Sadie Sadistic's World of Musical Obsession

It’s been… a long long time

Happy 2010 everyone… or shall I say, happy ‘the future’

It’s been aaaaaaages since I last updated.  That’s not to say I’ve fallen out of love with the local music scene at ALL, and that’s certainly not to say that I don’t care anymore.  I’ve just been busy and distracted from the online world in general, and life has been a bit crazy.

Over the past year I’ve attended several shows, and even thrown a few of my own with my partner in crime, Bryden.  Turns out that Courtenay is a very tough sell for local music, both in finding venues, getting community support, and even in generating interest from the kids here.  However, we have had some rad people show up to our shows, albeit in small numbers, but despite those facts, the shows were a blast and went well.  The bands that came (Mass Undergoe, The Perfect Trend, Dating Destiny and Beat Kids, to name a few, have all been awesome and very VERY supportive in the face of our struggling scene.

Financially we are at a bit of a stand still in this town for throwing shows.  We pay for them out of our wittle pockets, and without community support in the form of sponsors and people helping with turnout, we are taking a bit of a hiatus for throwing them.  I will be, instead, focusing on attacking via the internetz and trying to get the word out on bands that, we think (and you will too!) are absolutely fantastic.

We are heading out to a show in the big ol Nanaimo to see Incura and The Perfect Trend break down the walls of the Queens on the 31st of this month, so stay tuned for a recap on that show… from what I will remember.  Beer will be flowing, so eheh.

I am without a camera, so pictures I will be posting here will either be cell phone pics, or pictures I’ve borrowed from other would be photographers at shows we attend.  Maybe some video… if you are lucky ;)

So here is to a new year of blasting our ears with sexy beats!

Love,

Sadie Sadistic xoxox

Halloween show in Vancouver w/ Incura and Mass Undergoe

I have to  be honest, I’m still recovering from Halloween weekend.  It was -the- best Halloween I’ve ever had, mainly because it was on a Friday, I was in Vancouver, and I was seeing two bands that I absolutely adore and believe in on the same night… in one of my favorite Venues I’ve ever been in (The Bourbon).

Serious good times were had.

This was not my first time seeing Mass Underoge, as you know if you ( a ) know me at all or ( b ) have read anything in this blog.  However, I promise you, every time I see Mass Undergoe it feels like the first time (aww), save for the fact I know all of their songs now, and didn’t the first time I saw them play in Courtenay at Lucky’s.  HOWEVER, they have some new songs now that are just too much fun live, one being “The Flesh Eating Parade” which is… yes… about Zombies.   The boys of Mass Undergoe dressed up as the cast of Anchorman, aka, the Channel 4 News Team.  They looked fantabulastic!  I also got hit in the nose at this particular show by Alan’s guitar.  Some would say “OHHHH ouch” but I say “THAT’S AWESOME!”… I consider bruises to be battle wounds from shows, and it just proves what a good time it was.  Hey, I never said I was ‘normal’ did I?!

PS:  Mass Undergoe are coming to the Island THIS WEEKEND to do a mini tour.  They are playing in Naniamo, Duncan and COURTENAY!  Yes… Concrete Sky Promotions is throwing our second all ages show in the valley and this amazing band will be playing at it.  STOKED.  So so stoked.  I’ve been dying to share good music with the kids here, so I’m so happy to be able to finally do it.

Moving onnnn… not that I want to….

INCURA.  Now, the Halloween show was the first time I’ve had the chance to see these dudes play live, and I was so excited about this I was literally bouncing, clapping my hands and squeeing at the prospect of this event.  I’ve been listening to them for a few months solid now, and they honestly are one of my favorite bands in the world. 

How were they you ask?!  OH MY DANCING JESUS MURPHY MOTHER OF HOLY SOCKS they were insane amounts of flabulous without the flab.  It was bananas son!  I knew they would bring the proverbial house down with their crazy craziness, but I was actually blown away.  From Kyle Gruninger opening up dressed as whaco Jacko and pulling off a very good Billy Jean cover, to Gatlin dressed as Darth Vader rocking the Vader theme, to all of their own songs…. EPIC. 

Incura is coming to the Island too folks.  DO.NOT.MISS.THEM.  Don’t do it.  Don’t miss either of these bands.  I’m not kidding.  This is me, not joking around.  I’m serious.  I’m really serious here.  SERIOUSLY.  I believe they are coming to the Island in February, but I’ll post actual dates when I know.  We might get them to do a show with Concrete Sky in Courtenay, so STAY TUNED.

To wrap up… amazing weekend, thank you to the guys of Mass Undergoe and Incura, and all of my friends that I saw at the show.  Mega extra special thank you to Bryden Ley for taking that journey with me and for being the awesomest person in the world <333  Watch out for this guy, his awesomeness is going to take over the world one day and produce the living shit out of some music. 

