By sheer happenstance as we reflect upon a case of mono recordings, Julie London turned up at the top of the stack of vinyl. Julie London on Sunset Records SUM-5104
Part One is dedicated to a listening of the pressing of Kind of Blue Columbia that was released on blue vinyl Columbia – CS 8163. However, life sometimes kind of throws you a bowl of spaghetti at you, so you dodge.
Sitting here in the dark with Brothers In Arms (20th Anniversary Edition) SACD playing. Who in this current century is still purchasing a SACD player or searching for actual Super Audio CD? Although it may be deemed a dead format by someone who is in the game told me, nonetheless the thought of having the perfect rendition of a favourite record spinning in the night is enticing. With the Denon DVD-3910 universal DVD player — the Swiss army knife able to play a whole host of DVD and CD formats and surfaces — the atmospheric soundscape of ths album transports the listener into the clouds with its sharp and shiny production.
Starting with So Far Away, the SACD is an ideal format for Mark Knopfler’s guitars and gruff expressive voice all the way to the last track of Brothers In Arms and the feel of tight bass elements with the drums sitting just right into the mix. The single track Money for Nothing absolutely showcases the dynamics of the production and wha is possible on SACD. Then there is the jaunty Walk of Life. Even in this age of the re-emergence of vinyl as a desired item to possess and play, this Mobile Fidelity SACD from 2005 would fit into your collection and with its hybrid format, it would play in the normal listener’s CD player. Considering the price of the Mobile Fidelity vinyl version of Brothers In Arms, the MoFI SACD is quite affordable.
As a novel listening experience in this era. Listening to an actual SACD in your own private listening room in Future Shop on a comfortable couch. Recommended.
With the recent RSD 2021 release Chet Baker Sings, the trumpeter gets to feature his singing voice. The feature of the release is it is in mono. Being in mono actually brings this recording to life.
Listening to it is a pleasure and being a stereo or audiophile nut (albeit without the budget) means the resurrection of the Connoisseur BD-1 belt drive turntable that was built by the experts at Ring Audio. The assembly kit was placed on a solid piece of wood that was anti-vibration. Drilled in place beside the platter is the original classic SME 3009 tonearm. Chosen for its characteristics to accompany the tonearm is the Nagaoka MP-10 cartridge, a Japanese cartridge that for its time was expensive. Fortunately, the MP-10 cartridge still works with the new generation of its brand of stylus options. The MP-110 replacement stylus represents an upgrade over what would have been its new MP-100 counterpart.
Together, the Nagaoka combination sounds like a dream, accurate and bringing out detail in the mid-range. The high end rings and the bass is present.
That it is from the original mono tapes acutally brings this recording to life. Keeping it in mono makes it sound less processed. With eyes closed, the image of Chet Baker Sings rings true centre.
This original post was written in a time before life as we knew it shut down. This was going to be a year with lots of promising bands, new records to come out of the studios and breakthrough release parties in the clubs. Well, you all know what happened next. This post was a small document on trips to the clubs to visit friends and see them on the stages, just like back in the old days when we would be hitting the road every weekend throughout Ontario or literally the rest of the world (whether it be in under down under New Zealand or the top of the world in Finland or Sweden). This was the original post with some of the last photos we took in the clubs.
Snowy weekend in Toronto. It is the middle of January and already the camera has been traveling to three different clubs. What happened to hibernation?
January 4, 2020 – Heather Valley – Cameron Club – Toronto, ON
January 9, 2020 – Time Machine release party – Sappho – Tomacco – Ary – Body Double – Junction City Music Hall – Toronto, ON
January 16, 2020 – Pretox – Straight to Business – Bovine Sex Club – Toronto, ON
January 22, 2020 – Sappho @ The Boat
January 31, 2020 – Tomacco @ Monarch Tavern
February 1, 2020 – Heather Valley @ Tranzac Club
February 8, 2020 – Skye Wallace w/ Les Deuxluxes, Zinnia, Lenny Bull @ Horseshoe Tavern
February 9, 2020 – Dirty Rick, Dead Levee @ Bovine Sex Club
Background: After a visit to the Turntable Doctor during Boxing Day week, the recent inspection of my Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge stylus, the verdict was 1000 hours of life left on it. So how long is 1000 hours of stylus life? Obviously, the answer is 1000 hours. The quick math translates 1000 hours to 6 weeks of 24/7. However being human, how long would it take me to explore my record collection to reach 1000 hours of play? The answer is the subject of these posts. Turn off the lights and have a listen to 1000 hours and counting down.
Dead Dogs can learn new tricks. Dead Dog Records know all the old tricks.
Enter through their doorway in the Bloordale Village and it’s the place where everyone calls you Joe. The folks there have my tastes down to a T so we start with the letter G.
Gillian Welch The Harrow and the Harvest
GILLIAN WELCH The Harrow and the Harvest ACNY 1109LP
Gillian Welch fans know Gillian is pronounced with a hard G. Consider me a learned fan now. Whether this record be country or Americana, the album is plaintive songs filled with simple stories sung of harrowing tales and hard times, faith and the other side ahead.
