Weed - With Drug b/w Eighty 7"

I ordered this 7" after seeing a review of it on Weird Canada. To be honest (and no hard feelings) but some of the bands found on Weird Canada are really not my jam, but Weed really stuck with me. It's a perfect mix of fuzzed out 90's style indie rock with a summery tinge. Vancouver channeling Halifax channeling 1996.

Although it's the b-side, Eighty is definitely the stand out jam for me with it's roll-off-the-tongue, slurred vocals chasing the guitars all over track and that chorus hook! Dang! Taking over my brain kind of hookage. The a-side, With Drug, is no slouch either though. Pure pop goodness. Grab your jean shorts and ray bans, you finally got a soundtrack to those lazy, hot Saturday afternoons.

I would also like to say that I ordered this record on a Thursday and had it in hand by Wednesday. Other labels take note! That rules. Nice work Cruisin' USA. This is available for name your price on their Bandcamp, so I'm going to link to that, but while you're there make sure you purchase a physical copy. Well worth it!
~AB

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(From the band's Bandcamp)

What's Wrong Tohei? - s/t

Looking at the long list of bands Joel Tong has been involved in from from the Vancouver scene (Ghost House, Joel and the Neighbours, and especially of note, the quite good Black Rice), it's safe to say Joel is a productive guy. The Tong Dynasty reigns. I loved that scene growing up, one of these bands would inevitably be rollin' through any town that would have them, and they were always on the road putting the country under their feet. What's Wrong Tohei? is Joel's most recent project and, I dare say, the best. You won't find much as far as dynamics go, but that's one of the things I like so much about Tohei. No messing around, no pointless, meandering intros - just undeniable telecaster antics, driving rhythm, and wailing vocals. Doin' it how it should be done. Solid.

This is the first, self-released record by these guys, but there's a new one on the way. AND What's Wrong Tohei? are on tour across Canada right now - so do some research and go see them when they're in your town. (ie. Tonight!!! If you're in Edmonton)
~KS

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Render Useless - The Relationship Between a 1/4 Note and a 1/8 Note

This 7" had a profound affect on me as a lad. I pulled it out of a distro and one of the few legit shows I saw when I was 18 or so (pretty sure it was a Corta Vita/Wolfnote shows if my memory serves) - even the idea of a distro was new to me at the time - but the kid who ran gave me some good advice: "Oh yeah, you like Indian Summer? Man, this is the real stuff right here" and stuck this 7" in my hand. I brought it home it was a revelation. Not just sound, but whole presentation. Enclosed was a zine - and I know now, since collecting hundreds of records like this, that this is common fare - and inside contained lyrics, explanations drawings - and not of it was esoteric or preachy - it all felt so sincere and personal (they included their phone numbers for goodness sake!!). I still feel like "Attention All Shoppers" is a classic.

Render Useless hailed from Victoria. Now at the time, early 90's, Victoria had some of the cream of the emo crop, as we've posted some up earlier (Republic of Freedom Fighters, Wrought: Ironsmile) and listening to all now once again, there definitely was a sound to Victoria. But I have to say Render Useless were the cream of the cream. Somewhat comparable to Shotmaker as far as tone and rhythm goes but every once in a while would delve into slightly more restrained bits (like Amber Inn perhaps?). Even after tracking down everything this band has done, I still find this 7" to be the best representation. Succinct, and every song good. Classic Can-emo jams.

If you dig this, I suggest heading over to Clue#2 and ordering yourself a copy of the discography cd.
~KS

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