Spoons - Romantic Traffic / Tell No Lies 30th Anniversary Show.

It's hard to believe it's been 30 years, it's amazing how quickly time flies. I swear it was just yesterday I headed down  to Sam the Record Man to grab my first copy of this  astounding album. Last Friday night at the Virgin Mobile Mod Club the Spoons marked the anniversary by putting on a absolutely spectacular show to a sold out crowd here in down town Toronto. This also marks only the second time in 25 years that all four original members Gord, Sandy, Rob, and Derek performed together. I see Steve Sweeny was filming the show, hopefully this means the DVD will be available at the next gig, fingers crossed.

 

 

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...

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

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

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

Moody Blues - Live at the Amphetheater

.....August 12 2009 - Last Night at the Molson Amphitheater in Toronto I went to see the Moody Blues put on a spectacular show . After four decades Justine Hayward alongside longtime members bassist John Lodge and drummer Graeme Edge continue performing their many classics and last nights crowd of nearly 10,000 certainly got their money's worth. This is another one of those bands I never got the privilege of seeing back in the 70's or 80's, few bands have the staying power or stamina these guys do especially after almost fourty years, nor do many command quite the loyal following as do the Moody Blues. As appreciative as the crowd was of this iconic group they are equally appreciative of their fans. Near the end of the evening Justine just took a moment to thank all who attended saying "we love you and thank you for keeping the faith". Needless to say the crowd went wild. Being primarily a fan of the New Wave/Alternative scene during the 80's I really didn't have allot of exposure to bands like this, I'm glad I do now. It's easy to forget in this day and age that there was a time in the music industry when talent was mattered most.

Underworld at The Kool Haus

August 11 2008...Click on the pics to see full size image...
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...The Kool Haus (formerly the Warehouse, and RPM) is approximately 27,000 sq ft and located on the Lakeshore in the heart downtown Toronto many a great bands have played there over the years. I was there last night to see "Underworld" an English electronica / techno group that have been around since the 80's. To tell you the truth I'm actually more familiar with there earlier stuff when they recorded under there original moniker "Freur". I've heard Born "Slippy NUXX" many times before (who hasn't) but that said last night was predominantly an educational experience for me. I loved it, they put on a radical high energy show of sight and sound for a sold out crowd of approximately 2500, everyone was really into it.

....I took some pics but it was tough gettin anything worth posting, the room was filled with smoke from the start. I guess it's done on purpose to increase the mood/effect of the light show which seriously augments the music, like I said before it's was a combination of both sight and sound that made the experience so unique. The crowd seemed to moved in unison for much of the night, as if in a trace, hence their popularity with the Rave scene. I'm gonna be picking up some of their CD's shortly so I can get more familiar with the work thats for sure...CD's are those little round silvery things about four inches wide that you can still buy at HMV...

Underworld are...

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Rick Smith - keyboards

Karl Hyde - vocals, guitars

Darren Price - keyboards, mixing and live assistant

No Doubt with Paramore

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Air Canada Center Tuesday June 16 2009

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...Not always about the 80's...

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.....It's been five years since No Doubt recorded an album yet last night they rolled into Toronto and played to twenty thousand screaming fans at a sold out Air Canada Center. I know this because I was one of those fans, what a absolutely fantastic show not only was I there but for the first time in almost 20 years I had front row centers. The show lasted a blistering one hour and forty minutes in which Gwen Stefani and the boys blasted through hit after hit in a high energy fast paced show that had the crowd, myself included on their feet non stop. It's easy to see why they still command such a loyal following, the moment Gwen appeared the crowd was transfixed, a performer like no other she has a stage presence, charisma and stamina that few in the music industry can match, add to that...

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Set List

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Hella Good
Underneath It All
Excuse Me Mister
Ex-Girlfriend
Happy Now/End It On This
Simple Kind of Life
Bathwater
Guns of Navarone
New
Hey Baby
Running
Different People
Don't Speak
It's My Life
Just A Girl
Encore:
Rock Steady
Stand and Deliver
Sunday Morning

