HARDTIMES IN MONTREAL

I haven't had time to put together our weekend diary/blog from this past weekend where we did a mini-tour with Fired Up, Reign Supreme and Strife, but thought we would get this up now so you can check out an interview we did while in Montreal.

I was asleep in the car outside venue when I decided it was time to get it together and get ready to head into the show. I had literally been awake for 2 minutes and had just walked into the show when these two guys approached me and advised/reminded me about an interview they wanted to do. I shook hands with Mike and Chico and said I'd be right outside. So what would a TTL interview be without master orator Brad Casarin? I grabbed Brad out of the back and above is what ensued!!

The best part is this interview is seriously AT LEAST 30 minutes, and about 90% Brad was doing the talking - but funny enough my 10% takes up 90% of this video!! And the 1hr (AT LEAST) after the film ran out that Brad and Chico talked about DRI was amazing as well. There should have been a second camera interviewing the interview!

So check out their website www.hardtimes.ca and see interviews from holy crap just about everyone - but all the bands from that weekend they hooked up with and they are rad. Also I can't believe I actually forgot the myspace link mike said no joke about 15 times HAHAAH!

Yipes Strife!!

The day is almost upon us. Our "mini-tour" with HC legends STRIFE!
In preparation for this momentous occasion I have pieced together 2 new beaded necklaces, busted out my xxl Integ hoody and my lovely wife has stitched up the hole in my BIG 3-0's!!! Sick!

To The Lions 2.0

Tomorrow night we officially start over with our first show with our new drummer Teddy, at the Taken Reunion/Cursed record release show in Hamilton. It's been quite a while since we've played, finding a new drummer and getting ready has been a fairly lengthy process, plus during the months off Brad and his wife Tiffany had a beautiful baby boy (who's already mastering pinch harmonics). But now we're back and as cliché as it sounds, sometimes you need a change like this to shake up your band and re-energize you. We're so stoked to start playing again with Teddy, and scared for your ears because he hits so f*cking hard. And not only that but we're already deep into writing a new album that is going to go so way beyond Baptism of Fire. Being fans of all kinds of heavy music there will be a lot more influences coming out on the next record, and I can't wait to see where it goes from here.

If you've seen our MySpace(?!) you'll notice we have more shows booked in the next 2 months than we played in all of 2007, including some amazing shows with Strife and Reign Supreme, and later in the summer our first trip south of the border. And it all starts tomorrow night...

Oh my(space), what a week!

Yes as you can see, last week was a big one. Looks like our 5 shows in 2007 really got us noticed!

I’m not a big fan of myspace, even though I lurk our own page 3 times a day (oh man that guitar player with tattoos – SO HOT!) Anyways, I feel as a jaded hardcore kid over 30, it is my responsibility to show everyone younger than me what it was like getting into hardcore when I was 14, and how what it’s like now sucks and that it’s not as ‘core’ as it was 15+ years ago.


This is me now reenacting what I was doing 14 years ago. If I had my way I would be holding my 1 page photocopied Revelation Records flyer/catalogue but I couldn’t find it. Slipknot? Early COC meets late COC?? WTF?? So this is the one and only Very Distribution catalogue November 1994, with none other than Outspoken on the cover. So this is the way it went. Basically since there was no myspace to lurk from band to band, we (kids born around the Oilers dynasty) had to go either by word of mouth or by descriptions. For example: Statue “Filtering the Infection” – excellent melodic stuff with a big D.C. influence, with a rockish, some say Jane’s Addictionish, feel to it. Very original & well put together stuff. If you care, it features ex-members of Chain of Strength – UHHH YES I CARE – SOLD!!!


So then we’d fill out our 1 page form with all the releases (get your friends in on it to save postage!) And wait wait wait until finally that big box arrived in the mail and you’d open it up just to find out half the releases you picked weren’t there and they just sent you whatever the hell they felt like.

So there you go a little trip down memory lane, and considering we are playing with Strife, I thought I’d give the description for One Truth from ’94.

Strife “One Truth”: the wait is over! Now it’s finally here. Quite a few people have agreed that it’s the best straight edge hardcore record in a long, long time. Hmmmm. (Victory).

Ok that wasn’t really funny so until next time I leave you with a very important question:

Full Speed Ahead!

So if you’ve been lurking the myspace (YES MYSPACE WE ARE NOW ON MYSPACE) you’ll notice we have more shows set up in a 2 month period then we did for all of 2007. This is complete insanity. In fact it has me a little freaked out because I really need to pull myself to together physically for all of these appearances that I’ll be making (with my band). I have come up with a four point plan in order to get myself ready to be the best lead vocalist in hardcore.

Ok here they are in order from 1-4
#1 - Exercise
#2 – New clothes
#3 – Hair and Skin treatment
#4 – Diet

I think people would be pretty interested to see how this all comes together so I’m going to take you through a journey of how I am getting my self in top shape – a blogging reality tv show (that’s not on tv) if you will. Tonight’s episode follows me on the path to a supremely tip top DIET!

*CUE THEME SONG FOR MY REALITY BLOG – TEARS FOR FEARS – EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD*

This past Friday my new diet began. I was taken to try some authentic asian fare in the north side of Toronto. Some of you may have eaten at this fine dining establishment known as THE MANDARIN.


Now I have not eaten here in over 10 years but thank goodness nothing has changed! Seriously. Nothing. Same food, décor and even the same rabble rousers I recall eating here – yes 85 year old women and 10 year old kids – that demographic that wants to stretch a $10 all you can eat buffet to the max. Well, as I paroozed through the food some of it stood out more than others, for example:

ONION RINGS!


