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

A Mountain Far Launches New Site

Chances are if you have been to a Toronto "post hardcore/ screamo" show over the last year or so, it's most likely been an AMF show. A Mountain Far puts on the best shows, distros a lengthy and growing list of awesome diy releases, and makes a habit of connecting good people.

The human behind the machine is Matt Cuthbert, recent bassist of Siberia and past vocalist of the Veil. Matt has a knack for making stuff happen and tends to do a really good job. The launch of his fancy new webspace intends to promote and facilitate more great shows, connect like minds, and provide an organized public listing of the awesome releases he has collected for distribution.

Add AMF as a friend, drop a comment, connect with a like mind, and keep up with awesome Toronto shows, bands and activities.

http://www.myspace.com/amountainfar
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=69688521140&ref=search

Vilipend Back In Action

If you didn't hear, during the closing moments of ripping through a Dillinger Escape Plan support gig, Vilipend leading man Chris Gramlich managed to rip too hard and fractured his L1 vertebrae. The good news is that there was no permanent damage and Chris is on the road to recovery. Better news is Vilipend is reported to be back on a regular rehearsal routine. The band has even gone so far as to schedule a gig at the Bovine in Toronto on the 7th to celebrate Mr. Gramlich's return and turning of age.

Photo :: Bryan Walker
Band Page :: http://www.myspace.com/vilipendmusic

Detroit!

Detroit, although Sault Saint Marie natives residing in Toronto, capture beautifully the essence of their name in music. Anyone who's been to downtown Detroit knows that block for block it can go from money-money to the scariest ghetto you've ever witnessed. This dynamic gives the city and the band their character and allure.

If you are into the current trend of early 80's hardcore you will no doubt like Detroit. If you are totally bummed on re-hash punk like we are here at PS you will most likely LOVE Detroit. The difference between Detroit and the re-hash is Detroit own their sound. It's familiar yes, but completely fresh, crafty, and delivered with a level of enthusiasm, excitement and quality that is hard to top. The relentless snare counts are tops!

Live this band rips. Definitely not shoe gazers and no rehearsed moves in sight. Brenton Ellis (vocals), Curtis Faux (guitar), Mark Rand (bass) and Mikey Hawdon (drums) are highly energized, rather precise, and quite effectively pass their stokedness onto all crowds.

photo :: taken from the Detroit's Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/letthehammersfly

This Is Picture

Form over the course of evolution. The material that This Is Picture (Rob Shortill vocal/guitar) produces is certainly the result of evolution in music, while the project itself has as well been privy to change over time. This Is Picture appears to be quite change oriented evolving and morphing in a variety of ways, and refreshingly, all positive and good.

In the beginning of This Is Picture, there was just Rob. The amazing thing about the music that Rob produces is the magnitude of impact with only Rob's guitar playing and vocal. This is not your standard guitar and voice, singer/ song writer fair. Shortill, of past projects Model, Mare and more recently Five Blank Pages, has always been on the musical creative cusp, pushing things further than their stretch. Phrasing, technique, arrangement and melody are all grossly unique yet still highly engaging and sweet. Over the course of the last year and a bit, This Is Picture has morphed from 1 to 5 to 2 and back down to 1. As 5 [Grady Mutzel (bass), Kenzie Thompson (vocal), and Steve Dagg (drums)] This Is Picture occupied more musical, dimensional space, and did not in any way water down it's esoteric nature. Unfortunately as it seems for many creativity centric music projects, it's difficult to keep people together. The group paired down to Rob and Steve and then again back down to little ol' Rob.

Thankfully Rob has remained steadfast continuing to write and preform. Music and artists like this I believe to be important to listeners and other creatives in challenging the model by which they gauge quality, depth and expression in art/ music. This Is Picture is an example that odd and unique can produce something warm, beautiful, exciting and inclusive.

photo :: This Is Picture Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/thisispicture

Le Gallerey

Located at 1183 Dundas St. West in Toronto, Le is one of the cities' smaller galleys. I still walk right on by it every time I visit. It's a blink and miss situation. This isn't one of those "it's so underground, and hidden, cool" type things. It's just good. The space is nicely finished, is always in use and the staff are personable and positive. On top of the good vibes, what really makes Le is the work that flows through. Le attracts exciting young artists and particularly those who's material is on the current fringe. On exhibit is Sarah Clifford-Rashotte.

photo :: crop of Sarah Clifford-Rashotte's "I’m Ongoing, I’m Practically Constant"
http://le-gallery.ca/

Vilipend

With their Northern Hostility and Love Left To Rot eps behind them, Vilipend are busy working on a third installment of 3 songs with rumors of a potential 7" to be the format. At only a year and a half since birth, Vilipend is maturing rapidly into a fantastic writing/ ripping machine. The bands live set of artful, metal influenced, dirgy punk is highly energized, always delivered with heart and precision, even when the crowd is flying into the drums.

Summer looks to be busy for Vilipend with some hot tours lined up. You'll be able to catch them on the Lords and Ken Mode, Ontario/ Quebec legs.

http://www.myspace.com/vilipendmusic

Orca Tracks Up!

Orca has finally posted their long awaited tracks Collapse & Decay on Myspace. There is a cdr hard copy as well. If you are a pirate or like to "sample" before the buy, Bryan [guitar/ vocals] has made things easy for you >> http://www.sendspace.com/file/g2yaa3.

Photo :: Michelle Morinaga
Orca Myspace ::
http://www.myspace.com/orcawails

Upcoming Shows

01/10/2009
Dance Electric
Say Die Michelle
68 Porno Mags
Rok Boutique | Cost: 5
200 Bathurst St. Toronto

01/10/09
Acoustic Sounds From
The Underground 2!
Vaness
The Talliband
Liquorbox
The Bag Ladies
Annies On Queen | $5 - 9pm
372 Queen St. East Toronto

01/15/2009
Vilipend
Titan
Psyopus
Annex Wreck Room | cost: $10.00
794 Bathurst St. Toronto

Annies On Queen

Good chance you are familiar with HA4TLD {High Art For The Low Down}, the now legendary second floor venue {and diy label} down on Toronto's Lower Sherbourne at Siesta Nouveaux. HA4TLD has hosted some amazing shows over the last few years with the last Rammer show really taking the roof off. Matt Shortill, the man behind the magic has recently made the move-on-up, securing a new {and bigger} second floor spot. Annies is a rad new hardcore punk venue at 372 Queen St. East, on the 24hr Queen streetcar line. Matt is booking local and touring bands 7 days a week so get in touch if yer looking for a gig. Currently the venue is 19+ only but may host all ages as early as spring.

Contact Matt :: anniesonqueen@live.ca
Annies Facebook group :: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=40799569321

January Shows

JAN 10 09 | $5 - 9PM
ACOUSTIC SOUNDS FROM THE UNDERGROUND 2!
Vaness / the TalliBand / LiquorBox / the Bag Ladies

Jan 16 09 | PUNK | $5 - 9PM
The Smile / Whiskey Priest / Please Stand By / Blind Cats

Jan 17 09 | HARDCORE | $5 - 9PM
Bad Skin / the Clusterbombs (brantford) / Rackshot / Thrashards

Jan 23 09 | METAL | $5 - 9PM
The Womb / Single File To Freedom / Ball Harness

Jan 30 09 | COUNTRY PUNK | $5 - 9PM
The Burnitdowns / Organ Thieves

Jan 31 09 | HARDCORE | $5 - 9PM
Endprogram / Akroid / U.T.I. / The Kettle Black

photos by :: skotto robotto