Scantily clad, pantily plaid. Victoria Oh Victoria how strange and dreary are you? What do we do? The Holidays are fast approaching, and I will treat you to a massive holiday blog! a holy log of a blog.
I went to see leonard Cohen and see him i did. Something about him that makes me crave bagels with creamed cheese capers and lox. Not these dry doughy lame bagels that you claim are bagels here,but a boiled and fire oven baked jewish glory holed bagel. A Leos salted bagel from Hanover square. Mmmmm....you have not lived. Leonard,you were fantastic. You are sexy and I love you! Your band was slick and graceful. Your show was fabulous! All 3 1/2 hours of it. Though I would have rather heard another song by you instead of that awful song by your collaborator. Boogie street? Really? What a shitty song. Beautiful voice however.
i went to Big Bad Johns the other night. I liked the wharf side dive feel of this shitty little hole in the wall. Nothing good to drink there or eat, other than bottomless stale peanuts. The charm was in this. Bras on the ceiling and surprise jumping spiders that the perverted old bar keep liked to see us ladies jump out of our seats to. I haven't seen much in the last couple of weeks due to lack of funds.
I did go Logans on wednesday as it was free. The night was two guys that worked at the bar spinning records that were for trade. Henderson & Kaups record swap was the title of the night. Themusic was interesting as it seemed to flow seamlessly from afro funk to punk rock and all in between. I was surprised to hear some John Cale that wasn't from Paris 1919.
I went to see Dreamboat the other night at sugar. The opening bands really really sucked.
What was with the Christian lounge music act? Truly Terrible.Kristian Values? For real?
Hrd Sex and something something were alright,just felt like a joke. I'm finding a lot of this in music lately. Everything is a fuckin joke. Some things are supposed to be funny, others are not. It's like they're tjnking if I treat it as a joke I don't have to actually learn how to make music or be any good at all. Cuz who wants to work at any thing right?
Dreamboat delivered a great set that had the crowd moving in unison. Not too shabby.
A lot of young hipsters writhing and attempting punk rock moves in fashionable discontent.
Whatever, it was good.
Blah, Blah, blah, blahg!
Good coffee at Fernwood coffee shop, and great brunch at Logans. The Bennies are dilectable. Choux Choux has fantastic lunch. Gourmet food for cheap! Mmmmeat!
Truth be told Victoria, you are in me now, and you will be subject to my query of collective consciousness of your fair maiden.
My sincerest sympathies,
Max xo
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Truth Be Told Victoria
Pussy, cock and balls! You are a squirming can of worms Victoria! Every time I get a grasp, you squish through my fingers. This is a positive sign for sure! Some of you can't see the positive side of my blogging, that's ok. You probably haven't much taste or insight, and live in a teenage wasteland. You know the kind. You all hub in together in one shitty house, and never get ahead. No one does the dishes or sweeps the floor. Party! Party! Party!
I guess that's all you've got after 2am. Yourselves. Not a bad thing, just limited. Why can't some, or one of you get it together to make something happen after the public forum has finished with you?
Because you can't even get your ass out of bed in the morning, or bother to wash your clothes or cook a meal.
You know who you are. The one who thinks the world will deliver a noy of thanks for your greatness to your bedside.
Wed.-Talk is Cheap! 1 year party at Logans!- By far the best bar for me. There's food and music all week long. Even if it's a DJ, it's not top 40 bullshit. Talk is Cheap is a perfect example. Old and new school punk & garage rock on scratchy old records! Super!
The bartenders are local musicians with a no bullshit non-arrogant demeanor.
my only 2 complaints about this night were the lack of dancing and the too cool for school clique of people that showed up. Not everyone, but the vast majority seemed to be out to be seen rather than for the enjoyment of music. This is what the city is lacking. The spirit of participation, of rock and roll!
Thurs.-Aegis Fang at rehab for Zone Band of the month night and cd release.
I was happily one of the first 50 people to arrive, so admission was free. I had heard good things about this band so I thought I would give the venue another shot. Shots were cheap
and sticky! This venue has a stickiness to it i can't get with. The opening act were a duo that had a bopping sublime thing going on. WHY? Why people? Sublime sucked 20 years ago, and they still suck today. Besides that, where is your creativity?
So sitting among the cream of the college douchebags I await for a band I am told rocks!
The guys get on stage and the lights do their thing. Creating a false stardom that has not been accomplished as of yet. I guess becoming Zone band of the month is big in this town. I gave that station a listen for a few minutes, and as far as unoriginal fit in the box stations go, it's complete and cow uttering shit!
The band was basic rock. They switched instruments a few times but really I didn't see the point. The drummer sang from behind the drums and from the guitar, so really, who gives a shit. Generic rock. Not terrible, not ear grabbing. I didn't have any of their songs going around in my head or anything like that.
Oh well, tomorrow night would be exceptional.
Fri.-Grinderman at the commodore- Why Victoria? Why couldn't this happen in you? So fucking good I came three times!
Sat.-Movember night at Logans- The place was packed and my ears were still ringing from the night before. I donned my fu manchu style moustache and waited forever for a drink. The first band were a new band called the Bad Choices? Rotten Choices?
All girls garage rock band. Their set was short but exhibited a fun and unpretentious spirit. For their first show it was truly crotch moistening stuff. They seemed to have just learned their instruments and just get the guts to get up and do it. Mainly, their attitude is what was infectious. Ya!
Next up were a funky run of the mill bar band. The singer was in a shiny blues singer evening dress and gyrated vivaciously throughout the performance. At times I felt fear for her microphone. Her mouth seemed to want to swallow that bald little pecker. This was so average bar bluesy crap that i came close to leaving. Instead I played some table soccer! I won 3 out of 5 games!
Next were a country band called the Revival. They were pretty good. It took them a bit to get the crowd warmed up, but then the place was moving. it's nice to see people dance again!
The final act were an act I had wanted to see for some time. Bucan Bucan (pronounced Booshan). They started in the middle of the front room and made their way around the bar in triumphant european marching band style. Fitted with moustaches and red and black garb, they floated through the audience causing a wake of apllause after each song.
eventually they landed upon the stage and continued from there. That was a bit dissappointing, as i felt the intimate crowd performance caused a much better crowd reaction. Still, horns and strings a blaze, what a great way to end the night.
The mixed crowd I should add, seemed to really break down any pretentious airs that might have existed with a simple one kind of music night. Good job Logans!
So, ups and downs. more ups than downs this week I think. i feel better and cozier about living here this week than I did last week. I didn't get a chance to see any galleries this week. Hopefully this week will be more accomodating. Truth be told Victoria, you're an odd lot. I take comfort in that.
Max xo
I guess that's all you've got after 2am. Yourselves. Not a bad thing, just limited. Why can't some, or one of you get it together to make something happen after the public forum has finished with you?
Because you can't even get your ass out of bed in the morning, or bother to wash your clothes or cook a meal.
You know who you are. The one who thinks the world will deliver a noy of thanks for your greatness to your bedside.
Wed.-Talk is Cheap! 1 year party at Logans!- By far the best bar for me. There's food and music all week long. Even if it's a DJ, it's not top 40 bullshit. Talk is Cheap is a perfect example. Old and new school punk & garage rock on scratchy old records! Super!
