You Say Party! We Say Die!… May 3

You Say Party! We Say Die!
with the Doers, the Dirty Dirty North, WCB, and Velvamatics
at the McCallum Activity Centre, May 3, 2008
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak being increasingly obtuse

The Velvamatics are at a good start. That’s weird, ‘cuz I’ve been seeing them (not in this configuration) for two years and now they’re at a good starting point. It’s reasonable, they’re seventeen. Their garage rock climaxes at its noisiest, and with a few less repeats they’d be handling some nice fuzzy econo-rock.

You Say Party! We Say Die!… Jan. 25

You Say Party! We Say Die!
with the Doers, Fake Shark Real Zombie and i/i
at Ukrainian Hall, January 25, 2008
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

Are there still all-ages shows in Vancouver? The Emergency Room doesn’t count; letting anyone in doesn’t make it All-Ages. Kyle and Kohl’s final show reminded me that I really do hate teenagers. The media glorifies us, but really, we’re idiots.

Music Waste… June 1-4

Music Waste
2006
in Vancouver, June 1st to 4th, 2006
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

Doers – Whatcha Doin’?

Whatcha Doin’?
the Doers
Reluctant Recordings / Red Cat
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

Normally I hate “Best of” albums, preferring the carefully calculated song orders of a normal album, but folk punk quartet The Doers cry out for such a release. Each of their previous releases are in essentially direct proportion to their complete discography; some fast, exciting fun songs, but primarily slower (but still good) songs. The problem is that listeners (at least) me, don’t want to here a cross section of their complete discography, we want something similar to a Doers set. Unfortunately, Whatcha’s Doin’? follows this disappointing trend.

Doers… April 15

The Doers
with Sean Wesley Wood and the Vancouver Vipers, Greg MacPherson, and Ursa Minor
at the Eagles Hall, April 15, 2006
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

The first show at a new venue is always a little weird, but at least Twilight Union (formerly Turd Ferguson) is kicking up the pace again (putting on three shows in eight days).

You Say Party! We Say Die!… Feb. 10

You Say Party! We Say Die!
with Cadeaux, Raised by Wolves, the Doers, and Skort
at AgRec Gallery, February 10, 2006
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

With my name surprisingly on the guestlist, I walked in and saved my $8 which was actually probably about how much this show was theoretically worth. Thankfully, the environment was a lot nicer than the last McCallum Activity Center show (with D.O.A.), despite the presence of a security guard. A lot fewer idiots showed up to this show, which featured a lot better bands. The security guard wasn’t a jerk either, he basically just guarded the beer garden.

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!

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.

The Doers… Sept. 22

The Doers
with Varge and Limosis
at Turd Ferguson, September 22, 2005
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

I was given misinformation about this show. I heard it started at 7. I got to the show at 8, and only a handful of people were there. The show started a bit later with Limosis. They played loud and heavy nu metal. They weren’t very good, but that might just be a matter of taste. I didn’t watch much of the their set, but I could hear it from outside and it was pretty gross. It would have been tolerable, but they played for a very long time. Someone said it was and hour and forty-five minutes. I think it was closer to and hour and fifteen minutes, but I didn’t have a watch. After that horrible experience was Varge, which Sean of the Doers assured me was great.

You Say Party! We Say Die!… Sept. 11

You Say Party! We Say Die!
with Fun 100, the Doers, They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, and Hot Loins
at Mesa Luna, September 11, 2005
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

The last show of You Say Party!’s CD Release weekend started off with a set by Hot Loins. I really don’t understand their appeal. They sounded awful, but then again, both times I’ve seen them it’s been at Mesa “doesn’t adjust balance” Luna. Their set seemed to go on for too long, but once it was over, the show really started.