Click read more to see the 2011 participating music acts and their submitted bios, as seen on the MW app. If you want a link to the band, please visit the schedule page.

Aardvark Robinson

A four-peice, based in Vancouver, whose drummer is currently abroad promoting his latest crime novel, “Bad Boy”.

ANIMAL BODIES

Hah, sicka than your average Poppa Twist cabbage off instinct niggaz don’t think shit stink Pink gators, my Detroit players Timbs for my hooligans in Brooklyn Dead right, if the head right, Biggie there ery’night Poppa been smooth since days of Underroos Never lose, never choose to, bruise crews who
Do something to us, talk go through us Girls walk to us, wanna do us, screw us
Who us? Yeah, Poppa and Puff.

Apollo Ghosts

n/a

Aquanaut

Emerging from the briny depths of the Atlantic Ocean, Aquanaut burst forth from the water a juggernaut. Simultaneously fast and slow,
sludgy and sleek, Aquanaut is a new kind of force. With one goal in mind, the warrior turns south and begins its final journey; to sink Australia.

B-LINES

Vancouver’s favorite punk band.

Babysitter

n/a

Bad Fate

Bad Fate sez: “Tender friends and love love love!  Faces are drums!  Trees are guitars!  And you’re one too!”

BARTEL

BARTEL is music project of Andrew Harris from Vancouver. The Bartel aesthetic explores the intersection between accessible electronic music, location recording, and experimental sound design; encouraging an approach to song writing which is both technical and cinematic. The music is released by Chicago based label, Alphabasic. Bartel has presented his work in a live setting all over North America, including performances in Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, Detroit(DEMF), and Austin (SXSW).

BASKETBALL

Basketball are an energetic four piece driven by live electronics, spirited vocals, and massive percussion. Their live performances, like rituals, induce mass dancing, roping bodies into possession with their fierce thumping beats and sparkling eastern melodies. Basketball exists amongst a history of music played on street corners and celebrations around the world.

Beach Demon

“I’m gonna put Iggy Pop quotes instead.

‘I stare at myself in the mirror and I think, ‘Wow, I’m really great-looking.’… I think I’m the greatest, anyway.’
-Iggy Pop

‘She looked at me penetratingly. So I suppose you can figure out what happened next.’
-Iggy Pop

We play surf punk music that you can shotgun beers to at whatever beach you want.

Ben Rogers and The Black Oats

Lanky 4-piece resurrecting murder ballads and traditional forms through electronic folk fuzz, cow-tipping cosmic country Gram Parsons click-clack, sun-damaged velvet chants, Ennio Morricone crow-hammer guitar, the underwater twang of acid americana, and drums clanging like a last heartbeat. Comes in S, M, XXL.

BERTHA COOL

The border between reality and illusion will be dissolving.
Voodoo rock that invokes blood and the memory of blood. Abrasive noise riffs give way to weirdo pop hooks, 3x vocal assault and danceable postpunk rhythms.
Doom-punk from fucked up kids chanelling The Fall, Misfits, Big Black and Joy Division. Formed in summer 2010, played shows with Twin Crystals, Sex Church, SSRIS, played Radio Hell and have a Tour and 7”” coming this summer.Bertha cool are three kids vocalizing over the fuzzed-out soundtrack to a stoned suburban apocalypse.

Bitch Moves

When pursuing teen boys became more of a priority than playing music, Luna and Jenni were ejected from their prior bands. When pursuing pre-teen boys became more of a priority than playing music, Luna and Jenni were blacklisted from Vancouver’s music community. With no one left to play with, they now just play with themselves.

Blanche Devereaux

Blanche Devereaux is the result of a bloodpact formed by vintage-sailor tattoo artist Dan Kurc (danielkurc.tumblr.com) on drums and DIY musician Greg Pothier (gregpothier.com) on guitar; two long-lost half brothers who discovered the fact they had the same mother during a tattoo session. Despite both being the abandoned sons of a famous celebrity, they vowed a dedication to making surf-garage music and locating undiscovered half-siblings scattered around the world. Inspired by Pacific Northwest groups like the Ventures, the Sonics, and the Mummies, their gnarly brain-melting sound was described in one word as “cavernous” by Vancouver’s Georgia Strait.

Boy Voyage

Dunbar is a battle.

Bummer High

Swampy country music.

Cameron Macleod(comedy)

Cameron MacLeod is a comedian, writer, producer and curator who, with the help of Craig Anderson, runs two monthly comedy shows in Vancouver. The HERO SHOW at the China Cloud theater and Ladies & Gentlemen, Comedy at the Waldorf. Cam is a member of the writing teams that created the Leo Nominated web series ‘MENTAL BEAST’, the Olympic fueled ‘True Stories 2010’,  and most recently CTV’s ‘The PARTY’. Cam is currently working on a feature length action film with Weekend Leisure entitled STEEL VIPER FORCE: Fiero’s Redemption set to film this summer.

Chains Of Love

We are a garage/soul band.

Chef Wigwam

Misinterpreted post-racialists. 

Chrissy & RyRy

Among the top 1000 baddest motherfuckers on Fraser Street.

Cloudface

Cloudface is the moment before you wake up, it is late night delirium, born from echoes of acid house and Detroit techno reverberating from cars speeding down the streets of Manchester in the early nineties.

Cloudface is sequenced analog permutations, transistor rhythms, cascading minimalism, and new millennium drone.

