By Mike Tofin
Among the guttural vocals, ambient melodies, and hints of grindcore, it’s difficult to pin-point exactly where As I Lay Dying find their inspiration. A long list of influences has enabled the band to avoid the criticisms leveled at others that belong to the metalcore subgenre. Their creative process has also played a role. “Most of… Continue reading As I Lay Dying pushes the edge of metalcore
By Mike Tofin
Michael Dowse’s follow up to FUBAR (2002) is on the next fuckin’ level. The Film follows headbanger’s Dean (Paul J. Spence) and Terry (David Lawrence) up to Fort Mac, in their search for work and more beer money following an eviction from their home in Calgary. They decide to throw an eviction party which, without… Continue reading Fubar’s back and truly fucked up beyond all recognition
By Mike Tofin
Those looking for some hidden irony in the name Anti-Pop Consortium are bound to be unsuccessful. Beans, High Priest and M. Sayyid truly live up to the most literal interpretations of their moniker, providing listeners with a unique approach to hip-hop that won them a spot on tour with widely-respected artists like DJ Shadow and… Continue reading Online Exclusive: Anti-Pop Consortium live up to their name
By Mike Tofin
Burlesque, pubic wigs, Golden Girls and vacuum cleaner-sized vibrators. What do these things have in common? Humour, obviously, but sex appeal? Yes, thanks to the creative thinking only possible by The Garter Girls Burly-Q Revue. Burlesque is humorous theatrical entertainment involving parody and sometimes-grotesque exaggeration — a common sentiment among The Garter Girls as their… Continue reading The Garter Girls show some skin
By Mike Tofin
You’ve been away, encased in your studies. University and metropolitan life has left you feeling simply detached. You pull into the driveway and return to the environment that compelled you to leave in the first place. Your Uncle Greg greets you with a warm hug and a greasy whisker rub. The embrace breaks, and before… Continue reading Spun: Jon and Roy
By Mike Tofin
Click-click, gargle, gargle, gargle, inhale, breath out. Hit the play button. Is that the CD player melting down, sounding like R2D2 having an anxiety attack? No, it’s just the intro track to The Locust’s latest release, New Erections. Man that little kid is throwing a massive fit outside. Nah, it’s just the vocal track throughout… Continue reading Spun: The Locust
By Mike Tofin
After having to cancel a few shows the last time they were through Canada, due to lead singer Phil Anselmo’s throat problems, drummer Jimmy Bower and the rest of Down are set to rip through Canada. This time with a unique tour providing fans the opportunity to purchase tickets for a meet-and-greet and a free… Continue reading Down, but they’re not out
By Mike Tofin
On a late summer night, CKY guitarist/vocalist Deron Miller of stumbled upon a dead body under an east coast boardwalk after a leaving an arcade, during a family vacation. Or at least, that’s what the rumours on the Internet say. “That must be somebody else’s better creative idea,” says Miller. “A late night after the… Continue reading CKY haven’t seen a dead body — yet
By Mike Tofin
Drummer Jordan Burns, and Strung Out are punk rock legends. From music, to motocross, to the inside line on great dentistry, these stallions of the punk subculture are ready to run their cavalry straight through Alberta, guns blazing. Their first stop is in Edmonton to see their newly coined, and much adored, punk rock dentist.… Continue reading The down-low on the punk rock dentist
By Mike Tofin
Boozed, bruised and broken, grizzled and gnarly as ever, Black Label Society and bassist John “JD” DeServio are ready to set fire to a tour that is sure to destroy every venue they come in contact with. Amidst Black Label Society’s upcoming release of their new album Skullage, and the implementation of his new project… Continue reading Chattin’ about booze and hockey