I know I’m not alone in this internet world by saying that I thoroughly <3 Van She Technologic.  They have so much going for them. They’re Australian, they put out some of the best remixes I’ve ever heard, they’re a spin-off group that didn’t kill the original!  Mind you, I much prefer the spin-off from the original.

Klaxons – Gravity’s Rainbow (Van She Technologic remix)

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I dare you to listen to that remix of the Klaxxons and not love it.  If you missed their remix of Fiest’s 1 2 3 4, then you must be living under a rock (don’t check your stocks if you have any).

To keep up with the Aussie kick, Teenagers in Tokyo are now London bound.  This excites me greatly.  Not that I will head to London anytime soon, but this greatly increases the chance that I may get to see them live!  They are apparently moving to the UK to set up shop and record their first album.

I swear, “End It Tonight” still sounds fresh as the first listen I had with it back in early 2006.  Congrats to them, check out their first self titled EP (available on iTunes).

teenagersintokyo – End It Tonight

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Back to the world of remixes, Lifelike is more a remix factory than anything else.  Sure, “So Electric” can be heard just as much as Daft Punk on www.frenchkissfm.com, but you really must hand it to Mr Ash.  Killer electro at its best.  From the remixes of Chromeo’s “Needy Girl” to Damon’s “Happy Therapy”, Lifelike does not disappoint.  If you are heading to Miami’s WMC, he’s playing on March 27th in the White Room.

Chromeo – Needy Girl (Lifelike remix)

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This video does not require an introduction, however, you may require a few moments afterwards to stare off into space contemplating what you just experienced.

Over the years, whether for my stellar foresight or uncritical ear, I have been to surprisingly few concerts that have left a bad taste in my mouth (insert groupie joke here). However, there have been occasions, through fault of artist, venue, friends, or even my own doing, where the night just didn’t live up to expectations. This playlist is an ode to those shows, in chronological order as to when I saw them.

My love of this group began with the acapella arrangement of song Ambulance (mp3 below) back from the Desperate Youths, Bloodthirsty Babes LP, so when they came to Toronto after releasing Cookie Mountain, I was ready to howl along. What transpired that night was not the textured layers of voices, crescendos and nuances for which I was hoping. What we got was stadium rock. I largely blame this on the fact they were playing Kool Haus in Toronto, a converted warehouse with acoustics to match. Our friend also passed out in the middle of a big crowd, which was kind of a downer.

TV on the Radio – Ambulance

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I may be showing my (lack of) age here, but when Fever to Tell first came out in 2003, my teenage mind first came to understand that women could rock it as hard as men and still be smokin’ mamas. It was a dream to see them play Lollapalooza, and for the most part Karen O played the part to a T, complete with a cape of tinsel. However, the mood was totally shattered when she giggled between every sexually explicit lunge. It wasn’t actually that disappointing, I just wanted an excuse to put this latest leaked track from their forthcoming album up. It’s hot.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll

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Last April I tried to go see Jay Reatard played a show at Silver Dollar in Toronto. The crowd was pretty riled from the set and lots of beer bottles got smashed within the first song or two. Reatard had a hissy fit and called the show off. The broken glass was pretty rock n’ roll, but Jay’s response was more whiny bitch.

There was some back and forth between the bar owners and Jay.

Jay Reatard – Gamma Ray

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I saw Chromeo play in a non-stop dancestravaganza at Coachella last year. The acts for the dance tent were Aphex Twin, Simian Mobile Disco, Chromeo, Hot Chip and Justice, one after the other. Coachella in general is not condusive to good sleep and after walking around in 40C weather, I was pretty beat, and my back was killing me. I ended up sitting down in the middle of a throbbing mass of people during Chromeo, and missing most of it. I now understand what children at clubs must feel like. Fellow Montrealer, Hatchmatik remixes the track below.

Chromeo – Bonafied Lovin’ (Hatchmatik Remix ft. Teki Latex)

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This was another case of sleepyheadedness. I made the two hour journey to Montreal to see Sigur Ros play the Vieux Port. I am well practiced at sleeping standing up from my Catholic rearing (getting some Sunday morning Zs while standing in mass) and ended up getting almost to the REM stage while Jónsi Birgisson destroyed his bow with raw emotion.

Sigur Ros – Gobbledigook

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Ottawa needs to get some consensus going between venues as to when shows usually start. At Zaphod’s they will kick the band off the stage after 11 (this happened to King Khan and the Shrines) so second year Ottawa U students with scarves can dance to all the indie hits. However, what I discovered when I went to go see Handsome Furs at Maverick’s, at some venues shows start decidedly later (1 am). This puts the set well past a point in the night, where after 4 hours of *socializing*, I can process that there is a band on stage, let alone appreciate the music (the October show). They are coming back to Ottawa to promote the newest album, Face Control, March 12th. I’ll try to keep it together for this one.

Handsome Furs – Thy Will Be Done

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Even if you dont like angry music, if you haven’t seen Fucked Up in concert, do it. Nothing beats a big sweaty guy with hair every where but on his scalp bouldering around the audience as little people (i am trying to be PC, but I mean midgets) hardcore dance. My regret for this one was showing up late and missing some of the action.

Fucked Up – Son The Father

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