Midweek Mayhem

Triple-X Productions presented Midweek Mayhem on January 18th, the first of a new monthly at the Smiling Buddha. The night was suppose to have featured Chicago’s Coltrane Motion and local guest performances. Alas, "mayhem" actually did wreak havoc this evening. Coltrane Motion were denied entry at the Virginia border on the way to their Montreal gig the night before, thereby having to cancel their two Ontario dates as well. They were NOT happy about being stranded 19 hours from home.

If losing the headliner wasn't enough, The Incidentals were snowed in up in Sudbury and 10,000 Watt Head didn't show as they (get this)...couldn't get a babysitter. So we had Doc Pickles perform as the opener and headliner. Actually, he used his new moniker, Your Band Sucks, as the headlining performance.

Overall, it ended up being a fun spontaneous night of fun. DJ "Dave kQuattro" had his first turn at the mighty art of DJ'ing...drunk no doubt...but the dancefloor was groovin, so all in all...Booze Rules.

Anyway, here's the info on who was suppose to be there, and there are promises of resheduling at a later date.

Coltrane Motion is heartbreak you can dance to - booty breaks dipped in indie guitar fuzz with a mess of synths, samplers, & laptops tearing it all to pieces. The result is an inventive mix of noisy indie rock, sixties pop, and experimental hip hop. Not to be missed. The band is on tour throughout Canada and the United States.

The Incidentals features Jesse Laderoute and David Psutka. They create an atmospheric experimental performance by using a guitar, keyboard and a drum machine.

10,000 Watt Head are a 4-piece (Dane Mills, Grasshopper, Mike Harland, and Greg Collins) collective relatively new on the Toronto scene, but kick out a high energy fast paced 15 minute set like no other.

Doc Pickles brings his crazy one-man antics to the stage once again as the lovable opener guy. His throwback to the 80’s combines the use of two keyboards along with his off beat ranting. His recent release, “No Fire Day”, debuted at number two on CIUT and "Teach Your Pets to Smoke" was chosen for pod cast on John Sakamoto's Anti-Hit list.

Interlude noises were provided by DJ Triple – X – Rawk-Electro-Alt-Indie.

The Details: Midweek Mayhem – Last Wednesday of Every Month, 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Smiling Buddha Bar, 961 College St W @ Dovercourt – 416-516-2531 – Five Buxxx

Contact: info@themarsbar.com to get your band on the bill.

Hoedown Saturday Afternoon

Hoedown Saturday Afternoon launched Saturday January 28th at the newly renovated Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar. The first afternoon-fest was a mixture of young and old, regulars and first-timers, drinkers and lovers. Daddy O played a selection of older C&W classics mixed in with a couple of the newer local alt-country bands such as the Backstabbers, the Sadies, and Cuff The Duke.

This monthly event happens 4pm to 7pm on the last Saturday of every month with host Deejay Daddy-O playing all the best in old-time Country-and-Western classics, including Bluegrass, Cajun, Acadian, Zydeco, Rockabilly, Honky Tonk and Hillbilly.

Dust off your dancing shoes and come party to the sounds of Kitty Wells, Faron Young, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Flatt and Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams and Stompin Tom Connors.

“The Gladdy” was once a landmark institution for local country music fans that would flock to the former Bronco’s bar for a night of country music and two-stepping. Hoedown Saturday Afternoon brings back that tradition “for those who remember the days and for those who missed it”, says Deejay Daddy-O.

The Gladstone Hotel, built in 1889, is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Toronto. This Victorian era building also maintains the last hand operated elevator in the city. The kitchen is scheduled to reopen shortly so stop by, grab a pint and some grub, and enjoy the sleek-sounds of Deejay Daddy-O this Saturday afternoon.

Word is out that this is the place to be. Those in attendance are already spreading the word. Future shows will include guest Deejay's, live performances, and dance-offs.

The Details:
Hoedown Saturday Afternoon with Deejay Daddy-O
Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar, 1214 Queen Street West, 416 531 4635
Last Saturday of Every Month, 4pm to 7pm, No Cover