Cloudsplitter

Formed in 2009 by ex-Buttless Chaps frontman Dave Gowans, Cloudsplitter is a textural and atmospheric take on No Depression country, folk rock, and understated psychedelia.

Far from a ‘solo project’, Cloudsplitter features collaborators Jesse Gander (bass, keys) and Stephen Lyons (drums), as well as multi-instrumentalist Doug Liddle.

Cloudsplitter have shared stages with the Handsome Family, Cuff the Duke, Zeus, Cracker, Yukon Blonde, and others. Their debut album will be released in Fall, 2011.

Cocorico and So / Sean Parker

cocorico and so.
a black bear being chased by a pack of wolves.
respecognize.

Colin Edward Cowan(comedy)

Colin Edward Cowan is a starving comedy making his bum wages as a full-time professional musician. Comedic things he has done are a sketch group called Hen Men who toured fringe circuits in Europe, The Gay Straights, and many small shows in Second City community in Toronto. Things he is doing are The Vancouver Comedic Players, The Ryan Steele Show, Many solo character pieces, and running the China Cloud.

Cowards

We gave our souls to some tramp behind a dumpster and now convulse in a pool of our own sweat. The tramp laughed at us as we wept beneath her fists. “Punishment! Reward!” were the only words careening from the cavern of rotted teeth and decaying tongue. Chunks of flesh spewed out. We wept. We are Cowards. We smell like men.

Crystal Swells

cosmic bad vibe light beam riderzzzzzzz

DBL Dragon

Melodic synth-swept textures and pulsing bass in a rain forest of drums creates the backdrop for the crooning of Tristan Orchard, lead singer for Vancouver’s DBL Dragon.  Orchard and synth player Adam Levine began playing together in Vancouver in the summer of 2009 playing live sets backed by Garage Band recordings and quickly gained the attention of local drummers Tyler Archibald, Bryce Agecoutay and bassist Glenn Alderson. 

Together this five piece creates a thundering synth pop dream scape with hints of dub, new wave, early 80’s disco, and electro dance floor hits.   The band has played shows with some of the top acts in Canada with appearances at Music Waste, Olio Festival, CITR, Fringe Festival and holding their own at sold out shows with acts like Diamond Rings, Teen Daze, Jamaica, Chain Gang of 1974, Humans and Gobble Gobble.

Their much awaited EP will be released in the summer of 2011.

Dead Ghosts

n/a

Debbie Tiffany

In the winter of 2010-2011 we were bored.  Our other bands, Vapid and Defektors, were on hiatus, and it rained a lot.  We entertained ourselves in the Stink Hole. The product of our entertainment is an equal mix of Tiffany and Debbie Gibson.  We’re kind of old and still can’t play too well.  Old people are lame and often nostalgic, but Tiffany touched us in ways we will never forget.

Defektors

Defektors are a local punk band nearing its sixth year of existence. In that time we have released two singles and an album, appeared on two compilations and toured the west coast three times. We feature Ben on vocals and guitar, Jeremiah on vocals and bass and Evan on drums. Thankfully, Matt Koslov, from the blog Yellow Green Red, said “there is hardly a modern punk rock band more worthy of your attention than Defektors.”, so i don’t have to.

Deimos and Phobos(COMEDY)

Michael Unger and Darren Williams of the Skinny take a left turn, and then another left turn, and finally one more left turn, but now as the comedic duo: Deimos and Phobos .  With the Skinny they’ve performed at the Chicago, Montreal, and San Francisco Sketch Comedy Festivals, as well as the Vancouver, Victoria, and Edmonton Fringe Festivals.

Enjoy

Fun noisey songs. two singers/guitars one drummer. sort of like Simon and Garfunkel!

Fine Mist

Having played together in a slew of previous bands, Fine Mist is the latest project from Vancouver’s Megan McDonald and Jay Arner. Combining lovelorn lyrics with soaring melodies and synth-spiked electro pop, Exclaim called the duo’s LP, Public Domain, a “fantastic debut.”

Flash Palace

The quartet interchanges electronic and live instruments in order to manifest a multitude of washed layers, pulling from empty Vancouver nights to sunrises in suburbia. IDM influences veer through group-mind ambience becoming movements of refraction—- youth hypnotized by their machines.

Fuji Hakayito

Fuji Hakayito’s first two records were each written, recorded, produced, and released all in the same day. The band was founded as a test of how far one can be pushed creatively in small amounts of time.

The band was formed just three days prior to their first show in January 2008, taking the stage dressed in whiteface and “”cowboy outfits”“, playing old country chord progressions to blast beats through layers of psychadelia. Citing such varied influences as “”Pavement”“, “”The Mummies”” and “”The Brian Jonestown Massacre”“, they continue to develop their sound in compelling and challenging ways - to ensure that audiences never get the same experience twice.

FUJI HAKAYITO has played basements, parties, stages, art galleries, a benefit show, and live on college radio. They completed a cross-Canadian winter tour in icy January 2011, battling snowstorms, avalanches, moose, road closures and strange venues across the great white expanse.

