Hayden opening with “Motel”

Best In Show: Hayden w/ Lou Canon 8-Feb-2013 (Dundas)

Hayden put on a truely special performance for those that braved the winter storm on 8-Feb-2013 in Dundas. Kudos to everyone both on and off stage for making the night memorable.

The lovely Lou Canon pairing with Hayden for “Blurry Nights”

“Old Dreams”

Us Alone

Goodnight

Truth found
Broome and Wooster
NYC
August 2012

Brand New Mini Set

Here’s a mini set of quick shots from the Brand New show in Guelph that I thought were decent but more for personal reasons.

Brand New

I shared the media pit with Randie on Friday in Guelph. Her’s turned out crisp and vibrant. Mine turned out a little noisy and faded. Thus is the spectrum much like Brand New’s music. Write ups aside, her pictures are absolutely stunning and taught me a thing or two about placement and working the pit. Check more out by clicking through the picture above or on the links below.

www.randieee.tumblr.com
www.randieleanne.com

Best In Show: Japandroids @ Lee’s Palace 23-June-2012

Everything in this piece will be considered a severe injustice by those who participated in Saturday (June 23) night’s events at Lee’s Palace. There are no words to properly account for the amount of good will and pure exuberance that poured off the stage into the crowd.

At midnight Japandroids humbly walked on stage to roaring applause. Hundreds of empties already occupied ledges, tables and the front of the stage more would soon join. Fans and the band shared in a rousing and savage bash in recognition of Japandroids’ return to home soil and the thundering success of their new record Celebration Rock.

Opening with “The Boys Are Leaving Town” was both natural and explosive. You’ll quickly realize that the crowd is integral to a Japandroids show. As the show raged on limbs flailed hypnotically and bodies dove from the stage. As duos go, Brian King and David Prowse understand that experience is a priority and as part of it I can say it will be treasured by all who attended.

“It usually takes us a while to get going so forgive us for how those first two sounded,” King begged after crushing out a flawless performance of “Adrenaline Nightshift.” “I promise this one will rock,” he exclaimed as he ripped into the opening of “Young Us”.

Apologies were unnecessary, Brian! By the end of the night every single sweat drenched soul sported a grin twice the size it was before Brian King struck his first chord.  The gents shared brief anecdotes about their current tour, money owed on failing guitars and getting bumped from late night to make room for Carly Rae Jepsen. And I’ll be the first to admit it…I’m baffled by how much charm Japandroids can infuse into a punk show. Every second felt like time spent with old friends living loud and free.

The show closed with their cover of “For the Love of Ivy” with King’s hair seemingly blowing back from the volume of his amps and Prowse’s kit left in a shambles. King’s pre-song promise to leave everything on the stage for the last song was upheld.

Lee’s Palace housed an energetic and unmatchable experience that will linger for years. As Japandroids inevitably move to larger venues I can assure you they will find a way to move every body to their noise and it will be complete punk bliss for all involved. Still, nothing will beat the urgent fun and powerful enthusiasm shared by everyone at Lee’s Saturday night. Kudos Japandroids!

Best In Show: Japandroids @ Lee’s Palace 23-June-2012

Best In Show: Japandroids @ Lee’s Palace 23-June-2012