Federale is great; Brian Jonestown Massacre, I have mixed feelings about

I went to Brian Jonestown Massacre last night pretty much only because of Bev. She isn't getting out to many shows these days, having had a health scare (but she's doing okay: in fact, if my body is holding up in 20-odd years as well as hers is now -- hell, if I'm even alive 20-odd years from now -- I'll count myself blessed). I wanted to see her, and I wanted to make sure she got in and out of the venue all right. Plus I know she really loves the band (she went both nights!), and that she comes to shows with increasingly less frequency now; at some point, we will arrive at "the last show I see with Bev," and maybe that was last night? 

Sorry to say that I did not really dig BJM. I had actually quite enjoyed the previous show of theirs I saw (also with/ because of Bev), and do occasionally listen to their music, but numerous factors interfered at the Pearl: it was crowded. It was hot. I was tired. I had made the mistake of making a merch run to the Federale table and then couldn't get back to my spot. And then, having ducked to an area where I could sit and read for a bit, listening to the music in the background (which was just fine with me!), I had to go on a grocery run in the pissing rain mid-way through the band's set because my wife had texted me that the bag of bananas I thought we had in our freezer, necessary for our morning smoothie, did not in fact exist, so about halfway through, I was tromping down to Nesters, getting peed on from the heavens, and buying bananas (and some frozen mangos), after which I was fucking soaked (I had not brought a hat and my jacket, though rainproof, had no hood). 

So it's not really a judgement on them that I left early (with Bev's blessing). They did seem a little low-energy, like they weren't having that much fun, but it could be that I just wasn't on the right drugs? And they apparently were doing two hour sets, longer than they'd been scheduled for, so maybe they were just conserving their energy or something... I did not give them a fair shake, and do not mean to criticize them now. 

(photos by me)

I do have a judgment, here, however, that also kinda colours my reaction to the band, that has nothing to do with what they did onstage last night. I think Anton needs to get over his feelings about Bev's photo on that book cover. He should own that he behaves like this sometimes (and that his fans accept it, enough so that the band still sells out the Pearl two nights in a row, despite that venue being in the same fucking block, even, as the one where this photo was taken); that Bev did not choose for the book to have this cover (having sold them the photo: SEE POSTSCRIPT BELOW); that it was in fact this very photo that made me interested in this band in the first place ("Holy fuck, who is that?"); and that, also holy fuck, it's a great photo and even moreso, the perfect photo for a book of this title. If I ever buy this book (haven't as yet) it will be FOR BEV'S PHOTO on the cover; I probably won't even read it! I do have a button of this image. If I'd thought about it, I would have worn it last night! 

And Anton, if you are worried that people will judge you or something because of this image, you should know, man, that my judgements about you have more to do with the fact that you've hurt my friend, who loves you, than that you've melted down at the occasional show.  I mean, I melt down occasionally myself. Not quite as spectacularly as you do, of course, but that's only because I usually do it in customer service contexts, not, like, onstage or on-camera. But, fuck, you're only human! 

If it still bothers you that much, I invite you to consider the company you are keeping here: 

Anyhow, I enjoyed Federale a lot more, though again, conditions were working for me, at that point: I was right up front (having held a spot for Bev, arriving a bit before her, so she would have a stage to lean on); I was still dry; and I hadn't even realized how crowded it was getting behind me. Fronted by former BJM man Collin Hegna, Federale were personable at the merch table, and played rock that was infused with spaghetti western soundtrack sensibilities (mostly Morricone, and a few tracks have passages that remind me of the score for The Big Gundown, especially the main theme, which to me is the absolute peak of Morricone's spaghetti work; they make use of motifs, their bassist told me, such that that theme repeats a couple of times in their work, including in their set last night). I don't know/ understand why they're moving in a rock direction with their newest album, which you hear in the one clip that I shot, but I have no comment on that as yet. It may present differently than live (where it sounded like a western take on late-phase Cure, kinda). The two records I bought don't sound much like what they did onstage, too, even for the tracks that are on those albums), so I think it's by their records I will best get to know them. But I personally am totally into the spaghetti. 

And they do seem PROUD of that earlier stuff. Collin had recommended I buy All the Colours of the Dark (and then texted the band members to come sign it for me!), which title also riffs on my favourite giallo. After I heard them play, I went back to the merch table and added The Blood Flowed Like Wine to my purchases, based on another song they played, and they all signed that, too! (If you want a taste of what they did -- and love Morricone -- those seem to be the perfect two albums to start with). 