Ghibli
Thomas Michael, an Edmonton resident of the flowering OLD UGLY sect, is a pop practitioner of the experimental persuasion. Formerly operating as Jaded Hipster Choir, the man has transformed into Ghibli, a kinetic pulse pop prince with an insatiable palate for classical vibrations and vinyl induced friction.
His forthcoming record, Pythia, is a modern ode to the Oracle of Delphi and the gaseous omissions from a crack in the mountain where her temple to Apollo was situated. Just as the priestess was inebriated and inspired by these strange vapours, so Ghibli’s vapid paeans to the most esoteric of the supernatural will inhibit tongues of both gibberish and prophetic visions in the unsuspecting listener.

Gross Misconduct

Influenced by many of metal’s sub-genres but aligned with none, Gross Misconduct combines equal parts calculated aggression, harmony-laden structures and unique song writing.
The Vancouver-based metal band has one full length CD, 2007’s The Process of Indoctrination, and the group is poised to release its second album by summer 2011.
To date the band has shared the stage with: The Haunted, Brutal Truth, Forbidden, Amon Amarth, Martyr, Neuraxis, Fuck the Facts, Augury, The Dayglo Abortions and Quo Vadis among others, on top of playing the Vancouver dates of the 2007 and 2009 Vans Warped Tour.
Reviews for the band’s debut have been uniformly positive, and media have likened the group’s sound to Death, Martyr, Morbid Angel, Mastodon, early Metallica and Slayer.
“This record is one hell of an accomplishment.”  - Terrorizer
“A modern tech-thrash web of wickedness.” - Metal Maniacs
“A savagely complex sonic attack.”” - Georgia Straight”

Half Chinese

This band has existed since Enzio Verster and Harrison Pratt made that decision in 2006. Currently Kevin Romain (from Bleating Hearts) and Christopher Ellis (from Gross Placentas) have become the new rhythm section after the departure of drummer Danny Dakak in early 2011. They will be releasing their first album “”We Were Pretending To Be”” and soon will be recording their second album “”Year of The Rabbit”” in the near future.

 ”“Could you explain for me how Half Chinese incorporates Indian philosophy and then Buddhism ; filtered through a John Cage context and seen through the eyes of Kurt Cobain, into their music?”“ 
                                                 - Sean Ramsay (Unreliable Narrator)

Hallow Moon

Formed in november 2010 comprising of Craig mechler, Dan ross, Nick eccleston & Randy kramer

Harsh Words

As Wade and Chris proceed to the maintenance bunker, Wade realizes they are being hunted by the raptors. Wade is killed by the velociraptors, while Chris makes it to the bunker and restarts the park systems. At the same time, Brent and Fil climb the electrified fence out of the park’s animal zone and Brent is nearly killed upon the reactivation of the electricity.

Hermetic

Hermetic has been active in the Vancouver music scene since 2007, though its two members have been making music together since middle-school in the mid-1990s.  Comprised of Eric Axen on baritone guitar and Bart Newman on drums, the duo aims to make the most of its limited sonic palate.  With a sound often compared to the Inbreds, Sebadoh, and Jawbreaker, both Bart and Eric are thrilled that the 90s are considered ‘cool’ again.  This year will see the release of Hermetic’s first full-length, an 11-song LP recorded at the Hive and Fader Master studios.

HOLE IN MY HEAD

ASHAMED?  SO ARE WE

Holzkopf

Since 2001, Holzkopf has been developing a style of hypnotic and frenetic dance music made from a mishmash of homemade tape collages, blown out drum machine beats, dumpstered Chinese pop cassettes, raw data noise, barely controled feedback and smashed and grabbed found sounds.  The sound is remenicent of proto-industrial, disco, hip-hop, global psychedelia, gospel and breakcore synthesized into a complete unique whole unlike any one component part.  This is futurist and anarchist music made on cheap gear, recorded live to tape or dusty old hard drives.  It embodies the spirits of rotting architecture and 100 year old brothels, the wide open spaces of the Canadian prairies and the angst and anger of battling slum-lords, debt and panic.  More than anything else though, the music is a celebration. Celebation, after all, is the best form of protest.  Sharing the stage with Princesse Rotative, Cex, Electric Kettle, Andrew Duke, Venetian Snares, Fanny, Maladroit, Botborg, the Shearing Pinx, Sam Shalabi, Knurl, Emil Beaulieau and many others over multiple tours through Canada and Europe (in squats, clubs, backyards and under bridges), a Holzkopf performance is always a spontaneous, raw and one of a kind experience.

Hospital Blonde

Hospital Blonde didn’t even get to play that long, which really sucked because I never get to see them and they’re one of my faaavourites. They did get to play Premarital Snogging though, which was friggin gr8. Since their set got cut short by the hall (fucking lame asses) they told everyone to go jump in the van. We ended up doing doughnuts around the parking lot. I thought the van was going to flip and we would all die. But, that didn’t happen. So that’s good.

Hot Sex and High Finance

n/a

HUMANS

Robbie Slade + Peter Ricq are HUMANS who make electronic dance music while based in Vancouver.  Their debut release followed with a sold-out Canadian tour. The boys have been playing a handful of festivals including SXSW, CMW, Shambhala and Big Time Out.  This summer Slade + Ricq will continue to tour across Canada and into the US. Lately the two have been writing and recording, in anticipation for a new release in late summer/fall 2011.

Inherent Vices

‎”Somehow or other I’ll be famous, and if not famous, I’ll be notorious. Or perhaps I’ll lead the life of pleasure for a time and then—who knows?—rest and do nothing. What does Plato say is the highest end that man can attain here below? To sit down and contemplate the good. Perhaps that will be the end of me too.”

