ASHLEY PARK
Appearing May 25, 11:00 w/ Jonathan Inc. (10) and Butch Murphy & The Greasy Kings (12).
 @ The Railway Club 579 Dunsmuir. 681-1625

Ashley Park have been compared to: The Byrds, The Band, The Beach Boys, Burt Bacharach, Neil Young and of course...The Beatles.
"Ashley park create a distinctively airy, pastoral sonic landscape... the songs positively radiate the warmth of the sun." - All Music Guide
DISCOGRAPHY:
"The American Scene" (Darling/Kindercore/Darla) DM008 (2001)
Email:  info@ashleypark.net
Website:  www.ashleypark.net
 
 

AUBURN
Appearing May 26, 10pm. w/ Bughouse 5.
@ The Railway Club  579 Dunsmuir.  681-1625.

AUBURN is fronted by acclaimed musical artist SHELLEY CAMPBELL (also of Vancouver's RADIOGRAM).  She's a gifted vocalist able to enchant and entertain listeners with her unique blend of well-crafted originals, ranging from moody, haunting ballads to traditional country-gospel rave ups.
Currently readying her second release, Auburn's debut, "Misfit Cafe" (Festival, CageFreeRecords US) and Campbell's vocal talents continue to generate rave reviews:
"Great voiceShelley Campbell could give Neko Case a run for her money"- Reverb
"Shelley Campbellcomes overall Emmy Louon us- Iin short, she's a find... Neko Beware"-  Comes With a Smile, UK
"If Lucinda Williams is your cup of tea, then Auburn is your sweetener" - The Gig
Email:  auburn@graffiti.netor ranchsociety@direct.ca
 
 

BIG JOHN BATES
Headlining May 19 w/ Dames Don't Care (9:30) & The Deadcats (10:30).
@ The Picadilly 620 W. Pender. 682-3221

"Canadian Psychobilly Beast" - The L.A. Weekly
"two-fisted, four-barreled rockabilly".  - The Rocket, Seattle
With all of the wickedness of a sucker punch, Big John Bates' debut Flamethrower, has all the earmarks of a minor psycho-billy classic - a gonad-rattlin' rthym section behind booming sing-along lyrics, and a flametopped Gretsch that alternately emits Wray-like rumbles and demonic screams. Big John Bates is a phenomenal guitar player, with a spectacular live show - - - sweaty, primitive, raunchy and horny.
With close references to The Reverend Horton Heat and the Cramps, Big John Bates is proudly old school in his approach.
Email:  horndawg@bigjohnbates.com
Website:  www.bigjohnbates.com
 
 

THE BOOM CHIX
Appearing May 25 w/ Bottleneck.
@ The Cottage Bistro 4468 Main. 876-6138

Three voices, one guitar, and one bass, bringing you a mix of original songs.
"Energetic, honest, and fun - harmonies that uplift and melodies that move"  -  Roots & Roll.
Line-up:  Janice Dunbar, Barb Wilkins and Shelly Brown.
Email:  jalydu@telus.net
 
 

BOTTLENECK
Headlining May 25  w/ The Boom Chix.
@ The Cottage Bistro 4468 Main. 876-6138

An alt-country act featuring Scott Smith (Bughouse 5) and Robyn Carrigan (Daisy Duke), who vocalize in the tradition of Gram and Emmylou.  Their music is underscored by touches of pedal steel, dobro, accordion, banjo and slide guitar.
With Jeremy Holmes on bass and Liam MacDonald on drums, Bottleneck offers an eclectic and impressive take on vintage music.
Email:  bottleneck@angelfire.com
 
 

GRAHAM BROWN & THE GLASGOW COWBOYS
Appearing May 23 w/ Slack.
@ The Railway Club 579 Dunsmuir. 681-1625

"Neil Young had a head-on crash with John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix." -  NotLame USA.
Discography:
good 'n broke (Stomp Records, May 01/01)
Line-up:
Graham Brown - Vocals/guitar/harmonica
Mark Gibbs - Vocals/bass
Mark Gruft - Drums.
Email:  grahamsongs@home.com
Website:  www.grahambrownsongs.com
 
 

BUGHOUSE 5
Headlining May 26 w/ guests Auburn.
@ The Railway Club 579 Dunsmuir.  681-1625.

