The Business

Let's get down to business. First order of business is J Roddy Walston and The Business. They were the opening band for the sold out Deer Tick/Phosphorescent co-headlining bill at (my favourite venue in Vancouver for live music) The Biltmore Cabaret (check out their schedule here biltmore sched ) on Friday October 22, 2010. J Roddy Walston and The Business rocked so hard they arguably stole the show. Watch for these guys from Baltimore and go see them live. They sound like the kind of pure rock and roll I'd expect to hear at a roadhouse bar down south somewhere and they are seriously, amazeballs live. They have that raw sound that The Kings of Leon had on their first album and are easily as good.

J Roddy Walston rockin' out at the piano

 They forced Phosphorescent (who were up next) to bring their "A" game as well. They played all the songs I wanted to hear opening with the first track "It's Hard to be Humble (When You're From Alabama)" off their latest album Here's to Taking it Easy. Eventually slowing it down for a mind-blowing rendition of "Wolves.

 Finally it's time for Deer Tick and they are ready. The bearded, plaid shirted, and tuque lidded crowd had been in a PBR fuelled frenzy from the start and they weren't about to stop now. The very young (so young they probably play here so often just so they can all drink legally) Deer Tick shut the place down with  a set that was representative of all three of their alt. country albums. The sold out show was really a testament to Deer Tick, I only hope they don't outgrow this venue next time they're in town.

Above: Phosphorescent
Below: Deer Tick

I am still very disappointed that I missed the Deerhunter show last night with Real Estate at another great Vancouver venue The Rickshaw Cabaret. If any of you got to this show please tell all about it. I haven't stopped listening to Deerhunter's latest album Halcyon Digest since its release Sept. 27 of this year. Another of my favourite albums of the year is Real Estate's self-titled album released Jan. 19th. They were supposed to play at the legendary Commodore Ballroom but ended up having to move the show. 

Meanwhile, in the local scene, the SSRIs and I got rained out on our video shoot and will do our best to reschedule that soon. In the meantime check them out this Friday at Brandiz. If it's Halloween you're after Vancouver's own Like Animals Again is playing a cover set down at The Railway Club on Friday night as well. Like Animals Again share a drummer with another local band that I'm very excited about Aunts and Uncles. I hope to get some time with them in the near future but in the meantime check them out on myspace here auntsanduncles . 

Here's a list of upcoming shows I'm stoked about. 

Sufjan Stevens Orpheum Thursday October 28, 2010 plays new material.

Biltmore Fri Oct 29 Avi Buffalo with Fences (very cool)

Brandiz -SSRIs Friday Oct. 29

Best Coast at the Strathcona this Friday

Railway club Like animals again Friday

Dr Dog Vogue Sat. Oct. 30 (check it out)

Pvt Media Club Sunday Oct 31 (Aussie rockers)

Go out and support your local live music venues and buy tickets, buy albums or merchandise from the artists at the show or buy albums or tickets for shows at local record stores like Zulu, Scratch or, Redcat. 

A few songs to play me out

Music Playlist at MixPod.com