The bartenders are local musicians with a no bullshit non-arrogant demeanor.
my only 2 complaints about this night were the lack of dancing and the too cool for school clique of people that showed up. Not everyone, but the vast majority seemed to be out to be seen rather than for the enjoyment of music. This is what the city is lacking. The spirit of participation, of rock and roll!
Thurs.-Aegis Fang at rehab for Zone Band of the month night and cd release.
I was happily one of the first 50 people to arrive, so admission was free. I had heard good things about this band so I thought I would give the venue another shot. Shots were cheap
and sticky! This venue has a stickiness to it i can't get with. The opening act were a duo that had a bopping sublime thing going on. WHY? Why people? Sublime sucked 20 years ago, and they still suck today. Besides that, where is your creativity?
So sitting among the cream of the college douchebags I await for a band I am told rocks!
The guys get on stage and the lights do their thing. Creating a false stardom that has not been accomplished as of yet. I guess becoming Zone band of the month is big in this town. I gave that station a listen for a few minutes, and as far as unoriginal fit in the box stations go, it's complete and cow uttering shit!
The band was basic rock. They switched instruments a few times but really I didn't see the point. The drummer sang from behind the drums and from the guitar, so really, who gives a shit. Generic rock. Not terrible, not ear grabbing. I didn't have any of their songs going around in my head or anything like that.
Oh well, tomorrow night would be exceptional.
Fri.-Grinderman at the commodore- Why Victoria? Why couldn't this happen in you? So fucking good I came three times!
Sat.-Movember night at Logans- The place was packed and my ears were still ringing from the night before. I donned my fu manchu style moustache and waited forever for a drink. The first band were a new band called the Bad Choices? Rotten Choices?
All girls garage rock band. Their set was short but exhibited a fun and unpretentious spirit. For their first show it was truly crotch moistening stuff. They seemed to have just learned their instruments and just get the guts to get up and do it. Mainly, their attitude is what was infectious. Ya!
Next up were a funky run of the mill bar band. The singer was in a shiny blues singer evening dress and gyrated vivaciously throughout the performance. At times I felt fear for her microphone. Her mouth seemed to want to swallow that bald little pecker. This was so average bar bluesy crap that i came close to leaving. Instead I played some table soccer! I won 3 out of 5 games!
Next were a country band called the Revival. They were pretty good. It took them a bit to get the crowd warmed up, but then the place was moving. it's nice to see people dance again!
The final act were an act I had wanted to see for some time. Bucan Bucan (pronounced Booshan). They started in the middle of the front room and made their way around the bar in triumphant european marching band style. Fitted with moustaches and red and black garb, they floated through the audience causing a wake of apllause after each song.
eventually they landed upon the stage and continued from there. That was a bit dissappointing, as i felt the intimate crowd performance caused a much better crowd reaction. Still, horns and strings a blaze, what a great way to end the night.
The mixed crowd I should add, seemed to really break down any pretentious airs that might have existed with a simple one kind of music night. Good job Logans!
So, ups and downs. more ups than downs this week I think. i feel better and cozier about living here this week than I did last week. I didn't get a chance to see any galleries this week. Hopefully this week will be more accomodating. Truth be told Victoria, you're an odd lot. I take comfort in that.
Max xo
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Truth Be Told Victoria
It is november and the people of this city are freaking out because of a few flakes of snow and some cool weather. This is still Canada. I understand that all must come to a screeching halt should any real accumulation take place. In many ways it feels as the though the city has been deep in snow now for some time. The hubristic attitude that pops it's head out puzzles me still.
People have told me to stop writing this. They don't understand why I am doing this. The things I review are either too negative, not detailed enough or the writing too poor.
They do not understand where I am coming from, or who the hell I think I am. I will add, many do.
Everything I state here is intended. The writing must remain simple and easy to understand. Reactive. Some may say I lack feeling. The feeling is reflective of you. I see how this can be difficult to comprehend. As an artist, a musician or a partaker of some sort, you are privileged in perhaps some how being able to see things with slightly different minds.
As to wether this contribution to this city is sufficient as some beacon or guide to what to do with yourselves. When it comes to you my little darlings with altered minds, I sincerely doubt it.
As for the rest of you who might think you are contributing something worth while to the artistic culture and make up of this city, I will be watching and listening and calling you on your work as I see it.
As for my experience and ability to judge with accuracy, I will leave that to you to decide for yourselves.
Know this, I am someone you have most likely met and conversed with. I am likely a friend or some one who has helped you further your artistic endeavors to some extent.
This is a forum where I am furthering your career further. Even if my comments are not favorable to you, I assure you, they are helpful to a degree.
We will come to know each other well as time goes by. Week after week we will converse here and there.
This is a city that lacks a great deal as far as what is available in the format of gallery and venue.
It is very frustrating coming from a city that has it all. From food to gallery to small stinky hole in the wall pleasure well. I hope that this city will offer up more as time passes. The good is sublime and the bad is truly terrible. Pizza is a great example. Victoria, your pizza is terrible. Pizza Prima Strada is an exception. Although they are a dine in exclusive spot. A wood oven Naples style pizza is the right way at least.
Wednesday I went to check out a small gallery on Fort street. Polychrome. The work was by J. MacGlaughlin. She is a local artist with roots in theatre, art and music. Her work was bland. Advertisements of the 50's and 60's altered and painted from tampered projection. The color schemes were dull and stark with contrast. The imagery of her work was almost always accompanied by a slogan. The window piece with it's diamond centered focal point and the 50's boy and girl on each side smiling in yellow and blue were accompanied by the slogan 'Thousands of Thrills in an Amazing World' stenciled above their heads while below the words 'How Would You Feel?' emblazzen the pastel yellow in guache blue.
This is to suggest we feel something. I felt distaste. The 'diner' style works would work in a kitsch diner on the lower east side.
The gallery itself isn't much of a gallery. It felt like it would be better off as a travel agency. I could see Ms. MacGlaughlins work donning the walls of some uber chique jet setters get away office for sure!
Later that night I dropped into logans briefly to check out Psych Night! with Kristian and Andy. These guys seemed really stoned. Their music wasn't really psychedelic , more funk and rock. The music kept switching from really scratchy sounding barely audible to blaring! It was a bit hard to take. I left.
Thursday I stayed in and ordered in some food from Shanghai Noodle. The vegetables tasted like they were from a can and the chicken seemed fresh! Odd. Good and bad.
Friday I went to Papparazzi night club for their Circus Side show night. It cost 8$ and was well worth it. The drinks were cheap and who doesn't like people who eat fire and glisten fancy! The odd world that was in these walls was a reminder of some of the bars back home. Good fun!
Saturday night 'Confronting New World Order' at the Ministry of casual living was direct and to the point.
Luke Woodyards installation focuses on the G20 in toronto. Anarchistic essay. I felt as an art installation there was a certain profound beauty to the visual aspect of the chaos that ensued their. It also focuses on the moronic nature of the radical edge. The Blac Bloc.
This is poetic political art. The issues are deep and cause powerful heated discussion. As just art, who doesn't like smoke and fire?
After I dropped in at Logans for a drink. Cover was cheap and the music was lame. DJ's?! Reggae DJs and dreadlocked hippie dancers. At least the mood and theme were
right in sync.
