TAKE 5: Randi Irving

Take 5 is a new feature on "Musically Speaking", where I'll ask five quick questions to various movers and shakers from Windsor's local arts and entertainment world about their thoughts on Windsor's independent music scene, past and present.

Take 5 with...Randi Irving

Randi Irving is the host of the multi-Jammy Award winning program The Windsor Scene, heard each and every Thursday on CJAM 91.5 FM at 6pm. Every week, Randi tirelessly promotes the local Windsor music scene, from heavy metal to folk and everything in between. She always playing the best of the new rising stars from our local original music scene as well as digging into the vaults for some old treats. Throw in the occassional band interview and/or live performance in the CJAM studios and that spells a recipe for "must listen" every Thursday!

The local bands I am most excited about right now are...
The Tree Streets, Destroy Thy Will, Monolith, Blastphemy...I'm really anticipating Ron Leary's new work.

The best local album I've heard in some time is...
Ron Leary Theroadinbetween (2006), Explode When They Bloom As The Animals Make Their Way Through The Crowds (2008)

If there's one thing I wish the local music scene would do more of is...
Banjo's. You just don't see/hear enough of them! I think the past couple of years this scene has no doubt progressed, in regards to making itself (the music) known both locally and on a wider spectrum. we just need to keep it up. Look at all of the accomplishments that are already under our belt.

Sometimes I wish this local bands was still together...
Sewing With Nancie, Twice For Nothing, Repeat Until False, pretty much the entire pop-punk scene circa late 90s early 2000s...and Full White Drag.

My favourite place to see a band in town is...
CJAM's production studio. I think the potential of the FM Lounge is worth the time to dig into... it's a perfect sized room with plenty of area to sit and relax, or get right into the groove on the floor. But if you're looking for sound quality, I think a full house at Phog deserves a nod.

EVENT PREVIEW: Black Diamond Bay (ex-members of The Dears) playing intimate Windsor showcase TONIGHT!

Black Diamond Bay (Montreal, QC) wsg Helsinki Go

Phog Lounge, 157 University Ave. West
Friday April 17, Doors at 9pm
Tickets are $6 advance, $8 at the door, 19+

While many fingers point to Arcade Fire’s release of Funeral as the shot heard around the world signaling Canada’s “Montreal sound” was about to explode, the grunt work was definitely done by one of Canada’s most beloved and critically acclaimed indie pop bands, The Dears. These guys toured feverishly (including many stops in Windsor at the dearly missed Avalon Front), supporting such classic Canadian releases as No Cities Left, Gang of Losers and last years Missiles. But sometimes, when a bands principal songwriter is just one of the many, it can lead to the other members longing for a desire to unleash their own creative outlet. And when you’re working side by side with a songwriter like The Dears’ Murray Lightburn, that can only fuel a dormant passion whether you realize it or not. Such was the case with Dears guitarist Patrick Krief. Patrick joined The Dears in the mid-2000’s and debuted on the 2006 release Gang of Losers. Countless tours, recording sessions and dark highways later, and Patrick Krief gets the itch to start working on his own material. The result was 2007’s Take It Or Leave, a solo album under the banner of his last name, Krief. A promo tour ensued to support the offering (including another Avalon Front stop), then it was back to work on the next Dears recording, 2008’s Missiles. But the fire to write and record his own songs grew just too great. Assembling his live band from the previous tour, former Dears drummer George Donoso III, Andre Bendahan on bass, and keyboardist Roberto Piccioni, they hit the studio, this time under a collective banner, Black Diamond Bay. The end result is Calm Awaits, an epic-sounding pop album, grandiose in design, with songwriting that is familiar in warmth but full of a hundred side journeys. At times showing traces of that “Montreal sound”, Calm Awaits will also endear itself to not only bands of that ilk (such as Krief’s former band The Dears, or the High Dials), but of British outfits like Elbow or Doves. While Calm Awaits saw its release on March 31^st, Windsor will be lucky to be one of the first stops where it will be available at shows, when Black Diamond Bay hits Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West) on Friday April 17^th with special guests, Windsor’s own Helsinki Go. (For a full interview with Black Diamond Bay's Patrick Krief, pick up the April edition of WAMM Magazine, at various locations around the city now!)

Tickets for this event are $6 in advance at Phog Lounge, or $8 at the door. These guys are playing much larger venues on this tour than Phog - we really lucked out in getting such an intimate showcase by these guys so early on in the tour.

EVENT PREVIEW: Oh what a night! Tonight is Rich with Amazing Local Talent!

Windsor usually has good weeks of music to offer up to music fans, from the casual to the die hard, but this week has been/will be phenomenal. And the night with the richest pool of talent is easily tonight - so much great stuff going on, that I hope you can attend at least one of these tonight. There are three really big events going on, all for a great reason, and although all deserve your support, at least choose one of them - it'll be fantastic!

First up, The Golden Eagles will be the special guests of Randi Irving's on the radio version of The Windsor Scene on CJAM 91.5 FM tonight at 6pm. These guys are having their CD release party on Saturday, but tune in tonight where you'll hear a little interview and some preview music from their new CD (which is great, by the way). There's also still a couple days left in the Golden Eagles Contest I'm doing right now, so enter your comments for a chance to win two (2) tickets to their CD Release party plus other great prizes.

Tonight marks the first night of the third annual Smash The Glass Festival. Wow, three years. I remember when this started, it was a low-key couple of nights featuring a lot of familiar local ladies performing a diverse array of music. Well, now in it's third installment, it's blown up and now features national and international acts joining the fray. A celebration of women in music, both locally and on a grander stage, Sonia and her crew have done an amazing job in not only keeping the festival alive each year, but expanding upon it and watching it flourish. Tonight's kick off event is at Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West) and features an eclectic smattering of bands, headlined by the electro-pop of Toronto's Lioness. The rest of the bill includes local electro-diva Perilelle, Toronto's post-punk A Young Wife, and locals The Floral Prints and Erica Di Maio.

Speaking of local women in music, the beloved Tara Watts is having her heavily anticipated CD Release Party for About Love tonight at The Room (255 Ouellette Ave., above Chanoso's). You can read my review of her CD to get an inkling of what to expect musically (although the contest is now over!), but it'll be a grand affair, with locals The Locusts Have No King and 87 Things For The Future opening the show. Tara's been all over the media this week, appearing in The Windsor Star and various radio shows to promote this, so this looks to be a sell out. That means make sure you get there early to ensure your spot for this event. Doors open at 9pm.

The last big show for the evening is a Battle of the Bands-style event at The Chubby Pickle (762 Ouellette Ave.) in conjunction with the Cutting Edge Music Festival. A boat load of Windsor bands will be vying for the local winner slot to play this festival on Friday April 24th at Sound Academy in Toronto as part of the festival. It will also be broadcast live as part of The Edge 102.1's Friday Night Live. A great opportunity for a local band to get some great exposure, so if one of your favourites is on the bill, make sure you make it out to cheer them on! Your voice counts in this! Bands include Explode When They Bloom, Hello Bella, Assassinate The Following, Radio Adelaide, Sinnocence, The Oath of Ares, The Unthinking Majority and Falling With Glory.

WEEK IN PREVIEW: March 16- 22, 2009

Here's a quick glance at the week ahead in music in the Windsor area. For sound samples for shows, click on the bands names for a quick trip to their MySpace or other music outlet site.

Monday March 16

ALL-AGES: Deadwalk (Montreal, QC) and Breaking The Fourth Wall (Montreal, QC) with The Fitzpatrick Incident (Toronto, ON), Days Fade and Jack London
The Chubby Pickle (762 Ouellette Ave.)
Montreal bands Deadwalk (doom metal) and Breaking The Fourth Wall (Christian hardcore) swing through Windsor on their current tour together, with Toronto's The Fitzpatrick Incident. Windsor hardcore kings Days Fade and hardcore nu-blood Jack London round out what should be one hell of a loud show. This is an All Ages event, beginning at 6pm.

The Milkmen
Milk Coffee Bar (68 University Ave. West)
Another night of chillaxin' at Milk with the sultry improv jazz sessions of the Monday Milkmen.

Open Mic Surgery with Tara Watts
Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West)
The always delightful Tara Watts hosts an eclectic open mic session on Phog's stage. For the first-timer to the stage veteran, you never know who will show up and sing a song.

Open Mic with Clinton Hammond
The Kildare House (1880 Wyandotte St. East)
Windsor's longest running Open Mic continues along without any signs of showing down! The charismatic Clinton Hammon runs the gauntlet of the Open Mic - sing a song, tell a joke, the stage is open!

Tuesday March 17 - St. Patrick's Day!