Oh, and Collin gave me their setlist: 

It was further pleasing to see that Collin was wearing a Neptoon shirt. I texted Rob a shot of that; he'd gone the previous night, and had both bands in the store over their time in Vancouver. I guess they all know the Sir Paul story by now! It will be cool if Neptoon becomes a destination -- if every touring band who reveres the Beatles makes a pilgrimage there or something to meet the man who found the lost Beatles masters and then GAVE THEM to Paul McCartney, in person.

It has the added bonus of having a fuck ton of cool records, too! 

I gather BJM also went to Beat Street yesterday, too, which is real smart; that rare psych/ prog section they have has some real gems in it. Hope they found good stuff!

Meantime, Anton, one more message for you, in all kindness. Be nicer to the people who love you! 

Or to put it another way:  

(photo by Erika Lax)

POSTSCRIPT BY BEV DAVIES:

I did not sell them the photo, I had sent some photos for the book about 10 years before the publishing and signed the release before publication. no one asked or told me it was going to be the cover

I was paid one copy of the book, no money.

BEV ALSO ADDS:

Chuck Biscuits at the Smilin' Buddha by bev davies

Not to be reused without permission

Blue Jay Valley's first show at Fink City label launch tonight!

Never have I seen so many piggyback rides at a gig. Normally a piggyback ride at a gig, in my concertgoing history, has involved either a) an adult female who wants a better view and gets her boyfriend to give her a lift and/ or b) an adult female who wants to flash her tits at the band (if you are the girl who flashed her tits at Shane McGowan when the Pogues played with Joe Strummer filling in on guitar, at the Commodore back when, please find me on Facebook! I remember your tits vividly, and Shane's reaction to them!). 

None of that kinda thing tonight, though. Tonight it was 10-year old kids on their Dad's shoulders, or sometimes climbing up onto each other's shoulders, as Blue Jay Valley played their inaugural gig at the Fink City Records launch (the new label run by Clampdown Records/ Vicious Cycles man Billy Bones). Here are some photos and comments from that night (sorry, Rempel, I didn't make it to your set).

Most of the piggyback rides (and some playfighting) happened before Blue Jay Valley want on, though. You can read about them in Mike's article; Mike was there. 

Billy was a fine MC and the audience filled with youthful friends of the band, and their parents, and the bands' parents, and a bunch of people who just wanted to support the show (which also involved Cryptyds, a fine local rock band whom Billy tells me he first read about here! Sadly, they are not on vinyl yet).

Another detail from the night I had not seen at a gig: confetti cannons, loaded by Grant Lawrence (proud Dad to the band's blonde guitarist) with the help of Nick from the Vicious Cycles/ Tranzmitors and the bearded guy from the VC's most recent rekkid. This was blown at strategic points. During Blue Jay Valley's song "Snow Day," about the delights of having a snow day instead of having to go to school, the singer counted down "making it snow" in Vancouver in November. Which helped me capture the moment: 3...2...1...:

The merch tables were fun. I would have bought a Fink Pack for $100 but money is a bit tight this month (it was loose last month, so...).

It was fun to see 10- and 11-year old kids getting Blue Jay Valley merch signed by their friends in the band. Rob Frith, in attendance, told me a story about playing in a band when he was in Grade 7. I told him a story in turn of seeing Rob Nesbitt (of BUM) the first time he took the stage with a "band," kinda, in Westview in Maple Ridge, back in Grade 9. I'll tell that story someday... 

I am sure that parents and school chums will post video of this gig presently, so I will not rush to put all mine up, but I did shoot a couple, including "No School," which the band has an official video for. It was very enjoyable -- as Rob Frith quipped to me later, "I bet you've been to way worse punk shows!" I have, I have! If these kids ever become rock stars, we'll have a real fun "I saw them when" story to tell. 

I actually think this is a better-written anti-school song than that one by the Replacements (which has a catchy chorus but crappy verses!). 

I cannot say who was more enthusiastic, the kids playing AND GOING TO their first gig, or their parents. Even onlookers like me had a lot of fun. Kids didn't exactly mosh, but I did see someone scoop up confetti and smush it into their friends' hair. The cannons fired a few times, from either side of the stage. Then the confetti was swept up by the same man who had fired it.

I need to spend more time with the Smugglers. Grant seems like a very nice, good man. Good thing, because a lot of confetti was produced. 

The bathroom didn't have much grafitti but I liked this one, and suspect the author is right: 

Billy offered merch for raffle prizes; Grant Lawrence claimed this t-shirt, I think! 