Jody Glenham

Drinking in bed has never sounded so good.

Joyce Collingwood

Joyce Collingwood is a punk band formed in 2009. They met while playing water polo, you know, the sport where you ride sea-horses and play hockey at the same time. They decided this city needed a melt your face off band. They sing really loud, fast, short songs about faithful dogs, fat seagulls, overpriced prawns and their adventures together.  If you don’t get the jokes, you get kicked out of the band.

Juvenile Hall

Juvenile hall or Juvie for short is an all girl punk rock and roll band.   LIKES:  Getting crazy and running around in the streets.  DISLIKES….Losin’ their buzz.

Keep Tidy

Sometimes you really just gotta bite the apple by the horns, you know?

Kingdom Cloud

Emerging from the shambolic ocean of wild youth comes Kingdom Cloud, a three-piece pop group based in Kelowna, British Columbia. Formed during a hot summer of sand and surf, these three pop ambassadors are tied together by both family and friendship. The band consists of Laura Jeffery on drums, Jaedan Leimert on bass and synthesizer, and Evan Jeffery on vocals, guitar, and synthesizer. Together, they make pop music that will fill the deepest cavern of your heart with electric sound.

Koban

“An unwanted perturbation to a wanted signal…[that can] can block, distort, change or interfere with the meaning of a message in human, animal and electronic communication.”

Korean Gut

The members of Korean Gut, all born in Los Angeles, California, began singing together after football practice at University High School. Primitive recording sessions followed soon after, in a makeshift studio in their garage. They first performed onstage as “The Barons” at a high school dance; their first commercial success was “Jennie Lee” (1958) as “Noony Rickett & The Revelmen”, who released three singles in all. After a stint in the army reserves, Korean Gut began. “Jennie Lee” and “Gas Money”, both from 1958, contained many elements of what would later become known as ‘surf music’.

Letterman Sweater

Sage was the cutest girl at school. I was quarterback of the football team and she was captain of the cheer-leading squad. There she was at the sidelines of every game, hooting and hollering for us to win. It was just after I had thrown the game-winning catch that I saw her on the top of the human pyramid, we both looked deep into each other’s eyes. It was then that I knew I had to make her mine. She was voted homecoming queen and we danced for hours. The next night I dropped by her parent’s place, she snuck out the window, hopped in my little Deuce Coupe and we drove up to Make-out Ridge. It was there under the summer stars I asked her to my be wife. We got married after high school and lived happily ever after.

Lust

Driving bass lines, danceable rhythms, and textured synth layers. Lust is electro pop crafted by Tyler Mounteney and born of his love for post punk, minimal wave, disco, and glam. Lust performances feature a mix of synths, bass, sequenced rhythms, electronic percussion, live drumming and vocals. Tyler is joined on stage and in the studio by Mike “Mick” McDiarmid and Zoe Garred. Lust’s debut EP Heartbeat  was released in April on Crush Records. From start to finish Heartbeat follows the arc of a torrid love affair from optimistic beginning to bitter end

Malcolm and the Moonlight

Malcolm and the Moonlight is a throwback to the golden era of Rock n Roll past. A time when 4 out of 5 Doctors recommended Lucky Strikes over Marlboro. When licking lollypops and sucking on malt balls was a typical night at the soda fountain, not a guilt ridden Saturday morning behind the Astoria just trying to get enough bus fare to get home.
The jingle jangle chords of Chuck Berry blasting in mono through a ‘57 Chevorlet. The soundtrack for new lovers climbing in the back seat, taking off their wingtips and letting down their beehives. The first bite of apple pie never tasted so sweet.

Oh to have jived in the Golden days of Rock n Roll.

Mass Marriage

Mass Marriage is a solo project of Melissa Paget. Taking influence from goth, acid house, doom, industrial and noise, creating spastic noise walls. Mass Marriage also uses AV in their performances.

Men At Adventure

The light at the end of the tunnel. (is a train)

Mikey Screwdriver

“I’m gonna buy a motorbike” Mike stated as we flashed our Photoshopped fare-passes at the bus driver and situated ourselves in the plush comforts of the priority-seating area at the front of the empty two-fifty-one, Eastbound.
     “What the fuck are you gonna do with a motorbike?” I asked him, “You don’t even have a driver’s license”.
     “Pff dude, you don’t need a driver’s license for a motorbike”, Mike condescended, unpacking the contents of his weathered JanSport: one (1) bottle of Yop, one (1) little bag of trail mix, one (1) loaded BananaGuard. A BanadaGuard, Mike had explained earlier, is a plastic travel-case designed for the safe transport of single bananas. Without it, a banana is liable to get bruised. “you just gotta remove all the identifying features - VIN, decals; headlamp, brake-lamp - gone - reflectors, everything” he continued, gingerly extracting his banana from the BananaGuard “this bike goes two-hundred-and-fifty-kay - cop tries to pull you over - you’re gone”.

“That banana looks pretty fucking green, man”.

“Yeap, I like ‘em green”.

MODE MODERNE

“Real goths don’t dance, we just sulk to circumstance
and sit in darkened corners, and fumble with our hands”

If you think this is a sincere song, then you’ve missed the point entirely. Or rather, you’ve missed the sincerity. You’re probably the kind of person who thought that The Smith’s were a bunch of depressed young men singing about loneliness.”

