As was mentioned in this column last week, Flip the Switch has been cancelled. Organizers say the owner decided to pull the plug at the last minute, leaving many punk and hardcore fans feeling decidedly emo. Promoters say fans should have hope, as they're trying to get something together. Because true fans never give up. Personally, I think City Hall should go on ahead and offer up Parade Square. Because what else are they doing with it, huh? That's right, Peter Kelly. Put your money where your mouth is. And by "your money," I mean Lifetime.
East meets Northeast
North by Northeast is just around the corner. Some local heroes representing the NS in Toronto from June 7 to 10 are Lindsay Barr and the Bullies, The Superfantastics, Reels, In-Flight Safety, Mardeen, Ruth Minnikin and her Bandwagon, Two Hours Traffic, Carmen Townsend and the Shakey Deals and Wordburglar (technically via Toronto, now, but I'll give him a pass).
These folks deserve a hearty congratulation. In my eyes, NXNE is the sort of thing you can tell your parents about and they might actually think you're "making it." (Having never attended, however, I cannot confirm this.) Some of these bands are festival veterans (
Grant is keeping it simple and plans to "play a fun show, hopefully check out some music and have a few meetings." Truth is, meetings are a big part of this festival. Hundreds of record label types want desperately to find the next Wolf Parade. Two Hours Traffic will save its schmoozing energy for an industry panel with J. Mascis. And Higgs is just geared up to see some quality Canadian music. "I am just excited to play with the Wooden Stars and see A Northern Chorus," she says.
The return
Gunt is having a comeback of sorts. The group was banned from Gus' Pub a year ago and are planning to return to the bar on June 9 for a show with Talksick and CI. So what caused the change of heart? Furthermore, what caused the bannination? Michel Ungurain, Gunt's drummer, elaborates. "There was some...unpleasantness before they had a bouncer working there. Long story short, the cops showed up and started tasering like Captain Kirk on crack and somehow when the dust settled, our show for the following week had been cancelled and punk rock"—the genre—"had been banned."
Now the burnt bridges have been rebuilt, there is a very cool bouncer and Gus' is welcoming all genres. "We're going back with CI and Talksick to do what we do, I suppose," says Ungurain.
Needing some jazz hands
Now something a little more posi: the Atlantic Jazz Festival (July 13 to 21) is rounding up its team of intrepid volunteers at a volunteer fair, Saturday, June 9, from 1-4pm at the Commons Room, in the Holiday Inn Select. This is your big chance to be a part of Atlantic Canada's largest annual celebration of jazz, roots, blues and world music; they're looking for a wide variety of volunteers. Even if you did it for the t-shirt alone it would be well worth it (Disclaimer: I don't know if every volunteer gets a t-shirt or what. Don't quote me on it). Can't make the volunteer fair? Contact the volunteer coordinator: [email protected], or apply at: www.jazzeast.com.
Tell them Roche sent you: [email protected]