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Posts Tagged ‘Victoria’

The Killers Celebrate 20 Years of Sam’s Town With Vinyl Reissue

Posted in music, tagged , , , , , , on October 2, 2026| Leave a Comment »

The Killers are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their sophomore record Sam’s Town with some remastered vinyl and a 7″ Singles Box set.

Time is a funny thing. I remember when Sam’s Town came out back in 2006 and feeling like, “hey this isn’t more Hot Fuss!” But now Sam’s Town has become one of my favourite Killers records. “Read My Mind” and “When You Were Young” are the two singles I consistently go back to. If I am on the radio and need to slot in a Killers jam, it’ll usually be one of those two.

My love of vinyl collecting has waned with time (and maybe the economy and not having tons of extra cash to spend on wax) BUT if I were to get involved with any of these Killers reissues I’d probably be into this 7″ Singles box set.

The box set is limited edition! Not a thing I care too much about, but if you’re a collector, that could matter. I just think 7″ singles are fun. Impractical, but fun. When I do get into the beers I like “DJing” 45s. Very active way to listen to music. The box set has all the Sam’s Town era jams; “When You Were Young,” “Bones,” “Read My Mind,” “For Reasons Unknown”) with their respective original B-sides. It also includes a bonus fifth 7” with “Peace Of Mind” on the A-side and “Read My Mind” (Like Rebel Diamonds Mix) on the B-side.

Gotta get after a Friday in old Vancouver town. Trivia tonight at Train Wreck Brewing in Port Moody and a ton of Earthquakes and Crewe soccer. I’ll leave you with a link to an old interview I did with Brandon Flowers and Ronnie Vannucci Jr back in 2009 in Victoria’s Save-On Foods Memorial Arena. Fun show, great dudes, and this blog post went moderately viral (for me) back in the day.

Wayback Machine: Killers Interview

Go with yourself.

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The Killers Drop New Compilation Album in December, Rebel Diamonds

Posted in Capital Rock City, history 101, music, The Zone @ 91-3, tagged , , on November 7, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Photo credit – Todd Weaver

The Killers have been smashing out modern rock hits for two decades now and on December 8th they’ll put a bow on it with the career spanning hits collection, Rebel Diamonds.

The Las Vegas, Nevada bands has 7 studio albums and the collection will feature at least one track from each album, the recent single “Your Side of Town,” plus the new song “Spirit.”

The press release shares a little of the “why” behind this project:

The collection is made up of songs that embody who The Killers are as a band, in addition to including some favorites of theirs that have resonated over the years – tracks like “Be Still,” from 2012’s album Battle Born or “Dying Breed” from 2020’s album Imploding The Mirage or “A Dustland Fairytale” from 2008’s Day & Age, which the band recently re-recorded and performed with Bruce Springsteen.   

In the teaser video, lead singer Brandon Flowers says, “see it’s been said that what’s remembered lives and we’ve racked up stadiums full of memories the past twenty years, enough to fill lifetimes. Twenty songs for twenty years – Rebel Diamonds.”

I wonder if the time I interviewed The Killers in Victoria, British Columbia back in 2009 will make it on the album? Maybe just a shoutout buried in the liner notes?

Brandon, record rep, Me being a creeper, Ronnie, DJ Boitano
& Dave Sawchuk – Victoria 2009

Go with yourself.

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My friend Jason Lamb wrote a book about the legendary Canadian punk rockers NoMeansNo

Posted in Capital Rock City, music, The Zone @ 91-3, tagged , , on October 13, 2023| Leave a Comment »

My friend Jason Lamb wrote a book about the legendary Canadian punk rockers NoMeansNo. He has a kickstarter up right now for pre-sales and your chance at some exclusive NoMeansNo merch.

Here’s a basic synopsis on the book:

Diverging from the conventional punk landscape they called home, NoMeansNo emerged uniquely in 1979 within the confines of brothers Rob and John Wright’s familial basement. Over the ensuing three decades, the band navigated a dynamic lineup, inked a record deal with Alternative Tentacles, and embarked on a global tour. A steadfast commitment to integrity led them to rebuff numerous mainstream opportunities, ensuring they remained intentionally obscure but garnered the admiration and devotion of a global fanbase, including some who rose to rock stardom.

NoMeansNo: From Obscurity to Oblivion presents the fully authorized oral and visual chronicle of this profoundly influential and enigmatic band, a narrative never before unveiled. Author Jason Lamb secured exclusive access to all four original members, conducting interviews with a myriad of individuals in their orbit, spanning managers, roadies, fellow musicians, friends, and family. The outcome is an exhaustive account, encapsulating the band’s journey from its genesis in 1979 to its retirement in 2016. Complemented by a wealth of previously unreleased photos, posters, and memorabilia, the book offers a comprehensive exploration of the band’s legacy.

For devoted fans, this book is a heartfelt homage to their cherished group, uncovering previously undisclosed details. Meanwhile, for those intrigued by the narrative and impact of NoMeansNo, it unveils a captivating saga of how a punk ensemble achieved musical excellence while steadfastly adhering to a DIY ethos. The band’s influence and significance are immeasurable, and NoMeansNo: From Obscurity to Oblivion stands as the quintessential archive of their indelible mark on the music scene.

