Sunday, December 20, 2009

Best of 2009

This year saw many fantastic records. I have done up my favourites list and there may be some that surprise you, while others you may be able to read my mind on.

Without further ado, here are the BEST records of 2009.

10.
Artist: Tinted Windows
Album: Tinted Windows
Release Date: Apr 21, 2009



9.
Artist: The Dead Weather
Album: Horehound
Release Date: July 14, 2009





8.
Artist: Steve Earle
Album: Townes
Release Date: May 12, 2009



7.
Artist: The Black Crowes
Album: Before the Frost...Until the Freeze
Release Date: Sep 1, 2009



6.
Artist: Justin Townes Earle
Album: Midnight at the Movies
Release Date: Mar 3, 2009




5.
Artist: Scatterheart
Album: The Masterplan
Release Date: Mar 10, 2009





4.
Artist: Tegan & Sara
Album: Sainthood
Release Date: Oct 27, 2009





3.
Artist: The Wildhearts
Album: Chutzpah!
Release Date: Aug 31, 2009



2.
Artist: Manic Street Preachers
Album: Journal for Plague Lovers
Release Date: May 18, 2009





1.
Artist: Placebo
Album: Battle for the Sun
Release Date: June 08, 2009





Great records that did not make the top ten but are worth checking out are:
The Bravery - Stir The Blood
Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young
Kiss - Sonic Boom
Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
Wolfmother - Cosmic Egg
Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears - Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!

Records that came out prior to 2009 that were played a thousand times are:
Civet - Hell Hath No Fury
The Ripperz - The Ripperz
Jesse Malin - Glitter in the Gutter
Pink - Funhouse
The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound.

Two records that I am looking forward to are Hole and Amanda Marshall.

Best EP of the year is:
The Darlings of Chelsea - The Mimico Sessions EP



Best purchase:
Sweeney Todd - Sweeney Todd (1975) and Sweeney Todd - If Wishes Were Horses (1977) on vinyl.





Best Concert:
Social Distortion with special guests Civet and The Strangers

Monday, December 14, 2009

Anvil: The Story of Anvil


Anvil: The Story of Anvil is a documentary of the Toronto based band Anvil whom formed in the 80’s. They pushed the envelope of the trash metal underground which derived from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal sound and style.

In 1984 at Super Rock Fest in Japan, Anvil played with many bands that went on to sell millions and while Anvil would go on to struggle to be heard. Some of the bands they played with in Japan are the likes of the Scorpions, Whitesnake and Bon Jovi. Anvil was far heavier than the likes of these bands but also far more unkown.

The documentary starts with very successful artists such as Slash of Guns N Roses and Velvet Revolver, Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, Lars Ulrich of Metallica and Scott Ian of Anthrax singing the praises of Anvil by advising the viewers that Anvil was the “real deal”, “had and amazing live performances” and that it was “complete insanity”. Vibrators and bondage harnesses aside, the members of Anvil were also all excellent musicians in their own right. Some say Robb Reiner was one of the best drummers in music. We are reminded by Kerry King of Slayer that this was a year before the big four “Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth”. Slash states that he believes that other artists ripped them off and left them for dead.

We first see Steve “Lips” Kudlow the lead guitarist and vocalist of the band as he is delivering for his day job “Choice Children’s Catering”. Lips explains that he does it so that he can play in Anvil as that is where he gets his joy and pleasure in life. His optimism is apparent when he states that he believes that it can never get worse than it already is and that it can only get better. If it does get worse at least you can say all is said and done. People can really learn from this man.

While Lips is delivering food, Robb Reiner the drummer from origins of the band to present is making his living in construction. It is obvious that he too does this for his band Anvil. He mentions he would much rather be at a party with a beer than doing what he is doing during the day. Don’t we all?

What seems like that same evening we are taken to a celebration for Lips’ 50th birthday where Anvil is playing live. They are playing their hearts out to dozens of screaming fans at Etobicoke’s Heads or Tails Restaurant & Banquet Hall. At this time we meet some of the long time Anvil fans such as Mad Dawg and Cut Loose. They are EXACTLY as you picture them, middle aged blue collar workers with Anvil ball caps hollering while drinking beer through their noses and missing teeth.

We find out Lips had quit school when he was young when he and Robb decided to form Anvil and live the dream if you will. The boys were 14 or 15 at the time. We hear of songs that were never written such as “Thumb Hang” which is about… yes you guessed it the Spanish Inquisition and how they would hang people by their thumbs if they didn't take on Catholicism. You probably have a pretty good picture of this band by this point.

