ancouver is a busy place. With restaurants and bars opening and closing every day, concerts being performed nonstop, and news developing faster than it can be reported, it's hard to stay afloat. You need a guide. Martiniboys is here to help. Keeping our ears to the ground and our eyes to the blogs, we've collected all the hot buzz that you need to stay informed about your fair city. Whether it be a new store opening or a political scandal, you'll find it here. There's no need to thank us, we're just doing our jobs. Okay, you can thank us.



I can't throw enough praise at Mint Records. Chances are, if there's a good band and they're from B.C., they're on mint. Thus, I could have told you long in advance that The Mint Records Ridiculously Early Xmas Party would be one to mark in your calendar. One look at the lineup and I was more than proven right. The first night takes place Friday at Ukrainian Hall and features fantastic female blues-rockers the Pack A.D., along with Lois, Kellarissa, Thee Goblins, and the always fantastic Evaporators. Nardwuar the Human Serviette will also open his "Video Vault" of ludicrous celebrity interviews (Snoop Dogg is always a favourite). Day two comes Saturday at Cambrian Hall and boasts The Ramblin' Ambassadors, Hot Panda, Young and Sexy, The Awkward Stage, Bella, and Vancougar. If you're a fan of local indie rock or just good music in general, this party is a can't miss.





Trent Reznor and the boys (or girls, depending on who he decides to surround himself with that day) have been going strong since 1989. One of the few Industrial acts to cross-over into the mainstream, it's more than a little impressive that Nine Inch Nails have been able to stay there for 19 years. Reznor knows how to play the publicity game, even to this day. Adopting the Radiohead model, NIN's last two projects were released in close proximity and both as "Pay What You Want" projects available as an online download. Unfortunately, you won't be able to choose your own price for their performance at Prospera Place on Thursday but you will be able to see his remarkable band rock the rafters. There's enough material to satisfy 90's nostalgia-seekers and die-hard Trent fans, and you can expect them to play a satisfyingly long set.





You hear so much about Montreal's music scene these days that it's easy to overlook the music in your own backyard. There are a ton of great bands coming out of Vancouver. Case in point: Ladyhawk and Said the Whale play Biltmore Cabaret on Wednesday night. Ladyhawk play a brand of visceral hard rock that tends to stress the band's vulnerability (but it's not emo). These guys like to drink and so do their fans. Expect some serious moshing up front and blessed out headnodders in back. It's also worth checking out Said the Whale, an excellent blend of pop, rock, and "the indie sound". For only $10, you'd be hardpressed to find a better Wednesday night show.





Metallica was once the most popular hard rock band in the world, but then the heavy metal craze ended and all of their macho posturing started to look silly. Then came the documentary Some Kind Of Monster, which made it clear that your entire band is comprised of whiny egotists with more attitude than brains. It didn't help that this came concurrently with St. Anger, a monumental abortion of an album and quite possibly one of the worst heavy metal records of all time. You can't blame the band for waiting five years before releasing their next album, this year's Death Magnetic. The album has received some good reviews, but anything would look good next to St. Anger. Either way, their concert Tuesday at GM Place will be a nostalgia-fest full of kick-ass old material, so you have my permission to go (if you can afford tickets).





Has this been a tough work week? Do you need to blow off some steam? Saturday at Commodore Ballroom, there's a Canadian double bill that's bound to blow your ear sockets. Mike Heppner formed Priestess after all the members of his previous band, The Dropouts, left to form the Stills (a much wussier band than Priestess). But Priestess is beginning to approach mainstream popularity, opening for such bands as Dinosaur Jr. and Megadeth (which was also formed by a man whose band members abandoned him). As for 3 Inches of Blood, their ridiculous moniker should tell you a lot about the band. These Vancouverites are so over the top in their love for classic metal that many have tagged them as a parody band. But they're for real. Oh brother, they're for real.





AC/DC play GM Place Friday. Some hard rock (or should I say "rawk") purists may be upset at the band's decision to release their newest album exclusively at Walmart in the US, but really it's a misconception that the band ever had any artistic integrity to begin with. Don't get me wrong, they do what they do very well. It's just not a complicated formula: a couple of big riffs, lyrics about rocking, and a high pitched cock rock lead singer wailing overtop (it doesn't really matter whether it's Bon Scott or Brian Johnson). While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, the band's longevity is a testament to people's unfailing compliance to buy the same record over and over again. You know what to expect at this concert, but if you value consistency, that shouldn't really be a problem for you. After all, this show sold out in four minutes flat.