Railway Club award sweepers, this South-of-the Border highly tauted, incredibly talented four-piece roots rock combo know how to get you on the dance floor...rockabilly, moody-surf, swamp blues, tex-mex - you name it, they have their own take on it, and it is stylin'!
Email:  bughouse5@hotmail.com
 
 

CIRCUS IN FLAMES
May 18 w/ Eugene Ripper and Fond of Tigers
@ Thursday's Pub  Victoria, B.C.
and
Headlining  May 25 w/ The Tennessee Twin &  Daisy Duke.
@ The WISE Hall 1882 Adanac. 254-5858

Singer-songwriter Doug Andrew's garage string band play original sheet metal country.
"A unique but rooted musical vision and character...catch The Circus In Flames at all costs." - Peter North of the Edmonton Journal
Discography:
locally and internationally critically acclaimed self-titled CD
contributed to the Northern Lights and Hair Of The Dog compilation CDs.
Email:  circusinflames@canada.com
Website:
 
 

COAL
Headlining May 19, 11 pm  w/ Solarbaby (10 pm).
@ The Sugar Refinery 1115 Granville. 683-2004

"Dreamy dark western pop noir!  Coal plays a brand of smoky, eerie, sexy mood pop that takes you into the dark but never lets go of your hand."
Line-up:
Nicole Steen - vocals, guitar
Jon Wood - lead guitar
Marcus Rogers - bass
Ian Tiles - drums, vocals
Discography:
Coalescent -Six videos by Coal (VHS) 2000
One Track Mind (CD-Enhanced) 1998
Nightlines(Live) cassette 1995
Mint is Still a Terrible Thing to Taste (CDEP) 1993
Coal (CD) 1992.
Watch for new release "Beautiful Afterburn" coming soon!
Email:  coal@istar.ca
Website: www.geocities.com/coalmusic
 
 

RAY CONDO & THE RICCOCHETS
Appearing May 18, 25.
@ The Marine Club 573 Homer.  683-1720

A Western Swingin' Original who likely needs no introduction - but if ya ain't seen him yet, you ain't seen nothing!
Website:  www.raycondo.com
 
 

"COWBOY KARAOKE"
May 17
@ The Picadilly Pub 620 W. Pender.  682-3221

It's Cowboy Karaoke in the OK Coral of the Pic Pub...Pick a traditional country or rockabilly tune and the Cowboy Karaoke Kings (Scott Smith, Jeremy Holmes & Liam McDonald) will surely play it along with you - if you've got the nerve!
 
 

DAISY DUKE
Appearing May 24  w/ The Tennessee Twin & Circus In Flames.
@ The WISE Hall 1882 Adanac. 254-5858

Daisy Duke wins hearts and fans wherever they go with their sweet harmonies, a myriad of acoustical instruments, kitchy covers, soulful originals and unerring fashion sense. With Jeanne Tolmie on lead vocals, mandolin, guitar; Robyn Carrigan singing lead vocals too, plus accordion, banjo, guitar; and Joyita Rubin on cello, bass, and harmonies, this trio will keep you constantly entertained and enthralled.
Email:  daisy_duke@angelfire.com
 
 

DAMES DON'T CARE
Appearing May 19, 9:30 pm.  w/ The Deadcats (10:30) and Big John Bates (11:30).
@ The Picadilly Pub 620 W. Pender. 682-3221

Dames Don't Care is fronted by the saucy rockabilly and torch twang alter ego of Auburn's Miss Shelley Cambell.  Campbell will reem you out with insults and attitude, but you'll pardon her cuz she sweetens the deal with candy and sex appeal...Her belting vocal (amidst pelting candy) is backed up by some of the Ploughboys. Just don't stand too close to the stage - that candy is hard!
Email: auburn@graffiti.net
 
 

DEADCATS
Appearing May 19, 10:30 pm w/ Dames Don't Care (9:30) & Big John Bates (11:30).
@ The Picadilly Pub 620 W. Pender. 682-3221

Psychobilly Surf Roots Rockers recently signed to Raucous Records, England. Crazed live shows featuring a flaming washtub bass, dual twangin' guitars, ex-D.O.A., SNFU drummer Jon Card and songs about 'Hanks' Cadillac', 'She-Devils', 'Raising Hell in the Grand Ol' Opry', and 'Jammin' with Johnny Cash'.
5 albums to date, 1 more in the can.'Trashville Jukebox' CD (Raucous Records ,2001)
Email:  flyingsaucer@direct.ca
 
