Animal Faces

Three giants from Toronto's artsier side of hardcore have united under the direction of one, to create and deliver something relevant, timeless, dynamic and whole.

A couple of years ago, Ryan Naray (The Love & Terror Cult, Soft Floors, Malta Kano) Started messing around with putting complete jams together by himself, with out the creative limitations and challenges of the typical band scenario. Not being a drummer, however not being too shabby on the drums, Ryan crafted some raw but inventive material falling in line with, but not sounding like acts such as Capsule, Rockets Red Glare, and Okara.

I feel pretty confident in assuming that it was more Narays friends and peers that motivated the shift from a personal project to a full fledged band than his own ambition. I have personally observed on several occasions something like the following. " Yo Ry, when are you gonna get that shit together? It's soooo bad ass!" That's pretty rad motivation, at least I think so..

Ryan started playing and working out jams with destroying Etobicoke drummer, Aaron Morrice ( Authors, The Chronic, Gunnar Rapido, Straight Goods). Soon after, they pulled bass machine, Nilson Gonsalves away from Love & Terror Cult for a jam or two and that was it. Gonsalves and Morrice, bring an unbreakable, immovable foundation to Narray's original themes and concepts. The end result is solid, tight, grooved, angular jams that stick to themes and ride the dynamics. They are satisfying both in recorded and live form, however live is where the goosebumps happen. This band is engaging.

Recently the band has released a cassette on the Mountain Far label. You should get it.
amountainfar.blogspot.com
amountainfar.bigcartel.com

If you prefer the all digital, all the time method of music snatching.
animalfaces.ca
animalfaces.bandcamp.com

Photo by: Ryan Nangreaves > flickr.com

The PSBZ 09 Top 5!

2009 for me has been one of the best years in music that I have ever experienced (especially Toronto/ Canadian music). While there are far more than 5 bands that I am super stoked on, The ones I am about to list are on my absolute top shelf. Each are unique in their own right and as well, I feel are important to what happens from this point onward.

So without further a due

1. Lost Cities
Overwhelming in the live format. Most memorable performance of the last 10 years.
http://www.myspace.com/wearelostcities

2. Expectorated Sequence
Mega epic, mega power, totally honest.
http://www.myspace.com/expectoratedsequence

3. Vilipend
Biggest risk takers both musically and with lives {glad you're OK Chris}. New ideas in hevy music that are tight, crushing and exciting. The way it should be.
http://www.myspace.com/vilipendmusic

4. The Bulletproof Tiger
New kings of the "math" scene. Regardless of the tech these guys sound amazing.
http://www.myspace.com/thebulletprooftiger

5. This is Picture
Most unique and inviting music possibly in the universe. Add to that, Rob is mega swell.
http://www.myspace.com/thisispicture

So there it is, it's such a hot list that my eyes are burning from the text alone. More important than clicking through the links is to see the bands live. It is their ultimate environment.

Looking forward to what 2010 has to offer. If you have a next level band/ project, get in touch.

Robotto ;)

photo :: Lost Cities Myspace

Labels You Should Know About

Noyes Records

---

WEB
http://noyesrecords.com
LOCATION
Colchester County, Nova Scotia
ROSTER
A History Of, Andrew Gordon, Cursed Arrows, Kestrels, On Film, Safety Scissors, The Got To Get Got, The Medium Mood, The Memories Attack, Tomcat Combat, VKNGS, York Redoubt

---

Clue 2 Records

---

WEB
http://www.clue2records.com/
LOCATION
Vancouver, British Columbia
ROSTER
Damages, Render Useless, All Through A Life

---

Champion City Records

---

WEB
http://www.championcityrecords.com/
LOCATION
Edmonton, Alberta
ROSTER
arsh khaira, baltimore, desiderata, dj generic, eamon mcgrath, hills like white elephants, jom comyn, likewise vultures, ratknukkl, portraits, red hot daggers

---

Tigre Records

---

WEB
http://www.myspace.com/letigrerecords
LOCATION
Montreal, Quebec
ROSTER
Milanku, Vandamn!, Barrier

---

D7I Records

---

WEB
http://d7irecords.com/
LOCATION
Montreal, Quebec
ROSTER
Murderave, Kraken, Edelveiss, Fistfuck, The Discord Of A Forgotten Sketch, Cortisol, President Camacho, Nourriture

