Kalle Mattson - Anchors

Anchors is the second long-player from Ontario's up-and-coming Kalle Mattson, following 2009's Whisper Bee. The brainchild of singer/songwriter Kalle Wainio, Kalle and his band have constructed a fantastic batch of tunes with some diverse influences. I hate to make comparisons to other bands, but sometimes that's the easiest way to begin discussing a new artist. To me, Anchors sounds like a mix between The Weakerthans, Stars and Pavement with some folk and garage rock thrown in for good measure. But forget about trying to peg this band. They're just damn good. Each of the ten tracks are standouts, but my personal favourites are the rollicking "Thick As Thieves" and "Good Morning, Good Night." Featuring mixing by famed producer Howie Beck (Feist, Jason Collett, Jason Rouse), this album is a must for folkies, hipsters and rockers alike. Do yourself a favour and check it out!

You can stream the album here:

http://kallemattson.bandcamp.com/

As well, you check out the cool video for "Thick As Thieves" below:

Johnny Hatch - Happiness Instead

Regina's own Johnny Hatch is definitely a "glass half full" kind of guy. His new album Happiness Instead just oozes with positive energy. If you're not smiling by the time this album is over, you might as well just jump in front of a bus right now. There is no hope for you. Hatch's latest batch of tunes are full of uplifting, melodic folk, rock, pop and dance tunes that will stick in your head for days. As an original member of a little known band that would become The Waltons, Hatch's music is firmly entrenched in what many people (myself included... yes, I am getting old) would call the "golden age" of Can-Rock. If you love early 90's Canadian bands like The Lowest of the Low, Rheostatics, Barenaked Ladies, Odds, Grapes of Wrath (and yes... The Waltons), then you will really dig this album.

Hatch writes pop songs in the classic sense of the term. The emphasis is on melody, with a template based on mid-tempo folk/rock/pop tunes. However, he gives each song the appropriate treatment it deserves. The end result is a diverse, yet cohesive, album that flows naturally from one song to the next. Album opener "Echo" is a fantastic folk-rocker which blends nicely next to the dance-rock of "In L.A." I can't wait wait to see Hatch and his band play "In L.A." live. I guarantee that people will be shaking their butts to this killer tune. Other highlights include "Lucky Seven Yeah!" (which almost matches the number of "yeah's" found in Nirvana's "In Lithium" and R.E.M.'s "Man on the Moon"), the ska-induced "Precious Time" and the garage rocker "Find The Door." At only 9 songs, Hatch makes a bold, compact statement and leaves the listener wanting more... which is a good thing.

This album is definitely worth your time and hard earned moolah. Make sure to check him and his band out when they tour in the next few months! You can check out his music here.

Interview w/ Ripperz Drummer Travis Warkentin

Three of my favourite independent bands are bands that unless you follow the independent music scene you may not know of. Luckily the Hot Blood Bombers and the Bystanders are from Regina. However, one band you will want to see seven days from now is Winnipeg's rock n' roll specialists the Ripperz.

On August 22, 2009 I randomly walked into Regina's O'Hanlon's Irish Pub for a pint with a girl whose name escapes me at the moment. Her name is not important, what is important is that I saw one of best rocks bands western Canada has to offer. In fact, I thought they were so good that I nerded out and asked the singer to sign their record that I had just bought. He advised me that he'd love to but would prefer to sign his. Apparently we had missed the opening act Hard Feelings and the guy I bought record from was a Hard Feelings member... not the Ripperz roadie I thought he was. That's alright, that night I left with two really great records.

It will be nice to get some new and old friends out to see the Ripperz back at Ohan's this Thursday April 7th. It was a long year and a half wait but I suspect it will be worth it. Their self-titled record is flawless and their show is even better.

I have posted a couple examples of their work 'Elephant Blues' and my personal favourite...today: 'Baby, Let's Go Out'. Each of them are quite different so be be sure to check them both out. For more highlights like 'Fly' and 'Born Fighting' I will see you Thursday.

I am please to present to you my interview with the man behind the kit, Ripperz drummer Travis Warkentin.

