UPDATE! OH YES!

Ok so I’m putting off my personal post about my doppelgangers (oh yes, stick around for that one) to give a long overdue post on the latest happenings on To The Lions.

Well, get ready for this exciting news!!
As you can see from this amazing picture from a recent rehearsal, Brad “The Irish Saint” Casarin is shredding hard during a new tune. After a GRUELING four shows in four months in support of our first full length BAPTISM OF FIRE (get it in stores now! second pressing is out!), we are taking some time off to work on our next record, which you can look for sometimes in early 2010. Some of the ideas we are throwing around is a super creative concept for a “themed record” that we are going to call “To The Lions: A Hairy tale of Niles Butterball, the Frozen Turkey.” It’s going to be crazy shit, all about this turkey named Niles who nonebody wants for thanksgiving so one day he just gets up and says FUCK IT! I BEEZ OUTTIE! I’m not going to say anything more. You’ll have to listen to tracks 2-11 to find out the rest.

More updates to come!

Lost Venues in Southern Ontario - SKETCHY MEAT LOCKER/WAREHOUSE WHERE THERE WAS ONLY EVER ONE SHOW I KNOW OF

Sweet last post there Brad!
Well here we go again. I will promise more blogs and more blogging there will not be! (How's that for english?) I think we have all come to terms that between playing one show a month and watching Top Chef, I just don't have to time to keep up with this shit. So instead of fulfulling (whoa another doozy!) my title of the King of Empty Promises let's just say you'll get the goods when you get them. NOW ONTO THE SHOW!

In this installment we are going back in time to December 31, 1995 - the place - some weird empty warehouse, I think it used to be used as a meat locker, in Kensington Market on Oxford street. If I had to guess where it was today, that row of townhouses would have to be it because I think the building was condemned. Now this show was during the peak of my hardcore nerddom (damn I just can't stop!) which is clear by the fact I had chosen to spend my new years with a bunch of smelly ass crusts and watch the singer of Coleman claw her face off (arrrrghghgh so hot *drool*)

So I've mentioned one of the finer bands from that era of hardcore and to give you a feel of what made us take a train and walk aimlessly in Toronto trying to find this place - and spend $50 on a cab ride home - I'll run down some of acts that graced this fine establishment on that cold December eve. When we walked in New Day Rising was playing a super set and they had just released their double seven inch (oh man! double seven inch!!! from a local band no way!) and after that it was a who's who of Great American Steak Religion/Ebullition recordsesque (4 for 4!) bands. Really all that I remember was Drift, Okara and Union of Uranus - who was super hyped because they had some connection to Chokehold that eludes me at this moment. As well the aforementioned Coleman. Sidenote: if you talk with some people who are from Montreal about these bands the term "Les Bruns" gets thrown around AHAAAAAAA Les Bruns, get it?!?! Grade also kicked it mid afternoon but the reason we were all there was to see the Steel City's own CHOKEHOLD!!! Oh shit this was a big deal. Being a 17yr old straight edger was never so good! Content With Dying was out and that record ruled. I could really go on and on but I'll wrap it up - I guess I could be back home trying to hook up with some wasted jock girl at a jock party but I spent that new year's singing along to Instilled at midnight and I wouldn't have changed a thing. So here's to Oxford street, Les Bruns and Hamilton's finest export other than Rick Campanelli!!!

The eternal 30-something openers

That's us. You need a band of thirty-year old dudes to open your show, you know who to call...

What's Happened??

Once again over a month has gone by and there has been little activity on the TTL blog. Normally I would write and fill you in on the few happenings that have been going on with the group, our shows, what I’ve been eating, etc … HOWEVER, the real reason why nothing has been written is because it has recently come to my attention (aka band meeting) that my blogs are “stupid”. Apparently things like traveling, football and pizza are not important. First off, PIZZA IS IMPORTANT. Second off – I AM IMPORTANT.
If there’s one thing I know about journalism it’s that people love to read stories. If there’s one thing I know about blogging, it’s that people love to read stories with a photo attached, and occastionally an mp3. This is what I do, other than sing in To The Lions and work out 3 days a week. Naturally I am misunderstood and can’t help but feel a bond with other great misunderstood lead vocalists in rock – David Lee Roth, Vince Neil, Kyle Bishop to name a few. But to be perfectly honest I think that my closest tie is not with a lead vocalist but with the number one shredder in metal, the one and only Dave Mustaine. Like Dave, somehow my means of expressing myself have singled me out from the group and left me feeling like I’m on the way out. My only advantage is that I didn’t wake up like Dave, and get put on a bus back to Cali – BUT I did have to pay for my own GO Train ticket back to Toronto! Can you believe it?! As soon as Mustaine got back to the coast he put together the plan to start a band that would kill Metallica – WELL, for the last month I have been scheming and hatching a plan to start a more heavy, supremely hardcore and sickitating group that will kill everything. That is right – get ready for the one and only … MEGASPARK!. MEGASPARK! (yes, exclamation point in the name!!!) has been secretly practicing for the last month and we are getting close. Right now I am the only member of the band but rest assured now that word has gotten out I will get several emails expressing interest in joining. So stay tuned for updates on MEGASPARK! Where I will be keeping you up to date on people I hate walking down the street, famous pets and 4 Corners strategies!
Until the next time!!

