SUBCITY

Ten years ago, one of Winnipeg’s most exciting party bands formed. Since then, SubCity Dwellers have crossed the country numerous times (playing upwards of 600 shows locally and beyond) and released five records, including 2009’s amazing Where’s the Noise.

Of course, all good things must come to an end, and with SubCity that end will fittingly be at the West End Cultural Centre. Fitting, as it’s where the band made its live debut. The room has changed (and so have some of the band members), but the songs are the same.

SubCity not only made waves for itself, but its members spawned many a successful side project, including The Crooked Brothers, the Noble Thiefs, Kids on Fire and Guerillas of Soul - to name a few.

There is no question that SubCity has made a lasting impression on the Winnipeg music scene with its unique blend of rock ‘n’ roll, reggae, punk, soul, ska, jazz and blues.

One last bit of the legacy - the show is being recorded by John Paul Peters for the band’s final album, a live disc to come out through Transistor 66 sometime this summer. The band has even commissioned a whack of local artists to provide a number of posters to commemorate the event, one being an oil print by Kyle Scheurmann that will be available for purchase and signing at the show.

Yes, the two sets the band plan on playing this fateful night will involve many a former member, and many a classic tune - as well as a whack of new ones. So dust off your checkered Vans and dance with SubCity one last time.

Catch SubCity’s last show with special guests The Windups on Friday, March 9 at the West End Cultural Centre. Tickets are $15 at Music Trader and Into The Music and are going fast.

- Nicholas Friesen

INDICATOR INDICATOR

The first post on the Facebook page for Indicator Indicator, Quinzy frontman Sandy Taronno’s new solo project, says it all: “First things first - gorgeous/genius super-band Quinzy is hale and healthy, of course. This (project) is just another hose to spray the world with music.”

After playing a few solo gigs last summer (usually as a double bill with ex-Quinzy member Brian James), Taronno recorded a handful of songs, including the poppy as heck January First, the sprawling, synth-laden Your Cocoon and the haunting This Place is a Factory which can be found on the project’s website, www.indicatorindicator.com.

The songs are exciting, beautifully fleshed out and are guaranteed to stick in your subconscious for days.

Sliding the spotlight away, Taronno made a recent change from simply naming the project after himself. Wanting to use the band name for a while but having no place for it, it seemed to fit this new project, which also consists of Taronno’s brother/Quinzy keyboard player James and House of Doc’s Matthew Harder on guitar.

With Taronno on bass, it’s a throwback to the old days of Quinzy, but in so many more ways, a giant step forward. Now that he’s recording his own songs at such a feverish pace, it won’t be long before Indicator Indicator has something for you to pick up at the merch table.

Check out Indicator Indicator’s live debut with the Mariachi Ghost and Bean on Saturday, March 10 at the Park Theatre at 8 p.m. It’s a sci-fi inspired night of fun and excitement with tickets available online at www.ticketbreak.com.

- Nicholas Friesen

They Say

They talk, don’t they? But who are they?

The members of local rock band They Say say they began as a crossing of paths and a conversation at Bonnaroo Music Festival, in Tennessee, between Jonathan Broeska (lead vocals) and Jay Smith (lead guitar). They say that meeting led to a writing partnership that had the two scouting bandmates to finalize the project. 

They say they found drummer Kevin Kornelson and bassist Kurtis Wittmier (both formerly of Hot Live Guys) as well as guitarist Jesse Ives, and that’s who they say were the best local musicians to bring that written music to life.

What else do they say?

“We aim to get people on the dance floor,” Broeska says.

The band’s current focus is a live show that will have the crowd in motion, and Broeska bringing his energy from former Static Pop rock band The Nods to the new chemistry of They Say leaves little doubt that the rabble will be rowdy.

What do they say they sound like?

“We’re an experimental rock band with a bit of a pop influence,” says Broeska, citing Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers as influences.

They Say had a successful inaugural debut performance in February at The Cavern, and plan to continue its good start, adding more shoes to more dance floors.

They say they just need a chance, so check them out as they make their sophomoric (as in second, not childish) appearance, to compel you into motion.

They Say will perform Saturday, March 10 at The Zoo with The Bokononists and Sons of York.

Visit www.everythingtheysay.com.

- Samuel Swanson

Published in Volume 66, Number 22 of The Uniter (March 7, 2012)