Tired of Ticketmaster?

As most of you may know, Ticketmaster blows goats. Period. If you're looking for tickets to independent artist shows, Ticketmaster is not the place to go..neither is TicketWeb, whatever, same crap.

If you're looking for tickets to shows for indie artists and some bigger name artists check out Rotate This! They have tickets that Ticketmaster would never even think of selling, because Ticketmaster wouldn't know a good thing if it smacked them in the face. Rotate This! service charges are only %10 of the base ticket price, rounded down to the nearest $0.50, and will never exceed $3.00. The service charge is NOT refundable but if a show is cancelled they will replace those tickets with tickets to another show and waive the service charge. The only catch is, you cannot purchase the tickets online; you have to go down to 801 Queen Street W. in Toronto and visit their shop to purchase any ticket. I'd walk from Sault St. Marie to buy a ticket from Rotate This! before purchasing another ticket off of Ticketmaster - Cheaper service charges, better tickets, and not Ticketmaster/TicketWeb, how can you go wrong?

Not only do they sell tickets, they sell new released vinyl (Cd's too) from indie bands from Canada, U.S.A, England, and all around the world. Genre wise, they sell anything and everything (minus classical and nu-country).

They even stock used vinyl, although it's tough to keep it around for very long, they have it. If you've got some old vinyl kickin' around, feel free to bring it by their shop and they'll give you some dollars for them.

So if you're interested in buying some tickets to an upcoming indie show, NXNE, Edgefest, or looking to purchase some fresh vinyl, stop by Rotate This! at 801 Queen Street West in Toronto. Their link is on the left side of this blog, cheeecck itt!

The Perpetrators

Another great band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, The Perpetrators bring their rocky blues with a hint of punk n' country, or as they say, "Blues for people who hate blues," to the Eaglewood Folk Festival, which takes place August 28, 29, and 30, 2009. I have never seen them live, but I am definitely looking forward to this year, as I have heard very good things about these boys - no matter the venue and no matter the number of people, they'll put on the best show they can for whoever's there.

Check them out at the link for them on the left under indie artists

The Undesirables - quite desirable

For the past four years I've been going to the Eaglewood Folk Festival in Pefferlaw, Ontario, to experience the best in independent folk music. The one band that stood out to me the most was The Undesirables. Completely independent, The Undesirables are made up of Corin Raymond on lead vocals and Sean Cotton on guitar and harmony. Their songs are very mellow but so very powerful that they get you groovin' with them with the first track on their album. Check out their website, listed on the left side of this blog, under indie artists.

If you're interested in the Eaglewood Folk Festival their website is also listed on the left side, but under indie biz.

Black Lungs open for Senses Fail at The Phoenix

"I owe it all to going to concerts when I was younger. Without them, I would not be doing this...they inspired me to do great things and I hope they do the same for you" - Wade Macneil of Black Lungs

Black Lungs opened up for Senses Fail tonight and did not dissapoint. The other thing that sucked was that their set time was only 30 minutes. Senses Fail had a 1 hour set time and they were the only two bands....a show done at 9:30pm - a little weak if you ask me, but a great show nonetheless.

Seeing as how I don't really know who Senses Fail is, Black Lungs were definitely the highlight for me. Me n my buddy seemed to be the only two guys in the place that enjoyed them though. There were a bunch of scene kids there waiting to do their arm n leg dance in the pit - don't ask me what it's called, it bugs me - and they weren't really feeling the folky punk sound of Black Lungs. For one of the tunes, they brought on a trumpeter and a tromboner (haha I said boner) which was sick. I love when bands mix it up with brass instruments. (The Waking Eyes are a great example)

Anyway, back to the arm and leg dancing in the pit. What the fuck is that all about? If someone has an explaination for me, PLEASE let me know. Where I come from (grundge, alt rock, punk rock background) the pit is for moshing. I do not need some kid wailing his arms n legs everywhere when im moshing with fellow moshers. Not only is it annoying, it's dangerous - I do not feel like getting kicked in the shin or slapped in the face - I prefer smashing my body into others as they do the same.

LONG LIVE THE MOSH!

Isle Of Thieves get it on with Mitzi's Sister

Isle Of Thieves, since forming in 2006, have been touring extensively to bring their energetic, catchy, roof rocking live show to your town. The last time I saw them was at the Canadian Music Week kick-off party at Tattoo Rock Parlour in Toronto - they absalutley rocked the shit out of the music industry's finest, with reps there from Sony, Universal, XM Radio and more.