---

New Romance For Kids

---

WEB
http://www.newromanceforkids.com
LOCATION
Montreal, Quebec
ROSTER
Actarus, Barn Burner, Black Ships, Brian Seeger, the Discord Of A Forgotten Sketch, the Expectorated Sequence, HiFi Handgrenades, Hint Hint, Issue Sixteen, Mutiny On The Bounty, the Stolen Minks, Treasure Chest At The End Of The Rainbow, Yesterday's Ring

---

Feast or Famine Recordings

---

WEB
http://www.myspace.com/feastorfaminerecordings
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
ROSTER
Titan, Norris

---

Photo :: Burkhard Müller @ facetheshow.com

Light Hacker

We all keep seeing sick band photos with the Take Notice signature floating around Myspace and Facebook. If you are in a band you might know how difficult it is to get usable, let alone great photos for your websites and what not. That is unless the "Take Notice" guy shows up at your gig. That guy is Brad Dean.

Hamilton born, Toronto resident Brad Dean is actually kinda fresh to the photo game, not quite clocking in at 2 years. Impressive because his output is on a level beyond many with 10+ years behind them. Besides living photography and having a little bit of a competitive spark in him, Brad has put in his time as an active, ripping musician himself. His last involvement being one of the founding members of the pre-Authors project, The Smile. Being a ripping drummer/ long practicing musician I believe gives Brad the "leg up" in knowing what to look for when shooting bands. I've followed the work of Scallen, Ball and Kid With Camera, but no one seems to "get it" the way Brad does.

Visit his fan page. No matter who the band is, I get stoked every time there is a new set up.

All Photos by Brad Dean www.takenotice.ca

One Year... OMG!

Even though the post frequency and consistency has been a bit iffy, PS has none the less prevailed an entire revolution around the sun. Pretty stoked on that. It's fun to look back through the posts and follow up with who and what we've covered to see where everyone is at. A lot changes in the span of a year.

With that said, PS has some changes planed for itself. We are expanding our range of topics and content. This will be to include more band news from abroad, more individual spotlights on rad peeps involved and/ or connected to the music we love, and lot's more how too shit. We are scaling band news/ spotlights, down to headlines, featured links and downloads.

Thanks to everyone who has followed us for the past year, especially all from abroad. Mega stoked for what's to come.

Rip It!
Scott

Aribin Sillah Recordings

Music today has, for the most part anyways, become tangled up in everything that has nothing to do with music. Luckily, fate sometimes decides to smile upon us when it spurs those around us to do great things with music for the right reasons. A breath of fresh air is blowing in from La Belle Province, and it is called Aribin Sillah Recordings.

Hailing from Trois Riviere, this label houses a wide array of sound. There's plenty of the spastic and violent, but there's also a softer side if that's your cup of tea. This is a label built on a foundation of hard work and dedication. There is no glamour about it, no ego, this is for the love of music and the community it creates. This is a label with a heart of gold.

"The art of music means more to me that I can say. We do not consider ourselves as businessmen. We do not consider ourselves as musicians. We care about music as art, as 'moyen d'expression', as aesthetic of sound. We do not believe in playing music for popularity-money-sex-image. We believe in work. Still growing with the idea of a huge family, working together on shared ambitions. We still believe in Freedom. Respect."

www.aribinsillah.com
myspace.com/aribinsillahrecordings
Photo :: skotto robotto

Hey Predator!

Not one to give it up easy, Hey Predator!, play aggressive pop, melodies jumping frantically while they work their way into your head. As as a six-piece should, Hey Predator!, layer their hooks on top of each other; in one bar you will hear what could easily be three different songs blended, shaken and stirred until ready to simmer and eventually boil over. But before they get too out-there, too music school cool, too pretentious, they pull it back and make sure it's having fun. Wailing, shrieking energy gives way to slinky grooves played with precision; each note sounding deliberate yet spontaneous. A relatively new band, Hey Predator! promise ten tonnes of quality tune-age for those who still grieve the loss of Dilute, Volta Do Mar, Q And Not U, et al.