Mongst

n/a

MT-40

The secrets of the program are here, in my head, avaliable at a price

Murder Castle

Murder Castle play rock music for nerds and anoraks. Their shared interests in Jonathan Richman, Television, and primitive pop lends to their own songs of love, sex, and teen death.

My Friend Wallis

Looking to go on that tropical getaway you’ve been dreaming of? Look no further, My Friend Wallis is the answer. Beach party in a band! Can you handle the groove? Feel the good, good, good, good vibrations.

Nam Shub

Nam Shub, born in the dirty basements of east vancouver, is a postrock/drone/experimental/cascadian rock band, a marriage of 4 friends from 4 different musical backrounds who have decided to unite, without deciding, to create an adequate representational soundscape dedicated to their region, friends, cats, and trees.

NEEDLES//PINS

NEEDLES//PINS has been called the love child of Xavier Rudd’s love child. Didgeridoo infused doom psych that is as pulverizing as it is nonsensical.

No Gold

No Gold is a music band from Vancouver. They met on Translink’s famous Millenium Line.

NURSE

NURSE is a group that intends to create free improvisational continuum music. NURSE are comprised of two basses, one full of riffs, the other a distorted drone, a ‘haunted’ slide guitar and one constant drone guitar, providing the continuum. A wash of space synths make this spare dronescape lush. NURSE are based in the rainforest that is Vancouver, BC Canada.
NURSE prescribe heady medication.

Releases:
‘Heads Remain’ (C20 on Soldierpumps)
‘Camping Jam’ (cd-r on Get Medicated)
‘X-Ray’ (cd-r on Get Medicated) (read less)
NURSE is a group that intends to create free improvisational continuum music. NURSE are comprised of two basses, one full of riffs, the other a distorted drone, a ‘haunted’ slide guitar and one constant drone guitar, providing the continuum. A wash of space synths make this spare dronescape lush. NURSE are based in the rainforest that is Vancouver, BC Canada.
NURSE prescribe heady medication.

Oh No! Yoko

Oh No! Yoko is a 3-piece band from Abbotsford Canada. The boys — Liam, Everett and Nic — have been playing together for a few years now. The band has gained a following through it’s unique branding, enthusiastic live performances, and contagious radio play.

Despite of (or maybe because of) their young age, the boys from Oh No! Yoko have cleverly found a way to portray some of the most important values of life into their music — carelessness, freedom, and fun.

Their vocals are interactive and diverse, their instrumentals are upbeat and inspiring, and their overall style will leave you wanting more.

Oh No! Yoko is a healthy reminder for us all not to take life so seriously.

Olav

Olav is a DJ / Producer / Electronic Artist who now holds residence in Vancouver B.C.
He credits his older brother for exposing him to electronic music through the mid-aught Vancouver Island rave scene.
“Those were happy times.” He laments.

By the later 2000’s and as a member of ‘Team Rocket’, Olav launched onto the Victoria B.C. club circuit and the trio annihilated dance floors as the city was ravaged by an electro house epidemic.
Shortly thereafter he formed and fronted the noted dance rock band ‘Ice Climbers’, of which he was lead lyricist and singer.

Olav now writes and produces his own bizarre strain of synth’d out computer music, and DJ’s an assortment of house, techno, bass and UK garage.

These are exciting and creative times for Olav, but if you find him on the street he’ll still just say, “hey what’s up?”

On Lock

In the summer of 2010, two long time friends moved to Vancouver B.C. with the single goal of creating a unique brand of bluesy, riff driven, stoner rock. Locking themselves in a moldy basement jam space everyday for three months, the two-piece crafted a crushing explosion of riffed out goodness. Take two parts Black Sabbath and mix that with a nice helping of Motorhead and you have a glimpse of On Lock’s sound. The band quickly set their sights on the road and within a week of completing their debut self-titled EP they secured a supporting slot for 3 Inches of Blood on a western Canadian tour. With the addition of a bassist, and the announcement of a U.S. tour this summer, On Lock has set their sights on taking North America by storm. Expect to see On Lock’s high energy, chaotic live show in a city near you this summer.

OPEN RELATIONSHIP

Fiona, Jenny, and Melissa have been in open relationship since September 2010.  They chose this unique arrangement because it entitles them to the freedom to challenge the prerequisites, expectations, and performance of other conventional arrangements.  They see each other regularly, but are free to see other groups at the same time.  Sometimes, an open relationship can work out, but a lot of times, people can get hurt; therefore, it is not recommended for everyone.  Although open relationship feels relatively new, it is quickly gaining popularity, especially among adventurous types in their twenties.

PBF

n/a

Peace

Once upon a time there were four dudes. All of the dudez were sweet. One of the dudez was stupid. That dude was the only one with blonde hair. He thought he was sooo funny. He also said that he would only contribute to the bio if his opinion was included. Here it is: Hey sup. Ok there’s some whack shit been said here. So time to right the wrong, yo. The fact is, we’re sweet. So fuck all y’all. Ok guys, things are getting a little unchill. So let’s all just smoke bong.

