Eye Awake.

June 26th 2013.
The Studio in west Edmonton, AB.
Eye Awake takes the stage and starts things off.
I'm not quite sure what I was expecting, maybe I was expecting a metal band, or possibly a punk band.
They surprised me, straight up 90s alt rock.
With song titles like "concrete pillow case" and the hard/soft/hard that the Pixies and Nirvana made work so well. Comes natural to them, this is after all, what I suspect, they grew up listening too.
From what i've known of his previous projects, I don't think that Gill (the drummer) has ever played this slow, 90 - 120 bpm, in a band, before.
Solid gig, solid band, and quite a pleasant surprise. Eye Awake reminding me of what I loved about bands like Silverchair, and Filter, and oh so many others. 

- Jim Nowhere

Looking Back on July 13, 2013

DV8 Underground
8130 Gateway Blvd
Edmonton, AB
July 13th, 2013

The Cleaners, Anatomy Cats, The Rhubarbs, Down The Hatch, Rebuild/Repair
---------------
cross posted with deadcity.ca/press
---------------

Rocked into the "new" location for DV8 Tavern, nay now DV8 underground, somewhere in the vicinity of 9:30pm.  Luckily, and oddly, I had remembered to bring my Dead City press pass with me, I'm not even sure who else (besides Landon & MraeD) has one... However, since an accident back in December, I'm still lacking a non broken lens for my DSLR so sadly I was unable to get any photos. (Rita Hex took some shots, however I have yet to obtain any of them.)

Full disclosure. 

DV8 Underground has probably my favourite crowd of regulars in Edmonton. Hell it's possibly my favourite venue in Edmonton, certainly top 2 (as I'd say it's probably a coin flip, and depending on who is playing.)  DV8 Underground is run by good people. People that will go out of their way to help a touring band.  This actually brings us to the first band of the night "The Cleaners".

The Cleaners

The Cleaners are kind of a greaser/blues/punk band, and they were already tearing up the stage when MraeD and I walked in.  This is the only band on the bill that I've never shared a stage with.  According to the pile of business cards sitting on their mersh table The Cleaners are a "UK/Canadian offbeat Rock n' Growl Band"

About mid set, between one gnarly song and another steezy Rock-a-Billy tune, we get a little bit of band history.  Turns out, at least one of them did an acoustic tour of Canada last year.  They dug the country so much that they moved permanently to Saskadelphia, err, Saskatchewan.  Provided that I heard the spiel correctly. Anyways... The Cleaners are currently mounting a cross Canada tour.

Brittany, the lass with the growl on the mic, bounces effortlessly across the stage. The Cleaners pour intense energy into the room, feeding off the love and energy that the room gives back. You could almost feel the electricity in the air.  My only issue with these cats is that I missed the first half of their set.

Anatomy Cats

Once again, in the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that I consider these guys to be friends of mine. Having said that, it's been far too long since I've last seen the Anatomy Cats live. So, I was standing outside talking shop, catching up, basically shooting the shit with Dustin and Nolan (StruggleFucks, Micelli, others...) and we hear the distinctive clack of drumsticks on a four count. From that point on Blake and company tear a hole through the fabric of space and time.  We're all transported back to the mid to late 1980s, the din of D. Boon going off on a spiel about politics, the smell of Greg Ginn's sweat soaked guitar, you get the picture.

Attending, watching, and listening to the Anatomy Cats live is probably as close to catching an early Propagandhi concert as any of us are likely ever going to get (aside from late night VHS bootlegs that is...) These working class boys from Fort Saskatchewan (located about 20 - 35 minutes north of Edmonton on Manning Dr. NW) live the lives they sing about.  There is no moral or ethical ambiguity to be found here.

One could classify the Anatomy Cats as a Hardcore band, you wouldn't be wrong. You could also classify them as a Punk band, even an EMO band (mind to me EMO still is a word used to describe bands like Husker Du and Jawbreaker.) The Anatomy Cats are as punk as it comes, yet so much more. Hell call them a Thrash band, no one would dare to question your thought process.  But again they are so much more.

These boys, nay, men, come from a long line of humanist Canadian Punk Rock. Checkout the song "Selectively Blind" [Track 6 on A Matter Of Minutes] it would fit perfectly on any D.O.A./SNFU/Propagandhi setlist. As it was the fifth song they played, it helped to further open the minds of all in the room, including those of us who have already been converted. Since their last album these cats have been working on some new material, and its working for them, as the next tune to really draw the crowd in was "Breaking the Walls Against Racism (Tear Them Down)" reminding us all that the global struggle for equality is still just beginning. Unlike some "Political Punk" bands we never feel as though the Anatomy Cats are talking down to us. Instead its like were all equals, just sitting down over a pot of tea, or a pint, and having a conversation about how to make this spinning rock we call home a better place for all of those who inhabit it.

Side note: Is it strange that I wish the songs were longer? You know, coming from the guy who wrote Zero Cool's "Gossip" and "Nineteen Eighty Four" that both clock in somewhere between 35 - 55 seconds (depending upon the recording, or the live tempo)?

