Growing up, I could never find any in the sprawl of Coquitlam, but whenever I would venture into Washington State I would have to take a stop at an AM/PM to get one. Seriously… I’d go out of my way during a gas or rest stop to make sure it had an AM/PM attached. mmm blue or red?
One of my highlights of Bumbershoot many moons ago was wandering the grounds and finding an ICEE machine. It was late late late in the day, dark and not hot. had to have one. Bought the biggest one in fact!
Today I walked to the Zone. Very nice morning and I was thirsty so I stopped into the convenience store at Dominion and Craigflower for a vitamin water or something equally expensive when I spotted it. An ICEE machine mere blocks from my home! WOW. So 10AM, large ICEE in hand… off to the Zone I skipped.
And now I will never need to visit Washington State again.
Last night I was in a it of a mood and sick so I settled into my book. I drifted off to sleep around 12:30 midnight on the couch… which I do a lot but it always weirds me out. I came to around 3:30AM and shuffled off to bed, but could not sleep to save my life.
I had all these old 60s songs blasting through my head so loud, it was like I was listening with headphones on. I thought for sure listening to music would put me to sleep so back to the living room I went to listen to music.
That was a mistake, I ended up staying awake till 7AM and listened to hours of tunes.
I have said before, 60s music is all weird… and one of the stranger cuts to come up was 1967’s number 1, “Kind of a Drag” from Chicago rockers The Buckinghams.
Using that fine 60s cracker slang to describe how annoying it is when your “baby don’t love you anymore.”
That makes sense till he hits the chorus then dives into creeper stalkerism.
Get nostalgic and listen to this.
“I still love you… I’ll always love you…. ANYWAY!…ANYWAY!… kind of a drag.”
Alriught, I need to crush another Halls and get ready to squeak on the radio for four hours.
I am having a minor obsession right now with a free Axis and Allies computer simulator I found.
I am a super nerd but if you’re into it: Triple A.
I like the game because it has a First World War variant. I have always, always wanted to play a Great War strategy game, and even though this game leaves a lot to be desired, it works and I play it late into the night when Coral and Mads are asleep. (if you know of a great and maybe free World War One simulator for Mac… let me know!).
The great joy I am finding to play my nerdy war game late into the night (aside from crushing the Central Powers) is that I get to play a lot of music during my time.
I was inspired by a couple things I’ve ready over the past few days. One was an article that Ryan sent me. It as an epic odyssey that a thirty-something is writing about his recollection of 90s grunge and mainstream music. I like how he is going back and re-listening to all the old albums he used to love as a kid again with fresh ears and the perspective of time.
The other was Jon William’s Top 10 of 2010 list. He mentioned a couple bands that had records out this year that I used to love, but never listen to anymore.
Deftones? C’mon, those guys rip and I fell off the band wagon.
Last night while invading France (I flipped it around and played the game as the Central Powers) I fired up the Deftone’s most excellent second record Around the Fur.
The record is an amazing adventure in 90s alt-metal and also the home to one of the best Deftone’s songs in their catalog, “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away).”
Deftones – “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)”
The song is so soothing while also being aggressive. The juxtaposition is wonderous on the ear. The story of the song is an emotion that I am sure many of us have felt throughout or lives. I don’t really know what the song is about but to me, its a song about freedom (and girls oddly).
Maybe its the single and album cover?
Such a striking and sexy picture of a girl at a party in Seattle in the mid-90s. I wonder who she is?
The band recorded the album in Seattle and during a party a photographer snapped this shot. Now this girl’s boobs are on my blog.
The interesting part of this album cover to me… is that it primes the record as a “sexual” experience even though none of the songs are about “sex” in a linear way. I have always thought of Around the Fur as a sex record or about grils even though it probably really isn’t about either. Its all because of this image.
The other strong emotional connection I have to the Deftone’s “Be Quiet and Drive” is that a big part of my life from 16 was the roadtrip.
We would constantly take long drives to random places for the sake of the adventure and try somewhere new. I remember one summer, it was really in vogue to go from breakfast in small towns in the interior. Hope or Princeton or Spuzzem or Spence’s Bridge. Somewhere a couple hours out of the city. We’d leave at some ridiculous hour and head east. At 6AM-ish we’d stop, get pancakes and caravan home. Gas also cost like .50 or .60 cents a litre, so you could do shit like that and it only cost a few dollars.
I remember we filmed the trips a few times, I wonder if those tapes live anywhere? Good times, the song “Be Quiet and Drive” always makes me remember some of those drives.