I have a friend who is obsessed with the Ninja Tunes record label. As a result, I'm very familiar with The Herbaliser, a Jazz hip-hop band from London. Admittedly, if not for my friend, I probably would have no idea how influential and revered they are in the electronic and downtempo community. Rather than performing their brand of instrumental hip hop on turntables, live performances include a seven piece band playing everything from saxophone to bass. You can expect a very laid back show that may be enhanced with certain herbal substances. You'll have no trouble finding any. The Herbaliser plays Thursday at Commodore Ballroom.





Why are there so many French electronic music duos? Seriously, I can name Air, Justice, and Daft Punk, and that's just off the top of my head. For years, electronic-ish rock band M83 were part of this duo trend, but a few years ago the two split. Now the "band" consists of Anthony Gonzalez and whoever he feels like surrounding himself with on stage. But for a one man band, M83 puts on one hell of a show. There's something about effects-heavy music that just translates well to live performance. Call me a sucker for musical frills, but I melt every time I hear a wah-wah pedal or an effectively-used whammy bar. There will probably be plenty of that at M83's show Wednesday at Richard's on Richards.





Brooklyn and Glasgow have lately stolen the indie-cool limelight from Sweden, though the blue and yellow tune hub still has life left in it. Ebullient and frenetic, art-punk superstars Love is All were one of the most remarkable outfits of the recent Swe-rock invasion. Generally, though, if you're Swedish, play indie rock, and have a female lead singer, hipsters will love you. I've just given you a formula for success. How well can you fake a Swedish accent? If you need a brush up, check out Love is All (not a Beatles tribute band) tonight at Richard's on Richards.





The Eastside Culture Crawl gives you an opportunity to cram a whole lot of art into a three day period. The event features artists who normally work on the east side of Vancouver, but don't expect any East Coast/West Coast battles; this event is open to everyone. Crawlers can check out a wide array of painting, photography, video, installation art, and all sorts of mixed media in between and meet the artists that made them. Artists will field questions about how the state of society affects their artistic vision and how they chose such pretty colours. Like I said, everyone is welcome. The event continues until Sunday.





The One of a Kind Show, running from today until Sunday at BC Place Stadium, is a true shopper’s dream. Like a mall, it has many different products for sale under one roof, but unlike the Pacific Centre, all the products are, as the title of the show suggests, unique. The artists, craftspeople, and designers involved in the One of a Kind Show are not selling their products at the Bay; if you want to find them, you have to know the boutiques of your city and the more up-to-date websites. The One of a Kind Show eliminates all that extra work, which is tedious especially during the cold winter months, and gathers a wide variety of unique, boutique-y products in one space. These would also make great gifts, which is helpful because I hear there's some sort of holiday coming up.





Deerhunter plays Thursday at Richard's on Richards. If there's any band that has benefited most from the intense influence of Pitchfork Media, it's Deerhunter. Every time Bradford Cox farts, Pitchfork gives it a 9.2. And that's saying a lot; between Deerhunter, side projects, and his solo career (Atlas Sound), Bradford Cox has released approximately 323 albums in the last year. Despite their ambient and post-punk influences, a Deerhunter show is usually energetic, noisy, and uber-theatrical. It's also polarizing, so get on your best pair of ironic non-prescription glasses and go with an open mind.





Straight from Brooklyn, NYC comes a much needed new genre experiment to revamp the stale infiltration of bland indie rock. Yeasayer plays heartfelt gospel showtunes with deep bass to get you feeling like you're back in church on Sunday Morning except, since this is a concert, you'll probably be drunk and/or stoned. If you follow music, blogs, or music blogs, there are good odds (somewhere in the vicinity of 2 to 1) that you've heard at least one Yeasayer track. Around the time of its release, the song "2046" took over the internet. Seriously, it was everywhere. Put a few faces to the song at this show tomorrow at Richard's on Richards and get ready for a trippy fun good time.





