A great live show can have lifelong impact. Calgary born and raised Pete Emes, now a world touring DJ and producer, recounts his most memorable live music moments and the Calgary venues that made them happen.
I specifically remember going to a party at the Rock Central house for the first time around 94 or 95. And I was definitely there for the first Stampede Breakfast - it was hilarious, a freak show. Really really crazy, like homeless ladies slow dancing with German Shepherds and stuff. But the music was always raw and wild, and funny, if not played perfectly. It was so punk. Rock Central directly or indirectly spawned The A-Team, The Dudes, The Infernos (who played at my 18th birthday party too, no joke), Dojo Workhorse, Matt Masters, as well as comedians Paul Spence, Dave Lawrence and Andy Sparacino from Fubar, and Pat Kelly from CBC and Comedy Central (@thepatkelly).
In Pat’s words: “I lived in Rock Central for 6 months and all I remember is the not stop Jamming and joking. The house was so isolated that noise was never an issue and so 7 nights a week different combinations of people would invent new bands. Out of this time period came the “Dudes” of which I can lay claim to being their original drummer. (which if you have heard me drum…is perhaps the biggest joke of all). I have a ton of memories of that period of my life…but my biggest has to be the very first “Rock Central Stampede Breakfast”. We not only thought that Calgarians deserved another option for Stampede entertainment…but we also thought it was hilarious that it should be us. So we built a stage in the backyard, rented a griddle and suggested people show up around 11ish. To our surprise people came…and from what I understand they continued to come year after year for about 10…until the house was leveled.”
The real magic begins today down at OLYMPIC PLAZA, tickets are on sale at Sloth Records, Sled Island office and at the gates for $75 per day or $125 for both days. Friday’s main site lineup features a loud n’ rockin lineup of C’Mon, Bison B.C., Buzzcocks, The Sword, and SLEEP performing a 90-minute set that will blow your mind! Remember Olympic Plaza is a fully-licensed, all-ages event. Come down, enjoy the outdoors, have a beer, hang out with pals and enjoy the heavy tunes!
Following the excitement at Olympic Plaza is a variety of kick-ass shows spreadacross 20+ venues throughout the downtown and beltline area! Wild Flag and guests are at the new-to-sled venue Twisted Element, Minus The Bear at the Gateway will be awesome, If you’re looking for surf rock party head to Sonny any The Sunsets at Bamboo. Enjoy yourselves where ever you end up!
Sled Island is more than just music! We’ve got workshops starting with Lee Ranaldo at Cantos today at 12pm, Comedy begins this evening with an all-star lineup featuring Neil Hamburger, Tig Notaro, Brody Stevens, and more! Check out the CJSW produced Neil Hamburger podcast for laughs.
Find the most up-to-date schedule by visiting schedule.sledisland.comon your smartphone. For secret guest reveals and last minute alerts, follow us on Twitter @sledisland
Calgary Music History: Shows that Changed My Life
Written by Pete Emes of Smalltown DJs
A great live show can have lifelong impact. Calgary born and raised Pete Emes, now a world touring DJ and producer, recounts his most memorable live music moments and the Calgary venues that made them happen.
Wagbeard and Primrods, The Factory - Jan 22, 1994. These were Calgary’s two best bands from that era, on one bill. I was more of a Primrods fan at the time, but looking back I probably prefer Wagbeard now. This show was an unreal explosion of sound and energy, the best thing I had ever been to at that time. Primrods were signed to Geffen (home of Nirvana and Sonic Youth) but dropped at some point without a fair shake. I ended up working with Chris from Wagbeard at the Night Gallery and he was like a rock legend to me. The Factory was my main nighttime destination then, that and the Castle Pub (where we watched OJ run from the police Friday, June 17 1994).
Pete Emes in one half of Calgary’s Smalltown DJs, an owner of the Hi Fi Club and is set to open a new venue, the Commonwealth Bar and Stage, this summer.
Our pals at Lifetime have put together a the Day One video zine focusing on BRAIDS stunning set at Central United Church last night. Keep your eyelids peeled for more awesome videos to come!
What an incredible start to Sled Island! Thanks to everyone for coming out to support Sled Island Film over the last couple days! We’ve been getting awesome reviews all around from last night including Braids at Central United, BJ Snowden at the No. 1 Legion, Dum Dum Girls (pictured above) at the Distillery, STRFKR at the HiFi Club and No Gold at Dicken’s to name a few!
Sled Island main site is happening at Olympic Plaza this weekend, Friday June 24 and Saturday June 25. Friday features a heavy rock lineup with Buzzcocks, Sleep, The Sword. Saturday at Olympic Plaza is a fun lineup for everyone! The Dandy Warhols, Of Montreal, Minus The Bear, Chad VanGaalen and more! These events are fully-licensed, all-ages welcome! Tickets are on sale at Sloth Records, HENRY and Olympic Plaza at the gates (day of) for $75 per day of $125 for both days.
