Europe anyone?

It is quite amazing just how fast three weeks can go by when your relaxing at home and catching up on life. It's true my friends, the time to pack my usual baggage and hit the road is fast approaching. Departure set for this saturday, the 1st of May, London England will be the first stop. This is going to be the first round of "Crazy Love" touring we will do in the UK and in Europe. I think it totals 22 shows over a four week time period before returning home for another regroup session.
As with every upcoming tour leg I prepare for I am full of promises! You know the ones i am talking about. No drinking or partying the entire time! Must eat healthy and try to exercise! I will take more photos and make the most of my time off!
Okay so all this being said, in truth and honesty i do have full intentions of covering the tour with photos a little more in depth than the last USA run. The people have spoken and they want more behind the scenes coverage. I am even bringing out a video camera and plan on shooting and posting some video. You see , this is how it works in a democratic blogging society. The people or followers speak, and I the creative leader must adhere to. Lets see how well this works out...
Countdown has begun and its almost exactly 48hrs till take off.
tune in folks...its gonna get exciting!

Can you feel the love?

Its like the Brian Jonestown Massacre but with a little more control and containment. Not sure if that is a good thing or not, it is however currently in heavy rotation
I present to you Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros!

F**K You Westside!

Alright it official, East Van is the cool place to live these days, and look no further than Clark and 6th ave!


http://www2.canada.com/vancouvercourier/news/story.html?id=cabf1276-0932-46f6-b230-122050228676

Livecity, Memories, and Emotions

The 2010 Winter Olympic Games here in Vancouver are both a blur to me and the longest month of my life! Working every single day at the mainstage downtown afforded me absolutely zero opportunities to join in on the celebrations or become a part of the festivities. I really didnt mind though to be honest as i was quite lucky to be apart of the mainstage entertainment , culture, and overall vibe. February in Vancouver can be a wet wet month, but we were spared and the temperatures were unseasonably high! This may not have worked so well for conditions on the mountains, but let me tell ya for working outdoors up to 16 hours a day, it was "A" okay with me!
The lineup for the twenty plus days of entertainment saw the likes of Wilco, Damian Marley, Matisyahu, Blue Rodeo, Jill Barber, Mother Mother, and many others not mentioned at this moment. However one part of the show remained the same for every day of the Olympics. The end of the night fireworks and water show.
Some of us on the crew joked around that all of the entertainment during the day and the evening was simply just filler for the closing show. Perhaps that was true, but at least the filler was good. Hello did you happen to catch Damian Marley!!!
With the final notes of the evenings headliner barely rung out, The Stills "Being Here" would start on the PA. This was our cue on the crew to strike the stage as fast as possible to clear the way for the upstage water show. They literally started shooting off fireworks while we were on the stage moving gear. I realized after the first night that wearing ear plugs at that point was a good idea!
In any case the soundtrack is as follows , and the video posted was about the best one i could find online. When i refer in previous posts to music being life's soundtrack its because of songs and moments like these. Even right now as i write this and listen to the video clip i get goosebumps and feel proud to have been a part of the LIvecity Yaletown site. Vancouver BC and Canada put on a helluva party here for 20+ days during February and i was a part of a tiny slice...

The Arcade Fire - Rebellion (lies)
Sara Mclaughlin - One Dream (Olympic Original)
K'naan - Waving Flag

One Day

During my time working the Livecity Yaletown stage here in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, very few artists graced our stage that got my attention, apart from what i needed to give them as part of the gig.
One of the artists that played early on and left a big impression with me was Matisyahu. A reggae influenced Jewish rapper with some serious positive messages.
People had me worried about him and his fellow musicians. Telling me that he will point the mic into wedges and that it had to be louder than loud on stage. Give me a break, im the man, dont you know this!! ONe of the better sounding artists on my stage throughout that Olympic run. Yeah it was loud, but it was tight, it was punchy, and it was REAL.
Check out the message in the below video , we need more like this!


That particular show that night also generated one of my favorite new pictures. I am pretty sure the bass player is staring at me with one eye, and I am also quite positive at that moment he would like to kill me...ha

Rivalry

Nothing quite like a good ol' fashion artist rivalry played out in song lyrics and words in the press. Remember the days of Nas vs Jay Z, or Tupac and Biggie! Well here we are in 2010 and I have just tuned into Sully from Godsmack and his apparant distaste towards Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue. Now according to what i have read it all stems from last years Cruefest 2 tour , in which Godsmack played immediately before the Crue. Growing up i was a huge Motley Crue fan and dont doubt for a half a second that some of the boys are probably still stuck in 1986....
I present to you, with lyrics...."Crying like a Bitch".....

