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Come
down to a free, all ages afternoon
Festival ( 1-4 pm ) at one of
the most beautiful parks in Vancouver:
Crab Park at Portside. The Festival
is to celebrate and bring attention
to the park to keep it a much-needed
greenspace for the people of the
downtown eastside. Take in some
fabulous music and support a important
cause as well.
Music will include: The Voodoo
Cabaret of Maria
In the Shower, The Ska-Funk
and more vibe of Fuzzcat
and The eclectic, acoustic, dance
party celebration that is Blackberry
Wood.
This is an all ages, free event
from 1-4pm at Crab Park at the
North foot of Main Street facing
the gorgeous Northshore mountains.
See Ya There! |
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BANDCOUVER FINALLY ENTERS
THE YOU-TUBE AGE!
That's
Right! Bandcouver has entered the realm of the YouTube
universe after laying dormant for a couple of years
at www.youtube.com/bandcouver
But don't expect to find a bunch of self-indulgent
vids of Mark himself and every silly thing he does.
That's just not what it's about at all! No, the
Bandcouver YouTube page is about posting his favourite
scenes from his favourites TV shows, movies, and
a ton of music videos! A good portion of them being
from XTC and Frank Zappa! Including rarely seen
documentaries!
There's also vids from: Joe Jackson, Squeeze, Fleet
Foxes, Art Bergmann, The Verve, Jellyfish, Small
Faces, Spenser Davis Group, The Animals, and The
Beatles!
Videos from local / indie acts like: The Orchid
Highway, The Parlour Steps, Jessica Beach, Andrea
Wittgens, Meat Draw, Carolyn Mark, Blackberry Wood,
St. Vincent, The Pack AD, Wax Mannequin, Panurge,
and Mother Mother!
Plus: Vids from Henry Rollins, Shad, Ian Dury &
The Blockheads, Captian Beefheart, Screamin' Jay
Hawkins, Tom Waits, The Shins, Primus, The Pixies,
Dead Milkmen, Kinks, Nick Cave, MC5, Joy Division,
Buckethead and more!
~Happy Viewing!~
ART
BERGMANN PAGE UP & RUNNING:
Recently I performed a search
on the net and was very disappointed at the lack of
presence Art Bergmann has on the web. The answer?
Get an Art Bergmann myspace page ( for one ) started.
Now you can hear an Art Bergmann tune or 5, catch
up on his history and have a look at the lovingly
crammed "Bergmann Blog".
Art's history can be patchy with what's gone out there.
I have tried to be as accurate and realistic as possible
with what I've put together. Though I'm not taking
back the fact that I think "Bound For Vegas" is one
the greatest rock and roll songs ever written. hee.
hee.
Art and his wife Sherri know about the page and are
happy with it. Have a look, have a listen and tell
me what you think. Contributions to the site of photos,
articles, links etc are very much welcome. ww.myspace.com/artbergmann
All The Best;
Mark Bignell
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. . FAITHLESSLY
YOURS: ART BERGMANN TRIBUTE: A GREAT SUCCESS!
Thanks again to to all the acts
who performed at the Faithlessly Yours: Art Bergman
Tribute show at the Railway Club. The Rentalmen, Geoff
Berner, Conrad, Elizabeth Fischer, Tommy Babin, Chad
Macquarrie, Tony Balony & The Rubes, Rat Silo and
Nevada!
Thanks also to: Yark at Lugz Coffee Lounge ( Main
Street, just south of Broadway ) for sponsering the
backline for the show, The Railway Club for offering
the date, Cindy Tomlinson and Ted Koppman of IMU Productions
for creating the poster and helping with promo, Gord
Berry of 3 Chord Rebel Productions for helping haul
the backline back to Long & MacQuade who we think
for the backline, Yellow Cab for helping haul the
gear out of the taxi from and to L & M, and to you
for coming out and supporting Art's music and Radio
Bandcouver!
.
. . FAITHLESSLY
YOURS: ART BERGMANN TRIBUTE THURSDAY 24th at THE RAILWAY
CLUB! A BENEFIT FOR CO-OP RADIO & RADIO BANDCOUVER!
Yessir! We presented a tribute
to one of Vantown's most colourful rock and roll characters!