There’s six white horses coming after me Six white horses coming after me Pretty as a picture, certain as the scripture Six white horses coming after me
Steely Dan Gaucho
STEELY DAN Gaucho
MCA 6102
Release: 1980
It is 1:11 a.m. on a cold winter’s day. And what better time to slip on Steely Dan onto the turntable evoking the cool hipster lifestyle of sunny CaliforniL.A. Walter Becker and Donald Fagen tunes, immaculate players and playing with a horn section from Tom Scott to boot taken to the limit. Too cool for school? I have read too many reviews of snobophiles who use a myriad of Steely Dan AJA pressings and SACD as the test source for showing off their equipment, I do not fall into that camp, but I thought Steely Dan Gaucho would be a smooth experience. The quest for perfection in the studio. Or obsession. Who is up for a listen to Toto IV or Dire Straits?
Led Zeppelin
LED ZEPPELIN Led Zeppelin
Atlantic – 8122-79664-1
Release: 2014 (initial release 1969)
“The Led Zeppelin legend began in January of 1969 with the group’s eponymous debut. From the opening salvo of “Good Times Bad Times,” on through to “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You,” “Communication Breakdown,” and “Dazed And Confused,” the album introduced the band’s unmistakable sound and left an indelible mark on the music landscape.” So said so well straight from Led Zeppelin itself.
ROLLING STONES It’s Only Rock ‘N Roll Label: Atlantic Rolling Stones Records – COC 79101
Release: 1974
Production at Musicland by the “Glimmer Twins” of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Rhythm n bluesy swagger in the studio with a very forward imaging. It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll is the classic anthem of r n r. Brash, sassy, arrogant.
NINE INCH NAILS PRETTY HATE MACHINE
BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY B0015099-01
The start of it all in a reissued format on 180gm. Bicycle Music Music bought out TVT and pressed this on 180gm black vinyl album.
Background: After a visit to the Turntable Doctor during Boxing Day week, the recent inspection of my Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge stylus, the verdict was 1000 hours of life left on it. So how long is 1000 hours of stylus life? Obviously, the answer is 1000 hours. The quick math translates 1000 hours to 6 weeks of 24/7. However being human, how long would it take me to explore my record collection to reach 1000 hours of play? The answer is the subject of these posts. Turn off the lights and have a listen to 1000 hours and counting down.
Linda Ronstadt, the subject of The Sound of My Voice movie on CNN inspired tonight’s listening. Skye Wallace’s self titled album has been burning a hole into my ears and her photos from recent club performances on stage with band fronting for Lowest of the Low (see image below) have been blazing from my smugmug and others social media. The record itself is black vinyl with a test pressing label! The listening was quite enjoyable with little to note about any distracting noise. The album ranges from moody reflections to full on guitar and bass rockers which capture the adventures of her life.
Emmylou Harris Luxury Liner
Emmylou Harris Luxury Liner was handy and was the natural follow-up. (Dolly Parton and Nicolette Larson provide back-up vocals amongst many. Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt comprised Trio for their two albums.) Even though this is a Warner Brothers Canadian pressing from 1977, the production was immaculate with little if any surface noise. The highlight of Luxury Liner is naturally Emmylou Harris’s voice itself and stellar talent in the band.
Eagles Hotel California
While sorting through albums, the Eagles Hotel California on Asylum Records 1976 turned up more than coincidentally (the members of the Eagles being early members of Linda Ronstadt’s band). Checking the 7ES 1084 catalogue number, this album copy is the 1976 Canadian pressing with the gatefold from Asylum. The record might have needed a little bit of record cleaner and a zap of the Zerostat gun. There were a few reminders that this Hotel California was not a compact disc. Otherwise, the memories of past sitting down by the stereo come back. Which is part of the vinyl experience. The familiar intro to Hotel California led all the way past New Kid in Town to the end of side one with Wasted Time. Flipping over the record brings in the reprise of Wasted Time. The second side is the opposite of Life in the Fast Lane and exits with the more sombre outro of The Last Resort. Raise the needle and turn off the stereo for the night. It is 1:11 a.m.
If you have a nice comment or stylus recommendation:
Today’s listening was a couple of classic albums from The Replacements! The records listened to were Pleased to Meet Me (1987), and Don’t Tell A Soul (1989). These are on black vinyl, the original price of Pleased to Meet Me is a whopping $6.97. These two albums are going to be re-issued soon with coloured vinyl. However, the two Replacements albums are minty black and sound fine the way they are. Talent Show from Don’t Tell A Soul and Alex Chilton from Pleased To Meet Me are alive as ever.
As well, Stevie Nicks Bella Donna from 1981 is about as perfect an album as there is and is also going to be re-issued. This one might be worth exploring as a re-issue. (Total album listening time to date is 4 hours and 48 minutes.) Also spun the compact disc of The Replacements Let It Be which sounds fine as a CD.
The news? Moving into a new apartment with a view in upper Scarborough, we decided to bring the old stereo system back to life. This system is about as analogue as it can get, with Kenwood KA 3500 40 watt amp, Technics SL-1200 MKII turntable, two former Mirage speakers with a Ring Audio internal design and two cassette decks: one Sony and one AIWA.
THE Turntable Doctor at Bay Bloor Radio examined the stylus of the Ortofon 2M Blue After an electronic cleaning and although the stylus was already shorter than an original needle, he pronounced the stylus was still good and had 1000 hours left on it. Now how long is 1000 hours in record playing terms? That was a good question. The Turntable Doctor said that should be three years. I thought why not keep track of what is 1000 hours? As well, the technician suggested demagnetizing or clearning the cassette heads every 30 hours. So keeping track of that well will be on the table. The titles listed will be either on vinyl or cassette unless listed otherwise. There will be compact discs played as well and those will be included as well (but will not count towards the 1000 hours).
