Author Archives: Bryce Taylor

Young the Giant and Milky Chance: A doubleheader you won’t want to miss

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Young the Giant will be coming to Vancouver with Milky Chance on Thursday, August 10 at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. It’s a double bill that should be a great show.

Both bands come from very different places but attract a similar audience. Young the Giant, formerly The Jakes, started out in Irvine, California, while Milky Chance is from Kassel Germany.

The self-titled album, Young the Giant, made a big impact in 2010 with all three singles charting. “My Body,” “Apartment,” and “Cough Syrup” immediately put Young the Giant on the map. These were big songs when I was in high school.

Mind Over Matter came out in 2014 and is a solid follow-up. “Mind Over Matter” was the biggest hit of this album. I prefer Home of the Strange from 2016, though. I think there’s more to like about this one. “Amerika,” “Something to Believe In,” and “Silvertongue” are my top picks.

Mirror Master (2018) is another good album. “Superposition,” “Heat of the Summer,” and “Tightrope” stood out to me. Their last album, American Bollywood, came out in 2022. Songs like “The Walk Home” are played on Evolution, in addition to some of the classics.

I think that they will blend well with Milky Chance. Both have that alternative poppy rock sound, but they each do it in their own unique way.

Milky Chance blew up almost overnight when they released “Stolen Dance” on YouTube in 2013. It reached #1 in Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary!

It became the first single for their debut album, Sadnecessary, along with “Down by the River.” Blossom followed in 2017, with singles “Bad Things” and “Cocoon.” 2019 brought Mind the Moon. “Daydreaming” and “The Game” are my highlights on this one. “Daydreaming” features Tash Sultana, an incredibly talented musician from Australia. She’ll be bringing her “one-person band” to the Orpheum in Vancouver on August 29.

2021 and 2022 brought Trip Tape I and Trip Tape II. Both have similar vibes and fit together as part of a greater whole. “Colorado,” “Cold Summer Breeze,” and “Tainted Love” stand out on Trip Tape I. On Trip Tape II, “Synchronize,” “Table for Two,” and “Troubled Man” are the standouts. “It Is What It Is” too.

Since then, they’ve released “Living in a Haze” and “Purple Tiger” as they prepare for their next album. Look out for that one.

Overall, this will be a fantastic show featuring three talented acts. Yes, that’s right. I said three. Rosa Linn, whose singles “KING,” “SNAP,” “WDIA,” “Never Be Mine,” and “Hallelujah” have been building momentum, will also be performing. Look out for her in the coming years to break out.

Get your tickets now for Young the Giant, Milky Chance, and Rosa Linn at Thunderbird Sports Centre on August 10! It’s going to be a one-of-a-kind show!

Sloan’s nickname should be FedEx, because they always deliver.

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Sloan is one of those bands that always delivers. They’ve kept an impressive level of consistency throughout their 32-year run. They’re one of the longest-running Canadian bands going today, still making music as good as they were before I was even born!

Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, Jay Ferguson, and Andrew Scott make up the band, and they impressively have kept that same foursome since day one. They started out in Halifax, but eventually moved to Toronto. They interchange positions within the band. All four bandmates contribute lead vocals on different songs, keeping things fresh.

Few bands have had a run like that. I don’t think they get enough respect for how good they are.

From Twice Removed in 1994, considered by some among the greatest albums in Canadian history, to Steady in 2022, they just keep making great music. “Magical Thinking” and “Scratch the Surface” are two of the songs from Steady featured on Evolution. Steady is an appropriate title for their album since they’ve been nothing but steady with their quality and presence on Canadian radio airwaves. They’ve been in the Top 25 Alternative Charts for most of their run.

On the note of Twice Removed, it was ranked #1 in a list of the greatest Canadian rock albums by the music magazine Chart. A controversial take that many disagreed with. I’m in that category. Although I will admit it is a fantastic album. “Coax Me” is one of my favorite Sloan songs.

