Dirty Poles #004 – No Fun City
No Fun City is an independent documentary about the intersection of art, poverty, politics, and the law in Vancouver’s downtown east side. It includes appearances from DOA, Skinny Puppy, Shearing Pinx, Japandroids, SNFU, Sex Negatives, and lots of other worthwhile Vancouver bands. Here are some trailers:
We’re hosting a screening of No Fun City on Wednesday, September 15 at Gallery Connexion in Fredericton. 7pm-ish, $5-ish, and reception with DJs and cheap drinks to follow. This screening is the kick-off to a whole string of cool stuff we’ve got planned that week, stay tuned for more info.
Relevant To Your Interests #049
- The Halifax Pop Explosion released their full lineup this week, rounding things out with almost every good band in Halifax and a whole wack of stuff I hadn’t heard of. People whose opinions I usually trust seem pretty jazzed about the addition of White Wires and Ty Segall, and I’m sure glad talented locals like Cold Warps, Bloodhouse, and Bad Vibrations aren’t being left out. If you’re – like me – trying to firm up travel plans and accommodations, the festival schedule will be out on September 14th.
- So, you might have heard American Apparel looks to be circling the drain? Their stock is tanking and the NYSE is threatening to de-list them because they haven’t filed financial documents for the preceding quarter. I took an intersession economics class once, I got a C-. Anyway. Exclaim articulates the question I’ve had in the back of my mind since I first heard about AA’s troubles: what does all this mean for band merch? Dov Charney is gross and probably not a good CEO, but please, please, please let’s not go back to the days when every band only sold huge “unisex” shirts. The horror of underfed 17-year-old me romping around in an XL Gilden shirt with an SNFU logo on it need not be assumed by future generations. Please, Dov, think of the children.
- The Weakerthans announced they’re playing four of their albums in their entirety at four shows happening at various venues around Winnipeg in December.
- Ted Leo: funny motherfucker.
- Carrie Brownstein of NPR’s Monitor Mix blog and formerly of Sleater-Kinney is developing a comedy show with current SNL cast member and one-time Mike Catano face punch recipient Fred Armisen. Portlandia will air on IFC.
- Jim Jarmusch is making a documentary about The Stooges.
- Maximum Rocknroll had a good post this week about the importance of handmade show fliers.
- Here’s Male Bonding‘s new video for “Weird Feelings.” I’m not head-over-heels for this band, but they’re definitely one of my better discoveries so far in 2010. I’m probably not trying very hard.
A Final Note on CHSR
After a confusing few days, this will be our final post on this subject.
The meeting on Friday was successful inasmuch as it brought some experienced people (back) into the fray. We’re happy to report that as a result of Friday’s meeting, an ex-Music Director has stepped up and offered to help get that department running again. This is great news.
Unfortunately, as a medium for keeping the station’s membership informed, the meeting was a failure. The concerns we raised here and elsewhere came as a result of direct communications with members of the organization, including outgoing Program Director Tom Richmond. However, Tom’s said very little since. At the meeting on Friday he confirmed he is resigning but won’t publicly say why.
Staff have confirmed the Station Manager did not quit, has not been fired, or otherwise let go, but that there is nevertheless an interim Station Manager acting in her stead. From what little official information has been shared with the membership at this time, it sounds like there may be serious legal implications associated with what’s going on, as everyone with intimate knowledge of the situation has become tight-lipped in recent days, likely with good reason. Drawing further attention to it at this point won’t help.
Management has assured members that the station is in no immediate danger, but that there is much work to be done. Our final words on the matter: we love CHSR (we’ve been involved for a decade now) and we look forward to a time when it’s no longer broken.
Stereo Freeze 8.20
Rockets Red Glare, in conversation and onstage – Sappyfest 2010:
Saturday, July 31st, was a full day at this year’s Sappyfest, and topping it all off was a performance by the recently-reunited Rockets Red Glare. Two thirds of the band had already been onstage with other bands before their headline set late that night, and, between performances, I was able to catch up with guitarist/vocalist Evan Clarke and bassist Jeremy Strachan to chat about their return.
CHSR Update
Remember this fuckin' thing?
Unfortunately, we’re unable to share a lot of details. We stand by our earlier post, but the central issue has to do with CHSR’s paid staff, and thus needs to be treated with sensitivity.
In short, some members are deeply concerned with the impending departure of Tom Richmond and its implications for the station’s future. The purpose of the meeting this evening and the one on Friday is to bring attention to ongoing issues of this nature at CHSR.
There is a second meeting scheduled for Friday, August 20th at 7:30pm in room 103 of the SUB on the UNB campus in Fredericton. If you’d like more information about exactly what’s happened this week, this is the best time and place to get it. Outgoing Program Director Tom Richmond will be there and he will provide as much information as possible.
After multiple intrusive encounters on Thursday, we want to make it clear that members of the media are not welcome at this meeting. We apologize for any confusion, but if you wish to interview someone about recent events at CHSR, we suggest you take advantage of the contact information listed on the station’s website.
