1. Alexisonfire
Farewell Tour
with Moneen
Monday, December 17 at Pacific Coliseum
Alexisonfire is now retro?
What? Yup, it’s true. Their eponymous 2002 debut has crossed the decade mark. It seems like only yesterday that George Pettit screamed his heart out while Dallas Green balanced the brutality with his clean vocals, vocals which have now become a mainstay of the collective musical consciousness in Canada. Ten years later, the band have decided to close the loud little book that is Alexisonfire by bringing their buddies in Moneen – who have played in some of Alexisonfire members’ other projects such as Black Lungs and the cutely named Cunter – along for the ride. Is this
really the last ride? Why chance it? Go scream your goodbyes, just in case.
Doors at 7 p.m. / Show at 8 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Coliseum box office on Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m., by calling 604-757-0345, and
online.
2. Japandroids – SOLD OUT
with Mac Demarco
Saturday, December 22 at the Rickshaw Theatre
The story of Japandroids is now well-known, but for those who may not be in the growing know, it goes a little something like this: University of Victoria buddies Brian King and David Prowse form band in 2006. Band starts to get known for their energetic shows and DIY approach. First full-length
Post-Nothing is recorded by band in summer of 2008. Upon recording completion, band signs with Unfamiliar Records in January 2009 to release the album, calls it quits, and moves on with life.
*screeching halt* Pitchfork throws band some love, and some more love. Love leads to Polyvinyl Record signing, Polaris long-list, and yet more critical and fan love. Present day: Japandroids have a sold out show at the Rickshaw on Saturday. Catch ‘em now before they decide to quit again.
Doors at 7 p.m.
Tickets
available at Northern Tickets by calling 1-855-551-9747 or online.
SOLD OUT
3. Dead Asylum
with Abriosis and Altered Throne
Friday, December 21 at Punky Thrasherbalt’s aka Funky Winkerbean’s
The Soundtrack for the End of the World! Indeed. Looking for an end of the world party? Cease! The world ends at Funky’s on Friday. Dead Asylum are barely a year old but this mewling demon baby (which has members of Theocide, Apathetic Infamy, Shit and Scythia) has already made a bloody splash, having recently shared the stage with Toxic Holocaust and Anvil. Their first full-length is due out in early 2013. Speaking of new music, Abriosis have just released the
Vessel EP (Shitknife Records), which is a nasty li’l break-neck piece of work. The Port Coquitlam five-piece known as Altered Throne, who now call Vancouver home, round out the stupidly loud bill. Bring yer earplugs, ya big sissy.
Doors at 8 p.m. / Show at 9 p.m.
Tickets available at the door.
All proceeds go to Vancouver women’s shelter.
4. Babysitter
with Pro-Teens and Minor Master
Saturday, December 22 at Zoo Zhop
“New” is the theme of the night this Saturday at Zoo Zhop. Babysitter from Victoria have just released their first full-length
Eye on December 3 on Psychic Handshake. If that’s not enough Babysitter for ya, get this – the band will be celebrating its release of a triple cassette combo,
Tape 666, which has 66 minutes of brand-spanking-new Babysitter. Triple cassette! Who does this?! Pick it up if you can; the sought-after item’s already been selling in underground tape circles for hundreds of millions of dollars. For reals. The bands-with-names-evoking-youth night will kick off with Minor Master and Pro-Teens, the latter of which features members of Hole In My Head and Siren Songs. This gig is way too cool for a schlub (shlub? shlûbb?) like me to attend, but let me know how it goes.
Doors at exactly the same place where there are openings (aka doorways) in the building walls / Show at some point beyond doors.
Tickets available somewhere, maybe. Probably at one of those doors.
