GIGS, PHOTOS & NEW MARKET MEMORIES
April 11, 2016
We’ve been having a fun year so far playing some great gigs and getting some rough mixes of our debut album. We recently played shows with The Headlines, The Queers, The Boids and so many others. Here’s a link to some photos from the Queers show. As well, here’s a link to photos from the Boids show.
We recently played a great show in New Market, Ontario. It’s been a while since I’ve been there. I’ve always had a great relationship with New Market. Bombshelter played a few shows there, as well Sinkin’ Ships. The Ships played there at least a dozen times.
I played New Market twice with Bombsheter in the 90s. The first time was in 1997 with Warface. It took place in the basement of an Internet cafe. I had no idea what an Internet cafe was at the time. I remember a lot of guys in track pants playing computer games and drinking cans of Diet Coke. But that was upstairs. Downstairs was a different scene. I can’t recall the opening bands, however I do recall someone shooting off a fire extinguisher midway through Warface’s set and the place clearing out pretty fast. When we all filed back in Bombshleter took the stage for our set. A lot of beer bottles were smashed that night and the promoter lost his deposit. No one got paid. None of us cared.
We returned one year later, this time we had 2 Pump Louie opening for us. We played some outdoor park. JJ’s parents were there. It was a weird vibe, like really weird. The York Region police showed up while we were playing and tried to shut us down. I remember us playing with some serious ferocity in front of those cops. Every song suddenly became about them. That may have been our last show. I believe Bombshelter broke up shortly after. That’s enough old-time memories for now… However, if that story makes you feel inclined to listen to Bombshelter, you can do some here.
Coming up we have a gig in Toronto supporting The Mahones, a Barrie show with the Murderburgers and a gig with The Copyrights as well. I’ve been loving the Copyrights these days since my wife turned me on to them a couple of years ago. She always has the best taste in punk rock.
After those shows I’ll be taking some time off from Plan 37 to focus on starting a family. My wife and I are expecting a child in June and we couldn’t be more stoked! I’m still planning on playing the record release show whenever that happens. But a break is needed.
Speaking of the record, the mixes have been coming in and they’re sounding pretty cool so far. I’ll be sure to provide an update as soon as things become more clear.
POUZZA FEST V IN MONTREAL
February 25, 2015
I’m stoked to be playing Pouzza Fest once again this year. The complete lineup was just announced and this year is a good one. Confirmed bands include Teenage Bottlerocket, The Dwarves, The Muffs, Jon Snodgrass, Joey Cape, plus some of my friends from right here in Toronto like Brutal Youth, Deforesters and Plan 37. West-caost folk punker Jesse Lebourdais is also confirmed and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jon Creeden gigging around as well.
For more info and to buy your tickets check out the Pouzza Fest website.
STEREO DYNAMITE PODCAST W/ CACTUS VELLA
February 1, 2015
I was very fortunate to be asked to be the first ever guest on the new Stereo Dynamite Podcast. It was a great honor to sit back with my good friend and Toronto alumni Adam Sewel as we chatted for a good 30 minutes in his Parkdale office on a cold January night.
In the podcast we talk about Whiskey Hearts, The Class Assassins, growing up in Vaughan, Sinkin’ Ships, my graphic Design company Anxiety Attack Designs and many other things. After recording the podcast we hung out for a while and I was lucky enough to hear some brand new tracks from the upcoming Simone Denny record on Stereo Dynamite Recordings… and Damn they sound awesome!
So if you have half an hour and want to hear two dudes shoot the breeze about this and that give the first episode of the new Stereo Dynamite Podcast featuring your truely a listen.
Click here to check it out.
Posted by Dyingscene.com on Friday, July 25, 2014 at 10:48 AM (PST)
In good news, the guys in Toronto punk act The Class Assassins have released a music video for their song “Start Again.” In not so good news, they have also announced the departure of longtime guitarist Cactus Vella, who is leaving the band to focus on his solo work.
The music video and a statement from Vella can be found below.
“Start Again” appears on The Class Assassins’ Treason 7-inch, which was released back in 2011 through Rebel Time Records. The band’s latest release, a 9-minute ‘concept single’ entitled The Addiction & The Solution came out last March.
CACTUS SINGS SPRINGSTEEN FREE DOWNLOAD
July 11, 2014
This past week Cactus released a free download of “Cactus Sings Springsteen”, two Bruce Springsteen covers. The download features “Going Down” from the “Thunder Road” compilation released earlier this year, as well as “Hungry Heart”, an out-take from that same recording session.
Both songs feature Katie Kaboom of The Mahones on accordion and were recorded by Moby Holman who also recorded the “Sailin’ On” EP in 2012.
Speaking of the “Thunder Road” comp, a big thank you to everyone who has supported it. We’ve reached over 100000 plays from the bandcamp page alone!
The good people at DyingScene wrote this little blurb about the release of “Cactus Sings Springsteen”.
Posted by DyingScene.com on Thursday, July 10, 2014 at 1:51 PM (PST)
Toronto’s favorite punk rock solo artist Cactus Vella has released a short EP entitled Cactus Covers Springsteen, featuring covers of Bruce Springsteen’s “Going Down” and “Hungry Heart.” You can stream and/or download it for free below.
Vella’s debut EP Sailin’ On was released in December of 2012. That’s also available on his Bandcamp page.
DOGS “NIGHTRIDER” MUSIC VIDEO
April 19, 2014
Back in 2006 the Dogs recorded what was supposed to be our debut album at Rumenal Records. The sessions were lost and we were left with the raw unmixed recordings. We never released them. Recently JDM put together this music video for the track “Nightrider”from that very session. The song and video are a tribute to the 1979 movie Mad Max. Click here to check out the video.
Last month we returned to the recording studio, this time choosing to work with Dave Baksh at the Gentlemens Den. We recorded three songs and plan on releasing them as our debut 7inch this summer on Rubber Factory Records.
Cactus Vella Music 