Carl Begai

Since I don’t trust myself to post much of anything on the site while I’m back home in Toronto, I’ve decided to yap a bit early about homeland noise currently massaging my brain.

James LaBrie of Dream Theater fame is gearing up for the release of his new solo album, Static Impulse, on September 28th. No question, it smokes. Fans of his 2005 outing Elements Of Persuasion will be pleased to hear that guitarist Marco Sfogli and keyboardist Matt Guillory are still on board and shredding up a storm. LaBrie’s band also inclides Halford bassist Ray Riendeau and Darkane drummer Peter Wildoer, the latter being particularly significant in that he does a fair bit of kicking and screaming throughout the record. The song ‘One More Time’ is currently available for streaming here and… let’s just say some of the diehard Dream Theater fanatics are going to need a sedative. A full-on review is in the works but has to be held back until the beginning of September due to certain promotional requirements. As in, I don’t want to bite the hands that feed. Suffice to say LaBrie has made some ballsy decisions on the album and turned out a killer piece of work. (continue reading…)

By Carl Begai

YouTube is known as a junkyard for vidiot disasters big and small, but there’s no question it has also proven its worth on the music front. Bands and record labels and have locked into it as an important promotional tool, and it’s the go-to source for vintage and brand new live footage from your favourite artists. In addition, musicians from all walks of life use YouTube to pass on their knowledge with instructional video clips, the vast majority of them offered for free. It’s also the primary form of promotion used by independent artists as a way of getting their music heard, and I’ve been blown away more than a few times by some of the talent that’s out there.

I was recently cruising YouTube and ended up reliving my kid years a little bit when I stumbled over the video for ‘Standing In The Dark’ by the Toronto band Platinum Blonde. A song I’d heard a billion times growing up, a video burned into the back of my eyes, yet I was instantly enthralled (yes, so much so it deserves a big-ass word). It was and is a cheesy early ’80s video, but it’s one of those signposts in my life that can’t be ignored. As the song played through, however, I noticed a clip for a cover of another Platinum Blonde hit, ‘Doesn’t Really Matter’, on the side of the page. It practically screamed “Click me!” due to the band never having made any real noise outside Canada, and remembered only by Canucks over the age of 35. So I did… and was blown away. (continue reading…)

Yeah, yeah, I know it’s still June but I decided not to wait on posting this stuff. Just wait until it gets to mid-July and I’ve got more music and tidbits to yap about. I’ll actually have to get creative with the title of this column…

When Forever Dies, featuring former Scarlet Sins vocalist Sylvya NuVynska, has posted the final mixed version of the new song ‘What Have You Become? online. A great little tune featuring Syl in a rather aggressive place, backed by a band featuring (get this…) keyboardist / everyman Matt Guillory and guitarist Marco Sfogli from Dream Theater frontman James LaBrie’s solo band, Halford bassist Ray Riendeau, and drummer John Pacheco, who performed on the Scarlet Sins debut and shared the stage with Syl in Surface Underground. The track was made to sound big and fat by Rush producer / engineer Rich Chycki, who also produced the Scarlet Sins debut. Check out What Have You Become? at this location.

A full album is in the works, more news on that coming soon. (continue reading…)

More music-related updates from the land governed by Tim Horton’s coffee…

London, Ontario-based rockers Bobnoxious – the party commando squadron led by Razor frontman Bob Reid – are gearing up for the release of their new album, aptly entitled Cocktales. The record was being mastered as of this writing so there were no audio samples to get an indication of what’s coming, but it’s fair to say that it falls in the category Beer Goggle Rocket Science. Stay tuned for information and updates as they come my way, as well as an interview with the ‘Noxious one himself. Stay tuned.

Note: the boobs that used to be in place of the picture to the left had to be removed due to National Security issues. In other words, the band is beefing up the cover art so it’s even more appropriate with regards to the allbum title.

