No Gold for the Cave Singers, only Taxes and a Terrorbird.

It was one of those weekends in Vancouver. Mercury was in retrograde, bringing out all the characters from the ensemble cast, including myself. The Punisher being filmed in my backyard, dirty snow on the ground, all torrents downloaded, G.S.T check long spent, emails checked. Saw a fight in front of the Bourbon, took it as a reason to keep sober. Talk of Superbowls and Super Tuesdays. So busy at work, a couple of tickets slipped in my hand from Mr. Erik Devereux. Thanks bro. But Quinn has it right. Thursday, the Cave Singers took us to an abandoned farm house out near Whidbey Island, the one near the World War II fort, after a long drive along Chuckanut Drive, into the sunset, thinking of the Oysters below, and the cider that warmed our lungs. We played jugs, and whistled and howled.

We Are Wolves

Cave Singers

Going back to Wednesday for a moment. Besidest the fact that We Are Wolves sounded like 2002, the opening band deserves a mention; Terrorbird. Not just another noisy synth band featuring the ubiquitous Jesse of Channels 3x4 fame, they employ some incredibly standard pop harmonies to great effect. Alas it just seems like Nikki is trying to hard to sound affected with her atonal monotone yelping. I'm usually all for that shit, but I just think the music deserves a bit more of an oral flourish. That sounds gross.

Fanshaw

First of all, is it mandatory for all 'clubs' have to have tables at them? Is that some sort of licensing thing; a part of being allowed to call yourself a club? Anyways, moving on. Thursday at the Media Club, local darlings and Shindig! winners Fanshaw humbly took the stage. It was apparently their last show under that name, but the front lady and the drummer (who is in Victoria, Victoria whom are playing the show that I'm reviewing in a moment) are forming a new band. Fanshaw channels Cat Power and Cat Stevens and probably sing about their cats but its cute and it works, er worked. She has a captivating presence and tuff enuf to cover Love Hurts.

The Cave Singers' album was on my year end list, but I didn't mention that one of the best show of the year was in this tiny little shack known only to the locals as Hawks House. Suffice to say the floorboards were trembling and the lead-paned windows were shook up real good like. Would that energy carry over on to a stage, albeit the rather intimate stage at The Media Club? Well from where I was standing the answer would have to be yes, but then again I was surrounded by a gaggle of drunk girls. It didn't matter though because soon my eyes were closed and it was all "There Will be Blood" and the pastor was ranting. I traveled to the coast by coach, past dead towns and Redwoods. An axle broke, good thing Floyd brought his banjo.

Is it weird to review a show that you played at? Do I care? Taxes were supposed to play second but because The Petroleum By-products showed up late (apparently they do this a lot), we went on first. Sorry about all the racist jokes that I never told and sorry for dropping a podium on that guy's leg. At least he has a cool new podium leg. Many people can give speeches when he is around now, so that is good. Thanks to that one kid for dancing/nodding his head.

No Gold

Holy shit have you guys seen No Gold yet? I don't know if its just because its winter in Vancouver but these guys are pure summer. Endless summer. Drinking California Coolers on a yacht in Miami with Noah Lennox and Abe Vigoda while listening to Paul Simon. If you like that new sound that is all over the mp3 blogs, such as Yeasayer, Tough Alliance, and El Guincho, and if you want to get a tan just by listening to music, go to the next No Gold show, which just happens to be tomorrow.

So I don't know, I mean I like Petroleum By-Products, and I was really pulling for them in Shindig! and everything, but they've been playing the same set of songs since they started. I don't care that they were late and went on third, I actually think their off-stage swagger is impressive, but I was just kind of bored. I still love Ratface though.

Victoria, Victoria

This was my first time seeing Victoria, Victoria and they are great at what they do; unobtrusive indie rock in the vein of pretty much everything. My friend Saelan seems to really enjoy them. I dunno. Really great guys.

Rich Hope

Finally, Friday night I sort of accidentally stumbled into the Railway Club to see what could only be described as Vancouver's blackest white guy Rich Hope giving a rousing performance of remarkably unheralded proportions. Who is this guy? Is the Nerve the only one that's been paying attention? Holy shit. Those were some of the drunkest people I've ever seen. It was like prohibition had just ended.

Man. So by the time I finished writing all this crap its already Friday again. Sure, my Concert BReak told me that The Coup is in town this week—but below is filled with quality performances that may not have made the Beyond Robson almanac:

Pyramid Power has a new issue out and a subsequent launch party with djs at The Emergency Room - 821 E. Hasting. And it's CJSF Radio's 5 year anniversary with Secret Mommy at the Biltmore. NO GOLD/Defektors/Dead Ghosts w/DJ's Robin Bank$ + Thomas Cunningham IV @ The Astoria. Friday, February 8, 2008 at 9:00pm. There is also some "visionary poster artist" named Jack Dylan at Little Mountain Studios, 195 East 26th ave.

Then Saturday @ the Astoria (feb9th)
The Parallels
Safety show
Los malos
Hermetic

Show @ 10pm
5 bucks