Cheers Rockers.

SPUN: For someone just getting into your music how would you characterize your music, how would you describe it?
T.W: Generally, we are an indie rock band. We don't try to sound like anybody else so its hard to say what we sound like.

SPUN: Who is in the band? Who plays what?
T.W: Chris Sawatzky guitar and vocals. Mark Wiebe bass. Travis Warkentin drums.

SPUN: How long have you been a band? How did you come together to start playing?
T.W: We have been a band for around 10 years on and off, mostly on. We have been taking things seriously for about the past 4 or 5 years.

SPUN: Who has been your greatest inspiration?
T.W: For me, the band itself is an inspiration. I love watching it grow and develop. I like seeing how people react when they have never seen us play before. Getting a good reaction form a new fan is all the inspiration I need.

SPUN: Which one of your songs is your favourite?
T.W: 'Fly' is my favorite song to play. I would compare it to the same feeling you have when you are leaving work on a Friday.

SPUN: What do you want your fans to take away from your music?
T.W:I just want our fans to have a good time after a hard day at the office. I want our music to make people want to interact with someone they have never talked to before.

SPUN: I have wondered since I first heard the name, where did you come up with the name the Ripperz?
T.W: The name comes from the TV show Full House. The band on the show was Jesse and the Rippers. We had to tweak it slightly.

SPUN: Do you prefer to play at home or to play the road?
T.W: I love playing on the road most. I love catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. Plus there is always a chance we might have to sleep in our astro van. We only did that once.

SPUN: There are a lot of great bands/songwriters in this country of ours. Why should I come see your band? What makes what you so special?
T.W: We have "it".

SPUN: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
T.W: Our biggest challenge so far has been making the band into a full-time job. We are always at war with this dragon and as of yet, Bard has not brought down Smaug.

SPUN: When you aren't playing or writing, what occupies your time?
T.W: We as a band will kick anyone's ass at street hockey.

SPUN: What was the first record you ever bought and do you still own it?
T.W: I can't remember the first record I bought. But It was probably Zao, Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest. I still listen to that album all the time. It's a classic.

SPUN: Is there anything the band listens to between cities that you may be embarrassed to mention?
T.W: Dan Hill 'Sometimes When We Touch', the Boney M Christmas album, and Yakety Sax (the theme from the Benny Hill show)

SPUN: Do you have any worst show stories? Trainwrecks or funny blunders?
T.W: We haven't really had any over-the-top mishaps onstage yet but I am sure one day a tossed beer bottle while find its place with one of our foreheads before our time is up.

SPUN: How many records have you put out? Do you have plans for more?
T.W: We have one record and about another album worth of poorly released material prior to that. We are planing on hitting the studio in June and by fall we should have something new out again.

SPUN: How can fans to be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with samples songs and/or where can they get a copy of music?
T.W: Fans can gain access to our music via our website www.theripperz.com or our myspace at www.myspace.com/theripperz , or via facebook, search the ripperz friendz.

SPUN: What is coming on the horizon for the Ripperz?
T.W: The open road.

SPUN: Lastly give me two words to end this interview.
T.W: Have fun!

Photo Credit: Jordana Meilleur

Elephant Blues


Baby, Let's Go Out

Civet: Love & War

Sisters Liza Graves and Suzi Homewrecker have had a busy year. In a year of touring, replacing members and taking time for their fans, the girls managed to release their sophomore record on Hellcat Records just a couple weeks ago. Civet are a 4 piece punk-rock 'n' roll band based out of California. I am not going to tell you what 70’s girl group or 80’s punk band they have similar sounds of 'cause quite frankly I am getting tired of hearing it as I am sure they are. Civet is a balls-to-the-wall punk-rock 'n' roll band with the furious Suzi Homwrecker on lead guitar and the ferocious Liza Graves on lead vox and rhythm guitar.

I rated this record 3.5 out of 5, which I admit doesn’t sound great, but it’s really not a bad score. Here is why. It’s a really good record but I simply prefer their debut ‘Hell Hath No Fury’ marginally. ‘Love & War’ is better than most bands in their genre. I feel that as time goes on I will reach for HHNF more. That being said, one should not be afraid to pick up this record. In fact I encourage it.