On a more serious note, Tim Henderson, the lord and master of BW&BK – otherwise known as Boss – recently caught up with Triumph guitarist Rik Emmett for an exclusive interview. Emmett was doing press to promote the band’s new and long overdue Greatest Hits package, and anyone who is a fan of the band would do well to read the article. He discusses the package itself, of course, and in addition tackles the subject of the Triumph reunion and the possibilities (or not) of a new album or full-on tour. An excerpt from the piece:

Emmett: “I’m not as motivated to make new music as I am to say go out and play a concert where somebody goes, ‘Yeah, you play the concert, we pay you this much money.’ You go, ‘Oh, now that seems reasonable.’ And the whole idea of selling records now, I really think the digital age has kind of blown the guts right out of that thing and I’m not sure whether or not it makes any sense for anybody.”

Check it out here. It’s a frickin’ epic…

On the hammer-meet-skull front, blackened doom faves Woods Of Ypres from Sault Ste.Marie (that would be The Sooooooo to you folks that can’t read Canadian) have set up a summer tour in support of the new album, Woods IV: The Green Album. They’ll hit Canada and infiltrate parts of the United States in June and July; check out their tour schedule here and watch for updates, as more shows are expected to be booked soon.

I should point out that the band is still an independent entity, meaning frontman / founder David Gold is handling all album promotion and booking the shows himself. Huge respect for doing shit the hard way. Check out my review of The Green Album here, go to this location to listen to audio samples and purchase the record, and when they come through town go check ‘em out. Watch for an interview with the Golden Child , coming soon. Watch a little bit of live Woodness here.

I’ve also received word that When Forever Dies, featuring former Scarlet Sins members Sylvya NuVynska (vocals) and Tanya Nicklaus (bass) have mixed one new song. Their debut album is a long way from being done, but the band is slowly but surely getting things together. More updates and information as I get it.

If and when audio samples turn up they’ll probably show on the band’s official MySpace page, found here. Additionally, check out their official Facebook page for more info.

I’ve heard the track, by the way. It kills righteously.

Cheers!

Call this a public service announcement.

My close bud The Rev has been in the music business for over 15 years. He’s a veteran everyman at a major record label based at home in Toronto and knows his job inside and out. Of course, a lot of folks on the outside only see his job as paid schmooze fest with artists big and small, with exclusive swag as only one of the many perks that comes with being part of the elite. The actual truth is that he works his LBG ass off… not that he’s complaining. His job does indeed have some fringe benefits, but there is a skull-to-grindstone side to it as well. I’ve seen both sides of what he does, and it’s a pity more people don’t have that opportunity for the simple fact that it would make them think twice about hitting up label connections for free shit just because it’s supposedly part of the job description.

All that said, The Rev has posted a blog entitled A Week In The Life as a little bit of insight. An excerpt is below:

“Wednesday – to the office at 8, then to the Ozzy press conference at 11 – there till 4. The press conference consisted of making sure everything was set-up (we had a team, not just me; in fact I was just a helper), escort in press, winners and making sure all the tech stuff for recording was hooked up. Ozzy arrived and we began by playing back 3 songs from his new CD out June 22nd (plug ). Being as we were in a castle, it was a cool setting so an organist, dressed as the grim reaper, played Mr. Crowley. Haunting but not overly so given the room was pretty bright from the outside sun. (continue reading…)

Okay, the monthly round-up of what’s going on at home on the music front besides beer commercials during the Stanley Cup playoffs (as in hockey, our national form of relaxation).

First off, former Scarlet Sins members Cristina Bishop (guitars) and Elie Bertrand ( drums) have resurfaced in Montreal with a new band called Harbinger. They’ve actually been piecing things together for a while now but they just love teasing the shit out of me, so they’ve been taking their time about it. The search for a singer is on but new music is already in the can, and in a fit of cool weirdness they’ll be making their live instrumental debut at the Cape Breton International Drumfest in Nova Scotia later this month. It seems Elie was invited to perform because organizers got word of her awesomosity, which eventually became a band engagement. So, for anyone attending (including the band), I have one word for you: YouTubeFootageDammit!