Tonight we were treated to a very special event as Blake invited Jerm Hex (Micelli, StruggleFucks, Former Whiskey Wagon, etc..) on stage to play their last couple songs with them.  The first (w/ Jerm) was a tune that I had not heard before, but even in this moderately sized room with the guitar sounds bouncing back at me from all angles, I became aware that part of me just changed for the better. 

Their closing song “Destroy / Exploit” a poignant diatribe about what we’re facing here in Canada under the (Mussolini styled) Fascist Stephen Harper and even more so here in Alberta with our seventy plus years of further and further right wing voting giving us our current crop of small “c” conservatives.  At the end of the song, as the teardown begins to take place, I find a note I made years earlier when I first shared a bill with them; “The Anatomy Cats are a band that I believe will make you a better Human.” The results of what I’ve seen in the last three years would certainly say that this hypothesis is correct.

Full disclosure, every band that I'm reviewing for the rest of this tale are friends of mine. The following is probably going to read a little bit like a bunch of bro-grabs. Now that we have that out of the way....

Between the end of the Anatomy Cats and the start of the Rhubarbs, the population in DV8 Underground easily doubled in size.  So it's pretty safe to say that the new location is working out well for them.  That and folks who were wandering past when The Cleaners/Anatomy Cats were on decided they better come on down and check out this gig.

The Rhubarbs

Funny story, for the first four years that I had known their bassist, I could have sworn his name was Dan. It's Mike. We got that sorted out when we finally hung out, not at a gig, when I had him deliver a copy of their LP to me. See... it was funny. (And before you say it, I was not confusing him for Dan, I am aware they are two different people.)

In some respects the Rhubarbs are almost the exact opposite kind of punk band from the Anatomy Cats, mind all of those are stylistically.  They just come from a different school is all.  Raised on the Ramones, some Descendants, a bit of Minor Threat, and with a little Replacements thrown in for flavour. This is working very well for them.  It also appeared to be working well for the second influx of people who arrived shortly after they took the stage.

This wondrous juxtaposition in sounds, four on the floor, 135 bpm, straight up punk rock keeps the crowd bobbing, the floor moving. From my vantage point near the back of the room the movements of the crowd almost appeared to be like that of a wave crashing against the rocks. The harder the `Barbs played, the more the crowd got into it, and the harder those waves just kept crashing, a beautiful circle of passion and energy.

When I was first introduced to them it was a cold December, one of those Festivus fundraiser gigs I put on every year.  Since then they have dropped the second guitar, gotten tighter as a band, and started to wear their influences on the set list. Words fall short of expressing how much the Rhubarbs have grown as a band in the couple years.

Adding a cover of the legendary D.C. Hardcore Punks Minor Threat's "Seeing Red" near the midway point of the set fits right in with their original tunes.  It all makes perfect sense, kind of like adding a thin layer of brown sugar, as a crust, on top of a rhubarb pie. I actually have a very delicious recipe for rhubarb pie, and these men have a delicious Rhubarb recipe for your eardrums.

Down The Hatch

One knows that it's going to be a good set when Joey takes the stage shirtless, doesn't even bother with the pretense that it might be a mellow set. Keelan hits the four count and Rob's bass begins to come thundering through.  For those of you who are not yet aware, Down The Hatch is a punk band by way of Lagwagon, Black Flag, Black Sabbath, and a myriad of other Metal/Punk bands.. genres never make much sense anyways... mind they sound nothing like Lagwagon, or Black Flag, or Black Sabbath, Joey just has these intense riffs that attack you, just like each of the aforementioned bands.

Now, if you didn't know that Down The Hatch is a three piece band, and you're not looking at the stage, you would swear that there was probably five or six guys up there. They have a HUGE sound, one that they have been developing for a while, one they have somehow managed to develop while downsizing after losing a frontman/second guitarist, had the original ox of a bassist ship off across the Atlantic ocean never to be seen in this part of the world again, and picking up what most folks thought was going to be a timid man on the thunder stick.  Sure Rob isn't near as intimidating on stage to look at, but his sound, my friends, his sound provides the perfect punch and counter balance to Joey's two (or is it three now?) guitar amplifier setup. Now in the middle of all of this sits Keelan, possibly one of the hardest hitting and dynamic drummers Edmonton has ever seen, and I've ever had the pleasure to watch and listen too.  Most don't quite realize everything he does behind his fortress of “sound-itude”, but you have to understand, he more then holds his own against two wizards of electric mayhem and volume mastery.

So, how do I know of this mythology of Down The Hatch? Aside from first having been introduced to them sometime in early 2007, where I played an acoustic set opening for them at the Wunderbar. Since that time I've probably played forty gigs with them, while I was in Zero Cool,  and seen them another twenty or so.  Hell I even shipped off copies of Fiasco! and Space Goat to a couple different record companies in hopes of having them get picked up...  I guess at this point it becomes obvious that not only am I friends with them, but I'm a fan of what they are doing.

