11.04.06 Islands / Subtitle

A couple of months ago, Islands (ex-Unicorns) were set to play a headlining gig at the Mesa Luna, however due to the owner taking off, the date had to be cancelled and later rescheduled due to said venue shutting down. They did reschedule the show, this time at the SUB ballroom in UBC.

Personally, I prefer to go to 19+ shows. Sure you can argue that the energy is better at all ages shows and that theres a cooler vibe. However I like the fact that I can pretty much stand where I want at 19+ shows. This particular show started off with me waiting for 2 hours at the front securing a spot without any room to move (people were already jocking for position 4 rows deep). I think I would've died from boredom if I did not have games on my cell. Although I did find the conversations around me rather amusing. One set of girls (HS aged, obviously) were chatting for over ten minutes on which colourful Islands emblazoned shirt they should get and how they should dance when they get on. Another set of girls (roughly the same age) were arguing who was better amy milan/karen o./emily haines.... But on with the show....

Subtitle (Giovanni Marks) came on stage about 2.5 hours after doors. I'm not certain, but I think his schtick consists of him freestyling to a hip-hop DIY one man show. Just him, his ipod a mixer and i think a sampler? At times he seem to show ingenuity at other times it seemed like it was a trainwreck waiting to happen. He played about 30 minutes. I kinda wish the earlier mentioned vancouver date did happen, as subtitle would have been replaced with cadence weapon and shortbus. subtitle didn't really do it for me, but he didn't really all that bad either.


Je N'aime Pas

Islands came on with their usual all white stage attire and Nick Diamonds with a new hair cut and face paint. For the first 30 min i thought his face was over exposing the camera, then realized it was just face paint. For me, Islands have always been a live band. Return to Sea, although not a bad debut album, can't touch their live shows. One reason is the addition of the the violins, which add a more dynamic sound. They're able to pull off many genres of music. Straight up pop, country-bluegrass, rock, etc. Plus they do it in a way that doesn't bore me. :p Their sound is just so happy and they seem to be having so much fun on stage that you can't help but smile at their antics. I was only expecting them to play 60 min as they've only had one album, but to my suprise a full 80 min was pulled out. Many new songs were played plus a Kinks cover. (i guess that gives them street cred)



In Terms of Hair, Did Not Sell Out


Over-exposed? Oh Please....


Super Chow Bros.

you can d/l the show here: if you have a dime a dozen account.

Setlist

01) Swans (Life After Death)
02) Volcanoes
03) Swim (new)
04) Kids (new)
05) Jogging Gorgeous Summer
06) Waterloo Sunset *
07) Tsuxiit
08) Where There's A Will There's A Whalebone %
09) Pieces (new)
10) Arm (new)
11) Abominable Snow
12) Bucky Little Wing
13) Rough Gem
===
14) Humans
15) "Lupe Fiasco Tease?"
16) Don't Call Me Whitney, Bobby

rating: $17/$17

NEW: I'll try not to do anymore re-editing of articles 1/2 a month after they're first posted.