Our friends at winniecooper.net are a bunch of awesome guys. What feels like only weeks ago, when they staged their first  night in a little dive bar has expanded into a realm which it will never return, like the rings of Saturn or Cloud City. No More Strangers proudly celebrated their first year with a bang I could have never expected. The newly renovated Funky Winkerbean, ripe with anticipation and smiling faces was wall to wall with people by 10:00pm, an early start aided by some wild laser lights and some expert dj’ing by the resident head masters Hunk The Drunk and Christian Flores. A few distracted and scattered bodies swayed and bobbed on the dance floor waiting for the night to truly begin. And when Myths took the stage, our minds crumbled with they flung into our faces. Two girlies pranced around the stage in homemade garb, lace wrapped tightly around their faces. Laptop beats pounded endlessly, delayed and echoed unintelligible shrieks cascading over a sea of synthy grimy electro. Harder to describe than most bands this video will give you a pretty good idea of the feelings I was left with:

When that was finally over and we’d smoked our way through a half pack each, most returned to the dance floor or the epic bar line to secure their final drink before the much anticipated Diamond Rings took to the stage. A small speech was made by founder HUNK and cake was distributed. What came next was a real spectacle. Diamond Rings, gold tights, neon make up and freshly painted nails was a captivating presence as I’ve ever seen. An 80′s pop hero, half Bowie half Laurie Anderson and of course 100% glam idol. Incredibly smooth choreographed dance moves across a stage too small to hold his brilliance. Although it wasn’t the fastest dance music I’ve ever heard, it kept the crowd captivated and swaying to and fro. As Diamond Rings announced his last song, balloons cascaded from over head filling the room with colour and cries of delight. And then it was over, a packed dance floor continued to bob with the music until with a flick of the light switch, it was over and everyone was ushered into the street.

Diamond Rings – Wait & See

Congrats Winnie Cooper and No More Strangers for being oh so awesome! We love you.

(photo credit to W.C)

-lionsteeth

My love for Julie Doiron started at an early age, around 16. My boss at the mall clothing store I worked at passed me a cd, “Shotgun + Jaybird plus Julie Randoms” Scribbled across the front with girlish hearts and doodles occupying the rest of the space. We would listen to it quietly, unplugging the company controlled radio and coughing loudly when Julie would yell cuss words. I still have that cd, and although I own almost all Shotgun and Jaybird/Julie albums, there are still quite a few songs only that cd can provide. Before this Biltmore show I had never seen Julie and I must I admit I had high expectations, not in a critical way, in a loving way. I felt like I was watching a good friend preform and had an almost giddy feeling when Julie walked past in the bar.  Surprisingly an early 8:00pm show on Saturday night was still sold out and the line to buy tickets was down the street. When the curtain finally lifted to expose the pig-tailed and messy Julie, black Les-Paul in hand and amp cranked to 10, I noticed another familiar face. The keyboardist for the Constantines is now Julies backing band, god damn what a treat that was. Hightlights included Snow In November, Borrowed Mini-Vans, a cover of Ladyhawks “Teenage Love Song”, and Consolation Prize. Not to mention a treat from her newest project Daniel, Fred and Julie featuring Fred of Shotgun and Jaybird, and Daniel of Attack In Black.  And then it was over, the crowed briefly parted only to gather around tighter this time for Bowerbirds who took to the stage quite quickly. The mood was soft and Bowerbirds preformed perfectly, accordion and light acoustic guitar bouncing off one another while all four members sang in lovely harmonies.  Highlights of this set included Silverclouds, Chimes, a rowdy anti-olympic cheer, a drunken fellow double fisting PBR constantly leaning into me for support and the crowd pleaser of the night, an energetic version of the song Crooked Lust which I loved. And that was it, we where ushered out of the venue to make room for the gang of people lined up the block to see Attack In Black who where scheudled to preform only 45 minutes afterwards. I give this  show 4 PBR’s out of 5.

Julie Doiron – Spill Yr Lungs (live)

Bowerbirds – Crooked Lust

-lionsteeth