Welcome to my listening, good taste or whatever you may term it.
DATE
ARTIST
ALBUM
FORMAT
TRACK
ALBUM TIME
RUNNING TOTAL
CASSETTE TIME
2019-12-28
NILS FRAHM
SCREWS
ALBUM
SIDE A/B
00:28:00
00:28:00
2019-12-28
CRASS
Sheep Farming in The Falklands
flexi
SIDE A
00:05:22
00:33:22
2019-12-28
U2
NO LINE ON THE HORIZON
ALBUM
SIDE A
00:17:00
00:50:22
2019-12-30
BOB DYLAN
LIVE AT BUDOKAN
ALBUM
SIDE B
00:26:42
01:17:04
2019-12-30
SUPERTRAMP
EVEN IN THE QUIETEST MOMENTS
ALBUM
SIDE A/B
00:43:25
02:00:29
2019-12-30
APHEX TWIN
SELECTED AMBIENT WORKS 1985-1992
ALBUM
SIDE A/B
00:34:20
02:34:49
2020-01-01
EMMYLOU HARRIS
LUXURY LINER
ALBUM
SIDE A/B
00:38:35
03:13:24
2020-01-02
BOBBY WISEMAN SINGS WRENCH TUTTLE
IN HER DREAM
CASSETTE
SIDE A
03:13:24
00:29:07
2020-01-05
ELUVIUM
COPIA
VINYL
SIDE A
00:18:50
03:32:14
2020-01-06
ELUVIUM
COPIA
VINYL
SIDE B
00:21:00
04:12:55
2020-01-06
GLENN GOULD
WELL TEMPERED CLAVIER
VINYL
SIDE 1/6
00:19:41
03:51:55
The most recent listen goes back to the classical, Glenn Gould Well-Tempered Clavier. No. 1 is in C, it always starts that way. These are pieces that many have undoubtedly played while learning piano for the Conservatory. No doubt no one will ever play them as well as Glenn Gould could. Eluvium is a taste that goes back 10 years to 2009. The Volume 1 box set of that time is long out of print, but back then it was one hundred sixty dollars which was a lot of money then.
Ever since I have been in contact with them and even met up with a seller of their wares in Finland at the Kallio Invitational, they have always been friendly and professional.
Why me to even be considered for their series of 1/1000 interviews? I consider this to be a very big honour.
O I may have been more than a tad effusive about the travels around the world in pursuit of derby and travel photography, and a liking for the green and white in a til I die type of way.
Reflecting a little further on the sojourn to New Zealand, when Papercut or Cutty as we call her cued me into the Full Contact derby bootcamp was in the month of February, a bell rang inside. February! New Zealand! Summertime! I was so going to be there.
And this comes back to this wonderful video that sums up the life experiences on the road.
If anyone wants to help redesign my wordpress site here or my joemac.smugmug.com site feel free to contact me. Merci!
I have not become a snob or a collector because who could afford that?
My way of lifestyle has been piqued by the monotheistic world of The Beatles in MONO. It may be paradoxical to have updated the stereo system to listen to mono channel recordings. However, with The Beatles it is an absolute pleasure to hear the imaging straight down the centre of the room as I listen. Those who have become accustomed to the way The Beatles sound in the stereo world, you may be in Country Style Donuts and their sound system may be on and you are sitting under a right speaker where all the instruments dwell, meanwhile Paul or George’s vocals are at the other end of the room coming out of a left speaker. Somewhere in between the window seat…
We have come to the end of the Road for the year. It has been a long long road on this derby adventure. The last journey was a return to Iceland to photograph Team Ragnarok who invited TXRG’s Honky Tonk Heartbreakers! to Reykjavik. And a lot of long bus rides to new parts of Iceland we had not seen before. Can you say we ate fermented shark, and hot dogs and drank the Appelsin?
We have not put the camera down though, just looking for new things on the world stage. And finally getting to listen to all the music we have acquired from Reykjavik’s record stores and that is a good thing.
Anyone who wants to help me out and give a new look to this wordpress page and to my joemac.smugmug.com site please contact me!
Happy Holiday everyone!
February 6, 2018 – Southern Discomfort – London, UK
March 10, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby Star Wars Bout – Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Riot / Red vs. Black All-Stars – Detroit Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
March 24, 2018 – Ann Arbor Derby Dimes AllStars vs. Lake Effect Furies – Buffalo Riverworks – Buffalo, NY
April 7, 2018 – Tri-City Presents 10 Years of Derby – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, ON
April 14, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby Season 13 Home Team Championship – D*Funk vs. Devil’s Night Dames – Detroit Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
April 21, 2018 – Queen City Rollergirls vs. Philly Liberty Belles – Riverworks – Buffalo, NY
May 4-6, 2018 – Put Up Your Toques 2018 – Waterloo Memorial Rec Centre – Waterloo, ON
May 12, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby S13 G6 – Detroit Men’s Roller Derby vs. Cincinnati / Motor City Disassembly Line vs. Border City Brawlers – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
May 25-27, 2018 – Royal Brawl 2018 – Guelph, ON
June 9, 2018 – Queen City Rollergirls vs. Windy City – Buffalo, NY
August 17-19, 2018 – 2018 WFTDA Continental Cup North Amerca East – Wings Event Center – Kalamazoo, MI
September 13, 2018 – Team Ragnarok practice – Reykjavik, Iceland
September 15, 2018 – Team Iceland vs. Texas Rollergirls Honky Tonk Heartbreakers – Alftanes, Iceland
It has been a long long road on this derby adventure. Just in: The land of ice and snow Iceland beckoned us again and met up with the Honky Tonk Heartbreakers of Texas Rollergirls playing Team Ragnarok in Reykjavik.
