ABORT Recommends…HOT RODS & COOL BROADS 3 Group Art Show – Saturday, May 29, Vancouver, BC
May 27th, 2010 Filed under: ABORT Recommends..., Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry by admin
HOT RODS & COOL BROADS 3 Group Art Show
Saturday May 29
12pm -12am
Pat’s Pub
403 E. Hastings St.
part of Fireball Productions
4th annual GREASE N GRIND Show n Shine!
The RAYGUN COWBOYS
The ZIPGUNS
DUOMATIC SYSTEM
w/ DJ THEE SWINGIN’ CREEPER
Tickets for the evenings festivities are $12
and are available at the bar and Red Cat Records (4332 Main Street)
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
Global Marijuana March & Cypress Hill Join Forces April 6
April 6th, 2010 Filed under: Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry by admin
Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs
(Photo – Jamie Sands)
The G.M.M. and ConspiracyCulture.com co-present the inaugural ‘420 Movie Night’ with screenings of American Drug War at 7 p.m. and How Weed Won the West (HWWW) at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20th (4/20), the Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles Ave. California’s Cypress Hill has been instrumental in raising awareness to marijuana’s benefits with the band’s legendary Smokeout Festival featured in the film HWWW. Their notorious anthems “I Wanna Get High”, “Legalize It” and “Insane In The Brain” were a driving force behind the band’s ties to the National Organisation To Reform Marijuana Laws (NORML). The release of their new album Rise Up is suitably set for the same April 20th making this a very significant evening. Film screening tickets are $7 in advance at www.conspiracyculture.com and $10 at the door.
G.M.M. is pleased to be a sponsor of the band’s sold out show April 12th at The Mod Club. Cypress Hill’s band member DJ Muggs will be featured on the main stage at the Toronto Freedom Festival inside Queen’s Park on Saturday, May 1st. With a new band album & solo album to support, Muggs will make Toronto “RISE UP” and help celebrate the freedoms of expression, choice and assembly. Admission is FREE and over 30,000 people expected. DJ Muggs will also be playing the official Toronto Freedom Festival after party with EOTO and Ill.gates at the Great Hall.
The 12th Annual Global Marijuana March (G.M.M.) also takes place in Toronto on Saturday May 1st and is the largest of 260 participating cities. Last year’s G.M.M set an attendance record with over 20,000 marchers.
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
CD Review: Whitey – The West of Hope
March 22nd, 2010 Filed under: Made In Canada, Reviews - Music by admin
CD Review – Whitey
The West of Hope
Indie
Whitey is a tale of strange and wonderful origin. First off, they are not a bunch of weirdo white supremacists. They got their band name growing up in Chilliwack, BC amongst a predominantly Native population. They got called Whitey because that’s what they were, a little white blob of minority making ska-party-punk like nobody’s business. The West of Hope is their third release, and they’ve traversed such a long and diverse musical road that some may not even recognize them as the same kids they once were.
This record is an infusion of Latin and Caribbean grooves, laid thick and solid by Drummer Paul Clark, with the funk knob cranked. The key-sauce ingredients provided by Pianist Bryce Bennett give this record a one up on past releases with a myriad of multicultural soundscapes. Opening track Funkminister is horn laden sex funk that makes panties squirm all over the dance floor. Fellas, make sure to lie, tell the ladies that the half a chub you’re sporting is for them and not the sexy tunes. Need the 101 on sex with sound? Check out Makin’ Good, featuring MC Fresh Logic. “Music is better than her love…” That’s the level of commitment Whitey has to making sweet, sweet musical love.
They have a raging, trumpeting, tromboner that will fuck the shit out of your ears courtesy of horn tooters Cole Graham (Trumpet) and Micheal Kayser (Trombone). The West of Hope is a big tasty layer cake of vocals. Between dueling front men Joe Matheson and Colin Watchorn baking the goods, Fresh Logic pastes in tasty tongue twisting fudge filler and the horn players’ backups ice the cake. There’s always something new coming from the great white mouth for the funk hungry masses, like a sexy 6-headed mama bird barfing up delicious sustenance for her hungry hatchlings.
