Ripoff artists who should be sued
The $7.4 million judgement against Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke for allegedly plagiarizing the late Marvin Gaye in the song Blurred Lines is very encouraging for fans of originality. And with Sam Smith rolling over and crying uncle after Tom Petty’s publisher pointed out that Stay With Me contains a similar chord progression and even […]
Edmonton braces for Invasion of the Tenors
Historians look back on the Invasion of the Tenors with interest. It started with Luciano Pavarotti, the late great Italian opera singer who sold his soul to Mephostopheles and led the way to the popularization of opera the world over, spawning a new genre: Popera. Tenors – considered the sexiest range of the human male […]
Jason Aldean to Burn It Down in Edmonton
The only things “country” about Jason Aldean are the hat and the twang. In all other respects he’s a pop star. He ain’t no Johnny Cash. That’s the word from old people shouting at the kids to get off their lawns. For the new breed of male country stars and their young, predominantly female fans, […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Counting on Counting Crows
In the early 1990s amongst the stratospheric rise of grunge and alternative rock to the forefront of the North American music scene, many acts also found immense success using those elements as a subtle influence to their own sound, often staying more true to straight-up rock ‘n’ roll. One of those acts was the Counting […]
WHO NAMED THE BAND: Bipolar Two Bears North
Two Bears North is neither two bears, nor are they two. They are a celebrated Edmonton folk trio. The name comes from singer-bassist Melissa Walker’s father, who suffers from bipolar disorder. He remarked to his daughter one day, “I’m feeling a little two bears north today,” two meaning bi and bears north referring to polar. […]
Sonic Boom 2015 reveals eclectic lineup
Maybe we could call Sonic Boom 2015 our own little Coachella – given the somewhat “eclectic” nature of the line-up announced Wednesday morning. It’s all over the map – musically and literally. Tickets go on sale May 1. Along with the hardcore punk band Alexisonfire previously announced, we’ll get to see Hozier – the Take […]
The Milk Carton Kids come to the Winspear
Has “The New Everly Brothers” been taken yet? It has? OK, so whoever has it, please give it to the Milk Carton Kids. The “Simon & Garfunkel of Modern Times” will also be acceptable. Celebrated for leading the way when it comes to nu-folk with lovely acoustic guitarsmithery, touching songs and sweet, sweet two-part vocal […]
Barenaked Ladies Version 2 returns to Edmonton
It was tough there for a while, but Barenaked Ladies have proven themselves a worthy creative force without their former lead singer Steven Page (who left in 2009 in the wake of a cocaine scandal) – and survived all the jokes about them being the Canadian Van Halen minus either David Lee Roth or Sammy […]
SONiC Boom 2015 to happen on real grass
Overheard at Sonic Boom 2015 (from the future): Hey, man, what’s that wrinkly thing with the green stuff all over it? It’s a tree, dude! They’re all over the place! Cool, can we smoke it? Well, anyway, there’s good news on the Edmonton concert front: The SONiC Boom alternative rock festival has been moved from […]
Neil Young to Honour the Treaties in Edmonton
There are few rock stars who have been as critical of the Alberta Oil Sands as Neil Young – and now he’s putting his music where is mouth is. So to speak. Part political event, part Neil Young concert, his “Honour the Treaties” show happens Friday, July 3 at Rexall Place, part of a cross-Canada […]
REVIEW: Def Leppard past its prime
It was a tough night on the entertainment front Thursday night in Edmonton. Leadership debate, or Def Leppard concert. Some choice. More than 12,000 Edmontonians paid good money not to sit at home and watch the carnage on TV, instead plunking their patooties on hard plastic to hear the British band take a run through […]
