Flashback [June] : Dinosaur Jr.

Dunosaur Jr. - History

They say it better, and in more detail (FAR more detail >.>) than I could ever want to muster in my slackerness. XD

But really, what that long and involved history seeks to communicate is this: Dinosaur Jr. were not only fricking awesome, different (at the time), and LOUD...they were important. Looking back, it's easy to see that more than just about every other "grunge" band given nods of recognition (they really weren't, but what really WAS 'grunge', anyway?), Dinosaur (they only tacked on the Jr. after being sued by the skeletal remains of bands like Country Joe and the Fish/Jefferson Airplane calling themselves The Dinosaurs) really brought the 'hardcore' to the table. They were good. They were an influence on just about every band that came out of the area after. They brought us names like J Mascis and Sebadoh (J was the guitarist/vocalist/composer; Sebadoh was founded by Bassist Lou Barlow). And they never really had much mainstream commercial success, but since when has that been a measure of how good a band is? XD


Here's some tunes for your listening pleasure. (Sure, it's not like seeing these guys live and feeling the blistering volume...the wall of sound...the bleeding...but who knows? Maybe if you turn up your speakers really, really loud...):

Dinosaur Jr. - Little Fury Things
Dinosaur Jr. - Out There
Dinosaur Jr. - In a Jar

Mixtape: You Know it's Time

So, this, by mere technicality, isn't a mixtape. There is no theme. There is no magical meaning stringing all the songs together. But you know what? I still think it works. It's just a collection of the songs I've been listening to far too much in the past couple weeks. They're all sort of... acousticy, all rather emotionfulled. But all conflicting emotions.

Yeah. There's no rational explaination for this mixtape. It just is.

All songs are in mp3 format unless otherwise noted; image was found somewhere in the interwebs.

01. The Decemberists - Right Red Ankle
02. Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Follow You Into the Dark [m4a]
03. Iron & Wine - Naked as we Came [m4a]
04. Feist - Gatekeeper
05. Amos Lee - Colours
06. City and Colour - When She
07. Dashboard Confessional - Living in your Letters
08. Tina Dico - Warm Sand
09. Feist - Inside and Out (Apostle of Hustle Unmix)
10. Jose Gonalez - Slow Moves
11. Elliott Smith - Between the Bars
12. Youth Group - Piece of Wood
13. The Album Leaf & Bright Eyes - Hungry for a Holiday
14. Matthew Good Band - Running for Home
15. Broken Social Scene - Lover's Spit (Feist version)

ZIP FILE

Article: How To Be The Most "Scene" Individual At A Show

Here at WHYH, the question has been coming up more and more: "How exactly do you guys do it? How do you convince people at shows and on the 'Net that you're so obviously and unquestionably 'Scene'?". The answer to all this, and more, is bribery, forgery, identity theft, and the odd mafia-style disposal of uncooperative individuals in the Glenmore Reservoir, feet encased in a block of cement.

Sadly, these methods can be difficult for most people to execute. Especially for those without the gigantic money-laundering operation we currently run out of Philip's basement. However, by following the following easy steps, you too can impress upon everyone at live shows just how 'Scene' you are.


1) Don't leave a single occupant of the venue in doubt as to how much of a fangirl/fanboy you are. (This can be achieved by yelling out offers of marriage, childbearing, or declarations of love at whatever moment you evaluate to be the most inopportune and distracting). Other than this, however, do not sing along or otherwise act like a fan of the band.

2) Wear a t-shirt depicting the band that you are going to see, just in case anyone in the audience doubts either a) what show theyr'e about to see or b)how hardcore of a fan of [insertbandhere] you are.

3) On second thought, make sure to buy said shirt AT the show, and put it on overtop of whatever you were wearing before.

4) Make sure never to actively participate as an audience member, lest those around you get the idea that concerts are meant to be fun. The best way to achieve this is to stand with your arms crossed at 90 degrees to your body, looking up at the artist/band with your head cocked slightly to one side. This accentuates the graceful fall of your Scenester Hairstyle.

5) Openly diss the opening band, no matter what their skill level or quality.

6) Cut infront of people shorter than you, or shift in order to block their view of the stage.

7) Distinguish any traits about your fellow audience members, then proceed to bemoan them at top volume. This can include hair that isn't perfectly straightened/cut to Accepted Scenester Length Standards (ASLS), height, how much the band depicted on their t-shirt sucks, etc.

8) In fact, just act like the biggest douchebag possible.

9) Look down on anyone swaying, let alone *gasp* dancing to the music being played.

10) Look down on everyone, period.


Well, we hope this guide has been helpful and informative...we hereby provide our guarantee that by following these easy guidelines, you too can become the most obviously 'Scene' Scene kid at the next concert you attend.

Or, y'know, the biggest asshole ever. Whatever.


[Disclaimer: Anyone who takes this seriously is a total asshat. ^^]

Feature: Duets

I said there would be a mixtape today, but I don't have enough time to finish the cover art and upload it all (not to mention, to finish making it ^^;;), so here's a short feature on duets.

Now, I'm a huge fan of duets, and collaberations. It's just so interesting to see how different bands and artists can fit together, sometimes cross genre, sometimes not. But before I start rambling on the essence that makes a duet good, lets just get some music going.