It is at this point that we learn that many people know of the first three records and not their other ten the band has in their discography. This is a pretty impressive feat for guys whom still manage to plan time to be Dad’s and husbands with day jobs. Yet it is something that has lasted for decades.

It is at this point in the documentary that we meet Tiziana Arrigoni the bands manager who books a tour that encompasses Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, England, and France. The band is told they will get 1500 Euros per show and it is set to be Anvil’s biggest show in over twenty years. Yet no one at Choice Children’s Catering knows who Anvil or Steve “Lips” Kudlow is oddly enough.

The band starts off in Sweden doing the Sweden Rock Festival with optimism. The band is stunned by the people they have long been influenced by and others they simply are overjoyed to meet such as the likes of Thin Lizzy, Motorhead and the Scorpions. The band members are like kids at Christmas time. The band continues to be on what seems to be a successful start while they tour though Finland, Greece, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary and Poland.

Day 28 of the tour and the band runs into a small hiccup when they get lost in Prague and are two hours late for their show. However the band plays their set and signs autographs after the show. Unfortunately the bands dedication comes with continuous work as while the show seemed successful they are still their own roadies. Everyone seems tired but all things considered it goes well. That is until the bar owner they are playing for refuses to pay the band and Lips almost gets into the physical altercation with the owner. By “physical altercation” I mean Lips almost kicks the owner’s bitchy little ass! The owner states that he shouldn’t have to pay the band as they were two hours late and no one called to say they would be late. Lips argues that he still played their set and would not have done so if he had they known they were not going to get paid. The band doesn’t.

At this point they are headed to Munich and after missed trains, the altercation in Prague and stressed nerves the band members seem exhausted. Munich is yet another disaster for the band as there is no promo, Robb and Lips get into an argument and Robb threatens to sue the band. They band finally agrees to play the show to what seems like eight people which includes one person of which that is sitting in a recliner head banging. It seems morale can get no lower at this point.

Finally the band sees light in what seems like it’s been an eternity for them when they are asked to play “Monsters of Rock” in Transylvania. The promoter expects five to ten thousand people. Crowd = 174.

So while the band finishes up a five week tour with not a penny earned in their pocket and no label rep showing up to talk to the band, Lips is still grateful for Tiziana and the experience.

The support of some family members is apparent and lacks in others. Lips’ mother is disappointed while his brother Gary seems to understand. We learn more of his mother’s lack of support while Robb’s family is very supportive.

The band decides to send a demo to producer Chris Tsangarides (Black Sabbath and Judas Priest) to see if he likes what he hears and if he remembers the band from back in ’82 when he worked with Anvil previously. Chris likes what hears and after teary ups and downs in the studio, rejections from labels many hours of hard work spent, with Lips’ loving sister Rhonda’s financial support the band put out their 13th record “This is Thirteen” on their own.

Throughout this documentary we see the bands passion, heart, incredible desire and no quit in them while the families and wives remain supportive under the strains of work and running families.

I found myself rooting for these men though their tearful struggle that has been going on for 30 years. Just as it gets more depressing and harder to have hope for this band, something makes you smile like Robb’s bullet belt fanny pack combo.

Near the end of the documentary the band finally sees the success they have yearned for. Lips states he would play to no one but it’s apparent that what he desires the most is to please many fans such as the ones that rock out with him at a Tokyo Japan show. Worried that no one is going to be there, he is gladly mistaken and rocks like a star at 11:35am. By the time you hear the Metal on Metal riff you are quite familiar with it if you weren’t already and you can’t help but smile as you see the smiles on the bands face and the crowd rocking horns in air and all.

Anvil is a band that dealt with hardships and appreciated every little moment of success they earned. This band definitely loves doing what they do and deserved all much more rewards than they received.

At the end we find out that 34 years later Anvil will finally release “Thumb Hang” on their fourteenth record “Juggernaut”.

Lips tells us that he and Robb started this band at 14 or 15 years old and said they would do it until they were old men. I think that the band accomplished everything they set out to do. I am not so much a fan of their music but this was one of the best things I have ever seen. I was definitely a fan of the people in it. It is a remarkable documentary; a must for any music lover with a dream.

Slash reminds us to end it off that there are only a couple bands that have stayed together for 30+ years, The Rolling Stones, The Who and … ANVIL!

