I’ve got most of it in the can, the important bits anyway. Just two more to go I figure. To be honest I could get away with eight on this one, the running time is already 48 minutes, but the hassling I’d get wouldn’t be worth it. I’m going to call it Vancouver, which is understandable because it’s about this city. I might get in some trouble for it, mind you, because it’s certainly not something that could be used as a promotional tool by the tourism board.
I’ve watched this city change so drastically over the last 16 years that it’s almost unrecognizable in most ways, so I suppose it’s time I wrote a record about it. While we’ve seen a considerable growth spurt and a noticeable increase in wealth, Vancouver has lost something that used to make it a very special place – its edge.
I realize to most the typical vision of Vancouver is a place where things are laid back, people spend their time rollerblading the Sea Wall stopping here and there to smoke pot, and so on and so forth. But the truth is that this city once possessed a lot of edge. It played a significant role in the 80’s hardcore scene, producing bands that would go on to influence artists all over the world, such as Skinny Puppy, No Means No, DOA, Slow, and a laundry list of others. In truth, a great many Vancouver bands that would never gain popularity beyond the West Coast influenced what would later erupt in Seattle and then be marketed to the world.
Unfortunately, Vancouver has lost that edge. It is now the playground that many have always stereotypically envisioned it to be, a sterile place devoid of the sort of substance that makes a city truly great. Only down here on the Lower Eastside can be found the ghosts of the past. But even then, they’re all dance clubs and DJ ridden bars now.
Where bands used to rehearse in rat-infested warehouses, five star restaurants and high-end lounges now reign; the memory of what was created in those buildings long forgotten their walls. To those of us that remember, it produces a significant sadness. For those of us that came up playing in this town, we find ourselves completely disconnected from what is currently transpiring musically because there simply isn’t anywhere to go and see what new bands are up to. Some might argue that that isn’t the case, but access to original live music in this town on a nightly basis is, for the most part, a memory.
That’s not to say that the record I’ve been demoing focuses greatly on that particular aspect. In truth, it’s steeped in present personal reflections of where I find myself within the context of the city more than anything. But it all plays a part, even if just inspirationally.
This entry is, of course, rather premature. The soonest I can see the record actually being released is not until next summer, but it was on my mind, so away I went.
For those of you who have been keeping tabs on demos that have been previewed in the past, here’s a brief track listing of those songs I have finalized and have made the cut…
1. The Vancouver National Anthem (7:05)
2. The Boy Who Could Explode (7:14)
3. Us Remains Impossible (5:08)
4. On Nights Like Tonight (4:13)
5. Volcanoes (5:09)
6. A Silent Army In The Trees (5:47)
7. Fought To Fight It (4:26)
8. Empty’s Theme Park (9:07)
*Songs times are obviously subject to change.
