By Melissa Buote

FRIDAY, SEPTEM- BER 13

7:30am Left home. It was too early. Way too early.

3:00pm Got into Halifax after a long drive. Made my way to Cafe Mokka to pick up a press pass for my job as reviewer for Exclaim! maga- zine. There were problems getting a second press pass for a CIMN volunteer, but after a

The Panther Prints September 24, 1996

while all problems were solved by one of the super-organiz- ers; Marc Brown (Murderecords).

6:00pm The first show started. Thursday Toads -- a band from Dartmouth, NS -- were the first band up. They were ok...your average east coast "indie" pop. Cleveland Steamer took the stage after them. That band is way too loud! I left the building and it still sounded like I was in the

Book Reviews

Killer Tea Cosies (and how to make them) By Annette and Diane Wallis

Raincoast Books

Did you know that in the 1920's and '30's tea cozies were very trendy? I didn't. I know teapot lovers by the dozens and felt this book would make an excellent accompa- niment for anyone who loves teapots. I was right. The book contains twenty wonderfully creative cozies for your teapot, from a crocheted pansy cover to a delightful chicken-shaped tea cozy. This book is a must have for both the tea lover and crafts person. This book looks at how something as practical as a tea cozy can be a decorative ornament as well. Cozies off to Annette and Diane Willis for their creative designs.

J. Caseley

The Mediterranean Cat By Hans Silvester Chronicle Books

Hans Silvester has once again captured on film the feelings of cats as they play, sleep, fight and eat. A cat lover himself, Hans begins the book by telling about the wonder- ful cats that have been part of his life. The pictures in the book are wonderful, vivid and clear, with a real feeling for what is going on. The setting for the book, the Mediterra- nean, is a wonderful background for one of nature's most agile and beautiful of animals (can you tell I'm a cat lover?). A definite must for anyone who loves his or her cat. I also suggest checking out one of the other books from this series, Cats in the Sun. The Mediterranean Cat is the sixth in this

wonderful series.

J.Caseley

front row. Madhat were third and rocked the joint although the sound was really bad. Su- per Friendz were the second last band at this club (Cafe Ole) and they were, in a word, amazing. They always are. Watching Matt Murphy play guitar is practically breath-tak- ing.

10:00pm Left Cafe Ole, but got detained on my way to Reflections to see Broken Girl (Julie Claytor of Eric's Trip fame). I gotto baby-sit an amp for one of the previous band members and then I wasonmy way.

10:15pm Broken Girl was on stage. Her set was so sweet and beautiful. Winni- peg's Duotang followed Bro- ken Girl. They were so won- derful. This was one of the sets that I was waiting to see since I heard they were going to be playing. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. Jale was the last band to play at Reflections thatnight. Their performances were great, but the sound lefta lot to be desired. One of the guitars was too loud and the vocals were too quiet.

1:00am Trekked over to Birdland, passinga line of tents and people camped out at the Halifax Metro Centre waiting to buy tickets tothe Tragically Hip. Made it to Birdland in time to see the Olympic Death Squad (Mark Robinson from Unrest) start up. I just missed Thrush Hermit though. Olym- pic Death Squad was great, but I was really tired so I left

part way through the set. SATURDAY, SEP- TEMBER 14

1:00pm I woke up after telling myself at ten that same morning that I would just stay in bed for 10 more minutes.

Looked at the clock and real- ized I was missing Dusty Sor- bet and Lonnie James at the Rock and Roll Carnival (sob).

2:30pm Made it to the R&R Carnival in time to see the Urban Surf Kings. They were good.

5:00pm Wentovertothe Bicycle Shop Cafe for the Hali- fax Off the Wagon Cocktail Party. Ok, so there were no cocktails, just free beer. The Avengers 7 played an instru- mental set for this party. They were great. An attempt at the first few bars of the Super Friendz's "Down In Flames" and acover of Metallica's "En- ter Sandman" caused lots of laughter. By this time the hur- ricane was in full swing.

7:00pm Went home and ate dinner. The hurricane was still going full throttle so I was wet and uncomfortable from this point on.

8:30pm Headed over to the Birdland for the big show

that night. The weather was horrible and power was going outall overthe place, but thank- fully not at the club. SIANspheric 4 were first on the stage that night. They are reputedly one of the 5 best live bands in Canada, and with good reason. I left for their last song to interview Chris Murphy of Sloan. Returned to the club for the startofa wonderfully coun- try influenced set by Sub Pop's Scud Mountain Boys. I really enjoyedthem. The Pushkings, a band made up of a bunch of harvard boys, were third and they were great! They sounded almost brit-poppy andthey won overtheaudience immediately. Oneofmy favourite new bands. Change Of Heart played right before headliners, Sloan. Their set seems laced with hostility and bitterness, but I've heard it always is. They were really good nonetheless. Sloan played last. The performance was good, the atmosphere sucked.

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It was hot and sweaty and way too packed. There was a lot of moshing...even to ballads like "Bells On."

3:00am I got home and went to bed.

SUNDAY, SEPTEM- BER 15

10:30am Woke up and got ready for the Cinnamon Toast Brunch.

12:00pm I arrived at the Downtowners restaurant for the Brunch. Sat down with friends to dig intothe delicious meal of corn, beans, pancakes, eggs and of course, cinnamon toast. Andy McDaniel of the band Leonard Conan played anacoustic set filled with lovely songs including the wonderful "Frightened Of...". Soon after his set, the wonderful, unfor- gettable Piggy -- Halifax's ca- lypso band -- took the stage (or floor if you want to be literal) for arousing set of songs. They were so wonderful!! Probably

the best live band in the world. No exaggeration. es

3:00pm Headed over to © Wormwood's theatre for the Comic Jam. Stinkin' Rich was . part way through his set so I. sat down and watched him spin his marvellous tales about how he worked at CKDU and more. Al Tuck took the stage a little while later. I had enough time between sets to go upstairs and peruse all the comics and maga- ' zines that were there for the ' buying. Whata pleasant set by the amazingly gifted Al Tuck. ° It was really casual with lots of audience feed back and he even played an unfinished tune called "Not I" that he impro- vised for the last half. Beauti- ful.

5:00pm went to a great little Cafe and had an excellent falafel fordinner. Yummmm.

6:00pm headed over to the Sanctuary for the last show

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