Features

Quarter Music – May 28

More news about Arcade Fire’s forthcoming album The Suburbs, musicians boycotting the state of Arizona and ex-Oasis members finally deciding on a new band name. Hear tunes by The Dandy Warhols, The Besnard Lakes, Crystal Castles, Rage Against The Machine and the second half of a ’90s playlist featuring Sloan, Beck, I Mother Earth, Goldfinger, Eels and Radiohead.

Listen to it and previous episodes at Quarter Music.

*Quarter Music is a weekly music show I host and produce featuring a round up of the week’s top music stories, concert reviews, specifically chosen songs and playlists. Listen live every Friday afternoon from 5-6 p.m. on Centennial College’s Internet Radio Station.

Quarter Music – May 14

News about a Kurt Cobain inspired exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum, Metric writing a theme song for the upcoming Twilight movie, the auctioning of a Beatles press conference tape from 1966 and Blur potentially recording some new material. Hear songs by Beach House, Stone Temple Pilots, Kele, The Shins, The National and Nirvana. Also hear a Canadian playlist featuring The Golden Dogs, Sloan, The Rural Alberta Advantage and Patrick Watson.

Listen to this episode and others at Quarter Music.

Five of the Most Eclectic Dressers In Music

Written for AUX.

Recently we saw Sigur Ros’ Jonsi dawn some scattered rags during his performance as well as MGMT wearing capes. Standing on stage  in blue jeans or even having a personal stylist give the band a more rock ‘n’ roll look might not cut it these days. Enter the extravagant stage dress that provides a visual experience to correspond with the music. Over the years several different forms of fashion have come and gone during music gigs and now that trend seems to have emerged again. No doubt Lady Gaga has turned  heads with her strikingly bizarre costumes, yet lyrical her material fails to convince. Here are a list of performers who’ve used their costumes to not only wow the audience, but also transform themselves into a visual image of their music.

In 1972, David Bowie strapped on his red mullet and extravagant outfits to become Ziggy Stardust and toured the United States for the very first time. Androgynous, flamboyant, Bowie’s alter ego fit in perfectly with the glam rock trend that was happening around that time. The clothing he wore that would later be copied and expanded by other musicians was only part of the performance as Bowie’s on-stage antics became more and more eclectic such as simulating oral sex with Mick Ronson’s guitar.

One of the most notoriously diverse musicians who actually caught her first break with a band called The Sugarcubes, Bjork’s art has flourished through music, film and fashion. From wearing a pom pom wig on stage to a swan dress at the Oscars back in 2001, Bjork’s fearless and at times mind-blowing style has made her and what she wears iconic.

Having been around since the late ‘60s and released over sixty albums of their own avant-garde music, members of the band The Residents have tried terribly to conceal their identities. In concert they remain silent and wear eyeball helmets, top hats and tuxedos. Still touring and creating music today, the band put out two albums last year and a DVD called Is Anybody Out There, a collection of YouTube videos. And if you’ve seen any of these videos you won’t be surprised what a string of eyeball musicians have created.

GWAR are a thrash metal band formed at a University in Virginia who “claimed to consist of all-powerful interplanetary warriors, descended from aliens stranded in Antarctica and initially created from the lowest filth in the universe, who came to Earth to sexually enslave and/or slaughter the human race,” according to Allmusic. Members perform under aliases with names like Balsac the Jaws of Death and the Sexecutioner. The band dress in bizarre sci-fi/horror costumes and perform fake pagan rituals on stage. Check out an unmasked interview with GWAR on AUX TV’s HARD.

For someone who changes their name to a symbol or asks people to simply refer to them as “The Artist,” you know their soul is screaming to show itself through clothing, so it’s no wonder Prince has been seen in some very eclectic and usually revealing outerwear. Everything from bright coloured suits to guitars in the shape of his symbol, Prince has made a name for himself musically with chart topping albums, such as 1984’s Purple Rain, and stylistically with memorable stage shows and costumes.

