New Sum 41 In The Works!

Hey Everyone!

Your favourite Canadian boys and mine are back! ...And lets hope its better than their last attempt with Underclass Hero. Sum 41 have made the official announcement for the release date of their next record, Screaming Bloody Murder. It will hit the store shelves on August 31, 2010. Correlating nicely with the end of their summer long Warped Tour booking.

A new track is also being streamed HERE so be sure to check it out!

What do you think? Yay or Nay? Share!

Rock On,

-Girl At The Rock Show

Top Canadian Bands You May Not Know

Hey Everyone!

So today, its not so much news, but one of my rants and raves about issues related to music. Today's topic: The Canadian Music Scene. This post is inspired by the MMVAs (Much Music Video Awards) which is currently airing as a rerun on my television. I didnt have much of a chance to watch this when it first aired live because I dont have cable at my house, but now that I'm at my mother's house between shitfs, I decided to give it a go. I respect the way that they are helping Canadian artists out, its great! My only issue: I find that people have a very narrow, limited view of Canada's Music industry.



As a Canadian, I am definitely proud of our exports... including those in the entertainment industry. Over the years, Canada has provided the world with some absolutely phenomenal talent... and yes, though many of them may move to the US, that doesnt change their maple leaf roots. I bet some of them still eat ketchup chips, insist on real maple syrop and believe in beer with an actual alcohol content. All that aside, my goal in this post is to remind everyone that Canadian music DOES NOT start and end with Justin Beiber. The kid may be this generation's Aaron Carter, but he is not the embodiment of this side of the border. So here is MY personal list of fiftenn amazing Canadian bands that you may or may not already be familiar with. All these bands are the combination of fantastic musicianship, raw talent, and creativity. Lets get started! In no specific order...



15) Theset
This five piece alternative rock band hails from Victoria, BC. What draws me to these guys is their live show... high energy, lots of passion, and purely Canadian. Love it. If you dont believe me, take note that this powerhouse band has played with the likes of Metric and Sebastian Granger, a couple amazing Canadian artists. If you love live music like I do, definitely look these guys up.

Their MYSPACE page has some great songs on it, I really like Already Know for what its worth!


14) Spiral Beach
This unique group comes to us from one of Canada's more well known cities, Toronto ON. This is pop with a serious edge... its definitely a bit darker than what you might expect. Lots of interesting instrumentation, powerful female and male vocalists, and a very unique sound that you wont soon forget.

Check out their website HERE!

13) Arkells
I saw these guys play a couple years ago and they did an amazing job. Hadnt heard much beyond some hype up until that point, but I'm really glad I checked them out. Love the gritty vocals, simple but effective melodies... it all comes together in a great package with these guys! You may even recognize a couple of their tracks from radio and TV. Trust me on this one, this band is amazing.

Check them out HERE



12) Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker
Are there even words for these guys? Never forget the first show I saw them play... they made a smoothie on stage as part of their set. Pricelessly entertaining and memorable: everything a show should be! Their blend of hip hop, indie and rock is completely unique and purely Canadian. They are one of those bands that make me proud to hail from the great white north.

Check them out at their Myspace page HERE

11) You Say Party
Tragedy struck this band merely months ago when they lost their drummer, but I am still very impressed by their career span, and I love their work. I've only seen them play once and it was incredibly brief, but I remember it being one of the most fun sets I have ever witnessed. Watching them play, you'll be screming PARTY at the top of your lungs!

Check out their music HERE



10) Stars
This Canadian indie group has just made it to the ten year mark, and they have already solidified their place in this music scene. Lets face it, any group attached to the Broken Social Scene name is destined to be touched with gold. They're heading out on tour soon so be sure to check them out if they make a stop near you!

Check out their Myspace page HERE


9) Attack In Black
This band is a bit tricky... let me explain. They are EXTREMELY talented, yes. That is a given. They make great music, I certainly wont argue that. BUT I have seen alcohol pretty much destroy my opinion of their performance. See, I have seen them a few times. The problem is, they reallllly lack in the consistancy area, and its ALL dependent on how much they have had to drink before. I really like them, but I actually fell asleep once when I saw them open at an arena show because I was so lack luster with the performance. I have high hopes for these guys. I really do. They have some serious potential, and their album got rave reviews... I just hope that next time I see them, its soberISH.

Hear their Music HERE

8) Wintersleep
These Halifax natives came together in 2001, and they're only just getting the recognition they deserve. I mean, lets be honest, its been a couple years now since Weighty Ghost dominated Canadian airwaves and its STILL stuck in my head! With all of the music I listen to, thats a pretty impressive achievement haha. "Are you some kind of medicine man? Cut the demons out of my head, You cant kill something thats already dead, Just leave my soul alone."