 

STEVE ELLIOTT & LUCIE WALKER
Headlining May 18 w/ Yardsale.
@ The Cottage Bistro 4468 Main. 876-6138

Truckstop Jukebox Beer-Swillin' Rockin' Country Blues...Sweet harmonies, upbeat, danceable tunes, and some mean flatpickin' to soothe the soul. Since Sept.1999, they have released their debut CD, Straight Up, and have enjoyed a rip-roarin' CD Unleash party, a 6 week cross-Canada tour, and have had the pleasure of opening for country star Terri Clark.
Website:  www.rockincountryblues.com
Email:  steveandlucie@rockincountryblues.com
 
 

HUGH FISHER
Appearing May 22 w/ Peter Graham-Gaudreau
@ The Cottage Bistro 4468 Main. 876-6138

A mixture of folk and pop, a blend of fingerstyle guitar and harmonica, creates a style that is both identifiable and uniquely different.
Email:  whiz@axion.net
 
 

FLATLAND 3
Appearing May 17
@ El Cocal 1037 Commercial Drive. 255-7920.

Imagine the music played in the smokey honkey-tonks of the 20's to 30's:  Delta Blues, Ragtime, Swing, Boogie, Hokum, and down-home Country-Blues. These are the influences for, and the music of Flatland 3. The haunting slide guitars and pulsing doghouse bass will take you back to the roadhouses of a long gone era.
"The greatest Hillbilly-Blues trio in the world today!"
Email:  flatland@telus.net
 
 

FLYING FOLK ARMY
Appearing May 24
@ The Sugar Refinery 1115 Granville. 683-2004

An eclectic and driven group of people, the Flying Folk play a diverse range of original and traditional tunes ranging from Celtic, Cajun, Disco, Klezmer, and North American labour tunes.  Dancing and fun are always part of the Flying Folk shows!
Line-up:
Megan Adam - fiddle, 5-string banjo, vocals
Alison Jenkins - accordian, clarinet, vocals
Sean Morton - guitar, tin whistle, vocals
Duane Murrin - guitar, vocals
Ben Rogalsky - tenor banjo, harmonica, vocals
Russell Sholberg - stand-up bass, vocals
Sarah Shugarman - fiddle, percussion, vocals
Jonathon Teague - bodhran, vocals
Discography:
Massive Folk Fist (June 2001)
Email:  flyingfolk@tao.ca
 
 

GOLDEN WEDDING BAND
Appearing May 25
@ The Sugar Refinery 1115 Granville. 683-2004

"The Golden Wedding Band is a homelier, low-impact version of the Molestics.
Line-up:
Mike Saurette (ex-Molestics) and Clive Jackson (ex-Ray Condo), as well as (Royal Grand Prix) drummer Ike and (Radiogram) Ida on keys/acordion.
If you like your jazz bluesy and your Hawiian phoenetic, come and check us out, we could use the company.
Email:  jolgakafka@yahoo.com
 
 

PETER GRAHAM-GAUDREAU
Appearing May 22  w/ Hugh Fisher.
@ The Cottage Bistro  4468 Main. 876-6138

Peter Graham-Gaudreau is a local performer who tells stories through his music, writing and acting. He performs regularly in local coffee houses, stage plays and film and tv projects, most recently as Dick Schenkman the Chiefs winger in the film SlapShot 2.  Originally from Kingston Ont., in high school he sang with The Rodents, (who became The Tragically Hip.)  Just finished recording debut CD Going Somewhere Slow, release in mid May 2001. Also writing and starring in my own play with original music, also titled Going Somewhere Slow, at the Vancouver Fringe Festival in Sept. 2001.
Email:  junipeter@hotmail.com
 
 

JOHN GULIAK & THE LOUGAN BROTHERS
Appearing May 19 w/ David P. Smith.
@ The Marine Club 573 Homer. 683-1720.