I’ll be posting some dates for you all, and more reviews soon.  I’m going to see a few shows this weekend, including our own, so there will be lots to report.

Until next time…

Keep it not so secret and not so safe… it’s more fun that way.

<3 Sadie

Conglomeration of Reviews

Hey guys!  Yeah yeah, busy busy, excuses excuses!

But honestly, I’ve had little to no time for blogging, and that sucks because I love it!
I’ve been plotting and planning Concrete Sky’s first all ages show in Courtenay with my best friend and business cohort Mishel.  October 17th marks our first show ever, and we are SUPER EXCITED.  We’re hitting Courtenay with four amazing bands, Along Way Home, Conversation, Acres of Lions and On Call Heroes!  WHAT?!  EXCUSE ME?! Yes, that’s right, wow.

In the past couple of months I have gone to tons of shows.. though still not enough for my liking.

West Coast Music Fest was UNBELIEVABLE!  The band lineup was ridiculous and even though it was not jam packed with bodies, there was still a pretty decent turnout.  Honestly, it was a day of complete fun, entertainment and drunkenness… The talent that graced that fest that day was astounding, and if there is another West Coast Music Fest next year, you best be going to it because you really -really- missed out if you didn’t attend this last one.  Thank you to every single person that helped in getting that show organized, and thank you to all the bands for putting on a stellar performance for all of us.  Also, thank you to the weather for not being as horrible as was threatened!  We appreciate it!!

I’ve been to two CD release shows, namely The Perfect Trend and My Broken Hero.  Both shows were memorable, to say the very least.  The Perfect Trend always turns the floor in to an thriving conglomeration of sweating, angsty and excited bodies, and this was no different.  We were right in the front lines of this thing and I swear I must be half robot for being able to withstand the pressure of so many kids pushing on me and knocking in to me… it was CRAZY SON!

My Broken Hero’s CD release in Port Alberni was also nothing short of epic.  They, as always, were outstanding and I loved every single second of their set.  However, I also go to see Counting Heartbeats, Jay and the Lovebirds and The Graceful Mutiny FINALLY.  What a show.  Counting Heartbeats melted my ever loving face.  I have heard so much about these guys (and girl) and it was soooo good to see them play.  All four bands deserve plates and PLATES of cookies.  Talented people.

I’ve been to more shows than that, including the tour kickoff for Conversation and Along Way Home, which was also a rad show.  GOB played that show, as well as the West Coast Music Fest.

I’ve been to Vancouver twice to see Mass Undergoe, once for their tour kickoff (with The Perfect Trend, who by the way, started a mosh pit IN A BAR), and once for their welcome home show.  I swear to god they work some sort of voodoo magic, because every time I see them I enjoy it more.  I never grow tired of it, and I’m always blown away.  I also go to see The Fury at Mass Undergoe’s tour kickoff at The Bourbon, and they were radtastic!  Shout out to Royce!!

The next show, other than ours on the 17th, is going to be the Halloween show in Vancouver (AGAIN!) with Mass Undergoe and Incura.  I can NOT even tell you how stoked I am for this show.  I can’t shut my mouth about it… Not only do I get to see Mass Undergoe play again, which is always so rad, but I get to see Incura play FINALLY.  I swear it’s going to make my life.  I probably should just go die after this show because how does it get any better?!  HOW?!

Yeah, it can’t.  And if it does… I’ll explode.

I’m excited you guys.  Can you tell?  Excited for all that has been, and for all that is to come.  It’s a wonderful life, thanks to all of you.

Love you all,
Sadie.

UPDATES ABOUND

Hello internets!!  I am super sorry for the lack of updates, I’ve been busy going to shows and working on building an epic career for myself in the promotion business.  So far, the outlook on that is a good one, and this baby needs nurturing! Concrete Sky Promotions is here to stay!

Anyways, I have some shows to review, and I MUST write a review of West Coast Music Fest.  That shit was EPIC people, EPIC I SAY!  Wow, and I still miss it.  It’s been a couple of weeks since I was there, and I am still not over it.  From amazing people to stellar music, it was absoultely fantastic!

I’ve been to Vancouver to see Mass Undergoe, The Perfect Trend and The Fury, as well as to The Perfect Trend’s CD release show in Naniamo.  I’ve been around… in a good way.

I am going to be attending My Broken Hero’s CD release in Port Alberni soon, and then it’s back to Vancouver to see Mass Undergoe again for their home coming show.  They, as of tonight, played a show for a bunch of very important men (perhaps women) in suits that have POWER in the industry.  AKA:  Record Executives.  Apparently it went well, I was so nervous for them all day.  I’ll be posting with “WAAAAAAAAAAAHOOOOO”s and “YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY”s pretty soon, I’m sure.