Make sure to get versed in multilingualism, Whitey are speaking in tongues on this album like a bunch of religious fanatics ranting about the message of musical love in a frothy mouthed fervor.
By ninjoelspy
WANT MORE CD REVIEWS? CLICK HERE
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
ABORTIST: JERM IX (Vancouver, BC)
March 21st, 2010 Filed under: ABORTIST: Rank & File, Made In Canada by admin
CLICK TO ENLARGE
WHO: jerm IX
WHAT: Text-based street artist
WHERE: Vancouver, Canada
WHEN: All over the city, all the time.
WHY: jerm IX is a street artist, poet, emcee, and activist. he is also the CEO of Jerm Inc., a fake, non-existent company that specializes in urban thought provocation and public space reclamation. “jerm is micromanaging disturbing hyped up fantasies, he’s a man of kin, a mannequin, he’s manic and he’s panicking…” he whispered over my shoulder as I sat down to write this bio. in the last 4 years, along with his wife ninja IX, he has pasted thousands of his annotated ‘jermalism’ messages, direct quotes, and scrolls around the city of Vancouver, Canada. inspired by unknown forces, jerm IX spits raps and decorates the city with the same sense of urgency and manic-depression that plague his everyday life, with recurring themes of suicidal thoughts, mental-health, and addiction issues strewn about amongst a plethora of other topics. His work ranges from acutely personal to critiquing larger social structures and processes, often in site-specific locations. Armed with only paper, stencil letters and permanent markers, jerm leaves no stone unturned, commenting on the here and the now. That’s all you need to know, everything else is in the songs and on the street
WANT MORE ABORTISTS? CLICK HERE
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
MADE IN CANADA: FUNK VIGILANTE TO BRING THEIR BRAND OF “CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE” TO MAINLAND BC AND ALBERTA
March 19th, 2010 Filed under: Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry by adminVictoria’s own Funk Vigilante will be hitting the road for their first tour of Alberta and mainland BC on the heels of the release of their second video from their 2009 album “Civil Disobedience” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ_KDHEDLb4 The band has unleashed the video for the album’s title track, hoping to continue the incredible response to their first video release early last year.
Funk Vigilante’s vocalist, Ghosty Boy, says the online release of “Civil Disobedience” features the band’s various performances at a number of venues in and around Victoria. In early 2009, the band choose “Worst President Ever” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JHbFQqSljE as their pioneer video from the album. Ghosty boy did triple duty as singer, producer and director for both Funk’s videos.
“Civil Disobedience” is a more generalized version of the band’s message. He says this latest release is more in keeping with what he would hope the public’s first impressions of the band would be. The video brings the viewer in and lets them experience what Funk Vigilante has to offer from their live show. Their unique style has allowed Funk V to share the stage with a variety of different acts such as: Protest the Hero, Classified, Ninjaspy and Current Swell to mention a few.
On Vancouver Island they have built a strong following, by playing festivals, articles from local press in magazines and newspapers and even received a fair amount of radio play following their distinction of becoming local radio station 91.3 The Zone’s Band of the Month for Aug 09. Funk Vigilante are looking to develop a long term market in Alberta and the mainland of British Columbia and look forward to bringing their non-stop energy packed in your face stage show to the masses. Funk never lets an opportunity go to waste and they aim to bring everyone back next time they are in town.
So check their myspace site www.myspace.com/funkvigilante for dates in your area and be sure to hit the local club where these on stage maniacs who have been referred to as a mix of Beastie Boys meets Rage Against the Machine meets the Chili Peppers will be tearing it out, blowing it up and burning it down for you!
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
“Anal Angus” Unveils New Tax on MP3 Players In Canada
March 17th, 2010 Filed under: Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry by admin
(CBC) – NDP copyright critic Charlie Angus has introduced a private member’s bill that aims to add a new tax to MP3 players and extend users’ rights to make copies of digital content.
The bill, C-499, would extend the private copying levy — which adds a small tax to all blank media, such as CDs and DVDs — to devices that can reproduce media, including MP3 players and computers.
