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Concert Review: Pelican, July 23, Lee’s Palace

Posted on
24 Jul 2025
by
Paul

Being an instrumental band, Chicago post-metal stalwarts Pelican are, unsurprisingly, a band of few words. Midway through their set though, guitarist Trevor de Brauw did address the crowd with a simple, “You still with us?”  A few voices shouted back. “Thank you for the encouragement,” he replied, jokingly, but also with a hint of sincere appreciation.

Later on in their set, de Brauw continued to express his gratitude to the crowd, reflecting on the fact that, roughly 20 years after first playing Lee’s Palace, they’re still performing to a dedicated fanbase. “When we stepped into this room, I don’t think any of us imagined playing here 20 years later, and certainly not to a packed room,” de Brauw said, adding that, while they don’t make a living off the band, it’s a very important part of their lives, referring to it as their “nexus.”

And while there were a few such moments of reflection in their stage banter, the night was largely about the music – those massive riffs that we’ve come to expect from Pelican, delivered at maximum volume. Their brand of instrumental metal – spacey, heavy, and intricately layered – really hit the spot. From the moment they stepped onto the stage to the last ringing note, Pelican sounded nothing short of epic.

Song of the Day: Softcult – Naive

Posted on
21 Jul 2025
by
Paul

“Naive” is the latest single from Toronto shoegazers Softcult. Check it out.

Concert Review: Tom Morello, July 17, Danforth Music Hall

Posted on
18 Jul 2025
by
Paul

On a night that featured crowd-pleasing medleys of Rage Against the Machine classics, a cover of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Mr. Crowley,” and a surprise appearance by Rush legend Alex Lifeson for a spirited rendition of “Limelight,” it might seem odd to say one of the most powerful moments came from an old folk tune, but that’s exactly what happened during Tom Morello‘s show at the Danforth on Thursday night.

Though if one thought about it for a minute, it wouldn’t really have come as a surprise. As Morello pointed out, that old folk song – Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” – really does embody the same spirit of resistance and social justice that Morello has always stood for. After all, what are RATM songs but amped up folk songs on steroids and a six pack of Monster? Same sentiment, different guitar tone.

Noting that the political edge of Guthrie’s original has been dulled a bit over the years, with some of its original lyrics being censored or omitted, Morello played the song in full, leading the crowd through a singalong like a metalhead Pete Seeger.

Far from the sanitized version that many of us grew up singing, Morello delivered those lyrics, complete with their biting social critique, and even used the choruses from the Canadian version in a nod to the Toronto audience. It was a memorable moment that brought the crowd together and served as a reminder of the power of protest music.

And the spirit of Woody Guthrie does indeed  live on in Tom Morello. That much was made clear in the song that followed: the Springsteen-eque “Pretend You Remember Me,” a brand new song written in response to the recent ICE raids in Los Angeles. Later, during “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” Morello lifted his guitar high to reveal the words “LAND BACK” boldly written on the back – another reminder that for him, performance and protest are inseparable.

The night culminated in him assembling a kind of supergroup for the final number: Morello, his bandmates, and Alex Lifeson were joined by Sum 41’s Dave Baksh and Cone McCaslin, as well as openers Snotty Nose Rez Kids, for a killer version of MC5’s “Kick Out the Jams.”

“It’s like you won a contest!” he joked as they launched into it – and really, it kind of felt like we had.

Morello’s show was more than just a concert – it was a reminder that music remains one of our most powerful tools for resistance, unity, and truth-telling. But at the same time, it was also a great show. Jams were most certainly kicked out.

Song of the Day: The Bats – Lucky Day

Posted on
17 Jul 2025
by
Paul

“Lucky Day” is the latest single from new Zealand’s The Bats, taken off their upcoming 11th studio album, Corner Coming Up, out on October 17th via Flying Nun Records. Check it out.

Song of the Day: Margo Price ft. Jesse Welles – Don’t Wake Me Up 

Posted on
15 Jul 2025
by
Paul

“Don’t Wake Me Up” is the latest single from Margo Price, taken off her upcoming fifth studio album Hard Headed Woman. Check out the Subterranean Homesick Blues-referencing video for “Don’t Wake Me Up” below.

Hard Headed Woman is out August 29 via Loma Vista Recordings.

Song of the Day: The Beths – No Joy

Posted on
14 Jul 2025
by
Paul

Leave it to The Beths to write a song called “No Joy” that still ends up being kind of a joy to listen to. That song is taken off the Auckland band’s upcoming album Straight Line was a Lie, out August 29th via ANTI- Records.

Check out the video for “No Joy” below.

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