Published at June 28, 2006
in general.
I was sure I had written about this band before, but alas I see no proof, and that is a crying shame. I first leaned of The Dudes on a podcast called indie6 from Toronto, Ontario. The is put on by two music supervisors who get oodles of new music from bands looking to get featured in the next OC rip-off show. I first heard The Dudes on August 26, 2005 and their sound encapsulated me. I immediately went out looking for more of their stuff to consume, but sadly leaned they had no website, and were only on myspace.
Well times have changed. The Dudes have just gone live with a new website as well as an official CD released of a new album. June 27th 2006 was a big day for The Dudes.
I had the opportunity to listen to their release Brain. Heart. Guitar and I have to say it rocks. To me it’s a solid inde-rock-pop offering with a flavour of Sam Roberts mixed with the lyrical flow and vocal styling of Joel Plaskett (it’s spooky how similar they sound on the track Fist). The first four tracks appear on previous EP releases and kick off the album in the right direction. It’s difficult to pick out the standout track, but I would have to say Mendoza Line and Dropkick Queen of the Weekend are the obvious radio single selections, with 2nd track Do The Right Thing a near second.
So do yourself a Favour and check out this album (at the top of their website) then pick up a copy for you and a friend — you won’t be disappointed.
With the explosion of video sharing sites it is nice to see some cropping up that have focus. YouTube is great and all, but its virtually impossible to find anything there quickly. “TurnHere produces professional digital videos, accessible on the Internet, which convey authentic experiences of places and leisure activities in cities and neighbourhoods around the world.” I took a look at a few from Toronto and I think it’s a pretty great idea. It’s a great mash-up of google maps and flash video that gives you a ‘real’ look at a city, and ideas on places to see if you are planning a trip.
Published at June 22, 2006
in asides.
1000 ways to open a beer bottle. This is an absolutely amazing collection of truly creative techniques. The next time I have a beer bottle that refuses to open you better not be the first tortoise I see.
We all love funny signs, and even more we enjoy funny signs featuring stick people. Flickr has an entire section of these funny stick people — most in peril.
Published at June 17, 2006
in general.
I took advantage of Doors Open Toronto to explore the great city that is Toronto. Having just returned from Chicago, and being completely awe-struck by the beauty of their city, I needed to find a method to re-discover my own city. Daily Dose of Imagery does a great job of showing me parts of the city I miss, but I still have a sunken feeling that something about Toronto just doesn’t add up when compared piece by piece to Chicago. So with that on my mind I set out to explore Toronto’s Open Doors in the hopes of finding something I missed. Continue reading ‘Doors Open Toronto’
Published at June 5, 2006
in asides.
Stephen Colbert is still at it, and gave a wonderful speech at Knox College over the weekend. He sure showed us Social Health Care loving Canadians. (complete transcript here)
Published at June 2, 2006
in asides.
They are finally releasing a good print of Dazed And Confused on DVD with a newly remastered high definition transfer supervised by Linklater and cinematographer Lee Daniel. I was planning on picking this up. Checking out the Amazon.ca price of $41.99 I will have to reconsider this purchase. Pricey, but such a great movie.
Published at June 2, 2006
in asides.
The Cruzin Cooler. Where was this when I was going to school? Honestly, this is something we should have dreamed up one night.
Published at June 2, 2006
in asides.
Cards for when words just can’t say it all. Simple. To the point. A must-have gift for that special someone.
Published at June 2, 2006
in general.
Please, excuse my ignorance. I didn’t know. How was I supposed to? I don’t remember. Am I really supposed to recall a commercial? A commercial from ‘I don’t know when’? I must admit that it was news to me that Kellogg’s was founded, and is still based, in Battle Creek Michigan. I had heard the rumours about Corn Flakes and their creation in the sanitarium as well as the rumblings about a cereal existing as an antaphrodisiac, but that is all. Thankfully — luckily — I was informed that Battle Creek was the home of Kellogg’s prior to leaving on the road trip and was able to plan a stop at Cereal City USA. Oh Cereal City USA. I had dreams of a Disney Land lost in the mid-west, ready to be discovered again. A place of hopes and dreams. A place of sugar hills and chocolate rivers. A place where everybody knows your name. A grand reunion. A grand place.
We stopped at Cereal City USA on the way back to Canada with the hopes of meeting some of the television actors we grew up with — and looked up to — during childhood. We had hopes of dining with Tony The Tiger and his clan of merry mascots. Snap, Crackle and Pop. Toucan Sam. Dig ‘Em Frog. Cornelius. These are childhood hero’s. But, alas, there it was staring us in the face: Monday – Closed. Oh the humanity. A life long dream that will have to wait to be realized. We salvaged the trip by examining the outside of the building which resulted in us discovering — what I can only assume to be — an American sized box of Froot Lopps. Our exploration also revealed interesting historical facts about everyones favourite breakfast cereal Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. And here I thought they were just a healthy part of a balanced breakfast.
And so ends the adventures of The “Chicago Or Bust” Tour 2006. It was not as crazy as we had hopped, but an enjoyable experience none the less. Making the drive from Toronto to Chicago through such towns as Flint, Kalamazoo and Gary was something I’m glad I did once. Getting out of the car in Gary is something that people still call me crazy for. Seeing the mid-west by car via the interstate is something people should consider doing once — and only once.
Next time just fly.
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