I know it’s hard to tell with my impossibly positive attitude but there are weeks in this city where the Goings On column doesn’t have a whole hell of a lot going on. Thankfully the last two weeks have seen a spike in shows and as a result a hefty dent in my already abysmal bank account.
The week kicks off with an appearance from Vancouver-based post-punk quartet (and recent Suicide Squeeze signees) Peace who bring the deadpan rock of their recent LP The World is Too Much With Us . Yes they grew up in Edmonton alongside Mac DeMarco but don’t expect any microphone-to-butthole action when they hit Broken City on Thursday November 15.
If you’re looking for grotesque theatrics you might want to check out filthy metal greats Gwar who will be shooting their seed all over Mac Hall alongside Cancer Bats Devildriver and Legacy of Disorder on Thursday November 15. Despite the death of guitarist Cory Smoot late last year our interview with the band in this issue proves that they haven’t ditched their grotesque sense of humour.
All of the hip hardcore bands with their cocaine and skinny jeans are cool and all but I’d love to see a return of corny overly earnest youth crew. No not some sort of bloggable spirit of ’88 throwback — I’m talking goofy clean-cut early 2000s youth pastor music. In other words it won’t be pretty but I’ll be on the lookout for some tight fades and some bodybags in the pit when Comeback Kid play Broken City on Friday November 16. Maybe I’ll even chastise some people for drinking at the show. I’m not even straight-edge I just miss that sort of absurd baseless dogma.
Remember when we put local guitar slinger Jean Sebastien Audet on the cover? Now you’ll get your chance to have him autograph a copy with the first-ever Jean Fest on Saturday November 17. Taking place at the National Music Centre and organized by his dad the Jean-only evening features performances from his bands Faux Fur The You Are Minez Darren Wantz and The Gooeys . My only complaint is that there won’t be a set from his rap alter-ego Zouk Fuck.
Speaking of Fast Forward Weekly cover stories and their star-making qualities I’d highly recommend checking out Lowlife at Broken City on Sunday November 18. Though technically not a rock show it is the film debut of Dog Day frontman Seth Smith and stars Divorce Records honcho Darcy Spidle.
Once you’ve experienced Lowlife you’ll want to dance away the weirdness. What better way than with a rare DJ appearance from DFA Records and LCD Soundsystem mastermind James Murphy ? The grey fox may have lost his edge (and his band) but that won’t stop him from what will surely be a fantastic selection of records being spun at Commonwealth on Sunday November 18 as part of the venue’s one-year anniversary concert series.
