Vancouver Buzz: Leeroy Stagger Rocks, Rolls And Busts Up Dave Grohl's Teeth

This week's column is loosely centred around the most interesting Victoria bands. For once, I'm not talking about Hot Hot Heat. There's plenty of other action going on in our fair capital city. Let's get this party started. Before holing up in the studio to record a follow-up to his last album, Beautiful House, Vancouver's own hard-tourin' and hard-drinkin' Leeroy Stagger is planning to hit the road later this month, covering a multitude of venues from the Yukon to Winnipeg. I recently talked to Stagger about the new album.

What can people expect on your upcoming tour?
Stagger: It's total Crazy Horse-style rock 'n' roll.

With all your touring in the last year, you must have a few good tour stories.
Well, I accidentally clanked Dave Grohl in the teeth with a bottle of Pimms in England.

What's the state of the new album?
We start March 4 with producer John Ellis at The Factory in Vancouver. It's gonna be wicked. I'm very excited.

Are all the new songs written?
Yes, but I can't seem to stop writing more... ahh stop, please stop, no.

How does it differ from previous material?
There's way more like rock stuff and even more electric guitars. Way more alt.country rock.

Will there be a video?Yeah, I hope so. I like making videos.

Beyond your tour in a few weeks, and the planned recording session, do you have any other future plans?
We're heading back to Austin, Texas this year, and then back to the U.K. a couple of times. Just lots of shows yet again this year.

Any other info you want to pass along?
Um, basically just keep your head up and your stick on the ice.Visit Stagger's website for tour info.

Victoria hard-edged rockers Moneyshot are in the midst of prepping a new album. According to band member Tyson Yerex, this latest effort will feature 13 new tracks and is tentatively titled The Illusion Of Quality. "We're heading into Zero Gravity studios in Victoria for about a month of production and will be supporting the release in the spring with a local CD release party and yet another western Canadian tour," explains Yerex.

"This album is different from previous attempts, in that we're handling all of the recording and producing duties ourselves. And the songs this time around are even more rock 'n' roll than our previous record [Cowboys and Angels], although we still have plenty of the punk energy that Moneyshot records are known for." Check out Moneyshot's website for show info and further album gossip.

Also from Victoria, Mint Records hipsters Immaculate Machine are about to launch a tour of the U.S. west coast. If you live in Victoria, you can catch the band Friday at The Lucky Bar. American tour dates can be found on their website.

The underrated Victoria act Jets Overhead are back in Vancouver on Saturday at the UBC's Pit Pub in support of their latest release, Bridges.OK, enough about Victoria. On to some local gossip.

Channels 3 And 4 have signed a three-record deal with Summer Lovers Unlimited, the label of Dandi Wind and Duchess Says. The first release will be a limited repressing of the first Channels 3 And 4 seven-inch, which can soon be found at a record store near you. This will be followed by an official release for the EP they recorded last year with Johnny Jewel from Glass Candy. The album will also be released in the U.K. on the GRRR.DISCO label. A summer tour of Britain will follow.

If you're located in the fine rural confines of Maple Ridge, your Friday evening entertainment option is far more entertaining than usual. The illustrious crooner and all-around beautiful human being known as Mr. Plow will sing his love ballads (about urination and hockey) along with supporting acts Leper, Likely Lads and Second Stall.

Shindig finalists The Weather are at The Lamplighter on Saturday with Collapsing Opposites and the always entertaining Chris-A-Riffic.Portico are at the Piccadilly Pub on February 10 with New Years Resolution, Better Friends Than Lovers and Unlearned.Hinterland, Parlour Steps, Cinderpop and Elias are at The Railway Club on February 10.

Before I wrap up, I just wanted to send out some kind words to local acts Kingsway and OX, who delivered some fine performances this past Tuesday at the Railway. The scene is alive and well with these two eclectic acts in action.

I'm off to practice my karate moves. See you in two weeks.