The levy, originally introduced in 1997, goes to a fund that is then returned to artists, publishers and record labels as compensation for the copying.
Angus, MP for Timmins-James Bay, also wants an expansion of the “fair dealing” principle, which would expand the exemption for non-commercial copying to researchers, innovators and educators. He said both provisions need to be enshrined in law to ensure that ordinary behaviour by Canadians isn’t eventually criminalized. “Digital locks and suing fans are not going to prevent people from copying music from one format to another. The levy is a solution that works,” Angus said in a release.
“By updating it, we will ensure that artists are getting paid for their work, and that consumers aren’t criminalized for moving their legally obtained music from one format to another.” “The fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act have been characterized by the Supreme Court as a key user’s right. The futures of the creative, innovation and education communities all hinge on a reasonable interpretation of fair dealing.”
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
KauseZ: The Night To Conquer Cancer – March 25th, The Blarney Stone, Vancouver, BC
March 17th, 2010 Filed under: KauseZ, Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry by admin
The fundraiser will take place on Thursday March 25th at the Blarney Stone.
Doors at 8:30
Blarney Stone house band, Killarney , Giveaways, DJ and all proceeds will be donated to the Ride to Conquer Cancer a part of the BC Cancer Foundation.
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
SHOOTING GALLERY: Canadian Music Week 2010 by Ajani Charles and Eva Vulgar
March 16th, 2010 Filed under: Made In Canada, Shooting Gallery by admin
Find more photos like this on ABORT Magazine | ABORT TV’s Official Online Street Team/Forum
(PHOTOS: SLASH and ANVIL by Ajani Charles, CRASH KARMA by Eva Vulgar, ringleader that night: staff writer Jimmy Lynch and former Sound of Skin bassist Blair Garrison)
Just a sample of some of the tomfoolery going on at this year’s CMW, including a special “invite-only” performance from new Canadian Supergroup Crash Karma feat. Edwin (I Mother Earth), Jeff Burrows (The Tea Party), Mike Turner (Our Lady Peace) and Amir Epstein (Zygote)
Special Thanks to Eric Alper (E1 Canada) and Shelley Stertz (The Management Trust)
WANT MORE SHOOTING GALLERIES? CLICK HERE
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
ABORT is Proud To Sponsor: WILD KINGDOM FETISH FASHION GALA, April 4th, Vancouver BC
March 16th, 2010 Filed under: ABORT Presents..., Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry, The Cutting Edge by admin
WILD KINGDOM FETISH FASHION GALA LONG WEEKEND PARTY
SUN APRIL 4 / CELEBRITIES
1022 Davie | 9pm – 3am | no minors | $10 advance | $12 online | $15 door
Tickets at all Sanctuary & Sin City Saturdays at Club 23 West
New World Designs | Zulu | Priape | Little Sister’s
Online at Clubzone.com | Clubvibes.com | RestrictedEntertainment.com
Fetish & glamour runway fashions by
Priape | New World Designs | Starfrukt Wearables
Doors : 9 PM | Fashion Show : 11:45 PM | Dancing : all damn night!
DJs Pandemonium, R-Lex & Ceebas
From Sin City Fetish Night & Sanctuary, serving up a deadly blend
of dancefloor detonators, in the following full-on flavours :
80′s new wave / dirty electro & house / crunchy industrial / alternative & rock
Fetish & burlesque stage shows
Body modification performance art by Russ Foxx
Strict fetish & animal theme dress code – dress to impress!
Prizes for best animal-themed outfits
Complimentary glamour photo booth
Jungle club decorations | visuals
No minors | no cameras | no cell phone cameras!
MORE DETAILS AND DRESS CODE VISIT FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE HERE
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
A walk on the drug side: the Globe & Mail gets grimey after (finally) discovering the ‘Streets of Plenty’
March 16th, 2010 Filed under: Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry, Tales From The Eastside™ by admin(Globe & Mail) – Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside is perhaps the most drug-ridden neighbourhood in North America. Misha Kleider is a young Vancouverite with curiosity. He decided to spend a month on the streets and make a film about it.