Listen to their music HERE


7) Controller.Controller
Probably one of the better known Canadian bands. An indie group with a bit of a techno edge, they make some really fantastic music... kind of dark, but still dancey with the beats and rhythms used.

Check out their Music HERE



6) Dragonette
Love Dragonette. Yet another one of those bands who have become quite the hometown favorites in these parts- seems like every show they play in the area is packed and hyped up to no end... and its easy to see why! The synth-pop trio have dominated the Canadian airwaves with radio friendly dance tracks like "I Get Around" which made it onto the Canadian Billboard chart. Between Martina's flawless voice, their signature creative genre bending sound and ability to kickstart dance parties from coast to coast, there is an endless list of reasons as to why this band is on the Canadian radar.

Listen to Dragonette HERE



5) Final Fantasy (aka Owen Pallett)
Owen is also a Toronto native... and absolutely brilliant, just like a handful of others on the list. Man, thats one talented city. What is perhaps most amazing about Pallett is the fact that he is clearly in it for the pure, simple love of music. He is known to donate a lot of the money to great causes. Struggling musicians, Doctors Without Borders... thats pretty cool. This violinist is one of a kind. Live shows get rave reviews and he even won the highly valued Polaris Music Prize. His work with numerous artists and solo ensure him a place on my list of valued Canadian musicians.


Give Owen and his work a listen HERE



4) Jesse Labelle:
Yes, a personal favorite of mine. This guy used to play a regular one man, one guitar show at a bar in my hometown before he hit it big- so its possible I'm in a bit bias. That dazzling smile, those heartfelt lyrics, and those impressive guitar solos probably encourage that bias JUST a little haha. Anyways, the Toronto native is remarkably talented and his cd is filled with beautifully written, catchy pop tunes that I can definitely see making a mark on the charts in the near future! Definitely check him out

Check out Jesse's music HERE... definitely listen to Dont Leave Now if you want a good idea of this boy's flawless voice



3) Saint Alvia
Formerly, Saint Alvia Cartel, the group formed back in 2005 uniting members of other bands like Jersey and Boys Night Out. Whats always great about bands coming together like that is the diverse influences that are often drawn out. The dynamic can make for a very distinct style that can never be duplicated. In this case... something punk/reggae/ska-esque. Magic. Give it a listen, its pretty fantastic, especially if you're looking for some summer tracks.

Listen to Saint Alvia HERE



2) Woodhands
More Toronto! This electro-indie pop duo is another example of the incredible things that happen when musicians from different backgrounds come together. Synth player Dan Werb had worked in bands from the Vancouver and Montreal scenes before teaming up with drummer Paul Banwatt. What ensued their collabortion? Pure Magic! This is what happens when punk meets sophisticated techno beats and catchy synth melodies. Hard to believe this is all the doing of two guys and a producer... thats what I call talent. Enjoy!

Check out Woodhands HERE



1) Broken Social Scene
Perhaps the most multi-faceted Canadian band in existence. This indie powerhouse contains a varrying number of band members who are involved in projects of their own outside the group. Members include well known musicians like Feist, Emily Haines (Metric) and Jason Tait. Now lets be honest here... with a lineup consisting of some of Canada's most amazing indie talent- HOW CAN YOU GO WRONG? Its just not possible for this to end badly. Melding ideas from some of the most brillian indie voices in the country is only going to result in a surge of intense Canadian pride. DEFINITELY check them out and prepare to be left speechless.

Listen to some amazing Canadian music by Broken Social Scene HERE


And thats it folks, some awesome Canadian tunes to make you think twice about the great white north. Let me know what you think, eh?
Rock On!
-Girl At The Rock Show

Stars New Album Now Streaming

Hey Everyone!

So Canadian indie rockers, Stars, have unveiled their newest album for online streaming. The highly anticipated release is the band's fifth full length release in a decade (formed 2000). The album is entitled "The Five Ghosts" and is set to hit shelves on tuesday, June 22, 2010. The band recently did a promotional cross country tour of Canada in support of the release and from what I hear, the shows were fantastic. Check them out HERE, and make sure to stream the new album while you can HERE.

What do you think of the new Stars material?

Rock On,

-Girl At The Rock Show

You Say Party We Say Die Drummer Passes Away

Hey Everyone!

Sad news today... You Say Party! We Say Die! drummer, Devon Clifford passed away at the age of 30. He died on April 18th 2010, after collapsing on stage at a show on Friday night in Vancouver. Early reports are claiming that the complications may have been the result of a sudden brain hemorrhage. He was rushed to the hospital, where he fought for two days before losing his life. According to the band's twitter updates, his condition did not improve in hospital. Sad, sad news. Yet another talented drummer is lost...