My friends in Jets

As many of you know i have a close relationship with all those involved with the Victoria BC band "Jets Overhead". Having to succumb to the pressures and schedule of my current gig I had to pass the torch off to my good friend Emmet and leave the Jets camp in his hands. I feel this Coachella 2010 video is proof that they are in great hands! Nice work Mr. Stutt!!

RIP Dimwit

With me revisiting and posting recently about the Four Horsemen, i decided i should do some research into Dimwit, since he did die here in Vancouver. Well for someone such as myself who calls themselves a music fan and someone with knowledge, i really am in the dark when it comes to Ken Montgomery.
Vancouver was his home and the beginning of his musical career. He was a founding member of D.O.A for crying out loud!!! Now i may not know a whole lot about the late 70s / early 80s punk scene, but i sure as hell know the importance of Joe Shithead Keithly and the boys in DOA.
I feel like i need to apologize to someone for not knowing this stuff. Or perhaps i did know this, and somehow it was tucked far back in the recess of my cranium. In any event I dug up this article during my search....

Surfing with Aspergers...

Take a moment of your time if you have it to research Aspergers syndrome and Autism. Some truly remarkable individuals have these conditions and what comes out of it is awe inspiring!
http://www.aspergers.com/aspclin.htm

Now meet American Clay Marzo. Clay has been a surfing prodigy and champion since the age of 4. Yet at just over 20 years old now he still struggles to eat a meal without getting it all over himself and the table. He has trouble socializing with groups of people and resorts to rapping at high volume to deal with his anxiety. When faced with challenges or life issues Clay finds it soothing to pull clumps of his own hair out of his head. Temper tantrums and the inability to properly process logical thoughts are some of the daily occurrences in Clay's life.
Clay Marzo has Aspergers syndrome and when out of the water the symptoms are obvious. However once in the water a surfing machine is present. Nobody has the mechanics and style this man has. Since the age of 2 he has been surfing, winning his first competition by 5 years old. Setting the bar higher and higher with every competition he entered, until travel and tournament rules annoyed him enough to lash out.
Here is a man that is a modern miracle, like other sevants amongst us.
It truly is a wonder.
check out Clay and his story, its simply amazing...
http://blog.spyoptic.com/2010/04/clay-marzo-in-rolling-stones/

Okay one more....

Seriously for those of you that have never heard of this band, the album "Nobody Said It Was Easy" is one of those ones you want to have if you are stranded on a desert island somewhere...
I felt compelled to post one more video...
again take a look at those drumsticks!!!

Rockin is ma' business!

