Verb Issue S208 (Sept. 21-27, 2012)

Photo: courtesy of candice Webster

SMALL FAMEwith BEND SiNiStER+

thE twittEr diLEMMA on social media and politics

rococodE reinventing the pop song

KivALinA v. Exxon & End oF wAtch film reviews

issue #208 – sePtember 21 to sePtember 27

verbnews.comverbnews.com

2verb magazine LocaL editoriaL comments Q + a cover Food + drink Listingsmusic FiLm nightLiFe comics timeoutartscontents

sept 7 – sept 13

pLease recycLe aFter reading & sharing

verbnews.com@verbsaskatoon facebook.com/verbneWssaskatoon

EditoriALpubLisher / Parity Publishingeditor in chieF / ryan allanmanaging editor / Jessica PatruccostaFF writers / adam haWboldt + alex J macPherson

Art & Productiondesign Lead / roberta barringtondesign & production / brittney grahamcontributing photographers / michelle berg, Patrick carley + adam haWboldt + alex J macPherson

BuSinESS & oPErAtionSoFFice manager / stePhanie liPsitmarketing manager / vogeson PaleyFinanciaL manager / cody lang

contActcomments / [email protected] / 881 8372advertise / [email protected] / 979 2253design / [email protected] / 979 8474generaL / [email protected] / 979 2253

contents

worKing togEthErHonor Fight, MMA & boxing — Adam investigates. 4 / LocaL

A BLESSing or A curSE?The power of Twitter in municipal elections. 6 / LocaL

our two cEntSWhat we think about the idea of a penny tax. 8 / editoriaL

coMMEntSHere’s what you had to say about giv-ing churches tax breaks. 10 / comments

Q + A with don AMEroAlex talks to this Winnipeg singer about finding his way. 12 / Q + a

nightLiFE PhotoS Patrick and Michelle visit Diva’s & Crown & Rok. 22-25 / nightLiFe

LivE MuSic LiStingSLocal music listings for September 21 through September 29. 18 / Listings

End oF wAtch &coMPLiAncE The latest movie reviews. 20 / FiLm

on thE BuS Weekly original comic illustrations by Elaine M. Will. 26 / comics

rococodEHow a Vancouver four-piece is rein-venting pop. 13 / arts

cLArK’S croSSing rEviEwAdam loves delectable, down-home pub grub. 16 / Food + drink

MuSicAnderson Burko, Kathleen Edwards & The Wooden Sky. 17 / music

PrEMiEr winE FEStA preview of one of Saskatoon’s big cultural events. 13 / arts

on thE covEr: BEnd SiniStErOn Small Fame, and making it big. 14 / cover

gAMES & horoScoPESCanadian criss-cross puzzle, horoscopes, and Sudoku. 27 / timeout

cuLture entertainmentnews + opinion contents

verbnews.comverbnews.comLocaL editoriaL comments Q + a cover Food + drink Listingsmusic FiLm nightLiFe comics timeoutartscontents

4news + opinion

Continued on next page »

sept 7 – sept 13

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worKing togEthErhonor fight helps dispel myths surrounding mma and boxing. by adam haWboldt

oxer Blake McPhee isn’t smiling.Which is strange. Normal-

ly when you see the sandy-haired 18-year-old he’s sporting a big, toothy grin. Normally when you see McPhee, he’s in good spirits, quick to joke and quicker to laugh. But not at the moment.

Right now, at 2:30pm on a sunny Saturday in mid-September, McPhee is quiet. In the middle of a cavern-ous hall at Prairieland Park, a crew of volunteers at Honor Fight: First Battle are putting the final touches on the ring where, in five hours time, McPhee will go toe-to-toe with Edmonton’s Austin Grundner in an amateur boxing match.

For a minute, McPhee watches the crew as they work on the ring. He seems slightly amiss. Focused on the not-so-distant future.

Then, out of habit, McPhee starts bouncing back and forth on his toes. He quickly flicks out a jab, then a straight right, followed by a left hook,

before he pivots himself out of imagi-nary harm’s way.

And his coach, Cory Pye — owner and head trainer at Sweet Science Boxing in Fort McMurray — says, “Wait until you see him in there. He’s relaxed, he’s having fun, and man is he ever sharp!”

A few minutes later, McPhee disappears behind a black curtain for his medical and weigh-in. When they’re finished, he returns to where his coach and family are sitting. They ask how things went.

“Good,” he says. “The doctor asked me to walk on my toes and stuff.” McPhee stops and chuckles to himself. “I told him ‘No problem, doc. I can walk on my hands, too, if you want.’”

Then a smile creeps across his face, a big, toothy smile, and just like that McPhee is his old, relaxed self again. Laughing, joking, shadow box-ing in spurts. It’s just another average day at the office for the young pugilist.

But this event he’s boxing at, Honor Fight: it isn’t your average fight card. Not even close.

Ask a casual fight fan what they like best, boxing or MMA, and chances are you’ll get a very distinct and divisive answer.

Some will say boxing; the major-ity will say MMA. But very few will tell you, “I love both sports.” And among casual fight fans, that’s just the way it is.

See, at the highest level, MMA and boxing promoters aren’t exactly sworn enemies, but they aren’t ex-actly friends, either. From card to card, event to event, they’re con-stantly trying to outdo one another, win over more fans than the other, and sell more tickets. It’s the kind of multi-million dollar pissing contest that breeds deep and direct competi-tion. Even contempt at times.

It’s also the kind of pissing contest that fuels media speculation. On

B

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LocaL editoriaL comments Q + a cover Food + drink Listingsmusic FiLm nightLiFe comics timeoutartscontents

5news + opinion@verbsaskatoon

sept 7 – sept 13

reputable sports websites, in main-stream magazines, wherever you look you’ll see headlines like “The Great Debate: MMA vs. Boxing” or “MMA vs. Boxing: Why MMA Will Win the Battle in the 21st Century.”

The thing is, this great debate, this direct competition, it really only exists at the highest levels and amongst the fans. For the fighters, especially the amateur ones, things are different.

Everywhere else, in gyms all around the country, from Saskatche-wan to Nova Scotia to BC, boxers and MMA fighters are beginning to work together to help foster and grow their respective sports.

“We’re all on the same wave-length,” says Dave Mah, owner of Way of the Dragon in Saskatoon.

That’s part of the reason why Mah worked so diligently to put on the Honor Fight: First Battle fight card. He wanted to give boxers and MMA fighters, even the guys who do muay Thai, an opportunity to showcase their skills at the same venue on the same night.

“I’ve always wanted to do something like this, a combo card,” explains Mah. “You just don’t see something like this a lot. All you ever see is MMA shows with only MMA

fighters. And the boxing guys doing their own shows. So I wanted to put them all together.”

And while the fight card may be a new concept, Mah should rest easy knowing the diversity of his card is a step in the right direction. A bold,

co-operative, inclusive direction that, if fostered, may help dispel the myth that mixed martial arts and boxing are sworn enemies.

It may also help amateur boxers like McPhee get more fights.

In the red dressing room, after his bout, Blake McPhee is smiling again. Sweating and red-faced, he poses for photos with trophy and plaque in hand (he beat Grundner via unani-mous decision).

Mixed martial artists and muay Thai fighters pace the room around him, wrapping their hands, stretch-

ing, going through their respective warm-up routines.

For McPhee, this is the first time he’s ever fought on a card with all these different disciplines. But that’s not to say that he’s a stranger to the MMA scene.

Back in Fort McMurray, McPhee and the rest of the SSB team train side-by-side with mixed martial art-ists from the Gracie Barra gym.

For Pye, who is currently working with four or five of the Gracie Barra fighters, things couldn’t be better.

“I believe we’re better off working together,” says Pye.

And so do a lot of other people out there.

You just don’t sees something like this a lot … I wanted to put them all together.

dave mah

sweet science boxing coach cory pye gives boxer blake mcphee advice between rounds. Photos courtesy of adam haWboldt / verb magaZine

@Adamhawboldt

[email protected]

Feedback? text it! (306) 881 8372


6news + opinion


sept 7 – sept 13

hen David Carr, writing in the New York Times, sug-

gested that Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, “by bolting together social network-ing applications under the banner of a movement … created an unforeseen force to raise money, organize locally, fight smear campaigns, and get out the vote,” he legitimized as a politi-cal tool what had previously been simple entertainment.

