kMNR... February 5, 2008~ In This Issue:

Google
WWW www.kMNR.ca

THE 200th & FINAL ISSUE!

One Last Time for the kMNR Newsletter

Yes, you read that headline correctly. Not only is this the 200th issue of kMNR, but it is also the last. For nearly four years I've been publishing this little newsletter but the time has come for some significant changes, and what better time than at such a milestone.

There are many reasons for the change; some of them personal, some of them specific to the site and it's purpose. What prompted this major change though was the changes already taking place. Late last year we ventured into the world of podcasting and to be completely honest, that has been the ultimate catalyst. It's been so much fun producing Off the Dial that my original intention to release one per month has already been increased. January featured two podcasts and it will likely be that way from here on in.

With that said, it's obvious that the focus is shifting from writing to podcasting. So it's natural that we should make some major changes. Although kMNR.ca will exist for the remainder of the year, offthedial.ca has already been secured and will be launched sometime this spring. It really depends largely on a site redesign and the creation of a new logo but you will see the new site soon!

This doesn't mean that I'm giving up writing completely. In fact, quite the opposite. As often as I've felt like halting my reporting on music news in written form, I'm always drawn back in. I can't help it, I'm a student of broadcasting. I always want to tell people news and since music is my passion, this has always been an obvious outlet. So when offthedial.ca launches, not only will it serve as the podcast's headquarters, you'll also find a blog featuring the same news, reviews, interviews and photos you've come to expect in the kMNR newsletter. However, instead of you having to wait for the weekly issue to arrive online or in your email, you'll find the articles posted almost immediately after reading them. It just seems to make more sense to me; read about last night's concert today rather than later next week.

I really want to thank Andy Stewart and Nick Gouveia for the help they've provided over the past three years in the form of articles, reviews and opinions pieces. They've helped me bring more to you and I greatly appreciate it. I also want to thank Mary Lang who's not only a beautiful and patient woman, she's also pushed me to continue with this venture and has even provided some assistance with public relations. Of course, I want to thank the many bands who've been very generous to work with me and eager to cross promote, specifically the Rocky Fortune, the Turrettes, Cranston Foundation, Five Star Affair, GutterAwl, Damn Dirty Ape, Inner Surge and Creature Republic. You are all talented musicians and are deserving of far more recognition.

Of the utmost importance, I want to thank you, the loyal readers. Many of you are my personal friends and without you, this would never have begun. Some of you have come to know me personally and although in small numbers, some of you have been gracious enough to contact me and boost my ego with letters of thanks and encouragement.

Stay tuned for announcements regarding the new site and all the changes to come. The next podcast should arrive the week of February 11th and will feature a full hour of punk rock goodness including music from Calgary's Madcowboys, Motherfuckers and much much more!

Vancouver Punk Quartet Delivers

Two things about Gob; First, if you were surprised to hear they were back, you weren’t alone. Second, if you were expecting the Gateway to be filled teenage punk wannabes, think again. The Vancouver punk-rock outfit have been around for well over ten years so many of it’s fans are well beyond that. Plus, with the release last fall of their first album (“Muertos Vivos”) in four years, it was time for them to re-emerge.

After a quick set from fellow Vancouverites the Transition, singer/guitarist Tom Thacker, guitarist Theo Goutzinakis, drummer Gabe Mantle and new bassist Tyson Maiko hit the stage launching into “Ming Tran” from the 2003 album “Foot in Mouth Disease” followed shortly after by that album’s hit single “Oh, Ellin”.

It didn’t take them long to perform songs from their new album. Lead single “We’re All Dying” was met with good crowd reaction and proves the band has certainly improved over the years as it was easily the strongest song in their set. The subsequent song “Prescription” (also from their latest release) was nearly as good.

Gob @ the Gateway

Of course, the show featured plenty of their classic cuts like “Give Up the Grudge” and “No Regrets” before they engaged in a ‘faux’ encore break (which consisted of them breaking for a minute without leaving the stage and then playing for nearly as long as their first ‘act’.) There was plenty of guitar posturing, goofy banter and Calgary shout-outs throughout. Without this, it wouldn’t be a true Gob show.

It would have been nice to hear more from the new album rather than enduring “I Hear You Calling” one more time but at least they delivered their rendition of “Paint It Black” before calling it a night. Most importantly, they appeared to have just as much fun as those fans who crowd surfed their way up front, even if it got them tossed out.

What It Takes to Run An Indie Label

What does it take to start and maintain an independent record label and what would drive someone to take on such a venture? That's what we wanted to know when speaking with Mike Scorgie of Edmonton's Rectangle Records. Maybe it shouldn't have come as a surprise when the answers were fairly simple. The task may be a large one but it’s obvious that Scorgie is up to it.

