World Cup 2010 is a GO!!!

Voila, June 11th is the official kick off of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. I'm currently at home watching the fist half of the opening game between South Africa and Mexico, although I'm supporting the Netherlands & England, I hope that Mexico does well. Now most of you by now must have seen the Nike commercial featuring Franck Ribery, Wayne Rooney and Douchey Ronaldo... oh that isn't his real name? Anyways, below you will find that amazing Ad and also below that one will be a few classics from previous tournament ad campaigns.

-Nike World Cup advert 2010

-Nike Brazil, Charles de Gaulle for 98' World Cup in France

-Adidas Jose+10 for World Cup 06' in Germany

-Nike Take it to the Next Level for Euro 08' in Switzerland

-Adidas Road to Lisbon.

Enjoy!

"We're overwhelmed by the turnout, I'm not shitting you."

"I don't know how to express this without having the urge to cry, it was really beautiful, unique, they are more than musicians, they are complete artists"

That was my quote (in english) that aired this morning at 8am on 95.1 fm, Radio Canada Premiere Chaine when they talked about one of the best shows that I have ever seen in my life, yeah, you heard me Radiohead. I saw Montreal's own Arcade Fire last night for the first time. Like many un-cool Montrealers, it's really hard to see them live. Almost as hard as crossing on of the multi-talented artists in the streets (so far I'm still at 2 out of 8) but this occasion proved too good to be true. I wasn't keen on the idea at first. I thought that the whole city would be swimming across the St-Laurence in haste to get close to the mini stage that was located in the parking lot of Place Longueuil, that's right, Longueuil... know to us Montrealers as the "Mullet" capital of Quebec and to gullible anglophones as "Long-eye".

I attended the show with the Lady and our good friend Flo. A good 2 hours in advance and that was enough for us to be close to the stage. Lady got us some Tim Horton's sandwiches to ease the wait but with only minutes past 8, all eyes and ears were focussed on the mini-stage, a mini-stage yet just big enough to fit all 8 members of indie rock's Kings and Queens. I felt that it being free was a cheat but I also felt that before the band would release the album and tour for the next year or two, they let us in on the "game" before the rest of the world would get a listen. They opened with 2 new songs from their next album The Suburbs, followed then by "No Cars Go".

I don't feel the need to go through every song one by one but remember "Roccoco" that track will blow your mind!! some people have written today that "the sound was off", bollocks to that!! (well where I was, it was perfect) and Roccoco was heavy and hard that I felt it in my bones. They played some more classics then another new song called "Suburbs" which is available for listen on the bands website. They left the stage, thanked the crowd then returned for a few more and ended the night with "Wake up" from the bands first album Funeral. I was from that point on a deer in the headlights, I froze, I didn't sing or anything, I was too scared at that point, I felt that between the first time I heard that song and immediately fell in love with it to the first time hearing it live with 8000 other people, so much has happen in my life and I was really taken by that particular song. What really scared me though was breaking out in tears in front of 8000 people...

Enough of being deep and serious, Arcade Fire make really beautiful music, they played a free gig for their Montreal fans and I took pictures too! I posted some below and the rest are on my FLICKR page so head on over and have a look!!

and head on over to ARCADE FIRE's website to hear some new music, The Suburbs comes out August 4th.

Montreal Canadiens Hall of Fame

Seeing that now's the season to be a Habs fan and all, me and my buddy Morgen headed down to the Montreal Canadiens Hall of Fame on sunday to really get into the spirit and history of one of the world most prestigious teams in sports. Example, for the English that look at my blog, it's Hockey's Manchester United, to you American's, it's the Yankees, to Kiwi's it's the All Blacks, to my french friends, it's the... it's the... Anyways, for 10 bucks you get to enjoy all of the history from the past 100 years, all well presented with authentic jersey's from old fav's and helmets from some of histories best goalies and so on... Have a look if you're in the area, really makes you feel like that good old days were epic, and makes you believe that even after game 1 against the Flyers, that this series is still far from over... fingers crossed.

I got more pics over on my FLICKR page, just click HERE!!

Go Habs Go!!

Montreal Canadians have got their backs against the wall again! They beat the Washington Capitals in 7 games and tonight they could set themselves up for another game 7 if they beat the defending Stanley Cup Champions the Pittsburgh Penguins. Game 6 is tonight at the Bell Centre, go out, wear your colors, have a few beers and support the Habs... win or lose tonight, support your Habs

Olympic Pride Parade

Here are a few pics from the Parade that was held in downtown Montreal for the Canadian Olympians, if every other sports team in this city can have a parade then why can't the Olympians have one too? How can we support them for two weeks then just forget about them for the next 4 years? That's why me and my buddy Jose went out and support our athelets on a sunny days and so I took my camera along and reckon I got some good pics, here are a few but for the lot, click HERE and the link will send you to my FLICKR page where all the other pics are posted.

Something to Spring to

Here are a series of albums that I've enjoyed over the past few months, if you got nothing to listen to these days, have a look at this!

