Recording: Peeling

Artist: Peeling

Songs: Away From You^* + The Model [Kraftwerk cover]

Recorded at Monarch Tavern (Wavelength SEVENTEEN – Girls Rock Camp Toronto All Ages Matinee), February 18, 2016.

Peeling - Away From You

Peeling - The Model

An absurdly-beautiful spring-like afternoon saw the patios filling up along College Street — very unusual Wavelength festival weather. The mood was equally warm inside the Monarch, where this afternoon show was co-presented with Girls Rock Camp Toronto. I was happy to get a chance to catch Peeling close out the afternoon, as I hadn't seen the band since they reformulated and re-emerged last summer from their previous incarnation as Mexican Slang. Currently playing as a five-piece, Dilly Dally's Jimmy Tony Rowlinson is still a foil for singer-guitarist Annabelle Lee, but there are some new faces in the mix, including Alana DeVito (formerly of BB Guns, more recently playing solo as Bobbypin) up front adding some guitar power. The sounds are a little more textured now, the pop hooks less hidden behind the fast-crumbling wall of fuzz that featured with Mexican Slang. There's even room for a bit of groovy swagger, as heard here in a cover of "The Model" that undoubtedly owes at least as much to Big Black's take as its icy original version.

^* I do believe this was the title called out before the song, but it's subject to confirmation.

Recording: WLMRT

Artist: WLMRT

Songs: Jumps + Brainfeel

Recorded at Monarch Tavern (Wavelength SEVENTEEN – Girls Rock Camp Toronto All Ages Matinee), February 18, 2016.

WLMRT - Jumps

WLMRT - Brainfeel

An absurdly-beautiful spring-like afternoon saw the patios filling up along College Street — very unusual Wavelength festival weather. The mood was equally warm inside the Monarch, where this afternoon show was co-presented with Girls Rock Camp Toronto. This quintet brought some youthful punkrock energy to the afternoon — "punk" in the way the genre is based as much on being bored and watching TV as it is on smashing the state. That manifested in songs about podcasts and skateboarding, delivered with a sly smile, manic energy and synth-fuzz around the edges — WLMRT are the sort of punks whose audience blow bubbles at them. Enormous fun that you can check out through some lo-fi recordings on their bandcamp.

Recording: Strands

Artist: Strands

Song: unknown^*

Recorded at Monarch Tavern (Wavelength SEVENTEEN – Girls Rock Camp Toronto All Ages Matinee), February 18, 2016.

Strands - unknown

An absurdly-beautiful spring-like afternoon saw the patios filling up along College Street — very unusual Wavelength festival weather. The mood was equally warm inside the Monarch, where this afternoon show was co-presented with Girls Rock Camp Toronto. After the first set, the curtains were drawn, blocking out the daylight to present Rosalie H. Maheux's overhead projection art, a key component of this duo with vocalist Jasmyn Burke (who was between bursts of continuing touring with Weaves). Each song was an integrated audio-visual statement, with the loops and lyrics manifested in the images, and projected Jasmyn clones popping up like backing singers.

^* The obvious guess for the title to this one would be "For Certain" — but I'll leave it blank 'til I can confirm that. Please leave a comment if you know the title!

Recording: Denim Roses

Artist: Denim Roses

Song: We Hate Cake

Recorded at Monarch Tavern (Wavelength SEVENTEEN – Girls Rock Camp Toronto All Ages Matinee), February 18, 2016.

Denim Roses - We Hate Cake

An absurdly-beautiful spring-like afternoon saw the patios filling up along College Street — very unusual Wavelength festival weather. The mood was equally warm inside the Monarch, where this afternoon show was co-presented with Girls Rock Camp Toronto. This crew of past campers set the tone for the day and were truly an inspiration, both for their "We Can Do It!" moxie as well as their let's-have-fun bonhomie. The highlight of the set was this somewhat controversial take on a favourite dessert.

Recording: Four Corners V

Artist: Four Corners V^*

Song: Hey! Bo Diddley [Bo Diddley cover]

Recorded at Steelworkers Hall ("Four Corners V"), August 8, 2015.

Four Corners V - Hey! Bo Diddley

A benefit for Girls Rock Camp was the impetus for the revival of this beloved concert series that originally ran for a conceptually-elegant four instalments from 2010 to 2012. As before, the Steelworkers' multipurpose room was the scene for this quadraphonic jam, with bands set up in each of the room's colour-coded corners and alternating two-song bursts for a no-dead-time rock jam. With cans of beer for sale instead of easily-slopped cups of cheap draft from a keg, the floor was less dangerously slick at night's end, but it was still an immersive, joyfully-exhausting experience. Whether this means that the series is back for another set of four remains to be seen, but it's a concept that I was glad to experience once again.

