Lost Cities

Usually the way it goes down is that a band materializes, plays a few crappy gigs, and maybe gets it together at some point quite a bit further down the road. Usually a band is a bit stinky in the beginning (sound and smell), and usually they don't stick around for more than 6 months. Well... The words usual, general, common, average etc, are not applicable in any way in regards to Lost Cities.

Kalan, David, Corey and Dave have been stewing for quite some time, writing, rehearsing, and polishing for nearly a year or so, so the grapevine tells me. Comprised of busy, talented dudes all splitting there musical lives with numerous other quality projects. Lost Cities has crafted and perfected the delivery of a flavor of post hardcore that is warm and inviting. Interesting because the material is by no means weak. Quite the opposite actually. Totally ripping without ever being brawny.

There seems to be a bit of influence from the mid 90s era of hardcore. Sort of a mix of Union Of Uranus, North Of America and maybe a little bit of that Shotmaker-ish stuff. This is not to be confused with Lost Cities being any sort of revival band, far from it. While they do have a feel that is relatable, the material and sound is 100% Lost Cities. Having seen them recently in Toronto playing to a rammed crowd at Sneaky Dee's, live this band is tight and delivers with their hearts and guts. Lost Cities is that band that takes your breath away.

http://www.myspace.com/wearelostcities
Image :: Crop from Lost Cities Myspace

Authors, What's In A Name?

Russian/ American author and professor of biochemistry, popular for his tales of science fiction Isaac Asimov stated, "the only constant is change". Change in this case being of a path and a name. Up until recently, Toronto post-hardcore quartet The Smile has been a 4 year project, off to the side for Akroid drummer Jason Galbraith. About a year ago famed Etobicoke drummer Aaron Morrice (currently of The Chronic and of past projects Gunnar Rapido, Straight Goods and Etobicoke Death Squad) joined the fold. Since that day, change and progress has been exponential with the project officially becoming and functioning as a band.

Even though The Smile's activity was infrequent at best. A fair bit of visibility was gained through a handful of shows and a Myspace page. With Aaron in the fold the band's activity and enthusiasm has picked up significantly, writing new material with a fresh perspective, and booking gigs much more frequently. As the last years activities played out and more interaction was afforded through the higher frequency of shows. It started becoming evident that the name The Smile was making a better door than a hallway. The comment to sum up the motivation for the change is as follows "I thought you guys were some kind of indie/ ska type band. I never would have checked it out if I didn't happen to be at this show".

Upon discussing the matter, the word "authors" came up and Galbraith's eyes lit up. "That's it!" he said, adding "I think it more appropriately sets the tone and vibe". So Authors it is with the band writing a new batch of material, gigging like crazy and booking Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes for the months ahead.

Authors Myspace ::
http://www.myspace.com/authors
Authors Facebook ::
http://www.facebook.com/pages/AUTHORS/131511009184?ref=nf

Japanese Beaver Are Canadian's

When I was 5 or so I took a trip with my then heart-throb Tara Mckay and her folks to Bracebridge, Ontario to go visit Santa Clause in the dead of summer. Bracebridge is the home of tyke, tourist destination Santa's Village, and dual bass, zero guitar, trio, Japanese Beaver Are Canadian's.

Jordan [drums and vocals], Lee [distorted bass and vocals], and Sean [clean bass], play a style reminiscent of Maximillian Colby cept sans guitar and with a modern slant. Inventive, emotive, dynamic dual bass, do-it-yourself, hardcore. In addition, the Beaver has a crafty sense of humor that runs throughout it's material and activities being particularly evident in the band's Youtube videos.

Japanese Beaver Are Comedians is the name of the band's video skit series and this here author is hooked on them. Not the kind of thing that you see many bands of any genre doing. The Beaver delivers a lot more than hot jams and does so quite honestly, placing great emphasis on fun.

Recently, JBAC has become involved with Pattern Behavior Records. Their 2009 Beards and Bass EP is posted on the Pattern Behavior Records Myspace for Free Download.

http://www.myspace.com/japanesebeaver
http://www.youtube.com/JapBeavAreCan
http://www.myspace.com/patternbehaviorrecords