An event that began as Dylan’s Mom wondering why the Zone doesn’t do MORE to help kids has escalated into a great event on Friday, December 17th. DW and Jason will be at the Mayfair Mall parking lot at 6AM till 10 doing their radio show. Please bring new unwrapped toys.
Not that you need another reason to do the right thing, but Future Shop has kindly donated FIVE prize packs that are valued at at least $1,000 each! You can win if you bring toys. Plus Future Shop is starting to fill our Cruze with music instruments for kids that could really use them. Wow.
On top of the $1,500 in Toys from Brett and Dave Wheaton Chevy and Dylan says another $250 from The Real Canadian Superstore.
A Zoner also showed up with TWO boxes filled with Toys as he can’t make the broadcast on Friday.
***
The Killers are on the hiatus… but they are not letting that stop them for jamming out a Christmas song for the holidays.
I do believe it is number 5 in their series of Christmas singles.
What I like about the song “Boots” is that its not overtly Christmassy. I don’t think they say “Christmas” in it once… while still painting a beautiful (and slightly melon collie) holiday song.
The song talks about watching Christmas programs on TV… like “Its a Wonderful Life.”
The Killers – “Boots”
And since I’m feeling a wee bit festive…
I got an email from Ellisa Hartman… I *think* she is a local singer-songwriter… There was no bio on her website.
She did a nice take on “Little Drummer Boy.” Which… and I didn’t know this, is religious. I know now because Treehouse had a cartoon on the other day that was about the little drummer boy being a slave to some fat evil guy… then he ran away to see the baby Jesus. Good times.
I originally got my hands on it when Brett let me take it to Vancouver to see Vince Vaccaro. Then during the snow, I got scared and didn’t want to bike, so I kept it… and NOW we’re going to keep it over the holidays and put it to work for good.
DW and and Jason are taking their show on the road next Friday, December 17th. They will broadcast from the Mayfair Mall Parking lot and want to fill the car (multiple times) with brand spanking new presents for kids that NEED them. The toys will be managed and distributed by the Saint Vincent De Paul Society. Yes the same society that Dylan’s Mom volunteers for.
Brett from Dave Wheaton started this party with A) a car to fill and B) a generous cash donation (no money to advertise, all money they gave us, to the kids). Now we (all of us at the Zone) need YOU. Please spread the word, then come join us Friday morning, a magical week before Christmas to fill the Cruze with toys.
The third studio record from Band of Horses didn’t get the mad crush of love that their previous two records received but I ended up playing at home and during my lounge sets. I will always love the song “Laredo” and so much of what I perceive to be a Old Western?Mexico/Desert vibe.
Band of Horses – “Laredo”
09) Vampire Weekend – Contra
We’ll need to stretch our memory back to one of the first big hyped releases of the year for this LP. Vampire Weekend’s anticipated follow-up Contra is number nine on my list.
VW never had huge traction on the radio with their quirky blend of world beats filtered through privileged Brooklyn/Hipster/Ivy Leaguers. I loved Vampire Weekends first album but I enjoyed this one so much more.
A monster number 1 record and grammy nominated album from the Arcade Fire. When this disc came out, we had it on pretty steady at the Veneto and the single “Ready to Start” enjoyed a residency at number one on The Zone’s Modern Rock Countdown. There was a lot I loved about this record. Mostly the nostalgic story lines of growing up in the suburbs, because hey, I grew up in the suburbs. For a feature song, I will chose one of Simon’s faves off the record.
Arcade Fire – “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)”
06) Frightened Rabbit – The Winter of Mixed Drinks
Another record that didn’t receive wide-spread praise or seem to do a whole lot onto further push FR onto the mainstream conciseness.
Being a heavy user of their previous music, I was hungry for a new disc. I was downloading anything that leaked or squeeked out leading up to this record so maybe I was little too primed, but they are one of my fave bands period, this disc got jammed out. It might not have changed my world like the first time I heard Frightened Rabbit, but it is still a great record of melodramatic rock and roll.
My favourite cut was the first single and it remains so today.
Frightened Rabbit – “Swim Until You Can’t See Land”
06) Broken Bells – Broken Bells
The dude from the Shins, that dude named Danger Mouse… joined forces like the Dinobots to create one sexy masterpiece. I don’t even want to speculate how many babies were conceived this because of this record.
Lots doesn’t seem like an adequate word.