Days Fade, The Fitzpatrick Incident (Toronto, ON), Monolith and Waking Without Remorse
The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, below Pogo's)
If green beer, corned beef and Celtic music just isn't your bag, but drinking on St. Patrick's day to loud music is, then The Coach is your best bet for this festive day of over-indulgence. Days Fade, the undisputed kings of Windsor hardcore, have set up the St. Patty's Day Massacre at the Coach, with a killer line-up that includes Toronto's The Fitzpatrick Incident, as well as local bands, Waking Without Remorse, and the latest supergroup Monolith (featuring current and/or former members of Grand Marais, ShotDownStars, Woods of Ypres and Closed Casket Funeral).

Celtic Cross, Tartan Army and Toast & Jam
Kokopellies (110 Chatham St. West)
Following the closing of Patrick O. Ryan's, Kokopellie's inherited their entire St. Patrick's line-up, with Windsor's two premier celtic bands, Celtic Cross and Tartan Army, as well as Ryan's Thursday night party band, Toast & Jam. Entertainement, drink and food specials from 11am to close.

Tartan Army, Toast & Jam, Kenneth MacLeod & The Windsor Salt Band
Mick's Irish Pub
Now downtown's only Irish Pub, you can catch one of Windsor's finest celtic bands in Tartan Army, party band Toast & Jam, and the mad East Coast fiddling and music of Kenneth MacLeod and his band of merry musicians, The Windsor Salt Band, close out the night. Entertainment, drink and food specials from 11am to close.

Clinton Hammond and Mick O'Brien
The Kildare House (1880 Wyandotte St. East)
Easily Windsor's most authentic British-style pub, this Walkerville gem will be having an all day party for St. Patrick's day with all-day entertainment from two of their staples - Clinton Hammon, Monday's Open Mic host and a damn fine singer, and the bawdy enterainment of Mick O'Brien will be running the gauntlet. Entertainment, drink and food specials from 11am to close.

ALL-AGES: Great Big Sea and Spirit of the West
The WFCU Centre
7pm
Arguably Canada's best known East Coast celtic band, Great Big Sea couldn't have picked a more fitting night to hit Windsor. They've got Spirit of the West in tow and, to be honest, I thought they broke up years ago. But I'm sure people will be going bonkers throwing back their green $8 "pints" of Coors Light to the original band who wrote "Home For A Rest". Doors are at 7pm with the show starting about 8pm.

Ron Leary & "Mr. Chill" Kelly Hoppe wsg Kenneth MacLeod & The Windsor Salt Band
Aardvark's Blues Cafe (89 University Ave. West)
Ron Leary and Mr. Chill play a smattering of songs, with some choice covers mixed in with songs from Leary's brilliant debut CD, theroadinbetween, and Mr. Chill's fantastic Cold Testament. Joining in for the St. Patrick's Day festivities will be a set or two by Kenneth MacLeod & The Windsor Salt Band.

FourLetterWord and The Last Trio
The FM Lounge (156 Chtaham St. West, below Pogo's)
Alan Penner leads a rotating cast of some of the city's finest players through jazz interpretations and beyond. Following the Last Trio is a special performance by FourLetterWord, made up of former members of The Hung Jury.

Open Mic with Stefanie Sarafianos
The Mill Tavern (3199 Sandwich St.)
One half of the sisterly duo Twisted Sisters, Stephanie leads a cast of musicians of all types of experience each week on the West end. Food and drink specials begin at 11am and the entertainment begins early evening for a special St. Patrick's Day at The Mill.

Open Mic with Andrew MacLeod
The Dominion House (3140 Sandwich St.)
Andrew MacLeod leads another Open Mic on the West end, showcasing many of the city's finest songwriters and drinkers.

Tuesday Night Music Club with Jamie Reaume
Twig N' Berries (2135 Wyandotte St. East)
Former Foreign Film Star frontman Jamie Reaume (and currently a part of The Golden Eagles) leads an all-star cast of local musicians through one of the city's wildest Open Mac jam sessions.

Wednesday March 18

ALL-AGES: I Am The Vine, Fights Not Forgotten (Grimsby, ON), Queen Anne's Lace, Beneath Broken Glass and Chuck Norris & The Delta Force Chorus
The Chubby Pickle (762 Ouellette Ave.)
I'm not sure how Christian music managed to combine with death metal or hardcore (it just seems wierd to praise such a peaceful man so angrily, but hey, what do I know?), but local hardcore band I Am The Vine has done it masterfully and are easily one of the scene's leading bands, Christian or otherwise. They lead another showcase of some of scene's emerging hardcore acts, as well as bands from around Ontario. As is the case with many of The Chubby Pickle's metal and hardcore shows, this is an All-Ages event, with doors at 6pm.

Daren Dobsky & Josh Zalev
Aardvark's Blues Cafe (89 University Ave. West)
Dobsky and Zalev lead an occassional all-star ensemble through a series of covers, from Led Zeppelin to Jeff Buckley, rock and roll to the blues.

Kenneth MacLeod
The Dominion House Tavern (3140 Sandwich St.)
Kenneth MacLeod is a one-man musical wrecking crew. His talent is overwhelming and his intensity equally so. A variety of music, from East Coast to contemporary, with a supporting cast of local musicians.

Thursday March 19

The Windsor Scene on CJAM 91.5 FM
Randi Irving continues to host the on-air version and multi-JAMMY Award winning companion to "The Windsor Scene", each and every Thursday evening from 6pm to 7pm, on CJAM 91.5 FM, Windsor's Campus and Community Radio Station. Hear tracks from some of Windsor's current musical stars as well as nuggets from the vault, not to mention live interviews and peformances!

High Mother, The Tyres and The Eric Welton Band
The Whiskey (300 Ouellette Ave., below A-Channel)
WAMM and The Windsor Scene's second showcase at The Whiskey, featuring three diverse acts from Windsor's rock and roll scene. High Mother features some of Windsor's musical veterans, including members of Toast and Luxury Christ, and brings high-energy punk rock akin to 70's Detroit stylings of The Stooges and MC5. The Tyres bring a smart 60's savvy to their Ray Davies-inspired songwriting. Eric Welton is leading an all-star ensemble to play cuts from his prior CD releases. These showcases start EARLY so get there by 9pm - first act is on at 10pm sharp.

What Seas, What Shores and The Kettle Black (Ottawa, ON)
The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, below Pogo's)
It'll be a night of experimental music at The Coach on Thursday as local instrumental explorists What Seas What Shores share the stage with Ottawa's indie exerperimental outfit The Kettle Black.

ALL-AGES: Sinnastarr Entertainment presents
The Holly Springs Disaster (Regina, SK) with A Textbook Tragedy (Vancouver, BC), Sights and Sounds (Winnipeg, MB), Baptized in Blood (London, ON), Aquila and Assassinate The Following
The Chubby Pickle (762 Ouellette Ave.)
Sinnastarr Entertainment has done a great job the past year bringing in some real up and coming touring bands within the metal and hardcore scenes and they continue that trend with this heavily awaited show. The Holly Springs Disaster leads this cross country tour through Windsor, with locals Aquila and Assassinate The Following warming up the show. Again, another All-Ages show, with doors at 6pm.

Huladog
The FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. West)
Always a great night of live jazz and funk jams by a group of Windsor's premiere players. Huladog have been at it for years now and they play the perfect blend of great jazz and booty shakin' funk.

Steph Copeland
The Gourmet Emporium
Steph Copeland, better known as Perilelle, plays an intimate show at The Gourmet Emporium.

"Mr. Chill" Kelly Hoppe, Tom Hogarth and Chris Borshuk
Mezzo Ristorante & Lounge (804 Erie St. East)
Mr. Chill teams up with the incomparable voice of Tom Hogarth as well as Chris Borshuk for this intimate showcase. A great night for dinner and some music.

Friday March 20

The Ford Pier Vengeance Trio (Vancouver, BC) wsg David Dubois
Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West)
Quirky pop songwriting, in the vein of people like Daniel Johnston or Windsor's own Ten Indians, Ford Pier leads his Vengeance Trio into Phog Lounge, with The Locusts Have No Kings' David Dubois opening the show.

The Tyres, Just Press Play and The Mayfliez
The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, below Pogo's)
The Tyres play their second show in two nights, joining fellow Windsor grunge rockers Just Press Play (in their debut gig) and The Mayfliez with a sweaty rock and roll show down at the Coach.

These Words Remain (Sarasota, FL) with ShotDownStars, Waking Without Remorse and Seven Out
The Chubby Pickle (762 Ouellette Ave.)
These Words Remain bring their Florida hardcore through Windsor with a stop at the Pickle, backed up by local stalwarts ShotDownStars (playing their final show as ShotDownStars), Leamington's Waking Without Remorse and newcomers Seven Out.

