I first caught Toronto-based dark rock band Bloody Diamonds live show back in late 2014. I really wanted to see them again since then, but the stars have not aligned.
There is good news. They've got a new EP called Tough Love coming out June 7 and they've just released the video for the title track. It's a dark, raw, pounding and soaring tune that sounds great coming out of my speakers and will no doubt sound amazing live. The rest of the 5-song EP sounds incredible, powerful and intoxicating, and I can't wait to see the band perform again.
Speaking of live shows, they've got an EP release party on June 4 at The Bovine Sex Club and more shows listed here. Just because I sadly can't be there to point my camera at them, doesn't mean you can't go and check out this awesome band.
I just posted a new tune called "Tiny" from Dinosaur Jr.'s new album Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not. That post included a performance from Later... with Jools Holland. Well, he played another tune on the show as well. This one's called "Goin' Down" and it's an alternative rocker of the highest order.
The Strokes just dropped a new EP on us late last week. It's called Future Present Past and the official release date is June 3. I'm just getting to it now. I know. I suck. Oh, well.
Give it a virtual spin. It's got lots of what we love from The Strokes - the deceptively simple guitar and vocal parts that weave in and out of our consciousness until the addiction takes hold, the solid rhythm section foundation, and Julian Casablancas' unique vocal delivery.
London, England band The Vaccines played an all ages show at The Mod Club in Toronto's Little Italy on May 26. The front of stage area was packed with highly excited fans who couldn't believe they were so close to one of their favourite bands. They sang along loudly and enthusiastically, sometimes stealing lead vocal duties.
The band themselves were excited to be playing Toronto again. Singer/guitarist Justin Hayward-Young mentioned that it marked their sixth show in Toronto and their first all ages show here. Their set was packed with great tunes that kept the audience participation and energy level high. The band's tunes are fun and energetic, danceable with rousing choruses and engaging lyrics, that come alive from the stage.
Main set highlights included "Teenage Icon", "Post Break-Up Sex", "Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)", and "If You Wanna". They wrapped up with "Family Friend" before they returned to the stage for a rousing acoustic version of "No Hope" before rocking out and ending with "All in White" and signature closing tune "Norgaard".
Toronto's DCF opened for The Darcys at The Mod Club on May 25. He played an energetic set of fun pop tunes that got us warmed up for the main event. Check out the tune "John Cusack" below.
I'll crib the intro description of I Speak Machine directly from their site, since it's so succinct. "I Speak Machine are vocalist and synth-nerd Tara Busch and filmmaker Maf Lewis. Together they make brooding soundtracks and horror/sci-fi films, creating audio and visual in unison and giving both elements equal prominence."
I Speak Machine performed the film Zombies 1985 live at The Opera House on May 24, opening for Gary Numan. Tara Busch performed the soundtrack as the film played. The film and accompanying score were followed by several darkly beautiful and haunting songs including a cover of "Sound of Silence", songs from a new project called Strada and a cover of the headliner's "Cars".
