Hard Core Logo Live

We saw the musical Hard Core Logo Live at the Roxy.  It is a stage adaptation of the 1996 Canadian cult-classic mockumentory that is based on the book by Michael Turner, ‘Hard Core Logo’.  The movie was loosely based on the punk band D.O.A from Vancouver; it starred Hugh Dillon (the former lead singer of the Headstones).  The movie had cameo appearances by Joe ‘Shithead’ Keithley of D.O.A, Art Bergmann, and Joey Ramone.

The musical started with a “Punkerland Who’s Who” featuring Joe Keithley, ‘the Godfather of Canadian punk’.  The musical is very similar to the movie.  A punk rock band ‘Hard Core Logo’ – Joe Dick, Billy Tallent, John Oxenberger, and Pipefitter reunite to do a fundraiser for their friend who has been shot; and it turns into an eventful tour across Western Canada.  There is a lot of live music and they included the song ‘Who the Hell Do You Think You Are?’ which won a Genie Award for ‘Best Achievement in Music – Original Song’.  The Musical Directors of the play were Joe “Shithead’ Keithley and Corinne Kessel.

The Director of the movie Bruce McDonald has stated that there is a Hard Core Logo sequel in the works!  Until then, the punk opera is in Edmonton until December 5. 

http://www.theatrenetwork.ca/

Canadian Music at the Grey Cup 2010 Festivities

The City of Edmonton built a stage for Canadian bands to play on for the 2010 Grey Cup Festival.  There was Canadian music all over the city all weekend outdoors and at all of the parties. 

The first band we saw at the Huddledome was Helix.  Brian Vollmer said they just about didn’t make the show as their plane was late, the door wouldn’t open, their vehicle didn’t arrive on time, and they got lost and the GPS didn’t work!  They were happy they made it to be able to take part of the festivities!  They played a lot of new songs; but still played favorites like ‘Make Me Do Anything You Want’, and ‘Rock You’!  They also played ‘Heavy Metal Love’ which was the wedding song played for Ricky in the Trailer Park Boys Movie.  They were filming for their new Helix-based reality TV series. 

http://planethelix.com/ 

The second band we saw was Bif Naked.  She is one of the best female talents of Canada.  She has an amazing voice and has such star quality.  She sang some of our favorites like ‘Space Man’, ‘Moment of Weakness’, and ‘Lucky’.  Before she started ‘Tango Shoes’ she said that her tango shoes are now in the Bata Shoe Museum in downtown Toronto!  Bif finished the set with ‘I Love Myself Today’.  She was excited to be part of the celebration!

http://www.bifnaked.com/

The third band we saw was Ian Thornley with Big Wreck.  This was part of a reunion tour!  They played some solo Thornley songs ‘Come Again’ and ‘Make Believe’, and played Big Wreck songs ‘That Song’ and ‘The Oaf’.  Ian laughed when some girls asked him to ‘take it off’, it was too cold; but he said he loved the Rock Winter!  They finished the set with an ‘Oh Canada’ guitar solo.

http://thornleymusic.com/

We went to see Dave Navarro & DJ Skribble at the Underground Huddle.  Dave played guitar while the DJ played songs, it was similar to when we saw Tommy Lee DJ and play drums.  It was rock mixed in with some dance.  Dave played guitar along to Rush, Black Sabbath, Queen, etc. but surprisingly; no Red Hot Chili Peppers or Jane’s Addiction.  He has a very cool stage presence; he has mind-blowing talent with his guitar playing.

The fourth band we saw was Fozzy with Chris Jericho.  We actually only got to see a couple of songs as we had to stand in line to go zip lining.  We could hear people screaming Fozzy!  Fozzy! as we were zip lining across the Huddledome and we saw Fozzy with Chris Jericho on the stage 90 feet below!  

http://fozzyrock.com/

The fifth band we saw was Trooper.  They are a staple of Canadian music; they have been playing music for 35 years.  They are very entertaining on stage and Ra McGuire is hysterically funny.  They did a great many songs that every Canadian knows like ‘Raise a Little Hell’, ‘We’re Here For a Good Time, (Not a Long Time)’, and ‘Hand Grenade’.

http://www.trooper.com/

The final band we saw was Big Sugar.  They have been ‘on a break’ for 6 years, so everyone was excited to see this Canadian blues-rock band perform again.  Gordie Johnson came out with a double neck guitar with a Canadian flag on the back and started with ‘Red Rover - Brothers and Sisters, Are You Ready?’ and they played all of their hits including ‘Diggin a Hole’, and ‘Dear Mr. Fantasy’.

http://www.bigsugar.com/index.php

Other Canadian bands that played around the city and for the parties were Matt Good, Theory of a Deadman, Streetheart, Tom Cochrane, Wide Mouth Mason and The Trews.  We had to pick and choose who we wanted to see as it was all packed in one weekend for the Grey Cup 2010!

Halloween Howler with Bret Michaels

We attended local rock radio station (100.3 fm) the Bear’s 18th Halloween Howler on October 29.  It was held at the Shaw Conference Center (Edmonton, AB) and featured performances by Bret Michaels and Hail the Villain.  We have been to almost all of the Howler’s in the past (unless we were in Las Vegas or LA) and always have an amazing time.  The prizes (for best costumes) are huge and the costumes are always mind-blowing!  This year was by far the best Howler yet, and there were a great many Bret Michaels and Slash look alikes at the party. Bret was definitely the most popular costume choice this year and there were wigs and bandanas everywhere you looked! It was awesome!

This year there were 12 of us girls dressed up as Bret's Rock of Love girls. We all wore matching Rock of Love backstage passes.  We were front row center and had an amazing time!  Bret started the show with ‘Nothin’ But a Good Time’ and played many of our Poison favorites such as ‘Fallen Angel’ and ‘Talk Dirty to Me’.  We haven’t seen him play solo since Rocklahoma 2008 (we also saw Bret play with Poison at Rocklahoma 2007 as well as in Las Vegas in Sept 2009)! Did we mention we love Bret? :)

We were hoping that he would play some of his solo songs like ‘Bittersweet’ or ‘Driven’, but he opted for more party-orientated rock cover songs like “Rock N Roll All Night’ by Kiss and "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynard Skynard.  Either way (as usual), Bret rocked our world! 

We visited the merch booth after the show where Bret offered a post-show meet and greet for a $200.00 donation to juvenile diabetes. Check out the link on BretMichaels.com:  http://www.bretmichaels.com/2010/diabetes_files/diabetes.htm        

Us at the Howler! (Lor and Cin) :)