Review: “The Wedge” Feat. Fucked Up’s Damian As New Host

Posted on | January 27, 2011 | 3 Comments

Last night, on Muchmusic, was the beginning of the new, improved and re-imagined
“The Wedge” that’s been host-less since the departure of Sook-Yin Lee
back in 2001.

In charge of this redux edition is Damian Abraham a.k.a. Pink Eye,
frontman of Polaris Music Prize winning Toronto harcode punk band Fucked Up.

For you non-Canucks outthere, “The Wedge” is a show featuring the latest
“indie” music videos which has been airing on Much since 1992.

A show much like the sadly defunct “120 Minutes”, a staple of 90’s era
MTV but somehow managed to survive all these years.

I’ve been an avid watcher since 1999. The number of episodes I own on tapes and
DVDs is kind of insane really.

When they unexpectedly pulled the plug on the show last month, it left me
pretty much cold. The show had lost it’s zest. They were playing the same
videos over and over and over and you could tell they were just phoning it
in and I just got sick of it.

Imagine my surprise a week later, when they announced that it would come back
with a host.

From this first episode aired live last night, which will do so for the
remainder of it’s hopefully long run, I do believe Much did a mighty fine job
in seeking out Damian.

Very affable, quick ad-liber, makes thing fun and lively. It actually makes
me wanna tune it again. This also being live, I’m pretty damn sure some crazy,
unexpected shit will go down at some point. This is Pink Eye afterall. The dude
who’s known for stripping to his undies at any given time during a Fucked Up
show or destroy an entire bathroom during a live TV performance.

He mentioned in an Eye Weekly interview that he was a big fan of the show
back in the day and I can tell that he wants to make this new version appointment
TV for the youngins outthere force fed the latest Bieber / Disney Tween videos
on Much today, give them a little taste of what’s outthere on the fringe.

Interviews will also be conducted, first guest on the show last night was fellow
Torontonian Diamond Rings who had just came off stage opening for
Robyn @ Sound Academy.

They even snuck in a 20 seconds interview with her talking about DR.

And you cannot forget the sole reason for this show in the first place, the music videos, and they had a pretty killer video playlist for their debut:

Matt & Kim – “Camera”
Best Coast – “Boyfriend”
The Vaccines – Post Break-Up Sex”
Freelance Whales – “Enzymes”
Diamond Rings – “Something Else”
Born Ruffians – “The Ballad Of Bruce Moose”
The Sadies – “Another Day Again”
Fist City – “Debbie Get Your Boa”
Wolf Parade – “Yulia”
Pixies – “Here Comes Your Man”

A small thing I noticed aswell is they brought back the director’s credit.
I always like to know the wizards behind those videos  so props to the
Wedge producers for bringing those back.

You can follow Damian on Twitter (@leftfordamian) where you can request
videos to be played on the show or inform him of a cool local band in your area
he might take a shine to and talk about on the show.

If you missed last night’s debut or do not have access to Much and are curious
to see how in played out, I encoded the show for your pleasure which you can download — > HERE.

“The Wedge” airs Wednesdays @ 10pm (repeat @ 1am) on Muchmusic.

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Category: Music Videos, Reviews, The Wedge
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Coachella 2011: Lineup Announced

Posted on | January 19, 2011 | 1 Comment

Happening this year from April 15 – 17 @ the Empire Polo Field in Indio, California.

If I were to go, these would be very high on top of my list:

The Black Keys, Aracde Fire, Mumford & Sons, The Kills, Suede(!),
Elbow, Joy Formidable, Kanye West, The Strokes, The National,
PJ Harvey, DFA 1979.

Unfortunately, I burn easily and I hear the desert sun can be very harsh and unforgiving, so my guess is I won’t but y’all should and then report back to me.

Tickets go on sale this Friday and usually sell out pretty darn fast.

