SOUNDTRACK: RHEOSTATICS-Sonic Boom, Toronto, ON (September 5 2019).
Back in 2007, when the Rheostatics said farewell, who ever would have guessed that they’d be back in a record store for an album release event. But here they are, playing in a record store and answering a formal Q&A.
For the release of the Here Come The Wolves album the Rheos did a Q&A at the record store Sonic Boom in Toronto with Laurie Brown. Her interview is included here but the video can be found here. The band then did a 45 minute set of new songs which may have been the first time since reforming that Hugh Marsh did not play with them as he was in Europe at the time. Luckily Eric Mac Innis traveled to Toronto from the Maritimes for this event and recorded it for everyone to hear.
After a 40 minute interview (which is quite nice), the four guys are going “to try to play the first five (actually six) songs of the record.” Which is the first side of the record.
They tune up. Martin jokes “this is the Ravi Shankar portion” and DB says “our record is actually a Doors tribute album. Every song starts in a minor key.”
They start after two minutes with “Vancouver.” The recording is very spare–like they are holding back for the small space. The entire middle part is instrumental with maybe Dave noodling away until Martin comes back to sing the rest. The end rocks a bit more. Martin throws in a hint of a Journey song in the solo. Tim: “We still haven’t quite learned that one yet.” DC: “I did.”
“AC/DC On The Stereo” has big guitar chords and a few false intros (it’s weird without High’s violin). “Rearview” sounds really nice in this setting.
DB: we used to do these things at the Rivoli–live rehearsals. I’d like to bring that back. Super fun. We worked songs out. It was entertaining for us. Maybe not the audience. I remember them being really full and then that thing turned up on YouTube of us spanking Dave Clark on the ass. The Rivoli was very dark. [whisper: people deal guns there? Don’t go downtown, Dave.] There’s no one–12 of our friends there. You can buy gum at the Rivoli.
“Here Come The Wolves” is next. Martin tunes while Dave gives a big drum intro. Wanna see my tuner? Here clip this on the head stock. [Ha ha ha Now that’s comedy]. How you doin? The song works well. Everyone claps at the pause and then Martin does his part.
They thank Michael Phillip Wojewoda, Chris Walla, Gus Van Gogh for working on the album and Martin tells a funny story about MPW’s disgusting dreadlock. Mike has left Dave has known him since he had that beaver-shaped dread in the middle of his hair it had a gray core–it was oxidizing in the middle. Never leave a Rheostatics shows or the band will tell stories about you.
DC: I was being nice to the guy and you guys are tearing him a new one Martin: that’s not a new one that’s something he did. There’s nothing wrong with dreadlocks. DC: I’m just stirring the pot. MT: Stirring a big pot of dreadlock stew–it makes a fine broth. We were on tour with the Dough Boys (Dreadlock Stu).
Next song is by David Clark. DC: Martin, pick your favorite chord, don’t look. Martin plays an insane chord and the song starts. After the song DB: remember that chord, it’s pure gold.
Sympathetic vibrations. DC starts talking about sympathetic advice he received from a luthier. never leave your instrument in a case (they die), have them on stands in the noisiest part of the house they will vibrate and stay in tune. DB says that’s bullshit. Martin says it’s largely bullshit, but not totally. Pick up an acoustic guitar that’s been in a case it will sound like shit; pick up a cheap one that’s been out and it will sound good.
DB: You learned that all from a Lutheran?
DC: Yes he nailed it to me.
Buy the record upstairs on the mezzanine level. They play a jazzy number: buy the record in the mezzanine. How much does it cost? $1.79. No, that’s not even the tax.
They end with another song by Tim: “Music is the Message.” We’re gonna play it and go. It’s slow and pretty–sounds good, although the backing ahhs are a little crazy.
I saw this book on the shelf at the library and thought the title sounded promising. The cover also looked pretty cool, so I brought it home.
As the book opens, we see Ana and Gabe stealing fuel from a tanker in the desert. Gabe is much older than Ana and they seem to be arguing about their (confusing) plans. They are quickly interrupted by the owner of the truck–a rather large but cute humanoid creature with a furry face.
Ana tells him that space pirates were trying to steal his fuel and she and Gabe frightened them off. The trucker is grateful for the help but when he is visited soon after by a white robot, he’ll wish he wasn’t so gullible.
Ana and Gabe are the last humans alive (according to the back of the book, although I’m not sure it says that anywhere in the story). They are headed to Euphoria, a sort of promised land planet.
They stop off at a rest stop where a humanoid elephant with lots of trunks (Ganesh-like) joins them to indulge in froot (various psychedelic drugs). Mooreberry gives psychedelic experiences; Gaimangos turn everything into a fairytale. Busiekhini will taste like the best food you’ve ever had. (Those names are pretty good). He eats it and hilarious trippiness ensues. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 