Last night I was treated to a great show at Montreal’s Metropolis. The venue was California’s own Silversun Pickups. Outside the Metropolis on it was a chili oct evening but inside the crowd was warm and they were ready to rock and they made the Silversun Pickups know it.

Opening the evening were the bands “An Horse” and “Cage the Elephant”. An Horse was great, a more indie flavored version of the White Stripes with a softer feel and wonderful vocal harmonies. Cage the Elephant brought out 70’s Brit rock to the Metropolis mixed in with a bit of rap. You might know them from their hit single  “Aint No Rest for the Wicked” which has flooded indie radio stations all over the country.

After an hour and a half of opening bands, the Silversun Pickups took the stage. And what a show they put on! Brian Aubert’s distinctive voice and guitar sound has single handedly put their sound on the indie map and original enough to make the Silversun pickups stick out from other bands in the indie scene. Nikki Monninger, as delicate and shy as she seems to be, accompanied the venue with her thumping baselines that seem to have drive the rhythm of the quartets music. Chris Guanlao is always a treat to watch as he attacks those drums with no remorse, hair flying all over the place, playing his heart out keeping the band in check. Last but definitely not least, Joe Lester, who’s smooth and silky keyboard samples adds that je ne sais quoi to all of the of the Silversun Pickups songs.

The concert itself was memorable, they did not disappoint the crowd and they played all of their hits while coming back to perform a 3 song encore, ending off the venue with “Common Reactor”. Which I thought was an appropriate ending as the band left the stage while Brian’s guitar was left on stage to the sound of an endless feedback that sent shivers down your spine. The over all pace of the show was excellent, their set list and song selections worked very well one after the other to keep the crowd pumping and thumping for more. This was their second time back in Montreal and by the looks of things the next time they return they may have to set themselves up at a larger venue. And if they do they will sell out again and I will be there to cheer them on.

Reviewed written by artist/musician Raymon Fong:
http://www.ournationsempire.com
http://www.raymonfong.com

I truly believe  artists have the power to suggest change through their performances, messages and mediums. In the harshest of times, in all walks of life people turn to art as a reminder and savior of cultures; and the beauty we are able to share as humans. What better gift can we give as a society than to be the voice for people who cannot speak, to enlighten and entertain people while they are at their worst moments. We are artists and we have that power to change.

~CAS Admin~

This is my commentary about one group who has been since March of 2003, that voice of change. The group I am referring to is the AAW also known as Artists Against War. They are an organization of artist in ALL mediums and talents who take time through their art to inform the ignorant, to help the helpless and to create a better world for us in which to live in. They create music, documentaries, films, performances, fund raisers and anything imaginable to combat the imbalance of corrupt war mongering governments. And boy did the AAW have their hands busy for the last 8 years under the tyranny of Bush. For every evil there is a good and the AAW has been there to fit that role. Located in Toronto they have proved over and over again through their campaigns of awareness that they are for real and they care. They have been sending out the message that we as a free society should be just that…free. Speaking of free they are also a voice to Canadian artists whom are fighting to keep the arts in Canada alive. If the Harper government isn’t going to care about us, who will?

The AAW organization is definitely one of good guys and with fund raisers, films and performances every month or so; they continually contribute to the peace of our great nation. We at the Canadian Art Scene have the up most respect for the AAW, they’ve done so much for peace and love the best we at the CAS can do is to help spread their message.

To find out more about the AAW, become a member or updates to their latest peace gathering events this is their official website: http://www.artistsagainstwar.ca

For realtime up to date events they also have a Facebook group: Artists Against War

Written by,
CAS Admin

Photo by Lawrence Fung

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra rolled into town this month and not a moment too soon. They came just in time for the Christmas holidays. This was the first time I ever attended this show and with all the hype it had it’s moments. Technically these guys were great. An impressive approx. 30 piece band rocking and riffing away on Christmas carols and famous classical scores in a heavy metal style.

The first half of the show was solely dedicated to the Christmas theme along with narration with set the tone for most of the entire show. The second half the orchestra rocked out to classical symphonies that would of made their original composers proud. The show itself was impressive, the use of LED backgrounds, lasers zapping all over the place, lights, a floating platform, fog machines and pyro was absolutely stunning. I’ve never seen so much attention grabbing visuals that could take your mind off of the show or keep your mind in the show depending how you look at it .

Now let me get straight to the point, I attended the show with a friend of mine who’s an avid heavy metal lover and well even though the TSO performance was absolutely, technically perfect… We both had to agree that there is something about mixing heavy metal guitars with classical melodies together, somethings just shouldn’t be mixed together. Overall no matter how you put it into the mix, mixing the two added a slight layer of cheese throughout the evening. And before everyone is up at arms, let me say it again “I NEVER SAID THESE GUYS WE’RE BAD, ON THE CONTRARY THESE GUYS WERE TECHNICALLY AMAZING, BUT MIXING HEAVY GUITARS WITH CLASSICAL MUSIC IS A LITTLE CHEESY.” It is what it is and I’m pretty sure the sold out crown at the Bell Center would disagree. Personally it was like listening to Yngwie Malmsteen all night, Yngwie is a technically perfect guitarist. Listening to him for two hours straight and I just want to pull the hair out of my roots… I think you guys get my drift. Now Megadeath… these guys did it right . As mentioned earlier the show itself was honestly an incredible array of lights and lasers flickering all over the place. With this said the show should of came with a warning sign and I’m absolutely serious… or maybe there was one and I missed it amongst the flashing lights. There was so much flickering, and flashing of lasers and lights anyone sensitive to this would of definitely of had a problem.

Overall these guys definitely put on an impressive show, was it my cup of tea? Not really, maybe this is something that i have to get use to… For me heavy metal guitars go great with I dunno… heavy metal music. But the TSO will definitely cater to an audience who want  to listen to Christmas carols and classical hits repackaged and presented in a totally different manner. These guys perform their show every year close to the holiday season, spreading the message holiday joy; as they should and I have no doubt that they will be spreading it once again to sold out crowds where ever they decide to play.

To end this review, at least I can agree with the TSO on one thing; may everyone have a great Christmas and holiday season with joy and two cups of eggnog filled with rum. Best wishes to all of you and along with the TSO, I hope to see you guys in the New Year .

Written by,
CAS Admin