Their next gig is taking place at Mitzi's Sister in Toronto (1554 Queen St. West) with Life in Sound, Social Clash, and The Eatons on Friday April 10th. It's a 19+ show and it's only $5 at the door. Mitzi's Sister does not know what she got herself in to - her socks....will be rocked.

The excitement these guys bring on stage is something you do not want to miss. Check out their myspace (click their link on the left) to listen to some of their songs from their first full-length album entitled 'Only Human', which was produced by Joao Carvalho (Billy Talent, Sam Roberts, Alexisonfire)

Isle of Thieves, April 10th at Mitzi's Sister for only $5 ----> BE THERE!

Vinyl+ at Insound

Hey everyone, I was browsin for some Vinyl tonight and I came across Insound; they sell Mp3's, 7", LP's, turntables, headphones, whatever you want - check it ouuut!
www.insound.com

For all my hiphop boys, you need to check this link out - it's from Insound but I thought I'd save you some time... http://www.insound.com/FiHi__UBDJ__Urban_DJ_Mixer_Mixer/productmain/p/INS52184/

Their slogan is 'We Love Vinyl More" - they can definitely back it up

Anderson Council - Under Auditorium

Night two of Rock N' Reel 2009 featured the CD Release Party for Anderson Council's Under Auditorium (Backrow Records very first release - www.backrowrecords.ca) at E.P. Taylor's in Oshawa, Ontario.

One Divided, Long Story, and London Swagger started the night off with stellar performances that had the crowd buzzing in their seats (may have been the beer too). It almost seemed as if the bass player in each band got together before the show to share dance moves because each one of them danced their faces off on stage, with One Divided bassist, Tyler Mcleeven, starting things off.

When asked how they feel about working with Backrow Records, the response was pretty much unanomous from Anderson Council. "They're awesome, everything we suck at, they're great at...without them, we couldn't succeed" says guitarist Jeff Robertson. Bassist Dave Yorke added, "everything we don't want to do, they do better than we could ever possibly imagine doing."

After a few hiccups from the sound guy, a team of bubble blowers on stage and scatered around the venue, Anderson Council was ready to steal people's hearts. "that's what we try to do, we aim to steal hearts" says guitarist Jeff Robertson. Between the cougars in the front row, the beer drinkers in the 19+ section, and the creepers in the backrow, no pun intended, Anderson Council stole their hearts indeed. Anderson Council proved themselves once again, not only to Backrow Records but to the entire audience by executing an electric and entrancing set.

These boys are here, and they aren't going anywhere anytime soon, Anderson Council Under Auditorium available now from Backrow Records.

www.myspace.com/acouncilband

Rock N' Reel Music & Film Festival 2009

How many times do amateur musicians, industry professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs get the opportunity to experience the future of the music industry through the eyes of its future leaders? April 2-4, 2009, the students of the Music Business Administration/Management program at Durham College will be hosting our annual music and film festival entitled Rock N’ Reel. This festival, entering its 9th year, is targeted at musicians, music professionals, amateurs, and entrepreneurs. The three-day event features a tradeshow, a songwriting competition (called Songs’ Revealed; recorded and broadcast on Roger’s Television), seminars - featuring keynote speakers, music clinics, a demo derby, a film festival, and independent artist showcases.

This years theme is entitled The future is now; the future is music, which is meant to capture the importance of keeping the music industry alive and well in the now to benefit it in the future. The industry's nonchalant attitude towards illegal downloading, and decreasing album sales, up until a few years ago, dramatically changed the way people perceive music. Our mandate, through our entire festival, is to get people thinking and talking about music to create a positive change in the industry.

Seminars

Do I want my MTV? (The future of music television), Live Live (The role of touring), Canadian Urban Music: The past, present, and future, and more. A highlight of speakers include: Mark Spicoluk (President of Unerground Operations), Matt Diamond (94.9 The Rock), Paul Gagnon, Boi 1Da, and plently more.

Showcases

Rock, featuring the Backrow Records CD release party for Anderson Council's debut album Under Auditorium. Hardcore, featuring Enter Ghost, This Ends Now, and more. Acoustic/Hip Hop, featuring Rich Kidd, Jarryd Fillmore, Earthtone and plently of others.

To find out more information about the seminars, showcase performers, the film festival, trade show attendees, and much more, please visit http://www.rocknreelfestival.ca/.