Roche Uhntraal

Toronto’s thrash lords Rammer are coming back to Halifax for two glorious shows on Saturday, December 8 at The Pavilion (6pm, $7) with Terratomb, Thy Flesh Consumed, Black Moor and Incarnation of Plagues, then at Gus’ Pub (10pm, $6) with Thy Flesh Consumed>, Talksick and Iron Fist. And they have an agenda. Put succinctly by […]

Rat Pack “junior associate” and ’50s pop superstar Paul Anka croons smoothly Tuesday, December 11 at the Halifax Metro Centre (7:30pm, $52-$92) and he’s probably the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. Waiting out a snowstorm in hometown Ottawa, he talked by phone about his upcoming book, fan letters and what it means to get real. […]

I’m forgetting what Dog Day looks like and it’s making me melancholy. So it’s good news that they’re finally coming home after their epic tour through Europe and North America to play Pop in Sessions at Common Ground Studio on Saturday, December 8 (popinsessionsrsvp@yahoo.com, $8). The group gave me some tidbits from the road, answering […]

The dual CD release going down Thursday, November 29 is of such magnitude that it may ruin you for the weekend. Defective Perception and Fistfight (Myron Cottreau, guitar; Adam Nelson, drums; Matthew Francis; vocals; Randy Jeddry, bass; Roger Nelson, bass) both plan to unleash their demos with the power of 100 screaming harpies at Gus’ […]

As disappointing as it is to be writing about December already, it’s nice to know that with this freezing-cold, holiday-infused month stretching out before us, some folks are doing something fun and productive. This Saturday, Folds of Policy release their third album, Paradigm City, at The Seahorse, with special guests Great Plains and Silvergun. Comprised […]

In the Dead of Winter Festival (Jan 29-Feb 2) announces their 2008 lineup on November 24 at FRED (2606 Agricola, 8pm, free show!). I wish I could disclose some of the top-secret artists who will be announced, but access has not been granted. Heather Gibson, festival coordinator, keeps her cards close: “All I can tell […]

There is still time to book your place at the front of the stage to thrash to Rotting Christ (Grecian metal overlords) at the Pavilion on November 30 (6pm, $16 advance/$20 door). Rotting Christ is playing with Sordid, Burning Moon and Janus, and, although there may not be enough time to grow your hair down […]

The Medium Mood (described as “hardcore for bookworms”) release their CD this Friday, November 23 at the Marquee with Tomcat Combat, Play Guitar and i see rowboats. They are performing the whole show in surround sound, which sounds equally difficult and awesome. “We like speakers. We like big sounds. We have unnecessarily big amps that […]

The Songwriters Association of Canada is throwing two songwriting bonanzas on November 24, Bluebird North and Songposium. This year’s Bluebird North concert features songwriter Christopher Ward (who’s written for everyone from Hilary Duff to Alannah Myles), Jason Collett, Halifax native Jordan Croucher and Catherine MacLellan (8pm, The Music Room, 6181 Lady Hammond, $20/$25, ticketweb.ca). Ward […]

Halifax becomes part of the Universal Zulu Nation when Afrika Bambaataa comes to town November 30 at the Marquee. Bambaataa has been fusing the funky and political for 20 years and was recently nominated to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Prediction: The electrofunk pioneer will leave DJs with their jaws […]

“Halifax faces a rock’n’roll supernova: A neutron bomb of riffolicious fury that will descend on the city like the coming of the rockocalypse. An armada of guitarists and boogie-woogie shock troops bringing you sin and salvation. Everybody gets laid at the White Cowbell Oklahoma show. We don’t understand these powers we have, but they are […]

The East Coast Music Awards, Festival & Conference have eyed Fredericton up and down and said, “Damn, girl, you look fine.” The ECMAs are slated to throw their big-ass industry high-five there this February 7 to 10. Showcases will be announced as they are finalized, but if you like, you can stuff stockings with tickets […]