A live tribute show on Thursday, April 24 at The Railway
Club! Yes, we know Art's still alive ,but, we gave
him his due when he's still alive and kicking! A writer
of some of the most brilliant rock and roll songs
ever! Songs that are much-more than a mere fuck you
to the man. Art's songs have a humanity, innovation
and intelligence to them that is sadly lacking with
the fake Punk bands that the corporate mainstream
rams down your throat. "Poisoned", "Vultura Freeway",
"Crawl with Me", "Sexual Roulette", "Art Bergmann",
"What Fresh Hell Is This" and "Design Flaw" should
all be re-issued. Art's web presence should be greatly
increased. The Canadian music biz, ( such as it is
), should be ashamed of itself for misrepresenting,
neglecting and disrespecting such a talent. The original
"Crawl With Me" album is set to be released late summer/early
fall...
Art is the real deal. This tribute celebrated the
music and vision of East Van's adopted Punk-Poet Laureate!
From The K-Tels/ Young Canadians to his brilliant
career with Poisoned, The Showdogs and Shitstorm!
We heard brilliant and colourful renditions of such
Bergmann classics as: "Hawaii" -by Rat Silo...Lead
singer Jim Newton, had a bit of challenge remembering
the lyrics ,but, the spirit was definately there.
Rat Silo also put together a lovely version of "Faithlessly
Yours".... "Data Redux", "Vultura Freeway", "Dirge
#1" and a tribute to the very-missed Jim Bescott:
"This Is Your Life" were covered in a blistering set
by Tony Balony & The Rubes-featuring Mike Zobac, ex-drummer
of The Feminists... Bergmann-isms like yelling 'Fuck
you. Ya buncha fucking assholes!!' at the crowd, and
a special tribute to a pair of black leather pants
that allegedly belonged to Art, on display via the
mic stand-stage left were the ports of call for this
memorable set!..."War Party"-by a new band: The Rentalmen
( for that night anyway ), featuring Mark Petersen
on lead vocals, Jon Wood on guitar, Mark from Retrograde
on drums, Chris Young on guitar, amongst the mainly
NJAMS crew...They also performed inspired versions
of "Jones" and "Contract"...Conrad took a more subtle
approach with "More Blue Shock"-complete with trumpet,
"The Junkie Don't Care" and surprised everybody with
a Slow song: "I Have Not Been the Same"...,Elizabeth
Fischer, with Tommy Babin & Chad Macquarrie had (
along with Geoff Berner ) the most unique renditions
of Bergmann tunes, done in an old-school, european
Cabaret style: "Empty House", " Crawl With Me" and
"My Baby Needs Oil"-complete with Bergmann-like screams...Geoff
Berner told a most hilarious Bergmann story...and
put his Punk-Klesmer spin on "Bound For Vegas"...Navada
brought a fitting, frenectic end to the amazing evening
with some Young Canadian rockers: "Automan", "Well
Well Well" and "No Escape"!
This exciting tribute show was put together for the
pure love of Art Bergmann's music and to keep a valuable
indie media source on the air: Co-op Radio 102.7 FM!
The only place you hear Art Bergmann's music on the
regular dial in Vancouver!
Call 604-684-8494 to keep listener-sponsered, non-corporate
radio without the annoying commercials and brain-washed,
auto-piloted dj's, on the air!
Those who performed and one act that , sadly, couldn't
perform at the Art Bergmann tribute: *Geoff
Berner *Tony Balony & The Rubes ( Real McKenzies,
Actionauts ) *tROUBLE ( Jane Sawyer and Taylor Little
) *Conrad ( the band *Rat Silo *The Rentalmen( from
Not Just Another Music Shop ) *Elizabeth Fischer with
Chad Macquarrie & Tommy Babin ( Dark Blue World, Animal
Slaves ) *Nevada
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. . KEEP
PORT LANDS IN PUBLIC HANDS
Radio Bandcouver fully supports
The Central Waterfront Coalition's bid to keep Crab
Park at Portside a much-needed greenspace for the
people of the downtown eastside. We hold the annual
Crab Park, July 1st Festival there, and want to
preserve its natural beauty and keep the park for
the people of the downtown eastside. A private company
wants to build a stadium / entertainment facility
on public waterfront land without the public's approval.
Such a private mega-project would destroy the park
and have a huge, detrimental effect on the immediate
neighbourhood. This is Vancouver's last piece of
undeveloped waterfront, which belongs to the people
through the Port of Vancouver. Vancouver is known
worldwide as a city that takes pride in retaining
the natural beauty of its public waterfront land.
Imagine Vancouver without Stanley Park or a beach
on the westside or Kitsilano. That's why we urge
the public to write parliament, and encourage them
not to hand over land, that is rightfully ours,
to private interests who hold no concern for the
immediate environment or its nearby citizens. Visit:
centralwaterfrontcoalition.org
for more info, and write to: The Honourable Lawrence
Cannon Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities House of Commons Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
. . . Here's
The Latest Batch Of Musical Marvels!