FRENCH FRIES!!!


And my favorite asian side –
PICKLES!!!


Ok I know what you’re thinking – Spark, this shit ain’t Asian, and it sure ain’t healthy!! For a moment I thought the same thing, BUT, upon further reflection into Asian culture I realized that maybe they are onto something here. I looked into the Taoist teachings of Lao Tzu who asks us to “go with the flow” and instead of doing things the hard way find the easy, simple way to accomplish our goals – in essence “do by not doing”.

I can’t believe all these years it never occurred to me. It is so obvious - I shall eat healthy – BY NOT EATING HEALTHY. After three helpings of all of the above, two helpings of dessert, and since that day 2 pizzas, a 2-4 of Lakeport, and 2 boxes of Lucky Charms I can honestly say I feel 150% better, no lie. Tonight I had ice cream for dinner and it was fucking delicious.

ICE CREAM RULZ!

Drummer Found!

Well,

We did it. After a few amazing tryouts, we got our man. We never guessed we would have so many cool people respond to our post. Well thank you cool drummer people!!

So without further aduu (sp?) we introduce none other then Ted "soft hands" Paterson.

Ted used to play with Steve in his old band Beaumont. Ted is a nice guy. Ted has cool hair. Ted hits harder then anyone I have ever heard. Ted gets hot chicks. Ted is always there. Ted likes U2. Ted has cool drums. Ted scores lots of goals for our hockey team.

Anyhow look out we got some amazing shows coming up.

Strife reunion What!!!!!!!!

Taken Reunion WHAT!!!!!
FOO FIGHTERS IN BETWEEN SHOWS CUZ THEY DON'T PLAY EVERY NIGHT SHOW....... WHAT!!!!!!!!!

PS

check out our myspace........

www.myspace.com/tothelionshc

add us we want to be your friend.

OK i now turn this over to Sparkies regular scheduled programming............

DRUMMER WANTED!

Well being one of those been around forever bands, its only natural that at some point in time one of your members is gonna wake up one day and say, "What in the fuck am I doing!" Well unfortunately that has happened to Chris Danner, drummer for the mega rock stars To The Lions. Chris will be missed however we are not ready to drop down dead. We are arming and preparing ourselves for the next big wave! So this is where you come in. Spread the word. We are looking for the next Neil Peart of hardcore to join our ranks of world domination. If you (or someone you know) is interested in joining our band of merry thrashers, then send an email to brad@tothelions.ca, or matt@tothelions.ca. Include something about yourself, and some links to music you've recorded on or just some sweet pics of you spinning flaming drumsticks.

What we are looking for in a sweet skinsmen:

-Ability to practice once a week (no more then once, promise)
-a sweet set of drums. (no Westburys, preferably a giant cage that spins 360 degrees over the crowd)
-the ability to either use double bass proficiently or at least learn how to.....fast.
-play shows in and around the great province of Ontario. (ps not overly often!)

What we have to offer you is a sweet non paying gig with a band signed to a huge record label. Oh ya and tons of chicks. (you are responsible for attracting and getting the chicks)

Most anticipated album of 2008

"Veteran San Francisco Bay Area thrashers TESTAMENT will release their new album, "The Formation of Damnation", in North America on April 29, 2008 via Nuclear Blast Records."

Testament was my favorite band when I really got into metal in high school, and I kind of lost interest in the early 90's but about two years ago I found their 1999 CD "The Gathering" and it instantly became one of my favorite metal albums of all time. I can't believe I missed it when it came out. I had heard "Demonic" a times on tour, but for some reason never picked it up, but when I found out Dave Lombardo had played drums on the Gathering I had to find it, and I have probably listened to it a minimum of twice a week since.
With Eric Petersons riffs, Paul Bostaph playing drums, Alex Skolnick back on lead guitar, and Andy Sneap producing(!!) I have zero doubt this new record will be amazing. Cannot wait until April.

And I guarantee there was to be a To The Lions promo photo this is the look we would go for. Sunglasses?... check, black, head to toe? ... check, barbedwire!... check, smiles? ... there's no smiling in metal.

\m/

TTL Myths!

Ok so something a little concerning happened this morning but first I'll preface with this.
I don't know what the other guys email situation is but over the last month or so it has become clear that a bot has taken my email and now my inbox is flooded with the craziest shit. Please see below:

First off I'd like to say Cliff Baxter you are one crazy mofo.
Second off I'd like to say pretty much I wake up each morning with 80 emails as such. And through the day probably another 100. As a result I empty my inbox with EXTREME PREDJUDICE.
This morning I was about to do that when amoungst those emails was one offering us a show. I was 2 seconds from trashing it. Fuck me.

So basically this really is an apology to anyone that may have written me saying what a great vocalist I am, wondering about possible solo projects, offerings of gifts etc ... oh and I guess if you had any questions about To The Lions.
If you did, get in touch - oh yes and here is the myth debunker -

Although it looks like we won't play shows it's really because we don't believe in whoring ourselves out as door to door salesman for 14 yr old girls. We will play anywhere just get in touch (YES ANYWHERE - EVEN AMERICA - UGH) - and if you did already and I trashed your email which read "xsparkx ..." (because inside it usually says "tired of your small dick? and I'm bummed out for the rest of the day) my sincerest apologies.
Yours Truly,
Sparkmarker

The Mozzer!!!

Oh Manchester...so much to answer for...........

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!!!!!