From the looks of the crowd still inside of DV8 Underground, and the few more people who wandered in, everyone in the room is as well. Even if, before this very evening, they had never even heard the name, Down The Hatch, or their music before. By the time Joey is singing the second chorus of "Rock n' Roll High School Dropout" most of the bar is singing along.

Since the last time I was able to make it out to a DTH show they've written a few new tunes, retired others, and started asking the audience what they should play. A gamble of some acts, but one that pays off, as much like the Anatomy Cats, DTH has made their entire back catalog available for free online via bandcamp. This has allowed a lot of new fans to learn the tunes and make concepts like this workout. It's also good news for all of you, as you can now go and acquire the albums, mind a physical CD is a whole $5.00 or you can trade a fresh beer for one at a show, so really its win/win for all involved.

So how to explain the intensity, energy, and the power coming off the stage from a band that has self financed and released two albums and one EP (only the most recent album and EP are available.) Maybe its because they come from the DIY skateboarding scene, where its about building something that will last. See, personally, I still consider DTH as skate-punk band. Not shitty Bro-Skate like say, Pennywise, more akin to (Thrasher Magazine's) Bad Shit, but actually serious about what they do. Maybe it's best described by how they can pull up KP (Zero Cool) to sing ETS Blues. It's a fifteen to twenty second song that encompases all the frustration we feel everyday in this city, but is so satirical that most of our "fine" city will never be able to understand.

Edmonton, we need more bands like this. 

Now, with a bill this loaded, and a lineup this good, something bad was bound to happen. Sadly it did, Jon, the bassist for Rebuild/Repair came down with something evil, he couldn't make the show. There was talk for a bit that the band may drop off the bill of their own CD release. There was brief talk that I might even fill in on the thud stick for the night. Fortunately, neither of those things came to pass. Randall picked up some sort of octave pedal, and a line splitter, and words were said, small prayers possibly, and the gods of rock allowed the show to go on, as it must.

Rebuild / Repair

Ever since the first note, of their very first show, I've been sold on these guys. I've said it from the beginning, and now three EPs in it is even more true. Rebuild/Repair is Edmonton's much awaited and longed for answer to Flipper.

A little back story, indulge me.  I first met Randall, god knows how long ago, probably at a gig, but it wasn't until Twitter that we really actually got to talking about random things. Jon I probably met eons ago on one edmonton forum or another, but I suspect indecline. Kelly, he's just always been around, I think... but we never talked until the band formed. Now ever since Rebuild/Repair formed and started to do their thing, I have attempted to get every person I've met into them.  In this time, I'd like to think, we've become friends, possibly colleagues, and over this past May long weekend, we became tour mates. Shockingly no one was tossed out of the Dodge while traversing that devilish piece of Highway One (aka the Trans-Canada) somewhere between Regina and Winnipeg. We made a 3000+ KM journey across the great Canadian prairies, for basically a bit less than the cost of gasoline to do so (after gig money, and merch money that is.)

Somewhere just before we hit the road I was even approached to do the art for the new EP "Arson Awareness Day". Though asked to do it not in my normal abstract style, but something more akin to what I've been playing with art wise, something more like my Edmonton Bands series, or perhaps the Insta-Sketch series. (The Edmonton Band series did include a painting of Rebuild/Repair, among a few others..)

So what I'm saying here, is I'm a bit biased when it comes to these guys.

So, on July 13th 2013, as Rebuild/Repair releases their brand new EP, they will play their first (and quite possibly only) gig as a two piece. I mentioned it earlier that Jon couldn't make it out. Randall's last minute purchases, and slightly more self deprecating than usual demeanor played into the hands of the crowd. It sounded near as good.  The crowd was eating it up, some cats even started to "Pogo". It was kinda like 1983 again, and much like earlier in the evening I felt like we had all been transported to an earlier time.

A time when Punk was an attitude, not an image. A germ of an idea, before we all had to sound the same. When records were a document of a period in time, not some way to "get rich" and be over analyzed by the same sort of music nerd that would type up some long winded diatribe about a local punk gig...

"This one's off our new EP. It sounds better with a bass player." Randall explains before breaking out into a slightly sludgier version of Arson Awareness Day, the title track of the new album. The people are into it, as they should be. This is the music of the people, cranked past eleven, we should be hearing it eeking out of back alleys, burnt out basement dwellers, and garages.. in a perfect world.

"This one is some avant garde bullshit... then we have three more" Our reluctant hero mumbles before kicking into one of my new personal favourite tunes Post-Industrial City-States. In finding that much sought after harmony between droned out sludge and intense power, you can feel it taking its toll on the bodies that remain, as the night ebbs towards its end. Rebuild/Repair sets up for a Shellac like death mantra closing out the night with Summary's Falling Out/Burning Down and Relics' Failure Scene. Those of us who managed to survive into the wee hours of the morning, still wanting to take more from Rebuild/Repair, begging, pleading, chanting... to no avail.