John Guliak has been a part of the "Prairie Folk Scene" most of his musical career. His former projects included Prairie Coma, Stan Rogers' Closet and Red Nixon Presents. He has since cut his hair and joined us out west. While living on Vancouver Island, John played with the Victoria band, "The Fixin's".
The Lougan Brothers are Keith Rose and David MacAnulty. These boys have teamed up with John to create a powerful and energetic sound based on original tunes as well as favorites from early American roots music.  Guest "Noodlers" have included Victoria's Tolan McNeil, and Vancouver's Ford Pier, both of whom add just the right spice to an already hot lineup.
John, the Lougans and some special guests have just finished recording a c.d. which will be released this summer.
Email:  guliak@telus.net
Website:  www3.telus.net/guliak
 
 

COUSIN HARLEY & THE JAMES GANG
Headlining May 17  w/ The Snipers.
@ The Marine Club 573 Homer. 683-1720.

Cousin Harley is a hard edged rockabilly/twang outfit currently from Victoria BC.  Picture yourself in a western saloon with Johnny Cash, George Jones, Jimmy Rivers, and various members of the Clash sitting at the bar.  Rough like bad whiskey and fast as a brush fire.
The first CD was released in 96.  Cousin Harley (aka Paul Pigat) plays almost all instruments with special guests Carolyn Mark, John Guliak, and Neko Case as the Pantless Singers.
Currently in production of their "comeback" CD,
The new lineup for the band includes Big James Taylor on standup bass, and James "Lugnut" Hope on skins.
Cousin Harley has recorded with the likes of Neko Case, Carolyn Mark, and the Metronome Cowboys among others, and has shared the stage with notables such as Fred Eaglesmith and Jad Fair.
Email:  cousin_harley@hotmail.com
 
 

VEDA HILLE
Appearing May 18
@ The Railway Club 579 Dunsmuir.  681-1625.

The mesmerizing Veda Hille and Her Skilled and Devoted Band rock out in one of their "favourite venues in the world".  This show is a fundraiser for Radix theatre, a local experimental theatre group known for works like 'Box' and 'Strange and Tender'.
 
 

TONE INDBRYN
Appearing May 21 w/ Susan Musleh
@ The Cottage Bistro 4468 Main. 876-6138

Tone Indbryn's acoustic music moves the listener from emotional delicacy to uninhibited seething anger, while keeping perspective with her well tempered sense of humour. She can usually be found in corners, coffeeshops, bars, liquor store doorways, festivals and obscure twisted happenings within the lower mainland area.
Website: www.cdbaby.com/Indbryn
 
 

ANGIE INGLIS & The Boys in the Band
Appearing May 26 w/ Linda Maze Band.
@ Cafe Deux Soleils 2096 Commercial. 254-1195

A prairie girl with a penchant for change, Angie Inglis performs her unique brand of alternacountryfolkpop with a little bossanovajazzrock.  Catch her at Ranchfest where the boys in the band will laso and tame those sweet and haunting melodies with cello, violin, drums, sitar and guitar. yeeeha!
Email:  angie33@angelfire.com
 
 

JONATHAN INC.
Appearing May 25, 10 pm w/ Ashley Park (11) and Butch Murphy & The Greasy Kings(12).
@ The Railway Club 579 Dunsmuir.  681-1625.

 moody pop
"...Jonathan Inc.'s latest CD, Waiting for Morning, which hasn't received nearly enough attention since it was released about 8 months ago.  A layered and distinctly downbeat collection of finely crafted tracks, the disc is full of subtly quirly touches. The focus is definately on the songs, but Anderson's production passes the headphones test with Bbow drones, Casio keyboard beats, and, of course, the frontman's luminous guitar work. "- John Lucas, Georgia Straight
"Guitar saint Jon Anderson's third cd is blissful melancholia..." - Vancouver Sun
"songs beginning with simple ideas and ending up as gorgeously arranged emotional statements" - Exclaim
Email:  jon_anderson@telus.net
Website: www.jonathaninc.com
 
 

KIA KADIRI
Appearing May 18, 8:30 pm
@ The Lucky Bar 517 Yates St. Victoria B.C.