• Foo Fighters and Norah Jones - Virginia Moon [mp3]
  
• This song, is just gorgeous. It's on the Foo Fighters acoustic cd - the second disk of In Your Honour. Norah Jones is our jazzy little vixen, while Dave Grohl and co. tend to go to the more alternative side. Mix the two together, and it's just... it's a must listen. Must!
• Zero 7 and Tina Dico - The Space Between [mp3]
  
• I haven't actually heard much other material of Zero 7s or Tina Dico; however, Tina's got this really resonate voice, to go with Zero 7's simple synthy style. This is a very calming song.
  
• PJ Harvey and Thom Yorke - This Mess We're In [mp3]
• This is very much in PJ Harvey style, with Thom taking over on the main vocals. Escalates to an almost conversation type thing, which is sort of like two one sided conversations, where each person is saying the same thing, but, they can't hear the other. Another must listen.
• Stars - The Big Fight [m4a]
• Now, go ahead and argue that this is not a duet - it is, in essense. Sure, Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell are both in the band, but that doesn't stop it being a duet. Again, conversation type thing.
• The Album Leaf and Bright Eyes - Hungry for a Holiday [mp3]
• Quite possibly the best idea for a collaberation - The Album Leaf, a mostly instrumental band, who creates very calming music, and then Conor Oburst's collaberative project Bright Eyes, who tend to be a touch more on the chaotic side. Definately a must listen, three times in a row.
  

So, it'll be back to regular mixtape schedual, which I technically haven't actually broken yet - I just couldn't get the extra one up. So, my apologies, and enjoy these duets! (even though, they're mostly collaberations rather then duets. ahem.)

Live: The Constantines

Well, I really thought I might pull it off this time.

That is, until those U.S soldiers found my hiding place, pried me out of the hole, and dragged me, blinking and bearded, into the sunlight.

...Or, in this case, politely pointed out to me that it has, in fact, been two weeks since I even went to the show, and as such, I really should get on with writing this thing. Or else.

Curses. Xp

But here I am, on the morn of my grad day, telling the tale of that saturday two weeks ago whereupon the guitar-playing angels of the LORD descended to me, bringing the good news that rock can, in fact, Be Saved...gather 'round, children, and list' well.

It all started last summer, during a show by a little-known band titled roughly after People Who Battle Something Named Foo, fronted by the drummer of another little-known band who may or may not have saved rock/brought about its destruction (depending on who you talk to). Anyways, the point is, opening for this band of little renown was a group who, at the time, seemed decent to my ears...though what really caught my attention was the fact that their drummer played like the fate of the world depended on him beating the crap out of his kit. Kinda like the slightly-crazed ghost of Keith Moon, John Bonham, and the presently living Grohl (yeah, you figure it out how that last one's possible >.>) had taken possession of his body in order to help avert our Impending Doom.

Evidently, their efforts worked, since the world DIDN'T end that night, and now, several months and countless shows later, I was given the opportunity to see this same band play again. It was a tough, decision, of course...yeah. Real tough. >.>

As to the experience, it took place in one of the smaller venues in our very own MacEwan Hall...which was nice, and rather intimate. I must admit, though, that I'm still adjusting to the concept of crowds who don't, in fact, mosh into you and perform spin-kicks in the middle of a crowded gig space. >.> Regardless, however, the show opened well enough, with the Blood Meridian, who were decent and set the tone for the evening despite severe jetlag from having driven straight from the airport to the gig. Nice, but not astounding.

Then came the second opener, Chad VanGaalen...and here is where my mild expectations for the evening were slowly and ritually crushed by the sheer greatness of what was happening onstage. Whatever thoughts I might have had beforehand about his music were blown away by the fact that, not only can the guy play, but play REALLY WELL. And there's a certain gravity in his stage show that is as attention-holding as any act of wanton destruction. The whole audience was in awe.

...Well, despite that one guy who knew Chad, and Proceeded To be The Life Of The Concert. You know...like that one friend you can never get to just shut up, even if they do say amusing things? Good to know that being an indie Star does not make one exempt. >.>

Finally, however, this wonderful performer with an unpronouncable last name left the stage, and we of the audience scarecly had time to recover our jaded sensibilities before those Byzantian Rockers appeared, set up their gear in record time, and began to play.

Whatever my job description is on this blog...I just can't communicate in words the experience of seeing the Constantines play live. Listen to their records and you gain an appreciation for the sheer capacity of their music..."Gutter Poetry", I believe our 'good' friends over at the The 'Fork
called it >.>. However, the songs gain a certain dimension onstage that no amount of tracks and studio tricks can create...it's almost like they come alive, and proceed to overwhelm you with their awesomness until you become that screaming Beatles fangirl you always promised yourself you would NEVER be.

...Which, I'm not sure is a GOOD thing, but it definitely says something about their stagemanship. Whatever else can be said, or written, about this band, it all comes down to the simple fact that they can PLAY. Not just play their instruments...they can play music. Can undo all that jaded hoo-hah about Rock being dead, or dying, or whatever...they ARE Rock and Roll.

And yes, their drummer still played like he was possessed by the above three spirits. Maybe even gained a few along the way. >.> Which maybe makes me think that the Impending Doom is still apparent, up there...maybe it's a constantly Impending Doom, and as such, the moment bands like The Constantines aren't in existance anymore, the world will, in fact, end.

With fire and burning and all that fun stuff. And the Guitar-Wielding Angels of the LORD will ride forth and inflict His wrath upon the Nickelbacks and Theory of a Deadmans and Pussycat Dolls of the world...

it's a pleasant dream. XD


The Constantines - Nighttime, Anytime, It's Allright
The Constantines - On To You
The Constantines - Soon Enough