Cryptyds, up next, didn't even try to compete with the 10- and 11-year olds, they just did their thing, which rocks. They seem to be evolving in a little more punk, Ramonesy way, away from the garage/ psych thing, but remain tight and charimsatic and tuneful. I shot a clip there too, but I might offer it to the band, in case it can be edited in with their "official video" for a few different angles. I mean, maybe not, but they had a friend documenting the whole night, it seemed...

By the way, thanks, Billy, for getting the band to clarify that it is Cryptyds, and not THE Cryptyds. I may well have "the'd" them. Really pleased my blog was of service to ya! (And them). 

I was happy that some of the kids stuck around for Cryptyds, but a lot of people had ducked out. Which I eventually did, myself, but unlike them, I have seen Cryptyds twice before. 

I tried to duck out of buying merch, but Billy effectively convinced me that the Etters album is a must-hear. I believe it is the one being written about here. It had swanky one-sided coloured vinyl, which I paid $5 more for, because it was so fun. 

I am stealing this photo of the Etters. I hope no one minds. Apparently they sing in Dutch and do what Billy described as San Francisco garage trash, if I got that right. He says it's going to be an album he'll be listening to years from now. 

This is the record; see the cool colours?

The art on the back of the b-side has a funny caption. I recommend enlarging it!

These photos of me were taken by Erika Lax, who was very tolerant of her high-as-a-kite husband and let him finish this blogpiece before he joined her in bed (she's already asleep). 

Welcome to the Vancouver music scene, Blue Jay Valley. And welcome as well, Fink City! Fun night! 

Fink City here I come: Cryptyds to open for Rempel (and the Rousers, but they're not in her bandname anymore) tonight at Green Auto... plus... pre-teen rock? What?

Jeez, it has been 11 days since I blogged anything. It's like I have a life, or something. But it came to my attention that Cryptyds are playing a gig tonight, opening for Rempel (still with the Rousers, but they're no longer in her bandname. I confess, I have never caught them live before!). This is part of a record launch party for Fink City Records, which I don't know a thing about, but does this mean Cryptyds have vinyl? Ooh.

Anyhoo, I have seen Cryptyds twice, and wrote about them most recently here; I posted vids here, here and here. they have put out a new album since then, which seems to have amped up the Ramones influence a bit. They're really good live! I'm sure Rempel will be great too, I just don't know them (her? The band references Slade, who were a them, so I'm gonna go with them; I realize the Straight, here, would do an "it" but that just feels odd to me). The opening act, Blue Jay Valley, is apparently aged between 10 and 12, which is a bit unusual, but I'm kinda enjoying the song I just linked... check it out?

Actually, if I'm going to call Rempel a them, my verb for Blue Jay Valley should be an "are," but that feels wrong, since a valley is a singular phenomenon, like this band. I used a plural verb form for Cryptyds (I wrote "Cryptyds are" and "Cryptyds have," not "Cryptyds is" and "Cryptyds has," because that noun is PLURAL; "Cryptyds is" would just feel daft. It's a bit less clear with Rempel, but "Rempel are" just feels better than "Rempel is," since otherwise you might think I mean just one person.   

What was that about consistency being the bugbear of small minds? 

Oh, speaking of the Straight, I might have something coming up on the Straight website later today too, on totally other stuff, but it's not online yet. Meantime, Fink City, here I come. (Maybe). But Mike Usinger did a whole feature on Blue Jay Valley, which you can read here. I'm going to do that right now. 

The Dream Syndicate review and photos, Vancouver, Nov. 3, 2025

All photos by me except for the one of me and Dennis at the merchtable, below (which is by Erika Lax)

So apparently the Dream Syndicate is a cult taste, because (I'm guessing) fewer than 100 people made it out to the Rickshaw last night. Boy did the rest of you miss out! 

Of the people who did turn up, I'd guess that the average age was a little older than mine; with lots of people in their 60s and 70s and only a handful under 50. Half of the people that I knew in the room had seen them back in 1984, arriving at the Rickshaw as representatives of a time when music geekdom was almost 100% male. My wife and I further speculated that maybe 10 to 20% of the audience was female, and of that miniscule number, maybe 85% were there because their male partner brought them? 

But Erika totally enjoyed the band and I think has a new favourite of the artists I have shared with her. I have occasionally dragged her to cult-status shows on principle, even got her out to one of those so-called D.O.A. farewell tours; sometimes, if I've seen the band before, we end up leaving early, because I can tell she's not diggin' it and don't want her to be bored. 

That was not the case last night!   

Actually, I think she got all of "The Medicine Show," the song, on video. Keep an eye out!