 "urban roots".
Kia Kadiri is a Victoria-based singer.  She has studied w/ the Victoria Conservatory of Music and Malaspina College Summer jazz program. Kia's repertoire includes Hip-Hop, Pop, World Beat, Acid Jazz, Traditional Jazz and Reggae. She has been a part of many musical experiences such as Stirfry (a Hip Hop crew), Funk Ensemble, Mo'Funk Collective at the Commodore Ballroom for Jazz FEST 2000 in Vancouver.  This will be her CD release Party, featuring Kia as a solo artist.
Email:  suzelounge@home.com
 
 

BOB KEMMIS
Appearing May 26 w/ JT King.
@ The Sugar Refinery 1115 Granville. 683-2004

"...Bob Kemmis just might be one of Canada's best kept secrets" - Regina Leader Post
Bob attracts rave reviews for his witty songs and engaging live show. His CDs, "Kemmisutra" and "Tomorrow Doesn't Look Good Either" have garnered much critical acclaim as well as nominations for both the Georgia Straight Music Awards and The West Coast Music Awards.
He has opened for Jann Arden, Ron Sexsmith and Chris Isaak, as well as currently being a member of 54-40.
Email:  bkemmis@compuserve.com
Website:  www.bobkemmis.com
 
 

JT KING
Appearing May 26 w/ Bob Kemmis.
@ The Sugar Refinery 1115 Granville. 683-2004

JT King is the duo songwriting team, Chris Pilling and Jeanne Tolmie. Songs on their recent debut release Ruby River range from thick, swampy-sounding country blues to sparse lullabies and heart wrenching "crooners".
JT King has just been nominated for two West Coast Music Awards;  "best independent album", and "songwriter's of the year".
Joining the band are Steve Dawson on slide guitar, Darren Parris on bass guitar, and Elliott Polsky on Drums.
"Strong lyrics and rootsy, rustic vocals on a bed of richly textured, almost crunchy sounds make for a powerful debut for Jeanne Tolmie and Chris Pilling" - John P McLaughlin - The Vancouver Sun
Email:  cmp-jkt@direct.ca
Website:  home.istar.ca/~bhrec
 
 

"LAZY SUSAN'S SONG CIRCLE"
May 23
@ The WISE Hall  1882 Adanac. 254-5858

Lazy Susan's Robin Pollak hosts a songwriter's open mike.
Email:  lazysusan@telus.net
 
 

CAROLYN MARK'S HOOTENANY
Appearing May 20 (and every Sunday when she's not touring)
@ Thursdays Pub Victoria, B.C.

The always entertaining Ms. Mark hosts this popular and fun regularly scheduled event.
Email: carolynmark@hotmail.com
 
 

LINDA McRAE's "Songwriters In The Round Revisited"
All appearing May 22
@ The Railway Club  579 Dunsmuir. 681-1625

Formerly of Spirit of The West, who's own solo career has taken her into the Americana ring with the best of 'em, Linda McRae revisits the successful "Songwriter's In The Round" format for Ranch Fest, featuring Americana Roots locals, Danny Mack, Leslie Alexander and Lucas Hille.  (With guest appearances TBA.)

Featured Artists
LINDA McRAE:
Email:  l_mcrae@yahoo.com

DANNY MACK:
Danny Mack has been an innovator and leader in Western Canada's roots music scene for close to four decades. Early in his career, he shared stages with BB King, Dr. John, The Byrds, and New Riders Of The Purple Sage, until becoming a featured singer/songwriter in his own right.
"There have been many interesting characters on the landscape of Western Canadian roots music over the years but one who continues to add new textures to an already sprawling canvas is Danny Mack."  - Peter North, The Edmonton Journal
Email:  danny@dannymack.com
Website:  www.dannymack.com

LESLIE ALEXANDER:
Trapped in the city, she's a pussywillow caught in a barbed wire fence.  This farm girl's had songs  covered by award winning local country artists, toured regionally with Grrrls with Guitars, appeared on two nationally distributed compilations, and is set to release her long-awaited, rockin-twang, sophomore release, "Savage Country" due in Spring of 2001.
To find out more, check out the Grrrls website at www.grrrlswithguitars.com
Westender's Tom Zillich called her debut "Bird in the House": "the best independent CD I've heard in a while . . . great rhythms, smart production."
Email: oopstunes@hotmail.com

LUCAS HILLE:
Lucas has been writing and performing music for over twenty years internationally, including Germany, Colombia, Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. For Lucas, songwriting inspiration comes out of healing experiences in life.
In 2000, he released an independent CD, "Lost & Found", featuring some of Vancouver's great musicians, including Veda Hille, Robbie Steininger and Laurence Knight.
Currently Lucas is working with saxophonist Miles Simons as the duo Legacy. They are making plans for a CD of original new songs.
Email:  lucashille@telus.net
 
 

THE MISANTHORPES
Appearing May 23
@ The Sugar Refinery 1115 Granville.  683-2004

Gypsy-influenced garage-sale quartet:  gypsy, folk, klezmer, punk, swing, roots and beyond
Contact:  Mark Parreult 872-3658
 
 

BUTCH MURPHY & THE GREASY KINGS
Appearing May 25 w/ Jonathan Inc. & Ashley Park.
@ The Railway Club 579 Dunsmuir.  681-1625.