Go with yourself.

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That time I interviewed the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s frontman Anthony Kiedis

Posted in music, tagged , , , , on March 22, 2017| Leave a Comment »

me and anthony.jpg

Last weekend I had the opportunity to interview Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was an amazing professional opportunity and I am grateful that Anthony was generous with his time to share some with me before a sold out show in Vancouver.

We talked about still generating spirit after all these years and shows. The darkness behind the jovial sound “Dark Necessities,” changing up  the producer from Rick Rubin to Danger Mouse The Getaway, recollections of their first tour to Vancouver (which turned out to be memories of their ferry ride to Victoria and a show at the legendary Harpo’s), and if I visited Anthony Kiedis in California, he’d take me to the beach.

Look out for cameos from Chad Smith and Flea.

Shoutout to the production team, Jamie Ellard and Julie Mangat.

Go with yourself.

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Jazzy Christmas music from Victoria’s Astrocolor // @Astrocolormusic @LastGangEnt

Posted in music, Uncategorized, tagged , on December 3, 2015| 2 Comments »

Last Gang

Astrocolor is a musical collective from Victoria who have come together for a nice Christmas vibe this year. Their debut record from Last Gang is called Lit Up…and it is the perfect dubbed out easy listen to throw on the turntable with a mulled wine and your indoor electrical fireplace “crackling.”

The bio reads like an all-star team of Victoria musicians.

Lit Up was co-produced by Astrocolor and Colin Stewart (Black Mountain, Dan Mangan, Ladyhawk, AC Newman). While primarily instrumental, it also features choice vocal moments from a collection of the band’s friends – Kandle, Rykka, Antonia Freybe-Smith, and Abi Rose.

Based in Victoria, BC, Astrocolor is Andrew Poirier (guitar), Anand Greenwell (saxophone), Chris Mackenzie (drums), William Farrant (bass), and Piers Henwood (guitar). With additional programming and instrumentation by Matt Lyall, the Righteous Rainbows of Togetherness, and Jason Cook.

This cut features Antonia who we know from so many great bands in Victoria. Most notalby Jets Overhead.

And they have some beauty instrumentals…..

Getting some good reviews too!

UncutAlbumReviewJanuary2016

Go with yourself.

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The Luna Riot Return to Victoria

Posted in music, tagged , , , on July 10, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Vancouver Island
My man Travis Smyth from former Victoria band (and former Zone Band of the Month) The Luna Riot sent me a message.  The band marches on, in Vancouver now… and a new trippy psych record has been produced.

The Luna Riot will be in Victoria on July 25th at Logan’s (whoa, same night at Inlet Sound at Lucky!) and then back for Rifflandia in September.

They are bringing Vancouver band The Rampant Lion with them!

Let’s listen to some new Luna Riot.

and The Rampant Lion

Go with yourself.

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LOCAL: Check out the new Woodsmen ep

Posted in Capital Rock City, music, tagged , on April 22, 2013| 1 Comment »

woodsmen
The boys and girl in Woodsmen released their ep on Earth Day. Its a 3 songer of indie alternative folky stuff.  They tag it as francophone?  Maybe there is some francais buried in the mix?

Go with yourself.

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LOCAL :: Listen to Jon and Roy perform “Vibrant Scene” and “The Man Who Sold The World”

Posted in Capital Rock City, music, tagged , , , , , , , , on December 14, 2012| Leave a Comment »

cs1000_digipak
Canadian west-coast roots/folk duo Jon and Roy perform tonight at the Alix Goolden Hall…. sold out.  In front of the concert, they stopped by The Zone @ 91-3 for a live performance.  They lay down “Vibrant Scene” from the album Let It Go.  Then they dive into a cover of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold The World.”

Go with yourself.

 

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LOCAL :: Check out Warbuck and Citizen Joy

Posted in Capital Rock City, music, tagged , , , , , , , , on November 22, 2012| Leave a Comment »


Victoria’s Warbuck call their sound alternative ambient electronic indie pop.  Listening to their two songer Two (produced with help of Brandon DeLyzer…nice), and I really like the slow climber, sexy “We Can’t Be Touched.”

Warbuck is playing the Moustache Party at Lucky Bar tonight and a fundraiser for Movember (AND featuring a DJ set from me).

I talked on an earlier post about headliners Handsome Distraction….so lets have a listen to the other support band, Citizen Joy.  Groovy, bluesy, vocally driven, jazzy rock & roll.


Go with yourself.

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LOCAL :: Mike Edel is coming home (and then leaving again)

Posted in Capital Rock City, music, tagged , on November 21, 2012| Leave a Comment »

 


Victorian, former Zone Band of the Month, Peak Performance Top 5 finishers, stud, Mike Edel is coming home.

Mike and his band have caravanned across this giant nation during some hard months.  He’ll be in Victoria for a show on Friday, November 30th at Lucky Bar.  The next night in Vancouver at the Media Club.

Then some sun!  He tours the Western USA… including Reno?  Yes, even Reno…the biggest little city in the WORLD!  let’s hit play on this jam and make out.


Go with yourself.

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