Anyways, I will be doing my long overdue updates within the next couple of days.  I have to catch up!  PHEW, so busy!

Much love,
Sadie

Naniamo at the Cambie w/ The Perfect Trend and Melody Unwinding

Last night my lovely and beautiful friend Mishel and I took a speedy drive to Naniamo and got there just in time to catch The Perfect Trend and Melody Unwinding bring the Cambie down and melt some serious faces with sweet guitar riffs and crazy energy…. ohh, and epic light shows.

As always, The Perfect Trend delivered and entertained everyone.  It was a ‘home show’ for them, so a lot of friends showed up to support their set.  Thank you to all the boys for a great time, and for being so rad!  We absolutely love your faces, and look forward to seeing you on the 29th in Vancouver with Mass Undergoe!!

As for Melody Unwinding, I found them on Myspace a while ago and have been wanting to catch them play.  Last night was their last show of a three month tour.  That’s a LONG TOUR guys!  It did not drain their energy level though, and I was so very stoked on their set!  I will be making sure to see them again, and when I know of another show on the Island, I’ll be writing about it ahead of time to inform you.  I really got in to their music, and they have fun visual ‘stimuli’ such as smoke and lights which is always fun.

The sound for this show was fantastic as well, kudos to the sound tech!

Now, I’m super tired, and have a garage sale to run FIRST thing in the morning, so I’m off to bed soon.  Ta ta people.

Up next?  Conversation, GOB, Along Way Home (+) in Naniamo next Friday, and next Saturday is WEST COAST MUSIC FEST!  We still have tickets if you are in the comox valley area, so email me at the email on the top of this page to get yours!

<3
Sadie

Lantzville Legion w/ On Call Heroes, Ninjaspy, Mass Undergoe, Systematic Dream and special guest The Perfect Trend

EPIC SHOW.

Seriously?  This show was one of the best I’ve been to yet!  Candlefish did a great job putting this show together, and the bands were fan-freaking-tastic!  I knew it was going to be great, but it was even better than I thought it was going to be.

It was my first time seeing most of the bands, save for The Perfect Trend and Mass Undergoe who I’ve seen play once before.  On Call Heroes and Systematic Dream put on great sets and had good energy.  Ninjaspy?  Holly mother of god they were amazing!  The crowd went nuts, absolutely batshit insane, for this band.  They bring an entirely different element to the table, complete with on stage theatrics that you can’t look away from.  They are super talented and GO SEE THEM if you get the chance.  I promise you you’ve never seen anything quite like it.  I’m still not over it.

The Perfect Trend did a guest spot and played a few songs, which everyone went crazy for.  They are loved, very very loved, and it’s no wonder why.  They have new songs, and we got to see them unfold before us in a fury of banging heads and face melting guitar playing.

Mass Undergoe, what can I say… Enjoy the smaller intimate shows while you can because these guys are going to make it huge, and it wont be long.  They deserve it as they have been working hard at this band for years, and it really shows on stage.  They are seasoned at this, and what comes from that is a set you can’t forget, and one that leaves you wanting more.  Their songs are frigging contagious, they have a great connection with the crowd, and they are just amazing and talented guys overall.  Go see them, for serious.

I’ll be posting some pictures and some video over the next couple of days, so stay tuned!

Now it’s time for bed…

Over and outizzle,
Sadie.

Burnside Campus Gym - Conversation Vs. Theset (w/ TAWG and Mayday Mayday)

JUST got home from this ripper of a weekend.  I haven’t missed a show by Conversation since March 15th (on the Island) yet, and I certainly wasn’t going to miss this one.  There was a lot of hype surrounding this show because Conversation and Theset are two of the more well known bands in Victoria.  I’ve seen Theset once, so I was pretty stoked to see them again.  And I was even more stoked to see TAWG.  Conversation’s drummer, Dan (Diddy) drums for TAWG as well, so he had two back to back sets to get through.  TROOPER.

I drove to this show with my three best friends in the world, Sarah (convo’s merch guuurl), teena and Mishel.  They>everyone.

Conversation - Awesome as always.  There is a stage in that gym, and I was right at the front.  After several attempts by kids behind me to break every rib in my body and boot me in the head, I survived their set.  They played one new song, which I was super happy to hear finally!  Dakota, one of their ‘biggest fans’ and a friend of mine was there, and we got to rock out together which was fun.  They draw a pretty rowdy crowd!  They are off at Warped Tour in Calgary right now, so I wish them luck and safe travels!  Have fun my friends!