Phonecalls

Phonecalls are a post-punk/goth/pop/grunge band from Vancouver. Originally a two-piece with Kim Chan on drums and Mel Zee on guitar/vocals, they expanded to include Ben Goldberg on bass and, just recently, Adam Cathey on second guitar. They’ve been compared to early Sonic Youth, Live Skull and a goth version of 60’s girl groups. They recently finished a record at Nite Prison (recorded and produced by Jesse Taylor from Twin Crystals). The 6-song record will be released on Needs More Ram later this year.

prOphecy sun

prOphecy sun is an installation and performance maven. Her practice is based in sound, movement and emotional driven experiments. She has a passion in shared community practices, with an emphasis on the body in dialogue with the community at large. She performs solo, in collaboration, and in collective projects. She sings solo as prOphecy sun. Also she sings in Tyranahorse, Her Jazz Noise Collective, Under the Sun, Ex-Boyfriend and Spell. And dances in Dance Troupe Practice and So So So. She enjoys riding on her road bike Mr. Falcon around East Vancouver and being a mom to four lovely cats.

Richard Catwrangleur

Richard Catwrangleur makes rock and roll music. His first album, “”House of the Spirit-Wrestler!”” was recorded at home last summer when the neighbors went to California. Mr. Catwrangleur’s compositions contain strong language, loud guitars and adult situations. Expect another album in Summer 2011. This will be his second live engagement supported by Steve (from Timecopz, Manic Attracts) on drums and Andrew on the electric bass guitar.

Richard likes animals and sunbathing. Favorite food is Mediterranean. He admires the work of Agnes Varda, Alice Coltrane (R.I.P.) and Matthew Thurber.

Robert Anton Pizza

We are the friends of the chamber
One, as under the will of Pizza
The name of the chamber is Five Star Video
Behold the selections!

Silence is the voice of the Master
Utter the word and know thy name
Come unto me and be devoured
Consumed by the revealing taste

Hand is the limitation of the flesh
Categories are all hand
These are the many faces of the crystal
The reflections of the chamber

When the Master speaks, the chamber dissolves
He will build himself a new chamber
He will rent all the videos
And we will eat his pineapples

Role Mach

Beatnik crime and jungle ballads cum street level King Crimson. Fiery horns!!

Safety Show

In the past five years Safety Show have managed to record danceable, groovy, technically accomplished should-be hits while flying relatively under the radar of the local scene. Their records are intricate, well-crafted affairs that might have one crying “studio trickery” until one considers the live show, which is every bit as tight (if not more so) as well as visually captivating. As instruments are traded around, vocals are layered, and hi- hats are pulverised, the question of why this band isn’t the next huge thing comes to mind. Honestly, I have no clue, but good luck convincing them of the fact. Their modesty is as baffling as their catchy arrangements. -Justin White

Saint Jesua & the Christless Righteous

Through the mismatched city, Saint Jesua and the Christless Righteous find motivation in imagination, curiosity and books. We adore saturated sound as much as honeyed hooks. Come get a good, sweaty whiff of the bone colored fuck-moon.

Service:Fair

After playing bass in Brazilian Money, Catlin W. Kuzyk finally got the balls to record his own stuff, hence the beginning of Service:Fair. Until a few months ago it had been a loose group of friends backing Catlin up show by show. Nowadays, he’s got his trusty pals Oliver Barnes and Tyler Adam behind. The songs are simple, heartfelt, and toe tappingly contagious, and the show is sweaty, loud and shirtless.

SFB

n/a

Slam Dunk

Slam Dunk comes from Victoria BC, that’s where the good vibez are! This band of 5 best friends plays brash and chaotic songs that remain true to their love of classic pop hooks.They put on a real love n’ sweat fest; at shows the crowd joins in on ritual scream-alongs, ending the night in a massive city-wide group hug.

Sleep Letters

Gritty, bleach soaked electronic production meets popular music with the Sleep Letters duo. Made up of electronic composer BARTEL, and the drummer of Victoria rejects LID and Tough as Nails. A new project.

spell

Spell is what happens when a sound artist collaborates with a vocalist. Kristen Roos and Prophecy Sun create intense vocal sonic washes, combined with beats that are found somewhere between the future and the past. A combination that will mesmerize you with a rich layer of drones, and cause you to move your body in ways you were previously incapable of.

Spring Break

///SPRING BREAK FOREVER///
@strangespells
@cough_cool

Stefana Fratila

Stefana Fratila was born in Sibiu, Romania but has lived in Vancouver for most of her life. At fifteen, she bought a boss br-600 to spend her high-schoolnights banging on glassware. After years of performing with alternating backing members, she took a hiatus from playing shows to configure a set that would be nothing like poop pop and more like a fire pit of cool air to the face. Now the summer is here and this girl can wave goodbye to a year of brain-bleeding political theory and Bollyfunk in the headphones! The following warm months will hopefully result in three recording projects seeing their finish line and enough bye-bye shows for an upcoming autumn move-out to Paris.

Student Teacher
Sun Wizard first united back in 2008, when a couple of days on Vancouver Island turned into an impromptu acoustic gig gone right for bassist Francesco Lyon and songwriter-guitarists Malcolm Jack and James Younger. The lineup solidified the next spring, when drummer Ben Frey joined the fold and the four rockers began gigging regularly in the clubs and dive bars of their home city. The Vancouver four piece didn’t waste any time in hitting the studio, recording the EP Maybe They Were Right in summer 2009 and self-releasing it later that year. Meanwhile, they continued to hone their live chops, becoming local favourites and sharing the stage with the likes of Smith Westerns, Vetiver, Girls and the Cave Singers. The band’s back-to-basics rock style and blue-collar work ethic earned the attention of newly-minted Vancouver label Light Organ Records, who issued a seven-inch, Quit Acting Cold, in summer 2010. This was followed in March 2011 by the band’s full-length debut, Positively 4th Avenue. Recorded to tape at the iconic Mushroom Studios by Colin Stewart and Dave Ogilvie, this ten-track collection showcases the band’s no-bullshit formula of catchy choruses and fist-pumping energy. The band’s timeless rock ‘n’ roll sound traces its lineage from the Kinks through to classic acts like Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty, as well as recent revivalists like Oasis and the Strokes.