If you're a fan of alt-country, alt-folk, or any other sort of alt-, then you can't miss the Southwestern sounds of O'Death tonight at Media Club. Brooklyn's latest in the line of hip indie acts, these guys blend country, folk, bluegrass, indie rock, and punk in a way that is hard to describe but easy to enjoy. It's hard to explain why Canada has such a musical love affair with Americana (for evidence, see Neil Young or The Band), but there's a good chance that if you're Canadian and you like music, you'll like O'Death.





The Nearly Famous Music Festival runs from today until Sunday. The title explains the concept pretty well: these are bands that haven't hit it big yet, but are on their way. If they've never slept in their car because they can't afford a hotel room, chances are they're playing at the festival. 10 venues, including big ones like the Railway Club and Richard's on Richards, will offer 30 minutes to an hour of stage time for each act. Everything from punk to alt-country is represented at the festival. You can buy a wristband and hop around, but since you probably won't know any of the bands anyways, your best bet is to pick one and stay put. You never know, you might see the next Feist.





Like a frat boy during pledge week, Lucinda Williams forces people to drink. Her brilliantly boozy alt-country ballads and haunting voice drive hordes to the bottle, in a good way. That may be a bit tough for a Wednesday, but regardless it will be a great show when the country goddess performs tonight at Vogue Theatre. Lucinda Williams is one of the many examples of innovative, original, and well crafted country music that never manages to catch the mainstream. If modern country stations played her rather than Toby Keith and Big and Rich, maybe country would be more popular with the youth.





Today until Sunday at Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre there is an event called Circle Craft Christmas Market Preview. If you are someone who usually waits until the last minute to do your Christmas shopping and is always stuck in the crowded, disgusting mall on Christmas Eve trying to grab whatever is left on the shelf, then you probably will not want to avoid this at all costs. But you shouldn't; you're the number one person who should be there. 263 artists will be there hocking everything from toys to home décor, handmade candles and soaps, glasswork, fine art, trinkets, and designer clothes and jewellery. Imagine how relieved you'll when if you can finish your Christmas shopping and focus on your Christmas drinking. And family and togetherness, I guess.





If you're constantly looking for the "next big indie band", here's a show you can't miss. Gang Gang Dance play Tuesday at the Biltmore Cabaret. These experimental rockers from (where else?) Brooklyn excel in the obscure kitchen sink sound of found objects, guttural wails, blips, exoticism, and intrusive beats all fused together and occasionally cohesive. They've already built up a halo of buzz from their impressive CMJ festival performances and in the opening slot for Of Montreal on what should probably be billed one of the weirdest double bills ever. Pitchfork gave them an 8.5, so that should tell you something. Gang Gang Dance will be a name you'll definitely hear again.





I remember it was not that long ago my little Ray Lamontagne was belting out tunes to a thinned out crowd trying to make a name for himself. Now, he's on all the late night shows, he's winning awards here and there, he has three CD's out already and he is a household name. People cry at his shows. He cries at his shows. That’s how respected and powerful his folk songs are. Not bad for a 35 year old shoe salesman from Maine, don't you think? Go see what all the fuss is about Saturday at the Vogue Theatre.





King Khan, a former resident of Montreal and current resident of Berlin, puts on one hell of a live show. Think the Rolling Stones in their prime, but fronted by a man of Iggy Pop's maniacal potential. Now add about a bucket of sweat and you've got King Khan. For some, this might sound disgusting, but I, for one, prefer some excitement in live music. From jumping into the audience and singing in the face of confused patrons, to taking off his shirt and exposing his pregnant man-belly, King Khan brings the excitement. Plus, he's known to badmouth Toronto to audiences full of Torontonians. Vancouver hates Toronto! Now you've got to go. King Khan plays Friday at Biltmore Cabaret.





You may know Tom Morello as the pedal-abusing, feedback-loving, left-leaning guitarist of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, but his solo project The Night Watchman is nothing like that. His way-left political lyrics are still there, but he opts for a more folky acoustic sound. Morello started the band as a new outlet when he was in Audioslave (and I can't say I blame him). If you can't handle seeing him without his electric, you should probably avoid this show. But if you want to be politically engaged while hearing some top-notch folk music from one of the best guitarists of our time, head to Commodore Ballroom tonight. I'm sure Obama's victory has got him reenergized for a great show.





