Toronto Mapleleafs - Toronto Maple Leafs - All Leafs, All The Time - Kessel working out

Toronto Mapleleafs - Toronto Maple Leafs - All Leafs, All The Time - Kessel working out

Listing to Jicah on myspace (http://www.myspace.com/jicahmusic), I can’t help but recall the days when I was privileged enough to sit and play in the same room as Jeff. Always determined and ever critical, it’s probably why we never made it big as fourteen year-olds. Really, that says more about me than it does about him, because even then I figured if he put half the effort he did in getting change off his parents for a slurpee as he did into his music, he would make it somewhere. It appears I was right.

Their sound has come a long way since I used to hear Jeff and Micah playing with The Nods. A much more polished and melodic sound which is fun, and easy listening. It’s complicated with out being stuffy. Each time I listen to it, I hear new interesting things I didn’t hear the first time.

The songs have a familiarity to them using the defining trends from the pop and rock world over the last 50 years. You hear Paul McCartney bass lines and chord progressions, it’s light and playful like Vampire Weekend, and has the rawness of Jack White. They have the dynamics and harmonies like David Bowie, and yet somehow mange to stay unique.

Jeff Bruce started the side project on a lap top while in The Nods, and soon Micah Braun, also from The Nods, joined in. When rifts between the members of The Nods became too frequent and large, Jicah soon became their only project. With the writing credits split 50/50 between Jeff and Micah, they added musicians Majche Bunjalowski on guitar (Pagan Sunflowers), Joey Penner on bass (Waking Eyes), and keyboardist Brain James (Quinzy). This is an experienced ensemble that knows how to rock.

After a year and a half of writing and recording, and just over a dozen gigs, they secured a meeting, in Barbados no less, with Graeme Lowe (Kasabian, Oasis, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club) to promote the eventual album and tour.

The plan is to spend the next three months recording and writing, and then eventually tour for a year straight in Canada and Australia. They plan on playing 100 shows in Canada alone so check your local listings.

I saw Jicah for the first time at The Caver last night (April 19, 2010). They were filming a music video for “Our Time” which featured a giant yellow mascot. With still only a handful of songs, the gig was short but an appreciative crowd didn’t seem to mind. I was sitting at the back and those that weren't dancing at the front could be seen bobbing their heads in unison and tapping their feet.

I sat down with Jeff on Saturday, April 17 in Osbourne Village to talk about Jicah and where the music has taken him over the last few years.

A: So does it feel like you’ve made the big time now?

J: It doesn’t feel like that we’re not... I have like, twenty dollars in the bank account. We haven't made anything. We secured the right people to try to make it... He wants us to demo our music for the next three months and then take everything we got and find us a Canadian and Australian label.

A: So how did Jicah come about?

J: What happened was, Micah was losing interest in The Nods... and I decided to get a laptop and started recording stuff, and him and I started screwing around on the side, and it started to sound really good. It basically wore down the band, people quit and so we did Jicah full time.

A: How is it writing songs as a drummer?

J: While I knew back in The Nods that if I ever wanted to write songs I had to learn how to play guitar, so I have been playing around with it for like four years,I know a few chords, enough to write songs.

A:Is it all about sex, drugs, and rock and roll?

J: It will be, but right now it’s not as easy, no it’s not like that right now, we all have girlfriends... except for our piano player Brian, he gets any kind of girl he wants... Big, tall, hairy-chested rock star guy... He just looks at a girl and she wants to fuck him so...

A: How do you build your songs, because they sound very light and well layered.

J: It’s not like a super complicated deep thing. All we do is get drunk and write music, and it always starts off with a really simple hook, something really really easy. Really simple and you start like, maybe I’ll play a drum beat to it to get a good tempo, and just start throwing stuff on top of it one by one. Usually we write lyrics last, just kind of mouth a bunch of lyrics or use temporary lyrics, find the melody we want and get all the good harmonies we want.

A: How is it working with Micah? You’ve been working together for a while now?

J: MIcah has some sort of.. I swear to God, inner connection with John Lennon or something. He’s the biggest Beatles fan I’ve seen in my whole life. He’ll change a guitar chord to a Beatles-esqe guitar chord. We’re not trying to sound like the Beatles and anyone who says we sound like the Beatles, I don’t think you can have a bigger compliment. We don’t ever try and sound like it, we just love them so much it’s impossible to not sound like your favorite band... Micha’s actually an insanely talented musician... He’s got feel, he’s got some sort of musical soul in him you know what I mean? He can pick up any instrument and get good at it really fast. Basically the only thing that person was born to do was make music. He’s horrible at everything else... I think there is something special about Micah’s voice. I think he’s got a cool unique voice that no one’s heard of.