Sun Wizard

Sun Wizard first united back in 2008, when a couple of days on Vancouver Island turned into an impromptu acoustic gig gone right for bassist Francesco Lyon and songwriter-guitarists Malcolm Jack and James Younger. The lineup solidified the next spring, when drummer Ben Frey joined the fold and the four rockers began gigging regularly in the clubs and dive bars of their home city. The Vancouver four piece didn’t waste any time in hitting the studio, recording the EP Maybe They Were Right in summer 2009 and self-releasing it later that year. Meanwhile, they continued to hone their live chops, becoming local favourites and sharing the stage with the likes of Smith Westerns, Vetiver, Girls and the Cave Singers. The band’s back-to-basics rock style and blue-collar work ethic earned the attention of newly-minted Vancouver label Light Organ Records, who issued a seven-inch, Quit Acting Cold, in summer 2010. This was followed in March 2011 by the band’s full-length debut, Positively 4th Avenue. Recorded to tape at the iconic Mushroom Studios by Colin Stewart and Dave Ogilvie, this ten-track collection showcases the band’s no-bullshit formula of catchy choruses and fist-pumping energy. The band’s timeless rock ‘n’ roll sound traces its lineage from the Kinks through to classic acts like Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty, as well as recent revivalists like Oasis and the Strokes.

Sutures

Sutures met last summer in a pet cemetery. Upon discovering that all of their cats had mysteriously died in the same week, they decided to form a band. Their songs are intricately formed melodies intertwined with heartfelt eulogies to their lost little buddies. They hope the killer will hear them and feel really really bad.

Tassels

“Canadian soundscaper Sean Orr, a.k.a. Tassels, makes drone-heavy electronic music that sounds as if it’d be perfect for soundtracking Miami Vice — that is, if Miami Vice took place in the seven circles of Hell”.

Teen Daze

Teen Daze is an electronic musician from Vancouver, BC. In July 2010, he released his debut record, “Four More Years”. The record is a blending of summer sounds, washed out synths, and hazy, reverb drenched vocals. Pitchfork, in their review of the record, wrote, “Teen Daze seems in total control; his synths bleed into more brilliant colors, his languid pace more purposeful, his memory bank FDIC-insured, his vagueness earned by the quality of his output.” Three tours followed, including a stop in New York City for CMJ 2010, and in November, “Beach Dreams” an EP of lo-fi, beach pop songs was released as a “pay what you want download”. The EP is still garnering critical praise, and being downloaded more and more every day.

Telefoam

Ryan Longoz and Patrick Beechinor have been friends since they were 16 years old. They enjoy making beats and riding bikes. Go Canucks, go.

Terrorbird

n/a

The Abramson Singers

Combine old-time murder ballads and classic songwriters of the 60s and 70s with a hint of 90s East Coast indie rock and you’ll find The Abramson Singers. Formerly of folk band Dyad and indie-rockers Octoberman, The Abramson Singers play sad songs about truck drivers, tar sands, lost love and old maids.

The Godspot

Shoegaze for drunken cowboys. We aren’t revivalists, we are revitalized. Open Chord E Jams, Feedback, Ear Popping drone in retrograde. The Godspot puts the Electric, in Electric Kool-Aid

The New Values

The New Values (also initialised as TNV) are a Canadian boy band band from Vancouver, British Columbia, assembled in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr. The band currently consists of Adam Sabla, Hayz Fisher, and brothers Ryan Betts and Donnie Wahlberg. The New Values enjoyed success in the late 1980s and early 1990s and have sold 80 million records worldwide. They won two American Music Awards in 1990 for Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo, or Group and Favorite Pop/Rock Album.

After having disbanded in 1994, several attempts were made to get the group back together, all of them unsuccessful. After secretly reuniting in 2007 and recording a new CD, the group released that new album and embarked on a concert tour in 2008. The album, entitled The Block was released on September 2, 2008. The group is preparing to have a tour with the Backstreet Boys.

— source: wikipedia

The Shilohs

Shoegaze for drunken cowboys. We aren’t revivalists, we are revitalized. Open Chord E Jams, Feedback, Ear Popping drone in retrograde. The Godspot puts the Electric, in Electric Kool-Aid

The Spreads

TIGHTER THAN A TEENAGE PUSSY!

The STICK

“We are the types who hold out for the perfect moon”
“Yes, seems I mostly agree with you”
“The truth about my involvement in music is that on the eve of my tragic destruction, notes did cometh.”
“I find that very interesting.”

Thee AHs

Thee AHs are an all-girl quartet who sing beautiful pop melodies about being fat and lonely. They released a split cassette with Apollo Ghosts last summer, and their first LP, Thee AHs Nation, is forthcoming.