All in all, they’ve made 13 albums and each one is worth a listen. To go through them would be too much, especially since I haven’t listened to most albums completely. They have experimented a bit, trying to lean more into a pop sound, but it still felt like Sloan. They did it in their own way.

Some songs throughout their run that I’d recommend are “Unkind,” “Money City Maniacs,” “The Other Man,” “People of the Sky,” “I Hate My Generation,” “The Rest of My Life,” and “The Good in Everyone.” That’s just scratching the surface!

They’ve been snubbed at the JUNO Awards, being nominated nine times, and only winning once. That was in 1997 for Best Alternative Album with One Chord to Another.

Put some respect on Sloan’s name! They’re a model of consistency that’s hard to match.

They just played at Commodore Ballroom on April 12th, so if you missed the boat, it might be a while until you get another shot. Don’t fret, they’ll come back around. They always do.

Don’t miss The Teskey Brothers at Orpheum Theatre this summer!

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It took The Teskey Brothers a while to hit their stride, but once they did, years of hard work finally paid off.

Josh and Sam Teskey began playing in 2008 on the streets and at parties in their hometown of Melbourne, Australia. It took years of gaining traction from there, but a cult following was being built.

They have that old-school classic soul feeling. It’s the perfect kind of throwback with a modern twist.

They released their first album, Half Mile Harvest, in 2017 to massive success. It stands out so much in this modern era of music, like a breath of fresh ear. This album kind of washes over you and flows nicely. It’s so groovy and soulful. “Say You Do,” “Shiny Moon,” “Reason Why,” “I Get Up,” “Til the Sky Turns Black,” and honestly every song. This album fits together like a puzzle. It became the #1 indie album in Australia.

In 2019, Run Home Slow debuted at #2 on the ARIA charts. It follows in the path of their first album, with just as much soul. I think “So Caught Up” is such a phenomenal song. At the 2019 ARIA Music Awards, Run Home Slow won Best Blues and Roots album. They also won Best Group, and Sam won Engineer of the Year.

They released two live albums during the pandemic. Live at the Forum came out in 2020, and Live at Hammer Hall followed in 2021. They each featured a collection of songs from their two albums.

Late last year, band members Liam Gough (drums) and Brendon Love (bass) would be leaving the band, officially making The Teskey Brothers a duo.

Since then, they’ve released four singles in preparation for their third album, The Winding Way, which is set for release on June 16th. “This Will Be Our Year,” “Oceans of Emotions,” “Take My Heart,” and “London Bridge” are all worth checking out. The Winding Way is highly anticipated after the success of their other albums. I know I’m excited to hear it!

The Teskey Brothers are heard on Evolution on the regular, just another one of the various influences all over our station. There’s a little something for everyone.

If you’re a fan of their work, they’re coming to Vancouver this Summer as they tour North America to promote the album. Get your tickets now to see The Teskey Brothers on Friday, August 11 at Orpheum Theatre. It should be an unforgettable show!

Royal Blood: Taking the world by storm

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Royal Blood burst onto the scene in late 2013 when they released “Out of the Black” and “Come on Over.” Both songs became instant hits as they built up momentum to release their debut album.

It was a difficult journey to get to that point for the English rock duo. It’s incredible the sound they project with only two people. It’s just Mike Kerr singing and playing bass, with Ben Thatcher on drums. That’s it. Very impressive.

They formed in 2011 and struggled to get gigs, mostly playing at open mic nights. When guitar player Joe Dennis left in 2012, they decided not to replace him, and they discovered the unique sound that makes them stand out from the pack. Thatcher replaced Matt Swann on drums in 2013 and they took off.

They released their debut album, Royal Blood, in 2014 and it became the fastest-selling British album in three years. In addition to the previously released singles, it has “Figure It Out,” “Loose Change,” and “Ten Tonne Skeleton.” Such a good album. It’s one of my favorites of the past ten years. Go listen to it now if you haven’t.