If you like your Americana roots rockin like the Blasters, you won't want to miss this latest project from one of the finest frontmen in Vancouver, Bughouse 5's Butch Murphy.
 
 

SEAN O'KEEFE & THE COATTAIL SURFERS
Headlining May 17, 11 pm w/ Thirsty (10).
@ The Sugar Refinery 1115 Granville. 683-2004

Sean O'Keefe is an acoustic roots-based singer/songwriter who blends pop with a more personal American rural sound.  Sean's music can best be described as a blend of radio friendly pop and a more rural sound. As a solo artist, or with his band, The Coattail Surfers, Sean impresses with clever, bittersweet lyrics and irresistible melodies and arrangements. He has shared the stage with such acts as 54-40 and Edie Brickell, and has worked with Blue Rodeo's Bob Wiseman and producer Paul Milner (Keith Richards, Robert Palmer).
Sean's new CD - Moving to Memphis- available in May/01.
Email:  seanokeef@hotmail.com
 
 

THE PLOUGHBOYS
Headlining May 25 w/ The Rockin Daddys.
@ The WISE Hall 1882 Adanac. 254-5858

The Ploughboys' brand of 'Western Swingabilly' makes it bop and swing like the small combo Western Swing bands of the '40s and '50s.  The band performs both covers and original songs based on Western Swing and Honky Tonk styles from that era.
In reviewing last years RANCH Fest finale, John Lucas from the Georgia Straight notes "Were this 1948, the Ploughboys would be regulars at the Grand Ole Opry".
Email:  tom_hammel@city.vancouver.bc.ca
 
 

"RANCH MONDAYS AT THE RAIL"
Appearing May 21 9 -12pm.
@ The Railway Club 579 Dunsmuir. 681-1625

R.A.N.C.H. founding President, and acclaimed singer/songwriter of the sweet & scrappy Americana-pop act Auburn, Shelley Campbell hosts "RANCH Mondays at the Rail", featuring Lazy Susan and the Turnarounds...A Roots Country Blues act blending traditional country sounds with a tinge of blues and Rock n' Roll.
Lazy Susan & The Turnarounds features catchy and fun originals penned by the smokey, sweet vocals of Robin Pollak (aka Lazy Susan), Gerry Siemens (Flatland Three) on guitar, Bernie Addington (Circus in Flames) on bass, and Sandy Smith (Twisters) on drums.
AUBURN Email: auburn@graffiti.net
LAZY SUSAN Email:  lazysusan@telus.net
 
 

EUGENE RIPPER'S Fast Folk Underground
Appearing May 19 w/ Fond of Tigers.
@ Thursdays Pub  Victoria, B.C.

Alternative roots rock guitarist/singer songwriter Eugene Ripper remains one of canada's most enduring indie acts and talented artists. His neo acoustic tales of near death, trains, outlaws, love gone bad and freedom coupled with an acute case of anarchic flash guitar chops  and crafty songwriting skills lands Ripper somewhere between John Prine and the Ramones.
Discography:  Hi Lonesome (2001)
Email:  bcharlap@axionet.com
 
 

ROCKET FINS
Appearing May 26 w/ Swank.
@ The Marine Club 573 Homer. 683-1720

Hot-Rodded Rockabilly and 50's Rock.
Originally a trio, now expanded to a 5 piece featuring both male and female vocalists.Upright bass, dual guitars, danceable tunes highly influenced by artists like the Blasters, Carl Perkins, Wanda Jackson, and Billy Lee Riley.
Email:  flyingsaucer@direct.ca
 
 

ROCKIN DADDYS
Appearing May 25 w/ The Ploughboys.
@ The Wise Hall 1882 Adanac. 254-5858

