Here and Now (then)

                                         

                                         

Holy crap, it's an entire Strain set! I filmed this at a hall in Fleetwood BC in the late 90's. I had originally titled the videos as if the show was in Cloverdale, but I found the flyer that proves it was in Fleetwood late last night after I had already uploaded all the vids and made the post. Interestingly enough, I found 2 copies of the flyer. The first one is more cleanly laid out and states that it is Burden's first show, while the second one made room for the late addition to the show in the form of an on tour One King Down.

The video eagle has landed.

So, my video transfer equipment arrived yesterday. It's hilariously easy to use, even for someone like myself who's not all that computery. The first tape I transferred had a couple of interesting things on it, namely a dbs/moneen/def poets society show in Langley. This is kind of a fun look back in time to see where everyone was at 11 years ago. Hard to believe it's been that long!



Moneen. I once saw Kenny hurl his telecaster across the stage at the Brickyard and explode as it hit the brick pillar on stage right. Their performances are truly, truly epic.



Def Poets! Not even sure where to start with these guys. When your buddies that you didn't know rapped spend a year making a rap record in the back room of your house and it turns out this awesome, you gotta give it props.



North Van legends. If anyone remembers, it was kind of a "thing" to start a mosh pit after the breakdown in Your Apathy... as you will see in this video.

Enjoy!

Classic venues!

I don't know about you, but I loved being able to score a poster for an awesome show. There are many elements to what would make a poster collectible (to me): the band lineup, the location, the artwork, or maybe something like the price ($6.66 comes to mind) or date (halloween show!). Being a bit of a pack rat I still have almost every poster I ever carefully rolled up and tucked in the pouch of my hoodie, and now that this little project is off the ground my collection has been justified! Here are some posters of some significance or other. Anyone at these?

Java Joint. What a place. Seems like a bit of a stretch to have an all ages punk venue in the heart of Walley on the King George Hwy, but it was actually pretty central. The owners were committed to growing with the popularity of the venue, eventually moving the "stage" from the front of house into a bigger back room, and even expanded on that. The value village across the street also made for some good entertainment if you showed up early and had time to kill. I rode by it yesterday and I think it's a Polish sausage shop now. Good times.

Not exactly Vancouver, but still west coast, and arguably the most classic punk venue on this side of the continent. The few times I was lucky enough to play there are some of my more memorable shows. A truly magical, disgusting, and awesome place to spend a night.

Ms. T's Cabaret. RIP to a truly amazing venue. A victim to one of Vancouver's many suspicious and unfortunate fires, Ms. T's was a long dark stage in the back bar to the right kinda place. Easy load in through the lane, shitty/simple sound, easy going management, located downtown, and classic as all hell. Vancouver dies a little bit more with every venue it loses.

Seylynn Hall. Got damn. If you went to punk shows in Vancouver in the 90's then you surely made the trek over the bridge to Phibbs Exchange to catch a show at Seylynn. This was THE meeting place for all the suburban punks. Remember when you used to go to shows to see all your friends?

Finally, the Submission Hold House. 2024 E 1st Ave. HQ of revered band Submission Hold, and over the years home to dozens of local movers and shakers, folks passing through with nothing but a backpack, and many a traveling band. A huge shout out to residents Holly, Jen, and Andy for keeping it real for so many years and offering everyone from suburban brats to Modest Mouse a place to be themselves and do their thing.

I think we need to patch things up.

I used to be really into patches and belt buckles and bracelets. These days, not so much. As I dig deeper into the archives I find more and more hilarious accessories. I think it might help me to understand and appreciate the fashion choices that the youth of today make. Maybe. Anyways. Here's some patches I dug up.

Bouncing Souls huh? I seem to recall seeing them at the Town Pump? I also know I had and quite enjoyed an album of theirs, although I can't remember which one, and the last time I opened the case the cd wasn't there. Oh well. Doesn't look like this one was ever sewed on, but it's message is fairly applicable to this day.

Local punk heroes, hand screened by the band of course. This one doesn't appear to have been sewed on either, but I do recall having a dbs patch on a sweatshirt at one point.

From New York, touring mates of dbs, which is how they were introduced to all of us in Vancouver. I remember them being fast, snotty, and uhh, political. Anyone know what that writing at the bottom says?

A long running zine out of the suburbs documenting all things pop punk. Produced by a trio of girls with a penchant for huge backpacks.

I have no idea who The Jocks are, but I seem to think they were from Calgary. I must have not known who they were at the time either as it doesn't appear to have ever been sewn on. I collect things.



Render Useless, one of the islands finest. I was definitely a fan, and footage of them will surface on here, I guarantee it. This one was obviously sewn on something. The imagery was an extra bonus for me.

What do you say about these turkeys? One of Vancouver's finest who still get love today. I just heard that a band from Australia is covering a song off their last release. This is another band who I can guarantee footage of. Old, hilarious, footage. That is all.

Tickets! Who's got tickets!?

Found a huge stack of ticket stubs from back in the day. Lot's of long gone but not forgotten venues, bands, ticket prices, and production companies. Was anyone at any of these shows? Remember anything about them?

Posters! Pictures!

I found some photos of Strain that I took for that photo 11 class I mentioned. This was a show at the Langley Civic Center I believe. I'm standing beside/behind stage left which is why there's no Sean Lande. Sorry Sean. Hopefully John's killer shred face makes up for it! Also, please note Happy Kreter in the last shot.


Secondly, I dug up a few posters. 2 from the Red Light Sting's summer tour in 2001, and a Reserve 34 set list. Not sure when the R34 set is from as there's no date, but please note that it's on R34 letterhead. That's pro.

This is from Calgary, I think.

Somewhere in California. I remember there being a show in an actual living room on that tour. Maybe this was it.

Can anyone date this?

Public Enemy number 1!

We were lucky enough to share stages with the legends of rap music known as Public Enemy. Tazmania, new years eve.