Wednesday, October 31
Alcoholic White Trash, Endprogram, Fuquored
Logan’s Pub, $10, 9 pm
Anyone remember Punky Brewster? Soleil Moon Frye? Was that her name? I’m pretty sure she was in that Sabrina, The Teenage Witch sitcom as well. I often wonder about the whole child-star thing. I mean, you get all this attention at such a young age. A lot of these kids seem to have so many issues. She seemed to turn out okay, though. Definitely not alcoholic white trash, as far as I can tell.
Wednesday, October 31
Plants and Animals
Lucky Bar, $20, 9 pm
I love recycling, don’t get me wrong. I would love to save the world. Sure, the ice caps are melting and the ozone is disappearing, but we’ve all got to do our part to help out. Take Plants and Animals, for example. Not only are they a band but they’re bringing eco-knowledge to the masses every time one of their songs is played. “Reduce, reuse, go to Lucky Bar.” That should be on the poster.
Thursday, November 1
Aidan Knight, Andy Shauf
Alix Goolden Hall, $18, 7:30 pm
There’s almost a neverending supply of great local talent on this island we call home. Even if some of the styles aren’t your cup of tea, there’s no denying the quality of the craftsmanship from some of the bands on Vancouver Island. The soothing, dreamy sounds that will emanate from the Alix Goolden Hall when Aidan Knight and the Friendly Friends play might put you to sleep, or they might ease a tired mind. That’s up to you to decide. I just get to tell you about it.
Friday, November 2
Madchild, DJ Dow Jones, Ghost, Pyoot
Club 90ne9, $20, 8 pm
Imagine being one of those lucky bastards that had the foresight to buy stock in Apple back in the day. I don’t even know what that’s worth these days. Seriously, I don’t. I wish I knew how to play the stock market. I’d be buying low and selling high all over the place. If only I had a rhyme to throw in here, something to impress all the homies that are heading to this show chugging Monsters to get hyped. BattleAxe Warriors, come out and plaaaaaaayyyyyy.
Sunday, November 4
Martin Taylor, Solorazaf, Guinga and Brian Gore
UVic Farquhar Auditorium, $15-$30, 8 pm
I’ve told you guys how hard it is to play guitar before, haven’t I? Oh, sure, some of you are like, “No, it’s not. I’m awesome at guitar.” Shut up. No, you’re not. These four guys sure as hell are, though. I’m not talking like ripping electric guitar kinda awesome. These guys play acoustic guitar the way you wish you could if you practiced 20 hours a day, six days a week. Six days a week, you ask? Why not seven? Because on Sunday we watch football.
Tuesday, November 6
Spectrum Community School Bands
Spectrum Old Gym, admission by donation, 7 pm
I played the flute for about four or five years when I was little. I wanted to play something sexier, like the drums, or even the saxophone, but my dad wanted something softer. He was pretty smart. You can only play the flute terribly up to a certain volume. I quit band soon after I started skateboarding. I just wish Beastie Boys had released “Flute Loop” a little sooner. I probably would have stuck it out. Jazz flute is pretty sweet.
Friday, November 9
Metric, Stars
Save-on-Foods Memorial Arena, $29.50-$45, 7 pm
Guys love Metric. Or maybe guys just love blondes. Still too much of a generalization? How about guys love to watch strong, impassioned lead singers do high leg kicks while rocking their socks off? The first time I saw Metric years ago I looked out over the crowd from my vantage point beside the stage and I realized that it was mostly men. Dumbfounded men, in awe of the spectacle they were experiencing. It made me smile that night, much like I’m smiling at this very moment.
Tuesday, November 13
Wintersleep, Elliott Brood
Alix Goolden Hall, $26, 7 pm
I grew up in the Yukon. In the summer you can watch the sun hide behind a mountain for half an hour, then creep back out again. It doesn’t get dark. The winter, however, is an altogether different beast. You wake up in the morning, it’s dark. You go to school, it’s still dark. You get out of school, it’s brighter than when you came in, but only for an hour or so. Then it’s dark. My mom got cabin fever the first winter we spent up there.