FFWD REW

Kick off your November in style

Despite end of Rocktober Calgary concerts carry on

Third-wave ska doesn’t get a lot of love these days but Solvang California’s The Mad Caddies never fit that category quite as nicely as many of its mid-90s cohorts. First off the band has never been content to limit themselves to off-beats and oi-chants. Be prepared for anything from sea shanties to Abba covers — and one of the tightest horn sections in the business — when they head to The Distillery this Friday November 6.

It’s only been a couple of months since Vancouver blues duo The Pack A.D. swung through town but don’t let that discourage you from checking them out at Broken City on November 6 — these wolves in she’s clothing (to borrow a phrase from Christine Leonard’s interview with the band in July) channel classic rock swagger in a way few bands these days can manage. Add Winnipeg indie-rockers The Paperbacks and Waterloo piano-poppers Will Currie and the Country French to the bill and you’ve got a pretty irresistible line-up.

Through songs like “Someone Who is Cool” “Nothing Beautiful Lasts” and “Eat My Brain” The Odds established itself as one of Canada’s best — and most consistently underrated — acts in the ’90s. The comeback trail can be tough but after re-forming as The New Odds last year Craig Northey and company seem to have hit on a better way of reviving interest in the band. With a little help from some Kids in the Hall alums Northey has written Good Weird Story a performance that’ll lie somewhere between a play and a Ray Davies-style storyteller session. It’s a far more interesting tack than your average greatest hits show — head to The Westin on Saturday November 7 to see how it translates in practice.

If anyone could be called the godmother of alt.country Emmylou Harris is a good candidate. From her start in the late ’60s through her relationship with Gram Parsons her participation in The Band’s Last Waltz and her collaborations with more than 100 artists over the years Harris has been a constant presence in country music and she’s brought every moment of that experience to play on her recent releases on Nonesuch Records. Her set at the Jack Singer this Wednesday November 11 will be one worth remembering.

Lastly if you’re looking for a straight-up party you aren’t likely to find one better than Champion and his G-Strings at the Gateway on Thursday November 12. Toronto psych-rockers Madrid are also on the bill but Champion alone should be enough to get your ass moving.

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