Category: Featured

Featured posts

  • DTRASH + Schizoid & Melt Banana in Toronto, 17 May 2015

    DTRASH + Schizoid & Melt Banana in Toronto, 17 May 2015

    In these days of digital music production and distribution my snail mailbox sees a lot less action than my email inbox. In some ways it’s a relief (I ran out of shelf space for my CD collection years ago). But that fact also makes it all the more special when something more tangible does actually show…

  • BRIEFCASEFEST 2015, Toronto ON, June 5

    BRIEFCASEFEST 2015, Toronto ON, June 5

    Night 1 The word “diverse” doesn’t even begin to cut it. This bill was off the beaten path for sure, with a number of acts featured on both nights. Spanning a broad spectrum and encompassing many types of energy, all were dark, some were surprising. I tried to capture some of that energy in pictures.…

  • AMATEUR CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY HOUR: Graveyard/Biblical/Low Orbit @ The Garrison, May 22, 2015

    AMATEUR CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY HOUR: Graveyard/Biblical/Low Orbit @ The Garrison, May 22, 2015

    Still scratching my head over London landing a stop on the Mastodon/Clutch/Graveyard tour while Toronto has to settle for a Graveyard side date. That said, the latter would be the band I most wanted to see of those three, so I saved me some cash and a trip westward by catching ’em at The Garrison…

  • AMATEUR CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY HOUR: Apostle of Solitude/Orodruin/Saints and Winos @ Flour City Station, Rochester, NY, May 1, 2015

    AMATEUR CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY HOUR: Apostle of Solitude/Orodruin/Saints and Winos @ Flour City Station, Rochester, NY, May 1, 2015

    I haven’t been heading down to the States for shows very often since our dollar dropped far below par. But I still had a few bucks lying around from my last U.S. trip, and with two of my favourite American doom bands playing within driving distance, I figured it was worth the effort.

  • The exquisite sound and philosophy of a Vile Creature

    The exquisite sound and philosophy of a Vile Creature

    Photo by Adam Wills Commentary by Laura Wiebe Sometimes it’s not till the moment when you hear a sentiment voiced that you realize you hear it far too seldom. I had this revelation most recently at This Ain’t Hollywood in Hamilton as, in the process of introducing themselves, St. Catharines anti-oppressive doom duo Vile Creature acknowledged their experiences with…

  • Not Of in Toronto, ON – April 18, 2015

    Not Of in Toronto, ON – April 18, 2015

    Not Of album release show @ The Magpie Taproom, Toronto, ON – April 18, 2015 It’s only in this day and age of digital music distribution that a band can throw an album release party on Record Store Day with nary a physical album to be found. Up-and-coming noise rock duo Not Of showed up…

  • The Return of Faith No More

    The Return of Faith No More

    Vancouver BC @ PNE Forum, 4/15 Seattle WA @ Paramount Theater, 4/16 When announcing their reunion in 2009, Faith No More described themselves as “… some sort of unique beast: part dog, part cat—its music almost as schizophrenic as the personalities of its members.” Indeed, there is something very special about Faith No More. When…

  • Enslaved and Yob in Toronto – March 19, 2015

    Enslaved and Yob in Toronto – March 19, 2015

    Enslaved, Yob, Ecstatic Vision and Kosmograd Live at the Opera House, Toronto, Ontario, March 19th, 2015 A show like this was by most in the extreme metal community of south-eastern Ontario considered a must attend. There a are a couple reasons, one being that the last time Enslaved was supposed to be in town they couldn’t make…

  • AMATEUR CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY HOUR: Electric Wizard/Blood Ceremony/Satan’s Satyrs @ Lee’s Palace, April 5, 2015

    AMATEUR CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY HOUR: Electric Wizard/Blood Ceremony/Satan’s Satyrs @ Lee’s Palace, April 5, 2015

    Electric Wizard’s Time to Die tour marked their first extended trek across North American in 13 years, and their first Toronto appearance in…forever!? No wonder it was such a hot ticket.

  • The Basketball Diaries by Jim Carroll

    The Basketball Diaries by Jim Carroll

    Book review The Basketball Diaries by Jim Carroll (Penguin) I remember the first time I read The Basketball Diaries by Jim Carroll. I was in eighth grade and a girl in my home room handed me her copy to borrow. I wasn’t thrilled at the prospect, at first – I didn’t know anything about it,…