This coming week I will be in Vancouver to see a show. I will not be reviewing it as it is not in Victoria. So there will be no revue for Friday. Truth be told Victoria, I need a break from you. Hopefully you can muster up something good this week on the days I will be here.
Until then,
Max xo
People have told me to stop writing this. They don't understand why I am doing this. The things I review are either too negative, not detailed enough or the writing too poor.
They do not understand where I am coming from, or who the hell I think I am. I will add, many do.
Everything I state here is intended. The writing must remain simple and easy to understand. Reactive. Some may say I lack feeling. The feeling is reflective of you. I see how this can be difficult to comprehend. As an artist, a musician or a partaker of some sort, you are privileged in perhaps some how being able to see things with slightly different minds.
As to wether this contribution to this city is sufficient as some beacon or guide to what to do with yourselves. When it comes to you my little darlings with altered minds, I sincerely doubt it.
As for the rest of you who might think you are contributing something worth while to the artistic culture and make up of this city, I will be watching and listening and calling you on your work as I see it.
As for my experience and ability to judge with accuracy, I will leave that to you to decide for yourselves.
Know this, I am someone you have most likely met and conversed with. I am likely a friend or some one who has helped you further your artistic endeavors to some extent.
This is a forum where I am furthering your career further. Even if my comments are not favorable to you, I assure you, they are helpful to a degree.
We will come to know each other well as time goes by. Week after week we will converse here and there.
This is a city that lacks a great deal as far as what is available in the format of gallery and venue.
It is very frustrating coming from a city that has it all. From food to gallery to small stinky hole in the wall pleasure well. I hope that this city will offer up more as time passes. The good is sublime and the bad is truly terrible. Pizza is a great example. Victoria, your pizza is terrible. Pizza Prima Strada is an exception. Although they are a dine in exclusive spot. A wood oven Naples style pizza is the right way at least.
Wednesday I went to check out a small gallery on Fort street. Polychrome. The work was by J. MacGlaughlin. She is a local artist with roots in theatre, art and music. Her work was bland. Advertisements of the 50's and 60's altered and painted from tampered projection. The color schemes were dull and stark with contrast. The imagery of her work was almost always accompanied by a slogan. The window piece with it's diamond centered focal point and the 50's boy and girl on each side smiling in yellow and blue were accompanied by the slogan 'Thousands of Thrills in an Amazing World' stenciled above their heads while below the words 'How Would You Feel?' emblazzen the pastel yellow in guache blue.
This is to suggest we feel something. I felt distaste. The 'diner' style works would work in a kitsch diner on the lower east side.
The gallery itself isn't much of a gallery. It felt like it would be better off as a travel agency. I could see Ms. MacGlaughlins work donning the walls of some uber chique jet setters get away office for sure!
Later that night I dropped into logans briefly to check out Psych Night! with Kristian and Andy. These guys seemed really stoned. Their music wasn't really psychedelic , more funk and rock. The music kept switching from really scratchy sounding barely audible to blaring! It was a bit hard to take. I left.
Thursday I stayed in and ordered in some food from Shanghai Noodle. The vegetables tasted like they were from a can and the chicken seemed fresh! Odd. Good and bad.
Friday I went to Papparazzi night club for their Circus Side show night. It cost 8$ and was well worth it. The drinks were cheap and who doesn't like people who eat fire and glisten fancy! The odd world that was in these walls was a reminder of some of the bars back home. Good fun!
Saturday night 'Confronting New World Order' at the Ministry of casual living was direct and to the point.
Luke Woodyards installation focuses on the G20 in toronto. Anarchistic essay. I felt as an art installation there was a certain profound beauty to the visual aspect of the chaos that ensued their. It also focuses on the moronic nature of the radical edge. The Blac Bloc.
This is poetic political art. The issues are deep and cause powerful heated discussion. As just art, who doesn't like smoke and fire?
After I dropped in at Logans for a drink. Cover was cheap and the music was lame. DJ's?! Reggae DJs and dreadlocked hippie dancers. At least the mood and theme were
right in sync.
This coming week I will be in Vancouver to see a show. I will not be reviewing it as it is not in Victoria. So there will be no revue for Friday. Truth be told Victoria, I need a break from you. Hopefully you can muster up something good this week on the days I will be here.
Until then,
Max xo
Monday, November 15, 2010
Truth Be Told Victoria
Feverish, soar throated, I walk the nights of this city zombified and not quite there. This is what it must be like to be Ozzy minus 99%. This week i haven't been out as much as I would have like to have been. Still, I made it to a few things. Next week i will be more on time and have more to say I hope. the childish comments keep tumbling in, and interest still seems to be there. We'll see I suppose.
WED-
WED-
Lemon Tree Presents : 3Stix, National Tape, The Dyeing Merchants,and Durban Poison. A terrible turn out for some strangely billed together bands. This event felt unwelcoming and strange. First of all, the room was much too large for such a small turn out. The sound was muddled and the performances were wrought with uncomfortable moments. the Dying Merchants feel like a boyfriend/girlfriend band that grew up listening to quasi and the magnetic fields. not a terrible thing, just kind of lacking in vocal presence. This was probably the best sounding band of the night. And their set had major feedbacking issues. This event just sucked. I had to leave when the louder band took stage as it just sounded like we were in a box. A large empty box, which we were. I couldn't help but feel a sense of shame at this show. I couldn't place why exactly, but this all felt bad. it isn't fair of me to review the bands for this show really. it was poorly put together and I asked for my money back. Thurs-I stayed home sick. Friday- OZZy! A true barely alive rock icon! Full headbanger regalia all around. A lot of 'dudes' from Langford and people just ate this up! Even though in reality, the show suffered big time. There were some good back catalogue hits that were not so well performed. Faires wear boots was only half played and man, Ozzy just seemed old and not well. Still, people seemed to enjoy themselves. i like black Sabbath, and this was not at the same calibre. oh well, shitty for me or anyone that expected more. Saturday- Luke Doucet at Logans a/the sunparlour players- Show started at 10pm with a packed house that was quite warm. Literally! The heat was on I guess. My tits were wading nipple deep in sweat! The Sunparlour players were an indie type folk band that reminded me a bit of the Hold Steady. A fat guy singing about whatever. The instrumentation was interesting at least. I like banjo and percussive whips and belts. They played for too long. We weren't here for this band and they should respect that by playing a short set. It felt like it went on forever. Finally around 11:30 Luke Doucet went on. He donned the famous white falcon guitar and started the show with a bang! Well maybe not a bang, more like a thump. This stuff didn't feel as alive as I had remembered it. I wanted some great anthemic guitar playing,but it never really lifted off or delivered. Oh, wait there's Emily haines with some shots for the band! Perhaps this will get things going? Maybe she'll join in? No chance. MEgan Boddy did however, and that was quite nice. She has a lovely voice, probably much nicer than what we would have heard from the boney ms. Haines. I took a moment to try and say hello to her at the bar. She was surrounded by fellow Metric band members who held their elbows in poised stiffness as I tried to approach. She donned hey hooded fur lined parka as if it need to assure us that she was "indie", which she is not. I asked Josh Winstead of the band if he was enjoying the show. He answered with a snobbish arrogance 'we're playing tomorrow night', I didn't ask that question. These people seem really into themselves. They weren't enjoying the show, they weren't anywhere near the stage. They were enjoying themselves. i wonder if they could enjoy anyone else? That's it. That's all I've got for this week. Luke was ok. I found he played past a point of interest as well. Would have been nice to see a local band on the bill. I would wager they would have had a better shot at captivating an audience. Truth be told Victoria, I'm sick and tired. I'm going back to bed. love Max xo |
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Truth Be Told Victoria
So....another week, another tale to tell of crap bands, great bands, art that really really sucks and the worst food I've ever had.