Listening to a randomized playlist on my iTunes one time, this song came up and it has become on my favourites off the record. maybe sounds a little more Shins and little less Danger Mouse, but that’s cool. I believe this song made it on Coral and my one year anniversary mixtape.
Broken Bells – “October”
05) Jimmy Eat World – Invented
Another band that does no wrong by me. Since I’ve been with Coral, JEW has held a special place in my heart and they earn that chance to make a record and I immediately go out and buy it.
I like their 7th studio record because I found it enjoyable outta the box much sooner than it too me to get into their previous Chase This Light.
Chase would grow on me but I liked how there were more than a couple song son this disc that I liked right away one listen in. And others that I would grow to love with repeated listens.
My feature cut is a romantic song (but hey, aren’t all JEW songs sappy?) that I believe also made it on the 1 Year Anniversary mixtape.
Jimmy Eat World – “Littlething”
04) Four Tet – There is Love In You
No record had a bigger influence on me from outside my normal perspective than this electronic disc from the UK’s Kieran Hebden… aka Four Tet.
Around this time last year I bought my DJ rig and by January I was experimenting with DJing simple beats. Right around the time this record came out.
A very modern, simple, and relaxing record to put on to soundtrack my days events. Coral bought this record on vinyl and when I do fire up the record player, The is Love In You is a go to.
Its four sides so I almost go right to side D track one so I can hear the most wonderful song on the record.
Four Tet – “She Just Likes to Fight”
I could listen to that song forever on repeat and never go fully insane. Shit, I might get smarter.
03) The Black Keys – Brothers
I was late to The Black Keys party, but when I finally got the invite, I dived in hard.
The whole swampy bluesy core styled rock music happening right now seems to originating from Akron, Ohio.
To pick a single feature is impossible. Pol likes “Howling For You” and Allie likes “Everlasting Light”
I’m gunna go with the more blue-collar dirge.
The Black Keys – “Too Afraid to Love You”
02) Middle Class Rut – No Name No Color
Rock and Roll has returned. For me, the Renaissance was felt with Japandroids. But there are only so many fuzzy retro rocker songs to hear. The Black Keys kept me marching to the beat locked in. Then Dave Sawchuk lighted up Sacramento’s Middle Class Rut during our weekly music meeting… and became evangelical.
Rarely do I hear a song that captures my imagination so completely and immediately. I felt like a little kid with excitement to hear “New Low.” Downloaded it and then the record. And since then, it has become such a huge record in my life.
It is a bit of a grinder and lyrically it can be depressing. but I do find something uplifting to their tales of the working man’s lows. My ultimate fave is the lead off cut from their record. Sometimes I go for drives in the Cruze just so I can play this song at maximum volume.
Middle Class Rut – “Busy Being Born”
01) The National – High Violet
We all have favourite bands and The National is my favourite.
The day this record came out and they had a vinyl copy down at Ditch I went to get it. I remember that day. I rode my bike and it was really nice out. Then I went to Canoe Club to meet with Don about some music stuff. While waiting for him I was chatting with the waitress… she had never heard of The National. WTF?
So I cracked open the record and gave her the free download MP3 card so she could check it out. I hope she did.
The first single “Bloodbuzz Ohio” to me is masterpiece song. But after repeated plays of this album I do have a few key cuts. A song that always stuck out for me has a weird military theme.
The National – “Lemonworld”
Thank you for reading my Top 10 and checking out some new music.
Well the beginning was good times, but it ended fairly tragically for me at around 9:30PM Sunday.
My friend Bob came over to visit from Vancouver and we met up in the morning to watch his hockey game at Pearkes. From there we hit my place to watch Maddy while Coral was at work.
The plan was innocent enough, dinner and the hockey game at Veneto. But I made the mistake of tipping back a few too many fine cocktails at Veneto.
Coral picked up Maddy and took her home and Dave and Tyson had other plans so they left and Bob and I wandered to Rehab. Fortunately, they’re good folks and didn’t serve me any more beer. Just water.
There wasn’t much going on so we decided to head back to my place and leaving the bar for the cabs I tripped and smashed my head on either A) the ground or B) a van or C) both.
I was so lucky that Bob had his head screwed on and he got me in a cab and home.
I don’t really remember anything from my head hitting the ground to being in my PJs in bed with Coral waking me up.
Apparently I was a fairly troubling person to deal with before they could get me into bed.
I woke up the next day with cut-up knees, hands and a wicked goose-egg on my head.
Thankfully, Boitano and Pol were able to cover my shift yesterday so I could sleep and rest.
