We Have A New Second Show A Foot

After a brief SNAFU concerning booking my December 9 show has been moved to February 10.

It will now be known as the Valentines Bop, and feature the Afterlife, hopefully Quagmire, and the Xanad00ds playing a punk show for the first time. The Xanad00ds are an experimental rock band, so I wonder how that will go. Knowing lead vocalist James Hiebert they will know how to work the crowd, and put on a really unique set. They do it anyways, now I want to see it punk style, and I wonder if James will straighten his hair again for that one. With the right toque

I'm still working to get a show going with the Thrashers; Winnipeg's answer to the Smugglers. If that does come together expect it to be in late January or February.

I'm Not A Punk - Just A Square Going Nowhere

First off nobody knows. I think this may be the most controversial music genre, because the only thing that may be more prominent in under ground music than types of punk is the type of core something might be. Is punk a style of music, a style of thought, or a style of expression. When I say expression I kind of mean fashion, but the word fashion has too many negative aspects to it, but I hope you understand my point.

The point of this blog however is to look at the way the rock, has been dropped from punk rock. A good friend of mine at CD Plus Madison when it was still open told me that Alkaline Trio was actual punk, and that bands like Strung Out where closer to metal. Now I thought him mad at first too, but look at bands like Cock Sparrer, the Clash, the Sex Pistols, and yes even the Ramones. They played fast, but there is a distinct rock influence on the tunes. I may be wrong, but I think punk in whatever terms you speak is about being unique, and yourself, not being as fast and as offensive as possible. Not that I don’t enjoy the abrasive, sounds of the Meatmen occasionally.

I think when you look of examples of people that are considered the "punkest" you got to look at guys like Joey Ramone who was not flashy at all. Tight black pants, white shirt, and a leather to complement a truly mop top hair-do.

The fashion can be part of it to, but that was more of a European thing, which is cool. I love the Exploited mohawks, and bowlers and make-up of the addicts, but I think the British just do it better. The punks from Britain remind me of Degrassi High 80's, and the Gourmet Scum.
　
And as for the question about punk, it is all three, at least in my opinion, and I know that in many views it is wrong so don’t get pissed off at me. I think that punk rock is the attitude that you do what you want as long as it doesn’t prevent others from doing what they want. In terms of expression, and I think this is the part that separates the punks from the poseurs is being able to be yourself completely. That doesn’t mean that you compromise. For example I want to someday work in radio, but I often am not a fan of what is played on the airwaves, so I am combining two of my favourite things sports and radio.


For the record I did not put this up to tell anybody what to think. I just think it is a fascinating topic when you consider the different types of people that are considered to be in the punk rock genre, and I am interested to hear what other people think it is to be "punk". I can tell you on thing it takes balls, and I hope I have the Cajones to punk.

Promoting Shows Just Got Harder

If you were looking forward to the big Thrashers, Xanad00des, and Acid Scar, and Jeremy Williamez show you may be in for a little disappointment, as there may have been a double booking at the Cavern for this one.

So for now hang tight, but if the show doesn't go December 9, then look for it to appear in the new year some time, and also look forward hopefully to a Valentines Bop sometime in February, featuring the AFterlife, and hopefully Quagmire and the Pinkslips so I can actually tape a show properly for them this time.

Stayed tuned I will work this out with James, and get you some great local music.

Gwar Loses Flattus For The Last Time

This blog is a little late coming out, but I had to give some attention, however late, to the passing of Cory Smoot, better known as Flattus Maximus, guitarist for Gwar.


Flattus was found when the band was crossing the Canada - U.S. border into Manitoba. I don't want to focus on his death though. I want to remember the good times when Flattus would be shredding the guitar, while characters such as Hitler, George Bush, and Lady Gaga are shredded on stage.


There is not much that can be added after you watch the show, and listen to the music that Gwar and Flattus helped create. For my buck the greatest entertainers I have ever seen. Sugar Sammy is a close second.

Quagmire brings down the Sold Out House

The action at the Cavern last night started about 10:30m when the new and improved Afterlife led by my cousin Mark Yerex came out firing with some great old school sounds and some great cuts from guitarist John McGowan. These guys are just going to get better as they haven't been together in this form for very long.

The Pinkslips came up next, and what doesn't like a quality all female punk band. The highlight of that set for me was the Minor Threat cover they preformed. They did a great job, and if you haven't checked them out before do your best to see them live. It's some good old gritty speed at it's best.

Finally Quagmire came on and just blasted out a gerat set with a crazy mix of killer tracks off both their albums. I didn't lose the camera, nothing got broken, and everybody got paid. What a night. Oh wait I did screw up my hand putting up Christmas lights with James.

By the way anybody setting up shows James Brown from the Cavern is a great guy to work with. He does everything (I almost had to force him to let me help) and has the cash for you upfront asap, and paid in full. It was great and he even showed me how to do sound for a concert. Great.

The whole thing was great thanks to all the people that came out, and especially Dewey Parker who did a heck of a job helping me record the video, and even got the SD card clear so that we could actually get more than 8 minutes of footage. Groovy.

See you on Decmeber 9 at the Cavern for the Xanad00ds, Acid Scar, Jeremy Williamez, and the Thrashers. Should be awesome

It's The Big Day, Quagmire Anchors My First Show Ever

Yes I have put it together, and it looks to be a very respectable line up. The Afterlife opens, the Pinkslips follow them, and then Quagmire goes on last to blow the crowd away with their Rock-a-billy, punk, Anola MB sound.

I got the camera so this baby will be recorded, edited, and put up on the Internet for all to see, and bask in the glory of the Winnipeg punk rock scene which looks like it might be having a resurgence.

The sound check is happening at 8 o' clock, so I suspect that the bands should be hitting the stage at around 10-11. It is going to be a good one, and tickets are only five dollars.

Come down and meet some of what we like to call the CreComm Mafia. There would be more people there but Peter Mansbridge is stealing my thunder and my TFJ.

Se ya there.

I'll post tomorrow to let you know how things went.