Angela Boismenu, photo by Valerie Pyke

On a chili September night where audiences long to warm themselves on the dance floors listening to the latest in techno and anything with the so called “auto-tune”… I had the utmost pleasure of attending Riley Rocks spearheaded by the loving parents of the late Riley McCallum,Valerie Pyke and Sean McCallum. In an intimate setting in the back of Clyde’s Bar, in Pointe Claire, was to be the venue of the Riley Rocks fundraiser for the Montreal Children’s Hospital, headlining were the talents of Alex Shield, Take the Boys and Live Twice.

A little on Riley McCallum…Riley was born with SCID (severe combined immune defiency), chronic lung disease and achondoplasia. Even though he showed strength and courage through treatment he could not battle the debilitating sickness and disease that took his life 17 months later. We will miss you Riley…

The venue started a little late but hey…it’s a rock show… unless your name is RUSH no other band will ever start on time… so I can forgive them :~). The beginning of the evening started with Alex Shield. At first glace she seems like any other upcoming singer songwriter, sexy, quiet, timid and shy. Although on stage her shyness disappeared and she sang for us an array of impressive pop songs all of which she wrote herself along with a couple of oldies covers… The talent is definitely there, and if she continues on this road she may very well be a household name in Canadian pop music.

Alex Shield might of got the crowd warm with her silky voice and presence, but Take the Boys definitely came out to give the crowd a powerful performance with an amalgamation of Reggae/Ska/Rock. I know I was going to see something special when guitarist and vocalist, Angela Boismenu walked on stage holding her hollow body guitar, a tattoo filled shoulder and dreads. From the start of the first song to the last, her smooth powerful vocals said it all, she had spunk, charisma and charm on stage, doing a couple of kung fu kicks while reminding everyone after every song to purchase something at the merch table… ahh you gotta love promotion ;~). Being the old man as I am, while listening to their music, there was a twitch in my leg that just wanted to make me get up and dance. Their rhythm and beat brought back a nostalgia of youth which wanted to get my body moving. Take the Boys music was soulfully fun, expressive and in combination with a beautiful voice, great ska riffs, rolling bass melodies and drum beats weather you like ska/reggae or not, you will want to tap your feet, clap your hands or get up and dance. Keep up the great work.

The final band to play was Live Twice. Reminiscent of old Billy Joel mixed with the Killers with a rougher edge, heavier guitars and an unbelievable drummer. Multi talented Mat Perkins opened his set with pounding piano chords and a great presence. I’ll have to admit their sound was definitely different than most processed music you’ll hear nowadays. And for the better… It’s nice to see classic rock influence in our young musicians today. Their guitarist Jay Benny did his part by not overpowering the band with his guitar solos… just right at the right time… Drummer Sam Rose stole his part with an amazing drum solo that electrified the room… Everyone had to stop and watch as he hit those snares and toms with unbelievable control and speed. Live Twice definitely put on a great performance to close out the night’s event, these guys definitely need to be headlining somewhere and soon.

I’ve said enough about the bands… the only thing I have left to say is that you shouldn’t take my word for it, you should go and check them out ;~). Overall the highlight of the evening was the gracious charity of these musicians. They donated their time, music and merchandise (all proceeds from the merch go to the Montreal Children’s Hospital) for a great cause. For the event we have to thank none other than Valerie Pyke who’s given her heart and sole to the Montreal Music Scene, Sean McCallum and of course Riley… without you none of this would be possible.

We should take the time to reflect on what is and isn’t important in this world; how we take for granted what life has to offer and how short it can be. Music has always been an outlet for an artist to express and drag their audience into their world, their lives, their homes. Valerie knows that, Sean knows that and the fore mentioned musicians know that. I really hope Riley rocks on for years to come and perhaps next year everyone who will drop what their doing, spend a couple of hours for a good cause and support Riley McCallum and our local musicians.
Thanks everybody!

Peace, love and music,
Raymon Fong

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

Riley Rocks:
http://www.rileymccallum.com/
http://rileybum.blogspot.com/
email: rileyrocks2009@gmail.com

The Bands:
http://www.alexshield.com
http://www.taketheboys.com
http://www.live-twice.com

Pete Möss; up and coming Montreal band featured countless times on MMS. Photo by Michel Thériault.

I’d like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and thank you for coming back to the CAS, we hope to continue to deliver you with more reviews and inside thought about the arts in Canada. We kick off the new year with an organization i had been affiliated with many eons ago, the MMS (Montreal Music Scene).

One of the most unique things about Montreal vs other cities is its array of cultures, languages and without a doubt their absolute hunger for music. The character and diversity in all its flavour has created a special birth ground for many artist in all disciplines but music has always held true. Is it any wonder why Bon Jovi, Supertramp, Roger Waters, Rush have always make a stop here? No, because there is no wonder; Montreal loves music and they love their greats. This being said the MMS has lead the way for the past 7 years to bring us the latest up to date information on all upcoming concerts and local acts in and around the city.

