Category: Non classé

Back in the oughts, I joined up with a group called the Nerve, with David Israelson on bass, Richard Scarsbrook on drums, and (for a while) Alex Vos on guitar. It was a fun band to work with as we all were doing it for the same reasons (hint: not the money). We kept it going a few years until our separate lives made it unwieldy to continue. C’est la vie!

Cut to 2016, when Richard sends me an invitation to his latest book launch (Rockets vs Gravity, his 9th novel) at the Gladstone Hotel this past Monday. It was a great opportunity to catch up with Richard and David, who also attended. I keep trying to convince them to make it out to an open mic sometime soon. However, I hope they give me some warning so I can review the charts if they want me to sit in.

In commemoration of this reunion of sorts, here is a recording of a rehearsal of Angeline, one of Richard’s songs. Richard is singing lead, with David on back ups and ripping scream, and Alex plays the solo, with me on chunky rhythm.

It’s the only song where I ever got to use my Heil Talk Box, a guitar effect made notorious by Joe Walsh and Peter Frampton. It’s now in storage :-(.

Angeline © Richard Scarsbrook

If you missed the previous blogs, we have two shows scheduled for this month: October 25 at 9 at the Linsmore Tavern as part of Indie Tuesdays, and October 29th at 10:30 at the Amsterdam Bicycle Club. Both should be great fun!

Be well!

In astrophysics, there is a phenomenon called “nodes” where orbits intersect. Such a node occurred last night at the Korner Pub in Scarborough. Interesting how Scarborough ends up being inspirational for me.

I went there to hear The Marwills, a band I have known for a while from their appearances at the Relish Stir It Up Sunday open mic. They always put on a good show, so it was worth the forty-minute TTC excursion.

The guys were in great form, despite being shoe-horned into a corner at the front. Not much room for frontman Brett Bonvie‘s dance moves, although he did venture out in front and joined with the locals’ dancing later in the show. The Marwills instrumental format, two lead guitars, bass, drums, has always been my favourite high-energy combination, and guitarists Jesse Morrissey and Graeme MacGillivray did not disappoint, with inspired individual and dual solos, always managing to not step over each other and keep the level in check, without sacrificing the energy. The rhythm section, Bryn Besse on bass, and James Law on drums, were solid and sounded perfectly balanced. The band actually commented to me how pleased they were with the sound of the room. Below is a link to their latest album, Facts & Figures. Catch them live if you can too!

About halfway through the second set, a familiar face moves through the crowd from the bar area, and sits down right in front of the band. It was Greg Godovitz of Goddo fame. I initially thought he knew the band, but it turned out he lives nearby and was only there with his significant other to enjoy a drink and the entertainment. Now, if you are too young to know who Greg or Goddo are, check out the links in this blog, and the music here. This is Canadian rock royalty.

Greg and I have had brief nodal moments through the years. The first dates back to the early 1970s when I first saw him playing bass with Fludd at the Kapuskasing District High School. I always think of that event as the “Lock Up Your Daughters” tour. The band had quite a reputation! Greg would have to confirm whether it was merited, or it may be in his 2002 autobiography, Travels With My Amp, which is on my to-read list.

When I moved to Toronto, I would hear him playing in clubs, notably a memorably loud show at the Piccadilly Tube, a popular nightclub at Yonge and Dundas at the time.

 

I got to know him a bit better, while Greg and I both worked in the music industry (he for Randall Amplifiers, and me for Yorkville Sound) when we chatted for a while on a flight back from the Chicago NAMM music trade show.

This past April, a reunited Goddo performed at the benefit for Crowbar frontman Kelly Jay, held at the Hard Rock Cafe, along with many other artists. It was a great show for a great cause, which I believe Greg may have also been involved in organizing.

Most recently, Greg has sat in on occasion with friend and young up-and-coming bluesman Sam Taylor, discussed in one of my first blogs, when Sam had a regular Saturday at the Peppery Cat.

