'Sup In July: Ten Picks

Being somewhat inspired by my own 'Sup For NXNE post, I thought that I'd try out a slightly different format for my monthly 'Sup In.. post. Instead of spitting out endless recommendations ad nauseum, I'm going to give you ten. These are the ten that are most appealing to me because quite simply, this is my blog. For more detailed listings I would recommend going to Stillepost, Zoilus or Jen's Weekly List (of shows under $10). So, here are my picks:

1. Neko Case /Jason Lytle @ Massey Hall
(Tuesday July 14th; Cost: $29.50-$40.50)

The sultry sound of Neko's pitch perfect voice along with her subdued yet arresting giutar work is highly deserving of only the best acoustics around, and Massey Hall has it. The added bonus of having Jason Lytle (ex of Grandaddy) along for the ride is certainly an ... um ... added bonus.

[Myspaces: Neko Case; Jason Lytle]

2. Broken Social Scene @ Harbourfront
(Saturday July 11th; Cost: Free)

After cancelling their semi annual Island Show due to the excessive noise that will be created by a nearby car race, putting on a free one at Harbourfront was an inspired move indeed. Initially, I had pretty much put this one on my "it's going to be a zoo and I'm not interested in the ensuing chaos" list, but now I'm starting to second guess my choices. Actually, no I'm not because I just remembered that I've got a family thing going on that day. Yep, so won't be there. (Sorry, just blogging out loud again.)

[Myspace: Broken Social Scene]

3. Van Der Graaf Generator @ Hamilton Place Studio
(Sunday July 5th; Cost: $35)

In what is probably my most random pick, legendary 70's proggers VDGG are coming to Hamilton in a somewhat reformed state to play several of their classics. Peter Hammill's voice has a very distinguished yet maniacal Shakespearean tone to it, and their music is that of a free form progressive jazz-rock. A challenging listen for sure, as is clear by the way that my playing their records in the past has managed to clear the room on more than one occasion. Still, they're one of my all time favourite bands, and none other than Johnny Lydon and David Bowie agree with me, so there!

[Myspace: Van Der Graaf Generator]

4. Rural Alberta Advantage / Hooded Fang / Wilderness of Manitoba @ The Horseshoe
(Thursday July 30th; Cost: $12)

Locallers the Rural Alberta Advantage have taken the world by storm, first by knocking them dead at this year's SXSW, and then by signing to the influential Saddle Creek label. Well, they're back in town at the end of the month to celebrate the release of Hometowns on the aforementioned label, and they have a couple of great bands here to support them.

[Myspaces: Rural Alberta Advantage; Hooded Fang; Wilderness of Manitoba]

5. The Zombies @ The Mod Club
(Wednesday July 15th; Cost: $41.50)

It's the year for classic 60's comebacks invading our city. The Sonics have just blown us away with their presence, and now The Zombies are in town to play The Mod Club. Unfortunately the cost is just a little too rich for my blood, but at the very least you should pick up a copy of their classic Odessey and Oracle album and give yourself a taste of what brilliance sounds like.

[Myspace: The Zombies]

6. TWM Presents: One Hit Wonders Night #2 @ Rancho Relaxo
(Friday July 10th; Cost: $7)

I'm still kicking myself for having missed the first edition of, what I hope, will continue to be a regular series at the Rancho. From what've heard, it was more fun than a party over at Vanilla Ice's house. 10 local bands will be playing a brief set of covers by those artists that you loved but may have forgotten all about. Here's who's on the bill: Lovely Killbots, Vive Quebec Libres, Big City Nights Band, Santa With Muscles, Blanc & White, Fresh Blintz, Dancehall Free For All, Wendy Leung, Matt Bahen, and Stepfathers.

7. Peter Murphy / Venus Infers @ Opera House
(Saturday July 11th; Cost: $29.50)

Peter Murphy (pictured above) is one of the most eclectic and bizarre frontmen in history, with his role as the former lead singer of Bauhaus solidifying him as the godfather of goth. I'm pretty sure that he isn't jumping out of coffins as much as he once did, but I hear that he's still one fierce dancer and an absolute marvel to behold. He doesn't do all that many local club dates these days, so this one may be worth catching.