Cheers Rockers!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

My Friends of Misery

Dedicated to the memory of a band who was relevant in their time and to those I know that have lost precious time that they will never get back.

Rest in Peace
~Time Spent Listening to St. Anger~
June 5, 2003 – Present

Preface

As of late it seems I have been running into more Metallica fans than usual. Now a couple of these people I used to work with and some I currently do, while others are just hiding in the woodwork ready to pounce at a moment’s notice. Let’s get one thing straight, I do not hate Metallica. I actually really enjoy some of their songs. I feel there are far worse bands out there. See: Hedley, Nickelback, ACDC, and Def Leppard etc etc…

Metallica is, more or less, a group of individuals that are overrated, moderately talented, lucky bastards and have over-inflated egos. That being said, my beef is more with the fans and the decisions the band has made over the years rather than the music itself. However, I still feel that they are moderately talented and get waaaaay more credit than they rightfully deserve.

Introduction

Believe it or not, I was once a diehard Metallica fan who had every single record including their box set “Live Shit: Binge & Purge”. I had multiple bunny hugs, t-shirts and wallpaper made out of circus magazine cutouts. I even have my lip ring because of Metallica. After watching their “Behind the Music” (circa 1996) and seeing Kirk with a hoop in the middle of his lower lip - I wanted one. The very first time I sang on stage was with my friends old band, “Another Wave”, at Bart’s on Broad here in Regina. Every time they would play Metallica’s version of “Whiskey in the Jar” they would get me up on stage to sing. I used to defend this band, Metallica, to the world. I use the term “used to” because I no longer have that dedication to Metallica. I am not excited when a record is released nor do I rush out to get tickets when the Metallicats come to my town. Sometime in the early part of the last ten years all my cd’s were stolen. I had been accumulating them for years. Of all the cd’s I miss from that old collection, other than the ones don’t remember having, the Metallica ones are the ones I miss the least. Here’s why…



My Friends of Misery

There are all kinds of people who do and do not like Metallica. Some dislike them for the right reasons; some dislike them for the wrong reasons. It’s like a two sided coin. Generally people who like Metallica grew up with Metallica, or they just don’t know any better. Some people may not have expanded their music horizons enough. I understand that but know this… Metallica is NOT the best band in the world. I am really sorry but they just are not. Music is subjective, however if you feel I am wrong by my previous statement I do not think you been subjected to enough music.

Objective

Yes, Metallica appeals to a large part of a small demographic of people. What I mean by that is a lot of rock fans do not like Metallica and a lot of metal fans do not like Metallica. The reason being is that Metallica is the easy answer. Metallica is “Well I really don’t want to nor have the time to see what else I like”. Metallica is cheering for the Detroit Red Wings. Sure they do well every year (well almost), but it’s a little too easy to like them… what’s the point. Metallica went from cutting edge to hanging out on the edge ready to jump. Metal fans like heavier music and rock fans are generally on the fence about Metallica. It’s boring. I find it much more satisfying to delve into the catalogues of the Replacements, Buddy Holly, T.Rex, the Manic Street Preachers, Steve Earle, Robert Johnson etc. If you don’t know who Robert Johnson is, stop now and look into him before you go any further. What I am getting at is that I don’t hate Metallica; I think they are far too overrated. Metallica fans are not “Yeah, Metallica is my favourite band.” They are “METALLICA IS MY FAVOURITE BAND AND THEY WILL BE YOURS TOO DAMMIT!!” There are so much more interesting things about music out there. You don’t believe me? Check it out. Start with one band on Wikipedia and keep clicking links. You will spend hours on bands that are more appealing than Metallica. Personally I was never cut out to be a metal fan, I tried and failed. Calling Metallica “METAL” with how far music has come is a complete and total farce!

What Do I Like About Metallica?