Girl Nobody - Balaclava Casino Heist
This is the band's second
album, a few years in the making, and well worth
the wait. Girl Nobody weave an intriguing web of
dark Pop, electronica and lyrics that seem to convey
more than they let on. Marta Jaciubek-McKeever,
is a charming and engaging performer, who has to
be seen live to be fully understood. Her vocals
gliding effortlessly from a quiet purr to full on
yelps. She can hold on to a note as well as anybody
when she chooses. Marta's voice control is stunning.
She's also a highly accomplished keyboard player,
has a bash at electric guitar and even had a small
drum set to work out her tension during their CD
release at The Red Room. The arrangements on this
album are very imaginative, connecting some of the
tunes with electronic blips and signal manipulations
which don't take away from the music. The melodies
get stronger with each listen. Check out the title
track, "I'll Shake it", the reggae tinged "Sniffin'
Glue", the lovely "Let you Down" and her effective
vocal acrobatics on "Icons Bleed". Marta lets the
other members take the spotlight with a couple of
quirky tunes : "Two Left Shoes" and "Grandfather".
You get the feeling these songs are waiting to be
used in a Terantino, or Lynch flick somewhere. And
so they should. www.girlnobody.com
/ www.myspace.com/girlnobody
Minimalist Jugband - Thrift Stories
The title of his second album is quite fitting given
the subject matter. Such topics as buying on a budget,
fate, confusion, selling off trinkets, just gettin'
by, and other such galling mysteries in life without
the benefit of a fat chequebook, are all effectively
covered in an highly entertaining, offbeat, individual
and hilarious manner. Al Mader is The Minimalist
Jug Band, with his stories, his sharp observations,
his stream of consciousness mannerisms, and his
homemade washtub bass. The material harkens back
to the beatnik era in the 50's ,but, with a more
modern and local spin to it. There's a lot of mileage
afforded from the stories of his "Scarf" , "Dead
Man's Pants", " The Best I Could" and "The Daughter
Of Victor Hugo" which may give you pause as Al quips:
"We all think we're so smart, and we all think we're
so strong. But most of what we think is just wrong."
If Al's musing get a tad too dark for your liking,
there's also a lighter, rockabilly-infused jam (
" Mama Now Baba Now ") to dance to. This kind of
unique perspective on life in general has obvious
rubbed off on a considerable amount of people, including
some of the best musicians around including: Petunia,
( who shares a track:" My Gal / Love Isn't Blue
with Al ), Steven Nikleva ( Ray Condo ), Ronnie
Hayward, Ed Goodine ( Circus In Flames, Rodney Decroo
) and Megan Rose ( adding vocals to "James Brown
Said" ). If you feel the need to take that left
turn off the beaten track. This is your destination.
Camille Miller - Somewhere Near the Truth
Camille Miller's voice is
the centerpiece of this recording. A finely honed
instrument that's passionate, soulful, and downright
riveting, without being overbearing. Camille's songs
are simple, but highly emotionally and melodically
charged. "Somewhere Near the Truth" is her third
proper release which finely compliments her previous
"Canarvan Street" album. Her songs are very direct
and personal, but , are offset by some very strong,
memorable melodies. "Repair The Damage" with its
catchy chorus could be a staple on Country radio
( as much of what they play isn't really Country
), "Tea & Sandwiches" with its jaunty Brit-Pop bounce
and sometimes humorous lyrics about "sleeping on
people's couches ...trying not to get in the way",
leaves you with a sunny, optimistic buzz. "Tear
Us Apart" has a soaring crescendo and a delightfully
stubborn way of looking at the bright side. "Frustrated"
has the kind of old-school Pop feel that's been
almost forgotten in modern circles. "Spin The Bottle's"
chorus lingers in your subconscious long after hearing
it. Geraldo Dominelli's empathetic production finely
compliments Camille's muse. By the time you hear
later tracks like "I'll Be Good", "The Real You",
the title track, and "I Believe", its abundantly
clear that Camille is an artist who's not afraid
to flesh out her fears and deliver material that
is not only highly appealing ,but, heartfelt and
convincing as well. Modern Pop with soul. www.camillemiller.com
/ www.myspace.com/camillemillermusic
Spygirl - Pieces Of Evidence
From the opening track ( "Come Out To Play" ) to
the fade of "Dust", lead vocalist Koralee Tonack's
voice conveys an enchanting conviction. Warm, engaging
and never twee. She stretches her vocals more on
this, Spygirl's second album on such emotive tracks
as "Today", "Where Do Those Stars Come From" and
"Weight of the World". Korilee also gets superb
backing from the band which includes some jazzy
and intricate piano and keyboard fills from Jane
Gowan and James Ong. Finely punctuated guitar phrasing
from Jon Roper, and a solid backing core of Edwardo
Ottoni on skins and Al Mac Innes on bass. Producer
Tom Rothrock ( Beck, Badly Drawn Boy ) admirably
balances more aggressive arrangements with ample
space for both Korilee's vocals and the songs to
breath. He also uses his skills in electronica sparingly
and tastefully. Jane also adds trumpet fills to
punctuate the break from the deceptive calm in "Where
Do Those Stars Come From", where all the musicians
take flight in a cathartic 'free for all' before
falling back into the groove. "Beautiful" is a dark
gem with a therimen-like sample supplying some keen
atmosphere. "Feeling Fine" has a chorus that could
melt even the most jaded heart. "Be Lost" displays
an addictive groove that would fit snuggly into
the current crop of dancy UK acts, and "Dust" is
a lovely, contemplative ode to end off Spygirl's
delightful open forum between Pop, Rock, Folk and
Electronica. Put on the headphones and let this
one sink it. www.spygirlmusic.com
/ www.myspace.com/spygirlspygirl
Be sure to visit Zulu, Scratch and Red Cat for these
stellar releases.
