasted about 45 minutes. A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon that's for sure. I'm not gonna review the new album yet as I have listened to it enough times. Generally I like to spin it at least ten times before I make a comment, so far so good though... Her are some shots I took at the video shoot, Gord and Sandy are always cool about cameras, that's one of the things I like about them.

. The link to the entire album is below.

https://picasaweb.google.com/Lunatic.Entrails/SpoonsVideoShootApril32011?feat=directlink

Thin Lizzy at the Sound Academy - March 30, 2011

Just got back from Toronto where I saw Thin Lizzy play live at the Sound Academy. My eardrums are bleeding. Well worth it though. Great show, I'll post some of my pics and write some more about it tomorrow; right now I need to sleep...gotta be up in five hours...some of us work for a living... ................ ......... . grgrtgrgrgrtgrtgtrgtrtrrrg

....some time later...I've got the album Live and Dangerous and it really is a fantastic album, but it doesn't compare to seeing this band in a proper concert. I know this could probably be said of most bands, but the raw energy and power of Thin Lizzy really can't be experienced through a recording, ya just gotta see it for real. Granted it ain't the original line up, and several member have passed on, but Hell, that's true of just about every 60's and 70's band nowadays. If ya can't deal with that then I suggest you start listening to the f----- Jonas Brothers... The Reality is, if ya wanna continue to see the older guys play then I'm afraid yer just gonna have to tolerate the occasional line up change. Scott Gorham began to assemble this latest version of Thin Lizzy in 2009, in May 2010 a new, line-up was announced. Joining Gorham was original drummer Brian Downey, long-standing keyboardist Darren Wharton, Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell, and singer Ricky Warwick while Marco Mendoza returned to fill the bass guitar role. This is the band that is currently touring and this is the line-up we saw on Wednesday night. One thing that struck me about this show was how much fun they seems to be haveing. They were laughing and joking and just generally seemed to be having a really good time. The crowd sure did appreciate it too, I'm glad I did miss this show. If you get the oppertunity, you really should see this band.

Here's a link to all my pics...


Click the thumbnail.

Thin Lizzy March 30, 2011

G20 Toronto

...Regardless of what you've seen in Canada's over-sensationalized media, the police and the protesters got along quite well this weekend. It was an atmosphere of peaceful tolerance and mutual respect. There were some really great people that came out this weekend, representing some really important issues. It's a shame much of this got lost due to the antics of a very small number of individuals. I'm also very disappointed in the way our local media chose to portray this event, a very poor job to say the least. There were mistakes made by both sides, that much is certain, so lets just leave it at that.

...There are very few villains here, mostly there are just good people exercising there democratic right to voice their opinion on some very important issues, issues that should matter to all of us. Estimates are that this summit cost the Canadian tax payer about 1.4 billion dollars, off the record I'd say it's probably closer to 2.5 billion, but that just my opinion. Think of all the homeless that could have been sheltered, think of all the hungry that could have been fed, think of the Hospitals, and schools that could have been built, that's what pissed me off. There's been alot of bad feelings created this weekend for no good reason, and that's shame, a real bloody shame...I think both the police and the protesters need to be commended for a very orderly weekend in which not a single injury was reported...back to our regularly scheduled program...

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NXNE Toronto 2010

This really is the kind of event you need to take the entire week off work to truely experience. NXNE runs from June 14 to June 20 and features roughly 650 bands playing on over 40 different stages across Toronto. The North by Northeast Music Festival features something for just about everyones taste, and it's more than just a massive music festival, it features that lastest ideas in film, interactive media, and attracts artists from all over the world. You can click on the images to see them full size, except for the one directly below, for some reason it won't enlarge, not sure why... but I don't feel like re-uploading it so yer just gonna have to live with it. Have a nice day : )

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NXNE has it all, you'll see everything from well established bands, to garage bands, and even a few bands that can't yet afford a garage, and they all did a fantastic job bringing the city to life.

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Iggy Pop and the Stooges hit the stage at about 9:30 and the crowd went absolutely nuts. The amount of energy he has is unbelievable. Hard to belive he's 63.
. Iggy and the Stooges put on a hard rockin 90 minute show, it's easy to see why many consider them the greatest punk band in history. In March 2010 the Stooges and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it's about f_-kin time.
. The Raveonettes took the stage before the Stooges, a very impressive Danish alternative rock group that I would describe as a cross between Bauhause, Siouxie And The Banshees, and The Jesus And Mary Chain.

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The Raveonettes formed in Copenhagen in 2001 and have to date recorded four studio albums, plus a number of EP's. They are an exceptional band.
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WOW, what a crazy-ass party last night at NXNE. Headlining a free outdoor concert was Iggy Pop and the Stooges who came on stage at about 9:30 pm and put on a wild 90-minute show. The all day concert featured many different bands, and attracted more than 10,000 to downtown's Yonge-Dundas Square. The pictures I took kinda sucked, its hard to shoot in world's biggest mosh pit, but I did my best. Along with the absolute chaos, there was the sweltering heat to contend with as temperatures hit 32 degrees last night. Never-the-less the Stooges put on as great show, as did all the bands. What an amazing event.

Tattoo Rock Parlour - April 30, 2010 - Spoons

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...The first concert of the summer , and what better way to start off the season than with the Spoons live at the Tattoo. They played their 30th Anniversary party to sold out crowd, in what is sure to be one of the best shows of the summer. Every time I see this band they get better and better, and the shows get busier and busier. Arrived an hour before the doors opened last Friday and there was a hundred people in line, perhaps I should be concerned, I'd be extremly pissed if I showed for a gig one night and couldn't get in... It's certainly clear that their popularity is once again growing, and we're gonna have to share... Ahh Well, I guess that's a good thing.