High Mother, Cucumber Slumlord (Toronto, ON) and The Mindframes
The Loop (156 Chatham St. West, above Pogo's)
Windsor's rock and roll veterans headline a special night at The Loop that also brings Toronto's rock and rollers Cucumber Slumlord to the stage, as well as The Mindframes. Also includes a preview screening of Another Saturday Knight's upcoming live DVD.

[GrounD] with special guest DJ Random Doug
Empire Lounge (128 University Ave. West, above California Sushi, across from Capitol Theatre)
It's impressive to see how the [GrounD] DJ team of J-Wild and Mach-X have taken this night from slow beginnings on a Sunday at Light Bar (when it was known as [Bright]) to a full blown Friday night dance party on Fridays at the Empire Lounge. Electronic music the way Windsor/Detroit is known for, these guys push the platforms combining old school electro sounds with the newest beats. They're joined this night by guest DJ Random Doug.

David Cavan Fraser
The Whiskey (300 Ouellette Ave., belown A-Channel)
A tireless performer and musician, David Fraser was formerly part of the band Cavan before going solo. He brings his vast repetoire of songs, both original and cover, to the Whiskey.

Open Mic with Tara Watts
Cafe Morena (999 Erie St. East)
Tara's second weekly Open Mic is the heart of the Erie St. Village and offers a more relaxed and intimate venue.

Saturday March 21

Fiftywatthead with Kill List, Blastphemy and Disco Assault
The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, below Pogo's)
Windsor's heavy metal kings, Fiftywatthead, continue to promote their critically acclaimed third release, last year's bombastic Fogcutter. These guys have been a staple at the Coach and these shows always bring out the best in them. Kill List marks the debut of the revamped ShotDownStars, Blastphemy is the monster supergroup featuring members of Fiftywatthead and Ton and Disco Assault is still the same band, playing good old fashioned punk rock.

Jay Clark & The Jones (Toronto, ON) wsg Ron Leary
Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West)
Some killer Canadiana roots music, with Jay Clark & The Jones hitting Phog Lounge to promote their latest CD, Blue Cholera, produced and recorded by the one and only Andy Magoffin at his House of Miracles Studio. Joining them will be Windsor's own troubadour of the roots music, Ron Leary.

Time wsg Sledgehammer
The Blind Dog (671 Ouellette Ave., beside Dr. Disc)
Pick of the Week: You know, Time is actually one of the band's I haven't seen yet that I have really desire to (scheduling conflicts!). Nothing flashy or fancy, no bizarre experimentation with computers, no deep dark meaning to the song writing, just balls to the wall honest-to-goodness rock and roll. These guys are definitely more Wolf Mother than Stillwater. They're having a special show at The Blind Dog (the old Roxy, or 'O' or Rez or Bernie's World or...) to shoot their new video and they're being joined by local piano metal juggernauts Sledgehammer. That's some loud goodness right there.

Down With Webster (Toronto, ON) wsg MicLordz & Sauce Funky, Street Pharmacy (Welland, ON) and New Stage Loop
The Chubby Pickle (762 Ouellette Ave.)
Combining energetic party-flavoured hip hop with live jamming, Down With Webster are becoming quite the buzz on the Canadian indie scene. Not to be outdone, Windsor's own hip-hop funkmasters MicLordz & Sauce Funky will be ensuring this party has a distinctive 519 flavour as well. Also on the bill are the ska sounds of Street Pharmacy and new hip hop sounds from Windsor called New Stage Loop.

Adam Gilchrist
Taloola Cafe (396 Devonshire Rd.)
The former frontman for two of Windsor's elite indie rock bands of the early part of this decade - The Butterfield Gateway and Caught In The Moss - has resurfaced as an honest and sincere singer/songwriter. Although the edge of his former projects has melted away, the melody and songwriting are only getting better. An intimate showcase at Taloola, it starts at 8:30pm and ends around 10pm.

Sunday March 22

ALL AGES: The Big Bang featuring
Escapes, Rose City Disaster, Academy Drive, Problem Child, We Are The Bravest, Stockholme Avenue, Yours To Call, Monroe, Falling From Glory, I Am The Vine, Queen Anne's Lace
The Chubby Pickle (762 Ouellette Ave.)
Another All-Ages hardcore blow-out at The Chubby Pickle. Doors are at 3pm for this all-day event.

Dusty
Aardvark's Blues Cafe (89 University Ave. West)
One of the city's premiere entertainers, hand down, he plays an impressive mix of songs, from outlaw country to rock and roll to a little dab of hair metal. Genuinely super dude with a great sense of humour.

Open Mic with Dan Marshall
The FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. West)
Meters To Miles' frontman Dan Marshall leads an impromptu Open Mic at the Old Fish Market each and every Sunday.

WEEK IN PREVIEW: March 9 - 15, 2009

Here's a quick glance at the week ahead in music in the Windsor area. For sound samples for shows, click on the bands names for a quick trip to their MySpace or other music outlet site.

Monday March 9

The Milkmen
Milk Coffee Bar (68 University Ave. West)
Another night of chillaxin' at Milk with the sultry improv jazz sessions of the Monday Milkmen.

Open Mic Surgery with Tara Watts
Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West)
The always delightful Tara Watts hosts an eclectic open mic session on Phog's stage. For the first-timer to the stage veteran, you never know who will show up and sing a song.

Open Mic with Clinton Hammond
The Kildare House (1880 Wyandotte St. East)
Windsor's longest running Open Mic continues along without any signs of showing down! The charismatic Clinton Hammon runs the gauntlet of the Open Mic - sing a song, tell a joke, the stage is open!

Tuesday March 10

Ron Leary & "Mr. Chill" Kelly Hoppe
Aardvark's Blues Cafe (89 University Ave. West)
Ron Leary and Mr. Chill play a smattering of songs, with some choice covers mixed in with songs from Leary's brilliant debut CD, theroadinbetween, and Mr. Chill's fantastic Cold Testament.

The Last Trio
Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West)
Alan Penner leads a rotating cast of some of the city's finest players through jazz interpretations and beyond. Note the venue change! This is due to the live taping of "The Comic Book Syndicate" at the Last Trio's usual Tuesday home at The FM Lounge.

Clare Renaud's Session
The Kildare House (1880 Wyandotte St. East)
A real traditional Celtic feel to this impromptu jam session that has all the flair of a Cape Breton house party. You never know who's going to stop by with what instrument and play what song. And the beer ain't half band neither.

Open Mic with Stefanie Sarafianos
The Mill Tavern (3199 Sandwich St.)
One half of the sisterly duo Twisted Sisters, Stephanie leads a cast of musicians of all types of experience each week on the West end.

Open Mic with Andrew MacLeod
The Dominion House (3140 Sandwich St.)
Andrew MacLeod leads another Open Mic on the West end, showcasing many of the city's finest songwriters and drinkers.

Tuesday Night Music Club with Jamie Reaume
Twig N' Berries (2135 Wyandotte St. East)
Former Foreign Film Star frontman Jamie Reaume (and currently a part of The Golden Eagles) leads an all-star cast of local musicians through one of the city's wildest Open Mac jam sessions.

Open Mic with Travis Reitsma
The Sanctuary Coffee Lounge (1735 College Ave., 6-10pm)
"The Heartbreak Kid" will woo you with his own songs and share the stage for you showcase your own at one of Windsor's best kept secrets and coffee lounges.

Wednesday March 11

ALL-AGES: The Breathing Process (Connecticut) , Whisteria Cottage (Baltimore, MD) and The World We Knew (New York, NY) wsg The Dead’s Elite, Analyze the Catastrophy, Abstractionist
The Chubby Pickle (762 Ouellette Ave.)
This all-ages metal assault is a nice blend of touring national and local support. The Breathing Process headlines this mosh pit ballet with their fierce metal inspired by the likes of Emperor, Meshuggah and Dimmu Borgir, coming to Canada with U.S. imports Whisteria Cottage and The World We Knew. Local metal heavyweights The Dead's Elite bring some Windsor tonnage to the show, along with newcomers Analyze The Catastrophy and Abstractionist. Doors at 6pm.


Daren Dobsky & Josh Zalev
Aardvark's Blues Cafe (89 University Ave. West)
Dobsky and Zalev lead an occassional all-star ensemble through a series of covers, from Led Zeppelin to Jeff Buckley, rock and roll to the blues.

Kenneth MacLeod
The Dominion House Tavern (3140 Sandwich St.)
Kenneth MacLeod is a one-man musical wrecking crew. His talent is overwhelming and his intensity equally so. A variety of music, from East Coast to contemporary, with a supporting cast of local musicians.