Tonight has all the right makings for a legendary night of music at Sled Island! First off we’ve got Lee Ranaldo of SONIC YOUTH playing at Central United Church, Alejandro Escavado and The Sensitive Boys performing at the Ironwood, and BJ Snowden offering her love to all Canadians at Tubby Dog. Make sure you’re there for one of these fantastic performances happening tonight!
In case you missed any of the big headliners last night we’ve got almost all of them performing again tonight! Blonde Redhead and guests are laying the cool vibes at Republik, Man Man and Gobble Gobble are tossing the confetti at the Distillery, and Justin Townes Earle is putting his babies to rest at the Marquee Room. Remember to show up early if there’s anyone you’re really dying to see!
Get the most up-to-date schedule by visiting schedule.sledisland.comon your smartphone. For secret guest reveals and last minute alerts, follow us on Twitter @sledisland
It’s on now! Sled Island 2011 has officially begun!
Get ready for an insane next 4 days of pure euphoria, incredible music and babes galore! Today is the last day for film, go check out Shorts and Bikes presented by Cyclepalooza and SUYS and remember to look out for the Prohab Helmet Society girls and guys riding around the city this week offering FREE helmets for bicyclists at Sled Island.
Get ready for a week of wonderful music! Tonight starts off with a celebration of the vibrant all-ages music community in town with Faux Fux/ Wild Nothing/ Braids performing at Central United Church, a bunch of great bands at The New Black in Inglewood and Pop Montreal’s showcase at Tubby Dog! All three of these shows are open to festival wristband and all-ages wristband holders! Passes are still on sale at HENRY and Sloth Records. Tickets will be on sale at the door for walk-up purchasers.
As always Sled Island delivers the HUGE shows you’ve waiting all year to see! Tonight the No. 1 Legion will be bumpin’ out of control with Chali 2 Na and Man Man taking the stage. Interested in a rockin’ alt-folk party? Check out the Calgary Folk Fest presents Justin Townes Earle show at Republik. Don’t forget Blonde Redhead along with the Dum Dum Girls will be weaving an web of delight at The Distillery tonight. Reminder to show up early for any big headliners you’re planning to catch this week!
We’ve got all the rockers covered tonight in a big way! Pierced Arrows plus guests at Broken City, Crocodiles plus guest at the Palamino, and Barn Burner plus Trigger Effect and guests at the Ship and Anchor will all be roaring for tonight’s kickoff shows! If you’re looking for a cool dance party to check out look no further than the Marquee Room for Zola Jesus and guests, No Gold and The Soft Pack at Dicken’s or STRFKR at The HiFi Club. Props to those that hop around to check out all the excitement tonight!
Get the Sled Island mobile web app SCHED at schedule.sledisland.com to navigate yourself throughout the festival. For the latest updates and secret info follow us on twitter @sledisland
Calgary Music History: Shows that Changed My Life
A great live show can have lifelong impact. Calgary born and raised Pete Emes, now a world touring DJ and producer, recounts his most memorable live music moments and the Calgary venues that made them happen.
Pavement, The Republik - Apr 28, 1994 Slanted and Enchanted was such a huge record for me. I reviewed it for my high school paper at Western in 1993 (It got a 5/5). They embodied the lack of ambition and direction that I felt at the time, they were relaxed punk rockers like me. They played a great, loud set. I remember hanging out with my friend Pat Kelly (Canadian actor and CBC radio personality) that night. He was yelling some funny shit at the band, and they responded with something that made them look bored - but it was cool. The Republikwas such a great place for shows. I saw Pavement again in 2010 at Coachella, and they still sound great, but the social context of 1994 was the perfect setting to hear these songs.
Pete Emes in one half of Calgary’s Smalltown DJs, an owner of the HiFi Club and is set to open a new venue, the Commonwealth Bar and Stage, this summer.
If you follow Calgary’s Smalltown DJ’s blog (www.smalltownromeo.blogspot.com/) you’ll know that Smalltown Pete’s dad, Al, frequently puts together some mixes with the help of Calgary DJ’s. With Sled Island starting today, we just got an email from Smalltown Pete saying how excited his dad was about this year’s lineup and he put together 11 songs from bands playing in 2011. Pete then compiled them into a mix, and now we present to you: Emes Sled Island 11 for 2011. We’ve been listening to it all morning in the office, and it’s really great. You can download it here and get excited about some of this year’s bands too.
Locals celebs make their SCHED picks! You can too!
A few local celebs in the Calgary music scene have offered their picks for the festival! Check out what they’ve chosen for their journey over the next 4 jam-packed days, and while you’re there login and build your own customizable SCHED that can be accessed on any smartphone.
Adam, Drew, and The Party Machine bring you the final episode of the 2011 edition of the Sled Island Podcast. Big names, local wonders and everything in between - all to be heard and seen at this year’s festival. Can’t wait to see you there!
1. Lab Coast, “On My Jeans” 2. Wild Nothing, “Live In Dreams” 3. Deer Tick, “Art Isn’t Real (AKA City of Sin)” 4. The Raveonettes, “Forget That You’re Young” 5. No Gold, “Rainforest” 6. Zola Jesus, “Night”
