Sit Down. Stand up. Walk into The Jaws of Hell. Anytime. Anytime. - Radiohead

Saturday night brought another live band party thanks to the magnificent Dale Fahey. I arrived really early so I helped move gear over from the jam spot. People slowly arrived and Gilbert Switzer eventually started playing to the gathered party-goers. This was my first time seeing this madness. I enjoyed it greatly. Simple drum set-up, guitar and a vocalist. Crazy fun! Then Attack Mode unleashed their punk rock assault while disguised by nylons over their heads. I watched one of their songs but spent most of their set hanging out in the kitchen, where I could still hear the music perfectly anyway. Party stuff happened like drinking, loud music, conversations, introductions, stories, jokes and the like. Good times.

My parents were in town this weekend so I spent some time with them on Sunday. We went over to my brother Steve's and later went to Freeman's for pizza. We then decided to take in the Rodin exhibition at the AGNS. I was really glad to see it. I honestly don't go into art galleries nearly enough. Rodin's bronze sculptures were really amazing. I was really interested in how figures he had used in the making of The Gates of Hell were later enlarged and made into their own works. The Kiss and The Thinker (two of his most famous works) both originated in the creation of the gate.
After checking out the rest of the gallery we went back to Steve's for supper and spent most of the evening there. When I got home that night I decided to do some more research on Rodin's work. The Gates of Hell is based on Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. I think i'll try to read that sometime this year. Radiohead's Lyrics also contain many references to the Comedy. Its interesting how it has influenced modern Christian beliefs about hell as well.

You want to see I'll show you I'll show you a good time I'll take you where the music is so loud - Greg MacPherson Band

Friday night I went to see Greg MacPherson at Reflections. Got there in time to see all of Great Plains set. Greg came up to me during their first song to say hello. I first met him in early 2000 and after listening to Balanced on a Pin I've been a big fan. I'm so glad that people know about him now. Great Plains were enjoyable as always. Sean was showing off his new internet purchase, a green 12 string. Greg got set up afterwards and poured his energy out through his voice and guitar. This guy is a killer songwriter. He has an amazing voice. Also he plays some incredible electric guitar with just his fingers and fist. Someone requested West St. James which I usually request so I joined in for the calls of Company Store. Damn I wish I could be in CB tonight to see him perform that song there. Its a true story about his grandfather who was a miner from Sydney Mines. Such a powerful song. The crowd was definitely into it except for a few loud talkers near the front that you could hear during the quieter songs. Its still perplexes me how people pay money to see a show and then talk loudly over the music. Up front. If you just want to hang out in the bar and chat please go to the back of the room. There was a lot of singing along, and clapping along when Greg would allow it. It was nice of the DJ to let Greg play another song after it was past midnight. I would have loved to see him play even longer.

After he was finished I decide to hang out and see what the night would bring. I was hanging out with Megan Sampson and Mike Gillis and his friend Chad. Chad got me a shot of tequila and Megan was lovely enough to get me a beer. I then went along with Mike and Chad to a party on Cork St. Chad hooked me up with some Jack Daniels which was good. Had a good time there with all these poeple I didn't know and some crazy stories from Mike. I left when Mike did and its probably good that I did because I kept him on track till he got to where he knew where he was.

Today I had Ultimate practice and then hit up some fieldball on the commons. It feels good to run around but I'm worn out now.

Late nights rock me Sleeping on couches - Dog Day

Rain. Rain. Rain. Had to deal with that as I walked to get some cash from an ATM and then head over to Dale's to hang out before going to Stage 9. Marty, Chris, Dale and I got a cab from there to the bar. My jeans were soaked through anyway but walking in the rain with high winds sucks. We got there in time to see Death By Nostalgia's set. I was glad we did as it was really good. The Sycamores were on second. I had never seen them before but I really liked their songs. Hopefully I'll get to see them again sometime. Dog Day were then on to promote the release of their cd Thank You. I really like these guys and they didn't disappoint (either live or on record).

After picking up a copy of the cd and hanging around chatting we headed out into the rain. It was decided that Julia, Lindsay, Heather, Jared and myself would head to Jared's to hang out some more. This of course meant more walking in high winds and driving rain. We listened to the Dog Day cd and had a good time. I offered to let Julia stay in the extra room at my place instead of sleeping without blankets on a lawnchair mat in an empty apartment. Which also means I got a taxi ride home instead of having to walk again thanks to Julia.

I listened to Thank You three times today. Pick up a copy if you haven't already.

Let the forest grow Where trees and homes were BURN DOWN THE HOUSES - The Lighthouse Choir

I went back to Cape Breton for the weekend. The Lighhouse Choir were playing and I felt that was an excellent excuse to go visit home. I had a drive up with relatives. I got home and had supper with my parents. Friday night I headed to the Maple Leaf. Tom Fun and the Tokyo Sky Pilots were on first. I've only see Ian do his Tom Fun thing once at a party last year. His Tom Waitesque persona was joined with trombone, acoustic guitar, fiddle, double bass and drums. It was a really fun set of craziness. We'll have to see about getting him a gig up here in Halifax. Next up were 3 Piece Suit ripping through a set of their instro-mental surf rock. I love these guys. Solid songs that are fun to hear. The third act was T. Leche a combiantion of laptop and guitar playing. I missed most of his set hanging out on the restaurant side chatting with people but caught the end was interesting enough. He then got the 3PS boys up to jam and Tom Fun soon sauntered up to the mic to say random things. It was an awesome jam. Great way to end the night.

Saturday I joined in for CBlocals baseball. Drinking and playing baseball with the crazy local music scene. Mid-afternoon drinking and shenanigans. Lauchie was quite drunk and hilarious. The Cobras defeated the Vultures. Not because of me, I couldn't make it to first base that game. Did I mention I suck at baseball?
We played another game where I actually made it to home twice. Fun times. I hope I can make it home (as in Cape Breton not necessarily home plate) some other weekend to join up with this nonsense again.

That night I again headed into the Maple Leaf to see the Lighthouse Choir. These guys are one of my absolute favourite bands right now. The different sounds they are combining for their music is just mind blowingly fantastic. Taking folk narratives about fishing communities and death played with guitar and fiddle and voice, then adding ambient sounds from organs and synthsizers and then throwing a touch of disco punk in with the rhythm section. I was grinning ear to ear during their set. I joined in as the backup choir for Burn Down The Houses where they got the crowd to sing chords as well as the refrain "burn down the houses". It was so wonderful to hear the energy in that little red room.
It was very wierd to have the highlight of the night play a too short opening set. I almost felt ready to wind down the night and head home. I actually stayed and hung out and chatted with people on the restaurant side. It felt good to be hanging out at the Leaf again and seeing people I haven't seen since Christmas. I missed all of Ermine's set (I've seen them a bunch of times and am not really into thir stuff). I went over and listened to some of Kuroda's set. They're not bad but some of the guitar effects are overdone and I find it annoying.

It sounds like the Lighthouse Choir might be through Halifaxs sometime in June. I can hardly wait. They are still working on their next album so I wouldn't expect to hear that too soon.

I spent $20 dollars on cover and a couple of beer. I got a few beer on Friday from friends. I ate my parents groceries. I got free transpotation to and from Sydney. Then my mom gave me $20 dollars spending money before I left. Did that ever work out well!