Tofino Concert News for September 2006

by Adam Buskard, Tofino

The following concerts are happening in Tofino in the month of September 2006. Tickets are available at Tofitian, Esso and at the Common Loaf.

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Big John Bates

Saturday, September 2, 2006
The Tofino Legion
Tickets $15, Doors 9pm

Big John Bates' music has its roots in blues-based rock 'n'roll but its high-energy twang and pulp fiction lyrics give them a sound all their own. The band appeals to the rock'n'roll crowd blues-rock fans and to subcultures from greasers to punks. bjb has played festivals from Los Angeles to Spain and some very unique shows including the Federal prison in Antwerp, Belgium. The live show is a theatrical event involving burlesque dancers, fire and a whole lotta movement on the dance floor.

Wil

Saturday, September 9, 2006
The Tofino Legion
Tickets $12, Doors 9pm

With just his acoustic guitar and his voice Wil belts out a sound that could come from a four piece band. He creates a powerful musical punch on stage that leaves his audiences reeling. His sound is "electro-acoustic", he plugs into a smorgasbord of foot pedals. A clear acoustic guitar, overtop of distortion, with heavy bass tones filling out the bottom. His songwriting style is a packed with imagery, powerfully backed by his brilliant and intricate guitar style and delivered by a commanding vocal that is truly inspirational. Wils live shows with drummer Pat Stewart are truly amazing.

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Leeroy Stagger

Saturday, September 16, 2006
The Tofino Legion
Tickets $8, Doors 9pm

Drawing on country, rock and punk influences, Stagger hit Canada's independent music scene like a hurricane. He's not just another bad-ass wannabe with a good haircut; his heartrending portraits are masked by beguiling melodies and pop hooks. From full out broken beer bottle rock to the aching ballad of a broken hearted dreamer, Stagger's music truly unique and truly Canadian. Although only 22, Stagger isn't new to the music game. He's spent time in the Island punk bands the Staggers and the Graveyard Sluts.

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Final Fantasy

Saturday, September 23, 2006
The Tofino Legion
Tickets $10, Doors 9pm

Final Fantasy is the solo violin project of Owen Pallett who you may of heard of through his collaborations with Arcade Fire. His performance achieves that transcendence by layering and looping individual violin sounds, both melodies and percussion, until they ravel a tapestry of orchestral grandeur that seems absurd stemming from one performer. Songs are about ghosts, romance, cooking, fantasy fiction and guilt. Why call it final fantasy? Because Final Fantasy (the video games) are the most amazing combination of melodrama, swords, capitalism and Japan the world has ever seen.

Scott Thompson

Saturday, September 30, 2006
The Tofino Legion
Tickets $18, Doors 9pm

scottastrophe is basically a power point presentation by Scott Thompson accompanied musically by Bob Wiseman and Magali Meagher. Like a good scientist, Scott steps back and investigates the unusual density of tragedy and surrealism to which he has been privy since ending The Kids In The Hall. Potential lawsuits about racism and sexual harassment on the set of "Touched by an Angel", behind the scenes on the Larry Sanders Show and trying to play a straight man (or alien) on Star Trek. The firebombing of his l.a. home by inflamed supporters of Saddam.

Danny Michel

Tuesday, October 3, 2006
The Tofino Legion
Tickets $15, Doors 9pm

Danny Michel has been described as "Tom Waits meets Cheap Trick." It's a pretty accurate analogy as Danny's songs run the gamut from crunchy/sweet pop songs to dark tales. Fearless and full of surprises, you never know which tricks he'll pull from his back pocket. Every moment is fresh, especially in a world of a zillion guys with guitars. Nominated for a Juno in 2005 for best new artist, Danny is clearly a career artist with only the tip of his musical iceberg revealed.