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. . TAKE
OUT OR RE-NEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP WITH RADIO BANDCOUVER!
All you have to do is call during Radio Bandcouver
from 2:30-4pm, at 604-684-7561, and show your financial
support (details listed below) to keep open-minded,
commercial-free, community-minded , eclectic, exciting
locally-produced radio on the air!
CFRO would have a big hole without Radio Bandcouver.
It's easily the best local music show CFRO's ever
had! Let's not lose a hugely valuable source for
actual LOCAL TALENT on the air!
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. . KEEP
THOSE PLEDGES COMING TO KEEP RADIO BANDCOUVER ON
THE AIR!
Memberships
are good for a year and include the Co-op Radio
Listeners Guide, Co-op radio membership card which
gives you discounts at select record, book, clothing
stores etc., part ownership of the station, a tax
receipt, an opportunity to be involved in existing
programs on CFRO or apply for a possible program
of your own, tours of the station, access to training
courses (technical,administrative, on-air etc)offered
at CFRO for a vastly discounted rate, an improved
awareness and variety of music from your own backyard,
and access to thank-you gifts offered over the air.
There is a limit of one thank-you gift per month
to all members. We have to let other members have
a shot at them too. We also welcome donations of
$10 or more.
Annual Co-op Radio Memberships
start at a mere:
*$25 for a Fixed Income
*$50 for A Regular membership
*$65 for a Premuim membership
*$75 for a family or partner membership
*$102.70 for an Omnidirectional membership
*$125 for an Organizational or Business membership
*The Monthly Sustainer membership at $10, $15, $20
or more a month
*$500 Lifetime Membership
A small price to pay for commercial free, corporate
free, community-minded radio on the air!
We take Visa, Mastercard, cheque or money order
or cold hard cash. If you send money via cheque,
make the cheque out to CRES (Community Radio Education
Society).
CFRO (Vancouver Co-operative Radio) is located at:
Suite 110, 360 Columbia Street (just off Hastings)
in Vancouver, B.C., CANADA V6A 4J1 Phone: 604-684-8494
Call 604-684-8494 with your donation or membership
to CFRO!
Please
be sure to mention your financial support is going
towards Radio Bandcouver.
Once again, thanks for your
continued support of RADIO BANDCOUVER and eclectic,
live, original, local music!
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CATCH RADIO BANDCOUVER
THURSDAYS 2:30PM - 4PM! 102.7 FM!
On-Air Number: 604-684-7561 . Listen at http://www.coopradio.org/listen
or tune in on Starchoice, Channel 845
If you're on a PC, and use Windows: Winamp, Windows Media Player
or Realplayer should work. If you're on a Mac: i-tunes or Quicktime
should do the trick If you can't pick up the stream contact the
internet tech at: cfro-feedback@live.coopradio.org
LIVE, LOCAL MUSIC FROM VANCOUVER! Check
out great local independent artists in the handy Bandcouver ARTIST
directory and be sure to see these great
bands LIVE!
SUBMIT YOUR SHOW LISTINGS FOR THE BANDCOUVER
LIVE CALENDAR!
Help keep listener-sponsered, commercial-free, community-driven
radio on the air at 604-684-8494! You can pledge online as well
at www.coopradio.org!
