February 2002

Toronto Music Scene News

WAVELENGTH TURNS TWO
That's right, more about us. Your favourite weekly music night and zine turns two years old and celebrates its 100th show this month, in case you couldn't figure out all this hoopla. The festivities take place over three nights at four different clubs (see below for the schedule). We're pretty proud of the line-up. Though there is no obvious "headliner," it's strong across the board and reflects the diversity and community we've always tried to encourage. And it's gonna one helluva party!

CHAMPION SAMPLER
High School Champion Records has just released a brand-new compilation CD, Cham-pion Sampler 01. The disc contains tracks by the label's current roster, Christiana, The Co-operators, Folk Festival Massacre and Kid Sniper, plus new signees Celestino and Currently In These United States, side projects The Magnetars and House Flaming, and finally, material by "ancestor bands" Neck, Secret Agent and Venus Cures All. Listeners also have a chance to preview new material off forthcoming albums by Kid Sniper (Landlocked) and Christiana. Champion Sampler 01 can be acquired through the label's website, www.highschoolchampion.com.

"NEW" "EL MO"
Dan Burke's plans to reopen Ted's Wrecking Yard under the El Mocambo moniker went south after the booker violated the conditions of a special events permit he had acquired for his New Year's Eve show - namely, that the permit does not allow one to advertise or charge a cover for the event. Burke claims the city informed him that College Street is not zoned for live music. Meanwhile, Burke has taken a gig booking bands two nights a week (Thursday and Friday) at Tequila Lounge, a reggae/R&B club located at the northwest corner of Bloor and Bathurst. Upcoming "El Mocambo productions" at the club include Monolake (Feb. 8), Elevator (Feb. 15), the Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Deadly Snakes (Feb. 22), L.A. psych-rockers The Warlocks (Feb. 27) and Chicks on Speed (March 25).