Five of the Best Thrid Albums

*Written and published for AUX

Awhile back we posted about bands overcoming the ‘sophomore slump.’ In most cases their second albums proved they were professional musicians with more than a dozen or so good licks. The third album however is probably as tricky as the second and truly shows what they’re made of and what they have to offer. We’ve seen third albums flop, but those unmentionables are for another day. Today rather we highlight the best and what turned out to be most groundbreaking third album releases that ultimately put the band’s name on the lips and in the ears of everyone across the globe.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz! (2009)

For those only familiar with the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s through their song “Maps,” one of the greatest alternative rock love songs, all they saw in It’s Blitz! was a hand crushing an egg. That’s before taking a listen obviously. Following 2006’s LP Show Your Bones and the EP Is Is, released a year later, Yeah Yeah Yeahs catapulted themselves to the big screen, or big stage, with 10 songs and four acoustic takes. The sound on It’s Blitz! is nothing revolutionary and is unsurprising for fans of the band as the edgy rock/synth combo is still present. If anything singer Karen O’s shows off some vocal skill, especially on the acoustic takes, and the band as a whole reveal they are not limited to explicit in-your-face alternative rock like on their previous albums.

Radiohead – OK Computer (1997)

It’s difficult to think of third albums and have Radiohead’s OK Computer slip your mind. Numerous articles, chapters of books and people in general have devoted themselves to just less than 60 minutes of music created by four English lads from Oxford. The animated video for the album’s lead single “Paranoid Android,” directed by Magnus Carlsson, is a staple for the ‘90s and the song itself is memorable for everyone growing up during that time. We can talk about how many bands were influenced by this album till the next decade and that’s what makes this music so worthy of being dubbed one of the best alternative rock albums ever. It was the first step in the long musical journey Radiohead as a band would pursue in terms of sound. With its politically driven lyrics and collection of creative images, the album is responsible for part of the success the band has today.

Metric – Live It Out (2005)

“Bam-chick-a-bam, chick-a-boom-boom-boom, sha-lang-sha-lang-boom.” Technically the third although released as their second, their first album Grow Up and Blow Away was re-released in 2007, Metric’s Live It Out stands alone as one of the best Canadian indie rock albums of the last decade. After a long eerie intro and soft vocals from singer Emily Haines, “Empty,” the album’s opening song launches you into a heavy guitar/drums assault. The rest of the disc goes back and forth between chilled out and hard rocking snyth tracks that, although done by so many other bands around this time, remain both original and memorable.

Hole – Celebrity Skin (1998)

Call Courtney Love what you want, perhaps Courtney Michelle, but there was once a time when her band Hole was one of the best female fronted alternative rock bands on the planet and even received Grammy nominations. Could you imagine Courtney Love going up and collecting a Grammy Award? Musically this album marked a slight change for Hole as they adopted a more polished version of their previous raw grungy take on alternative rock. Love herself had a transformation around this time as she started to shape up her image and landed roles in the movies, The People vs. Larry Flint and 200 Cigarettes. Whether their latest, Nobody’s Daughter lives up to this album is undecided, although we’re pretty sure it won’t as we sadly watch the reformed Hole, or Courtney Love, getting up on stage trying to get back the musical prowess she once had.

Blink 182 – Enema of the State (1999)

With lyrics like, “I’d ditch my lecture to watch the girls play soccer, is my picture still hanging in her locker?” Blink 182’s Enema of the State solidified the new wave of pop punk and set a precursor for the legions of bands to follow. It was the first album with drummer Travis Barker and was Blink’s first popular album. For those who had known the band in their Cheshire Cat, Dude Ranch days, this album was nothing knew as they once again took on writing upbeat tunes based on love lost and jacking off in weird places. To accompany their witty, but most of the time immature themes, the band captured their thoughts through music videos by running naked through the streets or imitating current boy bands like the Backstreet Boys and what not.

Quarter Music – April 30

News of forthcoming albums from The Killers’ Brandon Flowers, Black Mountain and How to Destroy Angels consisting of Trent Reznor and his wife. Also hear news about an upcoming tour featuring  Alice in Chains, Deftones and Mastodon and who Courtney Love says will play her husband in the upcoming Kurt Cobain biopic. Hear a ’90s album playlist and other tracks by Black Lips, Land of Talk, Nine Inch Nails, Goldfinger and Pilate.

Listen to this week’s episode and others at Quarter Music.

’90s Albums Due For Special Treatment

*Written and published for AUX

Today we learned of another, let’s say ‘mature’ band set to re-release one of their older more popular albums as a deluxe edition. Whether it is an easy cash grab, an indication the band is on its last legs or just out of sheer boredom, Weezer will put out a deluxe edition of their sophomore album Pinkerton and join the list of other bands to shed light on their ‘90s glory…although they’ve done it already for what people simply refer to as ‘the blue album.’ Critical reasoning aside, the music is what really matters and if you’re that uptight about it you can just illegally download it, although that’s not something we encourage at AUX. Anyway, here’s a list of albums that came out in the ‘90s that are due for a special treatment release.

Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream

Having been labeled as ‘the next Nirvana’ after Nevermind blew people’s minds, the Smashing Pumpkins’ sophomore album Siamese Dream, released in 1993,  did not have the same in-your-face sound as the aforementioned album even though it was also produced by Butch Vig. The album was recorded when the band was dealing with drug addiction, depression and love lost, but upon its release it sold over six million copies worldwide and brought out the tracks “Today,” “Disarm,” “Cherub Rock” and “Rocket.” Pisces Iscariot, a collection of b-sides and unreleased songs from Siamese Dream and their first album Gish came out in 1994.

Green Day – Dookie

Third studio album, major label debut and quite possibly the best 40 minutes anyone will ever spend listening to a Green Day album. Those hoping the punks they once knew who performed at 924 Gilman Street would say the band sold out with this album. Perhaps they were right if you look at the clan bands that adopted the pop punk formula, but for its time Dookie was awesome. It was loud, fast and easy to sing along to. Who can forget the first time they heard “Long View?”


Soundgarden – Superunknown

Undoubtedly Soundgarden’s most successful album, Superunknown was perfect for people who weren’t too psyched about the band’s heavy metal influenced sound on their previous albums. Clocking in at just over 70 minutes long, the album released the singles “The Day I Tried To Live,” “My Wave,” “Fell on Black Days,” “Spoonman” and “Black Hole Sun.” The disc, their fourth, kick started their fame and is probably why longtime fans prefer Badmotorfinger or Louder Than Love.


The Offspring – Smash

From the intro where the gentlemen tells you its time to relax and put your feet up, to the first three seconds of “Nitro,” The Offspring’s third album Smash, released in 1994, pulls you in, lets you shout and swear and jump around and then tells you to relax again. Much of the swearing and jumping around may have been done by pre-teen boys alone, however the album still has some of the most memorable songs of the decade. “Self Esteem,” “Come out and Play,” “Bad Habit,” are just a few off what is now the band’s most popular album.


Rage Against The Machine – Evil Empire

Taking their time between first and second albums seemed like a wise thing to do for Rage Against The Machine as their sophomore record Evil Empire succeeded their self titled debut with a fresh batch of songs removing them from just combining rap and rock music. “Bulls On Parade” is easily one of the best anthems and could even get your grandma pumped up with Tom Morello’s scratching guitar sound. The title of the disc is taken from a phrase used by former President Ronald Reagan when describing the former Soviet Union.


No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom

Another third release gem, No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom turned out to be the band’s most popular record at the time fusing punk, pop and third-wave ska. The disc was recorded in 11 different studios around Los Angeles and was released in 1995. The single “Don’t Speak” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay.

Quarter Music – April 16

Details of forthcoming albums from Chromeo, Ozzy Osbourne, Wavves and Tokyo Police Club. Other news about Iggy and the Stooges coming to Toronto and the best voted guitarist of the past 30 years. Hear a Coachella themed playlist with songs by Camera Obscura, The Cribs, The Soft Pack, The Twelves and Echo & The Bunnymen. Also hear tracks by Efterklang, The Morning Benders and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Listen to the episode.

I’m In Charge Here: The 7 Most Famous Band Managers

*Written and published for AUX.

Seven managers, two AUX writers. This past weekend AUX writer’s Anne T. Donahue and Ciaran Thompson combined notes to come up with a definitive list of band managers. Inspired by the death last week of former Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, the Thompson-Donahue collaboration came up with the most fiercest, intelligent and extravagant folks to ever claim the title of band manager.

Albert Grossman

“You’re one of the dumbest assholes and most stupid persons I’ve ever spoken to…If we were someplace else I’d punch you in your god damn nose,” manager Albert Grossman said to a hotel manager on Bob Dylan’s 1965 tour of England. The famous event, captured on film by D.A. Pennebaker is just one of the several times Grossman showed his strength. Whether it was kicking unwanted people out of the picture or growling at the media for more money, Grossman knew what he was doing and knew how it get it done.

