Brian: SideCho released the Rules Are Predictable EP, the newest release from the Pale Pacific (formerly the Pale), about a month ago. While this is the first I've heard of the band, their delicate indie pop certainly has its similarities to Death Cab For Cutie, but apparently it's a bit less obvious than the accusations of plagiary plaguing the comments section of the review of their full-length, Gravity Gets Things Done, released under their former name. So had I actually heard the record, I guess I could say things like "they've expanded their sound" and "they seem to be more comfortably fitting into their niche." Here are a few streams from the all-too-short record:
the Pale Pacific - Sucker Punch the Pale Pacific - Identity Theft Adam: It's funny how things fall out of the cultural conversation sometimes. Take the Demics for example. I was pretty much unaware of the band for years until they appeared as part of Jian Ghomeshi's 50 Tracks feature on CBC Radio earlier this year. While it didn't make the final list, the Demics' single "New York City" was an early candidate. It, along with D.O.A.'s 1978 tune "Disco Sucks," were cited during one of Jian's guest appearances on George Stroumboulopoulos' current affairs show The Hour as two of the greatest Canadian punk songs ever. How odd is it then that nearly every friend and colleague I queried knew virtually nothing of the Demics.
The band formed in 1978 in London, Ontario and released a 5 song EP titled Talks Cheap later that year. It included the aforementioned "New York City," the band's only real hit, which later reappeared on their self-titled 1980 full length for the Intercon Records label. After several personnel changes the band's lineup settled with lead vocalist Keith Whittaker, bassist Ian Atkinson, drummer Jimmy Weatherstone and guitarist Steve Koch. Like many bands of that era, the Demics' career was short lived (they split in 1981), but during that time they managed to share the stage with such notables as the Dead Boys and the Ramones.
The Demics - New York City The Demics - The 400 Blows
The Demics' self-titled full length was reissued last year via Linus Entertainment. The whole album is also available online via CHRW's London Music Archive (who I thank for the song links). Demics lead vocalist Keith Whittaker sadly lost a battle with cancer in 1996.
Aubin: I had the opportunity to check out Jericho's Echo last night, and prominently featured in the film was the pride of the Israeli punk scene, Useless ID. The band, which takes its influences from 90s Southern Californian punk, is just one of the remarkable array of bands from the region who manage to maintain a hopeful outlook in a churning sea of distrust and danger. The track selected comes from Bad Story, Happy Ending, and appears in the film as well as taking on a larger meaning then the apolitical lyrics suggest when placed on the backdrop of mandatory military service and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Useless ID - "No Time for Me to Be a Teenager"