Founded in 2002 they’ve been delivering myself and countless others insight on concert reviews and events happening in and around the city. Lead by their fearless leader Valerie Pyke, who by the way, does a lot if not most of the photography at the major concerts. Having the pleasure of meeting her, she’s a spunky 80’s rocker chick that has a passion for the industry and if anyone knows anything about music it would be her. On the other end of the spectrum you have Jennifer Lariviere, vice president of the MMS, what she brings to the table is her invaluable writing skills to bring us in depth news on the music scene, seen through the eyes of someone in the trenches. Needless to say these gal pals are on the right track, building a fan base from nothing to over 10 000 members and 85 000 hits a month! They also attend and judge rock battles between the best and the worst bands in and around the area. If you don’t want a snobby editorial insight on the events, the reviewers from MMS tell it to you straight and raw.

The site from what i’ve seen hasn’t been updated in years, but the saying goes if it ain’t broke don’t fix it… Although something fresh would be nice once in awhile . In the site aside from reviews are forums where members can join bands or look for musicians, buy/sell equipment, give advice on direction and the industry and many more. When you have 10 000 members at your finger tips you’ll find what you are looking for.

The music in Montreal goes beyond the likes of a “Simple Plan”, the MMS is out there to bring the best of the locals to your front door so you can be the judge of what Montreal Music is all about. And my friends, by visiting the site every so often I can tell you the variety of talent in Montreal is enormous and I’m grateful that the MMS is there to capture every moment.

http://www.montrealmusicscene.com

Written by,
CAS Admin

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 courtesy of CTV

This is a personal commentary about Canadian Idol and perhaps I’m outta line when I say. “YESS IT’S OUTTA HERE!”…but only for now.. I was just informed that Canadian Idol will not be on air for 2009 due to lack of garnering enough advertising revenue through these tough economic times. I know there is an abundance of fans who will miss the program, but it’s nice to take a break from all these mundane reality programs showing off decent to extremely terrible performances. Don’t get me wrong, it is part of the business to be frank with people who don’t have what it takes to become a professional performer and at certain times some of it IS entertaining. But after a few years of going through the same motion is it not getting a little old? We try so hard to create our own distinct Canadian identity, but for some reason we keep on circling back and imitating our American counterparts.

When I was a teenager we had the pleasure of listening to uniquely Canadian artists the likes of Sarah McLaclan, Bruce Cockburn and Tom Cochran which all of seemed to have disappeared on the radio. And in it’s place we have meaningless pop music. Is it not enough we listen and watch this kind of music on Canadian Idol, American Idol that we also have to listen to it on our radios as well? Is Canada lacking so much developed talent we have to create a glorified karaoke contest to find our next so called “Idol”. Perhaps its a statement from our Canadian government with all of their funding cuts from the arts that they are telling us “Alright folks you guys entertain yourselves…” .  I’m hoping we can fill this time slot with, i dunno, throwing this out in the air; “The Next Canadian Treasure” and show case the next Sarah McLaclan or some up and coming Canadian artist. There is a market for all music as long as it’s given a chance, all genres can share the spot light with every other genre and having choice was never a bad thing.

The bottom line is music is a business. What sells is a sexy female or hunky male performer singing about something, whatever it is they’re singing about. The bottom line is ratings. What attracts an audience? Laughing at people who get up on stage just to watch them fall on their face. Maybe pop music was not their strong point and perhaps they should be doing country or adult soft rock. Then again we’ll would never know because the only music these candidates have probably ever been exposed to is POP music and thats all they know. The bottom line is the market in it’s effort to sell products has over saturated TV and radio with one or two genre’s of music and thats all our children will ever listen to. Am I off track with this analogy? Should I take all of this with a grain of salt? I don’t blame the program for giving what people want and the candidates know exactly what they’re getting themselves into when standing inline to sing in front of a panel of judges. In the end Canadian Idol is pure entertainment and I give my apologies if I’m trying to defend the art that I love. POP music has its place and I listen to it too…sometimes… but not ALL the time… Trying to bring back the music of the Supertramps, the Midnight Oils and the Johnny Cashs of the world or finding the latest artists who perform with a certain meaning is perhaps a lost cause.

Now that we have that extra hr of freedom every week what are we as the audience going to do? I dunno, take that singing lesson you’ve always wanted to; pick up an instrument; perhaps write a song… Or how about we take that hr and do something most of us haven’t done in a long time… Why don’t we go outside and play.

Maybe we’ll see you back in 2010 Ben! .

Just a commentary,
CAS Admin