REVIEW – STARS AT THE ORPHEUM THEATRE, FEB 19 2010

“Captivating” is probably the best word to describe Stars’ spectacular performance as part of the Cultural Olympiad Friday at the Orpheum.

“It’s great to be here for Super Bowl weekend ladies and gentlemen,” exclaimed co-front man Torquil Campbell. “Oh no, wait…”

From the moment the Montreal quintet (complete with auxiliary guitarist) hit that stage, the crowd was on its feet. The stage was heavily laden with white roses which would become a focal point, periodically hurled into the audience leaving a shower of fluttering petals in their wake. Amy Millan described one particularly half-hearted effort as “not a gold medal throw.”

For the full review and pictures, check out the new and improved Gutternipe.

Bell Orchestre at Great Northern Way Campus, Feb 18 2010

A haunting cello filled the chilly room at Great Northern Way Campus last night (Feb. 18) with a melancholic lament supplemented by psychedelic synth and harpsichord-like keys coupled with a drum machine precision backbone, the combination of which seemed to instantly drop the temperature by several degrees. Vancouver quartet Certain Breeds brought a decidedly creepy element to Code Live 1 as they opened the Cultural Olympiad showcase leaving its audience feeling a little uneasy, yet somehow mesmerized by the gloomy, almost tortured songs from the band’s debut self-titled. A description on the band’s Myspace page describes the sound perfectly: “Bauhaus” meets “Siouxsie and the Banshees.” Read: the Organ, but much moodier.

For the rest of the review and more pictures, visit Guttersnipe.

Review – Elliott Brood at LiveCity Downtown, Vancouver, Feb 14 2010

No matter how amazing the Polaris-nominated Elliott Brood is, it’s still hard to believe that the large crowd braving the hellish line and airport security type restrictions at LiveCity Downtown Feb 14 was entirely there to see the band. Where were the masses in October when the Toronto three-piece brought the Biltmore to its knees? But with its enthusiasm, the audience, the majority of which probably still have no idea who played, could’ve fooled anyone.

For the full review and more pictures check out Guttersnipe.

In Pictures: the Bonitos 2nd show.

The Rickshaw, February 13th, 2010

Review – Vivian Girls at the Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, Feb 12 2010

“That’s a fucking funny ass song to fight to,” proclaimed Best Coast’s front woman Bethany Cosentino. “It’s all about loving each other and shit...”

Leave it to Vancouver concert goers to provide something to write about, nicely removed from the Olympic madness. Later dubbed “the hipster fight” in good natured jest by the bouncers, a hilarious little brawl broke out amongst the patrons of the Biltmore Cabaret during the L.A. band’s third song. No one was hurt in the mêlée, but it must’ve left quite the impression as this was the band’s first trip to Canada. “With ravers as hard as you, we’ll def be back...”

For the rest of the review and pictures, check out Guttersnipe.

Coming soon: Interviews with Black Wizard and DB Buxton

Look for the new edition of the Skinny Magazine any day now in print and online.

In the meantime checkout Black Wizard at: http://www.myspace.com/blackwizardcom

And DB Buxton at: http://www.myspace.com/dbbuxton

http://www.myspace.com/theorpheans

http://www.myspace.com/dbbuxtonsoloartist

http://www.myspace.com/adultcontempt