Some Swedish Guy

By ben

Saturday January 15, 2005

You Can Never Have Too Much Pop

Getting a couple weeks off was nice but it’s great to be back in action again. The first gig I went to this year was Great Aunt Ida and Ford Pier at the Railway about a week ago. Great Aunt Ida is Ida Nilsen (from Beans, Radiogram)’s new-ish project. Ida’s on keys along with a drummer, a bassist and a trumpet guy. All the instruments meshed together quite well and the music was mellow and sweet. The drummer used mostly brushes and the trumpeter used a rubber plunger. Top that off with Ida’s fantastic voice and the band is damn fine. However, most of the crowd was there to see Ford Pier’s homecoming performance. As far as I can tell the set is vintage Ford Pier, but to be honest I didn’t see the set in its entirety, I was stuck in the back room getting my ass kicked in darts by some Swedish guy. Shameful in so many ways.

Last Saturday night was the first time I’ve been to the bar upstairs at the Waldorf. Damn, no palm trees. I arrived just in time for Nanaimo’s Sheds, and I quickly saw they have the crazy drummer guy from Bullbucker who likes to play with his shirt off. Musically the band wasn’t bad, there’s enough variation to keep things interesting, but if there must be one complaint, it’s directed at the keyboard player/vocalist. I can’t hear any of her keyboards (not her fault though) and her singing was very one dimensional – she was practically screaming the same note all night. Transylvanian Polka, Evan Symon’s new band, was the headliner that evening. Obviously with the help of a bassist and a drummer Evan’s music is more rounded out. Though it still maintained most of the edginess of his solo sets. At the end of the day, Evan is just an entertaining guy to watch perform.

This Friday Only is throwing a “Best of Shindig” showcase at the Lamplighter, featuring Dandi Wind, Foster Kare and Salmon Arm. It’ll be marvelous. Before 24 bands get pissed off at me, I must say that I have nothing to do with the selection process, as the three bands were chosen by the Only Shindig Watch Team — you know, those people who brought you those slick “Who Won/Who Should’ve won” commentaries not too long ago in this magazine. At the Media Club there’s ex-Shindig winner Readymade’s CD Release Party with Second, Kids These Days and Hejira. Over at Pub 340, Mr. Plow, Blackie LeBlanc, Joel and others are going to try to make as much noise as they can with acoustic guitars. And of course there’s the much talked about Nina Hagen show at the Commodore. Still tons of tickets left for that one last I heard.

On Saturday there’s a metal show with the band Splatter at the Pic, which should be fun. Last time I saw them out, the guitarist did this hair windmill thing which was quite the sight. I thought Hot Hot Heat were mega stadium rock stars, yet over at the Media Club, they’ll be playing with Elizabeth for the first of two shows. This will be the first time you’ll get to see HHH’s new guitarist, and also Elizabeth’s new bassist. Tuesday night at the Pic there’s a couple bands called The Belushis and the Dollar Store Jesus which I don’t know much about, but if the bands end up sucking you can at least fall back on the dirt cheap beer there. Back from a very successful Los Angeles show with the Imperial Teen, Bella will be playing catchy synth pop tunes at the Railway on Thursday along with Cinderpop and the Feminists. You can never have too much pop, right? Wrong.