(Previously On the Road: Love will tear us apart and The Factory. Back again to where the gods of Ragnarok play. Back to Canada for the ten years of derby home opener at Tri-City. Then Detroit Roller Derby concludes the season with the home team Championship at Detroit Roller Derby. Just when we thought we were out, Ohio dragged us back into the playoffs.)
February 6, 2018 – Southern Discomfort – London, UK
March 10, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby Star Wars Bout – Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Riot / Red vs. Black All-Stars – Detroit Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
March 24, 2018 – Ann Arbor Derby Dimes AllStars vs. Lake Effect Furies – Buffalo Riverworks – Buffalo, NY
April 7, 2018 – Tri-City Presents 10 Years of Derby – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, ON
April 14, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby Season 13 Home Team Championship – D*Funk vs. Devil’s Night Dames – Detroit Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
April 21, 2018 – Queen City Rollergirls vs. Philly Liberty Belles – Riverworks – Buffalo, NY
May 4-6, 2018 – Put Up Your Toques 2018 – Waterloo Memorial Rec Centre – Waterloo, ON
May 12, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby S13 G6 – Detroit Men’s Roller Derby vs. Cincinnati / Motor City Disassembly Line vs. Border City Brawlers – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
May 25-27, 2018 – Royal Brawl 2018 – Guelph, ON
June 9, 2018 – Queen City Rollergirls vs. Windy City – Buffalo, NY
August 17-19, 2018 – 2018 WFTDA Continental Cup North Amerca East – Wings Event Center – Kalamazoo, MI
September 13, 2018 – Team Ragnarok practice – Reykjavik, Iceland
September 15, 2018 – Team Iceland vs. Texas Rollergirls Honky Tonk Heartbreakers – Alftanes, Iceland
It has been a long long road on this derby adventure. Back from the land where love will tear us apart and The Factory. Back again to where the gods of Ragnarok play. Back to Canada for the ten years of derby home opener at Tri-City. Then Detroit Roller Derby concludes the season with the home team Championship at Detroit Roller Derby.
February 6, 2018 – Southern Discomfort – London, UK
February 1-4, 2018 – RDWC – EventCity – Manchester, UK
March 10, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby Star Wars Bout – Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Riot / Red vs. Black All-Stars – Detroit Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
March 24, 2018 – Ann Arbor Derby Dimes AllStars vs. Lake Effect Furies – Buffalo Riverworks – Buffalo, NY
April 7, 2018 – Tri-City Presents 10 Years of Derby – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, ON
April 14, 2018 – Detroit Roller Derby Season 13 Home Team Championship – D*Funk vs. Devil’s Night Dames – Detroit Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
It has been a long road on this derby adventure. Been to the heights and to the vales. Been to where the One Ring rules them all. Been to where the gods of Ragnarok play.
And we are back in play. Pittsburgh and Ohio, thank you again. And kudos to Boston for bringing me in, too. One last time with Tri-City Roller Derby. Next stop, stay tuned.
January 28, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / Los Conos vs. Ganaraska Gravediggers – Ancaster Fairgrounds – Hamilton, ON[technical details: Two AB800, one White Lightning Ultra 1200, 5 TT5]
Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes
February 4, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby doubleheader – Devil’s Night Dames vs D-Funk AllStars / Detroit Pistoffs vs Grand Prix Madonnas – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI[technical details: Two AB800, Nikon SB910, 4 TT5]
Guess who is getting married
February 10, 2017 – Tri-City Junior Roller Derby
Behind the locker
[technical details: Three E640, 3 TT5]
February 27, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / [Hamilton Area Roller Derby] Los Coños vs. [Northumberland] Ganaraska Gravediggers – Hamilton Area Roller Derby – Ancaster, Ontario
March 18, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby Championships – Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Men’s Roller Derby Riot / Detroit Pistoffs vs. D-Funk AllStars – Masonic Temple – Detroit, Michigan
2017 – Montreal New Skids on the Block vs. [Queen City Roller Derby] Lake Effect Furies – Riverworks – Buffalo, NY
April 8, 2017 – Tri-City Home Opener – [Tri-City Junior Roller Derby] Puppies vs. Kittens / Venus Fly Tramps vs. Vicious Dishes – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, Ontario
April 21, 2017 – Hammer Area Roller Derby season closer – Ancaster, ON
April 22, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby Star Wars bout – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
Burlington Toy Con – Burlington, ON [ not strictly derby but started with derby]
It has been a long road on this derby adventure. Been to the heights and to the vales. Been to where the One Ring rules them all. Been to where the gods of Ragnarok play.
