Posted on December 10, 2011
By Mike Ross
Music
I crashed the meet ‘n’ greet at the 2002 Prince concert in Edmonton – and couldn’t get a word in edgewise because my wife kept badgering him about birthdays. See, Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t believe in birthdays because birthdays are pagan rituals. Besides, they’re not going to die, so what’s the point? Too many candles on […]
Posted on December 9, 2011
By Michael Senchuk
Music
This weekend’s most notable performers are a pair of renowned Canadian country artists with 10 Juno awards between them – plus the second in the Jingle Bell Rock series, headlined by USS. It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas. Friday Van Funk and the Lebarons – This local folk/blues/rock band will headline at the […]
Posted on December 8, 2011
By Mike Ross
Front Slider, Music
The teaming up of three of our top singer-songwriters inspires tantalizing visions of an Edmonton supergroup – Mike McDonald, Ben Sures and Paul Bellows – along the lines of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. They might even be convinced to wear some of those gay caballero costumes. Well, maybe not. The supergroup isn’t out of […]
Posted on December 8, 2011
By Albert Smith
Front Slider, Music
It’s always a treat when we get a visit from a British band – begging the question: Are British rock bands better than North American ones? Short answer: Yes. We’ll go to the scoreboard in a moment, but for now celebrate the return of Coldplay, playing April 17 at Rexall Place. The band has chosen […]
Posted on December 7, 2011
By Adrian Lackey
Music, The Latest
Many people pooh-pooh karaoke. Ironically, a lot of those people excel at Rock Band. Like Pearl Harbor and raw fish being passed off as fine dining, we can blame the Japanese for the fad that never went away. “Karaoke” comes from the Japanese words for “kara” – meaning “empty” – and “okesurtora” – meaning “orchestra.” […]
Posted on December 7, 2011
By Staff
Front Slider, Music
On the heels of the announcement of Cats at the Jubilee Auditorium comes news of another apparently feline-related act coming to that same building on Saturday, March 10 – Puscifer. What are the odds? And who named the band, you ask? It’s just Tool’s Maynard James Keenan up to some new tricks, that’s all. Puscifer […]
Posted on December 5, 2011
By Mike Ross
Music
Nov. 29, 2011 Dear [Subscriber]: I, Jesse “James” Kupina, CEO of Union Hall Nightclub and The Ranch Roadhouse, am writing to express my concerns about Bill 26, the Alberta Traffic Safety Amendment Act 2011. I feel strongly that the proposed bill will have a negative impact on our province, unfairly penalize law-abiding Albertans and does […]
Posted on December 2, 2011
By Staff
Front Slider, Music
There is hot country and there is cool country – and Dwight Yoakam is definitely the latter. Still walkin’ that line between too cool for his own good and not hot enough to become the next Garth Brooks, Yoakam brings his high and lonesome cosmic California country sound to the River Cree Casino on Saturday, […]
Posted on December 2, 2011
By Michael Senchuk
Music
Though the city is bereft of any “big name” touring acts this weekend, there is more than enough live music to entertain you on the first weekend of December – including a trio of metal shows Friday night. Friday Boo Radley – Avenue Theatre is hosting an all-metal night featuring five local bands: also including […]
Posted on November 29, 2011
By Kevin Maimann
Front Slider, Music
Don’t let them scare you. Polkadot Cadaver’s eccentric mash-up of rock, metal, dance, polka and everything in between is accompanied by some downright twisted lyrics that sometimes make strangers apprehensive about approaching the band. Take the chorus of lovably eerie ballad Chloroform Girl, for instance, on which singer Todd Smith croons, “It’s been three years […]
Posted on November 28, 2011
By Staff
Music
There are few guitarists who can be identified by one note and B.B. King is one of them – and he only plays one note! Ha! Just kidding. He plays three. The point being that the blues legend is a master of understatement. He’s 86! Wouldn’t you be? No need to show off anymore. And […]
Posted on November 28, 2011
By Staff
Music
Slowhand Walter, fire in this guy? No, it’s just one of the most famous misheard lyrics from one of the most famous rock classics ever pressed into service – Smoke on the Water – and soon we’ll get a chance to mishear it again live when Deep Purple comes to Rexall Place on Tuesday, Feb. […]