The result is a compelling documentary called Streets of Plenty, now available in seven parts on YouTube. The scenes of addled, self-destructive addicts are depressingly familiar. The scenes of social agencies eager to supply a homeless person’s every need suggest that more social workers are not the answer to Vancouver’s homeless problem. The most fascinating scene unfolds at Insite, the controversial supervised-injection facility that has become a flashpoint in the ideological drug wars.
WATCH THE ENTIRE FILM AT:
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
BUZZKILLA: One of The Largest Cocaine Busts in BC History Fucks Up the Entire Weekend for Everyone
March 15th, 2010 Filed under: Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry by admin
ABOVE: Port Hardy is now “Port Happy” as these 7 motherfuckers will be getting high as fuck while counting all the money they make from this. Yeah I said it – Ed)
(The Province| Photo – Nick Procaylo ) – Police are calling a drug bust off the northern tip of Vancouver Island one the largest in B.C. history.
About 1,000 kilograms of cocaine was seized from a sailboat that arrived in Port Hardy on March 6. The drug was wrapped in one-kilogram bricks the size of a hardcover novel, taped with packing or duct tape. The drugs formed a metre-high wall four bricks deep and at the top of the wall five large hockey bags were filled with even more bricks.
Police believe the shipment is linked to organized crime and they are still investigating. B.C.’s Solicitor-General Kash Heed said the cocaine would have netted hundreds of millions on the street.
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
TONIGHT! March 13th, 2010, ABORT is Proud To Sponsor: NINJASPY Tour Kick-Off, Pub 340, Vancouver, BC
March 13th, 2010 Filed under: ABORT Presents..., Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry by admin
ABOVE: Listen to “Circle Pity” from the album Pi Nature
“FAREWELL TO THE WEST” WESTERN CANADA TOUR
I.M.U PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS 19+ TOUR KICK-OFF SATURDAY MARCH 13th!!!!!
Once again featuring our good friends and special guests AT TIMES OF MADNESS from Kelowna. Locals FREEDOM IN FEAR and UNDERLION get the stage warmed up for us.
Advance Tix $10 / $12 @ The Door
Advance Tix available @ http://www.imuproductions.com
Doors @ 9pm / Show @ 10pm
GET ADVANCE TIX TO ENSURE YOU GET IN AND DON’T HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE TO THROW DOWN!!!
“FAREWELL TO THE WEST” Tour Sponsors:
http://www.abortmag.com
http://www.thegoodsapparel.com
http://www.myspace.com/kunoichidesigns
http://www.decimatordiecuts.com
NINJASPY TV: TOUR VIDEO BLOGS/INTERVIEWS/LIVE SHOWS
youtube.com/ninjaspytv
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
Thorny Bleeder Signs Montreal Rockers Special Ops
March 12th, 2010 Filed under: Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry by admin
Thorny Bleeder Records is proud to announce our latest signing, Montreal infantry-rockers Special Ops to our unique collective and family of artists! Welcome aboard brothers!
Special Ops have emerged to become one of the most sought after metal outfits where bottom heavy distorted elegance fuses with ethnically infectious rhythms. These infantry rockers have returned to the battlefront with a fresh new release titled, “Through The Heart of The Infidel”.
In their third album, produced by award winning producer & mixer Glen Robinson (Voivod, The Ramones, AC/DC, Gwar, Queensryche, Nashville Pussy) along with the engineering and production talents of Kevin Jardine (Slaves on Dope, Monarchy), Special Ops capture 10 jaw-dropping tracks that display a fusion of the members’ diverse cultures.
From Akbar’s intricate native Middle Eastern influence of guitar finger picking/ strumming to Abe’s unique blend of North American street-style vocal delivery, backed by a well-armed rhythm section of Waldo Thornhill’s thumping bass and drummer Clarence McGillacutty’s pounding fury, Special Ops have unleashed a direct hit to follow up their award nominated independent release “Phase 2: Amidst The Madness”.
“Through The Heart of The Infidel” captures the hearts and minds of anyone who has struggled in protest and demonstrates the trial and tribulations they’ve seen as a band. Everything from one member’s cancer ordeal, to lost loved ones, to industry bullshit that every artist struggles with, Special Ops deliver an explosive return to their international collective with their brand of hard hitting, sniper rock.