January 28, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / Los Conos vs. Ganaraska Gravediggers – Ancaster Fairgrounds – Hamilton, ON[technical details: Two AB800, one White Lightning Ultra 1200, 5 TT5]
Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes
February 4, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby doubleheader – Devil’s Night Dames vs D-Funk AllStars / Detroit Pistoffs vs Grand Prix Madonnas – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI[technical details: Two AB800, Nikon SB910, 4 TT5]
Guess who is getting married
February 10, 2017 – Tri-City Junior Roller Derby
Behind the locker
[technical details: Three E640, 3 TT5]
February 27, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / [Hamilton Area Roller Derby] Los Coños vs. [Northumberland] Ganaraska Gravediggers – Hamilton Area Roller Derby – Ancaster, Ontario
March 25, 2017 – Montreal New Skids on the Block vs. [Queen City Roller Derby] Lake Effect Furies – Riverworks – Buffalo, NY
Librawlian
April 8, 2017 – Tri-City Home Opener – [Tri-City Junior Roller Derby] Puppies vs. Kittens / Venus Fly Tramps vs. Vicious Dishes – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, Ontario Kittens vs. Puppies
April 21, 2017 – Hammer Area Roller Derby season closer – Ancaster, ON
It has been a long road on this derby adventure. Been to the heights and to the vales. Been to where the One Ring rules them all. Been to where the gods of Ragnarok play.
January 28, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / Los Conos vs. Ganaraska Gravediggers – Ancaster Fairgrounds – Hamilton, ON[technical details: Two AB800, one White Lightning Ultra 1200, 5 TT5]
Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes
February 4, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby doubleheader – Devil’s Night Dames vs D-Funk AllStars / Detroit Pistoffs vs Grand Prix Madonnas – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI[technical details: Two AB800, Nikon SB910, 4 TT5]
Guess who is getting married
February 10, 2017 – Tri-City Junior Roller Derby
Behind the locker
[technical details: Three E640, 3 TT5]
February 27, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / [Hamilton Area Roller Derby] Los Coños vs. [Northumberland] Ganaraska Gravediggers – Hamilton Area Roller Derby – Ancaster, Ontario
March 25, 2017 – Montreal New Skids on the Block vs. [Queen City Roller Derby] Lake Effect Furies – Riverworks – Buffalo, NY
Librawlian
April 8, 2017 – Tri-City Home Opener – [Tri-City Junior Roller Derby] Puppies vs. Kittens / Venus Fly Tramps vs. Vicious Dishes – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, Ontario Kittens vs. Puppies
April 21, 2017 – Hammer Area Roller Derby season closer – Ancaster, ON
April 22, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby Star Wars bout – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
Burlington Toy Con – Burlington, ON [ not strictly derby but started with derby]
May 6, 2017 – Winter Wipeout 2017 – Mount Forest, ON
May 12-13, 2017 – Royal Brawl – Guelph, ON
May 27-28, 2017 – 10th Anniversary Stockholm Roller Derby Extravaganza – Stockholm, Sweden
June 3-4, 2017 – Kallio FINvitational Roller Derby Tournament – Kallio, Finland
This is a wee reminder of the video we were allowed to shoot last year with our band Paint.
It has been a long road on this derby adventure. Been to the heights and to the vales. Been to where the One Ring rules them all. Been to where the gods of Ragnarok play.
January 28, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / Los Conos vs. Ganaraska Gravediggers – Ancaster Fairgrounds – Hamilton, ON[technical details: Two AB800, one White Lightning Ultra 1200, 5 TT5]
Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes
February 4, 2017 – Detroit Roller Derby doubleheader – Devil’s Night Dames vs D-Funk AllStars / Detroit Pistoffs vs Grand Prix Madonnas – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI[technical details: Two AB800, Nikon SB910, 4 TT5]
Guess who is getting married
February 10, 2017 – Tri-City Junior Roller Derby
Behind the locker
[technical details: Three E640, 3 TT5]
February 27, 2017 – Flat Track Brat Pack vs. Killer Cupcakes / [Hamilton Area Roller Derby] Los Coños vs. [Northumberland] Ganaraska Gravediggers – Hamilton Area Roller Derby – Ancaster, Ontario
March 25, 2017 – Montreal New Skids on the Block vs. [Queen City Roller Derby] Lake Effect Furies – Riverworks – Buffalo, NY
Librawlian
April 8, 2017 – Tri-City Home Opener – [Tri-City Junior Roller Derby] Puppies vs. Kittens / Venus Fly Tramps vs. Vicious Dishes – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, Ontario
Kittens vs. Puppies
This is a wee reminder of the video we were allowed to shoot last year with our band Paint.
Derby, the final frontier. Welcome to 2014 as we try boldly one more time for 52 in 52.
Keep checking my Flickr site at Midnight Matinee for the latest Derby photos and more!
As a brief intro: we are based in the city of Toronto, Ontario which happens to be in Canada. This particular province has more than 50 leagues and have the considerable pleasure of being able to consider many of the leagues as friends and have the privilege of shooting in their rinks or arenas. We endeavour to hit the road in all directions, and many times that includes south of the border. Last year for the first time we hit the WFTDA D1 and D2 playoffs and culminating in the WFTDA Championships themselves in Madison, Wisconsin.
Latest update as of October 14, 2014: Survived Team Ontario Bootcamp in Kingston, Ontario. Five classes of top notch players and coaches providing the drills, then a black and white scrimmage with Team Ontario dispersed with the attendees. Lots of learning and thinking.
Latest update as of October 8, 2014: We’re back home again after our second WFTDA D1 playoffs of the year at Salt Lake City, Utah. Not quite safe and not quite sound. We endure. Next stop: somewhere in Kingston for the Team Ontario Bootcamp and Team Ontario vs. Team Ontario scrimmage.
