Category Archives: Video

RAIN’S WORLD #16 – HOLLERADO

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Hollerado Moving Company

Hollerado: certified muscle-ymen

Moving sucks. Packing, moving boxes around, cleaning… all that stuff is the worst.

UNLESS you can trick a band into doing it for you. Which I did. 

Well, if the music thing doesn’t work out, at least they’ve got a future in the NBA.

Fortunately, that music thing is going just fine. 

Their new album, White Paint is out today! You can grab it (and you really, really should) RIGHT HERE!

To taste it before you buy it, here’s their first single from the record, “Pick Me Up”… accompanied by a video that you should only watch in the company of a close and trusted friend, in a space that won’t freak you out and give you a bad trip.

Hollerado heads out on tour this March with Billy Talent, Sum 41 and Indian Handcrafts. For more, check out hollerado.com.

RAIN’S WORLD #15 – BREWS WILLIS

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Spoiler Alert: The Piñata Dies

You like piñatas. You like burgers. You like fun party rockers Brews Willis.

You will like this episode of Rain’s World.

Now, to get that dry burger taste out of your mouth- and to make you nostalgic for the island and summertime and beach parties- here is the Brews Willis track “Ride the Island Baby” from their album Nerped By A Zircon. (Toronto residents, keep your eyes open for some familiar summertime sights!)

For more, surf over to brewswillis.com
 

My First Pick For Whisky Rocks (or, “O, Hey Brother, Where Art Thou”)

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Hey Brother

Hey Brother

(This entry is part of an on-going guest blogging series I am doing for Aux.TV and LCBO’s Whisky Rocks)

Back in an earlier entry, I mentioned that catchiness is one of the most important things that makes me perk up when hear a new song for the first time. I love it when a song hooks me in from the get go – or at the very least, by the first chorus. Whatever, man, I’m kind of easy that way- get my attention early on, and I’m much more likely to climb aboard. Even better? Have me singing your tune to myself after it’s over.

That’s exactly what happened when I played Hey Brother’s track “Chameleon” for the first time. Not only is the video adorably DIY and full of fun dancing, I think I actually know all the words after listening to it six times. And that’s not a jab at their lyrics – that’s a compliment to their hookiness.  ”Chameleon” is one of those songs that you wish was longer, so you press play again as soon as it’s over.

This band sounds like they’re having fun, and from the video, they look like they’re having fun, too. These guys are performers, not just musicians. The kind of band that really proves how great they are when they’re in front of a crowd. And they’re the kind of band that wakes a crowd up and gets them moving, perfect for opening a show.

Wouldn’t it be great to see them play before the Trews? Go vote now! 

Vintage Zeus Juice

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I found this old video from back in 2008, when we all went to a festival in Orillia called Suncrash. Neil played us some songs in the woods- a few of which went on to become Zeus songs.

Precious!

For comparison, here is the Zeus version of Marching Through Your Head:

If you followed a link from Pink Mafia, where I’m writing my guest blog for their Bloghunter feature – thanks! And if you got here another way – you should check out my Bloghunter entries over at Pink Mafia HERE.

RAIN’S WORLD #12 – POOR YOUNG THINGS

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Poor Young Things

Poor Young Things enjoy sitting together

This video was recorded during NXNE. I had made some unwise choices the previous evening and had a pretty terrible hangover when it was shot.

When I had arranged to film this video of Thunder Bay boys Poor Young Things and I playing Quarters, several days prior, I didn’t realize that Quarters was a drinking game. I don’t know how this happened. But it did. Here are the results:

Poor Young Things make rock music. If you’re a fan of Teenage Kicks, you’re going to like these dudes. Here’s the video for their song “Blame It On The Good Times”, which shows Toronto a lot of love:

If you dig it, comment below - I’ve got a an autographed copy of their 7″, Let It Sleep (as well as the CD of the same) – to give away to one of my readers. You can also buy the record now on iTunes.

Poor Young Things - Let It Sleep

Comment for your chance to win!

And please… DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

RAIN’S WORLD #11 – BOXER THE HORSE

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Boxer the Horse

Image Borrowed from Boxer the Horse’s Website

Andrew and Christian of Boxer the Horse came all the way from P.E.I. to play a rousing game of Pictionary/Real-Life Draw Something with me. 

Turns out they’re not just talented musicians – they also are really good at drawing safe injection sites.

And now, if that didn’t prove to you that these guys rule, please see Exhibit B: their music video for their song “Rattle Your Cage.” It follows the old adage, “If life gives you a tarp, make it into giant waves so you can pretend to surf in a parking lot.”

So, if you’re fans of music that sounds like summertime and smelling the ocean and days that are cloudy but cheerful, go check out more of their tunes at their Bandcamp HERE. And while you’re there, why not buy their vinyl? It’s a new thing the kids are doing!

RAIN’S WORLD #10 – THE PACK A.D.

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The Pack A.D. and Raina

The Pack A.D.

Disclaimer: If you don’t like ham, this might not be your kind of awesome-video-with-totally-rad-women-from-a-great-band.

Maya and Becky of The Pack A.D. come by to play a game of Rad Libs. Yes, Rad Libs. (Not affiliated with Mad Libs.)

Even better than their love of ham? Their music:

Oh, so good.

Catch them live at Edgefest on July 14th at Downsview Park! And check them out at thepackad.com.

Wayne Coyne’s Pre-Game Show

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I finally have my computer back! It’s fixed, with a shiny new power supply. And more posts are forthcoming, I promise… but first, to celebrate, here is a video I took from sidestage at the Flaming Lips show at NXNE last weekend.

It’s Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne warming up his twirling arm before the show. You can hear us talking in the background. There’s a reason we’re so giggly – which I will explain in full later this week when I write about how incredible that show was.

In the meantime, feel the good feelings:

Check back soon for interviews from the Pack AD, Boxer the Horse, Reversing Falls, Parlovr and MORE… 

RAIN’S WORLD #8 – PAPERMAPS

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Papermaps on Rain's World

The highly lovely Dean Marino and Wendy Leung of Papermaps joined me in my kitchen for a little vegan cookery recently! It’s the second time grilled cheese sandwiches have made an appearance on Rain’s World (the first time was with Tokyo Police Club) – but it’s the FIRST time they haven’t actually involved ANY REAL CHEESE!

Caution: this video might change the way you view vegan food forever. Also caution: Dean and Wendy are really really nice people.

By the way: The Olympic Sized Triple-Double Decker Avocado Caramelized Vegan Grilled Cheese Speciale is TRADEMARKED. Don’t even try to steal that catchy title.

Papermaps, by the way, will be playing NEXT WEEK at the El Mocambo! May 25th, to be exact, at 10:45pm. Doors open at 9, and they’ll be joined by Mercy Now, Goodnight Sunrise and Rulers of the Moon.

They’re also going to be rocking NXNE, of course! Catch ‘em June 14th at Two Way Monologues’ Showcase at Rancho Relaxo! Their set it at 11pm sharp and you can pick up your tasty NXNE wristbands right HERE.

Wait! One more thing before we go!

The beautiful and avocado-slicingly skilled Wendy has JUST released a new album by her side project, Wendy Vs. called Crayone Wars. Dean’s part of it as well, and you can buy the whole album on the Wendy Vs. bandcamp… right HERE!

Here’s what it sounds like. I think you’re going to like it a whole heap of a lot. I do!

Look out for Papermaps’ new album, they’re hard at work on it, and it’s gonna be rad.

Keep up to date with ALL things Papermaps at their website: PAPERMAPS.NET