Wednesday 24 April 2013

I Got Friends in Low Places

"I got friends in low places, where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away"....and those places happen to be in the Coombs/Errington area of Vancouver Island.  This past weekend I had a fucking blast with those friends - a good blast unlike the shit that happened in Boston and West last week that devastated families and communities.  My blast consisted of communities and families coming together under the celebration and appreciation of music.
I spent Friday night at the Frontiersman Pub and Grill with my brother and friends listening to rockers Wes Weldon and Colin Perry of Double Trouble.  These guys fucking cover everything!  I heard everything from Turn the Page, Wicked Game, Kansas City (thanks again Wes!) and of course I Got Friends in Low Places.  Wes is a guitar god and Colin can fucking play anything, including horns, flute, keyboards...you name it, he can pick it up and play - and holy fuck, what a voice!
If that wasn't enough, they were later joined by local musician Dave Marco who definitely knows his way around a tune as well.  I've only heard him play a couple of times and already I'm a huge fan.  These guys are so versatile that they don't come with a set play-list.  They read the audience and then play what the audience wants to hear.  Sometimes it's Classic Rock, sometimes it Blues or Country and sometimes it's all of the above - on this night it was all of the above!  Yell out a song you want to hear and these guys will fucking play it on the spot!
Saturday night I went to a dance at the Errington hall.  This was put on as a fund-raiser for the Air Cadets and wouldn't you fucking know it, Wes and Colin were back.  Only this time they brought the whole fucking band - The Enablers!  Although I've enjoyed Double Trouble a number of times around the island this was my first taste of The Enablers.  And again I was fucking blown away by their talent and versatility!  These are seasoned musicians who have played with a number of bands over the past 30 years and let me tell you, their experience fucking shows!  Wes is such a good electric guitar player that during one of his solo's (which by the way, happened to be a Rolling Stones cover) if I had closed my eyes I would have fucking sworn Clapton was on the stage. Their drummer Phil Hagen, who also sings, had me cracking up with his sense of humor and off the cuff lyrics.  Guest singers hit the stage too! Chrissy (hope I spelled that right, hun) can knock the queen of soul on her ass and Johnny Rockstar (gotta learn your real name darlin) has a voice and a look that can leave girls trembling in front of him!
Again, these guys, like Double Trouble play fucking everything.  As it happened, Saturday was April 20th, otherwise known as 420, so they even did a tribute to Hip Hop and Reggae.  It was fucking awesome!  Roll up baby!  At 11:30 pm I was outside whining about how this was my first 420 in over 20 years that I hadn't had a hoot.  Let's just say that I didn't have to break my streak.  Fuck I love rock bands.......... ; ) 

These guys are for hire!  And they come highly recommended by me!! Planning a party, wedding, BBQ on Vancouver Island that you would love to have live music at?  Contact Wes through his website for Double Trouble here > http://doubletroubleduo.jigsy.com/  I'm sure if you're interested in having the whole band - The Enablers, you can talk to Wes about that too!

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Rockin Out at Joe's Apartment

April 13, Joe's Apartment in Vancouver was fucking rocking out and I was there!  I have to say I got my moneys worth and more!  Four bands were performing that evening and everyone of them fucking rocked.

The night started with Latenite Automatic.  This Vancouver based band blew me and everyone else in the joint away right from the start.  The lead singer was already reminding me a little of Jim Morrison of The Doors with his voice and stage style but when he started sneaking shots onstage....well, need I say more?  I had the opportunity to talk to a couple of the guys later and discovered they're a revolving/evolving band, jamming with different musicians at different times....great way to keep your sound fresh.  I managed to score one of their CD's and it has already been added to my library of favorites.  Here, check em out, and try and tell me that Jimmy isn't fucking re-incarnated!


Also taking the stage that night were Vancouver's own, The Grand!  Let me tell you, these guys can fucking rock!  Hell, don't take my word for it - watch this live performance of Rebel Son, get a taste of what I got and try to fucking argue with me....


Headlining the night were yet another Vancouver uber talent, Static in the Stars!  These rockers are getting a lot of attention locally and deservedly so.  They've been raising their voices all over the radio waves and that night they fucking had everyone raising their voices AND their hands.  Get up rockers and fucking Raise Your Voice!


But the band I went through the expense and travel for were my boys, October Sky.  They traveled a little further than I did to play Vancouver.  From Montreal Quebec, they've been touring Canada the last couple of weeks, and when I discovered they were going to be this close to me....well, fuck, I couldn't let the opportunity to see them perform live pass me by.

I fucking love these guys!  Their music is original and new.  They've managed to recreate sound in a way that's haunting and addictive.  The only disappointment I had was their set was too short, but of course that wasn't their fault.  I could've rocked out to October Sky the whole night. Here, check out their video for Green and Beautiful from their second album, The Aphotic Season, a great political song reminding us of what we have to lose.....


Their stage presence live is incredible, high energy and great sound! Not to mention they're sexy as hell!  Oh that's right girls....and Karl Raymond, that smokin hot front man is single!!   I was so fucking happy to hear one of my favorite October Sky tunes, Prisoner of Nothing played live.  Being a free spirit and all, I could really relate to this song. Not anymore, because now I'm a fucking prisoner to October Sky.  Next time, boys, I'll bring my handcuffs and really show you what a good little prisoner I can be.  On second thought, you might have to keep me locked up a little longer due to bad behaviour..........; )

Catch these links.....
Latenite Automatic
Like em on facebook
Become a fan on reverbnation
Follow em on twitter

The Grand
Like em on facebook
Follow em on twitter
Check out their website

Static in the Stars
Like em on facebook
Follow em on twitter
Preview their tunes on soundcloud
Check their site with even more links

October Sky
Like em on facebook
Follow em on twitter
Subscribe to them on youtube
Catch everything October Sky on their site - music, videos, info!

Monday 8 April 2013

Jagsters Jam

The times that have always gotten me into the most fucking trouble are the parties that spontaneously break out.  I had one of those moments this past weekend.
I stopped in for a quick beer with a friend at the Frontiersman Bar and Grill in Coombs, BC.  And wouldn't you know it?  We found a party.  Local musicians had come together for an afternoon jam and to help raise money for a local man diagnosed with brain cancer.  The place was fucking packed!
The fact that there was standing room only didn't bother me in the least.  We were rocked out honky-tonk style by local country, blues and rock artists! Now you may ask....where's the trouble in that?
Well, you see, I was supposed to be cooking supper for 6...instead I was swilling beer and rocking out!  To my credit, I did refuse the many trays of shooters that passed my way, though I may have had 2 too many beers.  Here's a little taste of how Coombs rocks out!

Shawn Carle