First off, The American Legend Johnny Cash. I reckon this is the last album from the American Series produced by Rick Rubin. First track titled Ain't No Grave is a prime example of how haunting and genius this album is... it's like he's in the room with you. Really worth the listen.
From Toronto's finest Hardcore act the Cancer Bats. This album is brutal, really brutal, like pulling out your teeth brutal... most bands in the scene start off hard then soften album after album (which isn't a bad thing, it's just a fact) but then you get bands like The Chariot, UnderOATH and now Cancer Bats who just give you heavy music that I enjoy, mainly when I'm running like a idiot at the GYM.
Yeah so ok, the whole cartoon thing was cool like 10 years ago and then the second album didn't really catch my ears. Now 5 years after cartoon Gorillaz are back with a 80's sounding album that I really enjoyed, sounds really good on the iPod and check out Stylo if you haven't heard it and if you like muscle cars and Bruce Willis then check out the video featuring Mos Def.
Nerdy nerds... Vampire Weekend are the Bees knees of nerdy indie music but you gotta love it. This album to me is the soundtrack of all good 80's movies, almost all songs are Paul Simon from the 80's... I'm not ripping, I'm loving it, this album came out in January but it WILL sound better this summer.
Broken Bells, a combo of DangerMouse and James Mercer from the Shins just released a album and I really like it... it's one of them albums that you always have to start it from the beginning and listen through to the whole thing, it's not one of them albums where you skip from track to track, it's a long player and the opener is a kicker.
15 years in "the game" and Deftones are still better than you and your band. After the near fatal car accident involving Deftones bass player Chi, Deftones made the decision to continue and record a brilliant album that is dark and heavy like the opening track Diamond Eyes and Rocket Skates and some other chill tracks like 976-Evil and Beauty School. It's like remember Korn and worse... Limp Bizkit, two bands that got mixed in the same category as Deftones in the late nineties? What ever happened to them?! No matter who old I am, I'll always enjoy this band.

By the way, every album above has a link that you will send you to a YouTube video of each act to give you a better idea.

Enjoy!

AOF in MTL

Soooooo like a million years ago, I went to see Alexisonfire at the Bell Centre, they were one of the many opening acts for Billy Talent. Long story short, the "organizers" only allowed me to stay up for 3 songs and then I had to leave so with all the excitment, I took a bucket load of pics and here are some of them... I took these for the band's label and some of them ended up on the band's iPhone App of all places so head over to iTunes and download the App.

I believe

I must be honest, it took me a long time to believe. I'll be straight up with you all and tell you that I was really annoyed with all of the commercials that aired on CTV about the Vancouver Winter Olympics. I didn't believe, even with the "Own the Podium" Program, I didn't believe that our Canadian athletes would be up to the challenge and the pressure of performing on home turf. I do believe that I was wrong with all of the above.

These winter games made me proud to be a Canadian and for many reasons, now I'm not just jumping on the bandwagon here. I always knew we were nice people, I've lived in Europe for a few years and us Canadians have the reputation of being some of the nicest (sexiest) people you'll meet. I was really proud by the display and conduct of all of our athletes. They performed really well and I'm even talking about the ones that didn't win any medals. Host city Vancouver, from all that I've read has been nothing but a 17 day party that was safe and fun for everyone. All of this, our first gold medal on Canadian soil by a hometown boy from Quebec... forget politics because this is sport and all of Canada was proud that it was Alexandre Bilodeau who touched gold first. Tragedy did cast a shadow on these games though, first off in practise on day one Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvil lost control of his luge and crash into a medal column dying instantly. Then later in the week Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette's mother died of a heart attack just a few days before her daughter had to take the ice. The push, drive and consentration that Joannie had trained for, helped her put her pain elsewhere and focus on what her and her mother had spent years after years to help make Joannie dream come true. When she skated, I was tearing up inside and most of us where. In the end, we all broke into tears across the country before she did. She is a true olympian and deserved her medal.

Oh and Team Canada won the gold but c'mon, we all had a hunch somewhere that Sid The Kid was going to get it passed Miller who was a solid solid American wall. My father and uncle will always have that memory of Canada beating the USSR back in 72. Now our generation will always have that image of Crosby winning it in overtime. This is our game and I'm proud to say it. I hope that even now with the games being over and all the world has taken their eyes off of our country. That we Canadians will see how important we are to the world and that were more than just a friendly neighbour. We are strong, we are proud and we are Canadian.

Yeah that was really cheesy ending but I just wanted to make an effort for once in the writing soooooo here are a few of my favourite pics from the games, I obviously didn't take any of these and if you click HERE, it will take you to Getty Images. They are the international suppliers of photographs, so whatever you see in newspaper and website, it is most likely from Getty Images. I'm posting the link to avoid a lawsuit. Enjoy and comment.

Facebook!!

Lastly, I have a group for this "blog" on Facebook, so come along and join it to get the updates strait from the horse's mouth...

Modern Warfare 2

This is one of the reasons why I've been "busy"

if you have this game and a PS3, add me (kid_a182) and I'll see you online!!

Norma Jean, Live at La Tulipe December 2009

Kudos, KUDOS

To this band, 10 years and different line-ups but still strong and currently finishing up a new album which promises to be heavy so that is exciting, but what's impressive is that these guys braved the storm and make just in time to play some old tracks off of Blessed the Martyr and I've seen them 4 times now, this goes without saying that Norma Jean always rock. Thanks to Jake again for the photo pass, hope to hang more next time.

Enjoy and comment!!

The Chariot, Live at La Tulipe, December 2009

Sooooooooooo.......

Most of you thought I was dead or worse, without a computer... I've been hella busy since the beginning of 2010 with work, school, work school, girlfriend, work, school, PS3 that I've neglected my good old blog and it's million upon millions of fans.... alright, so let's get to the point. December, me and my friends Dave and Ang fought hard through the first big storm of the year to walk like 200 metres (from my place) to La Tulipe to rock out with our balls out to Norma Jean and The Chariot. Now if you follow the blog, you must know by now that I've seen Norma Jean at least 4 times now. The Chariot? that was my first time, and I'm really hope it's not my last. The Chariot have been know for making some really rad and heavy records, often done in a few takes, their first was done a la DIY and you can really feel the rawness and the punk rock feel that I love so much. Live? they did not disappoint as you can tell by the photo's below, although spending hours upon hours on a long drive from the States to Montreal in what was a intense snow storm, they really gave it to the fans and that is why I love music so much.

I've done enough typing, just look at the pics.... and comment!