New Music Revue: October 31, 2012 issueKISS Monster (Universal Music) 4/5 Rating a KISS record is sort of like rating your grandparents. What can you say? Everything’s weird. Here, on their first studio album since no one really cares, the long-running pseudo-parody/rock band lay down the goods with surprising authority. It’s impressive that a band so out of touch with […] Continue Reading |
Plants and Animals embrace their FrenchnessSometimes a Canadian indie rock band gets to record their latest album in a pretty cool spot. But a recording studio in a 19th century mansion just 15 minutes from downtown Paris? Plants and Animals have to be kidding us. “We did it in a big house and that house itself is an instrument,” says […] Continue Reading |
KISS tribute killsLots of stuff went down in Sooke in 1989. Can you even imagine? The mind bends and warps a bit when you even start to put place and time together like that. Here’s how what happened in Sooke in 1989 matters today: James Keble and D’Arcy Ladret met. Who are James Keble and D’Arcy Ladret? […] Continue Reading |
Trucking book surprisingly powerful image of CanadaThere is beauty in big rigs, grace in grease, glory in hard work. And all these things are on display in Daniel Francis’ gorgeous hardcover book Trucking in British Columbia, which is a stunning read for truckers and anyone who appreciates striking visuals. The book is anchored in amazing photographs but it also has lots […] Continue Reading |
Local, Live, and Loud: October 31 – November 13, 2012Wednesday, October 31 Alcoholic White Trash, Endprogram, Fuquored Logan’s Pub, $10, 9 pm Anyone remember Punky Brewster? Soleil Moon Frye? Was that her name? I’m pretty sure she was in that Sabrina, The Teenage Witch sitcom as well. I often wonder about the whole child-star thing. I mean, you get all this attention at such […] Continue Reading |
New Music Revue: October 17, 2012 issueDanko Jones Rock and Roll Is Black and Blue (Bad Taste Records) 4/5 Don’t expect this Toronto-based rock trio, led by Danko Jones himself, to slow down, ever. After releasing a two-disc documentary DVD in June and a book earlier this month, Danko Jones are capping off a full media onslaught with the release of […] Continue Reading |
Horror show goes LovecraftianOur minds have the innate ability to trick us into believing that something is lurking in the shadows or waiting under our bed. It causes our hearts to race and our imaginations to take us for a ride. That is where the grandfather of horror, H.P. Lovecraft, takes us: to the edge of reason and […] Continue Reading |
Hobbit hits hard with inmate backupWhat motivates good people to do bad things? Kate Rubin explores this idea in her latest production, a version of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, which takes place inside the William Head Prison in Metchosin. Rubin explains that the William Head on Stage program, which has been running for over 30 years, is very unique, in […] Continue Reading |
Local, Live, and Loud: October 17 – 30, 2012Wednesday, October 17 Less than Jake, Reel Big Fish, Flatfoot 56 Club 919, $25/29.50, 9:30 pm I know a couple guys named Jake. I worked with one many years ago. He’s an Aussie. Nice guy, but at the time he wasn’t really the hardest worker. I had a bit of seniority on him, so I […] Continue Reading |
Less than Jake bring pizzaz to townGet ready for shenanigans. Florida-based ska punks Less than Jake are bringing their high-energy live show to Victoria for the very first time. After 20 years in the ska-punk music scene, the Gainesville, Florida band will give fans lots to be excited about when they hit the stage. “You know, we haven’t played there […] Continue Reading |
