Dan Griffin of Arkells celebrates their one year anniversary of Jackson Square at the Chubby Pickle Oct. 28, 2009. The band will be opening for Canadian indie rockers Metric on April 4 at the Windsor Family Credit Union Centre.
Canadian indie rock stars Metric are set to play April 4 at the Windsor Family Credit Union Centre.
Recognized this year by the success of their singles Gold Guns Girls, Help I’m Alive and Stadium Love, Metric’s album Fantasies hit the Billboard Top 200 at 162.
This year has already been a huge success for the band. They received the Triumph of the Year Award from Myspace Music, as well as four nominations for the Annual Independent Music Awards.
The highly successful Toronto band will pair up with Arkells, another respected Canadian band hailing from Hamilton, ON.
Arkells are no strangers to the Windsor area. On July 11, 2009 they were one of two headlining bands playing for CBC Radio 3s Search for Canada’s Best Live Music Venue. They returned on Oct. 28 where they headlined at the Chubby Pickle. This also celebrated their one year anniversary of their CD Jackson Square.
Since Jackson Square’s release in 2008, they have received Record of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Alternative/Indie Record of the Year. Lead singer Max Kerman also captured the Hammy for male vocalist of the year at the Hamilton Music Awards on Dec. 4, 2009.
Tickets are selling for $35. Doors open at 7 p.m. and Arkells are set to hit the stage at 8 p.m.
METRIC comes to the WFCU Centre on April 4th
METRIC and the Arkells are coming to the WFCU Centre on April 4th at 8:00pm!
Get your tickets for METRIC right now with a presale from windsoriteDOTca!!
Visit www.wfcu-centre.com/password and enter the code FANTASIES
Hurry, this presale ends at 10 o’clock tonight!
Max Kerman & Nick Dika of The Arkells perform during "Phog Phest" on July 11th 2009
Canadian alternative rock band The Arkells are returning to Windsor this April for a gig at the Windsor Family Credit Union Centre.
The Arkells were the headling act for HOLY F%^* during Phog Phest – celebration for CBC Radio 3’s Best Live Music Venue in Canada - last July.
The band will open for METRIC on Sunday April 4th 2010 at the WFCU Centre.
Phog Phest: HOLY FUCK! by westerntragedy
Last year, the Windsor music scene was thrust into the spotlight after winning the CBC Radio 3 Searchlight contest for the best live music venue in Canada. The venue was Phog Lounge, and the win was made possible by a loyal following of Phogheads that showed their dedication by voting (probably more than once) for their favourite watering hole/show stage.
The CBC radio Searchlight contest is an annual affair, and each year they choose a musically important endeavor. In its first year, Meow Records in Prince George, BC was elected the top independent music shop in the country. Last year, Phog Lounge won for best live music venue. This year, Windsor makes the long list again, with the annual film/art/music extravaganza FAMFest.
The Harvesting the FAM Fest evolved from an idea for a simple film screening/art show in 2006, into Windsor’s first independent mixed media art festival. The successful inaugural event took place in January of 2007, and since then, with help from the university/college, local business owners, and arts enthusiasts, the FAM Fest has gained a dedicated following of artistic minded individuals that look forward to the event each year.
With the Searchlight contest nomination, FAM Fest now has the chance to gain national attention. As witnessed by the Phog Lounge’s success following the contest last year, a win could mean great things for this local fest. It’s up to us, now. Vote now, vote daily, and we’ll see if lightening can strike the same place twice.
To vote in this year’s Searchlight contest, simply register on CBC Radio 3 (quick and easy), visit the contest website, click on FAM Fest and hit VOTE. You can cast a vote once per day.
Windsorite Jeff Azar will support important cancer causes when he lops off his locks. Photo by Sean Matthews of Rock Junkie Photography.
This Friday, Windsor graphic designer and drummer Jeff Azar will brave the shears in support of the Windsor & Essex County Cancer Centre Foundation. He’s participating in a program called Wigs for Kids, and he hopes his donation will help a suffering child look and feel better. He also hopes to inspire others to give their time (and money) to a good cause, and focus a spotlight on a terrible health issue that’s affected millions across the country.