Vancouver's Rockin' Daddys play jumpin' rockabilly complete with echoey vocals, twangy Fender guitar, slap bass & drums with the big beat for your dancin' & listenin' pleasure!  Aside from classic & obscure rockabilly, ROCKIN DADDYS tear into some heartfelt blues & country songs too.
Discography:
CD EP: 'ROCKIN DADDYS' (Fireball 006) (demo) (Released: Fall, 2000)
Debut full-length Fireball Records CD being recorded  (Release date:Fall, 2001)
Email:  rockin_daddys@yahoo.com
Website:  www.rockindaddys.ipfox.com
 
 

MIKE SAURETTE'S PLAY - The Return of the Butcher
Running May 23-25 10 pm
@ The Sugar Refinery 1115 Granville.

The Return of the Butcher, by Michael Saurette. Comic stories from the life of Olga Kafka and her relationship to her family.
Presented by the OK (Olga Kafka) theatre company.
Info: 215-2266
About the Play: Olga Kafka was the matriarch of a large disfunctional Winnipeg family. Her grandson Michael Saurette was the inheritor of her stories about the old country, the depression, and the hanging of Henry Melenick, one of the last men to hang in Canada. This play, half told in story, half in action, revolves around the return of Michael's estranged father, freelance butcher Johnny Burns.
Players:
Michael Saurette:  Playwright and actor;  Former front man of the Molestics, now leads the Golden Wedding Band.
David Lazenby:  Actor, poet, writer.
Heather McClure:  Actress, playwright; runs her own successful film liason company.
 
 

SLACK
Appearing May 23 w/ Graham Brown.
@ The Railway Club 579 Dunsmuir. 681-1625.

"Exile on Main Street" on a good night and Keith in a near heroin coma on a bad one.
This quartet is true and original to the country and rock sounds of today's "American Roots" music scene.  Sometimes in the margins, sometimes front and centre.
Email:  bbslack@home.com
Website:  mp3.com/bobbieslack
 
 

DAVID P. SMITH
Appearing May 19 w/ John Guliak & The Lougan Bros.
@ The Marine Club 573 Homer.  683-1720.

David P. Smith, former Dogbreath Brothers frontman, straps on his accordian and doles out his brand of black humour, melancholy, and stripped-down grit.  Backed by the Wurlitzer Sideman - no, that's not a band, it's a 50's vintage drum machine - Smith's set of compelling original compositions and uniquely twisted covers are performed with honesty and intensity
Discography:  Dogbreath Brothers - the early beers (2000)
Dogbreath Brothers - Golden Country (2001 - released post-humously)
DPSmith - hurtin' dance party (in progress)
Email:  badps@islandnet.com
 
 

THE SNIPERS ('Los Cananeros')
Appearing May 17 w/ Cousin Harley.
@ The Marine Club 573 Homer. 683-1720.

Los Cananeros (or The Snipers, for those of you who don't speak Spanish) are a 3-pc. local band making it's debut performance.  Consisting of a stand up bass, guitar, and female lead vocals... we are a 3 piece band which consists of stand-up bass, guitar (Rocketfins' Nen) and female lead vocals (Angela Fama), the tunes are remeniscent of Patsy Cline, mixed with a little 'Angel' and a little devil.
Email:   souphead@rocketmail.com
Contact:  (604)-254-6799 (Nen).
 
 

SOLARBABY
Appearing May 19, 10 pm w/ Coal (11pm).
@ The Sugar Refinery 1115 Granville. 683-2004

Solarbaby's just released second album, Another Sidewalk's Bloody Dream, has been compared to 'Steve Earle with the needle still in his arm.' The band runs the gamut from country-ish dirges and classic balladry, to full out power rock. A recent nominee for 'favorite local album' in the Georgia Straight Music Awards.
Email:  solarbaby@canada.com
 
 

SWANK
Appearing May 26 w/ The Rocket Fins.
@ The Marine Club 573 Homer. 683-1720
"Clever, cool, hard-driving, and fun." - Discorder Magazine, February 2001

Swank performs genetically modified, all hoedown, no uptown, corn swillin', ass kickin' country & somethin' - an unholy alliance of punk and country styles partnered like moonshine and mason jars. Now promoting its new cd - Pappy's Corn Squeezin's  (produced by Howard Redekopp) - the Vancouver-based band has opened and headlined countless shows to a growing fan base.
Email:  doug@karyo.net
 