The abuse continues. the insults continue to plunder in and out. It can be easy to fall into a footprint of instability when you are being bombarded by the continuous crap talk of the mentally weak. We have all been there. Unless we somehow missed high school.
Tuesday- On the first tuesday of every month, the art gallery of Victoria has a pay by donation day. Most large cities have these once a week. I understand that larger cities make more money and therefore can afford such a treat.
I decided to get my kids and check out the central intelligence of art in Victoria. The Art Gallery has a very institutional look about it. You couldn't tell it was a gallery if you didn't know where to look. There is a sculpture out front that is no tell tale sign as most office buildings are adorned with them.
Upon entry I became a bit excited. Filled with anticipation and hope. After sliding my 10 dollars through the slot on the donation box, I made for the first room on the left. The Emily Carr room. I was immediately taken in. These paintings were so rich with life and color. Her broad meaty strokes convulsing upon the canvas and creating an impression of the nature that was so peacefully before her.
This was to be expected. We all know this is her town. let's see what else this place has got.
The next exhibit was by Daniel Laskarin and titled Agnostic Objects (Things Persist).
The exhibit asks us to question the works on display and in turn question ourselves. Pieces such as 'Butterfly Trap' and 'Row your boat'. The latter a collaboration with Cleo Laskarin, had me questioning why you needed two people to come up with this crap on the wall, the former felt like a joke. Perhaps that was the point. A giant dupe on our gallery curators and the people of Victoria. A giant hoop rotating with a tv screen of a face was supposed to be meaningful to anything or anyone? These were the questions I had. Why? What the fuck? and how much is this guy getting paid?
On to the next exhibit.
Samurais! Yup. Sumurais! Lots of centuries old samurai armor and lots of reading on the walls. While I like Samurais and can appreciate the art of the armor, I felt like this was more of an exhibit that should be in a museum.
Same goes for the next room. Lots of little snuff boxes from Japan and China. I mean lots! God! No wonder the artists in this city are suffering so. The example being set as accomplished art is so limited and malnourished. The Japanese garden was a perfect example of this. The path leads you to a small pond that is filled with rust and debris. I pictured coy and a feeling of Japanese care that was seriously lacking. WTF Victoria!
The next rooms had a few brilliant paintings by Thomas Sidney Cooper who seemed to like sheep very very much. The Francois LeMoyne was the first and only nude that I had seen in this gallery. I don't understand. The Sophie Pemberton portraiture were quite nice.
Well, that was it for the gallery. I am at a loss. However, I do have new eyes and a heavier heart for the artists that live here after witnessing that lame ass excuse of a city gallery.
Wednesday- Dropped into Logans for a drink with a friend. DJs?! Oh no! Not really into this. However I stayed and had a drink and to my pleasant surprise the place came to life. The scene was kind of different. The huge afro DJ was playing a mix of soul, reggae,and funk in the front window of the bar. Tables were shoved out of the way as the music took over and people began to dance. This felt unusual but quite alive and fresh!
We decided to have another couple of drinks and let go. A good time! Then we went and had some pizza accross the street. Big mistake. Really greasy and gut wrenching. My friend threw up.
Thursday-I went to Rehab to check out something different. Boy was it different. Plus what a terrible name for a bar. Insulting really. Electric Empress and the Electric Druids.
This was terrible. I can't believe I stayed as long as I did. Both these bands fall into a prog rock category, but in a way that misses the mark beyond there even being a mark. It felt like everyone in the room was trying to be nice and smile and sit there and I don't know what. This was like heavy not metal meets rock that doesn't really rock. This place had a weird vibe to it too. I can't suggest any of this to anyone except those that have crossed me somehow or truly deserve an awful time.
Friday-Another night at Logans! This time with some bands from Vancouver and locals Slam Dunk! The place was pretty full and real steamy. The first band wasn't that great. Root Beer Hype. I like Root Beer, but these guys were pretty flat. A mix of Wolf parade (not in a good way) and something I couldn't put my finger on. At least their set was
short. The next bands were real similar. Punky short stabbing songs that were sincere if not good. Hari legs and Nu Sensae. The poster for this show was disturbingly brilliant. A shivering moustached naked fellow in a puddle of his own sweat.
Slam Dunk! took the night. It felt like a party when these guys and gals were on stage. Although the sax player kinda sucked, it added a dimention of stooges style amptitude.
At one point the crowd surfers were so amped up that the band went into a chant to calm the house down. This was the best thing I had seen in Victoria thus far. One thing to mention about this show, is the fact that it was a good mix of people. Punks and indie kids and older beardo freaks. What a good night! There is hope yet!
Saturday-I went to see the Pack A.D. at Sugar with Von Bones. Big mistake. There were hardly any people there and after Friday night wow, what a huge disappointment. The opening band was really really bad. They could have played at Rehab with those other crap bands on Thursday. The Pack A.D. were ok. The singer was passionate and the drummer was chatty. I like the girl power vibe they have. Though, this is just blues. Kind of a sub par White Stripes type thing and after a couple of songs,quite boring.
Oh well. Kind of a successful week with friday being the good night as it should be. Truth be told Victoria, you need to get your act together so more nights are like this last friday night.
Restaurant footnote-
Sunday(today)-went to dinner at Osaka Sushi. This was one of the worst dinners out I've ever had. We ordered some Miso soup, Sashimi, edamame and Beef & Chicken teriyaki.
the miso soup was standard. Edamame was also standard, cant really screw that stuff up.
The Sashimi was terrible. It looked like it had been cut with a dull saw. my friends had bones in it. Bones! when the server came it didn't seem to phase her. She asked if she would like another order. she politely declined. The teriyaki came and this was truly disgusting. Covered in slime, as if someone had sneezed all over it or worse. The vegetables were raw. Asparagus, Broccoli and sprouts. All raw. The rice was good.
The worst part was when the waitress came it didn't seem to bother her that we hadn't eaten anything other than the rice. She asked if we wanted to pack it up for home. When we said no, she brought us the bill. Terrible.
Have a good week all, and thank you.
love Max xo
The abuse continues. the insults continue to plunder in and out. It can be easy to fall into a footprint of instability when you are being bombarded by the continuous crap talk of the mentally weak. We have all been there. Unless we somehow missed high school.
Tuesday- On the first tuesday of every month, the art gallery of Victoria has a pay by donation day. Most large cities have these once a week. I understand that larger cities make more money and therefore can afford such a treat.
I decided to get my kids and check out the central intelligence of art in Victoria. The Art Gallery has a very institutional look about it. You couldn't tell it was a gallery if you didn't know where to look. There is a sculpture out front that is no tell tale sign as most office buildings are adorned with them.