Image :: from band Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/heypredator
Contributor :: Lee Taylor

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

Label Spotlight | Bart Records

Location

---

Globe :: Red Deer Alberta Canada
Web :: www.myspace.com/revolutionwinter

Format

---

Media :: Cassette Tapes
Genres :: Diy punk/ hardcore, indie, screamo-violence, math-rock, post-punk

Current Releases

---

Draft Dodgers
Bayonets!!!
Gift Eaters
Taxes
Gobble Gobble
GreyScreen

Up-coming

---

Compilation of Hope: A Cross-Canada Comp
Featuring: Slates, VKNGS, Special Noise, dd/mm/yyyy, GSTS!, Place hands, Whiskey Priest, Damages, Swwords, Gift Eaters

GreyScreen - Permastruct

Distributors

---

Put Out the Jams

About

---

A cassette label, doing small runs, for music that otherwise would never be heard outside of the band's own basement. Into the new year, expect tons of new tapes, coming out of bedrooms and basements.

Map To Temenos

I was thinking about isolation, particularly cultural and creative isolation. I pondered if the internet phenomenon truly provided a conduit to creative resource and inspiration. And, what level of interpretation occurs via the digital experience of art and culture versus the physical involvement in or of a scene type scenario. The band that was on my mind during this philosophical consideration was Map To Temenos.

Map To Temenos is a 3 piece from Newfoundland. Newfoundland is an island that is difficult to get to and also to leave in both distance and cost. So it does not get the kind of tourism and band tours that maritime neighbors PEI, Nova Scotia or New Brunswick are used to. As well, if you are an artist of any sort, the cost and effort to "get out there" is significantly higher and as a result typicaly prohibitive. The reason I though of these guys is because although they are the product of a somewhat isolated community, they did in fact tour Canada this Summer and their music/ art is unique and exiting (saw their Toronto show, AMAZING!). I feel like the music they make is as awesome as it is because they lack the criticism and drama of a "scene". I find that generally, people/ artists in more remote communities tend to rely on mainstream channels to point them in a direction regardless of the net's infinite options. MTT seem to dig for what they connect with of their own volition and are thus motivated by the mix of whatever strikes their ears with no "scene police" to diminish their efforts or ambitions.

Live, Map To Temenos really deliver the goods. Exciting, jagged rhythms and interesting chord groupings played tight and with heart. Some of the guitar parts sound nearly impossible in complexity and to top it off they sing over what they play. Technicality aside though, MTT's jams are urgent, exciting and catchy. Word is that they are moving to Montreal, so perhaps we will be hearing much more of them soon.

Photo :: Brian Williams
Myspace :: http://www.myspace.com/maptotemenos

BonVivant

Quebec as a whole has a rich history of music culture and particularly deep roots in the punk, hardcore and metal genres. However it seems like besides the few bigger break out artists, Quebec bands don't really reach out beyond their provincial border.This is too bad because there are sooo many bands that are sooo awesome. BonVivant is a very new band but a great example of the quality of bands that Quebec seems to effortlessly produce.

Montreal's BonVivant is a post-punk band that mix it up a bit. Quite poppy without being pop, a bit gnarly without being harsh, and although simple, crafty with arrangements. I tell my friends that they are new sounding but a reliable sound for a good time. Frédéric, Martin, and Charles are every bit as good live as recorded but have a party energy live that you just can't record.

If you get a chance, go party with them. Even if it's just you and their Myspace page you'll probably have a rad time.

Photo :: Louis Guillemette
BonVivant Myspace :: http://www.myspace.com/bonvivantrock

Damages | Scars 7"

Scars, Damages first official 7" is up for pre-order at Clue 2 Records. Word is that the same material will be released with a different jacket and vinyl colour in Germany by Deaf Cult although DC's website has yet to release the details.

If you don't know Vancouver's Damages and you like the early Discord and/ or Ebullition sounds, you will certainly like this. Although Damages crafts their music to modern standards, the fellas really get 90's post-hardcore and push the bar up a notch.

Go pre-order it now at Clue 2 Records. Ships in September.

MP3 :: Gears

Damages Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/damagestothearchive

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

Damages

Not sure what the sudden catalyst has been for a plethora of amazing bands to pop up across the country, but I'm certainly not complaining. From East to West, high quality creativity is afoot.