How Did We Get So Dark came out in 2017 and debuted at #1 on the UK charts. “Lights Out,” “Hook, Line & Sinker,” and “How Did We Get So Dark” are standout songs from this album.

Their 2021 album, Typhoons marked a bit of a change in sound. It’s a bit poppier and less consistent than the other albums. There are still good songs on here though. “Trouble Coming,” “Boilermaker,” “Mad Visions,” and “Typhoons” are my favorites. “Trouble Coming” was in the NHL 21 and FIFA 21 soundtracks.

They covered Metallica’s “Sad But True” on a charity album and it’s a pretty good one. They put their spin on a classic song and I’d say they knocked it out of the park.

The single “Honeybrains” was released last year. It’s another good one that is a common hit here on Evolution.

Guess I better quit and find another way

Before I get stuck in my honeybrains

Caught up in the shadow of the vicious cycle

Shaking off the same old headaches

Royal Blood’s popularity has risen across the world in recent years and it’s good to see a band I love get the recognition they deserve. I haven’t seen them live but I’ve heard they put on an amazing show. They last stopped in Vancouver last April at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, and I wish I was there. Hopefully, they make it over soon, but they’re touring Europe all summer.

Keep your ears peeled on Evolution 107.9 for the latest from Royal Blood. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them!

It’s time to hop on the Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold bandwagon

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Rose Cora Perry & The Truth Untold is a band you’re going to want to get behind.

I’m in love with their sound. Rose has such a memorable voice that blends with the music so well. I see big things on the horizon for this band.

The band from London, Ontario released their first EP, Other Side of the Story in 2019. It has five songs, and each one is good in its own way. I was surprised by how much I liked it.

“For What It’s Worth” is a great song to get the ball running. It’s about a lost love who she just can’t get over. It’s energetic and not your typical lost love song. It rocks.

“Easy Prey” is about the horrors of the world. She longs for a world where “no one kills. One where no one hates.” Her eyes have been opened to a world “that’s so clearly dying.” She tells you to not be easy prey to lies and hate. “Are you happy this way? Cause I’ve been going insane.” It’s written perfectly and will have you bobbing your head.

The EP slows down a bit with “Don’t.” It’s about a lover that keeps pushing her away due to the pain they’ve endured in the past. “Don’t keep lying to stop from falling for me.” It’s like, you know this feels right. Don’t push me away when you know we’re meant to be together. At the tail end of the song, it transitions into a beautiful mini cover of Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters.”

Next is a cover of Adelle’s “Rolling in the Deep.” And it’s done to perfection. There’s more of an edge to this than the original, and I think it’s better. Rose’s one-of-a-kind voice stands out in this one. It’s a good spin on one of the biggest hits of the modern era.

The final song on the EP, “Darkest Days” is a good way to cap it off. With the weight of the world on her shoulders, it gets harder to keep pushing. “While I appear to be so strong on the surface, inside every word, every glance makes me nervous.” It’s always those who seem so strong that are struggling the most. Every song on this EP is so deep and written beautifully. An incredible piece of work that I’d highly recommend.

The pandemic put a halt to the rise of the band, cancelling a European tour. After taking a break, they released the single “Not My Time” last fall, and it’s something special. It speaks to the frustration that many people felt during the pandemic.

Divided we fall

It’s part of the plan

They’re breaking us down

Every way that they can

It’s easy to turn

Against those in tow

When we’re taught to trust

The ones in the know

Those lyrics have punch, and make you feel something. She hits the nail on the head and I can’t wait to see what comes next. I’m just patiently waiting for a concert in BC.

Until that happens, listen to Rose Cora Perry & the Truth Untold on Evolution!

Don’t miss The National in Burnaby on June 5!

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I was late to the party when it comes to The National. But when it comes to discovering any great band, better late than never.