It seems like forever since she (ironically) misunderstood the definition of irony, since she went down on Uncle Joey in a theatre, even since she thanked India in her birthday suit, yet Alanis Morissette is still performing and still selling records. She may not be as edgy as she once seemed, but she's still our Alanis. Since she's better when she's angry, you can expect her to recapture at least some of the Jagged Little Pill magic that made us all fall in love with her in 1995. As you probably know, her former fiancé Ryan Reynolds recently married Scarlett Johansson. How do you compete with that? Alanis plays tonight at Orpheum Theatre.





Here's a bit of a weird one for you. Playing tonight at Richard's on Richards is a band called Monkey Majik. Often called a "hybrid-band", the group consists of Canadian brothers Maynard and Blaise Plant (who handle vocals and guitar), and Japanese musicians tax and DICK (bass and drums). The band plays catchy funk-infused pop songs in both English and in Japanese, sometimes within the same song. I can't even stay on key in one language, let alone two. I wonder if they would be considered Canadian Content.





Even if you wake up tomorrow morning with a headache and lipstick smeared on your face (or is that zombie face paint?), you should pick yourself up and get out to see Jason Collett. The sometimes Broken Social Scene guitarist (who isn't a sometimes Broken Social Scene guitarist?) is sure to put on a good show regardless of the fact that it’s the day after one of the busiest drinking nights of the year. Halloween is on a Friday this year, so you can be sure that there will be an effort to extend it to Saturday. Thus, expect to see some ghosts, slutty nurses, and Feists in the audience. November 1 seems as good a time as any for some alt-country, so get on your coat and get to Richard's on Richards tomorrow.





There are many Halloween parties out there, and also many theme parties out there. But sometimes they can be a bit lame. Rather than head to your best friend's "go as your favourite Teletubby" party, head to Republic for Republic Goes SNL. Just think of all the possibilities. You've got The Blues Brothers, Coneheads, Stuart Smalley, Goatboy, gay Hitler, Hanz and Franz, massive head wound Harry, Wayne Campbell, Garth Algar, Debbie Downer, Sarah Palin, that Cowbell guy, and I could go on and on and on and on. Which I sort of did. There's over $4,000 in cash to give away and if you're like me, you'll probably have as much fun putting together your costume as you will at the party.

For more Halloween debauchery, check out the Martiniboys.com Vancouver Halloween Guide 2008.





The freak of nature formerly known as Esther is going on tour for the umpteenth time to promote her newest album, Hard Candy. Seriously, this woman does not age. You should go just for the level of suspense that Madonna brings to the show. Will she use a British accent? Will she make out with another girl on stage? (I think the count is at 3 right now.) The surprises are endless. She just broke up with her husband, Guy Ritchie (or at least admitted it), and just as it freed him to make his first half-decent movie in years, perhaps it will free her to recreate some of the occasional Madonna magic that resulted in gems like "Like a Prayer" (which, by the way, was #1 the day I was born). It could be hit or miss, but she has two chances. Madonna plays tomorrow at BC Place.





The latest in a long line of cooler-than-ice-trays Swedish chanteuses, Lykke Li, comes to Vancouver for a headlining gig. Her consternated countenance and measured stomping have set many a skinny-jean boy's heart aflutter. It's a common phenomenon: Pitchforkers who feel like it's too mainstream to lust after Scarlett Johansson typically pick a suitable indie-rock alternative, and if she's Swedish, all the better. If you want to get anywhere near the stage, now's the time to go. Lykke Li plays Richard's on Richards tomorrow night.





Are you tired of hearing about Barack Obama? Are you ready for a change? Then check out The Arrogant Worms Sunday at Clarke Foundation Theatre. Aside from the Tragically Hip and Great Big Sea, this is about the most Canadian band I can think of. The Kingston, Ontario folk-comedy trio has been creating Canadiana themed novelty hits for nearly two decades. Who knew there was such longevity in Canadian satire? Well, I guess the Royal Canadian Air Farce, but that's beside the point. You need to go to this show and sing along to "Canada's Really Big" or "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate" and forget for a moment about America's greatest orator.





