photos by Bao Nguyen

We've been following Broken Social Scene all over the place lately. Way back when there was Bonnaroo. Then Sled Island. Then there were the two NYC shows - Mercury Lounge and the Siren Festival. Finally there was this past weekend which included a performance in Montreal at the Osheaga Festival, and a show in Chicago at the Lollapalooza Festival. Stars' Amy Millan joined them on stage in Chicago and Montreal.

Tickets are now on sale for Broken Social Scene's next NYC show. More pictures from Lolla below...

Continue reading "Broken Social Scene - Lollapalooza pics & NYC TICKETS"

Land of Talk @ Citysol, NYC - July 14, 2007

Old news, but never explicitly pointed out by me, Liz Powell from Land of Talk can be heard on Broken Social Scene's new Brendan Canning album. It's the second time Liz and Brendan worked together. Land of Talk also have a new album of their own coming out soon - October 7th to be exact. And even sooner they'll play a show at Mercury Lounge in NYC - September 11th to be exact. Tickets are now on sale.

words by Black Bubblegum, photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

Real Talk: The show was a warm-up, a place to work out the kinks before they rock the big crowds of the Siren Festival on Saturday. At points it showed. The band had a few false starts and were definitely a little rusty, except for the "classics".

More Real Talk: It wasn't just just Brendan Canning, it was Broken Social Scene! At MERCURY LOUNGE. Clocking in at two hours. Seven band members plus a four piece horn section. 18 gazillion guitars (OK, at least 3 at any given time). Who can really complain about that?

The band was definitely loose, definitely working out the kinks, but definitely fun and HAVING fun as they cruised through five tracks from Brendan Canning's new record (due July 22nd), a Kevin Drew song, a handful of Broken Social Scene tracks, a few odds & sods, and one awesome Apostle Of Hustle track. The new Brendan Canning tracks come off much better in person, although I gotta say that Brendan's voice probably could have done with a hefty dose of effects that he used on Something For All of Us. All in all though, these are minor quibbles compared to how unbelievable it was to hear songs like KC Accidental (an audience choice) in Mercury Lounge.

Since you never can tell, this was BSS on July 17, 2008: Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, Justin Peroff, Andrew Whiteman (Apostle Of Hustle), Sam Goldberg, Gentelman Reg, Charles Spearin (Do Make Say Think), "newest member" Leon Kingstone, "Philadelphia's Finest" horn section, feturing 3 horns.

The highlight for me was Andrew Whiteman and the VERY impromptu performance of Apostle Of Hustle's "National Anthem of Nowhere". So impromptu that his accompaniment, Brendan Canning on bass and Justin Peroff on drums, were obviously learning the song ON THE SPOT, and it worked like magic. I managed to catch Apostle Of Hustle during their residency at Mercury last year and last night's performance of it definitely felt more special. To me, Andrew Whiteman is the unsung hero of BSS; his effortless GQ-smooth solos elevated all the songs, ESPECIALLY "Cause = Time" with it's soaring solos.

Fellow Arts & Crafts (BSS's label) artist Gentleman Reg opened the show, as well as played in the BSS backing band. This was my virgin Gentleman Reg experience and his songs seemed simple and with potential, although kind of lost in the dull roar of the talky backs-to-the-artist crowd, especially considering his sparse guitar and drums arrangement. Gentleman Reg may require further investigation.

Kyle adds:

charles spearin (do make say think) is playing with the guys and debuted a part of a new project called "happiness," in which he interviews people about what makes them happy and then takes the pitches of their voices and turns them into music. very interesting and avant-guarde. they also had a horn section with them. i believe the most i counted on stage was 11 people, but for mercury that's ridiculous. they joked around and improvised a few bits of songs (one of which was a promise not to play madison square garden). the finale was chosen via audience vote (kc accidental) to which kevin responded, "you guys are living in the past!" the room was also about 120 degrees.

Continue reading "Broken Social Scene ("Brendan Canning") & Gentleman Reg @ Mercury Lounge, NYC - pics"

Well, "Brendan Canning" is playing Mercury Lounge tonight, but really what's the difference anymore. I hear it will be a full band show, and they wouldn't be allowed to call it a BSS show because ...... BSS are co-headlining the Siren Festival on Saturday.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Brendan Canning show at Mercury Lounge.

Tickets are on sale (@ noon) for the Death Vessel show at Mercury Lounge. The show at Union Hall is on sale too.

Tickets are on sale for a Damien Jurado show at Mercury Lounge.

Tickets are on sale for four Spinto Band shows at Union Hall.

Paul Weller's Nokia show goes on sale Friday.

Now on Presale: Opeth & High on Fire

Reduced in Price: Sonny Rollins @ Summerstage.

FREE: a Radiohead & other tribute bands @ BB King's

ALSO FREE: everything listed in the free show calendar.

Broken Social Scene @ Sled Island 2008 (more by Rae Holtsabum)

Broken Social Scene's free performance at the Siren Festival in Coney Island is right around the corner. Brendan Canning's intimate performance at the Mercury Lounge is even sooner.

Broken Social Scene presents Brendan Canning "Something For All Of Us..." An album release party featuring a special live performance. Each ticket includes a copy of the new album "Something For All Of Us.." that can be collected upon entry to Mercury Lounge. As an added bonus, each purchaser will be emailed a download link for "Something For All Of Us.." within 2 days of their completed transaction.
Also Appearing: Gentleman Reg. [tickets]

Continue reading "Brendan Canning playing Mercury Lounge! Jason Collett playing Bowery and other places, BSS Tour Dates"

photos by Rae Holtsabum

Broken Social Scene were also scheduled to play for an hour, but everything was running late and they had to cut their set to 40 minutes because of Calgary's noise bylaw [June 27, 2008].

The band came out to insane hoots and hollers and kicked it off with "KC Accidental" from 2002's You Forgot It In People. This version of the group consisted of Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, Andrew Whiteman, Justin Peroff, Charles Spearin, Sam Goldberg and Evan Cranley. Sporting a black baseball cap and leather jacket, Drew led the band through vigorous renditions of "Farewell To The Pressure Kids" and "Fucked Up Kid" from his Broken Social Scene Presents: Kevin Drew Spirit If... record. The band also played "Churches Under The Stairs" from the new Broken Social Scene Presents: Brendan Canning Something For All Of Us... disc.
[Chart Attack]

Continue reading "Broken Social Scene @ Sled Island 2008, Calgary - pics"

DOWNLOAD: Brendan Canning (BSS) - Hit the Wall (MP3)

That reminded me....

Continue reading "Broken Social Scene - new Brendan Canning album/MP3, Siren"