Thursday March 12
The Windsor Scene on CJAM 91.5 FM
Randi Irving continues to host the on-air version and multi-JAMMY Award winning companion to "The Windsor Scene", each and every Thursday evening from 6pm to 7pm, on CJAM 91.5 FM, Windsor's Campus and Community Radio Station. Hear tracks from some of Windsor's current musical stars as well as nuggets from the vault, not to mention live interviews and peformances!

StereoGoesSteallar wsg ST and AMRA and Amour Amour
The Chubby Pickle (762 Ouellette Ave.)
Following the successful release of their self-titled debut at the end of last month, StereoGoesStellar is right back at it live with a show at the Pickle. They've got some great talent in the duelling piano of Amour Amour, who recently played at Phog for the International Women's Day event. ST and AMRA is the electro-improv duo featuring Adam Rideout-Arkell of Yellow Wood and Stefan Cvetkovic (Efan! and Michou).

Huladog
The FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. West)
Always a great night of live jazz and funk jams by a group of Windsor's premiere players. Huladog have been at it for years now and they play the perfect blend of great jazz and booty shakin' funk.

Jamie Reaume
The Gourmet Emporium (1799 Wyandotte St. East)
The former brainchild behind Foreign Film Star, Reaume is still one of the city's hardest working musicians. Despite the break-up of FFS last year, Reaume keeps busy with a series of shows throughout the week around the city showcasing a deep pocket full of songs. Watch for the upcoming CD release party for his new band, The Golden Eagles, later this month!

"Mr. Chill" Kelly Hoppe, Tom Hogarth and Chris Borshuk
Mezzo Ristorante & Lounge (804 Erie St. East)
Mr. Chill teams up with the incomparable voice of Tom Hogarth as well as Chris Borshuk for this intimate showcase. A great night for dinner and some music.

Friday March 13

Explode When They Bloom wsg Death or Comber
The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, below Pogo's)
Pick of the Week: I've said many things over the past year about Explode When They Bloom and I've meant every word. These guys play great songs with a passion that is as real as the music. I've seen them in their developing stages and seen them recently and it's always an absolute joy watching a band claw its way to its own individuality and sound and then, when they've reached that mountain, bring down the Hammer of the Gods. These guys are in for a helluva ride. Death or Comber may be relatively new on the Windsor live scene but I'll bet they're standing room only by the summer. A great brand of post-punk with killer songwriting, these guys are the real deal. Reminiscent of bands like Shudder To Think and Built To Spill, these guys could be my new favourite local band and I just discovered them. This show is going to be intense.

89X presents
Two Hours Traffic (Charlottetown, PEI) wsg Songs From A Room (Toronto, ON) and The Tree Streets
The Chubby Pickle (762 Ouellette Ave.)
PEI's Two Hours Traffic have come along way since the first time they played Windsor. They've played both Phog and the Avalon Front (taking part in one of the P.A. Festivals there) and they've impressed with each visit. Since then they've become nationally recognized indie rock champions in Canada, heralded by the national mainstream media. Backing them up is Toronto's Songs From A Room, a band that actually formed right here in Windsor several years back. Local indie pop favourites The Tree Streets open the show.

The Mix Massacre featuring
Kero, Vex, (wh)y.m.e.(??), Stephen Hargreaves and Josh Bryant
Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West)
Some of Windsor's finest electronic purveyors of alternative beats get together for a real mash-up bash. There's going to be a lot of lap tops on stage this night but the results will be an eclectic collection of beats and electronic sounds from some of Windsor's finest.

[GrounD] with special guest DJ Waseem
Empire Lounge (128 University Ave. West, above California Sushi, across from Capitol Theatre)
It's impressive to see how the [GrounD] DJ team of J-Wild and Mach-X have taken this night from slow beginnings on a Sunday at Light Bar (when it was known as [Bright]) to a full blown Friday night dance party on Fridays at the Empire Lounge. Electronic music the way Windsor/Detroit is known for, these guys push the platforms combining old school electro sounds with the newest beats. They're joined this night by guest DJ Waseem who apparently is doing his last show in Windsor as he prepares for film school in Vancouver.

Guitar Army
Aardvark's (89 University Ave. West)
Day one of a two night stand at Aarvark's Blues Cafe, Guitar Army (formerly known as Elad's Guitar Army) is a collection of players from Windsor's punk legacy, featuring members of The Spy's and The Hard Tops to mention a few. They play a wicked mix of rock and roll covers from The Stooges to The Rolling Stones as well as originals from their various CD's.

Mark Blomsteel (Rotterdam, The Netherlands) wsg Bridget
Milk Coffee Bar
Not sure how this show came about, but this dude is from the Netherlands (where he apparently still lives) and this is his only show booked. Heck of a long way to come for a show but I'm sure there's more to this than his MySpace is letting on. Perhaps its the absinthe. Singer/songwriter pop, he's joined by local chauntreuse Bridget.

Open Mic with Tara Watts
Cafe Morena (999 Erie St. East)
Tara's second weekly Open Mic is the heart of the Erie St. Village and offers a more relaxed and intimate venue.

Saturday March 14

The United Steel Workers of Montreal (Montreal, QC) wsg The Locusts Have No King
Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West)
Montreal's raucous USWoM are currently crossing the country in support of their latest release, Three on a Tree, bringing their blistering "blue collar alt. country" shows to stages far and near. Think if The Pogues combined with Uncle Tupelo and then covered songs by Hank Williams or Bill Monroe and you're getting warmer to what to expect. These guys are good friends and label mates (Weeworks Records) of Windsor favourites, The Unsettlers. Our very own alt. country ambassadors The Locusts Have No King warm up the party.

Inward Eye (Winnipeg, MB) and One Second 2 Late (Oshawa, ON) wsg PurpleOrange, Citizen Erased, Sixty First Second and A Point in 7
The Chubby Pickle (762 Ouellette Ave.)
J Records' Inward Eye is in the middle of massive tour schedule throughout North America (capped off by joining the Van's Warped Tour in the summer) but they're bringing their Clash-meets-Kinks punk rawk to The Chubby Pickle, with Sony Records' One Second 2 Late in support. As always, the Pickle loads the show with some great local support, with a couple of resurrections (Citizen Erased features former members of PlusMinus-X, while Sixty First Second played for years as Focal Point), plus the duo of PurpleOrange and new pop-punk sounds of A Point in 7.

Ancestors (Toronto, ON), LunchMeat (Toronto, ON), Gnar Sesh and Hard Sell
The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, below Pogo's)
Great sounds from two great Toronto bands, joined by two local Windsor punk outfits. Toronto's Ancestors bring some great sounds reminiscent of Melvins and Jesus Lizard, while LunchMeat (despite their name) sounds like mid-90's shoegazy Britpop. Rumours have it that this could be Gnar Sesh's last show in Windsor (at least with this line-up) and to be honest, I'm not sure if Hard Sell is indeed on this bill. Gnar Sesh's MySpace claims they are, but Hard Sell's listings show not show scheduled. The Coach's site says Monument is playing but Monument's site shows nothing. The first three bands are definitely there though and that may be good enough.

"Mr. Chill" Kelly Hoppe and Greg Cox
The Kildare House (1880 Wyandotte St. East)
"Mr. Chill" and fellow Witness Greg Cox pull into the fine pub atmosphere of The Kildare House where they'll deliver some great sets of roots and blues standards, not to mention a choice selection of songs from their debut album, Mr. Chill's Cold Testament.

Guitar Army
Aardvark's (89 University Ave. West)
Second night of Guitar Army's Aardvark's invasion. See the first night show (on Friday) for more info.

Bree Gaudette
Taloola Cafe (396 Devonshire Rd.)
Just off playing the International Women's Day event at Phog Lounge this past Sunday, Bree brings her acoustic stylings to Taloola for one of their infamous intimate showcases. These shows are early remember, starting at 8:30pm and done by 10. Great way to start off a night with a bite to eat and organic tea or coffee before heading out later.

Big Wiggle
The Gourmet Emporium (1799 Wyandotte St. East)

Sunday March 15

Michou wsg Amos Transparent (Ottawa, ON) and The Library Voices (Regina, SK)
Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West)
This is a very close second for Pick of the Week. Michou is easily Windsor's hottest act right now. Everything they touch turns to gold and they've already started work on new songs (some of which have shown up on their MySpace of late) while still touring in support of 2008's stellar Myshkin. Amos The Transparent were indie rock darlings for much of 2008, hitting many of the big festivals (Pop Montreal and Halifax Pop Explosion) and receiving critical acclaim across the board. The Library Voices are touring in support of their new EP and it'll be surprising to see how well this 10-piece pop band fits on a stage like Phog's. Should make for quite the moment.