Upon entry I became a bit excited. Filled with anticipation and hope. After sliding my 10 dollars through the slot on the donation box, I made for the first room on the left. The Emily Carr room. I was immediately taken in. These paintings were so rich with life and color. Her broad meaty strokes convulsing upon the canvas and creating an impression of the nature that was so peacefully before her.
This was to be expected. We all know this is her town. let's see what else this place has got.
The next exhibit was by Daniel Laskarin and titled Agnostic Objects (Things Persist).
The exhibit asks us to question the works on display and in turn question ourselves. Pieces such as 'Butterfly Trap' and 'Row your boat'. The latter a collaboration with Cleo Laskarin, had me questioning why you needed two people to come up with this crap on the wall, the former felt like a joke. Perhaps that was the point. A giant dupe on our gallery curators and the people of Victoria. A giant hoop rotating with a tv screen of a face was supposed to be meaningful to anything or anyone? These were the questions I had. Why? What the fuck? and how much is this guy getting paid?
On to the next exhibit.
Samurais! Yup. Sumurais! Lots of centuries old samurai armor and lots of reading on the walls. While I like Samurais and can appreciate the art of the armor, I felt like this was more of an exhibit that should be in a museum.
Same goes for the next room. Lots of little snuff boxes from Japan and China. I mean lots! God! No wonder the artists in this city are suffering so. The example being set as accomplished art is so limited and malnourished. The Japanese garden was a perfect example of this. The path leads you to a small pond that is filled with rust and debris. I pictured coy and a feeling of Japanese care that was seriously lacking. WTF Victoria!
The next rooms had a few brilliant paintings by Thomas Sidney Cooper who seemed to like sheep very very much. The Francois LeMoyne was the first and only nude that I had seen in this gallery. I don't understand. The Sophie Pemberton portraiture were quite nice.
Well, that was it for the gallery. I am at a loss. However, I do have new eyes and a heavier heart for the artists that live here after witnessing that lame ass excuse of a city gallery.
Wednesday- Dropped into Logans for a drink with a friend. DJs?! Oh no! Not really into this. However I stayed and had a drink and to my pleasant surprise the place came to life. The scene was kind of different. The huge afro DJ was playing a mix of soul, reggae,and funk in the front window of the bar. Tables were shoved out of the way as the music took over and people began to dance. This felt unusual but quite alive and fresh!
We decided to have another couple of drinks and let go. A good time! Then we went and had some pizza accross the street. Big mistake. Really greasy and gut wrenching. My friend threw up.
Thursday-I went to Rehab to check out something different. Boy was it different. Plus what a terrible name for a bar. Insulting really. Electric Empress and the Electric Druids.
This was terrible. I can't believe I stayed as long as I did. Both these bands fall into a prog rock category, but in a way that misses the mark beyond there even being a mark. It felt like everyone in the room was trying to be nice and smile and sit there and I don't know what. This was like heavy not metal meets rock that doesn't really rock. This place had a weird vibe to it too. I can't suggest any of this to anyone except those that have crossed me somehow or truly deserve an awful time.
Friday-Another night at Logans! This time with some bands from Vancouver and locals Slam Dunk! The place was pretty full and real steamy. The first band wasn't that great. Root Beer Hype. I like Root Beer, but these guys were pretty flat. A mix of Wolf parade (not in a good way) and something I couldn't put my finger on. At least their set was
short. The next bands were real similar. Punky short stabbing songs that were sincere if not good. Hari legs and Nu Sensae. The poster for this show was disturbingly brilliant. A shivering moustached naked fellow in a puddle of his own sweat.
Slam Dunk! took the night. It felt like a party when these guys and gals were on stage. Although the sax player kinda sucked, it added a dimention of stooges style amptitude.
At one point the crowd surfers were so amped up that the band went into a chant to calm the house down. This was the best thing I had seen in Victoria thus far. One thing to mention about this show, is the fact that it was a good mix of people. Punks and indie kids and older beardo freaks. What a good night! There is hope yet!
Saturday-I went to see the Pack A.D. at Sugar with Von Bones. Big mistake. There were hardly any people there and after Friday night wow, what a huge disappointment. The opening band was really really bad. They could have played at Rehab with those other crap bands on Thursday. The Pack A.D. were ok. The singer was passionate and the drummer was chatty. I like the girl power vibe they have. Though, this is just blues. Kind of a sub par White Stripes type thing and after a couple of songs,quite boring.
Oh well. Kind of a successful week with friday being the good night as it should be. Truth be told Victoria, you need to get your act together so more nights are like this last friday night.
Restaurant footnote-
Sunday(today)-went to dinner at Osaka Sushi. This was one of the worst dinners out I've ever had. We ordered some Miso soup, Sashimi, edamame and Beef & Chicken teriyaki.
the miso soup was standard. Edamame was also standard, cant really screw that stuff up.
The Sashimi was terrible. It looked like it had been cut with a dull saw. my friends had bones in it. Bones! when the server came it didn't seem to phase her. She asked if she would like another order. she politely declined. The teriyaki came and this was truly disgusting. Covered in slime, as if someone had sneezed all over it or worse. The vegetables were raw. Asparagus, Broccoli and sprouts. All raw. The rice was good.
The worst part was when the waitress came it didn't seem to bother her that we hadn't eaten anything other than the rice. She asked if we wanted to pack it up for home. When we said no, she brought us the bill. Terrible.
Have a good week all, and thank you.
love Max xo
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Truth Be Told Victoria
Well, where to begin? To say it's been quite a week is a big understatement. HUGE!!
I thought the week before was a big hit with 163 views. This week 1564!! Unbelievable!
The attention due, it seems mostly to a crappy art show at the 50/50 and the quick jump to taking negative review, well, negatively. The more I've been able to let it sink in, the more I feel I had been light in my review of last weeks night at the 50/50. What felt to me like a high school art exhibit on 'in class doodling' apparently is too sacred for negative review. Oh well, that was last week.
So, to fill you all in on what has been going on, my facebook profile has been imitated, as has this blog. At last count there were 3 other Maxine Felixas out there. Unbelievable! It is a great compliment I suppose. I found it fun and quite entertaining for the first 2 days until one or more of them decided to defile me or send hate mail. I suppose that is what is to be expected if one is to revue anothers work.
However, I have been affected by current news and details made public of Kimberly Proctors brutal murder. It has made me physically ill after I had read the details of what those sick little animals did. My heart goes out to the families and friends that have been directly affected. It has chilled me to such a degree that I am unwilling to tolerate any bullying or deeply hateful comments. I have set out to review arts and culture in this town and many may not like what I have to say. That's fine. You are entitled to feel the way you do. I am up for criticism and discussion. It doesn't have to be deep or friendly, just non threatening or hateful.
Ok. Tuesday I had set out to have a drink at Logans Pub. Passing by the empty bar I decided to detour to the small liquor store attached. I purchased a bottle of wine. Cheap wine, and proceeded to walk towards the ocean. Not much to tell here, except that there is a peacefulness that can be found in this town that may be rare. Walking down a long main street in the rain, past coffee shops and stores with a bottle of wine in hand and reaching a bench that overlooks the ocean, sitting and breathing in this thick moist air.