MY RUIN

One time when I was in montreal I was at a party talking to a super french dude (like from France) - hardly spoke english, dressed like a beatnik, total "artiste" - no beret though, that would have capped it. This guy starts going off about food or whatever. Starts talking about drinking a glass of olive oil before drinking hard so you don't puke (ok, sure), then how something like drinking beer is like eating 3 sticks of butter (I'm all, get this idiot out of here) BUT THEN he starts going on about Pizza and how heated up cheese has endorphins that go to your brain or something and how it's addictive and pizza addictions and whatnot. I had never heard this before so I was a bit skeptical about such a claim BUT I do love pizza alot so I could possibly understand.

FAST FORWARD TO LAST NIGHT

Last night I'm coming home from practice late and i'm tired and grouchy and I jump off the streetcar at College and think hmmm maybe i'll get a slice. So I walk to Massimos (still tired, still grouchy) take out a five, get a slice and a coke. So I walk out of the place, turn up Leatherface, take my first bite and swear to god - REBORN!!! I'm all "fuuuck leatherface RULES! fuuuuuck tonight RULES! fuuuuuck that girl over there is cute! EVERYTHING RULES! PIZZA RULES!!"
So I get home, and this might have had something to do with smoking weed, but I totally starting thinking about that french guy and his whole theory about pizza and being addicted to it. And i'm just all - holy shit it's true! Like right now I want pizza!!! (right now right now - as I'm typing this right now) Do you think that show Intervention would do an episode on me eating pizza? Can you stage your own intervention? Probably not. Either way nothing could have made me happier last night than a slice and this morning I stole records from my roommate to buy a large pizza for lunch.

PIZZA RULZ!!!

We're digital

I don't know why I'm stoked on this, but I just saw the new CD on iTunes and got super excited. I love my iPod. The link above is for the Canadian iTunes store btw. Americans can get it here. And the rest of you will have to find it on your own, it's too much freakin' work copying all those links.

Matt Jones Stag

Thought I'd post this little video from Matt's Stage "BACK YARD MOSH"

After a day of golfing, 30 burgers, Ice Cream cake and 6 cases of Lakeport - The back yard MOSH broke out! - Check it out!

Matt's getting Married in 2 Weeks - Congrats Matt & Amy!

Back ...

Hello all. It has been a long time since I've blogged. Certainly all of my loyal readers have struggled over the months finding quality sources of wit and humour.
You all might be interested to know that I have been away ...
...
TO EGYPT!!!




...

...

...


ONTARIO!!!

Apparently Egyptian men are so macho they just don't give a fuck and go swimming with their clothes on. I like to think the game of "Chase the Ball into the Lake" was so intense these dudes just went right the hell in. It probably started in the parking lot and the highest level of the game is when, in fact, the ball has been chased into the lake ... with your clothes on.

One day I too will be a famous ball chaser. Into lakes. Fully Clothed.

ITS THE BIG DAY

Its the "cd release in stores" day.

No sleep til Sunday.

Its the "cd release in stores" day.

With my pack of smokes and my case of beer.













Please support Goodfellow and buy this record in stores today!!!!!

THE BIG NIGHT!!!

WHOOOOOAA
yes tonight was the night. CD release party!! OH WHAT A PARTY. Damn!
First I gotta say holy shit it was The Kill Decibel's last show. I got a free shirt and 3 7"s. They are sweet dudes and we are stoked (stoked, great word) that we played alot of shows with them.
Second check out the sweet rip in my groin. Obviously I was taking no prisoners tonight and tore the shit out of my jeans. I also took off my shirt. ONE WORD - BREATHTAKING. Actually right now I'm thinking of that loser in Creed fuck I hope I didn't come across like that douchebag. Either way all the chicks loved it. TWO WORDS - BURNING LOINS. Now take a look above the group shot. That is one sweet banner.

That shit took me 11 hours to make. Notice the lions with the party hats. THAT'S HOW WE DO IT!! WHAT?!
Another interesting note of the evening was the moshing competition where we gave away a badass 30" trophy. It was a tough compettion but in the end youth prevailed and Marc Milewski took it home and what can I say the dude is a Dirtball, a Regulator and a serious Quebecer (sorta) at heart. Both those girls on the right are telling me to wrap this up so I gotta go! Thanks everyone for coming out it was a good time, looking forward to playing more yadayeada fuck it's late.