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
ABORT is Proud To Sponsor: SANCTUARY’s MINISTRY Tribute Party – April 3rd, Vancouver, BC
March 12th, 2010 Filed under: ABORT Presents..., Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry by admin
Sanctuary presents the next installment of its uber-popular Tribute Parties, paying homage to one of the most influential, long-reaching and genre-defying bands in the underground alternative world.
Considered by many to be one of the pioneers of industrial rock, MINISTRY is in a category unto itself – their catalogue of creative output is unmatched, and we are fired up as hell to present a party dedicated to their music … this one is going to be so E X P L O S I V E we may need to put up some chain link fences …
SANCTUARY PRESENTS : A TRIBUTE TO MINISTRY
SATURDAY APRIL 3, CLUB 23 W (23 West Cordova)
- prize draws for autographed Ministry swag!
- exclusive worldwide release & preview of the brand new track STUPIDITY by Frontline Assembly Vs. Ministry!
- exclusive worldwide release & preview of the new album GOT COCK? by Revolting Cocks!
- huge Ministry favourites plus tons of B-sides and songs from side projects and Ministry-related bands throughout the night
- alternative / 80′s / industrial / electro / rock all night!
- DJs Pandemonium, Contrasoma & R-Lex
- Ministry-related clothing & outfits HIGHLY encouraged!
- Ministry visuals and videos all night / Ministry-inspired decorations
- $5 dressed to kill / $6 boring ol’ plainclothes
- FREE before 10 PM / FREE for students before 11
- 2 for 1 with cab receipt all night
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
TONIGHT! March 12th, ABORT Is Proud To Sponsor: THE HEAVY SET: Feat. Plazma Crew, Dubgee and more!
March 12th, 2010 Filed under: ABORT Presents..., Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry by admin
FEATURING:
Joose Justis
http://www.myspace.com/stopgrillin
http://www.killawattrecords.ca/Killawatt_Records/Plazma.html
Talk-S.I.K.
http://www.killawattrecords.ca/Killawatt_Records/Plazma.html
Dubgee
http://www.myspace.com/dubgeezy
http://www.myspace.com/moneyhungrysyndicate
Influents
http://www.myspace.com/influentscrew
+ DJ K-REC ON THE WHEELS
+ WEEKLY OPEN MIC 16 BAR LYRICAL FITNESS PROGRAM
“SO YOU THINK YOU CAN RAP?”
SIGN UP AT THE VENUE…EVEN IF YOU don’t THINK YOU CAN RAP
****MAY BE THE HEAVIEST SET YET****
New Brandiz – 122 East Hastings, Vancouver, BC
$3.75 Kokanee Bottles ALL NIGHT!
Cover Only $7.00!
T.H.S.
FAT AS FUCK
Bookings: nigel@theheavyset.com
General inquiries: info@theheavyset.com
The Heavy Set is Brought to you by:
The Urban Renewal Project (Tuesdays -102.7 FM)
http://www.urbanrenewalproject.net/
Estevan Oriol
http://estevanoriol.com/
Killawatt Records
http://www.killawattrecords.ca/
ABORT Magazine
http://www.abortmag.com/
Ultra X-Press Printing
http://www.printprint.ca/
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
West Coast Promotions Giant UNION EVENTS Buys Toronto-based REMG
March 11th, 2010 Filed under: Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry by admin
The Union Ltd (The Union), Canada’s largest independently-owned concert promoter, announced today that it will significantly expand its operations in Ontario and Eastern North America with the opening of its Toronto Headquarters.
“Toronto is the perfect city for The Union to build its east coast presence,” says Director of Touring, Nhaelan McMillan. “There is a dynamic and ever-growing music and event culture in Toronto and we are just a short hop from Chicago and New York. The Union will now be able to deliver events and tours from coast to coast. ”
To facilitate this expansion, The Union has acquired the concert promotion assets of REMG Entertainment Corporation. The Union is also pleased to announce that Jonathan Ramos, President and Founder of REMG, will be joining The Union to oversee its Toronto office.