I am a fan of vinyl and the way punk rocks bands in the 70’s did it. 5 tracks on each side and a running time of 35 minutes or so. If the girls had done a 10 song record of 3:30 min songs I think it would have packed a bigger punch.

I enjoy polished records that are well produced with bands that slay live. Remember Vancouver’s monochrome punks the Black Halos or Toronto’s Robin Black? Yeah, like that. HHNF nailed that idea and the girls almost did it again here. For the most part they still do on this one. The first song ‘Can’t Go Back,’ for example, is the perfect segway between records. The thunderous bass and ferocious guitar are really intense on this track. ‘Deadbeat’ is another speedy angst-filled little ditty, ‘I’m Not The One’ explodes in true punk rock fashion and ‘Go Underground’ could have been an ‘Out Come The Wolves’ era Rancid tune… if Billy Hopeless of the Halos got his hands on it.

One dimensional Civet are not. They try their hands at an almost punk country song with ‘It’s The Truth,’ which compliments their boot-in-the-face punk rock. Love & War is a great first effort as far as producing is concerned. I commend the girls for doing it on their own. Musically and live, their chops exceed the standard ten fold. Lyrically it has a lot more grown up feel than their previous effort. This record is really raw and honest so poseurs these girls are not. My only beef is that I would say it sometimes valley’s when it should be peaking. ‘Cryin Wolf’ could be shortened; the A Capella in my opinion could be dropped and 5 minute long songs for this style of music could be 2½ - 3½ minute songs.

On this 14 track record, I really dig 10 of them a lot. I cannot wait to see these girls again live. EVERY song is rad live. I am anxious to see what’s in store for their 3^rd album. If the girls in Civet continue to grow there is no doubt how great the accomplishments they will achieve in the future and the blistering records that will come out of it. If you get a chance to say hello, do so. Last fall when they were here in Regina with Nashville Pussy, the girls were super friendly and a lot of fun to chat and hang with. After meeting Liza you’ll wonder how that booming voice comes out of that little body.

Highlights: Can't Go Back, Deadbeat, Buy My Love, I'm Not The One and Go Underground

Civet - Buy My Love (Audio Only)

Cheers Rockers,

R.E.M. - Collapse Into Now

After drummer Bill Berry retired in 1997, R.E.M. released three consecutive albums of mellow, quasi-experimental albums. Up and Reveal were solid efforts but they lost their footing a little bit with the spotty at times Around The Sun. After the negative reception of Around The Sun, the boys from Athens, GA felt they had something to prove with 2008's stunning return to form Accelerate, which primarily featured short, loud bursts of punky energy. The album served it's purpose, which was to regain their mojo. Well, R.E.M. have just released their 15th studio album Collapse Into Now, and it's safe to say that the band are once again at the peak of their formidable powers. While Accelerate was an exercise in rocking out, Collapse Into Now is just R.E.M. playing to their strengths and being themselves.

This is R.E.M.'s best album since 1996's New Adventures in Hi-Fi. Like that album, Collapse Into Now is pretty diverse, featuring ballsy rockers ("All The Best" and "Alligator_Aviator_Autopilot_Antimatter," which features Peaches on vocals and Lenny Kaye on guitar), ultra-catchy power pop ("Mine Smell Like Honey" and "That Someone is You"), psychedelic hard rock ("Discoverer") and acoustic balladry ("Oh My Heart" and "It Happened Today," which features Eddie Vedder on vocals). As well, the album features the Velvet Underground-esque "Every Day is Yours To Win" and "Me, Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando and I," which is a tribute of sorts to Neil Young's "Pocahontas." Album closer "Blue," which features Patti Smith on vocals, recalls "E-Bow The Letter" (which also featured Smith) and "Country Feedback" with Michael Stipe's spoken word beat poetry over Peter Buck's acoustic guitars and feedback.