CD Release Party

To celebrate our first CD our good friend Chris Slorach has put together an awesome show on Friday June 15, at Sneaky Dee's in Toronto. We'll have CDs for sale at the show a few days before the street release date and at least one new shirt design, free stuff, prizes and tons of booze. The always awesome Kill Decibel are playing, and a couple of new bands - Crimson Mire and No Orphans - so come on down and hang out!

REVIEW MIRROR.............

ok so my titles to these blogs are gonna get lamer and lamer just warning! oh and i'll cut and paste them from now on and link up to the websites as these sites deserve your attention!

heres a very thorough review from http: www.siczine.com
also props to Jeff for dishing it up!

SicZine
Jeff Karbow
1221 Devereaux Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19111


To The Lions
Baptism of Fire
Goodfellow Records

I can't believe it! A band that actually deserved to get picked up by a nice sized label did! The world must be nearing an end or something. When I heard these guys would be releasing an album on Goodfellow I was flipping. But enough of that gay, mushy stuff. If you've read my review for the band's demo that came out in 2005 you'll already know that this is going to be a glowing review that'll make me sound like a little school girl gushing.

Anyhow, for those suckers out there that haven't been properly introduced, please let me do so. These guys are a five-piece out of Burlington, Ontario and feature former members of Grade, Confine, and SeventyEightDays. And no, it does not sound like Grade. The press sheet says these guys are reminiscent of Unbroken, Chokehold and Undertow which for the most part is true. You have the lyrics against religion similar to Chokehold, the mix of metal/hardcore like Unbroken. But the main influences in my opinion are derived from the Cleveland scene and its crop of metallic hardcore bands and let me know forget the Holy Terror banner that the mighty Integrity waved.

For the people who missed the boat on the demo the band has put the best tracks from it on this album (which is pretty much all of them!). The album opens up with my favorite track by the band thus far, "Ride The Apocalypse", which I would call the title track of the album considering the album title was taken from the lyrics of the song. You also have the thunderous track "Amnesia" that was also taken from the demo. The second to last song "From Fear and Hate Sets Free" (my second favorite song) is also from the demo. The aptly titled closer, "Final Chapter" was originally called "Chokehold" on the demo but considering it is the final track it was a nice touch to change the title. All of the aforementioned songs are virtually the same as they were on the demo with just slight changes like the delivery of vocals in spots and a little more feeling in the harmonics, octaves, etc,.

Now on to the new beauties. I would say the band/label made a good decision using the song "Nightmare Begins" as the first single because it is the best track off the album that wasn't on the demo. "Nine Calibres"(ers) [I think the label botched on the song title] is a damn good song with a monster breakdown and a nice chorus that reminds me of oddly enough of the Foo Fighters single (the name escapes me and I'm not even going to bother to search) just the part where it goes "You're there, you're there". "Ten/Fifteen" is my second favorite track of the new bunch. The solo used during the chorus is top notch and I would love to hear more of that from these guys. The chorus has an awesome melody that just crawled right under my skin and gave me the goose bumps. "The Forsaken" is no slouch either and utilizes some sweet picking patterns and a sweet lead/solo. "Armour of God" features yet another sweet and well used solo that caps off yet another bludgeoning track.

The songs are fairly consistent in terms of length. The songs tend to stay around the 2:45-3:20 area which is a pretty damn ideal length for this type of metallic hardcore. It gives you plenty of time to get into the songs but without the chance of getting bored.

Don't know where this was recorded or anything like that but I doubt it was recorded at the Lion's Den (band's practice spot) because everything sounds heavier and thicker. Probably the biggest difference in recording from the demo is the much better placement of the vocals. It allows for both the vocals and instruments to be at the top of their game. The guitars are absolutely crushing. The bass has good tone and really adds solid low end to the mix. Very good snare and kick tone and good volume overall for the drums.

I said I was done writing up albums that are sent to me in the super-gay cardboard sleeves but this is one of the FEW bands I would make that exception for. Because I don't have access to the total package just yet I can only comment on the front cover (which you can see for yourself anyway). But if the rest of the layout utilizes the
same color scheme as the front cover and some nice imagery within the booklet I'm sure it would be a treat for the eyes. And considering most CD's put out by Goodfellow always have good visuals I wouldn't expect any different this time around.

Rating: 5/5

Songs Worthy of Replay: Ride The Apocalypse. From Fear and Hate Sets Free and Nightmare Begins

Synopsis: This is due to drop June 19th, so get your mother fucking asses out to your nearest ma and pa store and pick this up or if you're one of those not fortunate enough to have good record stores in your vicinity, bust out with your credit card and order this mother fucker. You won't be disappointed. Judging solely by the music,
recording, and the lyrics this album is worth making the purchase.

