All Purpose Voltage Heroes – Already Haunted

Already Haunted:
An Album About Loss or Regret
the All Purpose Voltage Heroes
Rectangle Records
Reluctant Recordings
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

The All Purpose Voltage Heroes are at it again! For their third release they released this splendid EP, which doubles as “an album about loss or regret.” Indulging in my desire to be exceedingly cheesy, you’ll regret not getting this album!

The Progressive Thinker… Dec. 23

The Progressive Thinker
at Turd Ferguson, December 23, 2005
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

This show hit some snags. Originally cast as Progressive Thinker, First Reign, and Pterrordactyl, the roster had to be cut down to just the headliner. Where better to have the reunion of the Burlesque House house band than the current equivalent, Turd Ferguson? I have to say, at the beginning of the night, I had fairly low expectations for this show, but I was surprised.

Paper Lanterns… Dec. 3

Paper Lanterns
with the Spinoffs and Fun 100
at the Candy Bar, December 3, 2005
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

With the Polys recently broken up, Fun 100, sans Marcus, was up first at the Candy Bar.

Fun 100… Nov. 26

Fun 100
with New World on Fire and some other lame bands I don’t know the names of. I think one was Bel Riose
at Endoplasmic Entertainment, November 26, 2005
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak and Sam Costinak

SJ: We’re sitting here in CAPP. We’re going to write a review of a show neither of us actually saw all of. Give us a break. It’s CAPP.

SC: I can’t even even remember the first band. They were really bad. I left.

Red Hot Lovers… Nov. 25

Red Hot Lovers
with Spreadeagle and First Reign
at the McCallum Activity Centre, November 25, 2005
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

I totally missed First Reign on account of having no idea where this show was. I knew it was near Jubilee Park. I didn’t even know where Jubilee Park was. Here’s my review of what I’m guessing what would have happened if I had seen them.

You Say Party! We Say Die!… Nov. 24

You Say Party! We Say Die!
on Thunderbird Radio Hell
at CiTR, Nov 24, 2005
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

Originally scheduled as Fun 100 and You Say Party! We Say Die! on Thunderbird Radio Hell, Fun 100 dropped out and left You Say Party to themselves. In a two songs, interview, repeat format You Say Party played great and made some memorable quotes. An extremely solid set was latched together with a mispronunciation of the name Stefani, a rant on Don Cherry (Rock’em Sock’em 5 is the best), and a discussion on alcohol vs. cough syrup brought on by Krista’s request for a bathroom break.

the Doers – Plastic Bass

Plastic Bass
the Doers
Red Cat Records
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

The Doers‘ latest effort takes a step away from their double EP, Ready, Set… Do! The tracks may be mellower than their collaboration with Mike Watt, but Plastic Bass does not fail to deliver. Each of the 500 copies is carefully placed in a sturdy cardboard cased, hand-numbered, and graced with Sean Maxey’s artistic touch, not to mention the elegant liner notes, alerting listeners of the special features (a music video) and encouraging them to duplicate the cd. Enough about semblance, on to the show!

With Love, From Me to You!

With Love, From Me to You!
A Zine About Mail Art
Melanie Coles
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

One of the creators of The Brains Never Stop, Miss Coles continues her streak of beautiful zines with this “year by year documentation of letters, pastes, postcards, stamps, friends, zines, mailboxes, and the post service*. *the band”. While the zine is beautiful in and of itself, it’s not just the aesthetics that please. Melanie’s writing is clever and funny, although not overtly so. You could race through this in just a couple minutes but it would seem to be a disjointed art zine. However, it’s so much more. When time is put into reading and “figuring it out” it’s brilliant.

Fun 100… Nov. 6

Fun 100
with the Doers and You Say Party! We Say Die!
at Turd Ferguson, November 6, 2005
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

The last Turd Ferguson Show? Contrary to popular belief, no! Anyways, this is the second Fun 100 CD release party.

Fun 100… Oct. 29

Fun 100
with Cran
at a house in Langley, October 29, 2005
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

Yeah! A Trinity party! Oh wait, that’s kind of lame! But Fun 100 and Cran played, so it’s okay. I was greeted at the house by a table full of CDs available for $3 each! After figuratively snatching a Futureheads CD from Jonny Hughes’s limp wrists (that wasn’t meant to be mean, I just couldn’t resist the symbolism), I was ready to enjoy some music.