I recall something about Randall saying he wasn't sure if they could do any of their other tune justice without Jon on the bass, Kelly just grinned. The band had accomplished what they set out to do. The thoughts of modern radio rock obliterated from our minds.

Rebuild/Repair is the band you're looking for.

- Jim Nowhere

-------666------------

http://www.facebook.com/thecleanersbanduk
http://anatomycats.bandcamp.com
http://rhubarbs.bandcamp.com
http://downthehatch.bandcamp.com
http://rebuildrepair.bandcamp.com
---------------

Fundraiser Swag

So... remember those skateboards & wheels that we were gonna give away last Sunday at McKernan, before I got evil sick and couldn't make the sesh?

No?

They looked like this:

Remember them now?

Good.

I'm gonna raffle one of the decks and a set of wheels off this afternoon at Kaskitayo.
Like 4ish.
Then later in the evening, say 8ish CRBM is going to raffle off the other deck and set of wheels.
Still at Kaskitayo.
The party kinda goes on all day.

THE DEAL

a: How the deal works.

Raffle Tickets for the DECKS are $5 or THREE for $10
Raffle Tickets for the WHEELS are $3 or THREE for $5

IF you buy your tickets before the first draw, you'll still be in for the second one that happens later in the evening.

IF you buy your tickets after the first draw, the price is the same, but you missed out on a chance to win already.

Here's the other thing, when we draw the ticket, You're gonna have to yell really loudly to let us know you've won. So make sure you stick around for it, cuz if you haven't claimed the prize in like 30 seconds, we're gonna rip up that ticket, and draw another one. No second chances. Its shitty, I know.
But we want you to spend the day enjoying punk rock with us, and thats easier to do if YR around.

b: Here's the deal.

Sometime around 4pm, I'm gonna draw a ticket from the bowl/cup/god knows what that says WHEELS on it. IF YR number gets called. You yell, scream, whatever and make YR way to where I'm announcing (probably the PA) and I'm gonna hand you a set of ZERO SKATEBOARDS WHEELS. We take a crappy instagram photo, maybe two and then you wander away and do whatever you want with your new wheels.
About 30 seconds after that happens I'm gonna draw another ticket from a different bowl/cup/god knows what that says DECK on it. IF YR number gets called. You yell, scream, whatever and make YR way to where I'm announcing (probably the PA) and I'm gonna hand you a KROOKED SKATEBOARDS GONZ DECK. We take a crappy instagram photo, maybe two and then you wander away and do whatever it is with a slightly used, not cracked, maybe warped deck, that you want to do. 

Then sometime after that I leave.. BUT if you bought a ticket for either or both of the items, YOU stay, you skate, you do whatever. THEN...

Sometime around 8pm, SOME OTHER DUDE gonna draw a ticket from the bowl/cup/god knows what that says WHEELS on it. IF YR number gets called. You yell, scream, whatever and make YR way to where I'm announcing (probably the PA) and SOME OTHER DUDE is gonna hand you a set of JOEY PEPPER AUTOBAHN WHEELS. SOME OTHER DUDE and you snap a photo and text it to me and then you wander away and do whatever you want with your new wheels.
About 30 seconds after that happens SOME OTHER DUDE is gonna draw another ticket from a different bowl/cup/god knows what that says DECK on it. IF YR number gets called. You yell, scream, whatever and make YR way to where SOME OTHER DUDE is announcing (probably the PA) and he's gonna hand you a FOUNDATION SKATEBOARDS DECK. SOME OTHER DUDE and you snap a photo and text it to me and then you wander away and do whatever it is with a slightly used, not cracked, maybe warped deck, that you want to do. 

THATS IT! ITS SIMPLE!

- Jim Nowhere

Kaskitayo Today!

This is happening today!

So get your asses down to Kaskitayo Skatepark and get a sesh happening.

We're gonna be onsite from about 1:30pm - 4:30pm

We've got some 2nd Pressings of the File Under Music Comp
(Each CD comes with a download code as well, as it's the only way you can get your hands on Issue 1)
We've also a few Zine+Comp download codes left as well.

Special pricing for this event is:

CD COMP $5.00

ZINE/COMP DL CODE $3.00

$2.00 from each CD will be donated to the water supply fund
$1.50 from each ZINE/COMP DL CODE will be donated to the water supply fund

Don't live in Edmonton? Can't make it to the park? Want to donate anyways? Cool.

$1.50 from each ZINE/COMP purchased at http://onthewallzine.bandcamp.com until Aug 16th will be donated to CRBM's water supply fund.

Both are in limited supply, once this pressing of CDs is gone, we will not be doing another run of them.

Once these download codes are gone, no more will be made available, though you'll still be able to buy the digital copy from http://onthewallzine.bandcamp.com

- Jim Nowhere
---

Sadly our costs on producing the Comp, digital or CD version still need to be covered. BUT feel free to donate directly to the cause, I'm sure they're gonna have people around to make sure you can do that.