Dusty
Aardvark's Blues Cafe (89 University Ave. West)
One of the city's premiere entertainers, hand down, he plays an impressive mix of songs, from outlaw country to rock and roll to a little dab of hair metal. Genuinely super dude with a great sense of humour.

Open Mic with Dan Marshall
The FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. West)
Meters To Miles' frontman Dan Marshall leads an impromptu Open Mic at the Old Fish Market each and every Sunday.

WEEK IN PREVIEW: March 2 - 8, 2009

Here's a quick glance at the week ahead in music in the Windsor area. For sound samples for shows, click on the bands names for a quick trip to their MySpace or other music outlet site.

Monday March 2

The Milkmen
Milk Coffee Bar (68 University Ave. West)
Another night of chillaxin' at Milk with the sultry improv jazz sessions of the Monday Milkmen.

Open Mic Surgery with Tara Watts
Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West)
The always delightful Tara Watts hosts an eclectic open mic session on Phog's stage. For the first-timer to the stage veteran, you never know who will show up and sing a song.

Open Mic with Clinton Hammond
The Kildare House (1880 Wyandotte St. East)
Windsor's longest running Open Mic continues along without any signs of showing down! The charismatic Clinton Hammon runs the gauntlet of the Open Mic - sing a song, tell a joke, the stage is open!

Tuesday March 3

Ron Leary & "Mr. Chill" Kelly Hoppe
Aardvark's Blues Cafe (89 University Ave. West)
Ron Leary and Mr. Chill play a smattering of songs, with some choice covers mixed in with songs from Leary's brilliant debut CD, theroadinbetween, and Mr. Chill's fantastic Cold Testament.

The Last Trio
The FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. West)
Alan Penner leads a rotating cast of some of the city's finest players through jazz interpretations and beyond.

Clare Renaud's Session
The Kildare House (1880 Wyandotte St. East)
A real traditional Celtic feel to this impromptu jam session that has all the flair of a Cape Breton house party. You never know who's going to stop by with what instrument and play what song. And the beer ain't half band neither.

Open Mic with Stefanie Sarafianos
The Mill Tavern (3199 Sandwich St.)
One half of the sisterly duo Twisted Sisters, Stephanie leads a cast of musicians of all types of experience each week on the West end.

Open Mic with Andrew MacLeod
The Dominion House (3140 Sandwich St.)
Andrew MacLeod leads another Open Mic on the West end, showcasing many of the city's finest songwriters and drinkers.

Tuesday Night Music Club with Jamie Reaume
Twig N' Berries (2135 Wyandotte St. East)
Former Foreign Film Star frontman Jamie Reaume (and currently a part of The Golden Eagles) leads an all-star cast of local musicians through one of the city's wildest Open Mac jam sessions.

Open Mic with Travis Reitsma
The Sanctuary Coffee Lounge (1735 College Ave., 6-10pm)
"The Heartbreak Kid" will woo you with his own songs and share the stage for you showcase your own at one of Windsor's best kept secrets and coffee lounges.

Wednesday March 4

Daren Dobsky & Josh Zalev
Aardvark's Blues Cafe (89 University Ave. West)
Dobsky and Zalev lead an occassional all-star ensemble through a series of covers, from Led Zeppelin to Jeff Buckley, rock and roll to the blues.

Kenneth MacLeod
The Dominion House Tavern (3140 Sandwich St.)
Kenneth MacLeod is a one-man musical wrecking crew. His talent is overwhelming and his intensity equally so. A variety of music, from East Coast to contemporary, with a supporting cast of local musicians.

Thursday March 5

The Windsor Scene on CJAM 91.5 FM
Randi Irving continues to host the on-air version and multi-JAMMY Award winning companion to "The Windsor Scene", each and every Thursday evening from 6pm to 7pm, on CJAM 91.5 FM, Windsor's Campus and Community Radio Station. Hear tracks from some of Windsor's current musical stars as well as nuggets from the vault, not to mention live interviews and peformances! On this Thursday's edition, yours truly will be on the air with Ms. Irving to discuss this blog, some up-coming shows and listen to tunes!

Perilelle, Vultures! and Two For The Cascade
The Whiskey (300 Ouellette Ave., below A-Channel)
The debut night of my own group, Jamie S. Greer Promotions, I'll be booking the first Thursday of every month at The Whiskey as a special local Windsor showcase. The premiere night couldn't have worked out better! An interesting look at the different ways electronics can be used to augment different styles of music. Two For The Cascade turn singer/songwriter acoustics to a whole new level of atmospheric with the additions of a Moog, a Theramin and an iPhone(!); Vultures! takes kick ass Queens of the Stone Age type rock and roll and Moogs the F out of it; Perilelle showcases the amazing vitality and originality of her voice with an electronic soundscape. Show starts EARLY, with the first band beginning at 10pm sharp - so get there early and enjoy a great night!

Everlea (Kingston) wsg Michou, Efan!, Flaming Yawn and In Love Divinity
The Chubby Pickle (762 Ouellette Ave.)
Kingston's indie pop darlings roll through Windsor on their Ontario tour with a stop at the Pickle and they've loaded the local support with one of our best. Michou will be joining the warm-up crew as they themselves warm up for a cross Canada trek of their own, as well as the brilliance of Efan! Local newcomers Flaming Yawn and In Love Divinity round out the bill.

Huladog
The FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. West)
Always a great night of live jazz and funk jams by a group of Windsor's premiere players. Huladog have been at it for years now and they play the perfect blend of great jazz and booty shakin' funk.

"Mr. Chill" Kelly Hoppe, Tom Hogarth and Chris Borshuk
Mezzo Ristorante & Lounge (804 Erie St. East)
Mr. Chill teams up with the incomparable voice of Tom Hogarth as well as Chris Borshuk for this intimate showcase. A great night for dinner and some music.

Friday March 6

Konqistador (Australia/Turkey/Windsor) wsg Dekadens (Romania) and Venis Flytrap (The Netherlands)
Pick Of The Week: Former Windsorites Konqistador bring their global travels back through Windsor to showcase their dark electronic-meets-world music sound and preview their upcoming album, Suada. These globe trotting jet-setters are bringing some international guests to the stage at Phog for what could prove to be one of the year's most unique shows. This show will have an EARLY START with the first band on at 9pm sharp and Konqistador finishing up by midnight, so get there EARLY! There...you've been warned.

Crash Parallel (Toronto) wsg Inoke Errati and Hello Bella
The Pub (University of Windsor, basement of CAW Student Centre)
Sony recording artists Crash Parallel bring their brand of melodic indie rock to the University of Windsor with what should be a high energy rock-an-rolla affair, with some healthy local support in power-pop kings Inoke Errati and indie darlings Hello Bella, currently touring many of Ontario's small towns.

ALL AGES: Outspoken (Nobleton) wsg Radio Adelaide, Cut to the Chase, Pulp City Inn, Next Door Up and The After Party
The Chubby Pickle (762 Ouellette Ave.)
The Chubby Pickle definitely leads the pack in terms of throwing some great all-ages events and this looks to be another winner. I have no clue where Nobleton, Ontario is, but their punk export Outspoken have sure been doing well. Not to mention touring with Gob and being featured in magazines internationally, they're currently touring Canada and hitting Windsor this night. Radio Adelaide backs them up and these hometown heroes have been tearing it up, not only locally but touring as well. After this they're off to London, Toronto and Montreal, with their buzz just picking up steam with each show. The high energy punk from new comers Cut To The Chase, Pulp City Inn, Next Door Up and The After Party round out this all-ages event. ALL AGES, doors at 5pm.

The Original Lady Eyes wsg Justin Alexander
The Chubby Pickle (762 Ouellette Ave.)
Local troupe The Original Lady Eyes have been brandishing a unique sound of indie alternative that harkens back to the early days of college radio of the 1980's, like classic R.E.M. and The Cure, without losing its modern sensibilitues.

Mr. Chill & The Witnesses
Big Tony's Original Woodfired Pizza (911 Walker Rd.)
"Mr. Chill" Kelly Hoppe and his Witnesses play an intimate show at a great pizza joint. If you feel like some music with a bit of food without the bar crowd, this is your place to go.

Kara Kaufmann and Nicole Wood
The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, below Pogo's)
The Coach takes a break from its usual diet of metal and hardcore with a night showing off some of the new voices of Windsor's female artists. Kara Kaufmann has been wowing limited audiences the past few years and Nicole Wood (who's also a bartender at The Coach and one of the friendliest faces you'll meet in Windsor) has been impressing many with her recent outings to Open Mics. A perfect warm-up for this month's Smash The Glass Festival.

Open Mic with Tara Watts
Cafe Morena (999 Erie St. East)
Tara's second weekly Open Mic is the heart of the Erie St. Village and offers a more relaxed and intimate venue.