“We are pleased to welcome Jonathan to the Union,” says The Union’s Director of Operations, Harvey Cohen. “Jonathan is well-known and respected throughout the Canadian music scene and will be instrumental in growing The Union’s presence in the east.”
CEO, Neil Shankman, who spearheaded the discussions for REMG, had this to say about today’s sale. “At REMG we have worked hard to create one of the most recognizable and respected brands in the Toronto music scene. This sale demonstrates that we accomplished our goal and the sale allows REMG’s shareholders to realize that value.”
(Is this a Live Nation Canada Killer? let’s wait and see – Ed)
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
MADE IN CANADA: CANCER BATS – The ABORT Interview (Issue 16 Preview)
March 10th, 2010 Filed under: 21 & Under With..., Exclusive!, Made In Canada by admin
(Click to enlarge | Photo – Sarah Hamilton)
Toronto-based hardcore outfit Cancer Bats are back this month with their new album Bears, Mayors, Scraps & Bones, new video, new tours and continue to break down the genre barriers that separate heavy music as a whole. Hardcore, punk and metal are all combined to give this band a nasty yet uplifting and vibrant take on a scene that has been dominated by radio-friendly, label-crafted fluff acts who look better than they sound. Not these guys, ugly as fuck and an even meaner stage presence, these gents possess the chops and songwriting skills to make Canada proud to be diagnosed with this terminal Rock & Roll disease.
ABORT Magazine’s Karla “Khaos” McLeod went one on one with vocalist Liam Cormier in a needle-littered alley on Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside, for a quick update on the band’s current tour, their new album and why they chose to cover a classic Beastie Boys track.
Karla “Khaos” McLeod: You just finished playing on a US tour with Anti-Flag and Aiden. Now you are beginning your tour across Canada with Billy Talent, Alexisonfire and Against Me and after that you begin a tour in the UK. Do you find that the UK audience is more receptive compared to a more laid back Canadian audience?
Liam Cormier: Uh…I find I would actually say that the UK and Canada are very similar in terms of a gnarly, crazy crowd. Um, if anything, the United States is a little bit more subdued, in some areas because they see so many shows.
ABORT: Exactly.
Liam: You know, when you go to a small town like in Canada, it’s like, kids are going off, but we don’t have too many of those cities like Toronto, Montreal, maybe Vancouver, where they get a lot of shows and they get off you know. They almost get too many shows that they’re not excited anymore. Where as the US still has that to, you go to Montana and the kids are stoked, you know? you go to small town Ohio and kids are stoked, but so I guess that’s universal.
ABORT: You recorded the album Bears, Mayors, Scraps & Bones at Vespa Studios and worked alongside producers Eric Ratz and Kenny Luong (Billy Talent). How much of a role did you and the band play in the production of this album considering Billy Talent’s sound is little more pop-radio friendly?
Liam: Well I mean that’s the thing. It all depends on what band it is that they’re working on, like they’ve done you know, Three Days Grace and stuff like that. They’re all over the place, but I think they’re all old school metal fans. They come from listening to Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath and stuff like that, so for them, they’re just as stoked to be working on something heavy like us. But, I think it’s cool to have tons of different vibes like that in the mix, they appreciate what makes – you know, like a rad record, like you know Billy Talent and what tricks they use on that and that kind of production and it’s not just making a straight-forward hardcore record or a metal record or you know what I mean? So it’s not like, I find a lot times you just want to make something that’s close to your peers where we these two guys that aren’t even involved in hardcore or aren’t even involved in any of that stuff where they’re thinking completely outside of the box.
ABORT: They’re just trying to make a good album.
Liam: Yeah, exactly. They just wanna make it sound amazing. That’s all they care about, so, it’s definitely awesome working with those dudes.
ABORT: I really enjoy the production quality of the album. The album comes off sounding not too overproduced and raw. Overall it has a very live feeling to it. Can you tell me a bit about the recording process you went through and was it a “less is more” attitude?
Liam: Um, yeah, I mean definitely the live aspect was what we wanted to go for with this album for sure.
ABORT: You got it!