Believe it or not there is indeed music I like from Metallica and other things I like about Metallica. Metallica is not incapable of writing good music; they have, more than once. “Kill Em All” was the beginning of an idea, one that was influenced by the “New Wave of British Heavy Metal” or the “NWOBHM”. It was written by musicians in their early twenties for music lovers in their early twenties. It riffy and raw, something that angry kid’s just out of high school could relate too. The production quality was a representation of the time and not bad for a first record. Next came “Ride the Lightning” which was a little more evolved than the first but much the same, just expanded on. The third record, often the fan favourite, was 1986’s “Master of Puppets”. By the time Puppets had been released in stores, Metallica had found their niche and the ball was really rolling. Puppets, for the time, was a metal record of epic proportions. Unfortunately the amazingly talented Cliff Burton would leave us in a tragic bus accident that would take him at 24 years young. These first 3 records were really good records, not great but really good. They definitely held their own and then some. The following record with new bass player Jason Newsted entitled “…And Justice for All” is the bands best original work. It combined the best elements of Justice with the best elements of the next to come self titled album or “The Black Album”. It was angry…. It was really, really angry in the mourning of Cliff. The Black album was good but was totally aimed at commercial America and it showed. This is the first time the band would hear the term “Sellout”. I liked the band up until this point.



Not original material, but the best thing Metallica ever put out was their tribute to NWOBHM “Garage Inc.” It might have something to do with the French exchange student, Evelyn that came with me to get it that lunch hour grade twelve of November1998. Well it certainly didn’t hurt.

I also like “Load” and “Reload” ; (I know some people will hate to hear this) at this point Metallica learned how to write songs. Sure, the early stuff I like the music and riffs, but these records were far more planned out. The lyrics were great and the music was too. This would also mark the second time the band would hear the term “Sellout”. Selling out is something you do to sell records, something that you wouldn’t do if you weren’t getting paid. I don’t think Metallica did that at this time or with Black album. They were in dire need of a change as a lot had happened in music over the course of their career. If they put out the Puppets record again during this period it would have been a little dry for them. Change was good as it let them pursue other avenues of their creativity.The band had also gotten older which as an artist grows and changes so does their music.

I also like Lars. Yes Lars, is a little Danish asshole that says whatever he wants even if he hasn’t thought it out or speaks when he shouldn’t. People don’t like him for the Napster disaster… how long ago was that? I bet you are still downloading… Lars put out a product that he wanted to be paid for. Whether or not he had millions already was not this issue. Bill Gates doesn’t just give away computers does he?

The Turning Point

It wasn’t their next record “St. Anger” that was the turning point. I had waited a long time for this record to come out and despite knowing that it was complete trash from the get go, was willing to give it a chance. With “Kill Em All” they didn’t have the production quality because of the fact that they didn’t have as many people backing them, let alone the lack of time and access to technology compared to that of “St. Anger“. What should have come out at this time was a great, fresh and polished album. Instead they put out St Anger or as I like to call it “SHIT!” It was a record that was full of garbage lyrics, rain barrel drums and some of the worst riffs ever. The odd song that did a have potential like “Shoot Me Again” or “Invisible Kid” was ruined by at least one of these things. Not to mention, the greatly coveted drummer that had put out “One”, was getting progressively worse. St. Anger is a testament to that. I often wonder where my time went that I spent listening to that record, because I sure would like it back. All things aside, it was still not the turning point.

The turning point was the documentary they put out called “Some Kind Of Monster” right after the release of St Anger. A documentary spent on showcasing these “Metal Gods” feelings. Fuck Me! James, get back on the bottle you whinny little bitch because it’s apparent you can only make good music under the influence. I guess it’s hard to be big Rock Stars and make millions of dollars putting out music at your leisure. Eat me. If you do need a shrink to figure out that you fired/forced to quit the best thing you have in bassist Jason Newsted because he had some thing as small as Echobrain you need to seriously get a life. The worst thing Metallica ever did was to force Jason into leaving the band. Let’s take our most talented member of the band, not let him write for years and then when he wants to do something as minute as Echobrain on his own, which I might add would never affect Metallica, for him to quit out of jealousy. You just lost your most talented guy, your hype man and your edge. Now you are stuck with Rob Trujillo and Kirk Hammet's shitty backgrounds and no hype at live shows. Good Stuff, Metallica. Rob Trujillo looks like a chimp procreated with a brick layer and also sounds like shit.



It Doesn’t Stop There

What about Kirk Hammet’s shitty guitar playing; next to Dave Mustaine he has the worst tone in the world. I agree with my friend Chris when he says he prefers "tone" over "technique". Slash has more talent sustaining one note in comparison to Kirk ramming in a hundred over a few seconds. I’d be shocked if Kirk could tune his own guitar. Everything cool that Metallica ever wrote was their melodies and riffs. Thanks James. If you don’t believe me, see “Unforgiven” and “Nothing Else Matters”. Kirk also has thee worst hair plugs in the history of hair plugs. Chris is also right when he says you could tell back in the day who was a GNR fan and who was a Metallica fan because Metallica fans were too busy playing D&D while GNR fans were too busy getting laid.