R M R G Rocky Mountain Roller Girls at WFTDA D1 Salt Lake City, UTAH The home of Wasatch
Latest update as of August 12, 2014: Hello again! The road experience intensifies as we enjoyed a most memorable night amongst Detroit Derby Girls at their end of year Rollies Awards commemorating 9 years of existence. Way to go DDG! The overnight bus back to Toronto and then up to Elora, Ontario to witness the Fergus Feims engage the Border City Brawlers from Windsor, Ontario in a tough and tightly competitive bout falling 153-157 at the last jam. Next up: Ohio.
The end of the longest weekend in Fergus
New Skids on the Block @ Quad City Chaos 2014
This derby nomad looks forward to visiting familiar and new friends and facing new adventures in newer territories. There might be an occasional break in the schedule to give the camera and lights a respite. However, we are still endeavouring to shoot derby every week if possible, so if you want to keep the streak going and have Derby happening in your league and if we can get there, feel free to drop me a line!
Team Ontario at The Bunker on February 8, 2014
Thursday, December 4 – Sunday December 7, 2014 – Blood and Thunder World Cup – Dallas, Texas
Saturday, November 15, 2014 – The ORG and TMRD vs. The World – Toronto Outrage vs. The World [co-ed] / Orangeville Pulp Affliction vs. Royal City Rollergirls The Brute-Leggers – Orangeville Agricultural Centre – Orangeville, Ontario
Saturday, November 8, 2014 – Hoser Closer 2 – [Alliston Jr. Roller Derby] Blister Sisters vs. [Niagara Junior Roller Derby] Midway Mayhem /Bombshell Battalion vs. South Simcoe – Alliston Memorial Arena – Alliston, Ontario
Saturday, October 25, 2014 – NATIONAL GUARD Feat: Team Canada, Team Ontario, Misfit Militia, Bay Street Bruisers – Alliston, ONTARIO
Friday, October 24, 2014 – Camp Pivotstar Junior Eastern Jamboroee – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
Saturday, October 18, 2014 – BLOCKTOBERFEST – Orangeville Pulp Affliction vs. Kingston Rogue Warriors – Orangeville Agricultural Centre – Orangeville, ONTARIO
Saturday, October 11, 2014 – Team Ontario Bootcamp – Kingston, ONTARIO
Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28, 2014 – WFTDA 2014 Division 1 Playoffs – Salt Lake City, UT
Friday, September 19 to Sunday, September 21, 2014 – WFTDA 2014 Division 1 Playoffs – Evansville, IN
Sunday, September 14, 2014 – Death Track Dolls vs. Total Vicious Tramps #2 / Smoke City Betties vs. Total Vicious Tramps #1 – Moses Springer Arena, Kitchener, ONTARIO
Saturday, September 13, 2014 – D-VAS vs. Capital City Dollinquents / Bay Street Bruisers vs. Muddy River – The Bunker, Parc Downwview Park, ONTARIO
Saturday, September 6, 2014 – Orangeville Pulp Affliction vs. Durham Motor City Madames – Orangeville, ONTARIO
Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24, 2014 – WFTDA 2014 Division 2 Playoffs – Waterloo Memorial Arena, Kitchener-Waterloo, ONTARIO
Saturday, August 16, 2014 – Cincinnati Rollergirls vs. Ohio Roller Girls – Ohio Expo Centre – Columbus, OHIO
Saturday, August 9, 2014 – Fergus Feims [Home 153] vs. Border City Brawlers [Away 157] – Elora, ONTARIO
Friday, August 8, 2014 – Detroit Derby Girls Rollie Awards – Detroit, MI
Saturday, July 26, 2014 – 4th Annual Gibson’s Cup – Atom Smashers vs. Motor City Madames / Juniors Scrimmage Black vs. White [Alliston Junior Roller
Derby and Toronto Junior Roller Derby] – Ajax Memorial Arena – Ajax,ONTARIO
4th Annual Gibson’s Cup – July 26, 2014
Saturday, July 19, 2014 – S*M*A*S*H – triple header – Fergus Feims [Fergus Roller Derby] vs. Luscious Lunch Ladies [Forest City Derby Girls] / Misfit Militia [Misfit Militia Roller Derby] vs. Timber Rollers [Forest City Derby Girls] / Crow City [Crow City Roller Girls] vs. Grey Bruce Highland Dames – Alliston Memorial Arena – Alliston, ONTARIO
Saturday, July 12, 2014 – Hammer City Harlots vs. Ithaca BlueStockings / HCRG Eh! vs. Ithaca SufferJets – Dave Andreychuk Arena – Hamilton, ONTARIO
Saturday, July 5, 2014 – JRDA North & Northeast Tournament – The Bunker, Parc Downwview Park, ONTARIO
Saturday, June 28, 2014 – Burning River vs. Lake Effect Furies / Ithaca League of Junior Derby vs. Queen City Junior Roller Girls – Rainbow Rink, North Tonawanda, NY
Friday, June 20 – Sunday, June 22,2014-ECDX2014-Feasterville,PAzzzzzzz
The orange of Tiger Baby Brawlers at ECDX 2014
Saturday, June 7, 2014 – Queen City Roller Girls Championships – Rainbow Rink, North Tonawanda, NY
Saturday, May 31, 2014 – Crow City Roller Girls vs.TheDecapulettes – Stratford Allen Arena, Stratford, ONTARIO
The Decapulettes vs. Crow City Roller Girls * last jam over
Saturday, May 24, 2014 – Tri-City Roller Derby doubleheader – Total Knock-Outs vs. Vicious Dishes / Kingston Disloyalists vs. Venus Fly Tramps – Waterloo Rec Centre, Waterloo,ONTARIO
Lippy Wrongstocking – Vicious Dishes how do derby players recognize photos of themselves?