Sometime around 1993 I was introduced to a pretty serious kick ass rock n roll band. A no frills what you see is what you get group of law breakers, drug addicts, leather wearing and unapologetic for their actions type of band. The band was The Four Horsemen from Hollywood California. Originally put together by former cult bass player Stephen Harris the first EP was released in 1989 when rock of all sorts, be it sleeze rock, glam rock, or just plain rock and roll still ruled our airwaves and record stores. We know of course that in the next year or so the throne was overtaken by Seattle and the "grunge" scene. I mean even for myself Kurt Cobain, Eddie Vedder, Chris Cornell and Layne Staley took over my cassete deck and new CD player. Vince Neil and his band of merry men were overnight replaced in my mind with this plaid shirt wearing, shoe gazing angst! To be honest i have since revisted my love for the days of glam rock and sleezy riffs and rock out quite often to the likes of Motley Crue, Tesla, and whoever else. Anyways, back on track here...geez i get sidetracked easily..ha! So its 1993 (i believe) and i am living in Calgary Alberta and am a regular patron at the Back Alley nightclub, nick named the Crack Alley for its high level of leather and sleeze...ha! So at the Back Alley bands played probably 3 nights a week or so. From national touring acts to local acts on the up and up the Back Alley was the host to many a live show for me. Being a frequent customer, and a social one at that, i was of course friend with all the staff and found myself getting into all the shows for free! This helped me to discover acts i would never have paid to see having not known them previously. This leads me to the night i first saw Frank Starr and the Four Horsemen. Well holy F**K did they blow me away! I mean literally i was left wondering what had just hit me , and why was the stage still intact , because they had just destroyed the place!
Okay so lets talk about the Four Horsemen and that particular night and its effect on me, the ever impressionable 20 year old music lover!
The album they were out supporting was called "Nobody Said It Was Easy". Now this record was completed sometime in late 89 / early 90 , but was held up for release due to legal issues with Rick Rubin. That in combination with band issues such as Frank Starr spending time in jail on drug charges basically had the band miss the moment and almost get left behind for good. Remember grunge has now taken over and there is no longer much of a market for rock and roll of this style.
So despite various jail stints, legal issues, and a changing music scene , the Four Horsemen got their shit together enough in 92/ 93 to hit the road and destroy the venues they were booked in. Now they must have toured nonstop once they started because i saw them twice in Calgary between 93 and 94. I am not kidding when i say that these shows were legendary and epic in my mind and very influential towards me wanting desperatly to work in live music!
Now in 1994 two separate tragedies struck the band. The first being on September 27th when drummer Ken "Dimwit" Montgomery died on the downtown eastside of Vancouver BC of a heroin overdose. You have to understand the madness behind this drummer was like no other. I still have a stick signed by him with me to this day and i am not kidding it is basically a tree trunk. The heaviest drumstick one could use, and he pounded that kit like it was his last night playing. Its a real shame that the city i would eventually call home would be the one to take the life of such a man.
Working on production of the upcoming third release the band soldiered on with the loss of Dimwit welcoming his brother to the band to finish the recording. The 3rd record titled "Getting Pretty Good at Barely Getting By" hosted a touching tribute to Dimwit called "Song for Absent Friends", which would stir emotion inside anyone who has lost someone close to them.
In 1995 with recording complete and a release on the horizon , charismatic and crazy lead singer Frank Starr was hit by a drunk driver while riding his motorcycle along sunset strip. Massive head injuries left Starr in a coma and a future in question. Knowing that he would want the band to continue , the remaining members brought in Ron Young to handle lead vocals with the hope that Frank would recover and return to the band down the road. This was not to be unfortunately, and on June 18th, 1999 he succumbed to injuries sustained that day 4 years earlier. In an interesting paradox, the day he died, June 18th, was the day I celebrated my 25th birthday.
The band officially called it quits after Frank's death despite it really being over the day Dimwit died on the streets of Vancouver.
Now thats the story of the Four Horsemen according to me. This is a band that kicked my ass! A band that shared straight glasses of Jack Daniels with me at the Back Alley Nightclub. A band that took the time to sign drumsticks and guitar picks for me. A band that despite being fucked up and draped with women post show, hung out with a young kid with too many questions.
Having lost way too many close family members and friends in my life, I know in my heart that these people or bands never really go away. In our hearts the music and the memories not only live on , but gain strength throughout time.
My sincere thanks to Frank, Dimwit, Dave, Stephen, Haggis, and Ben for your place in my life.
Gone but never forgotten

Now check out Dimwit in this video!

Its now a video blog!

inspired by current reading material...

Rotation

Today has been all about discovering Matthew Good's last record "Vancouver".
I have always been a fan and discovered some of the new songs during some tour dates late last year. However i recently got the record and only today put it on.
Good Work Matt! I relate to this album on so many levels.
I have a feeling it will be in rotation for awhile.

Mortality

I have lots to write about in order to properly cover the events of my recent trip to the "rock", and the 39th annual Canadian Juno Awards. However I must ask you first to click on this link, read the article, and become very aware just how fragile life really is. Do as the parents of 30 year old Devon Clifford ask and please follow your dreams....

http://strangeglue.com/news/you-say-party-we-say-die-drummer-passes-away/10008711

Trapped!

I sort of knew when my alarm clock rang at an ungodly hour this morning that it was not going to be all that smooth of a day for Craigers. Now i have been home in Vancouver for a few days and was quite enjoying becoming reacquainted with my friends, as well as making some new ones, so the thought of traveling all the way to the other side of my country to St. Johns Newfoundland was not all that appealing. Although i will say that secretly there was a part of me that was alright with it as i have only been to "the rock" once in my life and it was for less than 24 hours. I just wish i had some sort of teleporter that would allow me to get here much much faster!
Newfoundland is quite the mission to get to from Vancouver and all seemed to be going as well as it could be, including the 2 hour layover in Toronto. I was not looking forward to killing 2 hours at Pearson International airport as its not my favorite place in the world. I mean to be honest I go through phases with my overall outlook on Toronto, and for what its worth i would much rather steer as clear as possible from the big smoke that fancies itself the center of our universe. Much like some of its residents the overall attitude is that they are much better than the rest of Canada and basically their "shit" dont stink! Alright alright I have swayed off of course and must get back on track.
After taking off from Pearson international en route to St. Johns Newfoundland for the 2010 installment of the Juno awards and the party that will inevitably ensue , we were informed about two hours into the 2.5 hour flight that due to a snowstorm in St.Johns we would be diverting to Moncton New Brunswick for the night.
So here i sit now in my comfy hotel room downtown Moncton watching the Canucks and the Kings battle it out in a 2 2 tie in the first game of the first round of Stanley Cup Playoffs. It is a bit strange i must say to be watching live hockey at 1:30am in the morning. I wonder if the east coasters feel the same way when they visit my side of the world and the leafs are on TV at 4pm in the afternoon!
As it stands now we are hoping to be on a flight in the morning tomorrow getting us into Newfoundland just after lunch time. yesterday it was about 16 degrees celcius in Vancouver and people were out en mass enjoying the beautiful sun. Apparently tomorrow i am heading into a winter wonder land..
oh the life I lead....

