Friday August 10 is going to be one of those nights where you have a little panic attack deciding what to do because there’s just so much happening. And while it might be tempting to give up on going out and spend the night at home with a folder full of pirated movies there’s really a little something for everyone.
For one slick-haired New Yorker George Lewis Jr. will bring his Twin Shadow project to town in support of his new album Confess . Hitting The Gateway this show’s a good bet for Urban Outfitters employees and music blog geeks alike. Check out our interview with Lewis Jr. in this very issue.
If you’re more of an ex-emo kid with a decent collection of Relevant Magazine back issues you may want to check out Brand New at MacEwan Hall. While not explicitly a Christian band — there are plenty of answers.com queries with concerned tweens questioning the group’s faith — they do sprinkle in just enough spiritual themes to guarantee a pastoral mosh pit.
Not feeling the churchy emo vibes? Maybe you’d be better off with the lo-fi pop of Calgary’s own Lab Coast who will hit The Palomino alongside the Weird Canada -approved Saskatchewanite Feral Children and local singer-songwriter Ryan Bourne .
Sure The Palomino bill isn’t exactly heavy but it’s also pretty damn far from lite. If you do have a hankering for some soft yacht-rocking grooves to soothe you into the weekend you’ll want to hit up Century Casino that same night for an appearance from the pastel-shirted nap masters Air Supply .
Maybe you want some gritty local rock however in which case you’ll want to check out the Atomic Sock Hop which takes over The Distillery on Friday August 10 and Saturday August 11. The first night features appearances from Seven Story Redhead The Fags Pine Tarts and The Forbidden Dimension while the second includes The Ex-Boyfriends Miesha and the Spanks The Cripple Creek Fairies and The Von Zippers . Both shows are being filmed for a feature-length documentary so they double as a chance for you to wind up immortalized onscreen.
Meanwhile back at The Palomino on Saturday August 11 the long-running hard-rocking punk group Electric Frankenstein will bring 21 years of touring and recording to Calgary.
You know who’s been around for even longer though? Down By Law the post-All punk project of Dave Smalley. Since forming in 1989 the group has been shredding stages around the world. With a new album called Champions at Heart expected later this year the group will probably bring both new and old material to Dickens Pub on Monday August 13.
