Blog Review: Gitpop.com

Podcasts and blogs are an essential part of any grass roots indie marketing campaign.

In the weeks preceding this post, Easy Way Out has had the good fortune to be featured on a number of blogs and podcasts. Most recently, EWO's album "Steal the show" was reviewed on an awesome indie music blog called Gitpop.

Gitpop is a tremendous source for locating up and coming acts the world over. Steve Chatterton, your Gitpop blog host, covers everything from album and show reviews to music news. His most recent article informs the reader about the upcoming Toronto Freedom Festival and Marijuana March.

The album reviews are refreshingly brief and to the point. Folks today certainly have short attention spans, so this format allows the reader to get in, get the goods and move on... and there's plenty to move on to. After satisfying my ego by reading the review of our album "Steal the show" I began clicking away, jumping to and from Gitpop, to Myspace and back through the provided links. Before I knew it, 2 hours had gone by... a perfect example of why less is more.

Steve also writes for BlogTO and has a Podcast there which, although it has been on a short hiatus, will be returning in the coming weeks... most likely with a tune or 2 from Easy Way Out.

For now, dear reader, head on over to Gitpop and find yourself some new ear candy.

Venue Review: The Annex Wreckroom - Shock and Awe

Let's explore shock and awe for a moment. For me, it's a level of surprise that grabs a hold of astonishment by the balls, looks it square in the face and says "dude, that f'n rules! Everything about you makes me wanna squeal like a squirrel on crack!"

I experienced a sincere feeling of shock and awe on Friday April 18th when I arrived at the Annex Wreckroom for sound check. An impressive collection of imagery, sound and comfort washed over my soul in the span of a second.

This was my first time at the Annex Wreckroom. I'd heard good things and was looking forward to soaking it all in first hand, but that's usually when I get let down. But I'm here to urge you, dear readers, if the opportunity arises, plan to spend an evening at the Annex Wreckroom.

After stepping through the threshold and walking up the stairs, a guest of the Wreckroom is greeted in the foyer by a glass encased Elvis bust beside a ukulele and, on my visit, the original stylings of Dread Zeppelin emanating from the main ballroom.

Once through the foyer, the room expands into a gargantuan playground of style and rock luxury. The Wreckroom is deceivingly huge, from the outside, one would never expect the sheer magnitude of the space. A massive paisley shaped bar, adorned with a drunkard's trove of bottles, rests in the centre of the room as if it were a pivot for the rest of the Wreckroom to revolve on when the bands start rockin' out. The walls are lined with custom teardrop cushioned seats resting in rot iron stool frames and matching booth style couches. Ahead of the bar sits a generous stage seductively waiting to lay underfoot of the evening's noise and talent. To the left of the stage resides a makeshift games room, open concept, with coin operated standards like foozball, pool and a Michelangelo Portrait machine, and retrofitted with table hockey and a Pac Man aracade. Beyond this area is a VIP lounge complete with even dimmer lighting than the rest of the club and lower, more inviting couches that beg to be made out on. The entire atmosphere describes rock n' roll... even the bathrooms are labeled with the visage of Iggy Pop for the men's and Deborah Harry for the Ladies'.

The sound offstage is full, even and powerful. The sound onstage is clear, brilliant and balanced. The shock and awe here is not from the quality, but the discovery that our sound man is the very same gentleman, by the name of Aaron, that had previously provided killer sound at the Reverb, seemingly, for ever.

The Annex Wreckroom is definitely deserving of your hard earned dollars. Let's face it, music fan, after a long day of work it's time to kick back in a cool place and listen to some killer rock, might as well be the Annex Wreckroom. I can't promise you that every band that graces their stage will provide you with that feeling of shock and awe, but the Wreckroom itself certainly will.

Killer Toronto venues: Clinton's Tavern

In the heart of the Korean business district, in Toronto, On., stands a relatively underground haven for scenesters and Indie supporters of any genre. Clinton's Tavern, located at 693 Bloor Street West is by far one of my absolute favorite places to take the stage. A home away from home.

Easy Way Out has had both their EP release and their CD release there. It's comfortable, affordable and best of all, the sound is explosive.

Easy Way Out at their self titled EP release Nov. 2006.

If you were to walk through the front doors, you might think it was a portal to some kind of, turn of the century, chalet. A log cabin look that, I'm almost positive, has everything to do with the fact that they are Toronto's second oldest watering hole.

Clinton's front area is a magnificent dinning room, split into 2 sections and decorated with vintage booze signage. (it is a tavern after all) The menus are covered in vintage record albums, mostly tongue in cheek, like Lee Aaron, Dokken, Dio... and the like. The menu consists of your standard pub fare, peppered with popular cultural dishes from around the world. No kidding, the food is really, really good. They also have a great patio for the Spring, Summer and Fall Seasons.

Even Darth Vader and his entourage come to Clinton's Tavern.

After having a pint and a bite, you can head to the back room where cover ranges anywhere from $5-$10 depending on what the bands are charging that night. Note: the bands get to keep everything they make at the door. Once you have your stamp, you're in a big square room, capacity of 170 (but can easily fit 200), fitted with small tables, couches and mirrors on the wall. The sound booth is embedded into the back wall and doesn't interfere with the patrons' migrations throughout the night. When the bands begin, prepare to experience sound the way it was meant to be heard. (Seriously, one time I was listening to a band and I thought the song was making sweet love to my ear drums).

The head sound tech at Clinton's goes by the name of Fletch. I've met him many, many times and as far as I know, that's his only name. Fletch is legendary in Toronto, not just for the quality of sound he produced on the floor and on the stage, but because of his dedication to his craft. Trust in the sound tech is naturally imperative to coming off a show pleased with your performance and Fletch knows how to deliver. (if you play this venue and Brandon is there instead, you'll get the very same quality work, I'm actually a little suspicious that they are actually siamese twins joined at the talent).

I don't have a picture of Fletch: Sound Guy, so here's one of Fletch: Chevy Chase's character.

The bar staff is friendly, management is too and Clinton's Tavern, as a whole, is one of the most supportive venues in Toronto when it comes to Independent Music. If you're in toronto, do yourself a favour and check it out, play there or just grab a pint and watch the Leafs lose again.... oh they also host comedy and Improv there too. Check out Clinton's Tavern online.

Easy Way Out will be playing Clinton's Tavern on Friday March 28, 2008. EWO is hosting Windsor On. rock act: Evelyn Falls, Toronto Rock act: ADA and Toronto Ska/Rock act: Street 66.