George Thorogood & The Destroyers
The Coliseum at Ceasar's Windsor
Bad to the Bone. Yeah, that George Thorogood. I mean, he's fun once in while when you're loaded on Jack and it comes on the radio or something, but I'm just not sure I could justify spending that much money and have to sit through 2 hours of it. But hey, that's just me. I'd rather spend the money on one bourbon, one scotch and one beer. There. I said it.


Saturday March 7

Assassinate The Following, Odium (Walkerton), Punish Them (London) and In A Hail of Gunfire
The Coach & Horses (156 Chatham St. West, below Pogo's)
Another night of superb local metal as only the Coach can offer. This is a showcase of two of Windsor's nu-blood of metal, showcasing the music that has them playing shows in all corners of Windsor-Essex county to a rapid following. Rounding out the bill is Walkerton's powerful Odium and London's Punish Them.

What Seas, What Shores wsg Michael Hargreaves, Leighton Bain and Brian Murphy
Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West)
What Seas, What Shores continues to mesmorize with their intense instrumental soundscapes and these guys just get better and better as the years progress. Joining them for this show are the solo efforts of Michou's Michael Hargreaves, the reflective songstyling of Leighton Bain and the singer/songwriter showcase of Brian Murphy.

ALL-AGES: Wings of Hope Fundraiser featuring
Tyburn Tree, Jamie Reaume and Adam Gowanlock
The University of Windsor Student Pub (in the basement of the CAW Student Centre)
Local Windsor students and musicians unite to put on a benefit show to raise money to fight breast cancer. A worthy event for a worthy cause. This is an All-Ages event that begins at 8pm.

Guitar Army
The Blind Dog (671 Ouellette Ave.)
A collective of some of Windsor's punk rock legacy from the late 70's/early 80's, the Guitar Army is fronted by Dale "Elad" D'Amore, one of the founders of legendary Windsor punk rock outfit, The Spy's. Guitar Army have released a handful of great albums of their own over the past decade ("Drop The Gloves" from their debut is a great balls-out rocker) and mixed with some Spy's songs and some choice covers, this will be a rock and roll treat.

Seraphim
The Gourmet Emporium (1799 Wyandotte St. East)
Local music veterans Daren Dobsky (Royal Dose, The Regulars, Is There A Band In The House?) and Nick Belulis (MISSILES, Fiction, Is There A Band In The House?) team together for a night of select covers and past collaborations.

The Locusts Have No King
Taloola Cafe
Always a treat whenever they play, this will be enjoyably more so, as the four hit Taloola's intimate stage for a completely unplugged and acoustic showcase. Mixed with all the great teas, coffees and food that Taloola offers, this is a great early night show for the early to beds or a great starter for a Saturday night. EARLY SHOW starting at 8:30pm and ending at 10pm.

Sunday March 8

Smash The Glass Preview Showcase featuring
This Is Me As A Woman, Tara Watts, Amour Amour, Perilelle, Bree Gaudette, Monique Belanger, Erica DiMaio and Nicole Markham.
Phog Lounge (157 University Ave. West)
Smash The Glass has emerged as a viable new musical festival each year in Windsor, showcasing the powerhouse females of Windsor's independent music scene. This preview kick-off party (which coincides with International Woman's Day) runs the gammut of who's who, with some of the scene's best female acts of the past few years (Watts, Perilelle, This Is Me As A Woman, Belanger) as well as some of the up-and-comers who are turning heads and attracting ears.

Dusty
Aardvark's Blues Cafe (89 University Ave. West)
One of the city's premiere entertainers, hand down, he plays an impressive mix of songs, from outlaw country to rock and roll to a little dab of hair metal. Genuinely super dude with a great sense of humour.

Open Mic with Dan Marshall
The FM Lounge (156 Chatham St. West)
Meters To Miles' frontman Dan Marshall leads an impromptu Open Mic at the Old Fish Market each and every Sunday.

FROM THE VAULT: Johnny West Interview (Aug. 1, 2005)

Many years ago, before The Windsor Scene arrived on CJAM 91.5 FM or in Upfront Magazine or WAMM Magazine, it was merely a web site, full of links and interviews.

Once such interview I did years ago was with a singer/songwriter who was as talented and prolific as he was a mystery to most people in the local music scene. I had only discovered him at the nudging of CJAM Station Manager and local musician Adam Fox, but I can honestly say I'm glad I did. His name is Johnny West and, although he's much more known now than he was then, he's still somewhat of an enigma. He plays very fleetingly in public but releases several releases a year. His last two - 2008's brilliant The Chicken Angel Woman With A Triangle and this year's An Absence of Sway (which I regret to say I haven't heard yet) - were both made available to pick up for free at Dr. Disc in downtown Windsor. That's right. He gives away his CDs for free.

Anyway, this interview was done August 1, 2005, for the release of his latest CD (at the time), Nostalgia Triggering Mechanism.

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In music, it seems that the genius’ are always the one’s perceived as being just a little crazy. Brian Wilson, Syd Barrett, Frank Zappa. Even Windsor’s own Alexander “Skip” Spence (original drummer for Jefferson Starship, co-founder of Moby Grape) flirted with the genius tag before schizophrenia kicked in. But it’s not the mental illness paranoia that gets them their names in the record books – it’s the way they go about creating their music. They think, the move, they play – they create­ – completely outside the box. They don’t set parameters or guide lines to confine their music; they simply release it and let the notes, chords and melodies land where they may. Windsor may have its own resident genius, burrowed away in his home studios, creating some of the most exciting and mind-blowing music – those kinds of songs that seem beyond any realm of instinctual writing, but somehow manages to hit upon every emotion or grand idea. His name is Johnny West and he is easily Windsor’s best kept secret. He has recorded more albums in the past two years than most bands will record in their career. And each album speaks like a different voice within his communal mind – sometimes sounding like a collaboration exchange between Beck and Brian Wilson, other times like Nick Drake working with Ween. There are sounds that at first don’t seem to fit until you slowly realize it’s your mind that doesn’t fit – your brain is trying to perceive the pop sounds the way it was told to, not how it actually wants to listen to them. And once you manage to wrap your ears around his pop orchestrations, its hard to turn away. And even then, you can still hear them haunting your own mind, just as surely as they did his prior to him recording them for us all to hear. The Windsor Scene managed to interrupt the work in progress and talk to the man himself about his own views and opinions, on himself, his music and the state of the creative spirit.

What music inspired you to want to start making your own music?

Johnny: I don’t think anything really inspired me…I just had a desire to create music that didn’t seem to stem from anything in particular. I always had music in my head, long before I could articulate it in any coherent form. I’ve been told stories of how, when I was very young, I would stagger over to a table or refrigerator and start hammering out a rhythm with my hands. Only, instead of being formless noise, it was an intricate pattern that seemed to be accompanying some unheard music. But hey, I’m just going on what other people have told me… I do remember incurring the wrath of my kindergarten teacher for singing at inappropriate times, and I irritated a few people in later grade school years when I would use my pencil box as a snare drum. I also brought about the violent deaths of a few pens that way. Their dying cries still haunt me at night.

I started renting various keyboards around the time I was eleven years old, before getting one to call my own for Christmas. In the beginning I didn’t have much of anything resembling talent, but I didn’t let that stop me from improvising half-baked songs about ducks and firearms. Those songs are still kicking around on tape, too.

Over the years I acquired different instruments and taught myself how to play them, did the same with recording equipment, and gradually became less terrible at whatever it is that I do. There’s kind of a funny story about how I ended up playing guitar the way I do, but no one seems to notice that there’s anything unconventional going on unless they actually see me play. I’m just glad I discovered a way to get some sound out of the instrument that isn’t entirely hideous.

Did you see any local bands prior to getting into music?

Johnny: I didn’t, and I could probably count the number of local bands I’ve seen perform throughout my life on two hands. Or maybe two hands and a foot. I’m not exactly sure.

How long have you been making music?

Johnny: I’ve been making and recording music in various forms for about ten years now. I don’t think any of my other projects lasted for much longer than two years, though it’s difficult to say with all the jumping around we did.

So do you play with any backing band?

Johnny: I don’t have a band at the moment. I did at one point, but it dissolved more than three years ago, and I don’t expect I’ll ever put another one together. There don’t seem to be many people who are interested in working the way that I do - and if they are, they’re about as reliable as a homemade pregnancy test. Things operate a lot more smoothly when I do everything myself.

