Defending Nickelback: They’re not that bad, are they?
Posted on November 6, 2011 By Mike Ross Culture, Front Slider, Music
Enough with the Nickelback bashing. The latest is that some Detroit Lions fan started an online petition to prevent the band from playing the halftime show at the Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Day game. It reportedly attracted nearly 40,000 signatures. Didn’t work, of course. Online petitions aren’t worth the paper they aren’t printed on. Nickelback played […]
AMAs pick emerging artist, give Brandt lifetime achievement award
Posted on November 5, 2011 By Staff Front Slider, Music
There’s something to be said for ditching the idea of a “best new artist” from music competitions, and this year’s revived Alberta Music Awards, handed out last night in Edmonton at the AGA, showcased why. Y’see 2011 Emerging Artist Winner Michael Bernard Fitzgerald isn’t new. He’s emerging. The Calgarian has been playing live around Alberta […]
OBITUARY: Dave Brockie of GWAR writes on the death of guitarist Cory Smoot
Posted on November 4, 2011 By Staff Front Slider, Music
Dave Brockie, aka Oderus Urungus of GWAR, has released a second statement in the wake of the sudden death of bandmate Cory Smoot on Thursday morning. The band’s show on Friday, Nov. 4 at the Edmonton Event Centre went ahead as scheduled. Brockie sent the following out on Friday: “After a restless night spent hurtling […]
THEATRE: History gets female perspective in Cleopatra’s Sister
Posted on November 3, 2011 By Mike Ross Front Slider, Theatre
Trevor Schmidt’s new play Cleopatra’s Sister is a story about a conversation that might’ve taken place between two female historical figures – but no one actually knows because men wrote all the history books – played by two female actors, and where men play only an incidental role. Schmidt’s last play, Heroine, is a play […]
MUSIC: Chad VanGaalen’s control issues
Posted on November 2, 2011 By Kevin Maimann Front Slider, Music
Don’t tell Chad VanGaalen what to do. He won’t listen, and besides, he’s plenty capable of taking care of it himself. The multitalented Calgary artist draws all of his album covers, animates his own music videos, and even builds some of the instruments he plays on his self-recorded albums. “All that stuff, it just takes […]
Roger Waters brings The Wall back to Rexall Place May 28
Posted on November 1, 2011 By Staff Front Slider, Music
The Wall? Now THERE’s a concept album that holds up. On the heels of Roger of the Who comes news of Roger of Pink Floyd: Roger Waters, to be precise, bringing his live performance of The Wall to Rexall Place on Monday, May 28. Tickets are $45, $65, $95, $145 or $225 and go on […]
Brian Setzer at EEC Dec. 27, Gigantour – with Motorhead! – returns Feb. 17
Posted on November 1, 2011 By Staff Front Slider, Music
There is only one man who can rock this town, rock it inside out – and that man is Brian Setzer. The man with the Big Guitar and the Big Crunchy Chords will bring his Rockabilly Riot to the Edmonton Event Centre on Tuesday, Dec. 27. The show will include a special opening set by […]
SHOWS ANNOUNCED: George Thorogood May 22, Dierks Bentley Feb. 19
Posted on October 31, 2011 By Staff Front Slider, Music
Falling into the category of Geez, Wasn’t He Just Here? is George Thorogood, returning to hold court with his salty brand of rockin’ blues at the Jubilee Auditorium on Tuesday May 22 – about two years to the day since he did the same thing in the same building. To the same fans, probably. This […]
REVIEW: Sam Roberts delivers amazing show at the Jube
Posted on October 30, 2011 By Michael Senchuk Front Slider, Music
Sam Roberts has proven that his live show is as enthusiastic and intricate as his recordings. The Montreal rocker and his Band started off with a bang at the Jubilee Auditorium on Saturday night, and rarely let off the gas pedal as he propelled fans through two hours of his rock hits, ballads and deep […]
SNFU singer Chi Pig returns from hell – to the art world
Posted on October 29, 2011 By Mike Ross Front Slider, Music, Visual Arts
Chi Pig marvels at the “perfect triangle” of his life that exists in the heart of Edmonton. “I was born at the Royal Alex, went to school at Vic Comp and played shows at the Polish Hall,” he says. “It all connected. It all made sense to me. I remember walking with my friend, 17 […]
Prince comes to Rexall Place Dec. 13 – tickets on sale Friday
Posted on October 28, 2011 By Staff Front Slider, Music
If Prince came knocking on your door, should you let him in knowing he’s a Jehovah’s Witness? Of course you should. In fact, we’ll convert just to get front-row seats to his show at Edmonton’s Rexall Place on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Tickets range from $34 to $220 and go on sale Friday at Ticketmaster here. […]
GIGGLE CITY: Neil Rhodes brewing fermented humour at Yellowhead Brewery
Posted on October 25, 2011 By Mike Ross Comedy, Front Slider
Of the many types of comedy we have explored in this space, one that remains relatively untapped is “beer humour,” also known as “fermented comedy.” Not to be confused with falling-down-drunk humour or even pretending-to-be-drunk humour, this small, possibly even non-existent comedic genre turns out to be the theme for a comedy night on Friday […]