McKernan Sesh - UPDATE!

So we totally didn't realize that there was a KILLER gig happening down at Wunderbar on Sunday afternoon with a couple of our favourite bands the Rhubarbs & Micelli.
It's part of the new Bermuda Fest that is going on.
More info here: http://www.facebook.com/bermudafest

Might even give one of the board away to whoever does the gnarliest boneless off the back steps at Wunderbar.... it's pretty safe to say its a fun little unsafe spot to skate.

SO we're gonna skate, at McKernan, after the show, instead of while it is happening.
Probably roll in around 6:30pm and stay till 10ish..

You're all still welcome to show up whenever..


oh and jim got bit by a pothole this afternoon.. so look for the guy with some road scars..

- On The Wall 'Zine

KASKITAYO SKATEPARK CRBM Fund Raiser

It's a killer cause with killer bands.

While trolling the ol FB feed spotted this killer Kaskitayo Fund Raiser that is going down on August 11th 2013
Its FREE, though Donations will be greatly appreciated.
A lot of amazing bands
and the 3 Top Billed bands are all on our "File Under Music" Comp.
we're gonna try and hook those bands up with some DIY copies to sell, with the proceeds being donated towards KASK.

The CRBM is trying to raise some cash to get a source of water at the skatepark so that we don't need to spend all our hard earned cash at the 7/11 or be heading into the YMCA to grab water from the fountain...

Head out and support your local Skate & Punk Scene.

(We're gonna see about maybe setting up a booth for a bit as well.. but can't promise it'll happen, or that we'll be there all day unless we get some Volunteers to run it for us, as Jim has a gig in Red Deer that evening..)

Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/events/389853691114577/
The CRBM: http://www.facebook.com/thecrbm

- On The Wall

McKernan Park Sesh!

Sunday August 4th. 2pm.

Whoever shows up, shows up.
We're gonna sesh from 2 - 5pm
It's a long weekend, so there is a chance that we'll be hanging out for a while after.
Gonna print up a few more copies of Issue 1 as well for people. (available for $1 each)

details on the FB event:
http://www.facebook.com/events/144587475748207/

Also poked through Jim's skate parts box.. found some wheels to give away (sadly no bearings in skate shape at the moment.. cept maybe some ABEC1s that he's kept for some odd reason or another..)

Autobahn Joey Pepper 52s / Zero Brockell 51s

Also in the spirit of giving away stuff that Jim doesn't ride anymore, and he needs more space on his walls for art that aren't old skate decks.. We're gonna find new homes for two Decks that are in great shape, a little old, loads of flex left, not even pressure cracked!

 Foundation Dan Murphy Deck 8.06" / Krooked Mark Gonzales Deck 8.12"

They're even already gripped and sticker'd for you posers who may want to try and win them..

We're not quite sure what you'll have to do to win them yet.. but it'll be something.

Hope to see you on Sunday!

- On The Wall `Zine

Vol.1 Issue 1.5: Broken Boards - Now Accepting Submissions

With the success of Vol. 1 Issue 1 - File Under Music, we've decided to open things up to accepting more submissions for photos, articles, and songs for the second issue & compilation.

On The Wall: Vol. 1 Issue 1.5 - Broken Boards
Due Out Late September 2013

Submissions Due SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

All Submissions can be sent to us via our Facebook Page, or by emailing editor@onthewall-zine.com

Get That HYPE Warmed Up!

THE CLEANERS (U.K.) / /KROOVY ROOKERS // HEROIN HAYRIDE (Montreal) // JESSE LEBOURDAIS (Vancouver)
Sunday July 21st, Wunderbar () $8 18+ 9pm

This show is going to fucking blow the back door fully off the Wunderbar..
probably right into Sailin' On Food Truck..
Seriously.

I shouldn't even have to mention Jesse Leboudais, honestly I shouldn't. Your ears are going to fall in love. I'd bet a pint of Yellowhead beer on it. (I won't though, as I'm a poor musician, and skate rat.)

Heroin Hayride out of Montreal is possibly one of the best bands playing in PQ at the moment, so to have them wander out west and play in our little hell hole of a city is going to be rad.

Kroovy Rookers, I don't even NEED to tell you why the Kroovy Rookers are awesome. If you've never seen them, then you must not be paying attention, because they are seriously one of Edmonton's best Punk/Oi-ish bands around. Rod, Mike, And Tom are Rad guys who play RAD music.

The Cleaners, you may have missed them a back mid july when they kicked things off for Rebuild/Repairs EP release show.. I didn't, and I wrote a huge spiel about them in my notebook.. I haven't had a chance to type it up yet... but if you don't see them, you're going to be wondering why craig is buying a new door, and patching up the roof, just saying.


-Jim Nowhere

(sadly, I won't be able to attend.. I'll be somewhere in the mountains between Kelowna and Banff as this show is going down.. and it make me a little sad.)