So who was this mystery prior band…

Johnny: I had a two-man outfit from about 1998 - 2001 called Papa Ghostface, with Gord Thompson and my then-less-hairy self trading off instrumental duties. We recorded a lot of fairly insane, mostly-improvised music that I don't think I could come up with any intelligible description for. In July of 2000, that accidentally evolved into Guys With Dicks (the real band). I came up with the name as a joke (the first CD was called "Without Dicks"), thinking we would never play together again, but people kept flitting in and out of the picture until we were whittled down to a lean three-piece in the last quarter of 2001. Gord took over bass duties and Tyson Taylor moved behind the drum kit. There was also a short-lived side-project I worked on with Tyson called Mr. Sinister, but only one CD came out of that. The band broke up near the end of May 2002, though there wasn't an exact date. Gord is now the lead guitarist in Surdaster, while Tyson plays the drums for tech metal purveyors Closed Casket Funeral. Tyson and I have talked a few times about trying to make music together again, but I'm not sure if it'll ever happen.

What would it take to get you into another band nowadays?

Johnny: Reliability is half the battle. I would have to know that people were going to show up roughly when they said they would. I can't work with people who have no concept of time (and no respect for mine) anymore. I've done it more than once, and it nearly cost me what little sanity I have.

It's difficult for me to find people I would want to work with, and whenever I think about it I usually come to the conclusion that it doesn't make any sense to even bother looking for them, because I know what I want to do, and I wouldn't enjoy taking other people through it step by step. The main reason Papa Ghostface and Guys With Dicks worked was because almost all of the music was created through improvisation, and we were able to tap into something that allowed us to follow one another. That wouldn't work now, because I don't operate that way anymore. I think I'd start to feel like a dictator if I was constantly telling other musicians what notes to play, where and how to play them...I mean, to me, that kind of defeats the entire purpose of playing with other people.

The only thing I can think of that would get me back in a band setting at this point would be if I came across someone who was capable of bringing something really unique to the table, with no interest in working from any kind of musical template. I've thought a few times about trying to put together a band to make music that's more ambient in nature and has nothing to do with my solo endeavours, but I'm not sure I have the patience to pursue something like that. Maybe once I'm done working through all the music that's in my brain right now, I'll give it some more thought.

But right now, I know what I want, and for some strange reason I'm able to bring it to fruition without any outside interference. It's not that I'm a visionary artist, or a musician of virtuosic proportions, or anything like that...I think I'm just getting closer to knowing what I'm doing. Once I figure it out, it'll probably be time to do something else. Maybe put together a graveyard jazz outfit, with long, winding songs about love and corruption within the animal kingdom.

How would you describe your sound?

Johnny: Back when I had a band, I wasn’t sure what to call our music. I once referred to it as “stoner blues” as a joke. My drummer called it “fucked”, and played out a scenario in which someone walked into HMV and asked where the fucked section was. My solo work is quite different from anything I’ve done with other musicians, and I’ve never been able to describe it or stuff it into a specific genre, outside of saying, “This CD’s mostly synth-based,” or, “This one’s more organic, and there are more nasty words.” This sometimes leads to exchanges like the following:

SOME RANDOM PERSON: “What kind of music do you make?”

ME: “Uh…Johnny West music, I guess.”

SOME RANDOM PERSON: “What the hell kind of music is that?”

ME: “You’re asking the wrong guy. Here—have some CDs!”

Generally, the only way I can adequately convey to someone the kind of music I make is to give them a CD or five. The trade-off is that people don’t usually tell me I sound like some other artist or band, which is nice.

I don’t seem to stay in one place for very long, so it’s difficult to come up with any kind of blanket term that applies to the music I make. But if I was forced to describe my sound, I guess I would call it “disjointed non-pop”.

Do you remember your first live show?

Johnny: Oh yes. Our first (and, as it turned out, second-last) show was quite an event. My bassist organized it. His parents worked at the Windsor Sportsman’s Club, and he told me he could get us a show there. In theory, we’d be able to use the house band’s equipment and play for as long as we wanted. The day of the show, I discovered that he had never spoken to anyone about us playing. We ended up transporting most of the equipment from my quasi-studio, only to discover that no one knew we were going to be performing. Eventually they agreed to let us play, but we weren’t allowed to use the stage. We set up on the floor and got through two songs before we were told patrons were complaining and we would have to stop. Less than twenty minutes after setting up, we were taking things apart and leaving. My band mates were crushed; I thought the whole thing was kind of funny, and made a mental note never to let Gord (the bassist) organize a gig again. In the end, my drummer and I celebrated our success by getting somewhat inebriated and butchering someone else’s music.

What was your most memorable incident playing with your band?

Johnny: Playing at a dinner banquet—which was a hilariously inappropriate atmosphere for the kind of music we made—and having most of the audience leave before we even started playing because the evening had stretched on longer than anticipated. We weren’t able to start playing until about an hour and-a-half later than expected. A few songs into our set, we were playing to about ten people out of the three or four hundred who had shown up. I punctuated serious songs with stupid facial expressions, and we joked back and forth with the people we knew (our entire audience, really). The first two songs of our set were captured on video, and it’s kind of funny to watch, knowing that the band was about to disintegrate almost immediately after that show. We were pretty tight, too.

How has the audience reaction been to your music?

Johnny: I rarely play live, but everyone who hears my music seems to respond to it in a positive way. It never ceases to surprise me. Even more shocking is the fact that some people have used select CDs of mine for make-out purposes. I’ve certainly never thought about it along those lines. But I enjoy getting any kind of feedback from people who’ve heard my music. It’s the closest I’ve been able to come to approaching it objectively, even if it’s kind of a vicarious pursuit.

Why have you chosen not to play live?

Johnny: I have a strange relationship with live performance. I think I would enjoy it a lot more if I had other musicians to play off of, because then we could stretch things out and improvise. It's not the same when it's just me up there, playing songs that generally weren't intended to be stripped down to guitar and voice. I enjoy the idea of boiling things down and giving songs a different interpretation, but for some reason I don't like being responsible for everything that happens onstage. I also don't like playing songs that have already been recorded, even if most of the people in the audience wouldn't have heard those songs anyway, so I end up pulling out a lot of new material and then losing interest in it after it's been performed. I think I enjoy the recording process a lot more---not because I'm a perfectionist (one listen to any of my CDs would quickly dispel that idea), but because the songs have time to unfurl and decide how they want to be treated. Having said that, it is nice when you get paid and realize that you don't have to share the money with anyone else.

It's kind of funny, though...back when I was aggressively trying to get shows, giving CDs to different people at different venues and following up repeatedly (and this is going back about two years), no one would give me the time of day. All I wanted was to play somewhere occasionally to see how people responded to the music, but I couldn't get anyone to listen to a CD let alone give me a date. When I finally said to hell with it and lost interest in the idea of playing live, people suddenly started telling me I should get out there and play at different places. I ended up playing one show at Phog, which is a great, open-minded venue, but there don't seem to be many other places in this city that would be interested in my kind of music. Of course, if one of my CDs got reviewed on pitchforkmedia.com and I started to get industry attention, I'm sure The Avalon and other places that shunned me would become incredibly supportive overnight.

So I guess there are a few different reasons for my losing interest in the idea of live performance. I'm all for catching some great live jazz, though.

What are your future plans for yourself, musically?

Johnny: I just intend to keep doing what I’m doing—making the music I want to make (whatever that may be at any given time), and then giving the resultant CDs to a handful of people who might be interested. I decided a few years back that I would never allow myself to write another song that incorporated a chorus or followed the traditional A-B-A format, so I plan to keep experimenting with structure and dynamics. I have about three different CDs in the works right now, though I’m not sure if they’ll emerge in that form when all is played and sung. But there should be some new stuff available before the end of the year.

What do you feel about the local Windsor music scene?

Johnny: Kind of indifferent. I know there are talented bands out there, but I’ve never been the kind of person to go out to a lot of shows and investigate. Part of my indifference probably stems from the fact that I’ve never really felt like I was a part of the scene. I’ve never had much interest in playing live and building a following; I just make music for myself. That’s something that still seems to puzzle some people.

What local bands currently excite you?

Johnny: I don’t think there are any local bands that currently excite me. Maybe that’s because I just don’t seem to get excited about a lot of music in general. I’ve been meaning to check out some things for a while now, particularly Ten Year Drought, but I never seem to get around to it with all the other music I’m trying to wade through. I liked the set Ryan Fields and his cohorts unveiled at Phog when we played on the same bill earlier this year.

So what kind of music do you find exciting?

Johnny: A lot of the music I listen to was created by bands that are defunct or artists who are no longer living, but there's some music being made right now that really grabs me. Idaho (Jeff Martin's endlessly-evolving project) is consistently amazing and unpredictable. Man Man are insane and great in equal doses...a bit like Tom Waits on acid, shot through with a healthy dose of twisted cabaret. Susumu Yokota makes some of the most compelling electronic music I've heard. Scout Niblett's another artist making music on her own terms. I know there are more, but I can't think of them at the moment.

