MUSIC PREVIEW: Odds are pretty good
Here’s a blast from the fairly recent past: The XTC-like Vancouver quartet that called themselves Odds. Not THE Odds, just Odds, as in probability.
Like what are the odds that Odds would rule the 1990s with such offbeat anthems as Heterosexual Man, Eat My Brain, and Someone Who’s Cool – and then disappear without a trace? Actually, this sort of thing happens all the time. Bandleader Craig Northey left in 1999, and they all worked in various projects you may never have heard of. The main band was consigned to future classic rock history.
A few years later, people started to miss this quirky, clever band, and their music started popping up in all sorts of odd places. Shortly after Someone Who’s Cool was used in a CBC series, they reformed in 2007 with Murray Atkinson as the new guitarist. Former guitarist Steven Drake, meanwhile, had made a name for himself as a studio engineer whose projects include the Tragically Hip’s Trouble at the Henhouse.
The “New” Odds, meanwhile, released their first studio album in 12 years with Cheerleader in 2008, and has since come out with four EPs, the latest being Party Party Party in 2014.
Odds music, new and old, continues to appear on TV shows, at hockey games, and in movie soundtracks, and the band has hit the road again, apparently full-time. Given the depth of talent and experience of the personnel, along with our love of all things nearly classic rock, odds were pretty good this would happen eventually.
Odds play Friday at the Station on Jasper. Opening the show is Element Orange (not to be confused with Rymes with Orange, and we’re not sure what happened to them). 7 pm, tickets $19 advance
Thursday 17
Kongos – Whether destined for one-hit wonderment or not – and there’s no shame when Come With Me Now is so stirring – there is further mojo in this band of South African brothers: Johnny, Jesse, Daniel and Dylan, last name Kongos, in case you’re wondering about the name. Their latest album, 1929: Part 1, will be out Friday – but will surely be available for early birds when the band plays Starlite Room Thursday night. The band Fitness will open. 7 pm, advance from $25
Friday 18
Kat Danser & The Tall Tales – Imagine a Polish-Gypsy blues singer from Edmonton – and here she is, at it for more than 15 years with a gutsy guitar-shredding style to match her deep and gritty vocals. Kat just released her fifth studio album, Goin’ Gone, and plays at the New Moon Folk Club (St. Basil’s Cultural Centre). Tickets, advance $20, are going fast.
Nuela Charles – This hard-working Edmonton soul singer has cracked the radio with her singles Crumbling Down and Do It Right, and is the featured act at the Citadel Theatre’s “Legends of Carnegie Hall” series Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 2 pm in “The Club” venue. Advance $27-$38
Saturday 19
John York – He’s a Byrd! A real member of the Byrds. OK, so he was actually only in the legendary 1960s band for one year, but what a year: 1969. Most of it. He worked on two studio records, a live album, and a tour before being replaced (as often happened in this band), and since then has been a prolific collaborator with other artists, and a solo recording artist. His last release was West Coast Revelation in 2011. York will be joined by the Front Porch Blues Revue at Festival Place, 7:30 pm, advance from $40
Art’s Birthday Edmonton 2019 – When you ask a musician what kind of music they play and they say “experimental” without adding another word, you can assume you’re in for a weird ride. At the Ortona Armoury starting at 7:30 pm is a plethora of experimental artists like Pizzarrhea, Shawn Pinchbeck, Hitoshi Sugiyama and many more. Similar events are taking place all over the world, to celebrate the birthday of “art.” Tickets $10.
Beach Towels – Surf music is always welcome at this time of year, and this local band from a landlocked ice-damned town is making waves. Opening the show at the Aviary is Sound System and – now here’s an odd hardcore choice to open for a surf band – Rebuild/Repair. 8 pm, $10 advance
Wraith/It All Gave Way – There’s some buzz for this pair of Edmonton experimental noise-rock bands, playing an old-fashioned “Split 7” release show at the Alberta Sex Positive Education and Community Centre (12031 76 Street). Cover at the door.
