ZZ Top bring timeless rock to VictoriaThe night’s mission was simple: to figure out if ZZ Top guitarist/vocalist Billy Gibbons really is the coolest man alive. All signs pointed to the affirmative, from the pictures of the man I’ve been looking at for the past 30-odd years to the endlessly and effortlessly swingin’ and swaggerin’ licks every ZZ Top album is […] Continue Reading |
The Hanson Brothers bring Punk Rauch beer and hockey schtick to VictoriaOriginally started as a way to unwind from the prog-punk of the legendary Nomeansno, The Hanson Brothers side project could now be the key to get the on-and-off-again Nomeansno back into the studio. Currently on a Canadian tour as a cross-marketing campaign for singer (and Nomeansno drummer) John Wright’s new Punk Rauch beer, being released […] Continue Reading |
Yes come through on promise of lofty prog rockThis week, some 45 years into their career, Yes made their first ever appearance in Victoria. On this current tour, they are promising to perform three of their sprawling progressive rock albums from the ’70s in full. You may wonder how a band can fill arenas worldwide with a promise like this in 2014. The […] Continue Reading |
ZZ Top rock into their fifth decadeZZ Top vocalist/guitarist Billy Gibbons is a man of few words. But after being part of the classic rock band since their formation in 1969, releasing 15 studio albums (including 1983’s Eliminator, which sold a staggering 10 million copies), and recently releasing one of their best discs in years with 2012’s La Futura, he doesn’t […] Continue Reading |
Victoria’s Aidan Knight a product of backgroundSpend any time in the Victoria music scene and you are bound to hear Aidan Knight’s name come up at least once. This Victoria native has been taking stages by storm for years and has previously performed and recorded with The Zolas, Hannah Georgas, Dan Mangan, We Are The City, Jeremy Fisher, and Counting Heartbeats. […] Continue Reading |
New Music Revue: St. Vincent and Killer Be KilledSt. Vincent St. Vincent (Loma Vista/Republic Records) 4/5 The self-titled fifth album by Annie Clarke, better known as St. Vincent, is a unique blend of jazz and pop with some of her unique guitar style (solos and all) and a David Bowie feel. “Otherworldly” is how I would describe it, with a fabulous mixture of […] Continue Reading |
Head Hits Concrete keep extreme music undergroundPlaying in a grindcore band has its benefits and drawbacks. Just ask Head Hits Concrete vocalist Mike Alexander who, after a long hiatus, has returned with drummer Brad Skibinsky and guitarist Darcy Bunio to embark on a Canadian tour of houses, basements, and dingy dive bars. And while their shows are filled with chaos, feedback, […] Continue Reading |
Victoria surrenders to Cheap Trick at their UVic performanceAfter 34 years, Cheap Trick finally returned to play a recent concert in Victoria at the Farquhar Auditorium. The last time they made a trip onto the island was in August of 1980. Consider that for a moment. In 1980, a ticket to their show cost about $10. I’m not even going to say how […] Continue Reading |
A pleasant night at the opera: Charpentier’s OrphéeAs a previously un-opera-ed student, attending my first opera was a bit like eating quinoa or acai berries for the first time; you wanted not to like it because it’s so pretentious, but it actually turns out to be pretty good. I approached Charpentier’s Orphée (a combination of two operas) without prior comparison and was […] Continue Reading |
Wake Owl and Lyon bring experimental indie fun to VictoriaThe dimly lit ex-loading dock known as Lucky Bar was completely sold out for a great night of musical talent with Lyon opening for Wake Owl on Thursday, March 13. It was the first stop on Vancouver Island for the bands that have been touring across Canada together; the next venues they’re hitting will be […] Continue Reading |
