My, my, my...how long it's been since we last spoke. Even longer still since we updated the page. Rest assured, that actions are being taken to ensure that new material will be available on our page very soon. Upon our return to Toronto from London, the three of us kinda went our own ways for a bit, but seeing as nature abhors a vacuum, it didn't last long. Itchy fret fingers, and drum hands made for a short break. We've been in the studio writing and recording more of the debaucherous rock n roll you've come to expect from Les Gars, so keep checking back, I promise not to disappoint.
XOXO ~ Vello

THE JD SET RETURNS TO FRIDAY NIGHTS ON CHANNEL 4

From February 2009, Channel 4’s Friday night output will once again rock out to the sounds of The JD Set, a series of one-off gigs partnering a line up of hot new bands with Ex Stranglers front-man Hugh Cornwell. Over the next two weeks you can catch Fox Cubs (Feb 20th) and Les Gars (Feb 27th) both tear up the stage and Belfast’s finest music emporium Spring & Airbrake. Music fans can look forward more awesome live performances from:
· Fri 20th Feb Fox Cubs, Spring & Airbrake, Belfast (Tx 01.10am)
· Fri 27th Feb Les Gars, Spring & Airbrake, Belfast (Tx 01.10 am)
· Fri 6th Mar Sam Isaac, The Cluny, Newcastle
· Fri 13th Mar Paddingtons, Spring & Airbrake, Belfast
· Fri 20th Mar Art Brut, ABC2, Glasgow

Each episode shows the band perform two tracks plus their exciting collaboration with punk legend Cornwell. Russ Tanen, the upcoming Channel 4 presenter, interviews the artists as they come off stage and provides all the behind the scenes antics. Filmed in black and white, the fifteen minute shows are bursts of musical energy capturing the UK’s most talented new artists live in action.
The JD Set began life in 2002 and have since established the reputation for delivering the buzz bands du jour. During its six-year history, The JD Set has played host to artists such as The Wombats, Foals, CSS, Kate Nash, Futureheads, and Foals. The JD Set celebrates Jack Daniel’s long-standing association and support of music, which goes way back to the man himself Jack Daniel. In 1892 he formed the Silver Cornet Band, a group of distillery workers and townsfolk.
You can view more audio, video and photography from the November JD Set Tour at www.thejdset.co.uk . Check the website for news announcements on the two forthcoming tours in March and May 2009. Know when to unplug. Please drink Jack Daniel’s responsibly.

Happy New Year, World!!! There, now I have no need to say it for another 12 months. Its hard to believe that 2009 is already upon us. It feels like only yesterday we were all feeling great in 2008, but how should we feel about this new year?
The economy is, well, fucked, or well-fucked, either way, jobs are going, going, gone, and shit ain't getting any cheaper.
There seems to be some sort of hope on the horizon in the US, but that may only be the collective sigh of a nation that is about to be rid of the worst administration in the history of its government. Don't get me wrong, what Obama accomplished in getting elected is a major step forward for the American people, and an indication that they want change (it was practically on the ballot), but who's to say that he can clean up the mess left by Bush?
The Middle East is aflame again, or still, not sure.
The Canadian government (if we have one at the moment) is a lame horse, and I've never known of a horse that can run with a broken leg.
But what can one do but endure?
Since getting back to Toronto, the band has been on a short break from itself, but the new year brings new ideas, and new ideas bring new songs, so expect to hear some new stuff real soon. The writing process has thrown me into some strange psychosis I can't seem to shake. Hopefully it translates well into the music.
So in conclusion, how should we feel about the next 365 days? Is it:
Feelin' fine in 2009? Outta line in 2009? Takin' time in 2009? Pantamime in 2009? (please no) Either way, I'm sure it'll be just as, or more interesting than last year. Have a good one!
XO - V

Well, it's been a while since I've posted anything here, and to be honest, so much has gone on since I last wrote, that I have no idea what to say. Our world has become a blur of service stations and venues, making it hard to distinguish one day from the next. It's easier to remember the emotions and vocabulary of each day, rather than the locations, events, and faces. I guess this isn't a bad thing, each night developing a personality. It gives the reality of living in a van a touch of humanity, and as we creep ever closer towards a feral state, this humanity is much needed.

X
~Vello 

http://www.metro.co.uk/metrolife/music/article.html?in_article_id=272395&in_page_id=25&in_a_source=

I have seen heaven, and I have seen hell...
And Interpol was playing both.