One of the best nights I've had so far.
Wednesday I decided to stay in and do nothing. Feeling sad and disgusted with people, I decided to forgo any kind of review.
Thursday my spirits were up. I felt like I needed to see something good. Problem was, there didn't seem to be much going on but DJs and more DJs. There aren't any real gallery activities going on until the weekend. This town bites for something to do. Go to a movie? Not really what I'm into reviewing. I stopped in to a BBQ restaurant called PIG and had some wings. They were wings. A little larger than what you find at most bars. I felt the flavour of their BBq sauce a bit lacking. So, thursday was kinda the pits (non sweaty).
I thought the week before was a big hit with 163 views. This week 1564!! Unbelievable!
The attention due, it seems mostly to a crappy art show at the 50/50 and the quick jump to taking negative review, well, negatively. The more I've been able to let it sink in, the more I feel I had been light in my review of last weeks night at the 50/50. What felt to me like a high school art exhibit on 'in class doodling' apparently is too sacred for negative review. Oh well, that was last week.
So, to fill you all in on what has been going on, my facebook profile has been imitated, as has this blog. At last count there were 3 other Maxine Felixas out there. Unbelievable! It is a great compliment I suppose. I found it fun and quite entertaining for the first 2 days until one or more of them decided to defile me or send hate mail. I suppose that is what is to be expected if one is to revue anothers work.
However, I have been affected by current news and details made public of Kimberly Proctors brutal murder. It has made me physically ill after I had read the details of what those sick little animals did. My heart goes out to the families and friends that have been directly affected. It has chilled me to such a degree that I am unwilling to tolerate any bullying or deeply hateful comments. I have set out to review arts and culture in this town and many may not like what I have to say. That's fine. You are entitled to feel the way you do. I am up for criticism and discussion. It doesn't have to be deep or friendly, just non threatening or hateful.
Ok. Tuesday I had set out to have a drink at Logans Pub. Passing by the empty bar I decided to detour to the small liquor store attached. I purchased a bottle of wine. Cheap wine, and proceeded to walk towards the ocean. Not much to tell here, except that there is a peacefulness that can be found in this town that may be rare. Walking down a long main street in the rain, past coffee shops and stores with a bottle of wine in hand and reaching a bench that overlooks the ocean, sitting and breathing in this thick moist air.
One of the best nights I've had so far.
Wednesday I decided to stay in and do nothing. Feeling sad and disgusted with people, I decided to forgo any kind of review.
Thursday my spirits were up. I felt like I needed to see something good. Problem was, there didn't seem to be much going on but DJs and more DJs. There aren't any real gallery activities going on until the weekend. This town bites for something to do. Go to a movie? Not really what I'm into reviewing. I stopped in to a BBQ restaurant called PIG and had some wings. They were wings. A little larger than what you find at most bars. I felt the flavour of their BBq sauce a bit lacking. So, thursday was kinda the pits (non sweaty).
There was a show on at logans. Is this the only place to go see some music? I dropped in on my way home. The band playing was Year of the Rat. Kind of like interpol, but much less interesting. It seemed the high light of their set was a cranberries song that people actually moshed to.
What a lame crowd too. they all seemed strangely excited by this cranberry/joy division like shit show. So far it seems that the nightlife here is mostly excited by canned music, bad music, and bad art.
Another disappointing night.
Friday. I eat some of thursdays words. A record store party! A small record store off of China town called Talk is Cheap hosted a monster surf party! This was cool. This is where nightlife and culture and art meet and become replenished. a surf band, monster art and a crowded little record store. I
loved it!
Sipping off a mickey of schnapps from my purse and bobbing to the ventures is my idea of a good time.
After a little of that I went over to Lucky bar to catch Run Chico Run and Women. I hadn't seen Rn Chico Run in a few years, and they seem to be 3 insted of 2 people now.
They have been around quite a long time and the reason is because they are really good. Dreamy vocal harmonies, strange swirlling keyboards and great arrangements. I am a fan.
Women were not as fantastic as I had hoped. I lsitened to their album when it came out and prepped myself with a listen before the show. They felt kind of limp in comparison to their album. The crowd seemed to eat it up more than Run Chico Run. It seemed pathetic to me. I guess it's just exciting to have a band from out of town even if they are lacklustre in comparison to local talent.
the lay out of the bar still sucks. A giant hallway. Nice brick wall though, reminds me of back east.
Sat. night. This is the Halloween fun time night! House parties and more! Donning my horny little devil costume out into the night I went.
Passing logans on the way downtown the window showed no signs of life. The Grand Old Country band isn't so grand of a draw I guess. Too bad, I like me some country!
I heard of a party in Fan Tan alley I wanted to check out. I got down there and boy was it crowded. In fact downtown was alive with people. Happily surprised by the festive spirit I was quickly disappointed by what my ears heard as I approached my destination. It was Ball Gag 'n' Chain Gag. The same band I had heard last week at the Zombie afterparty. What's with this band and Haloween? I don't get it. I decided to skip it and skip on down to Luck bar where i stood in line for 1/2 hour to see Bloody Betty. This was a gorelesque show. And while it was what it promised to be I was so uncomfortable in this overcrowded bar room I missed most of the show. It took me 20 min. just to get a drink, another 20 to use the bathroom.
Time to slip out. I was tipped off to a party off of Douglas st. at a place the kids call the Ramp. The police were turning the corner towards where I was going with the lights flashing. Recognising some of the same people I had seen at the 50/50 a week earlier I thought maybe this wasn't the best decision. I wasn't really in the mood for a confrontation of the wills.
So walking the streets back home drinking my cooler I reflected on my night. I found some life crammed into the one small alley downtown and the one crammed little bar downtown. None of what I could really comment on, sigh.
I passed by an empty dark Logans on my way home and a few people puking in the streets,
A couple having a drunken fight and sirens wailing in the distance. Truth be told Victoria, for all that I have had to say about this last week, I haven't had as much to say as I had hoped for.
Perhaps tonight, when I take the kids trick or treating the true spirit of this season will descend upon us all.
Until next week,
Max xoxox
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Truth Be Told Victoria
Well, it has been quite the week! I'm putting myself out there now! I decided to start a Facebook account, and have made friends quick and steadily. This Blog has had 163 visitors in 1 week! Hard to believe.
Well Victoria, we may be friends now, however, i am critiquing you for whatever may come my way. I am searching for signs of life, yet I am having difficulty finding your pulse.
Wednesday night I went to Smiths for a drink and a some food.
The special was a free range beef burger. Though it was good, after I had made a stupid remark about how 'free reange really does taste better', and someone asked 'how so?'. I was stupefied by own lazy tongue. Aren't most cows 'free range'? You can still pump a free roaming animal full of hormones.
So, although I truly did enjoyed the burger, I would not be able to tell you by taste that this was a penned or free roaming creature. Plus charred meat with sauces and the like taste good.
Victorias oldest DJ was the provider of music. DJ B-money.
I could have cared less. I am not a big fan of canned music as it is, but if it is some how interesting and different, I might stick around. This was not the case for me. Plus the crowd that came in for this was all gelled up and fake 'n' baked. No matter how much of that orange goop you apply boys & girls this town will never become Miami!