Today, social media is every-where. Twitter has about half a billion users worldwide and is seen as a tool for igniting revolutions, af-fecting election results, and changing the way the press operates. Virtually every public figure has a Twitter account; politicians are connected to their constituents in a way that

transcends political advertising. This is true on the national, provincial, and municipal levels.

On October 24, Regina and Sas-katoon will elect a new crop of civic politicians. Most of the candidates are using Twitter to some degree; to some, new media is the corner-stone of their campaign. It remains unclear, however, what role online tools can play in an arena dominated by shaken hands and kissed babies. Some candidates use it without reser-vation; others hedge their bets. In the upcoming election, the two sides of Twitter are becoming clear.

“I think people can be a little over-simplistic about the power of social media in politics,” Mairin Loewen says. Last year, Loewen won a hotly-contested by-election at the age of 27. Now, she is campaigning to keep her seat on Saskatoon’s city council.

“I’ve had a lot of people ask about how we used social media to win the by-election, and I find that kind of amusing,” she continues. “I think if you were to track voter turnout, you’d find that social media played a relatively minor role, and yet lots of people framed it as the reason why I won. I think that is misleading.”

Like many members of her generation, Loewen is active on Twitter, but she sees the service as a tool for communication, not persuasion. In practice, this means “blasting information out” — reports of snarled traffic, closed bridges, and looming council decisions. “To a certain extent, you are preaching to the choir with Twitter,” she says. “You are reaching people who are already engaged and aware,”

On the other hand, Loewen is unwilling to rule out anything. “It

LocaLLocaL

Photo: courtesy of aannette shaff / shutterstock

A BLESSing or A curSE?the two sides of twitter in municipal elections. by alex J macPherson

w


7news + opinionFacebook.com/verbnewssaskatoon

sept 7 – sept 13

@MacPhersonA

[email protected]


may be too early to tell,” she says. “I think the political campaigns that have been truly won or lost based on social media are still quite rare. It may be that in three year’s time we’ll be able to evaluate more clearly what this means.”

Tina Beaudry-Mellor disagrees. A University of Regina political scientist and candidate for Regina’s ward four seat, Beaudry-Mellor sees Twitter as more than a conduit for information: she thinks of it as a conversation, a way to build connec-tions with her potential constituents

and the foundation of any successful campaign. In practice, she explains, conversations humanize her. “I walk down through the same community park as most of the people in this area, with my dog and my kids fight-ing behind me,” she laughs. “If I la-ment about it on Twitter for a minute, somebody out there will maybe have a laugh. But they’ll remember: ‘Oh yeah, she is a human.’”

“I think you’re going to see, this year and beyond, Twitter become a way of harnessing votes,” she con-tinues. “The conversation I’m having with somebody on the doorstep? I’m also having that conversation on Twitter. And if somebody is actually having a conversation with you, the chances that they are going to vote are greater.”

Loewen and Beaudry-Mellor have different views on the efficacy of social media, but both concur that Twitter is not a suitable replacement for conventional campaign strate-gies — knocking on doors, delivering flyers, and meeting voters. Chad Novak, on the other hand, jettisoned convention for a campaign based almost exclusively on social media.

Running for mayor of Regina, Novak, a figure of some controversy, sees Twitter as an opportunity to reach young people, many of whom don’t vote.

Novak’s plan went badly wrong. His online presence was targeted by

numerous parody accounts, fake pro-files that attacked him. His apparent willingness to engage anonymous critics aggravated the situation. In July, Novak decided to quit. He cited “dirty politics” and says social media was a “big factor” in the decision.

“It became a lot more stressful than I needed it to be,” he says. “I was naïve in thinking I can actually help to change attitudes — but there was never an intent on their side to ever change an attitude.”

Now, Novak is back in the race. Since rejoining in September, Novak’s

Twitter feeds have become lightning rods for controversy.

“This time I’m much more pre-pared for it,” he says. “I’m not going to be throwing punches at anybody, but I will be returning them. That’s the big difference this time. When that dirt gets thrown at me, I will have no qualms about throwing it back at them, and it’s been quite evident on Twitter lately.”

Despite his misfortune online, Novak hasn’t changed his view of Twitter. He thinks online communi-cation is essential because it offers another way to engage with the vot-ing public, and a hassle-free way for concerned citizens to ask questions. “The main thing about social media is the fact that if one person is asking it, chances are fifty other people are thinking it, and that way it’s out there,” he adds.

Novak’s bad experiences under-score Kate McMillan’s view that, “for the politician, Twitter is a high-risk, low-reward investment.” McMil-lan, who writes and publishes the popular blog Small Dead Animals, thinks that Twitter is not worthwhile because the general public is “busy making a living.”

“The guy who’s engaged is the guy who has a problem on his street, in his business, with the city bureau-cracy,” she writes. “He’s not on Twitter. He’s grumbling to his neighbours.”

McMillan is also leery of the for-mat. At 140 characters apiece, tweets are devoid of context, she explains: “A clumsily worded tweet can be parsed or twisted into virtually anything the reader wants it to be, trapping the writer into defending it after the fact.”

Taron Cochrane, a social media specialist who lives in Regina, thinks Twitter can be important if used appropriately. People who use the social media site effectively let others know what their opinions are, what their goals are, and what they have accomplished, he explains.

“The one great thing about Twitter is that people are listening,” he says. “It’s not just a great tool for getting your voice out there; people do listen to what you’re saying.”

“I think you can really win over some hearts and minds just by conveying — positively and properly — what you’re trying to accomplish,” Cochrane adds. “Joe Strummer once said without people you’re nothing — and that’s true.”

As Saskatoon and Regina prepare to go to the polls, it’s plain that opin-ions are divided on the usefulness of new tools like Twitter. It may be a

major factor in the American political machine, and it may be an instigator in uprisings across the world, but it’s not at all clear how something as simple as Twitter will affect a municipal election.

But each time ballots are counted, in Saskatchewan or across the world, another piece of the puzzle will fall into place.

The conversation I’m having … on the doorstep? I’m also having [it] on Twitter.

tina beaudry-mellor


8LocaL editoriaL comments Q + a cover Food + drink Listingsmusic FiLm nightLiFe comics timeoutartscontentsnews + opinion

editoriaL

sept 7 – sept 13

editoriaL

our two cEntSWe think a penny tax isn’t a solution at all. by the editors of verb

h ave you heard the re-cent rumblings about this so-called

“penny tax?”If not, here’s the deal: in an at-

tempt to figure out how to pay for the growing construction needs in Saskatchewan cities, some bright and brilliant minds have suggested that maybe we should implement a penny tax to help solve our urban infrastructure problems.

For those who don’t know, a penny tax is a voter-approved tax where one percentage point would be tacked on to the GST in our own municipality. Then that extra revenue would go towards building specific infrastructure projects that would be announced in advance, and would be subject, if necessary, to approval via voter referendum.

So far, even though there has been no official proposal, the penny tax has its supporters. People like Este-van mayor Gary St. Onge and Casey Vander Ploeg from a think tank called the Canada West Foundation

have voiced support for the idea. But we disagree.

First of all, the name is far too misleading. Too bad a one percentage increase on the GST is vastly more than one penny.

But that’s just semantics. The real issue here is that we, as Cana-dians and Saskatchewanians, are taxed enough as it is. Please don’t misunderstand what we’re saying here. This isn’t one of those “tax-is-a-dirty-word” arguments. Nor is it a “more-taxes-are-bad-for-business” argument. No, this is more of a “spend what you already have more wisely” plea.

Next year in Regina we will already have the new Stadium Tax, as well as increases in water and sewage rates, and a few more hikes to deal with. In Saskatoon, property taxes increased approximately 2.15 percent in 2012, and municipal tax increased by four percent.

Put those on top of all the other taxes we pay as citizens of this won-derful land, and it’s clear we need

more taxes the way we need, say, another hike in gasoline prices.

What’s more, some people — us included — feel as though there’s a lot of factors that supporters of the penny tax aren’t considering. For instance, what if there’s a voter refer-endum on one of these infrastructure projects? Will that cost more money? And if so, where will the extra funds come from?

And speaking of money and where it will come from, tell us this: how would a municipality go about paying for the high administrative and compliance costs of a new tax like this?

