The Coach & Horses and The Press ClubWindsor, Ontario
October 26, 2000
website: http://fantastic_pop.tripod.com
With Windsor's very unpredictable support for music, I had to wonder if the first ever indie-pop festival would live up to the name. *Fantastic! sure had potential - 36 bands over three consecutive nights, with three participating venues, following the format of Toronto's NXNE festival held every June. Now that October 26th to 28th is over, I'm sure I won't be the only one to tell you the festival was just that, fantastic, and then some. It beat out this past year's NXNE as my favourite weekend of rock: I was able to see and meet so many bands I've missed out on for so long. Everyone was so great and supportive of each other. My only complaint about *Fantastic! is this: there were too many good bands playing at the same time!
Thursday night began at the Coach with The Red Stripes. I had gone to highschool with Dave and Devin so I was naturally curious as to how they sounded. (I was always entertained by Dave's singing announcements in highschool). They were all about acoustic guitars, it seemed. It was their first show ever, I was surprised to find out after. I left half way through so I could catch a bit of Toronto's Kid Sniper, and ended up missing a Neutral Milk Hotel cover. Doh! I'd like to see them again in a less distracting atmosphere.
I caught the very end of Kid Sniper. What I saw was good, the bassist and guitarist moving around a lot and the band emitting so much energy. Guitarist Jonathan ended with a fist in the air, proclaiming "Thank you Windsor!"
Next up was Windsor's Low Tones, with super *Fantastic! organizer Carly on drums. Compared to the first time I saw them (with The Salteens back in April), they've relaxed a lot and are visibly having more fun. Tom (guitarist) sings every song with a smile, and throws in a rock kick here and there. Tom ended their set with a grand rock kick that appeared to hit bassist Paul (although he claims he didn't). The Low Tones are a band I could see again and not mind one bit.
It's been too long since the last time I was graced by Palomar Sky Survey's presence, and so back to the Press Club I went. They were as great as I remembered them. Val's voice is one of my favourites in indie rock, it's so lovely, and I love her sparkly guitar. Renee was nice enough to acknowledge me by shooting the finger mid-song (she's all about acting Rock). I especially enjoyed the Elvis Costello cover they did, which is on their new 7" "Are We Heading South?" This was only their second time playing in Windsor, and frankly, Windsor needs a lot more Palomar Sky Survey.
11:30's slot was dedicated to The Movies (from Windsor) at The Press Club. The stage was overflowing with eight people, and the keyboardist was seated half way in the aisle towards the bathroom. He would friendly acknowledge anyone squeezing by with a nod. They did a lot of long jamming songs, and appeared to be having a lot of fun. A drunk girl in the front agreed and started doing some sort of interpretive dancing. I thought she was going to knock something over or punch someone out with her flailing arms but she somehow managed not to harm anyone.
Finally, the band I was dying to see: Vancouver's Ashley Park. Saturnhead's music is enjoyable (both bands share Terry Miles), and Ashley Park's debut was just released on Kindercore Records (which is home to Of Montreal!), so you know they have to be good. This was their last show of their tour, having performed at a variety of places including NXNW, a Kindercore showcase at CMJ, and Toronto a few days earlier. To my delight, a variety of "Town & Country" songs were played along with a handful of Saturnhead songs, including A Bit Too Much. The most noteable song of the night was from a Kindercore compilation, and was called The Painter and the Jay. The drummer typed a rhythm on an old typewriter, which held everyone's curiousity and attention. I loved all the Rock hand symbols and proclamations between every song, it balanced perfectly with Ashley Park's mellowish Belle & Sebastian pop-sound. They ended with "That University Scene", much to the dismay of everyone: one fellow in particular kept insisting an encore for at least 10 minutes. Ashley Park rule! They were hands-down one of the top three bands I saw during the weekend.