I walked through downtown, past the Sticky Wicket and all of those obnoxious people writhing over each other in the street. Coming up to the Cactus Club, I felt more turned off than ever. It was time to go home. I hailed a cab and home it was.
Thursday night I set out with hope and an open mind. There was a gallery show at the 50/50. I arrived to the kind of crowd you might expect at a hipster hangout in the village.
I felt fairly uncomfortable. Eyes of judgement gaze. Why? I can't figure out? The fashion on the shoulders and feet of most of these people is terrible! Like something out of an American Apparel ad. The art was mediochre at best. Some was meant to be shocking I suppose, though it was really just porn. Why the works of these 3 artists was placed together I haven't a clue. Perhaps friendship. That would be the only acceptable reasoning in my opinion.
The artis were Liz Dempsey, Lee McLure and Eric Volet.
This exhibit was bullshit! Not to say that all the artists works were crap (though some of it was for sure), it just didn't make sense as a group showing. Again with the DJs! Stop! If you're going to spin records at a gallery make sure it is complimentary. In hind sight the music made as much sense as the show.
Home with nothing but irritable sweaty pits again!
Friday night! This is the night of nights is it not?
I went to Lucky Bar to check out Humans with WIZERDZ.
Electro dance pop music! Could be fun. I tried my best to surrender to this night. I wanted so bad to be able to let myself go and feel the night! Instead I felt cramped and pushed and shoved and hit and groped! My shoes were wet with spilled beer and these people! Gross! It was hard to concentrate on the music fully with so much testosterone in the room. This music was an art. Or a fart? Techno art fart? Fun but not strange enough to really bend the air. Stinky in all the right parts? Not quite. Alright Victoria, it's 2am and it's all over, where's the afterhours? No afterhours? No bands at an old wharehouse or closed boutique? How can we have a nightlife without these? Hmmm....something smells funny. Shit! It's my pits again!
Saturday turned out to be the greatest treat and the worst.
This Blog is about nightlife, arts and music, however I must comment on the daytime activity of this past Saturday. The city came to life with the Dead! Zombies took over downtown Victoria for a good couple of hours in the afternoon! Scowls from Sat. afternoon shoppers were as plenty as the awe and happy surprise upon the faces of the unsuspecting weekend afternoon consumers! Hundreds of people decked out in blood and pasty white make up. This was truly wonderful and I applaud the people who brought this to the streets of this hum drum town! If I'm here next year, I want in on this.
The after party for this was at Logans Pub. I was so there!
Too bad most people from downtown earlier in the day were not. And the Zombie bands were not quite right for the mood of this pre-Halloween event. Slapstick country from M.D. Wren & the Sick Kids. These were the two guys in yamakas last week at the OPen Space show! This time with a full band. The band was good and they were entertaing, yet it put a bad taste in my mouth. And, no, it wasn't the brains from the brain eating contest! It was the fake drawl and false country honky tonk feel of these songs hitting the air. Strange band for a zombie night.
The next band was also in the country vein. They were a bit more thematic with their music, however it was still a strange choice of band I thought. They were called Ball Gag and Chain Gang. They couldn't sing very well, however the enrgy was up a notch from the last band. When they brought the dijeridoo out, I was done! Unless you're an aboriginee from the out back calling upon dream time, I am not interested in hearing this in any genre. Trith be told Victoria, you're better when the dead walk your streets mid day than when the brain dead inhabit your clubs and galleries.
Happy Halloween! Until next sunday,
Max. xo
Well Victoria, we may be friends now, however, i am critiquing you for whatever may come my way. I am searching for signs of life, yet I am having difficulty finding your pulse.
Wednesday night I went to Smiths for a drink and a some food.
The special was a free range beef burger. Though it was good, after I had made a stupid remark about how 'free reange really does taste better', and someone asked 'how so?'. I was stupefied by own lazy tongue. Aren't most cows 'free range'? You can still pump a free roaming animal full of hormones.
So, although I truly did enjoyed the burger, I would not be able to tell you by taste that this was a penned or free roaming creature. Plus charred meat with sauces and the like taste good.
Victorias oldest DJ was the provider of music. DJ B-money.
I could have cared less. I am not a big fan of canned music as it is, but if it is some how interesting and different, I might stick around. This was not the case for me. Plus the crowd that came in for this was all gelled up and fake 'n' baked. No matter how much of that orange goop you apply boys & girls this town will never become Miami!
I walked through downtown, past the Sticky Wicket and all of those obnoxious people writhing over each other in the street. Coming up to the Cactus Club, I felt more turned off than ever. It was time to go home. I hailed a cab and home it was.
Thursday night I set out with hope and an open mind. There was a gallery show at the 50/50. I arrived to the kind of crowd you might expect at a hipster hangout in the village.
I felt fairly uncomfortable. Eyes of judgement gaze. Why? I can't figure out? The fashion on the shoulders and feet of most of these people is terrible! Like something out of an American Apparel ad. The art was mediochre at best. Some was meant to be shocking I suppose, though it was really just porn. Why the works of these 3 artists was placed together I haven't a clue. Perhaps friendship. That would be the only acceptable reasoning in my opinion.
The artis were Liz Dempsey, Lee McLure and Eric Volet.
This exhibit was bullshit! Not to say that all the artists works were crap (though some of it was for sure), it just didn't make sense as a group showing. Again with the DJs! Stop! If you're going to spin records at a gallery make sure it is complimentary. In hind sight the music made as much sense as the show.
Home with nothing but irritable sweaty pits again!
Friday night! This is the night of nights is it not?
I went to Lucky Bar to check out Humans with WIZERDZ.
Electro dance pop music! Could be fun. I tried my best to surrender to this night. I wanted so bad to be able to let myself go and feel the night! Instead I felt cramped and pushed and shoved and hit and groped! My shoes were wet with spilled beer and these people! Gross! It was hard to concentrate on the music fully with so much testosterone in the room. This music was an art. Or a fart? Techno art fart? Fun but not strange enough to really bend the air. Stinky in all the right parts? Not quite. Alright Victoria, it's 2am and it's all over, where's the afterhours? No afterhours? No bands at an old wharehouse or closed boutique? How can we have a nightlife without these? Hmmm....something smells funny. Shit! It's my pits again!
Saturday turned out to be the greatest treat and the worst.
This Blog is about nightlife, arts and music, however I must comment on the daytime activity of this past Saturday. The city came to life with the Dead! Zombies took over downtown Victoria for a good couple of hours in the afternoon! Scowls from Sat. afternoon shoppers were as plenty as the awe and happy surprise upon the faces of the unsuspecting weekend afternoon consumers! Hundreds of people decked out in blood and pasty white make up. This was truly wonderful and I applaud the people who brought this to the streets of this hum drum town! If I'm here next year, I want in on this.
The after party for this was at Logans Pub. I was so there!
Too bad most people from downtown earlier in the day were not. And the Zombie bands were not quite right for the mood of this pre-Halloween event. Slapstick country from M.D. Wren & the Sick Kids. These were the two guys in yamakas last week at the OPen Space show! This time with a full band. The band was good and they were entertaing, yet it put a bad taste in my mouth. And, no, it wasn't the brains from the brain eating contest! It was the fake drawl and false country honky tonk feel of these songs hitting the air. Strange band for a zombie night.