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Radio
Bandcouver Reviews
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. SOME
OF MARK & ARSENIY'S FAVORITE CD'S, BANDS,
SHOWS & CONTRIBUTORS TO THE SCENE IN 2006:
From
Radio Bandcouver hosts and producers: Mark
Bignell and Arseniy Vodopyonov READ
MORE HERE!
.
TRANSLINK MUST
LIFT ITS SKYTRAIN CURFEW!
READ MORE HERE!
. SOME
FAVORITE ALBUMS, SONGS AND CONTRIBUTORS
TO THE SCENE OF 2005: From
Radio Bandcouver hosts and producers: Mark
Bignell and Arseniy Vodopyonov READ
MORE HERE!
. BRITISH
INVASION:
Hello There British Invasion-ites; I'd
like to take this opportunity to thank each
and every one of you for making the British
Invasion tribute Night at the Lamplighter
such a big success...
READ MORE HERE!
. CHECK
OUT MARK'S ARTICLES IN THE COLUMBIA JOURNAL!
As much he
keeps forgeting to mention it, Mark is a
regular contributor to the Columbia Journal
newspaper. Check
out his articles HERE - just click Localcentric!
Also surf Mark's reviews of Geoff
Berner's show at The Railway Club and The
Parlour Steps album ''The Great Perhaps'',
his choice for Alt-Pop album of the year!
. CELLULOID
HEROES: THE KINKS TRIBUTE! A TRULY MAGICAL
NIGHT! Yes,
it was a truely magical night that wouldn't
have been possible without the help and
co-operation of everybody, including the
performers... READ
MORE HERE
. SOME
RADIO BANDCOUVER FAVORITES FROM 2004:
Guaranteed Relief From The Musical Constipation
Of Commercial radio! READ
MORE HERE!
. Escovedo
101: Songs Of Alejandro Escovedo
An
inspired and fitting local tribute to the
well-loved and respected Texas singer /
songwriter musician, fighting the effects
of Hepetitus C. Alejandro Escovedo is a
huge influence on many in the local music
scene.
CD REVIEW
. Boompa
Volume One Indie Rock / Pop Various Artists
Most all the songs have a bright sense of
fun to them. They're not overproduced and
highly melodic in an old school sort of
way, with a bit of dirt allowed to settle
to give these acts a more distinctive sound.
This CD holds some fine ear-candy and offers
some refreshing variation that makes for
a very rewarding listen. (There's also a
couple of hidden live tracks. I won't tell
you by who,) The folks at Boompa should
be greatly applauded in their efforts. CD
REVIEW
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''In
spite of the competition from sources such as the Internet
and YouTube, Bignell is still a disc jockey who plays
only what he wants.'' -
Tom Harrison, the Province
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"Best
Of BC -
Best Local Evening Radio Show"
- The Westender |
"Radio With Soul"
- Nancy Lanthier, The Vancouver Sun

''In
spite of the competition from sources such as the
Internet and YouTube, Bignell is still a disc jockey
who plays only what he wants.''
- Tom Harrison, the Province
RADIO
LEGEND RED ROBINSON POSTS MY "INDEPENDENT RADIO" BLURB!
Yes, you heard right! Vancouver
Radio legend Red Robinson posted my blurb about "Independent
Radio" on the "Reditorial" page of his website: www.redrobinson.com
Just scroll down the "reditorial" page. It's there!
Red, in case you don't know, brought rock and roll to
Vancouver. Back in the days when commercial radio was
more community-oriented and as a result: a lot more
fun to listen to and to be a part of! My "Independent
Radio" blurb that is posted is in response to some very
comprehensive and illuminating articles Red posted about
commercial radio's downfall. How, as I've always suspected,
radio is run by people who don't care for music or community.
It's a relief to know someone in commercial radio is
just as outraged about its long-running pathetic state
as I am. Good on ya, Red!
About Radio BANDCOUVER
A big proponent of the local independent music
scene. Mark Bignell puts talented & deserving music
on the air that traditional commercial stations wouldn't
have the vision to include in their heavily diluted
mass marketed commercial reality. Radio Bandcouver endeavors
and succeeds in bringing the bright stars of the underground
into the light.
RADIO BANDCOUVER can be heard clear to Chilliwack on
a personal radio, via cable on various frequencies throughout
B. C. (excluding the Kootenays), across Canada on the
Starchoice sattelite network, Channel 845 and around
the world on the net at: http://www.coopradio.org/listen!
CFRO is radio sponsored by, you, the listener!
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Radio
Bandcouver, Vancouver B.C., Canada's premium
source for local independent music is heard
EVERY
THURSDAY 2:30PM - 4PM
on CFRO (Co-op Radio) 102.7 FM. If you want
to know where the acts are playing in your city,
tune in!
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