I’m a big post-punk fan. I love the brooding tone, experimental riffs, and gothic influence. It soothes me.

The National hits the post-punk vibe out of the park. They’re one of the better post-punk revival bands I’ve heard. The group from Brooklyn consists of Matt Berninger (singer/songwriter), and two sets of brothers: Aaron Dessner (bass, guitar, and keyboard), Bryce Dessner (guitar), and Scott Devendorf (guitar), and Bryan Devendorf (drums).

Their earlier albums are melancholic. The first two, The National (2001) and Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers (2003) sound dark and give off a sad feeling. But oddly enough, it doesn’t make me feel sad. Almost like Joy Division, it’s like there’s a feeling of comfortability in the gloom.

They broke into the mainstream with their third album, Alligator (2005) which was well-received critically as well. It built a lot of hype for their next album, Boxer (2007). In these albums, I think they perfected their sound. Still gloomy and dark, but I think the songs have a bit more juice and sound more like rock music. Beringer’s voice is so deep, and it fits so well with the music. I think Boxer might be my favorite album they’ve made.

Subsequent albums, High Violet (2010) and Trouble Will Find Me (2013) keep the greatness going. Honestly, this four-album run since Alligator is something special. They’re all consistent, powerful, and brilliant lyrically. When I went through their discography, I kept waiting for them to fall off, but it just doesn’t happen. They’re one of the most consistently great bands of the past 20 years.

I find with The National, nothing especially stands out above the pack. It’s just consistently good. Sleep Well Beast (2018) and I Am Easy to Find (2019) follow this same pattern. Solid efforts all around, but there isn’t that one song that you must hear. It plays better as a full album. You can feel a story being told throughout, and that makes it feel cohesive and tight.

In 2020, they were featured on the Taylor Swift single “coney island” and their popularity took a big jump. Beringer’s voice is the perfect compliment to Swift’s. The sing did so well, Swift appeared in “The Alcott,” a single from their new album which came out this year, First Two Pages of Frankenstein.

The National is a band that you should check out if you haven’t before. Their unique sound is something that sticks with you. They’ll be performing in Burnaby at Deer Lake Park on June 5th with Soccer Mommy. Don’t miss out!

Get ready to Rock the Lake in Kelowna this Summer!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS_PeEkNYnE&ab_channel=RockTheLake

The annual Rock the Lake festival is back in Kelowna from August 11-13. Don’t miss out on a stacked lineup filled with rock icons, past and present.

All three days are loaded with talent that could sell out a show on their own. But you can see them all under one roof at Prospera Place. It’s hard to say which night is the best. There’s something to love on all three days, so I’ll let you decide.

Friday will see Spendo, Finger Eleven, and Everlast. Not too shabby for day one. I’d pay to see all three by themselves.

Spendo is a Vancouver-based band that straight-up rocks. Their song “Gone and Glad” is especially great. You can hear Spendo here on Evolution. One of the many perks of our station is the focus on local Vancouver bands. Spendo is one of the best. Finger Eleven is a band I really want to see. They were one of those bands I loved as a child and seeing them live would bring in a wave of nostalgia. Everlast is an incredible group that I’ve always loved too, so there’s no weak point for the Friday lineup. They’ll also be performing at Laketown Shakedown this Summer. You can read more about that in my article from Friday about that festival.

Saturday sees The Pack AD, Bran Van 3000, Big Wreck, and Collective Soul. Man, the hits just keep coming.

The Pack AD has emerged from the Vancouver scene to considerable success since its first album in 2008. They’re a great band that will certainly rock the lake. I’m not as familiar with Bram Van 3000 but I gave it a listen and it sounds like my style. I want to get into it more. Big Wreck is another one that I’d love to see, their popularity grew with “Song 2,” and they still make great music today, which can also be found here on Evolution. And I’ve always had a soft spot for Collective Soul. One of my dad’s favorite bands so they bring back a lot of child nostalgia for me.