Russ Breakey and his girlfriend, Kat (whom I have met twice, at Neil Young and again last night), had caught the band in Bellingham the other night (see Russ's photo of Wynn in the previous post). They chatted with Wynn about playing Greece, which apparently the Dream Syndicate (or Steve Wynn himself) has done weirdly often. Apparently Greek shows have been added to their upcoming tour. 

I spent the first few minutes of the night running around like an idiot, securing merch, saying hi to people, taking photos. I was posting shit like "You still have ten minutes to make it to the Rickshaw!" 

But don't ask me to tell you the setlist. The first song, in their first set, was "How Did I Find Myself Here," which was the perfect opener for a gig in a town you haven't played in for 41 years. But I can't do the setlist justice. They did, I think, four or five songs off that album, including the title track, "80 West," "Like Mary," and maybe "Out of My Head" and "Glide," but I'm sure on neither count. They also did about as many songs off These Times, like "Still Here Now," "Put Some Miles On" and "Bullet Holes" and a couple of others I did not note. I know the album poorly. But I know Ultraviolet Battle Hymns and True Confessions even less. I don't even have it! I don't believe they did a single song off it, in any case. 

(Edit: I can't vouch for the accuracy but someone has actually put the setlist online; I seem to be more or less correct in the above, but not in sequence). 

The second set was, as promised, Medicine Show in its entirely, but played in a slightly different order, moving "The Medicine Show" up and "Armed With an Empty Gun" down, and for the last two songs, flipping "Merrittville" and "John Coltrane Stereo Blues" around, so the jammier one, which even contained a brief detour into the Love Supreme riff, served as the ending cut. It was amazing, fantastic chemistry between the band members, Wynn leaning into Mark Walton (who is not on the studio album but played on live cuts on the box set) and Jason Victor (who could be Wynn's brother; they look quite similar). I always think when a band is really great they'll be playing INTO each other, like this, but it's usually only one guy that the main fella leans into. Here Wynn couldl lean left or right, however it suited him. 

Speaking of things I forgot to ask: "Hey, Dennis, why 5?" Mostly I just danced. I did shoot clips of three songs, "Still Here Now" and "Daddy's Girl." and the last song of the night (the second song of the encore, after "Tell Me When Its Over") which was "The Days of Wine and Roses." To be honest, I had not planned to shoot any of the best songs they do, but I was maxed out on dancing at that point, and... I literally was thinking of Art Bergmann on this one. He'd mentioned online that he wanted to hear Days material, but wasn't at the show, so there, Art, this one's for you.

Mark Walton told me later when signing my Medicine Show box set that he is actually on it, but only the live cuts; he's not on the album. Still, it's fair game to get his signature. Lots of us did. 

Wynn was funny and chatty between songs and afterwards. If his book had been on the merch table I'd have bought it, but there were just two shirt designs and stacks of the two 4 CD sets. The band was generous with fans afterwards, getting things signed and such. Rob Frith got both, and got Wynn's signature -- I was really happy he'd come out. Wynn told him about how Jason, the guitarist had actually bought something at Neptoon earlier that day; I had sent Wynn the New York Times article about Rob's big Beatles' find, but he told me he hadn't had a chance to read it yet; I think when he does he'll wish he'd chatted with Rob more! I also kinda wish I'd gotten them to take a picture together, but I simply forgot. Lots of distractions, when you have a big stack of album covers to get signed and all five band members there in front of you (actually Willie Aron, the guy on keys, wasn't technically a band member yet, and hadn't played on any of the albums, but he did just fine!). 

Every band member was enjoyable to watch. Jason Victor took most of the solos and was really compelling. Dennis Duck was laconic and Charlie-Wattsish. Mark Walton, who had been here for the REM show in 1984, was expressive and mobile. And I don't think I've been at a happier, more relaxed signing -- everyone was really friendly, the band happy to have pulled things off so well and all 100 or so of us just floating in delight after such an amazing evening of music. 

(the one above is by Erika!)

But that's all I've got. I have nothing much else to say. The sound was great, and if a false note was played, I sure didn't notice it. I was too busy dancin'! Here are my photos of the band live. If you write for a publication that pays money to photographers, I would like you to ASK ME before you use these, but if you're just an unpaid blogger like me or a fan or you were there last night, this is what I got; go for it. The more enthusiasm you spread online, the more likely I'll be to see these guys again sometime!  

Dream Syndicate tour dates here. Portland tonight, then down the west coast, then over to Europe in January and February! See this band if you can.