Check them out via their official website here, which has all the necessary links to every other part of the cyberverse graced with Harbinger content. Cristina has also launched a personal official website here, which offers up updates, blogs, and recipes for world domination via the stomach.
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Yeah, yeah, I know the title of this bit is stolen from Danko Jones, but given the man is a HUGE music fan I don’t think he’ll mind. Besides, if an online search for Danko leads people to this page they can always click here to find him

Anyway, this is just a heads up for a dear friend by the name of Anna Phoebe. Folks might know her as the violin wielding maniac that sets fire to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra stage every year for three months. Or as a member of the must-see UK folk troupe Oi Va Voi. Or as a touring member of Jethro Tull. Or as the brain and center-stage-violin brawn behind an album called Rise Of The Warrior. Any way you slice it the lady is busy, particularly since she’s getting her solo artist tour mojo on for 2010, but that hasn’t stopped her from adding a few more activities to her not-enough-to-do list. That said, I urge folks to check out her new Classic Rock column under the banner Vixen Of The Violin. It’s essentially a weekly blog summing up recent or past adventures, offering thoughts and opinions, and even doing a bit of brain training. An excerpt is available below. For current and future installments click the image in the right hand column with her name on it. Same as the one you see directly above. You can’t miss it… (continue reading…)

Hails!

Just a brief update on what’s been floating my Canadian-made boat as of late, to be applauded or dismissed by anyone taking the time to read this. But, since I don’t generally write about crap unless conned into doing so or I feel the need to make fun of somebody (myself included; see Retro Fit) chances are pretty good my opinions are actually of worth (says the diva… ).

First off, the new self-titled Annihilator record is a killer. Guitarist / founder Jeff Waters shreds up a storm and nobody can take away Dave Padden’s rightful position as the band’s singer. It’s a grower though, and it wasn’t until the fourth or fifth time through that I actually began hearing this album for the shredfest it is. Very ugly and mean just like the cover art, but that’s a good thing. As much as I like the previous record, Metal, I have to admit there’s an energy level and a lack of polish on the new one that makes it sit better between my ears. Been playing the hell out of it much the same way I did when Carnival Diablo came out all those year ago.

I recently spoke to Waters about the album; the interview will be online soon. Check out the album details here. Release date is May 17th… (continue reading…)

With all eyes on Canada and our “owning the podium” at the Olympics in direct spite of the fact the homeland suits decided the campaign had FAIL! written all over it, I figured it was a good time to remind people (yet again) of Canuck musical genius, mastery and general ass kickingness. And so, for the faithful that think my head is screwed on at an off-kilter yet strangely attractive angle, a few recommendations to get you through to spring…

Big surprise (not!) that I’d be thrilled to announce that two of the four lovely ladies from the Carl Begai In Hell house band, Scarlet Sins, have returned with a new project called When Forever Dies. Vocalist Sylvya NuVynska and bassist Tanya Nicklaus have been writing and recording demo tracks since Scarlet Sins called it quits in November 2009, and the music I’ve heard thus far is great. Very promising indeed. It’s a no-brainer that Sylvya and Tanya would take care of unfinished business with When Forever Dies, particularly given Syl’s unique vocal style. Scarlet Sins fans won’t be disappointed, One of the tracks I’ve heard, ‘What Have You Become?’, takes the lessons learned from the Sins experience and kicks things up a notch or three with grittier vocals, big harmonies, a guitar solo (!), with a piano (!!) thrown in for good measure. Things have become decidedly more metal since the break-up; so much the better. Add to this the return of Rush producer / engineer Rich Chycki for the debut album and it’s safe to say this is going to end up sounding huge.
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The great thing about having my own website is that I’m able to say what I like. Within reason of course, but the bottom line is I’m able to step away from the neutral ground of a professional environment like BW&BK. Not that I’m planning on being amateurish or infantile; I just figured I’d offer up a few items for your consideration that I find interesting and worthwhile. The curious and open-minded should read on, folks looking for illegal downloads and tabloid fodder should click here.

First off, the eternally sexy BW&BK family has posted the Best Of 2009 list in a nifty online flipbook. It’s the annual writer rundown of Top 20 cool albums, Top 5 pieces of crap, Top 5 shows, and predictions for 2010. Definitely worth reading if you’re into seeing what actually fuels the minds and souls of those of us behind-the-scenes. And for the record, yes, I really did put Daniel Merriweather down as one my fave shows from last year.
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