Craigers

Heroes

I love this version of David Bowie's "Heroes" from TV on the Radio.
YOu can find it on the "War CHild Presents" album.

San Fran and some randoms for fun

Lockdown

I know I am way late in posting new pics from the recent round of touring, but geez I'm only human...and a lazy one at that!
I am going to try and take more production and backstage type of shots on the next leg which has us in Europe and the UK. However for now you will have to settle with a trip I made to Alcatraz while enjoying a beautiful day off in San Francisco.
Enjoy...

Heavy Rotation

Over the course of the last three days i have probably listened to this song close to 50 times.
I have tried over and over to just post the mp3 straight in this post so you could click play and listen to the remastered version, however i am failing miserably. Also i am extremely frustrated at not being able to make the code work! So before i throw my computer out my window I figured i would just post a classic live version that I found on youtube...enjoy my friends!! I know i cannot get enough!

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Life's Soundtrack

Do you not just love how certain songs or albums can transport you right back to where you were when you were first introduced, or paid close attention.
Music is the soundtrack for our lives without a doubt and we are so lucky to have these memories.

I LOVE IT

I have loved this for awhile but was a tad bit afraid to share....
now i dont care...i F***in LOVE IT

death of a president

These photos tell the story...
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/04/poland_in_mourning.html

rediscovered

Road trips with my folks back in the day always consisted of Waylon Jennings side A / Side B , and repeat.
Not too sure what has taken me so long to reconnect with the original outlaw country and western singer, but i am back in full force!

Lemmy, Slash and Brent?

My buddy Brent Fitz rockin the kit!
Go Fitzy Go!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jiw8KnDxSBc

Am I behind

Thanks to a new influence in my life, i have discovered one of the most intriguing and compelling artist(s) in quite sometime.
Am I behind the times in just now tuning into CocoRosie and their brand of sonic imagery and lyrical challenges?
I am a new fan and excited that i have 3 full length records and several live albums to work my way through.
Now they may not be for everyone, but i know for myself i am facinated.
Personal pick from what i have heard so far is the track "Werewolf" from the album "The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn".
Click on the link below and hit play on the first track....give it the full listen and then find yourself wanting more...

http://hypem.com/search/cocorosie%20werewolf/1/

song and emotion

5 songs that i have recently listened to that evoke emotion

in no particular order

The Scientist - Coldplay
Never went to Church - The Streets
Call it Off - Tegan and Sara
Change - Blind Melon
Radiohead - House of Cards

check check check it out...

Wilco have pulled some of their credibility and musical prowess to organize a festival in Mass this upcoming summer. I was not really much of a fan of the band until their set at my Olympic site back in Feb (damn that feels like forever and a day ago).
Anyways my devoted readers, all six of you, please click the link and check out what this inaugural Solid Sound Festival is all about....
http://solidsoundfestival.com/

feeling

Can you feel that?
pre show electricity! ha

3 shows including tonight and then i am going home for a bit...
dear God it cannot come soon enough...

lots of updates and photos coming soon...i promise...
for real this time...

Craigers

Portland

One of my favorite cities in the USA by far. It may not be New York or Los Angeles, but it certainly has character as well as an amazing arts scene. I like knowing that this is my neck of the woods. The Pacific Northwest!

Brave Face

In touching on subjects that have previously been discussed, sometimes the road is a lonely place. Its interesting this life we lead, and more often than not we are forced to put on a brave face and act as if its the best life ever. Well i know from experience that is not the best life. Having sufferred heartbreak this year and searching for happiness i wonder sometimes if what i do is really counterproductive and more of a means to run away....