Oh, the questions — there are so many. But the main one should be, “why are some politicians and bureaucrats so quick to reach into taxpayers’ pockets? Why can’t they be more concerned in how to use the copious amounts of taxes we already give them in an efficient, effective way?”

Okay, so maybe that’s two ques-tions — but you get the point.

Photo: courtesy of malstad


10LocaL editoriaL comments Q + a cover Food + drink Listingsmusic FiLm nightLiFe comics timeoutartscontentsnews + opinion

sept 7 – sept 13

text your thoughts to881 vErB8372

comments

I think it’s unreal in this age that churches still get tax breaks and I find it insulting that they build such obscenely decorated structures to help people. If your looking to help people any space will do, doesn’t have to out shine the next, I’m sure the amount put down on an over blown sanctuary could help tons of people in need. In this age of accepting all beliefs including no belief I don’t under-stand how their special treatment is justifiable.

– The Verb’s holy crap article could have been renamed. That’s very disrespectful.

– Once again the Verb sides with the secular (you were anti prayers at public events, I recall) and now you’re attacking the house of God. In this day and age, religion is be-coming the scapegoat for so many things,but people rarely move past criticizing faith to see the good it does for people. Why attack something that can bring so many positive things to people in need? What good are you doing?

– I think it’s ludicrous for an institution that pushes a political agenda to receive tax breaks. I am not personally of faith, but have no problem with those who are. What

I don’t like is, however indirectly, financially contributing to an orga-nization I otherwise wouldn’t. This needs to be addressed.

– Just curious: do the tax breaks apply only to certain religious groups, or are all institutions of faith granted the same reprieve?

– I find it appalling that in this ad-vanced age our government still

kowtows to the religious right. Oh wait: Harper isn’t exactly a bas-tion of forward thought. Guess I shouldn’t be surprised

oFF toPic

– so i recently picked up a copy of the “new” verb. ya NEVER again! u guys have totally switched ur paper to look like the metro. can u say COPY CATS @ verb?! it use to be a good read on the bus but

not anymore. ill stick to the metro from here on out! verb lost a loyal reader!

Comment in response to “Out with the old,”

Editorial page, #205 (August 31, 2012)

– The new verb sucks. I dont even pick them up barely anymore. Too many advertisements. Waaay too many. Just not enjoyable anymore.



on toPic: last week we asked what you thought about churches receiving tax breaks. here's what you had to say:


11LocaL editoriaL comments Q + a cover Food + drink Listingsmusic FiLm nightLiFe comics timeoutartscontents news + opinionFacebook.com/verbnewssaskatoon

sept 7 – sept 13

– Liking new Verb the design seems much cleaner and lighter than the old one, which always felt crowded to me. And for people freaking out over Sudoku, you know you can buy whole books of those at any convenience store, right. Lol ;) Comment in response to “Out with the old,”


– Oh verb Why change a good thing? New format an epic fail!



– YOUR NEW FORMAT FOR VERB MAGAZINE IS AWESOME ! KEEP SMILING !



– Dear Editor You should go back to the old style of Verb.. all this one has is advertising. And then that’s it. Wow! It really sucks. Sorry.



– Really interesting profile on Rebecca King. It’s fascinating to read about the growing fashion industry emerging out of the prai-ries. I hadn’t heard of the young lady before, but her clothes look absolutely stunning!

Comment in response to “On Aesthetics,”

Local page, #207 (September 14, 2012)

Sound-oFF

– Fact: Beyonce rules

– DAMN! 365 days in a year 52 weeks in a year 48 weekends 48 Saturday nights Dont Fk em up!!

– To the person who was looking for spray on cheese: I found some at Wal-Mart. The only thing is that this particular Wal-Mart is in Puerto Rico... !! <*Shar =Kitty*>

– Always thought i wanted a career turns out i just wanted paychecks _GDMJ_

– You were standup DOWNtown if your funeral party is mostly social workers cops street workers homeless peeps prostitutes and drug dealers.

– Cigarette butts drive me nuts!

Think of good thoughts about your used to be It’s 0ver G00D!!

– Have seen a few dogs running free in the northwest part of the city. Please please please be care-ful with your puppies, and keep them properly contained!

– Hey did anyone missed Sudoku ;)

– LOL people losing it over Sudoku pretty hilarious!!!

– Do you have trouble findimg shoes for square feet ...?

– Aaaand the stress of school kicks in so we’re in the second week and I’m already freaking out how the f**k do peeps get thru this?

– Why would that person text in to see if you print verbatim? Of course you have to papers clearly can’t change the words of the reading public to suit their needs.

– The prairies in the fall are so beautiful. Seems like suddenly the trees have all changed colour. I love this season wish it would last longer though!

– Great biking weather out there Saskatoon! Not too hot and not too cold. Why not give your morning commute a try via bike instead of driving? Great for you and for the city! Happy trails :)

– I want u in my life again JD sad 2 get older without u in it.

– CFCR FMphasis on right now. Get out there and support your local community radio!

– Who reads this? Do you red this?

– Happy birthday to my true love, Jamie. You are amazing! Love PB

nExt wEEK: What do you think about the government taking more

money in the form of a penny tax, and putting it to-wards infrastructure? pick up a copy of verb to get in on the conversation:

We print your texts verbatim each week. Text in your thoughts and reactions to our stories and content, or anything else on your mind.


12cuLture

sept 7 – sept 13

d on Amero’s life reads like a storybook. A young aboriginal man

from Winnipeg’s troubled north end, Amero grew up surrounded by drugs and gangs, alcoholism and poverty. But rather than accept what appeared to be inevitable, Amero chose a different path. Today, he is touring his third full-length record, The Long Way Home, and preparing to release his fourth, Heart on My Sleeve. Although Am-ero started with stripped-down arrangements, his sound has evolved into a radio-friendly yet distinctive blend of folk and coun-try. A rising star in Winnipeg, he is now trying to spread his music across Western Canada — and, he hopes, the rest of North America. I caught up with Amero to talk about his current record, his upcoming record, and his home in one of the country’s most musical cities.

Alex J MacPherson: The Long Way Home covers a lot of ground, intellec-tually and emotionally. How do those themes relate to you and your story?

Don Amero: It’s one of the things I always say: I can’t really write a song unless I’ve experienced that

side of it. A lot of the songs on that album come from my experiences in life. It starts off with “Right Where I Want to Be” — it’s the grand spec-

trum of life, where I’m at with my wife and my son. Being in that right place. And then a song like “Dark Horse” speaks to someone who struggled with alcoholism. I haven’t necessarily struggled with that, but there are people in my life who have.

AJM: Your sound has evolved consid-erably over the past few years. What prompted the shift toward country-style songs and bigger, more ambitious arrangements?

DA: The Long Way Home came out in 2010, and I’d been working with pro-ducer Arun Chaturvedi and we felt

it was time to ramp things up and go — it’s a bad word in certain circles — more commercial-friendly. It just sort of evolved that way. It wasn’t like I set out to be a country artist; it was just that the songs that were being put out tended to have that flavour.

AJM: Did you ever expect you’d be this far along when you quit your job to pursue music full-time?

DA: I hoped I would. I didn’t think that I would. I’m a dreamer — I sort of

feel like you can do anything if you put your mind to it. That mindset re-ally pushed me to this place, but at the same time, it’s somewhat like buying a lottery ticket. You don’t know; you just throw it out there and see what happens. It’s a gift to me that I’ve been able to do this for five years.

AJM: What do you think has kept you going when so many other people have failed?

DA: Well, five years is not a ton of time. I don’t feel like I’ve hit a major stride. For me, it’s just about time. I feel like there are not a lot of friends

of mine in the business who have taken the business side seriously. Early on, I realized this really is a business and if I’m going to succeed I need to treat it as such.

AJM: So much great music comes from Winnipeg. What does the city mean to you?

DA: I’m reading Randy Bachman’s Vinyl Tap Stories. I’m reading his story and it’s interesting because the Guess Who and BTO — where

Canadian music really hit its stride was out of Winnipeg with guys like him and Neil Young. But Bachman is getting the sense that he was the first guy to be a band breaking out of Winnipeg. That allowed for this to become a hotbed of music. There’s tons of music here and I just feel that it becomes a community of people that just get it.