T in the Park, was probably the most fun I have ever had in my entire life,
Latitude was a test in patience (though fun in it's own twisted way). What is it about the infamous summer festival circuit that drives people of all ages to lose their minds in an infinite celebration? Is it the sun? Is it the music? Is it the drugs and alcohol? Or is it simply the freedom of losing ones self in a series of once in a lifetime experiences? It doesn't really matter, when faced with the prospect of a good time, one should only dive in head first.

It seems that between the months of June and September, there is at least one festival going on every weekend. I have had the pleasure of attending three already. There is no real way to describe these experiences, without cheapening their impact. There's limitless music, tens of thousands of people, sun, rain, grass, mud, people losing their minds, people opening their minds, parents, children, seniors, teenagers, college students, flags waving, tents blowing in the wind, guest passes, all access passes, no passes, musicians, artists, writers, poets, movies, lakes, pink sheep, blue sheep, green sheep, and more, and more, and more...
These festivals have both renewed my faith in humanity, and opened my eyes to it's excesses, it's potential for self-destruction. All in all, it's all been fun, and that's all that really matters.

Here's to Reading/Leeds next month!!!!

Radiohead, Beck, and Morrissey, oh my! Seems you never know what to expect when entering a London park in the summer. Music fills the spaces between the rain drops of July. Make sure to bring your boots!

Driving...not the greatest time here. London, through the eyes of a North American, was not designed with driving in mind. Roundabouts, one way streets, and dead ends, litter this beautiful city. I believe I've yet to see a single parking lot on this journey. I suppose forcing the populace to public means of transportation isn't all that bad of an idea.

UNLESS.....
you've got 2 amplifiers, an entire drum kit, a 100 pound transformer, and 3 guitars to carry. Add to the equation the inability to drive stick, and you've got yourself a potent cocktail of transportation woes. At least they drive on the same side of the street here..........
damn!

Oh London sweet London, where the streets are paved with pint glasses and empty tall boys of lager. One foot out the door and your at the party. Bike polo on Sunday, Tower Bridge on Monday, Suppose we'll see what tomorrow brings.
~V

BLOOMSBURY BOWLING LANES
THURSDAY 3rd JULY 7.30PM-2AM
The Golden Silvers
The Answering Machine
Les Gars
Royal Treatment Plant
Dead Pixels
This month at Dirty Boots we are treating you little rascals to not just four, but five fantastic
bands. July is headlined by the fantastic Golden Silvers who are the buzz band du jour. They
have been massively tipped by Radio One and were given the headline slot at One Big
Weekend on the Introducing Stage. They will darken our stage fresh from a string of gigs
around the Glastonbury Festival site including appearing on the legendary Other Stage
alongside the likes of Massive Attack and Duffy! They make nuts retro-pop and perform like
an amphetamine fuelled '40s jazz band.
The Answering Machine are Mancunian indie circuit stalwarts. They are also the sort of
band that gets flown to the other side of the world for South by South West and who regularly
appear on that ol' device, the telly. I'm not talking about Crimewatch. I'm talking about
4Music. It's wide-eyed indie-pop and if you think of yourself as having a cute romantic side,
this is a band for you.
Les Gars consider themselves a brash trio from Toronto who write songs about modern life. I
say, anyone who goes on tour with Louis XIV is alright in my eyes. This is their first UK
show and if the rumours are to be believed we'll all be hearing a lot more of this lot.
The NME recently said of Royal Treatment Plant that their Single was "a joyous and
exuberant bit of poppy speed punk"! Whatever that is, they will undoubtedly give Dirty Boots
a frantic and passionate glimpse of their soon-to-be-released album, out the following
Monday on Universal's Carbon imprint.
The gorgeous Dead Pixels are going to start the night with their blend of sexy electroclash
disco. I really recommend you get there early as these guys are one of our new favourite
bands.
As usual, our resident bit of eye candy and DJs extraordinaire, Hot Bam Whisky Fizzle, do
their tricks on the platters that matter.
Dirty Boots takes place on Thursday 3rd July from 7.30pm to 3am at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes, basement of Tavistock
Hotel, Bedford Way, Russell Square, London, WC1 (nearest Tube: Russell Square).
Tickets are £6 and £5 with a flyer.