I find awards shows pretty much pointless - self congratulatory wank fests for the granting body’s members. As far as exciting, this comment from a post on IndieHQ about sums it up:

I actually fell asleep 3 or 4 times on my couch during the Grammys. I thought that the Rascal Flatts and Carey Underwood performance of Eagles’ tunes was one of the least rocking things I have ever seen. Maybe next year they can get Michael Bolton and Enya to pay tribute to Journey.

Disclaimer: Now I’m going to fire this out there right now, just in case you one day see my name attached to an awards show production, because if someone offered me complete control I would JUMP at the chance to produce a music awards show. Solely to see if I can make something entertaining enough to keep people awake. end disclaimer

As much as a Police fan as I am [Grammar tip: use “as” as often as possible if you really want to help the flow of a sentence] - it’s kind of sad that the highlight of this year’s grammys was an appearance by a band that is 30+ years old and hasn’t performed, regularly together in over 20 years.

My grammy probably has better musical taste than the people putting on the actual grammys.
As I didn’t actually watch the show, I was only just alerted to a wonderful and worthy award winner from Sunday night thanks to a Steven Colbert clip:

MY HUMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal - Fuck off!
How did a majority of people come to that same conclusion?

The members of Death Cab for Cutie are sooooooooooo lucky they are not my friend(s) as I would never let them hear the end of it. I’m not even a big fan of DCFC but I’d listen to them a 100x over before such an esteemed award winning group like the Black Eyed Peas.

Seriously though, the award should have gone to Pussycat Dolls:

So pretty! So much talent!!

At least at the upcoming ECMAs we won’t have to tolerate the likes of either the Black Eyed Peas or Pussycat Dolls. Thank the powers that be for small favors I suppose.

Hello again. This is another request for music. I have a east coast radio show on CHSR in Fredericton and I make requests for music once and a while. I get a lot of music on my own and from my library. So if you want me to play your band please sent some info to:

scott_r_knox@yahoo.ca

And I’ll be sure to paly your band. Pleae include some infor like album, label, release date and home town.

Thanks ,
Scott.

More music Monday’s probably makes more sense when Monday isn’t almost over so we’ll keep that in mind next week…….but for now:

Myles Deck’s solo [although they sound and play like a band] debut.
Summarized: Pure primal rock and roll.

Just Myles and Travis Davis recorded the 5 song ep/demo. And its fine, more than fine even, but it’s not the band live with Myles fronting it. That you have to see for yourself.

Just my opinion/advice. These guys very handily fill my local quota for Stooges|Mooney Sukuzi|Gun Club primal blues punk - and if you’re a fan of said mentioned bands - go.

The Fuzz live - it’s like watching a train lurching along a track at a terrifying speed waiting for and expecting it to derail hurling itself into whatever lay nearby. But it never comes to that.

I’m going to give the rhythm section some of the credit for holding it all together. Jordan Oakie [drums] and Al Hoskins [bass] have to be one of the most volatile yet tight rhythm sections in the city right now.

Go see these guys live next chance you can. Some upcoming shows include:

• Feb 15th at the North End Pub w/ Spew, Hellacaust, Johnny Resist Arres
• Feb 23rd at the Speakeasy w/ Trouble Rocket and others TBA
• Mar 3rd at Gus’ w/ Cuban Assassins, Telecomando & Montgomery Moth
• Mar 24th at the Seahorse w/ Mike Trask and Mudhill
• April 19th at Gus’ w/ the Joyless Streets & the Nine

In order to actually hear some music, you’ll have to visit the Fuzz’s myspace page.

But trust me, the songs are good and all, I like them a lot - but go see a show.
Listening to their music on myspace is like seeing animals in a zoo, seeing a show is the jungle expedition equivalent and where you would want to see the animals first hand in their natural environment!

Ladies and gentlemen we are the Police and we’re back!

So announced Sting as the Police delivered an…ok performance…I guess…of Roxanne [at least it wasn’t a medley!]. Watch for yourself below.

Then today they announced the begging of their reunion world tour with a few dates lined up in Canada. Here’s hoping by the time the tour starts performances are more inspiring [and I truly am hoping - Montreal is in my sights].

Congrats to fellow Caper Gordie Sampson on his Grammy win last night.
A full list of winners can be found on the official Grammy site.
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While most people are probably ware of the Grammys having taken place this weekend, the Plug Awards also took place. Stereogum has a complete run down on the winners

Wintersleep is on muchmusic’s The New Music tonight, February 12th. 9:30 Ontario/Quebec, 10:30 east, 6:30 west…
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The video for Jaws of Life was recently submitted to much as well and can be requested at:
ondemand@muchmusic.com
goingcoastal@muchmusic.com
thewedge@muchmusic.com
muchloud@muchmusic.com
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Wintersleep has also been nominated as Favourite Rock Artist/Group 0r Duo 0f The Year at the Indies - you can vote here

wavelength a veritable Toronto institution now, celebrates it’s seventh anniversary this weekend if you’re in Toronto. They also have a new website.

wavelength is a weekly music series that “has grown from being just a “band night” to becoming an outright “happening,” consisting of a weekly live music series, a monthly zine, a DJ showcase, volunteer lightshows, occasional art installations, and an indie rock drop-in centre”.

Their Majesties played wavelength for the second time back in December and did an interview for the zine as well.

Now, eye and the Toronto Star all have pieces on wavelength in celebration of the anniversary as well.

Congrats - anything music related lasting past 5 years is a true feat!!

In the Dead of Winter

There’s a story in yesterday’s issue of the Coast regarding this weekend’s In the Dead of Winter festival. as the article aptly summarizes: a music festival. In February. In Halifax.

So what can you expect:

The type of music is acoustic-driven and lyrically focused, of the alt-country, folk and blues varieties. There are no screaming boys, no turntables, no (on-purpose) distortion. Not that those are bad things—they’re just not In the Dead of Winter things. This year’s fest includes performances by blues artist Ndidi Onukwulu, Newfoundland’s Liz Picard and Sherry Ryan, folk master Bob Wiseman and the Olympic Symphonium from Fredericton. All the organizers will play—including Gibson, backing Davis on cello—and some from last year’s bill will return, including Al Tuck, Royal Wood, Old Man Luedecke and Yellow Jacket Avenger.

Full Schedule

Before the Music Dies
Kudos to the organizers [Heather Gibson, Tanya Davis and Don Brownrigg] for bringing in Before the Music Dies as well. I was hoping someone would at some point. Anyone interested in local music, topics covered on this blog should definitely check it out.

It will be playing Sunday at 3pm at the Bus Stop Theater at 2203 Gottingen St.
Local videos will be played from 2-3. Trailer below.

Pretty much what the title says.

We have The Trews vs. Guillemots and Mew vs. Sam Roberts Band in the international category.
The two Canuck bands could end up going head to head in which case Sam Roberts will hopefully trounce the Trews.

Go vote

Buck 65 Goes Along For The Ride With Famed Filmmaker - Radio3 blog