Don Amero sept 28 & 29 @ breakout Westticket info & more @ breakoutwest.ca

Photos: courtesy of the artist

It’s a gift to me that I’ve been able to do this for five years.

don amero

Long wAy hoMEdon amero finds his way. by alex J macPherson

Q + a


@MacPhersonA

[email protected]


13cuLture@verbsaskatoon

sept 7 – sept 13

@MacPhersonA

[email protected]


PrEMiErdr. booze and saskatoon’s biggest wine festival. by aLex J macpherson

rococodEvancouver four-piece reinvents pop. in a good way. by aLex J macpherson

F or six decades, pop music has been examined and

probed, prodded and dissected. Critics, journalists, and people who buy records all want to know what, exactly, pop music is; to date, no one has come close to providing a universally acceptable definition. I’m not even going to try — but Andrew Braun will.

“To me, it’s anything that’s fol-lowing in the vein of the Beatles song format — verse, chorus, verse, bridge — and has some element of catchiness,” says Braun, one fourth of the Vancouver-based pop sensation Rococode. “And the things people can latch on to fairly easily. One of our main musical goals is to achieve those in an interesting way or a way that isn’t overly obvious.”

In other words? “Mess them up,” Braun laughs.

Rococode’s debut, the ironically-titled Guns, Sex & Glory, could become the quintessential pop record for a new generation. Although Braun and Laura Smith, the band’s other princi-pal songwriter, tend to produce songs

with simple structures and defined elements, they’ve twisted what would otherwise be straightforward pop songs into offbeat, high-energy ragers.

Equal parts indie rock and electro pop, a nod to convention and a step into the unknown, the songs that make up the album reflect the duality that is at the heart of Rococode.

“That sort of ties back into the band name,” Braun says, pointing out that Rococode is a portmanteau of rococo and code. “Which is something we try to play off — a lot of opposing issues and ideas.” This is important, because while it’s easy to dismiss Ro-cocode as just another pop band, their songs address complicated, universal issues without cliché or superficiality. Just as the band’s ideas are grounded by duality — “weird sounding lyrics over a little ditty,” Braun says — their music is like an echo chamber.

Take “Empire.” Braun says it is the simplest song on the record, and he’s right. Sort of. Built around an infec-tious chorus, the song has been trans-formed — by inspired performances and first-rate production — into a

catchy yet multifaceted pop song. “I want to love you like an empire,” Smith sings, the music cascading into a rising tower of sound behind her, raising serious questions about the world without sacrificing a terrific pop song.

And even though I didn’t know quite what to think after hearing Guns, Sex & Glory, I knew what pop music could be. And I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

Rococodeoctober 2 @ amigos cantina tickets available at the door

onestly, the best advice I can give you — which no-

body much follows — is to spit,” James Romanow laughs. “I’m not kidding you.”

Romanow, known to his fans as Dr. Booze, is a local wine expert, a connoisseur of fine wines and spirits. Every year in September he spends four days at Premier, one of the province’s preeminent fine wine, spirits and food festivals. Romanow, who writes an alcohol column for the StarPhoenix, sees the event as an op-portunity to look for new trends and try new products.

“I particularly like the fact they bring in some wines that really aren’t going to be widely distributed,” he says. “There’s always a few of those

kicking around, and it’s a chance to drink things outside what you nor-mally find, which is the whole point of these events.”

Pointing out that even the most expensive wines at the show sell for considerably less than a bottle, Ro-manow explains that Premier offers people a chance to sample products without taking a big risk. The event also highlights trends in the industry.

“Two years ago pomegranate vodka was all the rage,” he says. “You realize that the first time you run into a pomegranate vodka at the show; you go, ‘that’s interesting.’ When you run into four down one aisle, you realize this is just a [trend] for the moment.”

This year, Romanow is interested

in Australian wines. Explaining that Australian wines appear to be in a five-year quality cycle, he says the last peak happened about half a decade ago.

“I thought they were pretty go-dawful for most of that five years, but I’ve been trying them again recently and I think they’re trying to make a comeback,” he adds.

Romanow has plenty of advice for people who are unfamiliar with the wine industry. “You shouldn’t be intimidated,” he says. “Remember, you’re the person with the money. You’re the person they want, you’re the person they need, and it’s all up to you. You needn’t be intimidated!”

And as for spitting? “I don’t know anybody who comes out of there

without being at least mildly con-fused,” Romanow laughs.

Premier Wine Festseptember 27-29 @ tcu Place$28+ @ tcu box office

h

arts

Photos: courtesy of robyn Jamieson


14cuLture


sept 7 – sept 13

ong before most bands record an album, issue a single, or even play

a show, they dream of breaking into the United States. This is the holy grail for Canadian bands, the moment when success at home is eclipsed by international fame. It is a moment plenty of artists never get to experience; for Bend Sinister, a rock band from Vancou-ver, it is happening right now.

“I always say I never have any expectations with the music industry because it’s such an evil and fickle thing,” Dan Moxon, the band’s long-haired and heavily-bearded front-man, laughs when asked about play-ing south of the border. “So as long as we’ve got a team around us that’s helping out and as long as people want us to keep playing shows, I’ll keep doing it.”

Moxon, who is extremely modest, underestimates his band’s potential for success. In reality, Bend Sinister are one of the best rock bands work-ing in Canada. Their latest album, Small Fame, was released in July.

It is their best effort to date and it marks the culmination of more than a decade in the trenches — long days and late nights spent playing chaotic shows for gangs of rowdy college students. Now, Moxon and his band-mates are gearing up for another jaunt across Canada before taking the plunge below the 49th parallel.

Bend Sinister are a difficult band to classify, something Moxon is quick to acknowledge. “When I describe Bend Sinister, the first thing that comes up is the name,” he says, his naturally high voice wavering. “Often, some people find it doesn’t represent the music, because it sounds like it could be a metal band. I say we’re sort of an indie rock band that’s somewhat classically influenced, or classic rock-influenced, but with a more modern sound.”

That modern sound is largely a result of instrumentation. Moxon is a piano player; using a wide array of synthesizers and effects, he creates a lush soundscape reminiscent of

the electric pianos used on some of the biggest songs from the 1970s. Think of the Guess Who’s massive hit “These Eyes,” a song which Bend Sinister covered several years ago.

But the real key to Bend Sinister’s sound is the way Moxon balances his buoyant synthesizer lines against the harder edge provided by bassist Matt Rhode, guitarist Joseph Blood, and drummer Jason Dana. Unlike Moxon, whose pop sensibilities land him somewhere in the Motown era, Dana, Blood, and Rhode are rockers: their influence transforms Bend Sinister from a contemporary R&B revival into something inde-scribably modern.

This balance is what makes Small Fame such a strong record. From “She Don’t Give It Up,” a straightforward piano-driven rocker, to “Quest For Love,” which sounds like Brian Eno making babies with Iron Maiden, Small Fame is a dynamic record full of surprises. Unlike the band’s previ-ous efforts, which rarely strayed far from the rock-infused pop archetype, Small Fame covers a lot of ground.

Photo: courtesy of michael halsband

L

SMALL FAMEbend sinister make it big. by alex J macPherson

cover


15cuLtureFacebook.com/verbnewssaskatoon

sept 7 – sept 13

@MacPhersonA

[email protected]


This is because Bend Sinister are beginning to work as a single, cohesive unit.

“Whereas in the past I’ve written a lot of songs by myself on piano first, and then brought them to the band, I think the next record will be a joint venture,” Moxon says, adding that he mines everything from classical and jazz to rock and heavy metal for inspiration. “That’s what we did with Small Fame and I think it really helps showcase everybody’s abilities and talents. Basically, if I were to keep writing, I’m sliding in the direction of Motown — a little more laid-back, stripped down — whereas Bend Sin-ister just screams 70s rock and roll.”

Nowhere is this more evident than on the album’s centrepiece, the pairing of “Hot Blooded Man” and “Black Magic Woman.” The former is a raucous, searing rock song, the latter a moody ballad best heard with the consciousness-expanding influ-ence of a late-night jazz cigarette. Together, these songs capture the breadth of what Bend Sinister can accomplish. “We play those togeth-er,” Moxon says. “It’s a really good dynamic changeover: one about hot blooded men and one about evil women, one slow and one crazy fast and chaotic.”