Damages are Westies from Vancouver and love past brilliance such as Shotmaker, The Jesus Lizard, Swiz, Fugazi & 400 Years to name a few. The band is at least as good as their influences not having just re-written other peoples material. Damages has spun a modern twist to that fractured, melody and dissonance sound. There is word of a 7" to be out in late July/early August on Clue#2 in Canada and on Deaf Cult in Europe. Can't wait!

Damages is highly recomended!
http://www.myspace.com/damagestothearchive
Clue 2 Records :: http://www.clue2records.com/

Photo :: crop from Damages Myspace

The Great Sabatini

I would imagine if you follow this here snazzy blogazine, you will relate to what I'm about to say. I like the metal guitar & drum sound, metal studio production, the technical standards of metal, and maybe even the ripping, cool, press photos, of dudes holding invisible crystal balls, while howling at the moon in corpse paint, all out metalized. But at the end of the day I'm sorta cheesed out by metal's habit of rehashing the music.

Enter Montreal's The Great Sabatini! If you relate to the above, this band is for you. All the good stuff about metal (unfortunately no sick warlock press photos...), minus the stock metal riffs recycled from 1980. It is a fact that The Great Sabatini rips it up with craftiness through band-wide poly rhythm, inventive, flowing drums, and throaty in-the-mix vocals that share a spot with the instruments instead of dominating your attention, so as to not ruin the wicked riffs. These dudes cover some ground in the mood department too, spanning doomy gloom trough to driving and anthemic. I have a feeling that if you dig on earlier Mastodon and the better Today Is The Day stuff, you'll enjoy ripping it to The Great Sabatini.

The Great Sabatini is all set to release Sad Parade Of Yesterdays. It's 12 jams deep and being supported out of the gate with the band taking a jaunt across Ontario in July. See them in Toronto on Wednesday, July, 8th, at the Smiling Buddha.

These three exclusive tracks on the players are a first listen of hot jams from Sad Parade Of Yesterdays. Track names are as follows and in order:

Album Track 3 > Robots
Album Track 5 > Lincoln Continental Breakfast
Album Track 10 > Birth Of The Cruel


Top image/ illustration :: http://www.myspace.com/thegreatsabatini

Tonnn

Bursting with activity would best describe Tonnn's world a la moment. New recordings, A split 12" with Lice on Itchy Roof re-k&rds and a massive US tour to seal the deal. Pretty awesome! Really stoked that this band is breaking out because Tonnn are one of the few bands actively and effectively evolving the 90s, frantic emo-screamo sound to something a lot more than 6/8, octave soaked, out of control, swing jams. Tonnn are pushing it forward in big ways. Can't wait for the split to drop, if the track "The Drone" is any indicator this record will kill!

photo :: taken from Tonnn Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/tonnnrules

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

The Chronic

It should be no surprise as to what makes up for the content and theme of The Chronic. What should surprise you is everything else. Instead of the expected stoner/ Sabbath riffs, this bass, drums duo (with frequent dj/ mc colab) uses lots of tight space in similar ways to Helmet/ Meshuggah however with their own brand of phrasing and arrangement. The groove is always present and the heaviness is always around the 1000 pound mark. Add in some crafty/ hilarious samples and surprisingly catchy/ yet rough vocals and you start to get what's special about The Chronic.

Comprised of Torrie Wilson (bass/ vocal) and Aaron Morrice (drums/ vocal) in frequent collaboration with Savilion (producer/ dj/ vocal), the unit manages an energized, engaging delivery even though it is but a lonely Wilson up at the front of the stage. The Chronic has this "ripping" vibe and although don't say much during a performance, exude a fair bit of charisma.

Also, contrary to the common view that weed users are unmotivated and such, Wilson, The Chronic's leading man, launched N.C.J.T. Records earlier this year. Similar to the Gorgeous Industries approach, the label features slick diy packaging and art utilizing the cdr format to keep things nice and personal. N.C.J.T. Records artists include The Chronic and Creeper with future releases in the works of Peace Be Still and Forever Circa.

photo :: Taryn Wilson
http://www.myspace.com/ttthechronic

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/

Forum Radness!

We just posted a forum. It's ment to serve those who dig/ participate in the kind of punk/ hc we feature here at PS. If you are doing something related in Toronto or Canada and would like to have your own section just let us know.

Hit the link to the right or click here http://psbz.proboards.com/index.cgi

There is no sign in required for general visitors. Awesome!

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