...The show included a few surprises that many were'nt expecting, David Marsden, the driving force behind CFNY during the 80's was on hand to introduce the band. Marsden was one of the most influential figures in the Canadian Music Industry during the 80's, giving many Canadian bands and international alternative bands Major Canadian radio exposure. Also on hand was legendary producer John Punter, who not only worked with the Spoons but also Roxy Music, Nazareth, John Cougar, Japan, Bryan Ferry, Procol Harum and Sara Craig to name just a few.
...Along with the Spoons regular line up which includes Gordon Deppe, Sandy Horne, Steve Kendry and Steve Sweeny, Rob Preuss also returned to the keyboards for the first time in almost 25 years. Rob was the Spoons keyboardist during their heyday era of 81 to 85, he did a fantastic job playing the final set of the night as well as the encor. It's obvious he'd been practicing because it was an absolutley perfect set. He pulled it off without a hitch, much to the thrill of the crowd, most of whom were not expecting this surprise. Well done Rob, Way-da-Go!!! ...What a fantastic night.

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The Set List for the show was as follows...

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Trade Winds

Arias & Synphonies

Smiling In Winter

Romantic Traffic

Rodeo

Bending

2000 Years

New Song #1 - The Epic

New Song #2 - The Pop Song

My Favorite Page

Stop

The Rythem

Quiet World

Old Emotions

No Elections

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Encore

Tell No Lies

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...To view my entire albums simply click on the link below, still workin out a few minor problem with my new camera, but the pics didn't turn out bad.

Spoons at the Tattoo 2010

For more pics and video clips of the show, check out the Spoons official web site below...

http://www.thespoons.ca/index2.shtml

The Velvet Underground Toronto - Halloween

....Last Saturday we were at The Velvet Underground in Toronto, located on Queen St. it's one of those legendary bars that's been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Halloween is always a great night at the Velvet and last weekend was no exception. The place was packed and there was a massive line up outside waiting to get in. We arrived early to avoid the non-sense there's nothing I hate more than standing in a frackin lineup. The thing I like most about the Velvet is that nothing ever seems to change, not the music not the people, and not the atmosphere yet at the same time they seem to years ahead of the mainstream when it comes to just about everything if that makes any sense. One things you'll notice immediate is the diversity in the crowd. The average age of the people that frequent this place is anywhere between 18 to 50 it has always been and always will be Toronto's best night spot, especailly for those that like to be different. Above are some pics I took, it was a pretty wild night and happily all we survived it.

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...to see the pics in full size just click on the images they will enlarge.

Toronto Fan Expo 2009

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BRUCE CAMPBELL, The Evil Dead, Army of Darkness and Bubba Ho-Tep among other things was there on Sunday. He was only willing to sight a few hunder autographs before calling it quits, kinda disrespectful if you ask me. The first time he's been here to my knowlege and there were alot of disappointed fans who I'm sure wanted to meet him but could'nt because he decided to be a dinky dink.

LOU FERRIGNO, The Incredible Hulk from all accounts one of the nicest guys at the show, always willing to talk to the fans and joke around.



It aint just about Science fiction at the Fan Expo many of the Menga and Comic Hero costumes as well as costumes from video games such as Legend of Zelda and Guitar hero are also popular. Very impressive to say the least these kids sure put alot of work into them.


What ever your into you'll find it at the Fan Expo, here the WWF's Iron Shiek and the Honky Tonk Man sign autographs and converse with the fans. Dang is that Iron Shiek ever loud, scared the hell otta me, always yelling at someone...all in good fun for the show of course.


Yup the 501st Legion of which I'm a proud member, we have alot of fun and the crowd is always appreciative. I usually spend much of my weekend posing for pictures.


LEONARD NIMOY was also there, long line up for this guy, yet he was always friendly and made sure all the fan got their autograph or picture. definitely one of the highlights having him there.

Aaron Douglas-"Battlestar Galactica" and Erin Grey- "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" sign autographs for fans. This is a tragedy for me, I really wanted Erin Greys autograph, who can forget her in the white spandex pilot outfit, it was truely pivotal moment in Sci-Fi TV history...at least it was for me. I got so busy and I completely forgot to go see her. I hope she comes back again. I'll never forgive myself for missing out on what could have been one of the defining moment of my life...Ohhh.. notice the look of bewilderment on Aaron's face, that's because someone has just handed him a bootleg copy of BSG to be signed, I wonder sometimes what goes through peoples heads.

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...Well another Fan Expo has come and gone, I spent all weekend at the Toronto convention center I'm exhausted, never walked so much in my life. This year was bigger than ever as a record 60,000 people attended, what a crazy mad house it was. I took some shots at the show but spent most of the time trooping with the 501st Legion. I think it would be best they move this event to the North building for next years show as some people reported a two hour wait just to get in. Security had a tough time keeping control the line was so long it went all the way up the stairs through the concourse, down the outside steps were it snaked half way around the Sky Dome (Rogers Center). That said a good time was had by all, I now count the day until the next one.

Below is a slide show of many of pics I did last weekend enjoy.




Toronto Fan Expo 2009

The link to the entire album is here...

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/574439110vCwHqz?vhost=good-times