This epic ten-minute romp through the history of rock and pop encapsulates the band’s musical vision — the seamless fusion of disparate influences. But it’s also a roadmap, a glimpse of what the future holds for one of the brightest lights in Canadian music.

Today, that future is starting to become clear. After a stint in Canada

this fall, Moxon, Rhode, Blood, and Dana will be taking their show south of the border. Moxon is understand-ably concerned. “If you’ve got a unique sound and you’re not lumped in with a group of bands or other people doing the same thing down there, it’s harder to find where you fit into things,” he says. “Are we a heavy rock band? Are we a pop band?

What venues do we play? Some-times, it’s confusing.”

Although the band’s distinctive sound could be a liability in the Unit-ed States, it could also be an asset.

Pointing out that the songs on Small Fame have been tested on the road since 2010, Moxon says the band is tighter than ever before. “It gives us the ability to put on a very energetic live, loud show,” he explains. “We often get noted for being one of the louder bands out there, which can sometimes be a curse if a place is small, but we try to put on a stadium-

style show. We love what we do and I think it shows when you see it live.”

More importantly, he continues, “There are no big blowouts on tour.” Bands are notoriously volatile. Disas-

ters result when creative sensibilities clash and personal rivalries poison relationships. Moxon, however, is confident that Bend Sinister won’t fall victim to the classic rock and roll implosion. “There are always little things here and there but I think everybody’s keen and everybody’s doing things to promote the record and work for the band,” he says. “I

think it’s the right group of guys to make a go of it.”

Bend Sinister are in an interesting po-sition. Popular in Canada and unknown in the US, their tour offers a chance to carve a new path for themselves.

“Maybe twenty years down the line people will say, ‘Wow! That band was ahead of their time but they didn’t get the recognition they de-served!’” Moxon says. “Maybe we’re starting something where we can be on the forefront of a new sound.”

Maybe he doesn’t realize it, but they already are.

Bend Sinisterseptember 28 @ amigos cantina$5 @ the door

Photo: courtesy of the artist

Maybe we’re starting something where we can be on the forefront of a new sound.

dan moxonPhoto: courtesy of candice Webster


16cuLture

sept 7 – sept 13

t

[The] wings come out piping hot…

adam haWboldt

here’s something special about having a beer and playing a game of pool

by yourself at 11am in a nearly empty brew pub.

In the background, Kenny Log-gins’ “Highway to the Danger Zone” is playing. It’s a good song, no doubt about it. But at this hour of the day, when you’re feeling this good some-thing more relaxed, like, say, Bob Marley, would be a bit more appro-priate. No matter.

The music is good, the beer is crisp and Clark’s Crossing Brew Pub — located just off 22nd West on Diefenbaker Drive — is a cozy place to toss back a pint before lunch.

It’s also a good place to sink your teeth into some delectable pub grub.

At the far end of the pool room, on a wall next to a dart board, hangs a chalkboard. In big, bright, colour-ful letters it reads: SPECIALS after 5:00pm: Tuesday — 25¢ a wing; Wednesday —Ribs $4.75 a basket, and Thursday — 2 topping pizza $8.00.

There’s also a burger with beer special for $8.25 on Fridays that isn’t on the sign.

But today is Wednesday. And even though the rib deal sounds

appetizing, it’s well before 5pm, so I figure it’s best for me to go with something different.

I look past the chalkboard down to a poster of Mario Lemieux playing for Team Canada and think, what would Mario order? When I realize he’d probably just have a cigarette, I change tack and talk to the owner.

Her name is Georgina. She’s a small, affable woman who has owned Clark’s for the past nine years, though it’s been open for over 20.

Georgina says, “How about we bring out the steak sandwich, some chicken wings and a burger?”

Sounds about right to me.By the time I finish my game of

pool and polish off what’s left of my pint, Georgina is setting the food down on the table.

The steak sandwich arrives open-faced on garlic bread, and topped with thick onion rings to give it a

bunch of different textures. It comes with homemade fries and a caesar salad, and the steak is cooked to a medium-rare perfection.

The chicken wings come out pip-ing hot, crispy and moist, and more than hit the spot.

Finally, there’s the burger, which comes in two parts. One has the patty and mayo; the other is piled high with tomatoes, lettuce and pick-les. When you put the two together it looks good, like a good ol’ down-home burger. And it tastes pretty darn good, too.

I wash the meal down with some more beer, this time a tester of the four beer made in-house. And then it’s time to get back to work.

On my way to the office, “Three Little Birds” actually comes on the ra-dio and you know for the rest of the day “everything’s gonna be alright.”

clark’s crossig brew Pub3030 diefenbaker drive | (306) 384 6633

Food + drink

LEt’S go drinKin’ vErB’S MixoLogy guidE

LuchAdor

Here in Canada, we have the caesar to help take the sting out of our early morning hangovers. South of the border, down in Mexico, this is their answer for the Sunday morning blues.

ingrEdiEntS

1 can pilsner-style Mexican beer 2 ounces Clamato juice 1 ounce lime juice 3 dashes hot sauce a pinch each of cumin seeds, freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt

dirEctionS

Keep a beer mug nice and frosty in your freezer. Pour beer into a frozen pint glass. Combine remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice. Shake vigorously, strain over beer, stir, and serve.

@Adamhawboldt

[email protected]


clark’s crossing serves up delectable pub grub. by adam haWboldt

down-hoME goodnESS

photography courtesy of adam hawboldt.


17cuLture@verbsaskatoon

sept 7 – sept 13

music

Photos courtesy of: the artist / the artist / Justin broadbent

Coming upnext Week

AndErSon BurKo

In 2011, this local duo released their album Mitch’s Garage, and by all accounts it was one heckuva folks-root record. With songs about broken hearts, bumbling lovers and prairie lives, the album was criti-cally acclaimed and showed a real maturation in the duo’s sound. The two frontmen are Roy Anderson and Darrell Burko, but they’re not alone. Joined by Daryl Pierce, Mike Pierce, George Schumacher, Jody Giesbrecht, Randy Woods and Don Griffith, Anderson Burko puts on a show you don’t want to miss. With a ton of instruments, a briefcase full of original songs and an engaging, entertaining command of the stage, this local act puts on a terrific show. Head down to The Bassment and check ‘em out next week.

@ the bassment september 28 – $ 12/16

It’s been quite a year for Kath-leen Edwards. On January 17th, the songstress from Ottawa released her fourth album, Voyageur. Just so happens that on that very same day Edwards also appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, singing a rendition of her song “Change the Sheets.” There’s little doubt things have been moving in the right direc-tion for this rising alt-country/folk star. In fact, some people consider Edwards to be alt-country’s new “It” girl. And who can blame them? Edwards’ songs are intimate, engag-ing and bittersweet, her voice is tender and seductive, and her stage presence is warm and charming. She kicked off her cross-Canada tour last week, and will be in Saskatoon at the beginning of October.

KAthLEEn EdwArdS

How are you spending the autumn months? Well, if you were a member of the indie rock band The Wooden Sky, you’d be traveling from Amsterdam to Vienna to London, from New York to Los Angeles to Montreal, and everywhere in between, playing gigs and rocking the hell out of audiences. After a busy summer of Festival touring, the Toronto-based band wasted no time in getting on the road again, heading overseas last week to start a month-long European tour alongside Evening Hymns. From there they head straight back to North America and continue their tour. The Wooden Sky will be rolling into Saskatoon mid-November, bringing their terrific country-folk/indie-rock sound to the prairies. Don’t miss it.

– by adam hawboldt

thE woodEn SKy

@ broadWay theatreoctober 1 – sold out

@the bassmentnovember 24 – $ 17/22

SASK MuSic PrEviEwAn artist on the rise, Zachary Lucky had accomplished more by the time he was in his early twenties than most. This Sas-katchewanian has toured the continent several times, released a handful of critically acclaimed albums, and now you can see him perform September 28 & 29 at BreakOut West in Regina. See breakoutwest.ca for show times and locations.

keep up with saskatchewan music. saskmusic.org

verbnews.comverbnews.comcontents LocaL editoriaL comments Q + a cover Food + drink Listingsmusic FiLm nightLiFe comics timeoutarts

18entertainment


sept 7 – sept 13

The most complete live music listings for Saskatoon.

