ON OILER'S, PiL'S AND FALLING

Lately I've been getting the feeling that I've been born about twenty-five years late. The postpunk movement from 77-84 (Simon's definition, not necessarily mine) seems to be overtaking my life. First of all, I spent friday afternoon ooogyling over these videos by Pere Ubu, Devo and the Fall over at the youtube, and reading over with keen interest this article at K-punk on the Fall's 'peak' period from 80-83. This resulted in me running over to Music Trader to pick up Hex Enduction Hour (why did it take me so long to buy this album). Then on Saturday I caught myself at Into the Music holding copies of Pere Ubu's Song of the Bailing Man and PiL's Second Edition. Ultimately I went only for Second Edition, as I have enough Pere Ubu for now. This music's taking over my life!

I can't help it either. I'm absolutely fascinated with its messianic elements, it's willingness to destroy all that it has acomplished, only to take it into new directions, a willingness that is suspiciously absent in most independently produced music (especially indie-rock). I can't help but appreciate what groups like Pere Ubu, Devo, Throbbing Gristle, Joy Division, and of course the Fall, have signified. Namely a recognition that any attempt to place music anywhere (be it punk, indie-rock, or even postpunk), ultimately undermines the significance music has on who we are. Music isn't about seeing some form of music that seems to float your boat, and then just slotting yourself seamlessly within it. Music is about destruction, about constantly pointing to new possibilities of which it is not yet. This is why I feel like burning my Broken Social Scene Records in favour of more Destroyer and Final Fantasy albums. Why those who went to see this Strokes this Friday instead of Frog Eyes and Sunset Rubdown made a HUGE mistake. This is why much of the music from 77-84 is dissapointingly underappreciated. Anyways, sorry for the rant, I just had to get this off my chest.

Hockey also has been taking over my life as the Oilers just wont give up. Naturally, this is resulted in me kicking ass in my hockey pool (I'm actually in first as Brent doesn't really exist). Watching yesterday's game, I was suprised that the San Jose fans booed the Candadian national anthem as a sign of their distaste for Edmonton. Little did they realise that that very act made them that much more Albertan (let's forget the rest of Canada and just rely on ourselves ... I say this as an Albertan displaced in Manitoba of course though). Silly rabbit, booing is for Albertans. Hopefully that wont happen in E-town, although I wouldn't be surprised if it did.

My show this Friday probably wont happen as I'm probably heading down to the lovely town of Winkler for a Funeral. I will be around for the Alberta Report though. Make sure you tune in.