Needless to say, I think I’ll be the designated driver at the Zone Christmas Party next week.
I really could have been in a serious situation if it wasn’t for Bob getting me home and Coral, Alix and Bob staying up with me to make sure I would be fine.
Madelyn standing in the pouring rain. Chinatown, Vancouver
Part of me thinks I’ve titled my blog with those same Japandroids lyrics before? huh.
I had a very fulfilling adventure to Coquitlam and Vancouver with Madelyn. Over the couple days we covered a lot of ground. Had some fun times with Grandma and Grandpa and Matt and Andrea. Visited with Paul and Sarah. Saw some sights, explored some city. All the while, pissing rain.
Whenever I visit the lower mainland I get nostalgic and think I want to move back. But then I drive in rush hour traffic and scratch my head. How and why do any of you do it? Life is too short. I’d be a transit cat for sure. (which I love and so does Madelyn).
Driving around one afternoon and sampling the radio I heard the DJ talk about a band called Sick Puppies.
This Aussie band sometimes gets requested on the Zone by people that are into “alternative rock.” I’d never heard of them before so I was intrigued and cranked it up.
Sick Puppies – “Maybe”
I guess. Rock, kinda. Alternative, no.
The DJ even quoted the lyrics on the radio like they were some sort of deep manifesto. Change? Being Unique? Fear? Challenge? Trying for something more? All these great points lost in distortion, soaring vocals and syrupy production.
Alternative rock should push you a little. Its should be vulgar, off center, and intriguing. All I take from “Maybe” is a smooth and even listening experience, if I forget the lyrics. Listening to the message of the song makes me mad. The song takes some basic human emotions and puts virtually no unique spin on them… just presents them. The melodrama violated my ears. Think of the word genuine… then to described Sick Puppies use the antonym. I need something a wee bit more left of the dial. God bless ya if that’s your style of Alternative rock, but it ain’t mine.
I don’t want to be hard on the Sick Puppies. They’re just a band trying to make a buck at rock and roll. They wrote the best song they could and it got played on the radio a half world away. Anyone should be commended by that feat which is truly a unique and challenging thing to do… Maybe I am more upset in the mass buy-in required to create the half world where that is possible. There are worse songs that get played in the mainstream more and better songs that never do. Weirds me out man.
Just got back from a quick holiday to scenic and historic Coquitlam to visit my folks.
And like any good journey to the distant east, I come bearing alcohol.
The last time I visited my parents we settled on an evening of Old Fashions. This past weekend almost became more of the same. As I was heading out the door of the Veneto Lounge after a DJ set, head bartender Simon Ogden, asked if I wanted another Bulleit Bourbon Cocktail to add to my skill-set.
The Manhattan is considered one of the 6 basic cocktails. If maybe.,.. you’re my wife for example, and say… maybe have every episode of Sex and the City on DVD, then you know about the Manhattan because that is what the girls drank. (also Frank mutha fucking Sinatra)
The Manhattan is basically 2 parts whiskey; 1 part sweet vermouth; a couple dashes of Angostura Bitter; stirred in ice; strained; with a maraschino cherry for garnish.
Like any great cocktail, the Manhattan is a place for the truly creative bartender to flex their brain and excel at dazzling your senses while remaining true to custom.
I don’t know if this is Simon’s “Manhattan” or just a recipe he threw together for me knowing what I can do and with ingredients that anyone can muster.
Combine and stir in ice until very cold. Strain into an ice cold martini glass (or you know, plastic cup as case may be).
Slice off a hunk of orange peel… some spinnster may try and give you a Christmas orange. Slap this person in the mouth, unless its your mother, then politely decline. It should be a real orange.
Flame the peel and spritz the essence onto the cocktail.
Garnish with a Griottines cherry (this might be the challenging product to track down. Historically you can use a Maraschino cherry. Simon says; no cherry is better than anything radioactively red or use a real cherry.)
If you are throwing an “oh wow” party, splurge on the cherry. Both my folks loved the cherries. And the orange peel trick is a crowd pleaser too.
Questions, comments, concerns? Making a cocktail is an easy and fun thing to do but you can always visit the Veneto and ask Simon. He’ll answer your questions and show you how to do it.
And remember: “(David A.) Embury stresses frequently that the drink will never be any better than the quality of the cheapest ingredient in it, and hence he stresses constantly the need for the highest quality spirits, liqueurs, cordials, and modifiers (fresh squeezed lemons, etc.)”