SEPtEMBEr 21 » SEPtEMBEr 29

Listings

21 22

28 2926 2724 2523

S M t w t

FridAy 21houSE DJS / 6Twelve Lounge — Funk,

soul & lounge DJs liven up the atmo-

sphere at 6Twelve. 9pm / No cover

ShootiNg guNS, Foggy NotioNS / Ami-

gos Cantina — Come check out the CFCR

FM-Phasis Show. 10pm / Cover $5.

PiaNo FRiDayS: MaRtiN JaNovSky / The Bassment — Feel like taking in some

smooth jazz stylings? Come check out PH

tickle the ivories of the Kinsman Yamaha

S6 grand piano. 4:30pm / No cover

RootS SERiES: Jay SEMko / The

Bassment — Known as the singer/song-

writer/bassist for the Northern Pikes, this

multi-talented musician puts on quite a

show. 9pm / Cover $15/20

auStEN RoaDz / Béily’s UltraLounge

— With over 25 years of DJ experience,

Austen Roadz throws down a high-ener-

gy top 40 dance party every Friday night.

9pm / $5 cover

goNg Show / Buds on Broadway —

Come and enjoy one of Saskatoon’s

premier party bands. These guys play

hits from the past three decades while

filling the dead air with a wicked sense

of humor. 9pm / Cover $6

DEvoN CoyotE / The Fez — A singer/

songwriter from B.C. who puts on ener-

getic foot-stomping shows. 9pm /

Cover TBD

DJ EClECtiC / The Hose & Hydrant —

Local turntable whiz DJ Eclectic pumps

snappy electronic beats. 8pm / No cover

DJ SugaR DaDDy / Jax Niteclub — Able

to rock any party, this local crowd fa-

vourite has always been known to break

the latest and greatest tracks in multiple

genres. He’s sure to have you on the

dance floor in no time. 9pm / $5 cover

DJ Big ayyy & DJ hENChMaN / Outlaws

Country Rock Bar — Round up your

friends. 8pm / $5; ladies in free before

11pm

Caila EllERMaN / Prairie Ink — Come

check out the debut performance of this

fresh local talent. 8pm / No cover

kElly REaD & wE’RE thoRRy / Some-

where Else Pub — A night of sweet local

music. No cover. 9pm / No cover

thE NightRaiN / Spadina Freehouse —

Come check out this local Guns N’ Roses

tribute band. 8pm / No cover

liFtED / Lydia’s Pub — Come check out

some hot local DJs. 9pm / Cover $5

DuEliNg PiaNoS / Staqatto Piano Lounge

— Terry Hoknes, Neil Currie and Brad

King belt out classic tunes and audience

requests, from Sinatra to Lady Gaga.

10pm / $5

SAturdAy 22houSE DJS / 6Twelve — Resident DJs

spin deep and soulful tunes all night.

9pm / No cover

QuaDRaNt khaNt, DiSlExik, FoRM, ECo-NoMiCS / Amigos Cantina — Four solid

acts, one great price. 10pm / Cover $5

thE NEil CuRRiE QuaRtEt with gilliaN SNiDER / The Bassment — Singer/pianist

Neil Currie along with vocalist Gillian

Snider treat the audience to some slick

jazz standards. 9pm / $12/$16



Austen Roadz throws down a high-

energy top 40 dance party along with DJ

CTRL every Saturday night. 9pm /

$5 cover

goNg Show / Buds on Broadway —

Come and enjoy one of Saskatoon’s

premier party bands. These guys play

hits from the past three decades while

filling the dead air with a wicked sense

of humor. 9pm / Cover $6

PaNDaS iN JaPaN, SoNS aMoNgSt MothERS, RoRy BoREaliS & thE NoRth-ERN lightS, SoFt CottoN / The Fez —

With this many talented acts, how could

this show be anything but awesome?

9pm / Cover TBD

DJ kaDE / The Hose & Hydrant — Saska-

toon’s own DJ lights it up with hot tunes.

8pm / No cover







all Night gala / Joos Yoga Studio —

Joos’ grand opening will feature The

Gaff, Wooden Reverie and We Were Lov-

ers. 8pm / see www.joos.ca for

ticket information

hEy oCEaN! / Louis — A pop-funk trio

from Vancouver that they live up to ev-

ery last bit of the hype they’ve received

lately. 8pm / $17.50 (Ticketmaster)


some hot local DJs. 9pm / Cover $5

DaN SillJER BaND / Lydia’s Pub — From

Regina, this left-handed guitarist and his

band will knock (and rock) your socks

off. 9pm / Cover $5

thE StEaDiES / The Odeon Events Centre

— Formerly known as Mobadass, this

local funky as all get out of here. 8:30pm

/ Tickets $15



friends ‘cause there’s no better country

rock party around. 8pm / $5

PEtER aBoNyi / Prairie Ink — Come out

for a night of world/jazz music. 8pm /

No cover

kElly REaD & wE’RE thoRRy / Some-

where Else Pub — A night of sweet local

music. No cover. 9pm / No cover

ChaRly huStlE / Spandina Freehouse

— A local DJ that knows how to get your

head bobbing and your feet moving. 8pm

/ No cover

DoN aNaQuoaD / Stan’s Place — Come

check out this local talent do his thing.

9pm / No cover





10pm / $5

SundAy 23iNDuStRy Night / Béily’s UltraLounge —

Hosted by DJ Sugar Daddy this will be a

great night of music! 9pm / $4; no cover

for industry staff

JohNNy laNg, BuDDy guy / Credit

Union Centre — Lang is a grizzled, wildly

talented bluesman who toured with the

likes of the Rolling Stones and Aeros-

mith. Guy is Lang’s mentor. He’s also

a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of

Fame, and his guitar playing influenced

the likes of Jimmy Hendrix and Eric

Clapton. 7:30pm / Tickets $59.50–69.50

(www.ticketmaster.ca)


toon DJ lights it up with hot tunes. 8pm

/ No cover

SuNDay JaM / Vangelis Tavern — The

Vangelis Sunday Jam is an institution, of-

fering great tunes from blues to rock and

beyond. 7:30pm / No cover

MondAy 24Big DavE MClEaN / Buds on Broadway

— One of Canada’s definitive bluesman,

this musician from Yorkton combines

his gravelly vocals with masterful guitar.

10pm / Cover $6

contents LocaL editoriaL comments Q + a cover Food + drink Listingsmusic FiLm nightLiFe comics timeoutarts

19entertainmentFacebook.com/verbnewssaskatoon

sept 7 – sept 13

Have a live show you'd like to promote? Let us know!

gEt LiStEd

[email protected]

MEtal MoNDayS / Lydia’s Pub — If hard,

heavy awesomeness is your thing, swing

by, listen to some killer music and get in

on some concert giveaways. 9pm

tuESdAy 25Big DavE MClEaN / Buds on Broadway



his gravelly vocals with masterful guitar

playing to put on a show you won’t soon

forget. 10pm / Cover $6

DJ SugaR DaDDy / The Double Deuce

— Able to rock any party, this crowd fa-



genres. 9:30pm / $4 cover

vERB PRESENtS oPEN StagE / Lydia’s

Pub — The open stage at Lydia’s has

hosted many of Saskatoon’s finest per-

formers, and is a chance for bands, solo

artists and even comedians to showcase

original material. 9pm / No cover

oPEN MiC / The Somewhere Else Pub —

Come out to show your talent. 7pm /

No cover

wEdnESdAy 26huMP wEDNESDayS / 302 Lounge & Dis-

cotheque — Resident DJ Chris Knorr will

be spinning all of your favourite songs

and requests, every Wednesday night.