V.VECKER ENSEMBLE

Der Schnee geblendet ihre Augen durch die Hauben. Dennoch noch, anhoben sie ihre Köpfe e. Eine Sprache geäußert unter ihnen, gehört nicht seit den Zeiten des Alters. Kurz und rau, mehr von Ächzen und Knarren, das Tagschicht die Platten der Erde selbst wurde. Langsam gebildet ein Kreis innerhalb sie. Der Ton, der entging, atmen neues Leben an alle, die abgehobenen Betrag ihre Augen nach ihnen wagen.

Vincent Parker

Vincent Parker. instantly recognizable style. wild-eyed future music. a type of live blissed out psych power bass booty rhythms that are steeped in a psychedelic omnipresent mist. stage moves and sweat he thives in live performance.  known for his energetic live shows; complete with sweat, singing, stage moves, dancing, crowd interaction and the occasional lost shirt. In short- he brings it live.
It’s as if Sebastien Tellier and Mr.Oizo had a baby that grew up listening to gansta rap, slayer and radiohead

VOWS

VOWS is the solo project of Chris Kelly (Analog Bell Service, The Choir Practice). The music is at times acoustically driven and mirrors early Springsteen and Bryan Adams, then at other times the songs are fully electronic and allude to The Books and music concrete.

walter tv

Talented. Beautiful. Modest. These three words described walter tv band -turned-actress perfectly. Born in Brooklyn, New York but raised in Detroit, walter tv got her first major exposure appearing on the syndicated television series “Star Search” (1983) where she awed the audience with her amazing voice and talent. Withdrawing from the celebrity scene for a few years, walter tv lived the life of a normal teenage girl, attending Detroit’s Performing Arts High School where she majored in dance. All arise in Vancouver with the return of Walter TV

WAR BABY

If Nirvana, Black Sabbath, Lightning Bolt, Oasis and Fugazi had a gang bang, I suppose you could say they might accidentally have a …..WAR BABY? ahhh?

War Baby is a three piece band comprised of veterans in many former/ other bands (such as Billy and the Lost Boys, Battle Snakes, A Pale Blue, Beija Flor, Mopery). They are: Australian drummer (Kirby Jay Fisher), Albertan guitarist and songwriter (Jon Redditt) and a bass man from Squamish (Aaron Weiss). Jon and Kirby met while picking vintage clothing from second hand processing plants and played many shows of varying sub genres in the west as a two piece for a couple of years before adding Aaron’s bottom end to the ensemble.

Eternal underdogs of the underground- battered, bruised, and abused they could have declared defeat, but instead they chose to declare war! (On whatever and everything). It is ok to be confused, but it is NOT OK!!!! (to not be confused).

War Baby takes the same approach to music as Sizzler does to food…. Buffet??

Watermelon

They dipped us into liquid time, Gene.

Weathered Pines

Weathered Pines was formed in 2006 by lead vocalist and songwriter, Marissa Johnson (No Kids, Dizzy Eyes). The original line-up had Conrad Dykman on drums and Steve Matheson (Ghost House) on bass, who were later joined by Bryce Janssens (Lord Beginner) on lead guitar and, most recently, Cc Rose (Vancougar) on keys.

With influences such as Neil Young, Elvis Costello and Gram Parsons, Weathered Pines blends bottom-of-the-bottle country with a hint of rock ‘n’ roll grit and jangle. This has led them to be equally as likely to appear on a bill next to country sweethearts Carolyn Mark or Jenny Whitely as they are next to total rockers Vancougar or the Tranzmitors.

Look for their debut LP, The Sky Between the Buildings available on Dejlig Records.

Web Sherriff

Web Sherriff are two peas from the same pod.  Thick as thieves.  The highly decorated guitarist Francis (founding member and “Grand Poo-Bah” of the Web Sherriff Collective) brims over with right-brain-boggling-“bro”-benedictions while drummer Justin (also founding member and self-proclaimed “Spiritual Mathematician” of the Web Sherriff Collective) calculates rhythmic truths with digital precision.  File under: guitar, drums, voices, good melodies, smiles, negative 2 winters, good/bad times, &etc.

Weed

Weed is a rock band that started playing in shows in New York, got freaked, and retreated to Canada. Three cassette EPs under its belt, a 7” and an LP due this year. They are getting louder/fuller/more hi-fi.

White Umbrella

smokey, hazey, languidly violent music

Womankind

Womankind are one of a number of Australian and International guitar-based bands who emerged from within the punk rock and post-punk scene of the mid 1980s that came to be defined as noise rock. Womankind formed in 1985 in Adelaide and in 1987 the band moved to Sydney. The band broke up in 1990 after a two month tour of the USA but got back together in 2011 to play Music Waste in Vancouver.

woolworm

woolworm started with the goal of eventually becoming someone’s favourite band. After self-releasing a few EP’s and writing an LP, they’ve managed to become the alleged favourite band of at least three people. At least! Also, they’re demographically identical to the Smashing Pumpkins. So… there’s that.

World Club

4/5ths of the starting lineup for the 1983 fo’ fo’ fo’ sixers.

YUNG MUMS

3 women originally from Vancouver Island. We write songs about not wanting or wanting things. Not liking or not liking things.

//zoo

zoo is an idea; to engage all senses at once, filling a room with repetitive beats layered with rhythmic guitar lines, only to break the trance with haunted screams, all the while engaging your visual senses as well auditory…