So, the universe is an interestingly interwoven place. I always enjoy these brief interactions with Greg. Perhaps our paths will cross again. If so, I look forward to it!

Until next week, be well!

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!

 

This week, another song exposed: The Tilley Song – yes, needing a better title.

This one can be grouped in my “novelty” song collection, and may have a limited shelf life, depending on how long Tilley Endurables stick around. For those who don’t know what Tilley is, the company is a Canadian manufacturer of travel clothing, kind of like MEC but aimed at a different demographic. They became famous first for the hat (still outlined in their logo), then for vests worn by pro photographers around the world.

Let’s be clear: there’s nothing wrong with the clothes. It’s superbly made and lasts forever. The song is more about the impression made on us when Mrs. Félix and I visited the store a few years ago to look for travel ear for an upcoming holiday. “This store is full of old people!” we thought… yup, pot calling the kettle black. And perhaps also the strong impression that despite the “going on a safari” look, it was likely that many wearers may not subject themselves to any severe discomfort. Myself included.

Still, inspiration “goes with anywhere” as Tilley’s slogan goes, and I set to writing this simple 12-bar rock ‘n’ roll song. The lyrics are below, with some minor changes from the demo, as I continue to tweak the song. Note the links in the verses, which explain their provenance.

 

Verse 3
Despite what you’ve been told I did not die, and I got old
I take my medication
Like my g-g-generation
I celebrate the fact
An elephant can eat my hat
And when it is ejected
It comes out unaffected

Chorus
I shop at Tilley’s
Yeah, I shop at Tilley’s
As far as I can see
My clothes will outlive me
I shop at Tilley’s
I shop at Tilley’s
I shop at Tilley’s
I shop at Tilley’s

Until next week, be well!

The next best thing to playing is to see other musicians play, particularly if they’re superbly talented like those I saw this past Thursday at the Junction City Music Hall in the west end.

The first act on was Chelsea Reed, a recent Australian immigrate starting to make a name for herself here in Toronto. I have seen her perform a few times, and am always struck but t
he great harmonic subtexture she provides on piano for her smooth singing. There is a engaging depth to her lyrics as well, a great pop sensibility and a candour that make it a joy to watch and listen to her. One of my new favourites!

Here is a snippet of one of the songs, I Want the World. I invite you to go to her Facebook page linked above  and check out some more. She should have a new album out soon as well, so look out for that. And see her live too!

Also on the bill were the Danger Bees, another solidly rocking band originally from Dartmouth, fronted by someone who I have mentioned before, the gifted David Macmichael — singer, songwriter, cyclist and cohost of Relish’s night Stir It Up Sunday.

I love these guys’ energy and humour. The guitarists work superbly together, Josh Gillard holding down rhythm while injecting just the right sharply phrased counterpoint to Matt Leitch‘s intense riffing, all the while dancing all over the pedalboard. Marky Beats, who also played with Chelsea had a chance to really cut loose, while Will Meadows kept the bottom melodically tight. I may do a special feature on Will another time: the kid has chops and range. Here they are playing Plenty of Fish from their first album Wyatt.

Finally, those who follow me on Facebook may have already read about the upcoming shows. For any who haven’t, they will take place at the Amsterdam Bicycle Club on Esplanade, Saturday September 10 and again Saturday October 29. Start time is a bit late for some (10:30-ish), but well worth it as the venue is fabulous. So I hope you will make it, maybe have dinner there (The Old Spaghetti Factory) or nearby if you prefer, and you could catch a set or two… or three for the die-hards?

Until next time,

 

Indulge me in this metaphor, the musical journey.

As much as it is a journey of self-discovery, there are are also many opportunities to meet and learn from fellow travellers. This week’s blog will talk of two, but there are more that I hope to get to later.

Tom Rich is a talented writer, singer and multi-instrumentalist who has been in Toronto for a few years, and a frequent player at the Relish open mic. He has worked with a number of artists including Sam Taylor and Jonathan Roy, as well as performing on his own and with band performing his terrific original material. His latest CD is available from iTunes here.