Sunday, May 18, 2014 – TMRD vs. Betties/Misfits/Orangeville – The Bunker – Downsview Park, ONTARIO
Saturday, May 17, 2014 – School of Hard Blocks – Area 705 Smooth Operators vs. Grey Bruce Highland Dames / Atom Smashers vs. Capital City Dollinquents – Douro Community Centre – Douro, Ontario
Saturday, May 10, 2014 – Mother of All Bouts – Rogue Warriors vs. Skateful Dead / Kingston Disloyalists vs. Les Duchesses – Kingston, Ontario
Saturday, May 3, 2014 – Brides vs. Grooms Coed Scrimmage – Mount Forest, ONTARIO
Saturday, May 3, 2014 – D-VAS vs. Fergus Feims – Centre Wellingston Sportsplex – Fergus, ONTARIO
Saturday, April 26 – Sunday, April 27, 2014 – Beast of the East, Arena St-Louis, Montréal, PQ
Friday, April 25, 2014 – CN Power vs. Montreal New Skids on the Block – Arena St-Louis, Montréal, PQ
Saturday, April 19, 2014 – Border City Brawlers vs. Fergus Feims / Canadian Clubbers vs. Orangeville Pulp Affliction – Windsor, ONTARIO
Sunday, April 13, 2014 – Toronto Roller Derby Fresh Meat – The Bunker, Downsview Park, ONTARIO
Saturday, April 12, 2014 – Tri-City Roller Derby Home Opener – Brandywine Belligerents vs. Tri-City Thunder / Brandywine Brawlers vs. Plan B – New Hamburg, ONTARIO
Sunday, March 30, 2014 – Freaks vs. Geeks Spring Scrimmage – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, ONTARIO
Saturday, March 29, 2014 – Timber Rollers vs. G-stars, Los Coños vs. Thames Fatales – Western Fair Agriplex – London, ONTARIO
Saturday, March 22 – Sunday March 23,2014-QuadCityChaos-TheBunker-ParcDownsview Park,ONTARIO
Quad City Chaos 2010 at The Hangar
Sunday, March 16, 2014 – CN Power vs.Killamazoo DerbyDarlins-TheBunker-ParcDownsview Park,ONTARIO
CN Power vs. Killamazoo Derby Darlins at The Bunker
March 16, 2014
Saturday, March 15, 2014 – Derby Debutantes vs. Orangeville Pulp Affliction – Orangeville, ONTARIO
Sunday, March 9, 2014 – CN Power vs. Tri-City Roller Girls – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
Sunday, March 9, 2014 – Toronto Men’s Roller Derby – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
Saturday, March 1, 2014 – Chicks Ahoy vs. Smoke City Betties / Death Track Dolls vs. Gore Gore Rollergirls – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
Sunday, February 25, 2014 – Toronto Men’s Roller Derby Toronto Outrage vs. Queen City Roller Girls Nickel City Knockouts – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
Saturday, February 24, 2014 – Beat the Winter Blues! Scrimmage and Training – Toronto Roller Derby – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, ONTARIO
Saturday, February 8, 2014 – CN Power vs. Team Ontario – The Bunker, Toronto, Ontario
Sunday, February 2, 2014 – NCKO practice / Suicidal Saucies practice / Alley Kats practice – Rainbow Rink, Queen City / Buffalo, NY
Saturday, February 1, 2014 – Alley Kats vs. Suicidal Saucies / Enchanted Mountain vs. Queen City Junior Roller Girls – Rainbow Rink, Queen City / North Tonawanda, NY
Saturday, January 25, 2014 – Alliston Blister Sisters vs. Torontosaurus Wrex / Chicks Ahoy! vs. Gore-Gore Rollergirls – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, Ontario
Saturday, January 18, 2014 – Devil’s Night Dames vs. Grand Prix Madonnas – Masonic Temple, Detroit, MI
Saturday, January 11, 2014 – Devil Dollies vs. Nickel City Knockouts – Rainbow Rink, Queen City Rollergirls / North Tonawanda, NY
From what I can recall the Sunday morning hangover bout after Charm City 109 vs. New Skids 306
Away Games on Sunday, July 19th, 2015
Hangover Bout (Closed games for our All-Star A and B Teams)
Rideau Valley Vixens (Ottawa): 120 – Charm City All Stars (Baltimore, MD): 182
Rideau Valley Sirens (Ottawa): 170 – Charm City Female Trouble B-team (Baltimore, MD): 222
Location: Arena St. Louis – Montreal, PQ
Sat, Nov 6, 2010
Doors Open @ 7:00PM – Show @ 7:00PM
Western Fair Entertainment Centre
316 Rectory Street, London, ON
Thames Fatales vs Mid Michigan Roller Girls
All Ages / Licensed
This video embodies all that was Auckland and living out of that apartment in Otahuhu way on the outskirts and in the wrong direction from Henderson. It was a rush.
