MONTREAL SONGWRITER TAKES MIKE IN SOLO SHOW
JENNY BERKEL
When: July 28 Where: Underground Cafe What: In addition to being fabulously talented himself, Daniel Romano surrounds himself with a pretty stellar musical crew. Jenny Berkel plays in his Trilliums band, but she also expresses herself in a solo career. The Montreal-based songwriter just released a new album called Pale Moon Kid (which was recorded with Romano). It’s her second solo record. Berkel was born “in the heart of Ontario’s lush forests and fields.” (For someone like me who just begrudgingly returned from the lake, that couldn’t sound more idyllic.) Here’s a choice quote from her online bio: “Berkel’s writing is at once gentle and hard-hitting. Her lush and low voice ornaments her poetry with melodies that soar high and clear before spilling back down again. Steeped in sparkling guitars, sparse piano, pulsing bass and percussion, this glowing new collection reveals writing that has grown even sharper and more lyrical.” She plays a few Canadian shows before heading to Europe.
SHOOTING GUNS
When: July 28 Where: Amigos What: Shooting Guns, 2016 nominees for the Western Canadian Music Award for Metal/Hard Music Artist of the Year, are (in their words) long overdue for a “hometown summer blaster.” The wicked, local instrumental metal band is teaming up with Moths & Locusts from Nanaimo for a show at Amigos. Maybe you haven’t seen Shooting Guns play in a while, or maybe you need to check up on some of the members’ awesome beards. Either way, there’s no bad reason to check out this Saskatoon band. Tickets are $10 at the door. The show will start late but there are beer specials early. The group is also providing a live score to the horror classic Nosferatu at the Roxy Theatre in October.
PROZZAK
When: July 28 Where: O’Brians Event Centre What: Sucks to be you. (I know, I know.) Sucks to be you. (I know it’s true.) Don’t get angry, I’m just quoting a popular song from my youth. Prozzak came out the same year as fellow animated band Gorillaz in 1998. The band was created by Philosopher Kings members Jay Levine and James Bryan McCollum, who were drawn as the brooding, blue-eyed Simon and hunky blond Milo, respectively. In addition to Sucks To Be You, the band was also known for a song called Strange Disease. One of their songs, www. never get over you features the “uh oh” sound effect from ICQ. If you don’t know what that means you are too old . . . or too young. I lost countless hours to ICQ, an early instant messaging system, flirting with boys and having conversations with friends at the time in my parents’ basement office. I regret nothing. The show is all ages and the doors open at 8 p.m.