Grossman managed Dylan throughout the ‘60s and other folk artists such as Peter, Paul and Mary, Odetta, John Lee Hooker, Ian and Sylvia and Gordon Lightfoot among others. Paul from Peter, Paul and Mary, whose original name was Noel, switched it to Paul on Grossman’s request so the band could have a biblical reference. A truly legendary manager any artist or band would want to have in their corner.

Brian Epstein

Brian Epstein

Perhaps one of the youngest and most revered band managers in rock ‘n roll history, Brian Epstein was The Beatles’ manager, friend and qualified most for the title of “Fifth Beatle” – as once stated by Paul McCartney.  Despite having no previous managerial experience (though his work with NEMS and Mersey Beat magazine were incredibly well-received at the time), the then 27-year-old signed a five-year contract with The Beatles in January of 1962 and officially assumed the role of the band’s go-to for everything, anything and all things in-between.

Renowned for his generosity and kindness (though it was later revealed he wasn’t always as honest as previously thought), Epstein acted as the patriarch of The Beatles family, going so far as to be Lennon’s best man at his wedding to Cynthia, and paying for the reception lunch as well as a private hospital room for the birth of Julian.  However, like many industry legends, Epstein was not without his demons, suffering from depression, gambling addiction and drug use, and in August 27, 1967 he died at age 32 of a drug overdose.

Peter Grant

Sheet metal factory worker, army Corporal, bouncer, wrestler, actor and manager of one of the first bands to be called Heavy Metal, Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant led quite the life. Grant managed the Yardbirds until the band dissolved and guitarist Jimmy Page formed the new Yardbirds who became known as Led Zeppelin.

On the list of notable accomplishments are Grant’s negotiation for the band’s five-year record contract with Atlantic, marching into English records shops demanding all bootleg copies of shows be handed over, harassing concert staff about the sale of illegal posters and he is widely recognized for improving pay conditions for musicians. Standing at 6 ft 5 and weighing a ton probably helped Grant “convince” record labels and others standing in the way, but it was the stunning amount of faith he had in his bands that exemplifes what a legendary manager he was.

Malcolm McLaren

Few people encompass the definition of “badass” like former Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, whose venture as a designer and shop owner led him to manage and design for the New York Dolls, acquaint himself with the Neon Boys, and own SEX, the iconic London store specializing in S&M-style clothing that acted as a catalyst for the London-born Sex Pistols.

It was at SEX where McLaren was introduced to bassist Glen Matlock, and where John Lyndon (Johnny Rotten) auditioned for the band, lip syncing to a track by Alice Cooper.  Following the breakup of the group, McLaren launched his own music career, releasing albums to critical and commercial success, yet despite his obvious accomplishments, McLaren saw himself as the ultimate failure – a title he proudly displayed and commented on:  “In my view, failing is a noble pursuit”.  Sadly, after a battle with cancer, the 64-year-old passed away in Switzerland last week, uttering the last words, “free Leonard Peltier”.

Danny Fields/Linda Stein

An icon of the original punk rock movement, Danny Fields (who formerly shared an apartment with Edie Sedgwick and penned the liner notes for The Velvet Underground’s Live at Max’s Kansas City) discovered The Ramones at CBGB in 1975, going on to co-manage the group with Linda Stein – wife of Sire Records president, Seymour Stein – who left her teaching position that same year to take on her managerial duties.  It was after the two brought the band to England, when the influence of The Ramones was fully realized; going on to inspire the UK punk movement which birthed The Sex Pistols and The Clash.

While the two eventually parted ways professionally, Fields continued his industry endeavours, managing Steve Forbert, The Modern Lovers and Paleface, later venturing into writing.  Tragically, after leaving the business to launch her career as a gossip columnist and “Realtor to the Stars”, Stein was found murdered in her New York City apartment in 2007 at the hand of her assistant.

Rob Gretton

It’s hard to judge how well actor Toby Kebbell played Joy Divison/New Order manager Rob Gretton in Control, a biopic about the late Joy Division singer Ian Curtis. In the movie it shows Gretton (Kebbell) as a very cool entrepreneur whose business is music and calling people daft c****. According to what’s been written, not all of that happened. However Gretton did discover Warsaw who later became Joy Division, bet with his bands about singles in the music charts and gave New Order its name from a situationist book he was reading that triggered a Nazi connotation. Gretton was also a partner in Factory Records and co-founded the Hacienda nightclub in Manchester.