You Say Party! We Say Die is a five piece dance punk band from Abbotsford, B.C. They were set to tour Europe this summer.

So sad... 30 is too young, only 9 years older than me. News like this always saddens and terrifies me. RIP Devon, you will be missed.

Rock On,

- Girl At The Rock Show

Avril In Wonderland... And Its Pretty Bad

Hey Everyone!

So I was aimlessly clicking away on youtube last night as I sometimes like to do, and I stumbled upon this gem here. This is Canadian "singer" Avril Lavigne's addition to the Alice In Wonderland soundtrack, "Almost Alice"... and yeah, I have to say I am not impressed. Musically, the darker tones seem somewhat fitting of the film, but the lyrics... my god, really? I think they broke into the journal of a fourteen year old girl and transcribed it to music. Every stanza rhymes perfectly with the next one- and not in a good way haha. I just find theres a huge lack of creativity which I suppose isnt new for her. To her fans, I'm sorry but this is how I feel about it and nothing more.

The video shows Avril falling down the rabbit hole to Wonderland. Shes in some weird mall goth black wedding dress, and I'm pretty sure her eye color is being enhanced by something technological or by contacts. She runs around the woods and finds the Mad Hatter, and rudely departs from the party with some yelling about taking a stand (anyone know for what exactly?). Then we have some clips from the movie, and Avril eventually finding her way out of Wonderland as the song comes to an end.

Now, I have to wonder why she is even featured on this soundtrack. What has she done lately? Nothing... well, she got a divorce. Thats about it. I was a fan when I was a kid, I'll admit it. When Complicated first came out, I thought- man, thats cool. A chick rocking a guitar, wearing guys clothes... awesome. And then I came to realize that the guitar is more of a prop than an instrument, that she doesnt write much of her own music, and the clothing is more of a label decision in an attempt to sell more records. Now she's got long curls and wears heels and dresses. I'm not buying into it- sorry. Anyways, this is once again just MY opinion. I dont expect everyone to share it, and I wont criticize people who disagree with me.

Check out the video for yourself below

"Tripping out, spinning around, I'm underground, I fell down yeah, I fell down...I found myself in wonderland, Get back on my feet again, Is this real? Is this pretend? I'll take a stand until the end"

What do you think? Does it do Alice In Wonderland justice or not quite?

Rock On,

- Girl At The Rock Show

More Support For Haiti: Alexisonfire

Hey Everyone!

Yet another band is lending support to the relief fund in Haiti! And this time, they're locals. St.Catherine's natives, Alexisonfire, are currently running a promotion on their online store. They announced recently that all proceeds from their January sales will be donated to the cause. Thats pretty cool if you think about it... that could generate quite a bit of money since it spans over a month. Guitarist Wade posted this message to the band's website:

"In light of the recent tragedy in Haiti we have been thinking about how to help. In a disaster of this magnitude, the easiest way for everyone to get involved is simply by donating money. This will get clean water, sanitation and medical supplies, food and temporary shelter to those who need it most in Jacrmel and Port-Au-Prince. We will be donating all the same proceeds from our online store for the month of January to the relief effort. So, if you've been thinking about getting a shirt recently, now is the time to do it!

Thanks Friends,

Wade"

So if you happen to be an AOF fan and looking to lend your support to a great, very worthwhile cause, this could be for you. Check it out!

How are you showing support for Haiti?

Rock on!

- Girl At The Rock Show

Silverstein Anniversary Shows

Hey Everyone!

For all you Canadian music fans out there, this may interest you! Burlington Ontario natives, Silverstein, will be playing each of their albums from start to finish in a 4 concert series in Toronto. The concerts will be in honor of their 10th anniversary as a band. The shows will take place March 18-21st at the El Mocambo. Tickets can be purchased for the shows through Ticketmaster and Ticket Web. For the afforable price of $15 + service fees, you can be a part of the celebration!

March 18: When Broken Is Easily Fixed (2003)

March 19: Discovering The Waterfront (2005)

March 20: Arrivals & Departures (2007)

March 21: A Shipwreck In The Sand (2009)

Will you be attending one of these shows? I might, it would give my inner High School kid a good thrill haha I used to see these guys play at little rock clubs downtown all the time!

Rock On!

- Girl At The Rock Show

Song of the Day: Discovering The Waterfront by Silverstein... this was once one of my favorites and every time I hear it, it still strikes those same chords in me. Its timeless and very relatable for a lot of people. Everyone has been through a breakup or two and felt something like this. Enjoy!