I was also glad to see that the night's performers also decided to revive the tradition of finishing off the night with a four-bands-at-once cover song blowout. In fact, this might have been the best of the ones attempted, with the groups wisely deferring lead vocals to Surinam's Matt Mason, which gave things a bit more of a centre as everyone hammered away on that Bo Diddley beat. Of course, things pulled apart as the bands forged ahead, but in the centre of the room it sounded like a rather fantastic mess, pulling itself in and out of focus before ending in a feedback haze as each of the bands tried to figure out how to finish — or if they wanted to finish.

^* To be precise, this was a simultaneous jam featuring Surinam, HSY, New Fries and Cellphone all at once.

Recording: Cellphone

Artist: Cellphone

Song: Steal/Sell^*

Recorded at Steelworkers Hall ("Four Corners V"), August 8, 2015.

Cellphone - Steal/Sell

A benefit for Girls Rock Camp was the impetus for the revival of this beloved concert series that originally ran for a conceptually-elegant four instalments from 2010 to 2012. As before, the Steelworkers' multipurpose room was the scene for this quadraphonic jam, with bands set up in each of the room's colour-coded corners and alternating two-song bursts for a no-dead-time rock jam. With cans of beer for sale instead of easily-slopped cups of cheap draft from a keg, the floor was less dangerously slick at night's end, but it was still an immersive, joyfully-exhausting experience. Whether this means that the series is back for another set of four remains to be seen, but it's a concept that I was glad to experience once again.

After a couple spins around the room, it was during Cellphone's turn that I realized I had to back up a bit to stay out of harm's way. The room's jury-rigged PA ate up most of the synth in their tunes, but there was metallic intensity aplenty. Colin (from Blonde Elvis, Vallens, Lee Paradise) was on the skins this time out.

^* Thanks to a commenter for passing along the title to this one.

Recording: New Fries

Artist: New Fries

Song: Jazz

Recorded at Steelworkers Hall ("Four Corners V"), August 8, 2015.

New Fries - Jazz

A benefit for Girls Rock Camp was the impetus for the revival of this beloved concert series that originally ran for a conceptually-elegant four instalments from 2010 to 2012. As before, the Steelworkers' multipurpose room was the scene for this quadraphonic jam, with bands set up in each of the room's colour-coded corners and alternating two-song bursts for a no-dead-time rock jam. With cans of beer for sale instead of easily-slopped cups of cheap draft from a keg, the floor was less dangerously slick at night's end, but it was still an immersive, joyfully-exhausting experience. Whether this means that the series is back for another set of four remains to be seen, but it's a concept that I was glad to experience once again.

The night's format meant that New Fries couldn't lead with their usual fool-you/fake-out slow start intro, but they still managed to inject a certain amount of practical chaos into their segments, including, oh, y'know, a guitar being smashed and ending with all of their gear in a heap. But while everything was intact they reeled off a bunch of old and new material, including this one from their new single.

Recording: HSY

Artist: HSY

Song: Feeder

Recorded at Steelworkers Hall ("Four Corners V"), August 8, 2015.

HSY - Feeder

A benefit for Girls Rock Camp was the impetus for the revival of this beloved concert series that originally ran for a conceptually-elegant four instalments from 2010 to 2012. As before, the Steelworkers' multipurpose room was the scene for this quadraphonic jam, with bands set up in each of the room's colour-coded corners and alternating two-song bursts for a no-dead-time rock jam. With cans of beer for sale instead of easily-slopped cups of cheap draft from a keg, the floor was less dangerously slick at night's end, but it was still an immersive, joyfully-exhausting experience. Whether this means that the series is back for another set of four remains to be seen, but it's a concept that I was glad to experience once again.

Anna Mayberry takes the mic for this rant ("you can't even feeeeeeeeeed yourself!") as the band offers up a punishing assault of abrasive noise. It's tantalizing to note that the release of the band's first album is close enough that the bandcamp pre-order is up, so expect news of release celebrations to surface soon. (In the meantime, the band has a couple support slots coming up, with Old Man Gloom at Lee's on Monday, September 7th, and at a Wavelength spectacular on Thursday, September 17th at The Garrison celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Nihilist Spasm Band.)

Recording: Surinam

Artist: Surinam

Song: Auctioneer

Recorded at Steelworkers Hall ("Four Corners V"), August 8, 2015.

Surinam - Auctioneer

A benefit for Girls Rock Camp was the impetus for the revival of this beloved concert series that originally ran for a conceptually-elegant four instalments from 2010 to 2012. As before, the Steelworkers' multipurpose room was the scene for this quadraphonic jam, with bands set up in each of the room's colour-coded corners and alternating two-song bursts for a no-dead-time rock jam. With cans of beer for sale instead of easily-slopped cups of cheap draft from a keg, the floor was less dangerously slick at night's end, but it was still an immersive, joyfully-exhausting experience. Whether this means that the series is back for another set of four remains to be seen, but it's a concept that I was glad to experience once again.