[Myspaces: Peter Murphy; Venus Infers]

8. The Lemonheads / Julia Set Generator @ Lee's Palace
(Saturday July 4th; Cost: $20)

Everytime that I say (or think) that one should catch The Lemonheads when they come to town since they may not ever come again, they always end up coming again. So who knows, they may be back again, but why take that chance? Actually, Evan Dando's band is here promoting their latest release entitled Varshons, which is a covers albums where they take on the likes of Gram Parsons, G.G. Allin and even Christina Aguilera. Should be interesting.

[Myspaces: The Lemonheads; Julia Set Generator]

9. Wavelength 473 feat. Jon Rae Fletcher, Flotilla and Great Bloomers @ Sneaky Dee's
(Sunday July 26th; Cost: PWYC (sugg $5 or $10))

All three of the artists on this bill are spectacular, but it really has been quite a long time since I've seen Great Bloomers and I think that I'm definitely due. They're latest release Speak Of Trouble is seriously about as perfect as an album can get, and actually more diverse than I was expecting.

[Myspaces: Jon Rae Fletcher; Flotilla; Great Bloomers]

10. Sunset Rubdown / The Witchies @ Lee's Palace
(Friday July 10th; Cost: $13adv / $15 door)

I don't really talk about Spencer Krug's experiemental side project Sunset Rubdown all that much but it's not like he needs the publicity. He's established a name for himself based on his unique voice, captivating arrangements and subtle melodies.

[Myspaces: Sunset Rubdown; The Witchies]

Where I'll Be:
It's summertime, which means I've got lots of other things on the go and this is actually the first month in ages where I don't actually have any concert events written in stone as of yet. I'm pretty sure that I'll be at the One Hit Wonders show on the 10th, I'm hoping that I'll catch the Wavelength show and I have my sights set on the RAA too. Other than that, we'll just have to see where the wind will take me in July.

If you're looking for something to do tonight, The Constantines and Chad VanGaalen are playing a free show at the Harbourfront, with Chad coming on at 8pm, The Cons at 9:30. I'm not a huge fan of either but everyone else in the world thinks they're great, so I'd get there early if you're interested.

'Sup In July? **UPDATED**

I think it's quite obvious that this years NXNE festival has completely zonked me, making it difficult to throw words up on this blog that even slightly resembles anything literate, but hecks if I don't put forth an effort here today.

Now you may be wondering: why am I putting up the monthly 'sup? post for July when it's only the 24th of June? Well this is because I'm off to New York tomorrow night and I won't be back till next week and by then it's going to be the 30th, and I don't know how I'm going to feel by then. I'm guessing tired.

Now, I'm not going to make any promises, but I think for next month I'm going to attempt the mighty post-a-day deal. The reason for my making such an insane resolution is the simple fact that I've got a lot to talk about. First of all, I have the privilege of being one of the relatively few in Canada who get to test drive the latest version of the Microsoft Zune. I've only just started using the little 8 gigger, but for the most part I find it to be a pretty snazzy little mp3 player. The road trip to NY is going to give me plenty of quality time with this machine, and I will be sure to publish a full report upon my return.

Also, I picked up a giant heaping pile of CD's just prior to NXNE, and I'm slowly making my way through them. Most of them are newer, but I actually discovered a couple of lost classics that I may or may not post about next month. A lot of them are Toronto based, and a lot of them are real good, so I'm looking forward to blogging you all about them. (I think that the word 'blog' is becoming like the word 'smurf' to me, where it can be used in many interchangeable ways.)

And then there's the shows. I don't anticipate that I'll be going to all that many in July since I did so much in June and it exhausted me. However, there are many to choose from and I anticipate that I'll be hitting up a few of these:

It's hard to turn down a free show at Harbourfront Centre, especially when the performer is the adorable Basia Bulat. I can't believe that I haven't seen her yet this year. How did that happen? She's playing Tuesday July 1st. Harbourfront Centre. *Free.