The next band was also in the country vein. They were a bit more thematic with their music, however it was still a strange choice of band I thought. They were called Ball Gag and Chain Gang. They couldn't sing very well, however the enrgy was up a notch from the last band. When they brought the dijeridoo out, I was done! Unless you're an aboriginee from the out back calling upon dream time, I am not interested in hearing this in any genre. Trith be told Victoria, you're better when the dead walk your streets mid day than when the brain dead inhabit your clubs and galleries.
Happy Halloween! Until next sunday,
Max. xo
Monday, October 18, 2010
Truth be told Victoria
Here we go! No nonsense feedback for arts and music in the Capital region. This will include the politics and clique critique of our fair maiden as well.
Let's start with Victoria as a whole (hole) for a nightlife city. Downtown is a mix of clubs and bars for the hopped up bopper in the night.The live music is limited to Lucky Bar-DJs mostly,some live stuff that gets repeatedly cut off early for the dj dance crowd.Real lame. I can't keep up with name changes of the Straths live venue.9ONE9 I think.Sure it will change in a couple of months.
Sugar has the weekends to give for mostly overpriced mediocre music.They have a club night on thursdays that brings out all the Jaegerbombsters.
The one and only gay bar is Papparazzis.Sad.
Venture up town a bit,you get some neighbourhood pubs.Fernwood Inn,Christies,The Beagle. All sporty and kinda dull.Not much sense for night life discussion,however,if anything should ever happen in any of these places worth mentioning,I will.Mostly,they're depressing and dull.
Logans Pub in Fernwood/North Park is an exception to the norm.
It's a neighbourhood pub,but also a music venue that hosts bands & djs,open mics.
James Bay has the Superior.That's fine.Not much life there either.Jazz and bad rehashed rock and hippie shticky. They are a self proclaimed church of music.Fine.
There are some galleries out there that put on shows too.50/50,OpenSpace,Ministry of casual living(haven't done much in a long time).
This is a city that seems to think it knows something about arts and culture.Most nights do not reflect that.Some nights,magic happens.Barely.
DJs-pretty run of the mill and boring
Bands-pretty much the same.
The genres have maybe 1 or 2 bands that shine,the others are regurgitating shit that the machine spits out for them to lap up.Those that try something different are quite often ridiculed or alienated by their own.
This past weekend I checked out some bands at Logans,Lucky,& Open Space.
It was a lacklustre weekend. Po Girl on wednesday was a room full of girls trying to get with each other.The band felt like a rewind 10years to be Good Tanyas territory.Dull.
Well played musical dullness.
Lucky had some real crap on Friday,Guily about girls,Techromancer,Celebrity traffic-puke!
Bands that are all 'look at me,I've got a girl in the band and a keyboard! Now we dance to my shit!'-Puke!
Open Space had a Zombie Space thing going on.I got there half way I guess,they were doing thriller.Minus Michael! Lame-o! There was a girl rapping about Wikipedia-that was kinda cool-not that it had anything to do with Zombies.
There was some dudes who work at Logans that played,a freaky dude named Dieter rocked a miniature keyboard! The first real Zombies/space thing I heard.The visuals for this were awesome too! It was footage comprised from scenes of the norwegian zombie flick Dead Snow!
Then it was two guys fro logans dressed in yamakas and blue suits that did a couple of cramps songs.That was ok.
It seemed that this was mostly about the visuals,and most acts seemed to not play to that.
Ryan Beattie was up next,another Logans guy,and was good.His guitar sounded great and his somgs were great.The visuals for his part were real effective too.i liked the fact he complained about a lack of blood.
The room was getting pretty empty.Another example of lame night life.At midnight the last band came on,more Logans dudes! WTF! They were loud! Their set was instrumental and seemed to be focused on sound for the images.Truth be told,I enjoyed this the best.Most people got up and left,lots moved to the back wall and took in great visuals with real scary and effective music for a space/zombie night!
Let's see what this week brings.
Let's start with Victoria as a whole (hole) for a nightlife city. Downtown is a mix of clubs and bars for the hopped up bopper in the night.The live music is limited to Lucky Bar-DJs mostly,some live stuff that gets repeatedly cut off early for the dj dance crowd.Real lame. I can't keep up with name changes of the Straths live venue.9ONE9 I think.Sure it will change in a couple of months.
Sugar has the weekends to give for mostly overpriced mediocre music.They have a club night on thursdays that brings out all the Jaegerbombsters.
The one and only gay bar is Papparazzis.Sad.
Venture up town a bit,you get some neighbourhood pubs.Fernwood Inn,Christies,The Beagle. All sporty and kinda dull.Not much sense for night life discussion,however,if anything should ever happen in any of these places worth mentioning,I will.Mostly,they're depressing and dull.
Logans Pub in Fernwood/North Park is an exception to the norm.
It's a neighbourhood pub,but also a music venue that hosts bands & djs,open mics.
James Bay has the Superior.That's fine.Not much life there either.Jazz and bad rehashed rock and hippie shticky. They are a self proclaimed church of music.Fine.
There are some galleries out there that put on shows too.50/50,OpenSpace,Ministry of casual living(haven't done much in a long time).
This is a city that seems to think it knows something about arts and culture.Most nights do not reflect that.Some nights,magic happens.Barely.
DJs-pretty run of the mill and boring
Bands-pretty much the same.
The genres have maybe 1 or 2 bands that shine,the others are regurgitating shit that the machine spits out for them to lap up.Those that try something different are quite often ridiculed or alienated by their own.
This past weekend I checked out some bands at Logans,Lucky,& Open Space.
It was a lacklustre weekend. Po Girl on wednesday was a room full of girls trying to get with each other.The band felt like a rewind 10years to be Good Tanyas territory.Dull.
Well played musical dullness.
Lucky had some real crap on Friday,Guily about girls,Techromancer,Celebrity traffic-puke!
Bands that are all 'look at me,I've got a girl in the band and a keyboard! Now we dance to my shit!'-Puke!
Open Space had a Zombie Space thing going on.I got there half way I guess,they were doing thriller.Minus Michael! Lame-o! There was a girl rapping about Wikipedia-that was kinda cool-not that it had anything to do with Zombies.
There was some dudes who work at Logans that played,a freaky dude named Dieter rocked a miniature keyboard! The first real Zombies/space thing I heard.The visuals for this were awesome too! It was footage comprised from scenes of the norwegian zombie flick Dead Snow!
Then it was two guys fro logans dressed in yamakas and blue suits that did a couple of cramps songs.That was ok.
It seemed that this was mostly about the visuals,and most acts seemed to not play to that.
Ryan Beattie was up next,another Logans guy,and was good.His guitar sounded great and his somgs were great.The visuals for his part were real effective too.i liked the fact he complained about a lack of blood.
The room was getting pretty empty.Another example of lame night life.At midnight the last band came on,more Logans dudes! WTF! They were loud! Their set was instrumental and seemed to be focused on sound for the images.Truth be told,I enjoyed this the best.Most people got up and left,lots moved to the back wall and took in great visuals with real scary and effective music for a space/zombie night!
Let's see what this week brings.
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