Why I Do and Thank You
Greetings and Happy New Year!
Firstly, I’d like to thank all those who helped me out this past year with my reviews and the individuals and bands who took the time to talk to me.
Jamie “Gunner” Smith, who got the whole thing going and allowed me to write for Steelcity Music.ca, for free!
All the clubs and their management.
Lou Molinaro, Jimmy and the staff at The Corktown, William Schwendiman and the staff at The Casbah, Babette De Jong and Door’s Taco Joint and Metal Bar, Genevieve Angus and Vertagogo (The Glad Stone) and the management and staff at Stonewall’s restaurant.
It was great to get out and see some new/ old bands and meet some new people, along with some happy reunions.
If you want me to cover a show, either as a band or venue, please get in touch with me.
In addition to the gratitude expressed above, “The Chief” (Gunner) has allowed me a moment to explain why I have begun to do these reviews.
Like many people, I’m sure, I have been a lifelong music fan. Around the age of seven or eight, I began listening to CKOC and CHUM Fm. I would wait for my favourite songs to come on again and may have accidentally left a tape recorder on once or twice. At the age of nine, I bought (at Simpson’s, Eaton’s?) my first three Lps, XTC’s Drums and Wires, The B-52s self titled debut, and Kenny Roger’s The Gambler. Two out of three “ain’t bad” I guess, especially for 10 dollars! It was the start of a very expensive and time-consuming addiction.
At ten I started taking guitar lessons, hoping to become the next Brian May. Over 40 years on, I’m still not.
In Grade 9, David Wilcox and his band played my high school (the same one that banned Teenage Head for hiding booze in the cafeteria rafters). I was amazed at the musicianship shown, and the energy this “old guy” harnessed for almost three straight hours. Years later, I discovered his secret.
From my suburban bedroom, I discovered a campus radio station I could barely hear unless I did some acrobatics involving wire coat hangers, 93.3 CFMU. The station and its various hosts introduced me to a whole new arena of music, which I began to seek out in both recorded and live forms.
Naturally, I had a high school band, which kind of fizzled out after a name change. The experience left a bad taste in my mouth for years until I spied a notice on Dr. Disc’s “Musicians Wanted “board. I pulled a lo fi tab from the ad, that looked like a serial killer had written it, called the number, and was on my way again.
Six years later, that band fizzled out, and I played with a few other outfits, until settling into a musical relationship that has lasted over 20 years now.
But why review local music?
When I was sharper but not so wise, I used to be quite judgemental about bands that I didn’t like. You know the tune, “too commercial”, “overproduced”, or the simple refrain, “they suck!”.
A very dear friend of mine, the late and greatly missed Randy Oberg (host of CFMU’s “Ample Sample Hour”) challenged my assumptions.
“They’ve got a hit record, play to thousands of people, and do what they love for a living! Wouldn’t you like to do that?” he would ask.
“Maybe”, I sniffed, “but they still suck!”.
Randy countered my clever retort by stating a series of facts I had obviously overlooked in my appraisal.
“Well, someone must like them, and they must be talented to get to the level they’re at.”
For once, I had nothing to say.
Even getting up on a stage in front of people, as a solo act or band, requires tremendous courage. And to spend thousands of hours practicing, promoting etc. a band with no real hope of any return, other than the joy of playing music and possibly 4 beer tickets for a 5-member band (OV only, please).
I guess being a musician helped me to appreciate other bands more.
These days, I feel nervous when a band is having their first gig or are opening for a popular headliner. I often need to remind myself that it’s not me going on stage.
Also, understanding that if there’s going to be an equipment problem, an important gig (or any gig) is the best time for something to go wrong.
Every broken guitar string, busted drumhead, blown amp and onstage quibble hits me in a personal way, because I know the feeling—very well.
The times I wished I could summon a working kick pedal or brought an extra guitar with me to a gig are numerous.
The trials and tribulations of a band on stage somehow get absorbed by me, and its an unpleasant feeling.
To this end, I am always on the side of the band, whoever they may be, and whatever style of music they play.
Maybe there’s other people, especially musicians or those connected with the industry, who feel the same.
Perhaps it’s just me and I’m an odd duck.
Still, fellow musicians, I’m on your side. Have a great show!
(no, not you U2, not you)
All the best for the New Year,
“Gentleman” Jeff Andersen