5. The Sheepdogs
with Yukon Blonde
Wednesday and Thursday, December 19 and 20 at the Commodore Ballroom
Saskatoon’s Sheepdogs have been turning heads across the country and across the border with their brand of recognizable good time, classic rock. With clear nods to CCR, Neil Young, CSNY and the like from a bygone era, the Sheepdogs have injected some new life into a genre that had long been gathering dust. Kelowna’s Yukon Blonde open things up with their tight, hook-filled sound. The band has lifted the bar higher still with this year’s
Tiger Talk, refusing to wade in the comfort of 2010’s self-titled effort, choosing instead to go the extra mile and craft impressively lean and terribly memorable pop rock songs. I predict spontaneous, late-night sing-alongs on Granville this week.
Doors at 8 p.m.
Tickets available
online.
1. Alexisonfire
Farewell Tour
with Moneen
Monday, December 17 at Pacific Coliseum
Alexisonfire is now retro? What? Yup, it’s true. Their eponymous 2002 debut has crossed the decade mark. It seems like only yesterday that George Pettit screamed his heart out while Dallas Green balanced the brutality with his clean vocals, vocals which have now become a mainstay of the collective musical consciousness in Canada. Ten years later, the band have decided to close the loud little book that is Alexisonfire by bringing their buddies in Moneen – who have played in some of Alexisonfire members’ other projects such as Black Lungs and the cutely named Cunter – along for the ride. Is this really the last ride? Why chance it? Go scream your goodbyes, just in case.
Doors at 7 p.m. / Show at 8 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Coliseum box office on Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m., by calling 604-757-0345, and online.
3. Dead Asylum
with Abriosis and Altered Throne
Friday, December 21 at Punky Thrasherbalt’s aka Funky Winkerbean’s
The Soundtrack for the End of the World! Indeed. Looking for an end of the world party? Cease! The world ends at Funky’s on Friday. Dead Asylum are barely a year old but this mewling demon baby (which has members of Theocide, Apathetic Infamy, Shit and Scythia) has already made a bloody splash, having recently shared the stage with Toxic Holocaust and Anvil. Their first full-length is due out in early 2013. Speaking of new music, Abriosis have just released the Vessel EP (Shitknife Records), which is a nasty li’l break-neck piece of work. The Port Coquitlam five-piece known as Altered Throne, who now call Vancouver home, round out the stupidly loud bill. Bring yer earplugs, ya big sissy.
Doors at 8 p.m. / Show at 9 p.m.
Tickets available at the door. All proceeds go to Vancouver women’s shelter.
4. Babysitter
with Pro-Teens and Minor Master
Saturday, December 22 at Zoo Zhop
“New” is the theme of the night this Saturday at Zoo Zhop. Babysitter from Victoria have just released their first full-length Eye on December 3 on Psychic Handshake. If that’s not enough Babysitter for ya, get this – the band will be celebrating its release of a triple cassette combo, Tape 666, which has 66 minutes of brand-spanking-new Babysitter. Triple cassette! Who does this?! Pick it up if you can; the sought-after item’s already been selling in underground tape circles for hundreds of millions of dollars. For reals. The bands-with-names-evoking-youth night will kick off with Minor Master and Pro-Teens, the latter of which features members of Hole In My Head and Siren Songs. This gig is way too cool for a schlub (shlub? shlûbb?) like me to attend, but let me know how it goes.
Doors at exactly the same place where there are openings (aka doorways) in the building walls / Show at some point beyond doors.
Tickets available somewhere, maybe. Probably at one of those doors.
5. The Sheepdogs
with Yukon Blonde
Wednesday and Thursday, December 19 and 20 at the Commodore Ballroom
Saskatoon’s Sheepdogs have been turning heads across the country and across the border with their brand of recognizable good time, classic rock. With clear nods to CCR, Neil Young, CSNY and the like from a bygone era, the Sheepdogs have injected some new life into a genre that had long been gathering dust. Kelowna’s Yukon Blonde open things up with their tight, hook-filled sound. The band has lifted the bar higher still with this year’s Tiger Talk, refusing to wade in the comfort of 2010’s self-titled effort, choosing instead to go the extra mile and craft impressively lean and terribly memorable pop rock songs. I predict spontaneous, late-night sing-alongs on Granville this week.
Doors at 8 p.m.
Tickets available online. 