The festival wraps up on Sunday with The Hip Replacements, Prism, The Romantics, and Burton Cummings. This is the most “classic rock” day of the event. Some big names here. Prism and Burton Cummings are icons. With the passing of Gord Downie, seeing The Hip Replacements is as close as you’ll ever get to seeing The Hip.

Overall, this is a lineup that you’re not going to want to miss. The best part is you can get a three-day pass for less than $200! Where else can you get that much talent for that low of a price? Don’t miss out on an event that will be one for the books!

Arkells: Canada’s favorite band?

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Have Arkells become Canada’s most popular band?

It feels like they’ve reached new heights in recent years. I might be off base here, but I think they’ve taken over the spot on the radio that Hedley occupied for many years. Once Hedley became basically blacklisted for *ahem, reasons, somebody had to become the new face of the Canadian rock scene.

Arkells are as good a choice as anybody. They’ve been working hard for years to reach the point they’re at and it’s well deserved. Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, they feature Dan Griffin (keyboards, guitar, vocals), Max Kerman (lead vocals, guitar), Mike Deangelis (guitar, vocals), Nick Dika (bass), and Tim Oxford (drums).

They exploded onto the scene with their debut album Jackson Square (2008). Personally, I still think this is their best album. Every song is good. Plus, “Ballad of Hugo Chavez” and “Oh, The Boss Is Coming!” are probably my two favorite songs they’ve made. The album led to them winning New Group of the Year at the 2010 JUNO Awards.

They released Michigan Left in 2011, and it picked up right where they left off. Another great album here. I especially like “One Foot Out the Door” and “Whistleblower.” The album won them Group of the Year at the 2012 JUNOs.

High Noon (2014) is just as good as their previous effort. “Come To Light” and “Leather Jacket” are bangers. The accolades just kept coming. At the 2015 JUNOs, they won Group of the Year again, and Rock Album of the Year for High Noon.

Morning Report (2016) got them nominated for those same two awards at the 2017 Junos, but they didn’t win either this time.  “Private School” and “Passenger Seat” were the singles. They followed that with Rally Cry in 2018, which features “People’s Champ” and “Relentless.” People’s Champ is a protest song about Donald Trump.

Blink Once (2021) and Blink Twice (2022) are their most recent albums, and both keep that classic Arkells sound. While I did say earlier that I like their first album the best, there’s truly something to like about every album they’ve made. These two albums feature songs like “You Can Get It,” “All Roads,” “Reckoning,” “Floating Like,” and “Past Life.”

All the hits add up to make Arkells one of the great Canadian bands of the past 15 years. They make Canada proud, and they’ve shown no signs of slowing down. Arkells are featured prominently on Evolution 107.9, so tune in to hear the evolution of Canada’s favorite band.

The Metric system

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Metric has left a big mark on the music industry since its formation in 1998. Featuring Emily Haines, James Shaw, Joshua Winstead, and Joules Scott-Key, they were originally known as Mainstream, but that didn’t last long. By the time 1999 came, they changed their name to Metric.

They’ve kept consistent over the years with their signature synth-pop sound. It works for them, and as they say, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”

They released a few EPs until their official debut album, Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? in 2004. It’s a solid first album, and a bit less produced than their later work. They built on it well with Live It Out in 2005. A very consistent album with few skippable songs.

Their third album, Grow Up and Blow Away was supposed to be released in 2001 but was delayed due to issues with their record label. It was officially released in 2007 and is a solid effort.

Their big break came with Fantasies in 2009. “Help I’m Alive,” “Gold Guns Girls” and “Gimme Sympathy” all charted and were big hits. This was where I first heard Metric, and I liked them a lot. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a sucker for strong female vocals and Emily Hanes has a beautiful voice.

The song “Black Sheep” was featured in Scott Pilgrim vs The World in 2010. They also won Group of the Year and Alternative Album of the Year for Fantasies at the 2010 JUNO Awards.