Album Reviews

Well the album is out to the media and reviews are rolling in so I thought it would be cool to put a post up as we receive them.

check em out:

http://www.pastepunk.com/news.php?nav=rss&rss_id=7826

and:

http://www.howsyouredge.com/reviews/2007_05_01_archive.php#511928999953494451

lots more to come.

Album out JUNE 19!!

FOOTIE FOOTIE FOOTIE

That's right, I said it - FOOTIE - better than "soccer" if you ask me.
It was the weekend of football. Canada's under 20s were making Toronto FC look bad but I had high hopes come saturday and OH MOMMA did they come through!! Having grown up in the Toronto area I've seen every major franchise play, seen the Jays clinch, the raptors first win etc ... but I swear I've never seen a crowd go completely bananas over a single goal. TFC fans put every other team to shame. Do I want to be shushed at a jays game by some dick in front of me who's keeping stats in his program? PASS. Do I want to spend $100 for shit seats and watch the leafs ... well yeah, but do I want to watch the Argos in a half emtpy stadium? NO. Raptors are pretty sweet but still - I've never thrown so much shit onto the pitch or sworn or sang at any of those games, or high fived everyone around me for a regular season game. I was into it before but now i'm sold this team rules and so does the stadium and so do the fans - DICHIO FOR MAYOR!!!

And yes I was drunk for that last post and for the game but i'm 99% sure that had nothing to do with it.

WHOA

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

New post for new post sake

I really don't know what the fuck that last post even means but I figure since we just put up a new main page we should have something to do with the band.

We are very happy with the way the record turned out and how Goodfellow is treating the release! We are playing a Toronto date in May and then planning a string of CD release shows in the greater Ontario area. Dates to be posted soon.


Thrash or die.

what's up with that?

Being blown away by someone you'd probably never listen to, let alone go see live, in a million years.
I think she lives in Austin now so I guess it was actually kinda punk.

Knives Bat Broken Hats

Another update to celebrate the best weekend of 2007 so far which was jam packed with sunshine, shorts, tshirts (no sleeves) and bikes.

I won’t even go nuts breaking it down – Friday night Lifetime (see my top 10 for 2006) was so choice. If you get a chance to see them, I highly recommend it. Note the photo above where my ballcap disappeared into the sea of … pushmoshers? And I was certain it was lost forever – but alas it was found broken, mushed and dirty as fuck. But it stays on my head (except when I’m sleeping or showering).

Other key events – pickup soccer, baseball practice, freedom haters bicycle club meeting, and almost running over 4 people on my bike and spitting on cars.

And to wrap it up I’m now watching Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Interesting sidenote – did you know Cameron Frye was 30 years old in this movie? TAKE THAT LUKE PERRY!!

Now I’ll post some wise words from the one and only Ed Rooney.

Between Grief and nothing … I’ll take grief.

Whoa. Deep.

Lost Venues in Southern Ontario - THE JCC

Barux Haba!! Welcome to another installment of “Lost Venues” - it’s been over a year, but not to worry there are plenty of defunct venues not just in Toronto but all surrounding areas and I’m rededicated to bringing you, the reader, a little history lesson of Toronto and Southern Ontario hardcore.

In the centre of downtown Toronto, Bloor and Spadina, is the Miles Nadal Community Centre. Prior to the official name change it was simply known as the Jewish Community Centre or the JCC. For a short period of time (roughly two years I think – it seemed a lot longer) the majority of shows in Toronto were held here. Pretty much every touring band that might not have been big enough to draw at a bar played here. Like I said, I’m pretty sure there was only shows here from around 2000 to 2002 and the list of bands is pretty impressive. Saves the Day (LOVE Saves the Day), Fastbreak, The Swarm, Every Time I Die, 100 Demons, A Death for Every Sin, Blood Has Been Shed, No Warning ... and I'm just warming up!!

One of the best highlights of the JCC was during 100 Demons there was some drunk douchebag moshing like a … well, like a drunk douchebag. The song was done but this guy kept flailing around like an idiot and the “pit” was wide open except for Rod Full Contact who was taking a breather in between songs. So this guy stumbles into Rod from behind and I’m not sure if he knew this was the dude who ran into him, but regardless he proceeds to without even checking (you know, shoot first ask questions later) turn around and completely flatten him with a right cross. It was a beautiful sight to behold (because I was so fucking edge) and RIGHT on cue Sean Martin starts shredding “Eye of the Tiger”. You can’t write that shit!!!

So there you go, the JCC, a short lived mainstay in Toronto Hardcore, you can go there now and mosh in the Second Cup.

EDITOR’S SIDENOTE: I could not find a pic of a show here for the life of me, or a flyer. If you have one send it my way and I’ll update the picture.