I contacted Jeff today to ask him a few questions about the event, what his motivation has been, and how his bandmates will react to his new ‘do (he plays in the Windsor outfit Citizen Erased). Check out the interview after the jump…
windsoriteDOTca: What made you decide to get involved with the Wigs for Kids program?
Azar: Well, when it was time to cut my hair I wanted to make sure it went to a kid, and Wigs for Kids was perfect. They provide wigs for kids who have lost their hair due to illness.
windsoriteDOTca: In this day and age, and especially in this region, it’s rare to find someone who hasn’t personally been affected by cancer. Do you have any experiences you’d like to share?
Azar: You’re right. I don’t think I have met one person that has not been affected by cancer in one way or another. Mine was losing my Uncle Fouad back in 2002. It happened so fast. After it happened I wanted to do something, but I wasn’t sure what. I had played some shows with bands doing fundraisers and other things, but I wanted to do something myself. I have always wanted to grow my hair and donate it to the cancer cause, so I thought, “Why not?”
windsoriteDOTca: Are you collecting pledges? If so, how successful have you been in raising money for the Cancer Center Foundation?
Azar: Yes, I am collecting pledges, and I have been able to raise about $500 up until now. The event isn’t until February 19th, so there is still plenty of time to raise more money. And people can even donate on the night of the event, as well.
windsoriteDOTca: When’s the last time you had a hair cut? Have you been growing your hair specifically in order to donate?
Azar: The last time I cut my hair (a real haircut) was November 24th, 2007. Since then I have been trimming to help keep my hair under control. Yes, I have been growing it specifically to donate it.
windsoriteDOTca: What made you choose The Whiskey as the host for this event? Are you getting a stylist to make the big chop? Or just a trust-worthy friend with a good set of scissors?
Azar: Well, I frequent The Whiskey quite often to play gigs, and I am friends with the owner Mike. I also wanted it to be in a fun place and the staff at The Whiskey always make it feel that way. Yes, I do have a stylist coming out for the Big Chop. Her name is Kryssy Perrier from The Barber’s Chair. She has been cutting my hair for quite some time now and I wouldn’t want anyone else to do it but her.
windsoriteDOTca: Are you afraid your new hair cut will affect your rocker style? What do the other guys of Citizen Erased have to say about this event?
Azar: Hahaha, no, I am not afraid this new haircut will effect my “rocker lifestyle”. I pretty much wear a hat every time I drum, anyways. I don’t think it will be too bad. The guys in the band are in total support of this event. And I thank them for it.
Come on out and support Jeff at the Big Chop this Friday, February 19th, 2010, starting at 9pm. If you’re on Facebook, you can RSVP to the event here.
The Whiskey Bar is located at 300 Ouellette Avenue. Live entertainment will be provided by the JJJ Band, drink specials will be offered to supporters, and donation jugs will be making the rounds (anyone who donates $10 or more can get a tax receipt).
Live music abounds in Windsor. Phog Phest: Arkells, by westerntragedy
When I ask my friends how they feel about living in Windsor, I get varied results. Some are positive, but most, unfortunately, are negative. One complaint that comes up often is, “There’s just nothing to DO in this city!”
The problem isn’t that there is nothing to do, the problem is a lack of communication (which, IMHO, is the reason for a lot of the city’s issues). One of the main purposes of this website is to help inform Windsorites of the happenings in their city.
We’ve set up a comprehensive events section here at windsoriteDOTca, with popular categories and an easy to use platform. Heck, you can even add your own events, in less time then it takes to “invite your friends” on Facebook. Check out the form here: http://windsorite.ca/events/submit/
I’ve cherry-picked a few of this weekend’s events to list here, but this is not an exhaustive list, by far!
Tonight:
Word Z live - an open mic poetry jam at Milk, featuring TJ Travis. 7pm. Free.
Tyburn Tree Live – Tyburn Tree WSG Sledgehammer, Assassinate The Following and Hammerdown at The Chubby Pickle. 9pm. $7. 19+.
Tomorrow:
Festival of Ice – two days of icewine celebrations at various wineries. 12-5pm. Free.
A Night Under The Stars – featuring Legends Live, performances by tribute artists at the Croatian Centre. 7:30pm. $35 (includes salad/pasta buffet).
Sunday:
Coastal – Coastal WSG My Last Summer Sky and All For The Best at the Phog Lounge. 7:30pm. $5.
