MUSIC PREVIEW: Weird Al dares to be original
Here, finally, comes the true test for “Weird Al” Yankovic – an entire concert based on his own songs. Wait, what? He has his own songs? A whole show? Like that polka medley he always does?
More than that. True fans know Weird Al composes his own music – quirky stylistic homages that might as well be novelty songs sprinkled throughout his 14 studio albums. He’s skewered more than 150 popular songs since 1982, some so memorable they taint the memory of the original versions. Can’t hear Michael Jackson’s Bad and Beat It without thinking Fat and Eat It. Al’s latest album Mandatory Fun (2014) was said to be the first “comedy” album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200.
But what of his music? By now he probably has enough of his own tunes to fill several albums – and certainly a full show. Of course we remember Dare to Be Stupid, Attack of the Radioactive Hamsters from a Planet Near Mars, Everything You Know is Wrong, and She Never Told Me She was a Mime, to name four. Also there’s 2003’s Bob, a Bob Dylan homage written entirely with palindromes. There’s One More Minute (from 1985’s Dare to Be Stupid album), a break-up ballad in a doo-wop setting, and a sharp line, “I would rather eat shards of broken glass than spend one more minute with you.” And continuing a recurrent theme, Harvey the Wonder Hamster.
Comedy is clearly his first goal.
Secretly a good musician, a fine accordionist who’s been playing the thing for 50 years, Weird Al’s got lots more where that came from. The man is literally a walking billboard of pop culture references – and he has become one himself. Well played, man.
At the River Cree Casino Saturday night, Weird Al has done well enough that he’s earned the right to mount the “Ridiculously Self-Indulgent and Ill-Advised Vanity Tour” – and turn his back on what made him famous. Chances are his loyal fans are going to be right there with him.
Tickets to the 9 pm show, with the opening comedian Emo Philips, are $60 and up.
Friday June 1
Vissia – Dark, earthy and edgy, this gutsy local singer occupies the same Astral plane as Bonnie Raitt. (Alex) Vissia’s latest album is called Place Holder – its inert title belying bloozy turbulence underneath – and the award-winning single therein, The Mountaineer. Opening the show at the Aviary will be Bears in Hazenmore and Eva Foote. 8 pm, $10 advance
Saturday 2
Wildwood – On their own, these guys have been around forever – singer Tanyss Nixi, guitarist Dave Johnston, bassist Mitch Diesel, drummer Scott Lingley – and they came together on a lark, a whim, for shits ‘n’ giggles. The result gives a fresh kick to traditional country music. Sounds pretty real most of the time. Wildwood’s debut record came out last year and there’s been a “buzz” ever since. Free show this afternoon at the Black Dog, 4 pm
Whale and the Wolf – This slick alternative-cum-commercial pop quartet from Edmonton sounds like one of those bands that you see at some festival, and then exclaim, “Oh, that’s the band with that song all over the radio!” Not yet, but almost. With funky groove, crunchy guitar, provocative lyrics, and so radio friendly they hump your ear, they’ve had a couple minor hits on the air – concentrating on releasing singles instead of full-blown albums, maybe a wise move these days; the latest single release is Staring at the Sky. Tonight they’re at the Starlite Room, with Forester, Bedside and The FKB. Tickets $10, available at Blackbyrd Myoozik or at the door (the club is having issues with its ticketing website).
Black Friday – It’s a terrible thing that happened to the Forge nightclub. The long-standing Whyte Avenue venue sustained extensive damage after an early morning fire on Monday, May 28. Police suspect arson. Send positive thoughts (hopefully backed up by positive action) to the owners and staff whose lives have been disrupted. Meanwhile, the local melodic metal trio Black Friday had also scheduled its album release show tonight at the Forge. The gig has been moved to The Celtic Hall, 10104 23 Avenue. Also on the bill will be Sins of Sorrow, Original Violence, and Filthy Sinner. Previously held advance tickets will be honoured; or $15 at the door.