There is a reason some of the most technically skilled guitar players in the world are session players; Kirk should join that list. Kirk would make a great session player: no creativity needed, just play what the artist needs and get paid. I know I am going to get “What guitarists do you like?”, so here are some examples of great guitar work.

In no particular order:

1. SLASH (GNR) - GODFATHER THEME
2. KEITH RICHARDS (ROLLING STONES) - HAPPY
3. BRIAN MAY (QUEEN) - SHEER HEART ATTACK
4. JACK WHITE (WHITE STRIPES) - I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF
5. JERRY CANTRELL (AIC) - NUTSHELL
6. SCOTTI HILL (SKID ROW) - IN A DARKENED ROOM
7. JOE PERRY (AEROSMITH) - WALK THIS WAY
8. MARK KNOPFLER (DIRE STRAITS) - SULTANS OF SWING
9. JOHN FOGERTY (CCR) - SUSIE Q
10. BRIAN SETZER (STRAY CATS) - C'MON EVERYBODY

I guess Chris is such a good friend because we agree on this subject. One last thing I will mention that he and I agree on in regards to this particular subject is James’ lyrics. I will quote him for this as I could not say it better myself.

“The lyrics... oh my sweet fucking Jeebus the lyrics - Metallica writes songs like Shania "writes" songs... go through and highlight their favourite passages from the Big Book of Clichés and arrange them so they rhyme and put it to music. Of course, the clichés Metallica highlights are from the darker chapters of that book, the ones at the back.”

Here are some examples of James as the incredible wordsmith he is:

“I'm madly in anger with you
I'm madly in anger with you
I'm madly in anger with you
I'm madly in anger with you”

“Frantic tick tick tick tick tock”

Does anyone else think James looks like the lion from “The Wizard of Oz”… odd hey?

S&M: Great idea, terrible product.

Death Magnetic I hardly even remember; there is a reason as it is sooo forgettable. They tried to please their ever shrinking fan base with this one by going back to basics. What they failed to realize was that going back to that was no longer current. As much as fans wanted what worked in 1981, it was bound to fail in 2008. Metallica will never equal the influence of the NWOBHM such as Motorhead and gang but think about it: Motor head never changed and look at how well their last record did. Motor head still has their pride as they never compromised anything in the mean time. They have what I like to call “bonjovi syndrome“. This happens when a band attempts to go back into the vault after having risen to such incredible heights in their career that when they come down off that cloud they can no longer write as they can’t relate to what the masses need. They aren’t hungry anymore. They are no longer relevant and 'tis time to retire with their millions.

When these bands were pounding it out stemmed from passion it was apparent in the music. These bands have lost their passion.
The Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame is a joke. Think about it, a board of corporate America dickheads and industry folk that have dissed Cheap Trick and KISS should not be considered a compliment in my eyes. Should these people be allowed to nominate? Metallica can take their Rock N Roll Hall Of fame induction and shove it. The Sex Pistols sure nailed this on the head. Nice fauxhawk by the way James, way to be a metal god.

THE CRÜE

Someone said to me the other day:

“At least they're trying to move forward and not releasing a greatest hits album after every studio album for the last 20 years. What is that now, 4 greatest hits albums and 4 studio albums since Feelgood?”

What I had to say in response was:

“First of all Greatest Hits records are a cash grab... They are... but touring is a cash grab as well. Big deal, musicians need to make money too. Motley put's greatest hits while Metallica whores themselves via MP3 sales of live shows on their website (sounds like a more round about way to always have greatest hits out there, in a sneaky way to me). So putting out a greatest hits here and there hardly seems like an argument... 1997 was the debut of Swine and Reload, since both bands have both put out 2 studio records. So quit playing pretend and realize that Metallica doesn't have this big ball of momentum for a career...”

Next to Buddy Holly, Motley is my favourite band ever.

Motley knows that they are far from the best players and that they are going to change the world. I will be the first to admit that I like the CRÜE because they write great rock n roll songs and I like the image and the attitude. Secondly, Motley always stayed consistent and true to their selves.

Closing

I don’t hate Metallica, I just think they are overrated and not the be all/end all a lot of other people think they are. I may think they make a better cover band than original band. So next time you find it necessary to yell “Metallica is my FAVOURITE band!” just keep in mind it’s not mine.