TAWG - FINALLY I got to see them.  I, in all honesty, am pretty excited about this band.  They have a more ‘mainstream’ sound, but that is not a bad thing.  I really got in to their music, and I fully plan on seeing them again… soon I hope.

Theset - I enjoyed this show more than the last time I saw them, mainly because the last time I saw them play you could not hear the vocals… kinda throws it off a bit.  This time everything was pretty spot on, and they have great stage presence.  They have a new album coming out in about a month, so watch their Myspace as they are going to be putting up new songs pretty damn often. (http://www.myspace.com/theset)

Mayday Mayday - these guys are metal, and they threw down!  It was a good way to start the show and get everyone pumped.  They make you want to punch faces and throw out your neck… ACE in my book.

All around awesome show with great energy and a good turnout.

ANNNND now it’s on to looking forward to Friday the 8th of August when I will be seeing bands such as Mass Undergoe and Ninjaspy in Lantzville!  YES!

Love and all that sugary shite,
Sadie

Lantzville Hall w/ Everyone Everywhere, My Broken Hero, Means, A Textbook Tragedy and My Daughter the Ranger

I saw this show on July 28th… I know, I know, late response!!  I’ve been super busy, and just spent the weekend in Victoria to see the “Theset Vs. Conversation” show (which will go in another post).  However, let me say?  This here Lantzville show was fantastic. Why?  Partly due to the fact I absolutely can not get enough of seeing My Broken Hero live, and also, I’ve been wanting to see Means for a while now, and A Textbook Tragedy as well.  AND, I finally got to see Everyone Everywhere play.

Everyone Everywhere (from Victoria) is getting their own post here soon, they were FUN.  Pop/punk is like a party in your ears that makes your body move in all sorts of crazy directions, or that’s just a side effect that happens to me… but anyways, they were so good.  So good, in fact, I was actually sad they don’t have a CD for sale yet.  Common guys, I NEED THAT SHIT.  They are a new band on the scene, so definately stay tuned and keep your eye out for these guys.  GO SEE THEM if you get the chance.  I mean it, GO.

All of the bands played their asses off, and Textbook was sick son!  Their drummer makes it look so easy… disgusting (in a good way of course).

The show started late, and ran even later, but that was actually part of what made it so fun.

Saw lots of faces I know, which always adds to the fun of a show.

It was well worth the drive :)

- Sadie

Smart Bomb/Irreverents - The Cambie, Naniamo

I literally just got home from seeing Smart Bomb and the Irreverents play a wicked show at the Cambie in Naniamo.  I’m so tired that my eyeballs are falling out, but it was so good to see both of these bands again.  I’m also too tired to write anything epic as a review, but I will….

Aside from a bit of an annoyance outside the bar with some rude drunken dudes, it was a great night.  I saw some faces I’ve been missing, and that is always a good way to cheer up a week.

Love you all, thank you for the show and for being so damn talented and such wonderful humans.

Monday = Another wicked show to attend… so I’ll combine reviews and just wrap it up as a weekend post.

Off to bed, thank god:
Sadie

1st Annual West Coast Music Fest - Port Alberni, BC

Date: Saturday, August 23rd
Location: Farmer Bill’s Field in Port Alberni, BC

Ok guys, this is going to be a hell of a fun time, so tell all your friends about it!

It is an all day event, and for those that wish to spend the night there are campsites near the location.  Come prepared!

The lineup so far is:

GOB
Along Way Home
My Broken Hero
Theset
Italian Edition
Maurice
Elias
Critical Element
The Transition

(lineup subject to change)

Tickets are going to be $30 advance, and I will update you when the locations are announced so that you will know where to go grab yours!

Most of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Vancouver Children’s Hospital, just a ‘PS’.

I’ll keep you posted on updated information.

August is going to be crazy. And it’s only just begun…

So, August is soon approaching, and it is going to be one hell of a fun month!  I am currently looking for a magical being to grant me three wishes (Money, Money, Money) so that I can better afford this crazy month, but I’ll manage somehow!

So far, these are the shows I plan to attend.  The list keeps growing.

- July 25th in Courtenay: Irreverents + Smart Bomb at Lucky (so not calling it Avalanch you bastards)

- July 28th in Port Alberni: Textbook Tragedy, Means, My Broken Hero +++

- August 2nd in Victoria: Conversation Vs. Theset w/TAWG (yes!)

- August 8th in Naniamo: Mass Undergoe fan appriciation show

- August 23rd in Port Alberni: West Coast Music Fest w/ GOB, Along Way Home, My Broken Hero +++ (post on this even soon)

- August 28th in Vancouver: Mass Undergoe tour kickoff

More added soon!

Peace,
Sadie