2015 was a good year. But what lies ahead?
CN Power at Quad City Chaos 2016 – Toronto, ON
Welcome to the New Year.
The derby road show goes on and on. After all the great food of Milwaukee at Midwest BrewHaHa, can you say mac and cheese pizza and George Webb hash brown omelet, we headed to Feasterville which is somewhere near Philadelphia for the pool party that is East Coast Derby Extravaganza 2016. Next up: Men’s Roller Derby World Cup in Calgary, Alberta! shooting for Team France! [vive la France!] and Team Canada, eh?
Update! October 11, 2016. After the ride to Lansing, Michigan to shoot the D2 Playoffs for Tri-City Thunder and Calgary Roller Derby, it’s been the month of travel in September, taking the train to Montreal. Flying to Vancouver to shoot on behalf of VRDL, then back to Toronto then heading out to Madison to shoot for the Ohio Roller Derby in Wisconsin. The 2016 WFTDA International Playoffs are concluded thankfully, and the 2016 WFTDA Championships are ahead in November!
January 20, 2016 – London – Forest City Derby Girls – Western Fairgrounds, Canada Building
January 23, 2016 – Toronto – Toronto Roller Derby Season Opener
Gore Gore Rollergirls vs. Smoke City Betties/ Chicks Ahoy! vs. Death Track Dolls
– The Bunker – Parc Downsview Park, Ontario, Canada
February 6-8, 2016 – FULL CONTACT CONVENTION 2016 – ASB Stadium – Auckland, New Zealand —
February 10, 2016 – Auckland Roller Derby vs. Pirate City Rollers B – Auckland, New Zealand
*
February 14-15, 2016 – BATTLE ON THE BENT TRACK – Henderson Stadium – Auckland, New Zealand
February 29, 2016 – Tri-City Roller Derby / Royal City Brute-Leggers vs. Tri-City Roller Derby scrimmage – Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
March 5, 2016 – Rideau Valley Sirens vs. Capital City Dollinquents / Rideau Valley Vixens vs. Capital City Dolly Rogers – Jean Marc Lalonde Arena – Rockland, Ontario, Canada
March 19-20, 2016 – QUAD CITY CHAOS – The Bunker, Parc Downsview Park, Ontario
April 3, 2016 – 2016 Peach Cup – Los Conos vs. Molotov Girls – Ancaster Fairgrounds – Hamilton, Ontario
April 9, 2016 – Tri-City Home Opener – Killer Cupcakes vs. Tri-City Junior Roller Derby / Venus Fly Tramps vs. Vicious Dishes – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada
April 23-24, 2016 – Beast of the East 2016 – Arena St-Louis – Montreal, PQ
April 30, 2016 – Tri-City Thunder vs. Ohio Roller Derby All-Stars / Tri-City Plan B vs. Ohio Gang Green – Ohio Expo Center – Columbus, OH
May 1, 2016 – Tri-City vs. Detroit Derby Girls – Masonic Temple – Detroit, MI
May 13-15, 2016 – Beaver Fever 2016 – Waterloo Memorial Arena – Waterloo, ON
May 28, 2016 – Tri-City Roller Derby Juniors – Kitties vs. Puppies / Royal City Killer Queen vs. Tri-City Vicious Dishes
June 3-5, 2016 – MidWest Brew Ha Ha 2016 – UWM Panther Arena – Milwaukee, WI
June 17-19, 2016 – East Coast Derby Extravaganza – The Sportsplex – Feasterville, PAPirate City Rollers [from Auckland, New Zealand] in America at ECDX 2016
July 16, 2016 -Vicious Dishes vs. Violet Uprising / Venus Fly Tramps vs. Killer Queens – Exhibition Arena – Guelph, ON
July 21-24, 2016 – Men’s Roller Derby World Cup – Calgary, AB
August 6, 2016 – RVRG Home Team Championship – Slaughter Daughters vs. Riot Squad – Ottawa, ON
August 13-14, 2016 – O-Town Throwdown – Jack Charron Arena – Ottawa, ON
August 20, 2016 – South Simcoe Rebel Rollers Sibling Rivalry 3 – Boneyard Betties vs. Ghoul Guides / Orangeville Misfit Militia vs. Toronto Outrage – Hollie Rec Centre – Barrie, ON
August 26-28, 2016 – WFTDA 2016 International Playoffs D2 Lansing
September 2-4, 2016 – WFTDA 2016 International Playoffs D1 Montreal
September 14-16, 2016 – WFTDA 2016 International Playoffs D1 Vancouver
September 21-23, 2016 – WFTDA 2016 International Playoffs D1 Madison
November 4-6, 2016 – WFTDA 2016 International Championships Portland
November 27, 2016 – Toronto Junior Roller Derby
We also got called upon to shoot a video for the Toronto based band Paint, something we have not done for a long time. The event was celebrated for the birthday of the Paint lead singer at Horseshoe Tavern on January 28, 2016. You can watch the video on YouTube on the link below.
ROLLING STONES
July 22, 2017 – Royal City vs. Tri-City Roller Derby – Centennial Arena – Guelph, ONAugust 18-20, 2017 – WFTDA D2 International Playoffs – Pittsburgh, PAOctober 14, 2017 – Tri-City Presents Venus Fly Tramps and Vicious Dish – New Hamburg Arena – New Hamburg, ON
Midnight Matinee 