A: How has the music evolved over your time writing and playing together?

J: It’s this maturity thats like always happening. I don’t think this band would exist with out that trial period of The Nods. That was all us learning how to become mature... It’s like, everyone in this band has been in bands for seven years, we all know how to be in bands, we got to just put the guys on stage and everyone kind of just rocks it up, I couldn’t ask for a better band.

A: Why should people listen to you guys? Why should anyone care?

J: Okay, I think people should listen to the album because we’re trying to put albums back on the map. Where it’s like, you don’t have two songs that are great and like 90 percent bullshit. There’s not much out there these days where you find an album that’s stacked, and that’s what we’re trying to do. Make an album front to back with really good songs... I think there is something special about the songs. I actually truly believe in the music and truly believe in the band. I’ve never been able to say that before. I didn’t believe they deserved to be out there and I do with this band.

A: Awesome, thanks a lot, any shameless plugs you want to throw out there before you go?

J: Sheepdogs, unbelievable, like the Guess Who. If they would have came out in 1965 they would have been bigger then the Guess Who. Just so damn good. Ya, plug those guys.

A: Thanks a lot Jeff it was a pleasure, best of luck.

J: Thanks, it was great, good to see you again.

Johnny Lang And Buddy Guy Concert Review: April 12,2010

Last nights concert, featuring Johnny Lang and Buddy Guy, was a lesson of the contrasts in American’s own original music.

Johnny Lang opened with his soul full of New Age blues. Melodic chord changes and flakey facial expressions was enough to earn a standing ovation from the nearly sold out Burton Cummings Theatre. A very packaged poppy sound, his band was phenomenal and had bailed him out a couple times. During his last acoustic song, he fell out of the pocket numerous times but managed to hold on to the crowed with his stunning vocals and sincere showmanship. His playing was decent, and his arrangement of “Living for the City” by Stevie Wonder was the highlight for me.

His solos, moving and inventive at times, all ended anti-climactically when he tried moving in triplets through different scales that might have been better suited for a classical piece. I had also noticed that his guitar player did not take a solo the whole night, though the rest of his band had. Those who where there for Johnny, surley weren't disappointed, and neither was I. It was good, it’s what I expected. I just wasn’t blown away.

Then Buddy Guy took the stage. From the first chord you knew you were in for a treat. Straight ahead twelve-bar blues that pretty much had the same feel and key the whole set. He sang and played with a voice unrivaled by any man I’ve heard of that age. He played his solos, and let his guitar player show us what he really would have wanted to do had still been a younger man.

“ Im old, I sometimes have to hold back, but you Winnipeg, just make me want to give it my All. Forty years ago, before I first came to play in Canada, I didn’t think I was going to make it. Then you guys showed me how much you loved me. And thats why I love you guys. Let me show you.” I’m paraphrasing of course, but that was his point and he played it like he meant it. Walking into the crowd, getting personal the way he always does, really gave the impression of what the blues was all about so many years ago. Playing dirty songs about old men sleeping with nineteen-year old girls and various other subjective themes, he even took the time to tell stories from his child hood. “ Im so handsome... ‘ yes you are son, but thats only skin deep” (also the name of his latest album). He showed us different styles of blues, imitating the late John Lee Hooker, and Eric Clapton.

Both artists played for an acceptable amount of time. The only blemish on the show was the theatre itself which didn’t open its doors early enough to get everyone seated before the start. The ensuing gong show trying to find seats in the dark, made me wonder if I was in a high school instead of a landmark theatre. All in all, a satisfied Monday evening in Winnipeg.

Reflections on Failure: Brian Burkes end of Season Press Conference

The season was a failure. You win as a team and you lose as a team. That was the overall message following Brian Burkes end of season press conference. Admittedly there were short-comings all the way through the organization, from the front office to the players. I would agree. As a life-long Leaf fan I had hopes, misplaced as they may have been, but I was sure that the Leafs, if they didn’t make the playoffs, would at least have been fighting for a spot. With a long summer ahead, Burke emphasized the need for the team to get better internally.

A very strict summer work-out regime is in place and players are expected to show up to camp in shape and ready to play. Komisarek is ahead on his rehabilitation schedule and a healthy Kessel playing 82 games will add much more depth to the team. Kessel had 30 goals in 70 games, not bad coming off a shoulder surgery that never really healed. Also there is Nazim Kadri, who has had a phenomenal year in the OHL, and will be looking to center the first line next year with Kessel. But like everyone else, he has to make the team. “...we’d all love him to make, but he’s got to come in and do it.... What happens between now and when he gets off the bus at training camp is going to determine whether he makes the team or not” Burkes said.