--200--

Jesse Leboudais - http://jesselebourdais.bandcamp.com/
Heroin Hayride - http://www.facebook.com/TheHeroinHayride
Kroovy Rookers - http://kroovyrookers1.bandcamp.com/
The Cleaners UK- http://www.facebook.com/thecleanersbanduk

it's Alive!

The DISTRO is ALIVE!

Kinda...

We're still having a problem with the store adding up the correct shipping amounts, but the Mail order form/catalog is now online:

http://distro.onthewall-zine.com/

Hell I'll even accept e-mail orders till we get this shipping bug sorted out.

- Jim Nowhere

Hey, Zeus On Heroin

http://zerocoolband.com

Let me tell you about this experience I had in a strange dream. It was a hot summer day in a suburb I’ve probably never visited in real life. I was at the top of a street, slanted downhill. It was midday. I found myself in a streetluge - which is nothing like luging in the winter. It’s a lot like skateboarding only…with your body laying flat on the board – going down this street so fast my eyes couldn’t see anything, the lines all blurring into undistinguishable shapes and masses. The fear of hitting something and my body launching far into the air was only eclipsed by the fear of suddenly stopping in a dead halt with none of the answers to my questions realized.

Why was I not skateboarding? Why was I not thinking of other things I could have been doing? What was so special about going down that hill like road on a board? The only suitable answer I could come up with apart from the retort that it was a dream and I can dream whatever my subconscious demands me to is that I was seeking some sort of subconscious mental assault, an idea that sounds pretty bogus anyway.

Yet, listening to Zero Cool’s most recent album “Hey, Zeus on Heroin” is the equivalent of strapping yourself in and careening down a street at speeds you’ll do best to avoid reaching in any other situation, unless you’re a speed junkie in which case is a totally cool decision. Once the tense apocalyptic introduction to “Square Pusher” ends, the album rushes at a breakneck pace, stopping for no one. It’s rooted in late 80s, early 90s skate/thrash punk with a lyrical focus on all the wrong things, samples of speeches from dudes like MLK or the guy on ‘We’re All Going to Hell’ proclaiming the rock and roll lifestyle to be strange don’t seem out of place in the Zero Cool universe.

Having the ability to play faster than everyone else is something a lot of punk bands strive for but what makes the songs on “Hey, Zeus…” interesting is the brevity and the amount of dynamics present. It helps that the album’s production avoids the thin, trebly production most punk rock albums seem to suffer from and beefs the guitars and drums, resulting in an album that never wavers from its mission statement in delivering a high quality sound barrage that both entertains and provokes.

- Jibrill Yasin

-----178----

Official Site - http://www.ZeroCoolBand.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/ZeroCoolZeroCool
Bandcamp - http://store.zerocoolband.com
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/ZeroCoolBand

File Under Music - Now Available!

Great News Everyone!
File Under Music is off to the photocopier, and the Digital Version of the Compilation is now available for purchase at: http://onthewallzine.bandcamp.com/album/file-under-music

The print Zine will be available at all local shops on May 15 2013 in Edmonton, AB

Vol 1 Issue 1: File Under Music

SO, you may have noticed that May 1st has come and gone, and yet not a sign of On The Wall `Zine anywhere about Edmonton. Not a copy in sight. Don't worry, they didn't all get snapped up while you weren't paying attention.  What has happened is something that I can't say I didn't anticipate, see we missed our first deadline.  However, that just means that it is going to be a little delayed.

On The Wall `Zine Vol 1 Issue 1 Due out May 1 2013 May 15 2013.

You'll be able to hunt down a copy at these fine establishments:

Independent Skater Owned & Operated Skate Shops:

Showdown Tattoo & Skateboards (97 St & 106 Ave, China Town)

Local 124 Skateboards & Longboards (124 St & 107 Ave)

Plush Snowboards & Skateboards (Whyte Ave)

Allrose Skateboards & Snowboards (Red Deer)

Independent Locally Owned & Operated Record Shops:

Freecloud Records (101 St & 108 Ave)

Listen Records (124 St & Stony Plain Road)

Permanent Records (Gateway Blvd & Whyte Ave)

Blackbyrd Myoozik (Whyte Ave & 105 St)

Sound Connection (Whyte Ave & 100 St)

Shady Music Venues & Pubs That May Have a Copy Laying Around:

DV8 Tavern (99 St & 83 Ave)

Wunderbar (Whyte Ave & 101 St)

Hooliganz Pub (124 St & 107 Ave)

NOW, onto the next piece of business, the compilation album "File Under Music" has also been delayed.  This is a little less under our direct control. Firstly none of the bands involved are to blame.  WE just happened to not realize how quickly time passes, and with an estimated turn around time on the cassette duplication and shipping being about three weeks, and us always further extending the deadline for submissions, well it all kind of got a little out of hand.

SO, with any luck the compilation album should be available for download on May 15, 2013 with the limited edition cassettes becoming available on June 1, 2013.  Pre orders for the Cassettes will be available. Hopefully not every copy will disappear during the two week pre-order phase as these will not be re-issued.