Surinam's predecessor band Anagram played the very first Four Corners — along with now-Surinam bassist Cory Wells' old band Ancestors — so it was sweet to see them on hand and leading off this show. Their surging tunes were the first to get some bodies bouncing off each other as the heat in the room intensified.

Recording: HotKid

Artist: HotKid

Song: Yours and Mine

Recorded at The Garrison's front room ("Swap, Don't Shop" for Girls Rock Camp), November 30, 2014.

HotKid - Yours and Mine

Community service should always be this fun. Once again, kudos to The Garrison for hosting this seasonal fundraiser, with the back room taken over by a clothing swap while bands played to kids and adults alike in the front. And huge props to Girls Rock Camp, who have expanded from summer sessions to an after school program launching in the new year as well as a March Break camp.

Bassist Peter McIntosh was having trouble with his amp, but once things were sorted out, he demonstrated the melodic centre that he's added to HotKid's proceedings since his return to the band. A raucous finale to a tasty day.

[There's lots of ways to show your support for Girls Rock Camp — the compilation of bands from last summer's campers is now available, and it will be celebrated with an all-ages launch party at Smiling Buddha on February 7, 2015.]

Recording: Terror Lake

Artist: Terror Lake

Song: VHS/BETA

Recorded at The Garrison's front room ("Swap, Don't Shop" for Girls Rock Camp), November 30, 2014.

Terror Lake - VHS/BETA

Community service should always be this fun. Once again, kudos to The Garrison for hosting this seasonal fundraiser, with the back room taken over by a clothing swap while bands played to kids and adults alike in the front. And huge props to Girls Rock Camp, who have expanded from summer sessions to an after school program launching in the new year as well as a March Break camp.

Continuing to pop out for gigs fairly infrequently, Terror Lake remain a perennially-underappreciated band. Their chosen sonic terrain — garage-surf with dual guitar interplay — might seem unambitious, but they've found a lot of ways to expand their sound without retreating from their core identity and they've put out some very tasty recordings. All I can say it you'd do well well not to miss them whenever you get a chance to see 'em in action.

[There's lots of ways to show your support for Girls Rock Camp — the compilation of bands from last summer's campers is now available, and it will be celebrated with an all-ages launch party at Smiling Buddha on February 7, 2015.]

Recording: Dirty Frigs

Artist: Dirty Frigs

Song: Ring Worm^*

Recorded at The Garrison's front room ("Swap, Don't Shop" for Girls Rock Camp), November 30, 2014.

Dirty Frigs - Ring Worm

Community service should always be this fun. Once again, kudos to The Garrison for hosting this seasonal fundraiser, with the back room taken over by a clothing swap while bands played to kids and adults alike in the front. And huge props to Girls Rock Camp, who have expanded from summer sessions to an after school program launching in the new year as well as a March Break camp.

"Proper rockin'" is pretty much all my notepad says re: this quartet's set. They've just put out a tape with the Heretical Objects Cooperative.

[There's lots of ways to show your support for Girls Rock Camp — the compilation of bands from last summer's campers is now available, and it will be celebrated with an all-ages launch party at Smiling Buddha on February 7, 2015.]

^* Thanks to a commenter for passing along the title to this one.

Recording: ANAMAI

Artist: ANAMAI

Song: Crossing

Recorded at The Garrison's front room ("Swap, Don't Shop" for Girls Rock Camp), November 30, 2014.

ANAMAI - Crossing

Community service should always be this fun. Once again, kudos to The Garrison for hosting this seasonal fundraiser, with the back room taken over by a clothing swap while bands played to kids and adults alike in the front. And huge props to Girls Rock Camp, who have expanded from summer sessions to an after school program launching in the new year as well as a March Break camp.

"One minute out of every hundred thousand, something breaks or is tripped over." In an afternoon filled with, well, rock, Anna Mayberry — who shows off her kickass side with sludge-screamers HSY — demonstrated the power that can be drawn from clear and vivid words in her solo set.

[There's lots of ways to show your support for Girls Rock Camp — the compilation of bands from last summer's campers is now available, and it will be celebrated with an all-ages launch party at Smiling Buddha on February 7, 2015.]

Recording: Pins & Needles

Artist: Pins & Needles

Song: Girl in The City

Recorded at The Garrison's front room ("Swap, Don't Shop" for Girls Rock Camp), November 30, 2014.

