Month: September 2016

Before we get into the meat of this week’s blog, some news on the gig front: Félix and the Cats have been asked to play a feature set at the Linsmore Tavern on October 25, 2016, at a very palatable 9:00. This is part of their Indie Night, sponsored by Steam Whistle and Amsterdam breweries. Great for those who have an early start the next morning, but we encourage you to stick around for the headline act at 10:00. We are still waiting for details as to who else is with us (typically 3 acts starting at 8:00). More details as we get them.

Sorry about the mic!

And speaking of the Linsmore, I was there just recently to check out the aforementioned New Music Night, and heard the delightful Lucy Of-Fire open the evening. Lucy ably plays and sings with confidence and puts across a lot of energy. Turns out there is a connection with F&tC as we share a drummer, Greg Anzelc. We are keeping our fingers crossed that she will open for our show on the 25th!
I have a snippet below of her playing a nicely inspired cover of Heart’s Alone. Her originals are similarly powerful, and show insight, maturity, and great lyrical craft. Someone to watch out for sure.

And speaking of Lucy, a proud plug to eldest daughter, also a Lucy, for launching her website featuring original handcrafted ceramics. Our Lucy has a delightfully original approach and produces unusual and fun pieces that would look just marvellous on a shelf or mantelpiece in your home. So be a patron of the arts, and check out her site at http://www.lucypelletier.ca. Online shopping available.

Until next week, be well!

This past week had its ups and downs. While it would have been a good challenge to sit in with Kristen Anzelc‘s band, this was not to be for reasons outside our control. Maybe it will happen in the future.

Caught some “fellow travellers” on the musical journey last night: the delightful Tyler Ellis with a new Eddy Line lineup at Relish, and irrepressible Sal Borg at the Amsterdam Bicycle Club. It was a great night of music.

This week’s blog will feature what is probably my most popular song (that being relative at this point), and certainly one of my favourite to perform: Movin’ and Shakin’ the World. It was also the inspiration for the 2015 poster for FATC.

This song has no specific narrative. It’s more a reflection of the times, packed with images and random thoughts that highlight some of the wackier elements. I guess what i’m trying to say is that I don’t fully understand what it means myself, but please insert whatever you believe at will.

 

Movin’ and Shakin’ the World — ©2009 R. Pelletier/Félix and the Cats

verse 1
Name droppers, social climbers
Pill poppers, golf two-timers
Pre-pubescent heart-throbs
Adolescent nouveau snobs

Blue pills, HIV
Climate change, MTV
Yahoos, tattoos
Wash your hair with kangaroos

Can’t keep it in your pants?
Then do this funky dance.

chorus
Movin’ and shakin’ the …
Movin’ and shakin’ the …
Movin’ and shakin’ the world
…yeah!

verse 2
Big banks, think tanks
Tell me who do we have to thank
Waterboarding, third degree
Palm readers, tea parties

ipod, ipad,
More eyes, more fads
I keep looking for the cursor
Just keeps getting worse and worser

Let’s try another stance
And do this funky dance

chorus

verse 3
Blue creatures in 3D
Timmy’s coffee, gourmet tea
Red states, blue states
Gay mate, straight hate

Sell short, no equity
Scratch and win economy
All glitz, all glam
Flim flam, thank you ma’am!

How ’bout a second chance?
Let’s all do a funky dance

chorus

 

Until next week, be well!

It was a busy week. The day job of course made it even more so. However, on the music side of things, it could not have been more enjoyable.

On Thursday night, I went out to catch a set by Fraz Milne at the Tennessee. Fraz put on a great set of originals and not-often-performed covers (yes, King Crimson!), all solidly backed by Robin Latimer on bass and Chris Bender on drums. What stood out the most was the broad range of styles that Fraz and band could cover. No one song is like another in their repertoire. There was great energy in the band and a fun looseness (still tight musically, though) that came across. You could tell that the band was really grooving when Robin would kick off her sandals!

Yesterday, F&tC had their first ever show at the Amsterdam Bicycle Club. A few friends made it down (thanks again!), and we managed to entertain some new people already at the club, and some walk-ins. Given the rain and TIFF on, we are pretty happy with how things when. Although we had some issues with the house PA, as we could not get the  monitors to work, we aim to have that sorted out for our next show there on October 29.

News flash! A last minute cancelation has provided Félix and the Cats an opportunity for a short opening set for Angelica, featuring Kristen Anzelc, this Friday at the Refinery Public House in Etobicoke. I will also have big shoes to fill sitting in for Dave Bayley, currently touring, for Kirsten’s show.

The Refinery Public House is at 3039 Lakeshore Blvd West, in Etobicoke, about halfway between Islington and Kipling. We should be hitting the stage at 9 PM. Big thanks to Greg Anzelc for making this opportunity happen.

I look forward to letting you know next week how things turn out.

Be well!

Breaking news! The Angelica show mentioned above for Friday, September 16, 2016 is canceled as The Refinery has suspended live music indefinitely to deal with some noise complaints. Let’s hope things get sorted out soon!

For those whose French is rusty or non-existent, the title of this blog means Félix on a bike, as the band will performing for the first time ever west of the Don River.

Our venue is the Amsterdam Bicycle Club on Esplanade, this coming Saturday, September 10, 2016. If that name is not familiar to you, think the Old Spaghetti Factory (it’s the front part of the restaurant). We start later than usual (10:30 ish), which may be a challenge for some of our friends, but we hope a few die-hards can make it out so we can make a good impression on the club manager!

A have some new material, and with the club’s excellent sound system, there is a good chance you will even make out the lyrics!

The band (with NEMO and Greg for this gig) is prepping hard, so it will be a good one.

See you next weekend!