Recording: Germaphobes

Artist: Germaphobes

Song: Everybody Else

Recorded at Handlebar, March 14, 2015.

Germaphobes - Everybody Else

This post-Gay project fronted by Neil Rankin and Paul Erlichman strips away some of that band's party-on-stage chaos vibe in favour of a more streamlined New Wave sound, but the no-time-for-tuning urgency is still joyfully intact.

Six years/Six pack: Michael Thomas

MFS has turned six! My introductory thoughts on this landmark can be found here, but long story short: I asked some folks to pick some of their favourites to help me celebrate.

Today's list is from Michael Thomas, who I know as a friendly face at gigs and as the founder of Grayowl Point, which spreads the gospel of independent Canadian music.

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Maylee Todd - Hieroglyphics

It was my first ALL CAPS! and Maylee Todd absolutely stole this show with her set.

The Jim Storie Juniors - Webbed Feet

I've been involved in booking several Crosswires shows since 2013, so it was bittersweet but also amazing as Duncan sang his heart out with his band for what was initially going to be the last Crosswires ever. Thank god it's back.

Doom Squad - Riders On The Storm

At every Wavelength showcase I have one "Holy shit, why I haven't heard of this act before?" moment, and Joe was there to capture this gem of a cover from one gem of a band.

Alden Penner - Losing My Head

Alden Penner was the champion of the first night of WL 14 and listening to this again just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Pick a Piper - Dené Sled

The first day of the Bloor Ossington Folk Festival of 2013 was almost a total wash—literally—thanks to pouring rain, but by the time Pick a Piper came on it was getting dark and the rain was gone. Their organic-sounding electric dance party was a real treat.

Gay - Another Green Stitch

Man, am I going to miss Gay. So I will look back on this gig with nostalgia. Jesse Locke and Tom Avis teamed up for a fantastic bill, of which Gay were a personal highlight.

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You can always click on the tags below to look for more stuff from these artists. Has there been a half-dozen songs posted here that made an impact on you? If you'd like to get in on the action and make a list, feel free to send me an email: mechanicalforestsound@gmail.com.

Recording: Gay

Artist: Gay

Songs: Nothing I Won't Do For You (But Nothing At All) + Pete Rose Hair

Recorded at Handlebar, December 13, 2014.

Gay - Nothing I Won't Do For You (But Nothing At All)

Gay - Pete Rose Hair

Ranging through their catalogue, the five-year mission for a band called Gay came to an end with the party-rock crew closing things out in the sort of situation they were best appreciated in — a sweaty, packed room, getting sloppy.

[Germaphobes are the first to pick up the "ex-Gay" tag, with a facebook page, a few demos on bandcamp, and a gig coming up on Friday, January 30th at Johnny Jackson.]

Recording: Sean Paul

Artist: Sean Paul

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Holy Oak Café, October 28, 2014.

Sean Paul - unknown

When I saw this band name listed, I assumed at first that someone was being cheeky until I realized that it was a quite literal description of this union between Sexy Merlin's Sean Dunel and Gay's Paul Erlichman. The evening's drink special was a Sea Breeze, and that fit right in with the gently wafting mellow tones in this set's trio of extended tunes.

^* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!

Recording: Gay

Artist: Gay

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at The Jam Factory ("Feast In The East 36"), April 5, 2014.

Gay - unknown

Full review to follow. Exciting times for Feast in the East with the series' new digs winning excited praise from everyone I spoke to. Hanging over the DVP, The Jam Factory feels like a real hidden gem — off the beaten track but easy to get to, and more spacious than the Feast's last stop without feeling imposingly cavernous. Do not miss the next instalment, an anniversary special on Friday, May 2, with Petra Glynt, Mmm Mmm [Man Made Hill & Sexy Merlin] and New Fries.

Meanwhile, exciting times for local new wavers Gay as well, as they prepare to head over to the UK for a short tour.

^* Does anyone know the title to this one? Please leave a comment!

Recording: Gay

Artist: Gay

Song: Another Green Stitch

Recorded at Oz Studios, March 8, 2014.

Gay - Another Green Stitch

Full review to follow. Jesse Locke and Tom Avis wear many hats in the local music firmament, but with this show — the first promoted under their "No Visible Means" banner — they've added one more. The enterprise got off to a good start with this show, pulling together a trio of local acts alongside visiting Montréal headliners Freelove Fenner. Avis was also pulling double duty in this set as he took his place behind the drumkit for Gay, who performed their Dance Mix anthems with joyful, shambolic bravado.

Recording: Gay

Artist: Gay

Songs: Chrysotile + Asbestos

Recorded at Double Double Land ("Wavelength 569"/Pleasence Record Release), July 11, 2013.

Gay - Chrysotile

Gay - Asbestos

Full review to follow. Changing topics from "Asbestos" (on last year's Talking Points) to "Chrysotile" (on the brand-new Dance Mix 95) might hint at increasing levels of sophistication, and the songwriting and production on the latter tend to bear that out. On stage, though, the band kept some rougher edges on the songs, which were presented with a winking forced awkwardness that one savvy viewer dubbed "meta-goofiness". Whatever you call it, it's a big Gay party.