Pins & Needles - Girl in The City

Community service should always be this fun. Once again, kudos to The Garrison for hosting this seasonal fundraiser, with the back room taken over by a clothing swap while bands played to kids and adults alike in the front. And huge props to Girls Rock Camp, who have expanded from summer sessions to an after school program launching in the new year as well as a March Break camp.

The most exciting set of the afternoon came early on with Pins & Needles showing how Girls Rock Camp is enriching the musical ecosystem. GRC Alumni who stuck together as friends and bandmates after their camp session, the band just recently successfully closed out a crowdsourcing campaign to record their first album. Onstage, they mix that evergreen "Gloria" guitar chug with zaggling keytar lines and accomplished vocal interplay, tossing off catchy bursts of fun. [The group will be playing at CineCycle on Saturday, January 31, 2015.]

[There's lots of ways to show your support for Girls Rock Camp — the compilation of bands from last summer's campers is now available, and it will be celebrated with an all-ages launch party at Smiling Buddha on February 7, 2015.]

Recording: Planet Creature

Artist: Planet Creature

Song: Fuzzy Hair

Recorded at The Garrison's Front Room ("Swap, Don't Shop" fundraiser for Girls Rock Camp), April 6, 2014.

Planet Creature - Fuzzy Hair

Full review to follow. As always, the volunteers at Girls Rock Camp Toronto know how to throw a fundraiser — The Garrison was humming with a clothing swap in the back and cool bands in the front room. This one seemed busier than ever, and a real all-ages show with babies, kids, teens and adults hanging out together.

It's been a while since I've seen Planet Creature in action, but the time they've spent recharging has paid off in a set that was composed almost entirely of new material.

Recording: Patti Cake

Artist: Patti Cake

Song: Lindsay

Recorded at The Garrison's Front Room ("Swap, Don't Shop" fundraiser for Girls Rock Camp), April 6, 2014.

Patti Cake - Lindsay

Full review to follow. As always, the volunteers at Girls Rock Camp Toronto know how to throw a fundraiser — The Garrison was humming with a clothing swap in the back and cool bands in the front room. This one seemed busier than ever, and a real all-ages show with babies, kids, teens and adults hanging out together.

I reckon that everyone who sees Kritty Uranowski perform wants to be like her when they grow up, so I'm sure she made an impression on the former rock campers and assorted small fry in the crowd, many of whom she greeted by name. This is what it feels like to have rockstars integrated into your community.

^* Thanks to the band for passing along the title to this one!

Recording: Twist

Artist: Twist

Song: Can't Wait

Recorded at The Garrison's Front Room ("Swap, Don't Shop" fundraiser for Girls Rock Camp), April 6, 2014.

Twist - Can't Wait

Full review to follow. As always, the volunteers at Girls Rock Camp Toronto know how to throw a fundraiser — The Garrison was humming with a clothing swap in the back and cool bands in the front room. This one seemed busier than ever, and a real all-ages show with babies, kids, teens and adults hanging out together.

Laura Hermiston (also of The BB Guns) has been giving some glimpses of her bedroom pop confections for a little while now, but I hadn't had a chance to see how they come across live. It's a stripped-down presentation, but rather perfect for Sunday afternoon groovin' — and there's some ace tunes here. (The vocals for this one — total hit single, by the way — are a bit buried at the start, but they come around as the song goes on.)

Recording: Sphinxs

Artist: Sphinxs

Song: Both Die

Recorded at The Garrison – front room (Swap & Rock fundraiser show for Girls Rock Camp), April 21, 2013.

Sphinxs - Both Die

Full review to follow. This mellow afternoon show served as a warm haven on an unseasonably cold spring day, but was also put together for a good cause, raising funds to support this summer's edition of Girls Rock Camp. There were plenty of great role models playing (and organizing) the show, including Sphinxs' Siânteuse, who along with her bandmates quite took over the room, moving further and further out into the crowd as the set went on.

Recording: The BB Guns

Artist: The BB Guns

Song: Creep

Recorded at The Garrison - Front Room (Swap + Rock Fundraiser for Girls Rock Camp), July 29, 2012.

The BB Guns - Creep

Full review to follow. A pleasant afternoon of rock'n'role models playing to raise funds for Girls Rock Camp. There was also a clothing swap meet running in the back room, but I was sticking up front where the music and tacos were. Meanwhile, through just general bad timing, I'd not yet seen The BB Guns, and now I feel like I'll have to make up for lost time — their girl-group garage rock is just the sort of thing I dig

Recording: Planet Creature

Artist: Planet Creature

Song: Walk Like an Egyptian [The Bangles cover]

Recorded at The Silver Dollar Room (Girls Rock Camp Fundraiser), May 29, 2012.

Planet Creature - Walk Like an Egyptian

Full review to follow. Part of a night dedicated to raising some funds for Girls Rock Camp Toronto.