Despite their stupor, the crowd did seem pleased by the end of it. I know I was.
From one extreme to another: two weeks ago I was dodging jets of fake blood at GWAR's show. Sunday night I was back at the Commodore, and the atmosphere was refreshingly chill and well-behaved. With six people up on stage, Zero 7 had a nice, full sound, but was perfectly low-key in their signature downtempo way. What an awesome way to enjoy a beer on a Sunday night while not freezing your ass off outside.
Oh, and I should mention their opening act, Phantogram. I first came across their song "When I'm Small" a few weeks ago, and was stoked to learn that they'd be opening for Zero 7. They're pretty tight, be sure to check out that song on their Myspace.
I can't believe I'm still alive. I made my way to the GWAR show at the Commodore tonight, my heart heavy in my chest, my camera wrapped in plastic. I had never been to one of their shows, but I had heard legend of men dressed as gods from other galaxies spraying the liquified souls of dead groupies into the thirsty maws of their minions.
That is more or less what went down. And it was awesome! As a photographer, this wasn't so much a show I was shooting as a holocaust I was trying not to take shrapnel from. As I cowered under the shadow of Beefcake the Mighty (the bass player, pictured at top), ducking below the stage whenever the blood cannon (above) was aimed in my direction, I asked myself: is this what I got into concert photography for? And the answer was "fuck no," but probably the reason I'll keep doing it. It was the most hilarious and fun show I've ever been to.
I love Matthew Good like the abusive father I never had. I think most people know him for his 90s hits, but the guy has put out a lot of material since then (seven albums or EPs this decade), and he's one of the most underrated songwriters there is, in my opinion. Now, trust me when I say I mean this as a compliment: there's nothing I want to listen to more when I'm feeling like hanging myself than some Matt Good. The best cure for depression is to wallow in it, I always say. The show last night at The Centre was nothing less than I expect from one of his shows, and I've seen a lot of them: the music (especially the vocals) were tight as fuck, Matt cracked some jokes, and the crowd yelled the names of obscure songs. Fortunately, he is one artist who actually does reach deep into the back catalogue with frequency, so everyone leaves the room happy.
Pet Shop Boys were in town this weekend so I headed to the Centre for Performing Arts to get a dose of catchy British beats from the colourful British duo. As befits a group of their longevity and impressive history of chart hits, the place was packed and the fans were ready to cut a rug and sing every word. It's too bad they weren't playing a venue with a proper dancefloor, but most people weren't complaining. The video display was top-notch and they came out with cubes on their heads. It was somehow 1989 and 2009 at the same time. Fitting, somehow.
Photos by Graham Cook.
Bat for Lashes serenaded Venue on Granville last night. What can I say except that she is a true musician with a splendiferous voice. Plus she has a song about the Karate Kid, which is alright with me!
Well, apparently so, and it played the Commodore tonight. I went to check them out and holy shit, I have not felt less cool since high school. Mr. White, Alison Mosshart (of the Kills), and two other guys put on a grungy, bluesy, slightly gothy, and altogether sexy explosion of a show, and now I have even more catching up to do with the music kids are into these days.
Silversun Pickups played the Commodore last night. They get compared to Smashing Pumpkins but I say "What's wrong with that?" That era was awesome and it's about time someone revived the sound of the 90s. How long is this 80s fascination going to go on for, anyway?
Their opening bands were Cage the Elephant and Manchester Orchestra. The former had a little blonde dude singing and bouncing around the stage, going into (and onto!) the crowd. It was the kind of enthusiasm I approve of, although he almost took out one of my fellow photographers. Manchester Orchestra is a heavy rock sort of act fronted by a lumberjack and featuring a fellow on drums/tambourine/keyboard/Macbook. And he's just the backup drummer to the main drummer! And there's two other guys on guitar too! And they're not even from Manchester, they're from Atlanta. A confusing night at the Commodore once again.
Hotmess landed an interview with Sky Blu! You have to listen! Party execution 101 with hotmess and Sky Blu !
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head played the Media Club tonight and what the fuck, Natalie Portman isn't in the fucking band? First time that joke's been made?
I had heard their debut album before and they seemed to be running a hipster awareness campaign that I wanted to resist at first. But their songs are fun and their show was too. They had platters of fresh fruit that they passed out to people in the front rows. How friendly! And their music is just catchy as hell and about great things like tandem showering and tilt-a-whirls. I want to stay young forever!
If you missed it, check out our audio interview with Dave Price from the band!
I think it's safe to say I underestimated Green Day. They played Vancouver last night and from the first note it was epic. They hit the stage like a bunch of GIANT LIZARDS that had escaped from their cages and were bent on destroying the city... WITH ROCK! 
Go check out their songs "Fires" and "Bomb" on their Myspace! Now!
The light show they put on was pretty great, the music and energy were up there too, and the crowd was pretty into it. Not a bad night to be on a sprung dance floor.
TV on the Radio did the Malkin Bowl Monday night. I love this band, and I love Kyp Malone's beard. Remember Ambrosia's beard post from a few days ago? If I could have any beard, it would be Kyp's. I would need a wig for full Kypness, though.
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