Sadly, Tom is returning to Halifax soon, but not without a farewell show, the details of which are below. Consider yourselves encouraged to attend.

My dear Toronto kinfolk. 
After two-and-a-half years of living part-time in The Big Smoke, I’ve made countless new friends and unforgettable musical memories, got to know your city and fell head-over-heels in love with it. I loved it so much, I made repeated plans to move there permanently but alas, after heavy consideration, my heart longs to reside by the ocean in Nova Scotia. I have a job to do at home that I cannot trade for anything – my duty to my brother Colin as his personal care assistant. Colin has a rare condition called metachromatic leukodystrophy, and I’ve been assisting in his care ever since his diagnosis in the early 1990’s. In my time away from him, I’ve realized that there’s nothing else to which I would rather devote myself.
I will remain active in the music scene at home in Halifax. I’m going to record a new album over the winter; of songs inspired by and written during my travels between Hali & The Tdot (which have also led me twice to Nashville). I am also involved in some exciting new projects from Matthew Pickup, Dark Lit Sky, and will release The Dang Danglers’ Self-Entitled Debut, a side-project album I recorded in my trailer home with M Pickup and my brother Luke.
I will never be able to stay away for too long, but I am going to say so long for now, by playing a two-hour solo acoustic show at Relish Bar & Grill in the east end of town, on Thursday August 25 at Relish On The Danforth. It’s an early show, with Karaoke to follow, so of course that means plenty of time afterward to delve into the vast selection of fine Ontario craft brews and let loose.
So come on out and let me thank you in person.
– Tom Rich

Another friend made along the way is Sal Borg aka, Johnny Blue, and other aliases as the mood suits him! Sal is not only a great performer, he is a living encyclopedia of the blues and vintage gear.

Below is a video of him performing a great cover of Johnny Winter‘s Mean Town Blues, recorded August 13, 2016 at The Amsterdam Bicycle Club.

 

Sal’s originals cover an interesting range of topics, including food, a subject that he can speak to with great authority as his family was in the wholesale produce business for a century. One of my favourites is Hot Sauce On Everything, a snippet of which is below.

 

Sal’s lifelong fascination (his kids confirm that) for  music and musical instruments have led him to own one of the most impressive personal collections of guitars and amps I have ever seen, short of rock stars’ warehouse-full accumulations. Every item has a story behind it, which he gladly shares. Time passes pleasantly and quickly in his company.

Sal kindly showed up for my gig this past Friday at Relish. He had the chance to hear this number, Looking for the In-Between. The vocals are a bit under-mixed, but listen to Nemo and Greg tear it up on bass and drums! I had a hard time staying focused when either would do something downright awesome. Here it is below.

©2015 – R. Pelletier/Félix and the Cats

Until next week!

I am currently out of Toronto to visit my Papa in Québec and catch up with long ignored relatives, but will be back to prep for my return to Relish Bar and Grill this coming Friday, August 12 at 9:30. I hope to see lots of friendly faces out for this show as the venue is awesome (excellent food and drink)!

All this francophonie made me reflect that, despite a French upbringing, my répertoire includes only one song in my native tongue. Dommage.

So, until another one comes along, here is the story behind Hé! Que la vie est dûre! (Isn’t life hard, heh! — roughly translated). There will not be naming of names in this one, but it is based on a real person, but I hope the situation is sufficiently univeral to appeal to all.

It is about the kind of person that comes back into life, seeminly helpless and needing support. The caring and concern ends up rewarded by lies and betrayal, leaving the benefactor empty-handed. Of course, this is not the first time such a letdown has occured. The song is a cathartic response to that; it is not an endorsement for lack of sympathy.

The issue that complicates theproblem and can often make one feel guilty for having the feelings of resentment expressed in the song is mental illness. Anyone who has had to deal with an afflicted person will understand.

So, I would like my next French song to have a more upbeat message. Maybe family reunions or pretty French girls, if Mrs. Félix is okay with that.