When I moved to Canada 2 years ago, I knew little of the Rheostatics apart from a few songs and what I'd read about them in Have Not Been The Same (which has been gratefully transcribed by radiofreecanukistan HERE). But I was enthralled and intrigued enough that I knew I had to make up for lost time, and quickly. Their music encapsulated everything that I imagined Canada to be - lyrical pop songs both whimsical and vast, epic guitar jams of Crazy Horse proportions, and high lonesome country folk songs all woven together like some sort of genius crazy quilt.

Now, I sit here after the band's farewell weekend with the humble satisfaction of being a part of these history-making shows, but with more than a little bit of heartbreak knowing that my "hello's" were their goodbyes. It's like missing the last train home - you'll figure out some other way to get there but the journey's just not the same. Sure, I've got 20 years of back-catalog to catch up on, but their live shows will be very sorely missed.

Eye, Now, and others have published thoughts and memoirs from celebrities and fellow musicians such as Feist, John Southworth, and Hawksley Workman, but I wanted to share the thoughts & words of the regular fans, from those just getting to know the band, to those who've grown up with them. Take a vicarious walk down a cold road that is Rheostatics memory lane...

If a pre-doors lineup 2 blocks long is any indication of eager fan anticipation, then Toronto must have been foaming at the mouth for this show. Freezing weather and biting winds simply fold in the face of the fervent fan (say that 3 times fast).

Portland's Viva Voce (who are husband and wife duo Kevin & Anita Robinson) opened, gleefully announcing that they'd come 8,000 miles to see us. Their geography might be a little off, but their enthusiasm sure wasn't. The band's reverb-y seventies stoner folk/rock was perhaps an oddball choice to pair with the bouncy-pop Shins, but it thoroughly rocked, no lie. The Robinsons wail with massive skill on their respective instruments (including Anita's Danelectro double-neck, whoa), and it's hard to believe a duo can make such a huge wall of sound. Clearly, they do not fuck around. I'd like to see this band in a more intimate venue, so I hope they'll be back this way on their upcoming solo tour.

If you're fed up with all the development going on down in the West end and wish everyone would just get along, here's your moment of zen. On Sunday March 18th, the Gladstone will be home (donating the use of it's space for free, even) to what's being called "The Queen West West Equitable-Development Beach Partee", an event organized by Tomboyfriend's Ryan Kamstra and Zoilus' Carl Wilson "to raise arts-community awareness of equitable development, homelessness, and the growing disparity between the rich and poor in the neighbourhood and in the city." Musical entertainment will feature Blocks Recording Club artists The Phonemes, Bad Bands veterans Garbage!Violence!Enthusiasm!, and Ghostlight; along with improv, a cameo appearance by Tomboyfriend themselves, plus tracks from DJ Misty Rock'n'Roll and quite possibly between-set dance lessons. Proceeds will go to homelessness-aid organizations PARC (Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre), and Na-Me-Res (a temporary home for men and youth, native and non-native which foster and maintain a healthy sense of community, cooperation and self-worth through the promotion of traditional Native Culture and Values).

"We'll party in the name of respect and equality between street artists, the professional art world and nightspot parvenues," the organizers say, "and a better balance between the wants of faux-boho condos and the needs of their neighbours, whether homeless or housed". Come join the fun, and help raise some cash AND good karma. 9 pm @ the Gladstone (1214 Queen St. West). Admission $8.

(G!V!E! photo by our own MikeR).

Far before CMW weekend kicked into gear, the buzz around The Pipettes visit to Toronto was considerable, but I don't think anyone realized just how considerable until they tried to get into the show Saturday night. The Rivoli had oversold their tiny back room, which meant that wristband holders, media passes, and even reps from the band's own label were shit out of luck. The only golden ticket was an advance ticket. By 12:30 the ticketholder's line stretched down the block, where I met fans who had traveled from all over Canada, and from as far as Ohio and New York.

After a lengthy and totally fubared door delay, the girls from Brighton, UK finally hit the stage at around 1:15am in all their polka dot glory.

With the dizzying array of bands on this year's Canadian Music Week roster, it can drive one more than a little crazy to try and chose. So let us help you! We're nice like that! Since we're a diverse crew, we're tossing out suggestions with a little bit of everything, just for you. And we'll be there, so we expect to be held accountable for these recommendations. So if you see us and approach us with a smile, then we're glad to have been of service. But if you come at us with a fist and a snarl ... uh,BlogTO who??

*drumroll*

The Official BlogTO music staff CMW picks are:

If you got musically-bored with February, then you weren't trying hard enough. But regardless, never fear - March is HUGE. With 2 big Toronto music festivals - Canadian Music Week (look for full coverage from us to come) and Pitter Patter Festival - it's coming in like a lion and staying that way. Without further adoodoo -

FRI, MARCH 2
- NEW POLLUTION 1st Birthday Party w/ The Carps, A/V, and Ultra Magnus @ Sneaky Dee's, $8
- HAMBORGHINNI (AIDSwolf side project), Fucked Corpse, LSdoubleDcup @ Xspace, $3 + awesome posters to buy from Seripop, Trip Print Press, & more)
- PETER, PAUL & MARY (the complete opposite of an AIDSWolf side project) @ Roy Thomson Hall, $49.50-$79.50
- JAMAICA TO TORONTO feat Bob & Wisdom, The Mighty Pope, more @ Lee's Palace. $20
- THE GAME @ the Docks
- UNIONIST MINISTERS @ O'Gradys
- BLOODY HOLLIES, Oh The Pretty Things, Sharp Tongues, more @ Silver Dollar
- FRIENDLY RICH & THE LOLLIPOP PEOPLE, Lederhosen Lucil, Houseplants, Sir Ernest MacMillan Chainsaw Gang @ Tranzac, $10/$12
- FORGOTTEN REBELS, 3 Tards, Antics @ Kathedral, all ages, $15