Live and in living colour: DFA 1979

I've got work to do, but these are much more interesting. Death From Above 1979 returned this weekend after a five year hiatus to play Coachella. Here's some Little Girl/Blood On Our Hands for you guys.

The boys are back and as good as ever. Oh, the things I would do to see this band live.

Also, while i'm here, this is the Decemberists performance on Jimmy Kimmel last week. They played their newest single "This is why we Fight."

Enjoy.

Shad ain't bad

So last week I switched things up again. You’ve heard from my folk side, my acoustic side, and my Ska side. Now the three of you are going to get a little funky and talk about hip-hop.

I haven’t always been the biggest hip-hop fan. I’ll be the first admit it. When I was younger in my “these people are useless hacks” phase I wouldn’t even give a song with a hip-hop beat. Thankfully I’ve moved on from that phase and only think that way about pop music now. Phew!

Anyways, last Sunday night I had the pleasure of seeing Canadian hip-hop sensation and Juno winner Shad in concert. Opening acts Keys and Krates as well as local act Black Majic Movement both did a good job of setting the stage for the evening, but there’s no question it was the headliner that stole the show.

Not only did Shad play many of his popular hits, but his a cappella versions of songs mixed with his freestyle made the concert a truly unique experience. People were waving their hands, bopping their hands, and dancing to Shad’s unique and high energy beats.

If you’re familiar with Shad, you know that it isn’t his beats that bring in the fans. His lyrics are second to none in the hip-hop community as he easily executive intricate, poetic, and though provoking verses with ease.

If you’re even slightly a fan of hip-hop, get to your nearest Shad show immediately. Also, happy Record Store Day to all you collectors out there, lots of cool stuff came out yesterday.

Below are a few Shad videos. Enjoy:

Life of the Party

I’ve got a confession to make. I have a musical love which I’ve hidden from all of you…and by all of you I mean all three of you that read my blog.

I love ska music. I can’t explain it. The sound of the music is completely different from acoustic, folk, or indie, but I love it. Perhaps it’s the upbeat tempo or the feel good vibe it gives off, I’m not really sure.

As part of Juno Fest, I had the immense pleasure of seeing Canada’s most prominent ska band, The Planet Smashers, along with openers The Johnstones and Saint Alvia.

The three bands put on an entertaining show, all bringing a different but enjoyable sound to the stage.

Saint Alvia opened the night. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one. As The Saint Alvia Cartel I had enjoyed their singles, but never divulged deeper. Don’t Wanna Wait Forever and Blonde Kryptonite were both on my playlist in the summer of ’08. Safe to say, the band had definitely stepped away from the feel good pop punk of their previous incarnate.

The band had a darker sound with heavy guitars and less melodic vocals, but they pulled it off nicely. If I have one gripe with the show, it’s that Saint Alvia really didn’t fit the feel of the night. Ska music is high tempo and upbeat, neither of which describe Saint Alvia.

The goofy, funny, and entertaining Johnstones were up next and got the crowd hyped. People were skanking, the dance not the life choice, to the beat of the music and the young crowd thoroughly enjoyed it.

Then came The Planet Smashers. The ska veterans produced a high energy, well paced show that the fans in attendance went nuts for. They played many fan favourites such as Life of the Party, Super Orgy Porno Party, and the one that sent the crowd into a frenzy, Surfin if Tofino.

If you like ska, or a good time, see The Planet Smashers at your earliest convenience. Below are two videos of the band. Enjoy