By the time Synthetica was released in 2012, Metric had become one of the biggest bans in Canada. “Breathing Underwater” and “Youth Without Youth” were chart-toppers. The latter was the first song in history to debut on the Canadian Alternative Rock Charts at #1.

They released Pagans in Vegas in 2015 and Art of Doubt in 2018. Both are good as usual. Art of Doubt in particular was an album I liked a lot. “Now or Never Now,” “Dressed to Suppress,” and “Art of Doubt” are some of my favorite Metric songs. “Lost Kitten” is a good pick off Pagans in Vegas.

Their last album, Formentera came out in 2022 and was yet another huge success. “All Comes Crashing” and “False Dichotomy” are awesome and are frequently heard on Evolution. Tune in to 107.9 to hear the newest Metric hits.

You can’t deny the mark that Metric has left on the music industry, and they’re still making awesome music. They don’t have any shows scheduled in BC, as they just played in Vancouver at the Orpheum Theatre last summer. Keep your eyes peeled for their next appearance!

Blink-182: A collection of iconic songs you need to hear

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Blink-182 is arguably the most iconic pop-punk band of all time. Their albums have sold over 50 million copies worldwide!

As we prepare for Blink’s concert in Vancouver on June 27th at Rogers Arena, I’d like to share with you some of my favorite Blink-182 songs, in release order.

Honorable mentions: “M+M’s” (1995), “TV” (1995), “Apple Shampoo” (1997), “Adam’s Song” (1999), “Going Away to College” (1999), “Story of a Lonely Guy” (2001), “Feeling This” (2003), I Miss You (2003), “Stockholm Syndrome” (2003), and “California” (2016)

“Carousel” (1994)

The first song off their first album. It’s fast-paced, energetic, and chaotic. It’s the perfect sample of what their early punk work sounds like.

“Dammit” (1997)

Arguably the song that helped them blow up to the next level. It epitomizes adolescence and the struggles of dating. Sometimes life sucks, but “I guess this is growing up.”

“What’s My Age Again?” (1999)

The band’s popularity exploded with Enema of the State. They got a lot poppier with this album but kept the angst that littered their earlier albums. This one is about a lack of maturity. “My friends say I should act my age. What’s my age again? What’s my age again?”

“All The Small Things” (1999)

The amount of nostalgia on this album for me is off the charts. One of their most iconic songs. This one puts me back in another time. A simpler time.

“Anthem” (1999)

Such an iconic song. If there’s one song that encapsulates the sound of Blink-182, I’d say it’s this one.

“Anthem Part 2” (2001)

It picks up right where “Anthem” left off. It’s about the evils of the world and misguided youth. “If we’re f***** up you’re to blame.” Such a strong message that resonated with youth across the world.

“First Date” (2001)

We’ve all had those first-date jitters. This song is a moment, and you can feel it. So much of their music is relatable, and that makes their audience empathize. “Let’s make this last forever.”

“Stay Together For The Kids” (2001)

It’s one of their slower songs, but I think it’s their most powerful emotionally. In a broken home, a failing marriage really is harder on the kids. But staying together in such a toxic environment isn’t for the better. “If it’s what he wants, and it’s what she wants, then why’s there so much pain?” That always hits me in the feels.

“The Rock Show” (2001)

Take Off Your Pants and Jacket is their most popular album and for good reason. They took their popularity to new heights, and this jam is part of the reason why. He fell in love with a girl at the rock show, she kept him waiting, and he became more obsessed. It’s a tale as old as time.

What do you think of my list? What would you change about it?

You might have noticed that I didn’t feature any recent songs. I just think all their best work was earlier on. It’s not like they haven’t made any good music in recent years, but I think their quality dropped off a bit. But at their peak, they were as hot as any band in the world. Their legacy will live on for a long time.

Listen to Blink-182s recent single, “Edging” on Evolution 107.9.