Metal and rap were born from anger. The two genres grew up in the same neighbourhood: the deep, crunchy guitar assaults of metal faced any and every opponent while the rhythmic, verbal attacks of rap music most frequently focussed on topics of inequality and injustice. Both born of aggressive emotion, their now-united front is a… Continue reading Machinehead meld metal and hip hop
Results for "Darby Sawchuk"
We found 22 results for your search.
Poisoning the public
A deep, hoarse voice quietly introduces itself through the receiver. Its tone ready to crumble at the slightest quake, it is familiar but weary. Shouldn’t it be louder than a bomb? Shouldn’t it assail its listener without a pause? Perhaps it is saving energy for the rebellion that has made it so familiar. The booming… Continue reading Poisoning the public
Washed-up rock stars: pack it in
The "retro" phenomenon used to be confined to disco revivals, then later, ’80s nights where folks could burn while doin’ the Neutron Dance. With ever-increasing frequency, however, more than just the recordings of past musical eras have resurfaced. These musical undead appear in the forms of artists and bands such as Platinum Blonde, Rick Springfield,… Continue reading Washed-up rock stars: pack it in
Buena Vista Social Club
In 1997, Ry Cooder dug up treasures in Cuba. Finding himself without accompanying musicians for his latest musical endeavour, he made the most of his moments on the sun-bleached streets of Havana, Cuba. He assembled a group of Cuba’s finest musicians and produced the Grammy award-wining Buena Vista Social Club. Two years later sees a… Continue reading Buena Vista Social Club
Try it again, Sam
Blending rock, rap, ska, funk, punk and pop, DDT’s latest offering, Urban Observer, deserves respect for its diversity. This quality is DDT’s greatest strength. Unfortunately, Urban Observer invites too many comparisons with artists more melodically savvy than DDT. At their worst, on songs such as "Pistol Whip" and "I Can’t Take My Eyes off You,"… Continue reading Try it again, Sam
There’s always room for B-i-a-f-r-a
Last Saturday night at the MacEwan Hall Ballroom, with righteous-stick in hand, Jello Biafra doled out a double dose of conscience and consciousness. The whiny-voiced, former-singer-of-the-Dead-Kennedys-turned-anti-censorship- lobbyist ranted his way through more than four hours of material before a most-pleased left-wing audience. The first half of Biafra’s spoken-word performance roused chuckles and applause from fans,… Continue reading There’s always room for B-i-a-f-r-a
Besieged
Featuring a relatively unknown cast, "Besieged" takes a deeply personal look at the love that develops across cultures and barriers of duty and loyalty. In this latest film from Bernardo Bertolucci (The Last Emperor), Thandie Newton (Beloved) plays Shandurai, an African woman whose husband was abducted and imprisoned by the country’s dictator. She flees her… Continue reading Besieged
The General
For a limited showing, The General, directed by John Boorman (Deliverance, Hope and Glory, Excalibur) will find its first Calgary audience. Filled with tensions atypical for a crime movie, The General skilfully manipulates the audience into acceptance, even reverence of the morally lax, but likeably defiant protagonist. The black-and-white film stars Brendan Gleeson (Mel Gibson’s… Continue reading The General
Local acts not just gathering dust
Many Calgarian music lovers have forgotten the myth that Cowtown could be the next Seattle. In fact, for the last couple of years, a certain dissatisfaction has permeated the consciousness of more than a few local music addicts. It’s become a rare occasion for fans to find an exciting show featuring all local talent. With… Continue reading Local acts not just gathering dust
Diary of a Day With Bad Religion
We exited the car on the chilly, windy afternoon of May 15 and headed straight for the backstage entrance of the Max Bell Arena. There, we introduced ourselves to Keith, the promoter of the show who was to knight us with our coveted backstage laminates. The bands were due to be arriving that afternoon, but… Continue reading Diary of a Day With Bad Religion