 

SWEET THURSDAY
Appearing May 17
@ The Railway Club 579 Dunsmuir. 681-1625

Roots and Americana with very strong influences of Gospel and Bluegrass, and a mixture of modern musical idioms. Featuring Tom Landa of the Paperboys and Steve Mitchell of Yardsale, backed by an incredible group of musicians including Matt Brain (Grapes of Wrath) on drums, Chris Murphy on violin and mandolin and Ted Kamp on bass and vocals (from the Seattle group Ponticello).
Email:  stompy@axionet.com
 
 

THE SWINGIN' DOORS
Appearing May 24
@ The Cottage Bistro 4468 Main. 876-6138

The Swingin' Doors are a 5 piece Rockin' Roots Music Combo from Vancouver,Canada. They play a mixture of Honky-Tonk/Rockabilly/Western Swing music seasoned with their own rootsy original tunes. A Swingin' Doors show is about Rocking Out, Dancing, Partying and having a GOOD TIME. Keep your eyes peeled for their first album release, due out this summer.
Line-up:
Miss Barbara Jane - Vocals
Jill Newman - Guitar, Vocals
Rupert Lindsay - Guitar, Vocals
Darrell Keeler - Bass
Ed Goodine - Drums & Percussion
Email:  rupebarb@telus.net
 
 

THE TENNESSEE TWIN
Appearing May 24  w/ Daisy Duke & Circus in Flames.
@ The WISE Hall 1882 Adanac.  254-5858.

The Tennessee Twin is a Vancouver-based old-style country band created by Lucinda Wolfe back in 1998.  Cindy, born an identical twin in Memphis, Tennessee, composes The Tennessee Twin tunes - heartfelt ballads and hillbilly barn-burners - on her mandolin. She employs the fine talents of Vancouver musicians, often women, as her rotating back-up band. The Tennessee Twin has played many Pacific Northwest shows with her twin's acclaimed riot girl band, Bratmobile. In addition, The Tennessee Twin has played at Ladyfest 2000 (along with label-mates Neko Case and Carolyn Mark), the last YoYo-A-GoGo festival, and will play at YoYo-A-GoGo again in Olympia this July.  A Tennessee Twin song will appear in the upcoming Canadian independent feature film "Mile Zero".
The Tennessee Twin's first release, a 7" single, is out now on Mint Records.
Email:  tennesseetwin@chickmail.com or mint@mintrecs.com
 
 

THIRSTY
Appearing May 17, 10 pm  w/ Sean O'Keefe (11pm).
@ The Sugar Refinery 1115 Granville. 683-2004

Thirsty is a high energy roots-rock quartet hailing from the rugged drylands of the BC Interior.   Consisting of two urban refugees - Smith and Devecais - who are now based in Vancouver, and two brothers who live on their organic farms near the Thompson Valley, Thirsty has won a loyal following throughout western Canada with its songcraft, lyrical smarts and intense, convincing performances.
The Georgia Straight calls Thirsty's first album, In One Place, "One of the most endearing roots-rock discs since Jr. Gone Wild's Too Dumb to Quit."
Thirsty will be releasing their second album in late summer 2001.
Line-up:
Trefor Smith - Voice, acoustic and electric guitars, harmonica, tenor sax, keys
Eli Rubinson - Bass, voice
Saul Rubinson - Drums and other percussion
Junior Devecais - Lead guitar, lap steel, voice.
Email:  yalokom@telus.net
 
 

YARDSALE
Appearing May 18 w/ Steve Elliott & Lucie Walker.
@ The Cottage Bistro 4468 Main. 876-6138.

This four piece Vancouver band captures the Americana sound defined by such acts as Wilco, Steve Earle and the Jayhawks, but like their contemporaries Blue Rodeo, the Skydiggers and Prairie Oyster, they are 100% Canadian.  Yardsale's sophmore release, "Sweet Pea", is a lively, literate and uplifing collection of songs, recorded late in 2000 at Mitchell's Yaletown apartment.  Ex-Yardsale guitarist Jon Wood (of Flophouse Jr), who produced and engineered the disc, will be joining the group for this show.  Yardsale's diverse material explores themes like deserts, trailer parks, rough-hewn philosophy and even tackles the time-worn topic of love in a fresh way.
Email:  luxcious1@hotmail.com