Liam: Yeah, thank you. Uh, it took a lot of work. It was basically like our reaction to you know, a lot of over produced things or realizing how like, easy it is to make up for mistakes in the studio, but for us we pride ourselves on being a live band and how much we tour. We want this record to represent exactly what people are going to come see, so for us when we’re writing the songs we were just rehearsing and practicing and jamming and you know what I mean?, just playing it over and over and over and over again, so we could do these full passes and we could play you know, essentially like a live band. With a recording, it doesn’t work exactly like that. You still need to have almost like; cleaner channels for guitar so you can get that crunch, but it’s like while Mike was playing drums, we were all playing along with him. I was doing vocal takes while Mike was like doing his drum tracks, so he had the live feeling while he’s doing his drums to keep that energy there.
READ THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW IN ISSUE 16 OF ABORT MAGAZINE – SPRING, 2010
For tour dates and more visit:
WANT MORE EXCLUSIVES? CLICK HERE
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
CD Review: Western Medicine – Self-Titled EP
March 9th, 2010 Filed under: Made In Canada, Reviews - Music by admin
CD Review – Western Medicine
Self-Titled EP
Independent
On a whole, Vancouver is a city that embraces and proudly displays its diversity and unique identities of the people that call it home. So to, is the underground scene one of musical experimentation and expression. This is where Western Medicine comes in. Founded in 2009 by guitarists, Roost and Jake, bassist April, drummer Matt and singer Bowsh, Western Medicine is a blend of hardcore/punk and metal and they are here to get some attention with their debut EP.
This album is a snapshot; a moment in time for a band on the cusp of finding their sound. The opening track, “Combustion” is a straight-forward heavy hitter and a great introduction to the band. The album features aggressive vocals reminiscent of rock rap / hardcore vocals which maintain their intensity throughout the entire album. Backing harmonies are provided by April and Roost which give latter tracks such as “Western Medicine”, a new life and relieves the listener from the relentless onslaught of Bowsh. While this is a genre often defined by flat out aggressive singers, there is a breaking point in which vocal dynamics are absolutely vital to keeping the listener engaged in the music. Harmonies that reinforce the underlying musical melody will only help to elevate the overall musical identity of the band to a new level of song writing and performance.
If one looks at this as an album in its entirety, it becomes apparent that there is a lot to go on here. This is a tight unit well on its way to developing a unique sound and making their presence known to all. One can hope that in future endeavours, the band will showcase a singular and unified musical existence rather than presenting the listener with a decisive juxtaposition of styles. Songs like “Big Baby Jesus”, just seem to stray from the style of the other songs siding exclusively to the punk side of things rather than embracing the bands mantra of a fusion of all their influences.
This EP is what it is: a fantastic introduction to a band at the beginning of what could be a very promising career. With several gigs already under their belt, this will be a band to look for at a club near you.
Now listen to your mother and take your medicine!
By Matt Snow
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MADE IN CANADA: Vancouver act QUARTERED to perform in the Philippines with Lamb of God and Testament
March 9th, 2010 Filed under: Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry by admin
Quartered have just been officially confirmed for the Pulp Summer Slam Festival 10, the largest metal festival in the Philippines, on April 17th.
The festival is being headlined by the current titans of metal, Lamb Of God, along with classic thrash gods Testament. Quartered, their good friends Slapshock, and thirty other bands fill out the rest of the day’s lineup.
For more Info and Free QUARTERED Downloads CLICK HERE
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
NINJASPY Release “Farewell To The West” Tour Teaser
March 1st, 2010 Filed under: Made In Canada, News/Calendar/Industry by adminFAREWELL TO THE WEST” SPRING 2010 TOUR brings the Triad in Blood to cities across Western Canada from March 12th – April 11. Live footage here includes shows on the Throw It Down Fall 2009 Tour w/Sparky and The Rickshaw Theater Dec 31st in Vancouver.
Complete dates and info at www.ninjaspy.net or www.myspace.com/thetriadinblood
Copyright © 2004-2010 ABORT Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from Abort Media Publishing Corporation (AMP Corp.) is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use.