FILE UNDER MUSIC

Vol 1 Issue 1
BAND LIST

The Mange
Rebuild/Repair
Good Friday Brawl
Jim Nowhere

Micelli
Zero Cool
The Rhubarbs
Down The Hatch
MESSiAHLATOR
Gorgon Horde
Punktured
The Anatomy Cats

Spastic Panthers
Fire Next Time

N.N.

- Jim Nowhere

*Edited at 5:50PM MDT for correct Zine cover art, and complete Band list for the compilation

Goodbye winter, hello Skateboard

I don't remember the name of this dude, but I certainly remember hanging out for a few hours while him and his buddies attempted to land any number of grinds.

Spring 2011 Clareview Park.

the classic bean plant with Matt Cunningham.  Not just for slackers and songwriters.. night skating summer 2010 at Paul Kane.

See now and again someone will actually snap a shot of me.. still doing nothing

Lazy Carve at Callingwood park Spring 2012

I've been going through a photo dump from the past four or five years on one of my external hard drives lately.. so expect a few more random old shots to crop up over the next little while.

- Jim Nowhere

Vol. 1 Issue 1 - Available May 1

Just to give you a heads up, the "Winter 2012/13" issue of the print version of On The Wall will be hitting all your local skate & record shops that will let me leave them there on or around May 1st 2013.
and then work will begin on the "Summer 2013" issue. If you would like to contribute to On The Wall
then hit us up on facebook: www.facebook.com/OnTheWallZine there should be a MESSAGE button in the top right hand corner..

There is still a plan to sell an On The Wall compilation album as well, and we've extended the due date for that to April 15th give or take.  So if you happen to be in an Edmonton band and are down for donating a track to help me cover printing costs I would love to hear from you.


The compilations will be available as a digital download for $2.00 or a 60 minute Cassette with digital download card for $3.00 if you are grabbing it from my hand at a gig, in a coffee shop, or at whatever places will take them on consignment. For those interested in obtaining a copy by mail I'll be setting up some sort of Paypal thing-ma-jig for you to be able to order it.  Mail order copies will be $5.00 including shipping, for CONTINENTAL NORTH AMERICA, and $7.00 to the rest of the world. ALL mail order copies of the zine will come with a mix tape. So sadly we can't rock those out for free.

Keep your eyes open.

- Jim Nowhere

---v1I1--
facebook.com/OnTheWallZine
OnTheWallZine.bandcamp.com
onthewall-mag.blogger.com

Cover art layout by Jim Nowhere
Photos by Jim Nowhere / Kalan Olsen-Peet
Photo Edits by Jim Nowhere
5-0 Nose Grab: Matt Shnell
Bowl Carve: Kalan Olsen-Peet
Boneless: Matt Cunningham
Graffiti artists unknown

Rhubarbs - If We Build It, You Will Come

http://www.facebook.com/rhubarbs780

Rhubarbs first record, pop punk from the arctic tundra.  Remember when Chixdiggit was putting out killer albums in the mid 90s? Well these guys do, all the passion and power of an early lagwagon/chixdiggit record, add in another 20 years of technological advances, a new skateboard, and your brand new white vinyl LP comes with a download code right from their label (Wasted Wax Record.)

Remember the first time that you heard "White Trash, Two Heebs, and a Bean" and how all you wanted to do was grab your skateboard and go thrash the streets? well "If We Build It, You Will Come" does that exact same thing for me.  Though these days its more i want to go try some front side grinds in a bowl.. but you get the idea.  This Edmonton trio has managed to present something new, while taking what they love and mixing it up a bit.  You can hear the influences from Motorhead, Black Sabbath, NoFX, Black Flag, Chixdiggit, and many more all coming through, but without sounding cliche and tired, instead they somehow manage to sound as though this is brand fucking new to your ears.


I guess what this all boils down to, is if you have a chance to snag this LP do it, and listen to it often.
to quote some Flipper liner notes "Listen for 45 minutes. 4 times daily or.. as needed. Caution: to be taken in conjunction with alcoholic beverages. At Maximum Volume"

Jim Nowhere

---155---

Rhubarbs - Facebook
                - Reverbnation
Wasted Wax Records - http://www.wastedwax.ca/

Kroovy Rookers

just.. just go listen ..

you'll understand.

http://KroovyRookers1.bandcamp.com

and for only $2 an ep you'd be stupid not to buy them.
(and feel free to pay more.. i know i did)

JN - Sunday update.

The Fuzz Kings - Accentuate Everything

http://thefuzzkings.bandcamp.com/album/accentuate-everything 

 An experiment in bringing back some Rockabilly? Or maybe just an Honest attempt to make some good `ol rock and roll. I'll let your ears decide. I know what mine think.

