The Long Goodbye Tour made Toronto its penultimate North American stop. Of the 45 million households that owned a copy of Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975), I grew up in one. This was the only album of its time that I can recall my parents owning along with Willie Nelson’s Stardust. With those two options at the time, the Eagles album was played the most. While many in my cohort love to tear into the LA country-lite-rock band, this minor note of upbringing leaves a permanent soft spot for their soaring harmonies, solid songcraft and of course, the wise addition of…
Author: Aron Harris
We all have our every day carry items. My quick run out to the store requires an even quicker check for the modern essentials – phone, wallet, keys, earbuds, and sunglasses, at the least. But when it’s time to commute for a day out or a jaunt further than down the block, a little more prep is often needed. For my purse-free self, my day out often includes the addition of a laptop, camera, recharging power source, pens and notepad, a pocket knife, water bottle, lip balm, and an item or two in case the weather changes. Tossing this load-out…
Formed in 1992 from the ashes of Jane’s Addiction, Porno For Pyros featured former members, singer Perry Farrell and drummer Stephen Perkins. Joined by guitarist Peter DiStefano, and bassist Martyn LeNoble, the LA quartet rose up the charts via the song, Pets off their self-titled 1993 album. Releasing their last, latest, or farewell album, Good God’s Urge three years later, the album saw the departure of LeNoble and welcomed punk bass king, Mike Watt to the band. The group’s dormancy began in 1998 but was broken up by a one-off Perry Ferrell birthday gig in 2009 and a 2020 Lollapalooza…
The Long Beach, California indie band made a stop on February 27 at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre. Halfway through their 30-stop tour promoting their late 2023 self-titled album, they brought along Joe P and band to open the show before a packed house. The tour continues on March 1 & 2 at Webster Hall in NYC. More info here.
For fans of the greatest reggae artist in history, this book tells the story in words and images. Even before Legend was the ubiquitous ‘best-of’ album that EVERY Gen Xer owned and spun, reggae was introduced to me at a young age. Growing up in Toronto, a city whose Jamaican population skyrocketed in the 1950s and 1960s, the reggae scene was vibrant thanks to popular local bands and artists such as Messenjah, Leroy Sibbles, The Sattalites, Fujahtive, and Tabarruk. Enormously influential Studio One house bandleader and keyboardist, Jackie Mittoo began calling Toronto home in 1969 yet continued to perform, record,…
St. John’s singer-songwriter continues to shine on his solo Canadian tour. Well-established past his time in Hey Rosetta!, Tim Baker continues to show why he’s not just one of Canada’s best songwriters right now, but a consummate performer. Easily enthralling a capacity room at Toronto’s TD Music Hall, Baker charmed the crowd as he moved through favourites such as Dance, a rare performance of Pools, Don’t Let Me Go Yet, and All Hands (all from his breakout 2019 album, Forever Overhead), in kind, the audience accompanied him with vocals and hand claps. The audience answers delivered on the chorus of…
Burlington’s post-hardcore heroes launch their latest tour in Toronto. In commemoration of their landmark 2013 album, This Is How The Wind Shifts, Silverstein opened the first of 18 shows on their North American tour at Toronto’s Opera House. In support, Seattle’s AVOID opened the show, followed by NYC hardcore group, Stray From The Path. Info and tickets here.
This in-depth book covers the history and process behind the vinyl record and its impact, not just on music, but on the world. Few, if any, retail items I can think of have had such a lifespan. From the top of the market up as the key product for music sales pretty much since its inception, the record nearly vanished not long after the industry went all in on compact discs. While still in vinyl stasis, the compact disc market bottomed out slowly after the invention and distribution of both illegal and retail digital audio files in the early aughts.…
Icelandic Gen Z jazz-pop star brings her sold-out tour to Toronto On her tour supporting her new album, Bewitched, it was a lucky fan who managed to find a ticket. As the entire North American tour was sold out before it began, amazingly 24-year-old Laufey is doing all this as a jazz artist. Switching between guitar, cello, and piano, she was accompanied vocally by the thousand or so loving voices. Opening the show was the equally talented singer/songwriter Adam Melchor.
Las Vegas, Nevada is known for nightlife, clubs, concerts, and amazing food. Not to mention the very hot, dry days. Life Is Beautiful is a celebration of all of these wonderful experiences and more, providing a weekend of good vibes and a lifetime of memories. With the festival underway, the stages and artists playing them are crafted in an almost perfect harmony. The stages are separated between the buildings of downtown Las Vegas, allowing an uninterrupted listening experience. As for the artists’ performances themselves, it was unforgettable. This lineup was stacked from top to bottom. Everyone from Khalid, The Killers,…
A heavy and beautiful show graces the stage of Massey Hall Despite the vibe and appearance of the darkest man in show business, Nick Cave’s stop on his solo(ish) tour at Massey Hall was surprisingly full of laughter. Long dark hair and sartorial seriousness aside, Cave proved humourous in his between-song banter, and shockingly even engaged in audience participation. Backed by the bassist he joked he borrowed from a little English band, Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood provided Cave’s piano and vocals the only additional accompaniment. Walking out to a roar of applause, Nick Cave took a moment to wave to each…
British indie rocker, Barns Courtney played to a packed Opera House in Toronto on Oct. 10. Full of spirit and high energy, Barns and band worked through fan faves such as London Girls, Supernatural, and big hit closer, Fire. The Supernatural tour continues through North America till the middle of next month. More info here. . .
The New Romantic Kings Reign Supreme in their 45th Year. Hello, my name is Aron and I’m a Durannie. Back in 1983, when toxic machismo openly dominated all aspects of society and culture, being a chubby bespectacled suburban Jewish kid with bleached bangs and Duran Duran pins on his Le Chateau peacoat was much like wearing a hi-vis vest in a firefight. While not exactly a boyband, the Fab Five as the British music rags dubbed them were new-wave pretty boys dressed in nice clothes who played the songs and made all the girls scream. To prove my love of…
From high school hijinx band to avant-thrash supergroup. Mr. Bungle’s start began almost 40 years ago. While lead singer, Mike Patton went on to famously front Faith No More, he never remained anchored to one single music project. Describing his voice as versatile is an understatement as Patton always used it instrumentally as much as melodically. However, his voice and his creativity are the likely reasons for his long list of collaborations with among others, Laurie Anderson, Fred Frith, Amon Tobin, Bebel Gilberto, Björk and John Zorn. While FNM may have been Patton’s longest-standing gig, Mr. Bungle seemed to always…