When launching Rectangle early in 2004 with friend Jeff Black, the two set out to accomplish something that had barely been done before. “Jeff was just about to executive produce a record for a local band, 7 and 7 Is, and we thought that Edmonton was underrepresented by labels,” explains Scorgie. “The West and Alberta in specific really didn’t have a lot of indie music representation in ’04. Labels came and dissolved after a couple of releases and I don’t believe there were many that stood the test of time. Edmonton’s scene was blooming, exciting and eclectic…many indies popped up here; Reluctant, NRMLS WLCM, Pop Echo, Roast. I’m sure there are more but that’s a great indicator of the diversity and the germination that was occurring.”

Of course, there were plenty of challenges, most importantly, getting a distribution deal. “No reputable company was going to give a 21 year old, with no financial backing, no track record of releases nor industry experience distribution. So our first two releases were self-distributed in Edmonton and Calgary to stores that would take them on a consignment basis. I signed with Fontana North/Universal in 2005 and the world opened up. We were actually starting to see some money come back.” Once that was sorted out, there was still the job of making people aware of the new label. “The music scenes of Edmonton and Calgary are actually quite tiny, so you couldn't just rely on everyone in the scene buying your disk and hoping to be successful. It wouldn't work. You have to break down the barriers between people who are in bands, those who go to shows, write for media rags and your average person who isn't actively involved in the music scene. Getting the word out as far as possible locally and nationally is quintessential and is still quite difficult, especially in the ego/industry-centric east.”

With all that out of the way, Rectangle continued to gain some footing with the success of bands like Woodpigeon, the All-Purpose Voltage Heroes, Whitey Houston and the Illuminati. As is natural in the music industry, the scene is ever changing so some of those names have either faded away into the memories of fans or have moved on to other projects. Scorgie informed us that Woodpigeon “are currently recording their second full-length” while APVH “moved to Vancouver and became vegans. They are still playing shows and working on new material. I really don't know what will happen with them. I would love to release more of their music.” Meanwhile, the duo that make up Whitey Houston have been focused on Shout Out Out Out Out but Mike reaches out to them saying, “Whitey and Gravy, if you're reading this, for the sake of balls-out, bourbon-drenched rock anthems, make another record!”

Then there’s the Illuminati who have disbanded. “They have turned in their skin-tight, leave nothing to the imagination jeans and bluesy-metal riffs and have disappeared into the shadows. I think Les lives on a farm in Ontario and builds guitars,” says Scorgie, “and Jim is now in training to live the rest of his life as a chess Grandmaster.” However, with their demise came a promising opportunity. Nick Sewell went on to join Sebastien Grainger (formerly of Death From Above 1979) & the Mountains and the label will release their 7” in February. “I contacted Sebastien's management and expressed some interest in the group. Nick must have said some nice words about Rectangle to them and that was that. I don't know yet where the full-length will end up. It may be Rectangle. Odds are better that it won't. I guess we will see.”

Whether or not that’s the case, there’s still plenty of work for Scorgie to do. Calgary’s Jane Vain & the Dark Matter just released their debut album “Love Is Where the Smoke Is” on the label late in January. Plus, the way the industry is rapidly changing, there’s always opportunity for labels like Rectangle Records.

Aging Punk-Rockers Deliver Live Set

If you were one of the unlucky ones who didn't manage to catch the Buzzcocks open for Pearl Jam back in 2003, this album will certainly interest Buzzcocks ~ "30"you. Despite the title (“30”), this live album contains 28 cuts from their performance at the Forum in London.

The collection includes plenty of the bands many classic staples including “Time’s Up”, “I Don’t Mind”, “You Say You Don’t Love Me” and “Orgasm Addict”. It even includes their most recent single, “Reconciliation”.
 
The quality of the recordings are actually quite good. It captures the raw and often imperfect punk stylings of these aging rockers. This is certainly no detriment to the cuts though. In actuality, it wouldn't be the Buzzcocks if they were polished and perfected. If nothing else, this is exactly why any fan should get their hands on “30”.

A Professional Sounding Home Recording

This Toronto quartet (made up of Bill Halliday, the Cansecos ~ "Juices!"Gareth Jones, Paul Prince and Dan McCormick) dub themselves as a new wave/alternative/jam band, according to their MySpace page but you might wonder how those apply to the Cansecos.

"Juices!", their third release (following "Juiced!" and their self-titled 2003 debut) is more ambient than alternative. Certainly the can get away with the term 'new wave' but some may be mislead by the 'jam band' reference. These songs provide plenty of pop-synth mastery, soothing and spacey melodies and music that could calm even a savage beast.

Honestly, it’s hard to say where this album belongs. One thing’s for sure; the Cansecos know how to produce that ‘I made this record on my home computer’ sound without “Juices!” sounding like it was recorded on someone’s shitty home computer.

~~ kMNR v2008.200 ~