9pm / No cover until 10pm; $3 thereafter

Big DavE MClEaN / Buds on Broadway



his gravelly vocals with masterful guitar

playing to put on a show you won’t soon

forget. 10pm / Cover $6

thE avENuE RECoRDiNg CoMPaNy PRESENtS oPEN MiC / The Fez on Broad-

way — Hosted by Chad Reynolds. Sign

up and play at this weekly event. 10pm

/ No cover



/ No cover

DR. J ‘SoulED out’ / Lydia’s Pub — Dr. J

spins hot funk and soul every Wednes-

day night. 9pm / No cover

wilD wESt wEDNESDay / Outlaws

Country Rock Bar — This is Saskatoon’s

top industry night, hosted by DJ Big

Ayyy & DJ Henchman. 9pm / $4; no

cover for industry staff





10pm / No cover

thurSdAy 27guitaR SERiES: DoN RoSS with guESt BRookE MillER / The Bassment — Ross

is a two-time US National Fingerstyle

Guitar Champion; Miller is a talent from

Halifax. Together they’ll put on one

heckuva show. 8pm / Cover $20/25

thRowBaCk thuRSDayS / Earls — Come

experience the best in retro funk, soul,

reggae and rock provided by Dr. J. 8pm /

No cover

thuNDER Riot w/CoNky ShowPoNy / The Fez on Broadway — Come dance the

night away as this local DJ plays the kind

of music that’ll get your feet moving.

9pm / $5



/ No cover

DJ SugaR DaDDy / Jax Niteclub — Local

DJ Sugar Daddy will be rocking the turn-

tables to get you dancing on the dance

floor! Every Thursday night will

be filled with passion parties, pole danc-

ing, shadow dancers and much more!

8pm / $5; free cover with student ID

before 11pm

FridAy 28houSE DJS / 6Twelve Lounge — Funk,

soul & lounge DJs liven up the atmo-

sphere at 6Twelve. 9pm / No cover

thE MoaS, BEND SiNiStER, PaNDaS iN JaPaN / Amigos Cantina — Come on

down and check out three awesome acts

perform at the CFCR-FM Phasis Show.

10pm / Cover $5

PiaNo FRiDayS: MaRtiN JaNovSky / The Bassment — Feel like taking in some

smooth jazz stylings? Come check out PH

tickle the ivories of the Kinsman Yamaha

S6 grand piano. 4:30pm / No cover

RoCk & BluES SERiES: aNDERSoN BuRko / The Bassment — With a stage

full of instruments, a briefcase full of

original songs and an engaging, enter-

taining command of the stage, this local

act puts on a terrific show. 9pm /

Cover $12/16



Austen Roadz throws down a high-ener-

gy top 40 dance party every Friday night.

9pm / $5 cover

RuSh / Credit Union Centre -The Beatles

and the Rolling Stones are the only two

rock bands to have more consecutive

gold/platinum studio albums than these

guys. Trust us — you won’t want to miss

this show! 7:30pm / Tickets $40.25–117

(www.ticketmaster.ca)

CaPitoliNE ESCaPE, thRESh / The Fez

— Two solid acts, one great show. Come

check it out. 9pm / Cover $5

DJ EClECtiC / The Hose & Hydrant —

Local turntable whiz DJ Eclectic pumps

snappy electronic beats. 8pm / No cover










rock party around. 8pm / $5; ladies in

free before 11pm

iaN MaRtENS / Prairie Ink — Come out

and listen to some excellent acoustic

folk/rock. 8pm / No cover

ElviS Show aND DaNCE, with SPECial guESt ENglaND / Royal Canadian Le-

gion, Nutana branch — Come out to take

a step back into the past with the King.

8:30pm / $10 in advance, tickets avail-

able at McNally Robinson bookstore or

the Legion.

EaRNESt ERNiE’S PaN FRiED BluES / Somewhere Else Pub — Come out and

enjoy some low-down blues jams. 9pm /

No cover

RoB tuRNER / Stan’s Place — Come out

for a night of good, down-home local

music. 9pm / No cover




requests,from Sinatra to Lady Gaga.

10pm / $5

SAturdAy 29houSE DJS / 6Twelve — Resident DJs

spin deep and soulful tunes all night.

9pm / No cover

SavS, thE wizaRDS, PEaRSoN / Amigos

Cantina — Three sound acts take to the

stage for the CFCR FM-Phasis show.

Come down and support your local com-

munity radio! 10pm / Cover $5

guitaR SERiES: thE thREE guitaRiStS / The Bassment — Featuring Kris Craig,

Richard Haubrich and Rich McFarlane,

this show threatens to be all kinds of

good. 9pm / $12/$16



Austen Roadz throws down a high-

energy top 40 dance party along with DJ

CTRL every Saturday night. 9pm /

$5 cover


toon’s own DJ lights it up with hot tunes.

8pm / No cover







SEaN BuRNS tRio / Lydia’s Pub — With

a sound that echoes Blue Rodeo and Tom

Petty, this trio from Ontario play coun-

try/folk/roots music with style, and offer

up a live set that will have you dancing.

9pm / Cover $5


some dope local DJs and see what’s going

on in Saskatoon’s electronic music scene,

every Saturday. 9pm / Cover $5




rock party around. 8pm / $5

wayNE BaRgEN / Prairie Ink — A finger-

style acoustic guitar player with loads of

original songs. 8pm / No cover

EaRNESt ERNiE’S PaN FRiED BluES / Somewhere Else Pub — Come out and

enjoy some low-down blues jams. 9pm /

No cover

RoB tuRNER / Stan’s Place — Come out

for a night of good, down-home local

music. 9pm / No cover





10pm / $5 cover


20entertainment

sept 7 – sept 13

FiLm


@Adamhawboldt

[email protected]

emember in the David Ayer movie Train-ing Day, near the

end, when Denzel Washington’s character is surrounded by thugs and looks around and yells “King Kong ain’t got sh*t on me!”

Remember how it made your hair stand on end? Then and there you knew a reckoning was just around the corner?

Well, there’s no such line in Ayer’s new flick, End of Watch. No quip that will give you the shivers; nothing that will be instantly quot-able.

But it doesn’t matter, because End of Watch is still an excellent cop movie. In fact, it’s one of the best cop movies made in the last 10 years.Seriously. It’s that good.

Told over the course of a year or so, the movie follows the mean-dering lives of two beat cops. One of them, Mike Zavala (played by

Michael Peña) is a family man with a love of police work and quick, self-deprecating sense of humour.

The other, Brian Taylor (Jake Gyl-lenhaal), is a cocky ex-Marine with a shaved head and more than enough swagger to go around.

Together they patrol the mean streets of south Los Angeles, and

as they do the audience gets a real and gritty glimpse into the life of a cop in South Central. Just a series of vivid and visceral impressionistic sketches of real cops doing real things.

There are shootings that must be reported and justified to higher ups, there are drugged-up parents who beat their kids. There’s a gang of girls who laugh while they kill, a ruthless drug cartel from south of the border, and more.

And even though this may seem like a preposterously (dare I say,

impossibly?) high number of dan-gerous situations to deal with, the overdose doesn’t take away from the movie.

Nor does the fact that it doesn’t really have a linear plot.

Why? Because from start to end, pillar to post, End of Watch feels fresh. It feels new. It feels like you’re watching something utterly and completely original.

Blending footage from surveil-lance cameras, cellphones, dash-board cams and mini-cams, Ayer (who wrote and directed the flick) gives the movie a smart, tense, down-and-dirty feel that tosses you into the back seat of Mike and Brian’s patrol car.

And do you know what? Along the way, you really start caring about the two main characters. You learn about their vices and virtues. You find out what their hopes and dreams are. And, try as you might, it’s difficult not to root for them.

Part of this is because, yes, Ayer wrote a strong script with two strong, believable characters.

But a bigger reason is because of the performances of the two main

characters. Gyllenhaal is pitch-per-fect as the ambitious Mike.

As for Peña, this is hands-down, the performance of his career to date. Sure he was good in Crash and Babel, but this is some other-level, fantastic stuff he’s doing here.

End of Watch is one fantastic thrill-ride that you definitely won’t want to miss.

End oF wAtch

DIrecTeD bY David Ayers

STarrIng Jake Gyllenhaa + Michael

Pena

109 MInuTeS | 18a

r

as for Peña, this is hands-down, the performance of his career…

adam haWboldt

originAL ridE-ALong end of Watch is so fresh it’s almost like seeing a cop movie for the first time. by adam haWboldt

Photo: courtesy of oPen road films

@verbsaskatoon

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@Adamhawboldt

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coMPLiAncE

DIrecTeD bY Craig Zobel

STarrIng Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker

+ Pat Healy

90 MInuTeS | 14a

coMPLiAncE

DIrecTeD bY Craig Zobel

STarrIng Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker

+ Pat Healy

90 MInuTeS | 14a

have you ever heard of the Milgram experiments?