Journey / Heart / Cheap Trick Concert

On Friday night I saw an absolutley astounding concert at the Molson Amphitheater, Headlined by Journey who have recently been reconstituted by Arnel Pineda, the band's new leadman who delivered a performance that perhaps even rival that of original singer Steve Perry. Heart and Cheap Trick were also on the bill delivering solid performances as a sold out crowd of 16 thousand rocked to four hours of great tunes. I have to say I was positively amazed: What your ears hear doesn't quite connect to what your eyes see. How is it possible that this tireless Filipino spitfire with stringy black hair, who guitarist Neal Schon discovered last summer via YouTube clips of him singing covers in his former band the Zoo, could sound so eerily like Steve Perry, that rarely rivaled voice of every Journey smash? I couldn't believe how great he sounded, this show I'll remember for a long time. It's fitting that the band titled its 13th album (and first with Pineda) "Revelation," for not only does the term apply to the wonder vocalist, it speaks to the rebirth of the group itself. Pineda was hardly the only standout I also have to acknowledge how spectacular Cheap Trick and Heart sounded, both bands sound every bit as great now as they did back in the 80's. I was blown away by Heart's Ann Wilson characteristically robust form during the group's hour-long set, navigating the roaring passages of the Who's "Love Reign O'er Me" as adeptly as she did the dramatic pleas of "Magic Man" and "Alone," the latter smartly scaled back to just piano and guitar.Likewise, sister Nancy's spotlight, "These Dreams," was tempered by a mellower, mandolin arrangement. Note some of what I have written here was taken direct from Ben Weners article in Orange county news, he's alot better at writing this kinda shit than I am, thanks Ben...below I've included a few low quality shots I took at the show, when I get a chance I'll link the entire album, the quality should be better and I'll also try to post some video as well...

Cheap Trick Started the night at around 7:00 pm they played a fantastic set that lasted approximatly 45 minutes.

The second band to take the stage was Heart the set lasted just over an hour and it was an impressive performance to say the least. Journey certainly had their work cut out for them to compete with it...

Journey put on an amazing show, lasting about an hour and a half , the set included most of the classics and some of their new material as well. A great time was had by all, hopefully this won't be the last time these bands play Toronto.

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Here's a link to the entire albumn...

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http://picasaweb.google.com/Lunatic.Entrails/JourneyHeartAndCheapTrickTorontoSept5th2008#

Metal Masters

Molson Amphitheatre, Toronto - August 13, 2008 Everything old is new again... I was transported back in time last night to 1985 when I saw the Metal Masters show in Toronto. It was so cool I almost shit myself, it included a four band bill in what turned out to be an almost 6 hour head bangin extravaganza. The line up included ( in order ) Testament, Motorhead, Heaven & Hell (aka Black Sabbath) and Judas Priest.
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The first band to take the stage was Testament a hard rockin thrash metal band based out of San Francisco, they took the stage at 5:30 and played a set that lasted approximately an hour. Although not entirely familiar with there music they put on a good performance for a appreciative crowd that was still making there way in to the amphitheater. The next band to play was Motorhead fronted by Lemmy Kilmister they set the bar high with Killed By Death, the trademark Ace Of Spades. The hard edged head thrashin set really got the crowd going as they put on a spectacular set. I've never seen Motorhead before so it was a real treat to watch them perform for the first time. The next band was Heaven and Hell, featuring Black Sabbath members in guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler vocalist Ronnie James Dio put on an absolutely astounding set playing classics like Children Of The Sea, Sign Of The Southern Cross and ending the their set with Neon Nights. I thought the final act of the night Judas Priest might in be a bit over their heads trying to follow Heaven and Hell, they certainly had their work cut out for them but they did not disappoint. Led by singer Rob Halford, Judas Priest kept the new songs to a minimum and relying on classics to win over the fist-pumping, head-banging crowd filling most of the venue. Songs like Hellbent for Leather, You've Got Another Thing Coming, Breaking The Law and finally Living after Midnight kept the crowd hoppin til the very end. My ears are now bleeding hopefully it will stop within a few day, a fantastic night, rock on dude.

Melanie C June 28 2008 Toronto

For the sixth time this year and the second time as a solo artist Melanie C played Toronto this weekend. She was at Welsley station were she performed a free concert to a jammed packed house of about three thousand people. Despite the sweltering heat (about 32 °C) she put on a fantastic show and played for just over an hour. A great time was had by all. Besides the picture above I took many other photos at the show, the link to the albumn is below.

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http://picasaweb.google.com/Lunatic.Entrails/MelanieCWelsleyStationConcertToronto#

Melanie C in Toronto

I took this shot ( and many others ) last night at the jammmed packed Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto. Melanie C aka. Sporty Spice played to a sold out crowd of absolutely hysterical fans and literally blew the roof off the building in what was perhaps one of the greatest small venue shows I have seen in years. An accomplished solo artist in her own right, and dubbed by the media "talented Spice" she certainly did not dis-appoint the audience. Arriving from Montrael where she played a show last evening she blew into town for a one night stand playing all her hits as she continues touring her latest album "This Time". To all who saw this show ( myself included ) it was quite the extravaganza. Hopefully Melanie will make T.O a regular stop in the coming years...rumor has it she's in the studio working on new material.