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Category: Coachella, Festivals
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Glasvegas New Album “Euphoric // Heartbreak \\” Out April 4th

Posted on | January 17, 2011 | No Comments

Glasvegas
EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\
April 4, 2011
Columbia Records

Tracklist:

01. Pain Pain, Never Again
02. The World Is Yours
03. You
04. Shine Like Stars
05. Whatever Hurts You Through The Night
06. Stronger Than Dirt (Homosexuality Part 2)
07. Dream Dream Dreaming
08. I Feel Wrong (Homosexuality Part 1)
09. Euphoria, Take My Hand
10. Lots Sometimes
11. Change

Official Website
MySpace
Facebook
Twitter

One of my most anticipated release of 2011, Glasvegas will be releasing their
sophomore album in the UK first week of April.

What we know about it:

5 months spent in Santa Monica to write, demo and track it, the album was
then recorded in London with producer Flood (of U2, Depeche Mode fame).

It’s their first release with new drummer Jonna Löfgren who replaced
original member Caroline McKay who left the band last March.

Released yesterday was the first single titled “The World Is Yours”.

The atmospheric, reverb-y, anthemic music they’re known for is still
in evidence in this new slice of British rock.

Good to know they’re staying true to their sound.

You can STREAM this new single on their Soundcloud page.

Or watch this video which previews the new album:

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Category: Albums, Glasvegas, MP3s
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MVs Collection #26

Posted on | January 15, 2011 | No Comments

El Guincho – “Bombay” (NSFW)
Directed by Nicolás Méndez.

A NSFW, nonsensical video featuring Spanish bewbs.

You’re welcome.

Their debut album “Pop Negro” is out now on Young Turks Records.

Jonny – “Candyfloss”
Directed by Ryan Owen.

New project from Scottish/Welsh music old schoolers Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub) and Euros Childs (Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci).

Their self-titled debut comes out January 31st on Alsatian Records.

You can download a free 4 song EP right here.

Edwyn Collins – “Do It Again”
Directed by Kieran Evans.

7th solo album from Scottish singer/songwriter Edwyn Collins titled “Losing Sleep” is out now on Heavenly Records.

It is indeed Franz Ferdinand‘s Alex Kapranos (sporting a sexy porn ‘stache)
and Nick McCarthy landing their musical skills on this single.

The Depreciation Guild – “Blue Lily”
Directed by Ryan Louie.

Love the use of Rotoscope in this video. Made me think of a little gem of a
movie titled “Waking Life” which y’all should check out.

“Spirit Youth” is out now on Kanine Records.

The Naked And Famous – “Young Blood”
Directed by Campbell Hooper & Joel Kefali.

These New Zealanders released their debut album “Passive Me, Aggressive
You” last Fall in their home country on Somewhat Damaged Records.

Broadcast – “Papercuts”
Directed by Barback.

R.I.P. Trish Keenan.

42 years young.

So sad.

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Category: Music Videos, MVs Collection
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Epic Ditch (Superdrag’s John Davis New Project)

Posted on | January 11, 2011 | No Comments

Superdrag frontman John Davis gettin’ his Punk (or Skate Rock) on.

This new band consists of him, Stewart Pack, Nick Raskulinecz and
Nick Slack.

Here’s “I Want To Destroy” which was performed at their first ever
band practice 3 days ago:

Their debut EP should be out soon.

You can hear more Epic Ditch on their — > MYSPACE page.

John’s also working on his 3rd solo record (get yourself 2007’s “Arigato!” if you haven’t already done so) with 18 songs already in the bag, he’s just going through them with producer and fellow Epic Ditch band member Nick Raskulinecz to get to the best ones and record them.

We might see an EP release before this sure to be kick ass new Davis LP.

John Davis solo — > MYSPACE page.

Update ( January 21st) :

Well, that sure didn’t take long.

Last weekend, they went into the studio and recorded their EP in a day.

Tracklist:

1. Hope And Change
2. Rock N Roll Ain’t Gonna Save You
3. I Want To Destroy
4. Blackened White Light
5. Go Forth And Ride

You can stream the whole thing HERE.

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Category: Epic Ditch, John Davis, Live Performances, Superdrag
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