No? Well, allow me to explain. Back in the early 1960s, a psy-chologist at Yale University named Stanley Milgram conducted a slew of studies on obedience to authority figures. The “teacher” (the subject of the study) would be ordered by the experiment’s facilitator to give an electric shock to the “learner” (who was an actor and confederate) every time he responded with an incorrect answer, with the voltage increasing as the experiment progressed.

And even though the “learner” in the other room was screaming in pretend pain, most “teachers” — like 80 percent of them — would in-crease the voltage when told to do so by the experiment’s facilitator.

The only reason I bring any of this up is because, in a roundabout way, it is exactly what writer/director Craig Zobel’s new movie Compliance is about.

Set in Ohio, Compliance tells the true story of a prank that spirals into a serious, scandalous crime. A man pretending to be a police officer (Pat Healy) calls a fast food

restaurant, and tells the manager Sandra (Ann Dowd), that one of her employees, Becky (Dreama Walk-er), has stolen from a customer. The officer tells Sandra to take Becky into the back room for questioning, and then a strip search, and then…

Let’s just say Compliance is, without a doubt, one of the most

unsettling, stressful and disturb-ing movies you will see this year. As the prank becomes increas-ingly perverted, you’ll find yourself wanting to yell things at the screen. Things like: “What in the name of Pete are you thinking, lady?” Or: “For the love of baby Jesus, hang up the phone.” Because that’s what you would do, right? That’s what any sane person would do. We all know that.

Well, except no, we don’t. Re-member the Milgram experiments? Basically, what those experiments and Zobel’s movie tell us is that even though most of us think we would stand up to The Man, there’s a solid chance we’d kick the crap out of a cuddly kitten if command-ed to do so. But I digress.

What we’re talking about here is the movie Compliance — and what a movie it is! The acting is superb. Both Ann Dowd and Dreama Walker deliver subtle, nuanced and strong performances. And Pat

Healy, as the pretend policeman, is perfectly creepy and believable.

As for pacing and whatnot, that is also superb. The story is very lean and taught, and it moves/snowballs at an ideal pace, allowing the viewer to both be drawn into the story, question their own ethics and/or yell at the screen.

Whatever tickles your fancy.Compliance is being screened at

the Roxy Theatre.

StrAngEr thAn FictionCompliance tells the creepy story of a prank gone wrong. by adam haWboldt

Photo: courtesy of entertainment one films

Pat Healy … is perfectly creepy and believable.

adam haWboldt


22entertainment

sept 7 – sept 13

Photography by Patrick Carley – [email protected]


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SAturdAy, SEPtEMBEr 15 @

divA’SDiva’s Club110 - 220 3rd Avenue South(306) 665 0100

MuSiC viBE / Top 40, remix & houseFEatuRED DEalS / $5 pints of domestic, and $3 off wingsDRiNk oF ChoiCE / Busty Lady (marshmallow vodka, cherry whiskey and Sprite)toP EatS / WingsCoMiNg uP / “We are not pop” features three different DJs the last Saturday of every month; the next one is coming up on September 28th


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crown & roKCrown & Rok1527 Idylwyld Drive North(306) 249 4700

MuSiC viBE / Rock, country and moreFEatuRED DEalS / $5.25 for Molson, $4.25 for Labatt, and $4.50 for highballsDRiNk oF ChoiCE / Any Labatt products, and highballstoP EatS / WingsSoMEthiNg NEw / Hoping to line up live bands for every weekend

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AriES march 21–april 19

As Larry the Cable Guy would say,

“get ‘er done” this week, Aries.

It’ll be a good time to put your nose to the

proverbial grindstone.

tAuruS april 20–may 20

Life’s a song, Taurus. This week

you should sing it. And who cares

if you’re tone deaf? Sing your little heart

out, to heck with what others think.

gEMini may 21–June 20

Proceed with caution! This isn’t

the week to make any huge deci-

sions, especially on impulse. Best to think

things through over the next few days.

cAncEr June 21–July 22

Remember there is a big difference

between information and knowl-

edge. You’ll be bombarded with a lot of

both this week, so be wary.

LEo July 23–august 22

Author Erica Jong once said “Jeal-

ousy is all the fun you think they

had.” Don’t be envious this week, Leo. Get

out there and join the party.

virgo august 23–september 22

“Guilt,” says an Al Pacino charac-

ter “ is like a … bag of bricks, all

you gotta do is set it down.” If you’re feel-

ing guilty this week, Virgo, take notice.

LiBrA september 23–october 23

Hard work and dedication could

both play a pivotal role for you

this week. If you want to succeed over the

next couple days, embrace these things.

ScorPio october 24–november 22

Gratitude can get you a long way

this week, Scorpio, so keep that in

mind if you face any adversity. You catch

more flies with honey than vinegar.

SAgittAriuS november 23–december 21

Nobody can give you freedom,

Sagittarius, you have to take it. So

in this upcoming week, be sure to take as

much as you need to put yourself at ease.

cAPricorn december 22–January 19

A stroke of luck may come your

way this week, Capricorn, so do

your best to embrace it. Real luck is as

rare as plutonium — it’s not easy to find.

AQuAriuS January 20–february 19

They say that cleanliness is next to

godliness. And while nearly every

part of that sentence is debatable, you

might want to tidy things up a bit this week.

PiScES february 20–march 20

Being close only counts in hand

grenades and horseshoes, Pisces.

So if you set out to do something this

week, make sure you’re on point.

croSSwordAcroSS1. Slowly pass out of sight

5. Russian parliament

9. Officer responsible for

the maintenance of a ship

10. Take as one’s possession

12. Place for hangers

13. Plant with spines

15. Medicine ___, Alberta

16. Put through its paces

18. Add to the staff

19. Mid-month, in old

Rome

21. Damage irreparably

23. Find out

24. Sweet-smelling wood

26. Used explosives on

28. Like milk

30. Of the sense of touch

33. One without a perma-

nent address

37. Binary digit

38. Right after

40. Letter after alpha

41. Do some darning

43. Unit of matter

45. Monstrous bird of

Arabian mythology

46. Naval flag

48. Complain

50. Commotions

51. Rhone tributary

52. Memorization by

repetition

53. Aware of

down1. Web-___

2. Long-eared animal

3. Song for two

4. Opposite of exit

5. Able to be shaped into

sheets, like metal

6. Canada’s neighbour

7. Plenty of

8. Crafty one?

9. Knife part

11. Blender button

12. Voguish

14. Plant’s start

17. Underlying theme

20. Pepper’s partner

22. Indian bread (Var.)

25. Game stopper

27. Untidy one

29. Get the dirt out of

30. Encyclopedia unit

31. Concerning

32. Cut objectionable

material from a film

34. Spanish wool

35. Mend one’s ways

36. European fish

39. Human trunk

42. Queen of Carthage

44. Try to say

47. Purchased

49. Deep round container

Canadian Criss-Cross

horoScoPES september 21 – september 27

© wALtEr d. FEEnEr 2012

SudoKu croSSword AnSwEr KEy

a b3 4 6 1 57 8 3 6 9 3 4 8 7 5 1 2 7 5 4 6 9 1 24 8 3 5 2 7 9 1 6 9 2 8

8 3 4 2 5 7 5 99 8 5 3 7 1 3 3 4 2 6 7 1 7 9 8 6 1 2 6 9 41 5 8 4 6 2

SudoKu AnSwEr KEy

a

b

3 9 4 6 1 7 8 2 57 1 8 5 2 4 3 9 65 6 2 9 8 3 4 7 18 3 7 2 4 6 5 1 99 2 1 7 3 5 6 4 86 4 5 8 9 1 7 3 24 8 9 3 5 2 1 6 72 7 3 1 6 8 9 5 41 5 6 4 7 9 2 8 3

6 8 3 4 9 2 5 1 74 5 1 6 7 3 8 2 99 7 2 1 8 5 4 3 67 1 9 5 4 8 2 6 38 3 4 2 6 9 7 5 15 2 6 3 1 7 9 4 83 4 8 7 2 6 1 9 52 6 7 9 5 1 3 8 41 9 5 8 3 4 6 7 2

Documents

Verb Issue S208 (Sept. 21-27, 2012)