I thought it would be fitting to end with a video I really like. Here is James appropriately covering Waylon Jennings “Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit Has Done Got Out Of Hand?”



Cheers Rockers,

Fade to Blah…

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Todd Kerns: Spray Bomb You Junkie


I have what I call a holy trinity of Canadian rock n roll. In no particular order they are Robin Black & the Intergalatic Rockstars, Todd Kerns (AOE, SIS and solo) and the Black Halos'.

When you are sick of Nickelback, BTO and such on the radio, dig out your cassettes, vinyl and or cd's and remember that we do I have something to be proud of.

It's Uncle TK's birthday today and I want to wish him a big Happy Birthday. Hopefully he comes though Saskatchewan again soon.

This is a email response I received from him a few years back shortly after the brilliant Static in Stereo disbanded. I was curious where he and his brothers were from as the prairie provinces all claimed them. I felt we Saskatchewan needed something to be proud of. I hoped it was he. SIS was a band which included his brothers John Kerns and Ryan Kerns, and killer drummer Scott McCargar. They were brilliant.

Hey SB! As a matter of fact I have spoken with Robin about doing a tour. Hopefully we'll be able to get our schedules to coincide and make that happen. That would be a blast-Robin Black, The Flairs and TK.

I was actually born in Estevan, Saskatchewan but my family moved to a town in northern Manitoba called Lynn Lake before my first birthday. We moved back to Saskatchewan to a town called Lanigan when I was about 12 or 13. After high school I moved to Regina for a couple of years and then couple of years in Calgary before settling in Vancouver. I have had quite a gypsy lifestyle as you can tell but I call Saskatchewan my Motherland. My parents retired in Saskatoon so I never get to Lanigan anymore.

THE AGE OF ELECTRIC toured western Canada all the time so Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary all lay claim to us. In a way they are all right. After we moved to Vancouver we still considered ourselves from Saskatchewan. I have a tattoo on my left shoulder of the shield from the Saskatchewan flag. I am a proud Saskatchewan boy and always will be.

Thanx for the question SB and I hope to see you again soon on the road! T


Cheers Rockers!

Spray Bomb

Friday, December 4, 2009

Frankie Whyte and the Dead Idols – The Killer Demo’s!


Frankie Whyte and the Dead Idols are a killer Toronto band ripping up their scene. To me Frankie Whyte sounds like if you melded Noelle Leblanc of Damone and Suzi Quatro’s voices together, just a little snottier. I like it... who am I kidding I love it. She is joined by the Dead Idols consisting of talented Danny C on guitar/vox and Zach O’Rourke on bass. The band as a group have a great pop sensibility, and an ear for great melody that is almost Cheap Trick like mixed with a little late eighties Alice Cooper feel to it. The band reminds me of a thousand bands in little ways but it’s all done with their own contemporary rocking spin. They are no one else other than Frankie Whyte and the Dead Idols.

Frankie the band are very committed to their fans. They regularly post updates from their youtube channel and make themselves accessible via twitter, facebook and myspace. All this and they still find time to record and tour the eastern side of Canada.

With their ep “Hollywood Ending” under their belt the band still keeps momentum going strong. They have continually put up new demos for fans to hear such as “Me Against You!” the brand new one “Bullets (We Won't Work It Out)” and my own personal favourite “Right There”.

“Me Against You!” is fun little rock song packed with some fantastic guitar work that blends perfectly with the vocal melody. “Bullets” is that soundtrack ready kind of song. It has that really contemplative kind of vibe. It’s the kind of song that is very therapeutic, like going for a walk by yourself kind of song. At first I wasn’t sure about the effect used on the toms as it’s kind of echoic almost like it’s coming from a cave or under water or both. That being said, after a couple listens I wouldn’t change a thing. The song really comes into it’s own at about the half way mark. Lastly of the three brand newish demos is my favourite “Right There”. This song is perfect. I want to sing it with Frankie. I am sucker for gang vocals but that’s not all. Every aspect of the song is great from the music to the vox. The entire song is one incredible hook. When ever I listen to this song I smile… it’s failsafe.

I can’t wait for Frankie and the guys to come out west… can’t wait!

So do yourself a favour and check out FWDI at www.myspace.com/frankiewhyteandthedeadidols as soon as possible. They would appreciate to hear from you.

Cheers Rockers,