What really stands out with this album is the confidence that the band exudes. Musically, Peter Buck is a force on guitar and mandolin, Mike Mills' melodic bass and harmony vocals prove once again to be the band's secret weapon, and Michael Stipe's cryptic lyrics and distinct baritone have rarely sounded better. On album closer "Blue," Stipe declares "This is my time/ I'm thrilled to be alive." Well, the band certainly sounds alive and kicking on this album. It's a shame they're not going to tour behind this batch of tunes because there isn't a clunker in the bunch.

You can check out videos for two of the album's songs below...

"Mine Smell Like Honey"

"Oh My Heart"

The Decemberists - The King Is Dead

After flirting with 12 minute songs that verged into Jethro Tull territory on 2006's The Crane Wife, The Decemberists decided to dive headfirst into the pool of self-indulgent prog-rock with 2009's Hazards of Love. After getting that out of their system, Colin Meloy and company have thankfully decided to get back to basics with the loose and vibrant The King Is Dead. Meloy, always quite the literate wordsmith, even amusingly acknowledges the pretentiousness of their recent work in the rollicking "Calamity Song": "Hetty Green/ Queen of supply-side bonhomie bone-drab/ (Know what I mean?)." Uh.... suuuuure we know what you mean.

The band's trademark English folk influences are still the foundation, but this time they have added more American influences to their sound. In particular, there is a distinct American country/roots feel to this batch of songs. The opener "Don't Carry It All" would fit perfectly on Tom Petty's Wildflowers album while there are more than a few nods to R.E.M. throughout the album. Meloy openly admits that he had R.E.M. in mind when he wrote some of the songs for this album. He even went as far to get Peter Buck to play on three tracks: "Don't Carry It All," "Calamity Song" (which would fit nicely on Murmur or Fables of the Reconstruction) and first single "Down By The Water." However, the secret weapon on this album is Gillian Welch. Her sublime background harmony vocals launch seven of the ten tunes into the stratosphere. Her voice meshes perfectly with Meloy's. In particular, she helps make the chorus of the Celtic-tinged "Rox in the Box" soar.

It is early in the year but I have a hunch that this album will wind up in my Top 10 list by the end of the year. Every song is an absolute winner and the melodies will stick in your head days after you've last listened to this album. Highlights include "Calamity Song," "Rox in the Box," "January Hymn," "Don't Carry It All" and "Down By The Water." You can check out a video of the band performing "Down By The Water" with Gillian Welch on Conan below.

Toronto Band Getting Set To Rock With Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi will be tearing the lid off Toronto’s Air Canada Centre in just three days. I am pleased to tell you that hometown rockers Frankie Whyte and the Dead Idols will be fueling the crowd up Tuesday night with their unique blend of 80’s metal and modern day rock’n’roll. It’s no accident they sound and look this way, their sound and look is something that melds together perfectly. The members of FWDI, Frankie, Danny, Monti and Steve obviously put a lot of time into their music.

Frankie Whyte and the Dead Idols burst onto the scene in 2008 and are on of the hardest working bands going. They are no strangers to the big stage. FWDI did 4 nights with KISS across Canada in ’09 and have shared the stage with other acts such as LA Guns, Faster Pussycat, Thornley, My Darkest Days, Econoline Crush and many more.

The band released their first ep ‘Hollywood Ending’ in June of ’09 which was produced by Duncan Coutts, the bassist for legendary Canadian band Our Lady Peace. They currently are working on a full length record with producer Brian Moncarz (Silverstien, Moneen). There is no set release date as of yet, however a sample, Keep Walkin' (see below) has been released as a free download for fans and friends on the bands site.

Frankie and the band along with her have spent most of the year writing songs, picked up cool festival dates and shows along the way, but focused primarily on writing and recording. While this keeps the band busy, they still make time for and are always accessible to their fans.

Frankie Whyte and the Dead Idols are a high energy good time rock’n’roll band that makes them a perfect fit for Bon Jovi Tuesday night. Fans and soon to be fans will not be disappointed by either band. If Bon Jovi is your favourite band in the world FWDI are going to be the cherry on top.

Cheers Rockers,