Myspace: Basia Bulat

On Friday July 4th, jazz meets new wave when Karma Controllers play Rancho Relaxo. I keep on missing these guys, and it's a shame because, judging by their Sirens CD, my gut tells me that they put on a phenomenal show. They're playing with The Craft Economy (whom I've seen and loved) and The Hots (whom I've not seen nor heard, but people have told me that I will love them.) Friday July 4th. Rancho Relaxo. $5.

Myspace: Karma Controllers
Myspace: The Craft Economy
Myspace: The Hots
Download: Whisper Sister by Karma Controllers mp3

Download: The Lives Of Captured Scientists by Craft Economy mp3



Another cool lesser known event is on Saturday July 5th at the Cameron House where The Wallscenery Demos will be performing. I reviewed their CD a few weeks ago and it's quite spectacular. They're on the bill with Jay Sad and ex~po, both of whom I've never heard of. Saturday July 5th. Cameron House. $5.

Myspace: Wallscenery Demos
Myspace: Jay Sad
Myspace: ex~po
Download: Wallscenery Holler by The Wallscenery Demos mp3



On July 5th, Crystal Castles are doing the free Harbourfront thing. Don't think that I'll be at that one, but you should be. Saturday July 5th. Harbourfront Centre. *Free.

Myspace: Crystal Castles

Another show that I don't think I'll be able to catch but you should is the legendary Alejandro Escovedo at The Mod Club. He is one of the pioneers of the whole alt-country thang, and I'd imagine that his show would be smoother than cream corn. Monday July 7th. Mod Club. $18.50.

Myspace: Alejandro Escovedo
Download: Always A Friend mp3


One of the ones that falls into my must-see category, is the awesome bill at Rancho Relaxo on July 10th. I don't know much about the Rural Alberta Advantage, but according to several reputable sources, they apparently killed at this years NXNE. To sweeten the already glucose heavy pot, Jon McKiel is also playing. At the risk of sounding like a cheesy infomercial, if you like Ryan Adams, check out Jon McKiel. 'Nuff said. Mandibles are also playing. This is a No Shame event. Thursday July 10th. Rancho Relaxo. $5.

Myspace: Rural Alberta Advantage
Myspace: Jon McKiel
Myspace: Mandibles
Download: Luciana by Rural Alberta Advantage mp3


I will absolutely be attending The Joys CD release party at The Horseshoe for their latest release Unfold, which is finally ready to hit the record shelves on July 8th. I just got the CD in the mail, and am looking forward to taking in their solid brand of good old fashioned rock 'n roll. Friday July 11th. Horseshoe. $8.

Myspace: The Joys

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks are playing The Phoenix, which is pretty exciting in itself. But opening for Steve, is Fleet Foxes, whom I saw earlier this year and was blown away by how much they didn't suck. They're amazing. Wednesday July 16th. Phoenix. $20.

Myspace: Stephen Malkmus
Myspace: Fleet Foxes

Another must-see for me, is the triumphant teaming of a couple of ex-Deadly Snakes when my new favorite band Quest For Fire has their CD release party at The Horseshoe with Andre Ethier opening. How cool is that? Sadly it looks like I've got a prior engagement that weekend, and I'm going to have to miss it. Dang. Wyrd Visions is also opening. Saturday July 19th. Horseshoe. $7.

Myspace: Quest For Fire
Myspace: Andre Ethier
Myspace: Wyrd Visions

And finally, July 19th has She & Him at the Opera House. I really really really really want to go to this. Three reasons. 1. Volume One is one of the best albums of the year. 2. Zooey Deschanel. and 3. M. Ward. Yah, it doesn't get better than that. Sadly, so far, it's not looking good for me. Hopefully, circumstances change and I end up trekking to the east side via TTC to check this one out. We'll see. Wednesday July 23rd. Opera House. $23.50.

Myspace: She & Him

And that's all she wrote for now. Blog to ya next week sometime.