What can you say about Bob Dylan that hasn't already been said? There's been more written about Dylan than about any other musician of all time (I can't prove that, but I'm sure it's true). The man is a music pioneer, a genius, a living legend. If given the chance, you see him live, no matter how old he is. Sure, his voice may not be what it once was and his songs are performed in sometimes unrecognizable rearrangements, but it's not everyday you get the chance to see a legend. He is on a Never Ending Tour, so chances are you will get another chance, but I'd say choose this one. You want this phrase in your anecdote repertoire: "I saw Bob Dylan play." He's performing at GM Place tomorrow night and you should be there.





Canada's troubadour hero, poli-folk provocateur, and sideburn king, Neil Young is a force to be reckoned with. At age 62, old Shakey shows no signs of quitting and he can still rock out like it's 1974. Rumour has it he also has thousands of unreleased tracks that will probably find release (knock on wood) years after he gets to rocking in the next world. You pretty much know what a Neil Young concert will be like: stellar folk songs mixed with dirty rocking blues songs and an audience full of nostalgia-seeking former-hippies. But it doesn’t matter what I say. It's Neil Young. So go. That's all there is to it. Neil plays tonight at GM Place.





It wasn't long ago that Word on the Street swept through the city, but Vancouver's literature enthusiasts already have a new event to hold them over. Starting tomorrow is the Vancouver International Writers Festival. Everyone from powerhouse authors like Margaret Atwood to aspiring Grub Street-ers looking to get their start have participated in the event. Over 12,000 readers are expected to attend, and there will be no lack of options for the literary masses. Events are scheduled all week and offer everything from readings to workshops to activities for children. If you have any interest in literature whatsoever, you can't miss this opportunity. The festival continues until Sunday.





What can I say about Stereolab? To try to explain the band's sound would be doing them a disservice; it avoids an easy categorization. One of the most independent and innovative bands of the last 20 years, Stereolab have been reinventing alternative rock since the early 90's. Mixing lounge, electronica, post-punk, indie rock, Brit pop, and just about any other genre tag you can think of, the band has created a sound that is incomparable to any other band. The Marxist lyrics and sometimes French language songs have also turned some heads. Seeing them live is just as unique an experience. Now's your chance. They play Commodore Ballroom Sunday.





With crisp air clinging to freshly bought scarves, sunlight breaking through shedding trees, leaves crumpling under plimsolls, and the best fashion of the year, autumn is my favourite season. The only drawback is the inevitable rush of bittersweet nostalgia. Typically, I don't know what spurs it, but this year is an exception: it's Esthero's fault. Coming of age in Toronto in the 1990s, Esthero was inescapable. She followed me from club stages to ex-girlfriends' bedrooms. Though she never disappeared, she has existed mostly under the radar as of late. However, she has been far from inactive. Collaborating with hordes of disparate artists, her smooth, trip hop voice continues to turn up at intervals. Friday night's Biltmore Café appearance will inevitably take me back to the aforementioned bedrooms (figuratively), but given the season that's a good thing.





If not for Wire, Pitchfork Media wouldn't have any bands to fawn over or write 700 word treatises upon. Whether you think that to be a good thing or a bad thing, the influence of this 70s-era band is undeniable, even if they don't always get their just dues. While technically a punk band, Wire was more inclined to experiment with song structures and conventions than many of their all-attitude peers. Albums like Pink Flag and Chairs Missing established the band as post-punk pioneers. You may like the Bloc Party or Black Kids, but without Wire, they wouldn't have a leg to stand on. Sure, reunions are often disappointing, especially when it’s a punk reunion, but a chance to see a band like Wire should be taken. They play tonight at Commodore Ballroom.

If you enjoyed this article, you should also check out

Vancouver Buzz: Pemberton Festival Delivers [Full Story]

New York Buzz: Binge Festival Celebrates Over-Consumption [Full Story]

Calgary Buzz: Folk Festival Takes Over Prince's Island Park [Full Story]

Miami Buzz: Betsy Hotel to Throw its Name into Luxury Pool [Full Story]

Vancouver Buzz: Vancouverism Hits London [Full Story]

Toronto Buzz: IKEA's King Street Non-Store [Full Story]

Back to Martiniboys Articles