After going 0-7 to start the season, there appeared to be nothing positive about this team. If you look at their record since the house cleaning before the Olympic break, there are some positive notes. Since February the Leafs have been good enough to earn a playoff spot going 13-10-3, 7th in the east, 16 over all. However, the NHL is an 82 game schedule. “I’ve never been a big believer of digging a hole, then bragging about how hard you perspired filling it back in.” And thats what the Leafs seem to do. At least since the lock out.

They are now, however, the youngest team in the NHL, with young talent prospects in Jerry D’Amigo and Keith Aulie, and have plenty of cap space. Not much will happen for Toronto on draft day (their first and second round picks going to Boston for Kessel), so we shall all be looking forward to free agency day. Though there appears to be slim picking on unrestricted free agency market, there are a few teams that will have trouble with cap space and restricted agents ( i.e. Chicago) that might work out for Toronto.

Also there is Kaberle, and whether he will be suiting up for the blue and white next year is anyones guess. Kaberle has stated repeatedly that he wants to play in Toronto, and if Burke doesn’t get the deal he wants then he will be. Either way, Kaberle is heavy commodity on the ice or on the market.

Once again, all us Leaf fans can do is sit here and hope, and fantasize about next year, how good it will be to be atop the standings, but I’m not holding my breath. The only good thing about being a Leaf fan these last few years is that come playoff time, I can jump on any bandwagon I want. And if that team looses, well, I’ll just hop on another.

Preparations and Safety.

Finally, for the first time on the internet, there is a direct line from my brain, to you, the impressionable reader. But before we start our journey to enlightenment we must first take every precaution to ensure we do not get lost or injured along the way. Since there is a high percentage chance that this will indeed happen, despite our best efforts, we should make sure that we have all our safety gear, and procedures in order. No one wants be caught out in the rain with out their rain gear. That, and trust me from experience, is the start to a miserable day.

Map and Compass, and adeqaute knowledge of how to use them. - It's a Jungle in here. Believe me. I have lived here near 25 years now and no amount of mind altering drugs, meditation, or 2x4's has been able to help me navigate thru life better than a map and compass. GPS systems are highly over rated and may work well in a concrete jungle with cell phones and 5 dollar coffees, but we're in the bush, and since accuracy is important its best to save those for directions to the nearest Starbucks. Set Compass declination to 19.2

Proper foot wear. There is a variety of foot wear to choose from. Having good ankle support is crucial as well as being water proof. I recommend cork boots with bama socks. ( cork boots are basically rubber boots with golf spikes on the bottom) Bailing on a wet log is painful and embarrassing, and cork boots go a long way in preventing that. If you find them too bulky, a decent set of hiking boots will do just fine. Spend the money. You get what you pay for.

Toilet Paper. - Self explanatory. Moss works well too. It's like using baby wipes. Also, its a good fire starter.

A towel. - If its good enough for the galaxy, its good enough for anything here on earth. (see "Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams.)

First aide kit. Containing - band aides, candle, water proof matches, single shot of whiskey, (preferably the cheap, awful tasting kind) a couple cigarettes, gauss, a sharp knife, anti-septic, and a photo of a loved one, or Jessica Alba.

Proper clothing. Wet wick on the inside, wool on the out side. Be prepared for all 4 seasons.

Safety First.

Always let some one know where you are going, and when you expect to be returning. You cant be found if no one knows you've even left. If you do find your self lost, the first thing to do is chastise yourself for not knowing how to properly use your map and compass. After that, remain calm. YOU ALREADY MADE IT THIS FAR. Do not stay where you are. Your not a 5 year old at Disneyland, and there will be no PA announcement to let everyone know you are incapable of finding your way, asking you to report to the nearest security gate. Instead, start walking down hill towards a likely location of a drainage system. Follow the system down until it merges with a bigger stream or river. Follow the river down until you get to a highway, road or some sort of settlement. Call your mother up and tell her how much you love her.

Be bear aware. Bears are territorial and most encounters can negotiated by remaining calm and backing up slowly. Bears will charge but its a bluff, so hold you ground and make yourself look as big as possible. Never turn your back on the bear. This will work for 95% of bear encounters you may have. If The bear happens to be aggressive and attack, curl up in the fetal position crap your pants and hope for the best. In the rare occasion that grizzly bear continues to attack, fight for your life while making your peace with god. After the bear encounter is over have one of your emergency cigarettes to help lower your heart rate.

Should you become injured in the bush use the appropriate articles in the first aide kit to address the injury. If the injury requires more attention then what you have in your first aide kit, take the shot of whiskey, grab the photo of your loved one, or Jessica Alba and enjoy your last smoke. You just weren't cut out for this sort of thing.

Now that we're all prepared and ready, it's time to start the adventure. So get a good night sleep, and eat a hardy breakfast, we leave at dawn.