The Vanishers perform rockabilly - a genre I used to consider somewhat strange.

Four years ago, I would have sworn that the fusion of country, punk, and rock could never work on any level, but exactly four years ago something changed for me. While I was checking out a punk band at the Kathedral one evening, I ended up staying to check out the following act and it changed the way I will view rockabilly forever.

I met up with Paul Pengelly (vocals) and Paul McGrath (guitar) at Sneaky Dee's for a beer and to chat about how they ended up here, their new album, and the scene in Hamilton.

A couple of weeks ago, I was driving home from work and listening to CBC's Here and Now, when host Matt Galloway put on a track by a trio called the Good Lovelies.

I was instantly grabbed by their infectious three-part harmony and the sly wit of their lyrics. I wrote the band's name on my wrist and resolved to look them up when I got home. An hour or so later I had paid for and downloaded their album and scoured their website for tour dates in Toronto. Sure enough, there was one - an event called Zombie Prom at the Lula Lounge.

I first saw Olenka & the Autumn Lovers open for Megan Hamilton earlier this year at the Rivoli. They were great - a cheery collective playing an eclectic mix of folk, alt country and waltzes.

Olenka Krakus and her band of merry musicians released a couple EPs and their self-titled debut full-length in 2008. They're wrapping up an Eastern Canadian tour this week and play The Garrison tonight with Toronto favourites The Wilderness of Manitoba.

I spoke with Olenka about loving autumn on tour, the eclectic nature of her music, and writing lots and lots (and lots) of songs.

At times, Slow Down, Molasses are hard to categorize. They're a grassroots ensemble from Saskatoon, but pegging just who "they" are is difficult... because they are not always composed of the same members. That may make it seem as though people are constantly being kicked out and are thus always disgruntled, but the process is actually surprisingly harmonious.

They're just finishing up a national tour and will be stopping at the fairly new Toronto venue, The Garrison on October 29th to play a final gig before returning out West.

I had to get the skinny on this band, so I arranged a phone interview with founding member, Tyson McShane. This is his story.

Live music picks for WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 28 through TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2009.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 28 / PEGGY SUE & SKY LARKIN / CAMERON HOUSE / 408 QUEEN ST W / $5 / 19+
Brighton, UK trio PEGGY SUE headline the Cameron House with Leeds, UK natives SKY LARKIN in support. Both fronted by female vocalists, Peggy Sue and Sky Larkin have already made names for themselves across the Atlantic and hope to spread their infectious folk-influenced indie-pop to eager Toronto ears. Local singer/songwriter WILLIAM DELRAY will kick the evening off, joined by a barrage of backing musicians better known as THE SEXY MOVING PARTS.
peggywho.com
weareskylarkin.com
myspace.com/williamdelray

THURSDAY OCTOBER 29 / THE BITTERS / SNEAKY DEE'S / 431 COLLEGE ST / $8 / 19+
Sneaks hosts the FUCKED UP FESTIVAL 2009 KICK-OFF show featuring plenty of local talent like THE BITTERS, LITTLE GIRLS, THE MELIGROVE BAND, DANGER BAY and METZ in addition to Minneapolis, Minnesota's FRANCE HAS THE BOMB. A spectacular line-up for a remarkably low price, this show marks the beginning of what promises to be an incredible weekend for punk rock and hardcore in the city of Toronto.
myspace.com/bittersband
myspace.com/metztheband
myspace.com/dangerbay
myspace.com/francehasthebomb
myspace.com/littlelittlegirls

In this edition: an insight into the early days of D-Sisive and the Toronto hip-hop scene, Thunderheist decide to take a breather, Sunparlour Players offer some innovative merchandise, Great Lake Swimmers line up War Child benefit show, Hawksley Workman sees his first US release, Great Bloomers unveil their new video, forthcoming release information from Gentleman Reg, Born Ruffians and Fucked Up, and a free album download from Hostage Life.