Do you remember the first album you ever bought with your own money?

Johnny: Something terrible. I still have some disturbing corporate rock shit in my CD collection. It's kind of funny to keep around, if only to serve as a reminder of how much my taste has changed. My first purchase was probably something by Kansas or Journey. I was so excited when I found their obscure early albums. Before Steve Perry joined Journey! Before "Carry On My Wayward Son"! I still can't believe some of the music I used to be into before I hit puberty. Man...

What would you tell young aspiring musicians about starting a band in the Windsor scene?

Johnny: Though it’s been said often enough that it’s essentially become a cliché, it really is true that having a band is a bit like being married. It’s one thing to see someone once in a while, but when you start spending a lot more time with them under a more serious premise, it completely alters the dynamics of your relationship. In spite of the best efforts of everyone involved, things have a way of turning ugly when egos of different sizes are involved.

For someone looking to do what I do (assuming there are other aspiring one-man operations in Windsor), my advice would be to try to do as much by yourself as you possibly can. Reliable talent is very hard to find.

But above all, the most important thing is to enjoy what you’re doing, regardless of your situation. If you’re happy with the music you’re making, everything else is gravy.

So what recordings are available?

Johnny: A full discography would be a frightening undertaking. In addition to my solo work, there have been a few two-man bands/side projects, and a bona fide band that shifted line-ups about half a dozen times. There were also a few things I engineered for other people, occasionally making the odd musical contribution. All told, I’ve recorded more than 50 “official” CDs from 1999 (when I was first able to preserve my music in the digital format) to date, not counting compilations and things I recorded for other artists. The majority of the CDs have gone unheard by most people. There are also a few hundred cassette tapes covering the pre-1999 years, but most of that stuff I won’t play for anyone, although it is kind of amusing to be able to chart my voice’s gradual descent into puberty and beyond.

Having said that, here is a list of my solo work available on CD (again, not counting compilations): Nostril Saliva EP (1999), Singing the Oesophagus to Sleep (1999), Sick Shit EP (1999), Don’t Talk Like a Baby (1999), Live @ the Naked Giraffe Theatre (1999), Sleep-Deprived EP (1999), Merry Fuckin’ Christmas (1999), Here Comes Trouble EP (2000), The Lifeline & Twisted Happenings of…/WOHIS (2000), Children Have No Eyes [incomplete] (2000), Sale of a Dead Man (2000), Beautifully Stupid (2002), Temporary Amnesia (2002), Keep Your Scars (2002), Live on CJAM (2003), Oh You This (2003), Nudge You Alive (2004), Pavement Hugging Daddies EP (2004), Brand New Shiny Lie (2004), Growing Sideways (2004), Who You Are Now Is Not What You Were Before (2005), Nostalgia-Triggering Mechanism EP (2005)

I didn’t start putting some amount of effort into making my CDs look somewhat presentable until Oh You This, so anything that came before would have to be a CD-R with handwritten info. Anything post-2003 comes complete with front and back inserts and a disc that doesn’t say “Verbatim” or “Maxell” on the front.

And where can one acquire these recordings?

Johnny: My CD’s are only available through/from me. To my knowledge, only one person has ever tried to find my stuff in a Dr. Disc or some other CD retailer and I think it's kind of funny trying to imagine the conversation they had with the person behind the counter.

"Do you have any CD’s by a guy named Johnny West?"

"Johnny West? Who the hell is Johnny West?"

"Well, uh, I heard it on CJAM..."

"We don't have any CD’s by Johnny West!"

"Are you sure? Maybe you could check again?"

"Don't make me hurt you."

I almost never sell CD’s, unless someone insists on giving me money; I usually just end up giving them to whoever might be interested and occasionally forcing copies on random people in bars just for the hell of it. As a result, I now have no copies left of the Pavement Hugging Daddies EP and only one or two copies left of Brand New Shiny Lie and Growing Sideways. But I think I'm going to stop sending CD’s to a handful of indie labels (I recently realized how little sense it makes, given my situation), so that should keep future CD’s around a bit longer.

So what kind of equipment do you use to record your stuff?

Johnny: I've assembled quite a bit of gear over the years, but the brainchild of my "studio" is a Roland VS-1680 digital recording workstation. I'm sure it's been obsolete for a few years now since they're constantly coming out with new, "better" and more expensive models with more tracks, but I haven't felt a need to replace it. I like being limited to 16 tracks, because it doesn't allow me to dress up songs with endless overdubs in an attempt to mask a lack of quality. A list of all my gear would make for some pretty ponderous reading, but one of my favourite pieces of equipment as of late is an old Arp Omni-2 analog synth. While it's incredibly limited compared to a digital synth, some of the sounds you can get out of it are impossible to replicate on anything else. After letting it collect dust for a few years as a makeshift shelf, it's been freed and I'm thinking about bringing it out of retirement. Also, RODE makes some nice microphones that don't necessarily break the bank. Recently I picked up a pair of K2s, which are tube mics and a bit pricier, but they may prove to be my favourite mics for acoustic guitar and other stringed things. They're sparkly and warm and...I sound like I'm trying to sell freshly-baked Christmas cookies.

While the world of software-based recording is foreign to me, it seems like a good way to allow people to record their music without having to shell out a lot of money. I can't really argue for or against it, since I don't have any experience with it. But if you don't have access to the plug-ins that format provides, mic preamps and compression are a good idea. I found that out the hard way. It helps to have a good outboard effects processor or two as well - kind of like having a spice rack. You may not always use it, but it's nice to have around.

The best piece of advice I could offer to someone looking to record their own music would be this: spending a lot of money on gear doesn't necessarily mean you'll end up with great-sounding recordings. Find equipment you like, and then learn how to use it. Experiment. Someone once said (and I paraphrase), "You can either spend a lot of money and time listening to someone talk to you about recording, or you can spend that money on recording equipment and teach yourself." I took the latter route, and while I've made a lot of mistakes, I've learned things along the way that I don't think any course would have taught me. Still, it's worth it to read up a bit about different things, particularly EQ.

Having your music professionally mastered is a nice idea, and it's great when it works, but it can be a pain in the ass trying to find someone who will do the work the way you want it done. My self-mastered CDs aren't as loud as anything you'd buy at HMV (or at least not anything recorded after 1991), but they also aren't squashed to death. I value dynamics over master volume. I also have a kazoo and a party whistle. Hear me tremble.

Then again, sometimes a 4-track and a cheap microphone are all you need. It all depends on what kind of music you're making, and what your aspirations are.

You mentioned that you’d done some engineering work with some other bands. Who have you worked with?

Johnny: I haven't recorded anyone else's music in years now, but most of what I did in the past was for friends…ADHD, Fetal Pulp, Jesse Topliffe (who's since relocated to Toronto, and with whom I essentially collaborated on a lot of what we recorded), and various other quickies. It didn't feel much like work most of the time, which is appropriate, since I usually wasn't paid much for my services. It was nice to be able to sit back and watch the music happen without getting dirty myself. A few things I recorded for people and never got around to mixing, which I find a little funny. But they never got back to me about it, so I don't think anyone was too upset.

It sounds a bit like you’re a cross between Brian Wilson and Phil Spector - without the fecal fetish father and the dead wife.

Johnny: Ha! Well, I don't think I have much of anything I could call a production style...certainly not anything as distinctive or elaborate as Brian or Phil. I'm pretty sure I did have a sandbox for a brief time during my youth, though. And I do have more than a few pairs of sunglasses, though most of them spend more time on stuffed animals than they do on my face. My stepfather resembles a rat suffering from heatstroke, if that means anything.

So who exactly is Johnny West?

Johnny: I’m probably the most cynical, profane person you’ll never meet, though you probably wouldn’t know it if you did meet me. I have such horrible luck with the opposite sex that it’s become a bit of a running joke between the left and right sides of my brain. I still can’t get my facial hair to do precisely what I’d like it to, but I’m confident I’ll get there someday.

And with that, Johnny returns to his home studio, once again answering the musical voices in his head that he captures so magically on his albums. And though they are only available through his website (or in person if you can track him down), I can guarantee you they are definitely worth the trouble and the listen. They will show you soundscapes and musical visions most people assume takes years in the studio and thousands of dollars worth of hallucinogens to achieve – you may not get it on first listen, but keep trying. It will unfold in your ear like the birth of a new audio galaxy.

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So there you have it. A little blast from The Windsor Scene past. His current album, An Absence of Sway, is available - again, for free - at Dr. Disc in downtown Windsor, just go in and ask for one (until supplies last).

For more info on his current whereabouts, he has a Blog called Dressing To Undress with all the juicy gossip of his thoughts and music as well as the seemingly obligatory MySpace, which seems to house more "works in progress" than final product.