 But i'm not here to argue "genre" classifications, I'm here too listen to music, and when I dig, to tell you about it. Having only really given this thing a quick virtual spin at the moment, it caught me by surprise. Knowing how the Edmonton music scene works is part of that, also knowing the production values usually found on a self released record is another. So the first thing that blew me away was how good absolutely everything sounds, the second thing was excitement at how much better it will sound once I've a limited edition LP in my grubby hands and I'm cranking it through my home stereo, instead of just streaming it through my laptop speakers. But lets get to the meat and potatoes of this thing.

 My first impression was that I had traveled back in time about 50 years, tossed on some spats, and was getting ready to take my best girl for a night on the town. Solid grooves run right through this record (no pun intended) and catchy hooks that just make you want to pick up ones feet and get our collective asses down to the dance floor. Pick it up, give it a listen, and know that what you are hearing isn't from a bygone era, but brand new and about to hit a few local stages kicking off the summer of 2013.

 If you can catch The Fuzz Kings Live for the LP release party Saturday March 16, 2013 at Edmonton's The ARTery

 Jim Nowhere

 ---115---

thefuzzkings.bandcamp.com
www.fuzzkings.com
Facebook
Twitter

Fat Dave - an interview

'Fat Dave' Johnson

www.FuzzKings.com

Alright so Fat Dave Johnson... 

We all know who Fat Dave is right? Well I had the chance to talk to him a little bit about the new Fuzz Kings LP, guitars & gear, and a little bit about what drives him to keep putting out music this far into the game.

Jim Nowhere: I've a few questions to shoot your way regarding this new release you and your boys are putting out "Accentuate Everything" but I figure the best way to start is to learn a little about you and your history within the Edmonton music scene(s).  So lets cut through the crap and just get started.

Who are you and why should people check out your music?

Fat Dave: I'm Fat Dave, I'm an internationally renowned singer, songwriter and guitar player who writes catchy, tongue-in-cheek tunes that make girls stop and stare. 

I'm a head-turning, charismatic entertainer and musical heavyweight. I might be the best at what I do, and my super-musical heavyweight rhythm section in THE FUZZ KINGS is air-tight... 

JN: How long have you been playing in bands?

FD: I just passed the 16 year mark. 

JN: After catching a few of your live performances, I've noticed you've a few different instruments, what would you say your main live rig is?

FD: Mainly I've been using my American 60th anniversary telecaster through a Fender Blues Jr & ext cabinet in stereo with an excelsior 1x15 combo, split with stereo slap-back delay. 

When I'm feeling silly u bring out a Leslie cabinet as well. 

JN: Now what did you use when recording this album?

FD: Blues Jr power section through an avatar 2x12 cabinet, fender teles and a fender marauder. 

Acoustic parts were played on a beat up old 1956 Gibson J45 and I also used an old electric accordion that I found at value village years back. 

When writing a song, do you approach it differently for the Fuzz Kings, `Ol Smashy, the Fat Dave Crime Wave, or solo, or do you just go with what comes and find a way to make it work within the "confines" of each project?

Songwriting has evolved for me as I've gone through becoming a dad and dealing with divorce, new love, various old cars... And the timeline of bands follows suit somehow. 

Out of the crime wave came ol' smashy... As did the beginning of the end of my marriage. Ol' smashy was something to do more than anything. I just wanted to keep momentum while I figured out what my next real step was...

Which is when I found myself hiring out to Jake Ian and the haymakers and Sherry-Lee Wisor. I was trying to get my bearings and it took a while, but playing music with those bands that I wouldn't normally have chosen to play definitely helped form my decisions and improve my chops in other settings. 

I'm a more traditional player because of it, but I've maintained the rock and roll growl as well. 

Everything is refined and intentional, like it was in the crime wave days, but stylistically different. 

JN: What would you say the main difference between recording a Fuzz Kings record is vs say `Ol Smashy?

FD: The fuzz kings is a little more slick. Just as punchy as ol' smashy but more precise. Less 'smashy' I guess... The songwriting is more upbeat and the delivery is stronger. More finesse. 

JN: Where will the fine folks of the world be able to grab this new release?

FD: Online through thefuzzkings.bandcamp.com and locally at permanent records, freecloud, and a few other places, I'm sure. 

It should be out around the town within a few days of the release party on March 16th at The Artery. 

JN:And if they want to check you cats out online where would they be able to find you?

FD: http://www.fuzzkings.com 

JN: Anything else you'd like to say?

FD: This is the most seriously I've taken a musical endeavor since the demise of The Fat Dave Crime Wave, and it totally shows. Definitely worth a listen. 

JN: Thank you very much for taking the time to participate.

FD: Thanks, Jim. 

---101---

thefuzzkings.bandcamp.com
www.fuzzkings.com
Facebook
The Fuzz Kings Twitter

Plaza..

Nolan Bossert - Tail Slide

Miek Headache - Ollie North

There is this chill plaza we hit up from time to time..
hidden in a little residential area..
I'm not certain who took these photos.. I just know it happened with my camera..

2013 has begun.. now lets find some spots to skate.