tag:christiand.ca,2005:/blogs/reviewsReviews 2018-11-08T03:58:38-05:00Christian DeArmond falsetag:christiand.ca,2005:Post/55044912018-11-08T03:58:38-05:002018-11-08T03:58:38-05:00SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CHRISTIAN AND THE SINNERS – THE PERVERSION OF SOMETHING GOOD<p>First review in for Christian and the Sinners in <a contents="Spill Magazine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://spillmagazine.com/spill-album-review-christian-and-the-sinners-the-perversion-of-something-good-live-at-ciut/" target="_blank">Spill Magazine</a>:</p>
<p>"Their press release calls their music post-punk noir. I call it dark and dangerous. The Perversion of Something Good is the first release from Christian and the Sinners, and it definitely is — something good."</p>
<p>"Christian DeArmond has created something new and wonderful with this, his latest offering. The heavy rhythm section and driving guitars on this EP are the perfect palate for DeArmond to present his dark tales. With a whisky-soaked swagger in his voice, DeArmond drops his songs at the listener’s feet, with his committed and passionate baritone."</p>
<p>"Christian and the Sinners present like the dark and possibly disturbed nephews of Nick Cave and late-1990s-era Fred Eaglesmith."</p>
<p>"Sewell’s guitar solo is like a game of chicken with a freight train: a tense and frenetic build-up to a near-death experience, with the guitarist dodging the train just as it passes."</p>
<p>"If you like your music on the dark side, do yourself a favour and get this EP."</p>
<p>~ Bryan Williston</p>
<p>Check out the whole review on <a contents="Spill Magazine HERE." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://Bryan%20Williston" target="_blank">Spill Magazine HERE.</a> </p>
<p><br> </p>Christian DeArmond tag:christiand.ca,2005:Post/55044892018-11-08T03:49:24-05:002018-11-08T03:49:24-05:00Nick Cave meets Brian Jonestown Massacre!<p>Well, according to <a contents="The Deli Magazine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://toronto.thedelimagazine.com/36167/christian-sinners-nick-cave-meets-brian-jonestown-massacre" target="_blank">The Deli Magazine</a> that's the sound of Christian and the Sinners-</p>
<p>Check it out on the Deli <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://toronto.thedelimagazine.com/36167/christian-sinners-nick-cave-meets-brian-jonestown-massacre" target="_blank">HERE</a></p>
<p>“...The dark, brooding vocal styles of Cave are very apparent in their latest single “Blood on the Frozen Sand”. With guitars sounding like the Brian Jonestown Massacre, that’s a pretty stellar combo."</p>
<p>– Kris Gies</p>Christian DeArmond tag:christiand.ca,2005:Post/39262152015-11-20T02:54:47-05:002017-01-15T19:36:37-05:00Rogues & Blushing Virgins reviewed From <a contents="Bucketlist Music Reviews" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bucketlistmusicreviews.com/christian-dearmond-helena-berlin-rogues-blushing-virgins/" target="_blank">Bucketlist Music Reviews</a><br><br>"What I really liked about this album is, how despite there only being three songs, Christian DeArmond and Helena Berlin managed to paint a dark musical canvas with tones switching up just a shade for each song as I listened through. I just don’t hear that often, or perhaps some acts may put one dark/sad song at the end of an album, ...or smack a few randomly in, making me crave more or wishing it wasn’t even included. <i>Rogues & Blushing Virgins</i>, however, was just a great ride of progression. I’ve had some dark days man, and if you have too, you’ll definitely dig this album.<br><br>Angie Radczenko, <a contents="Bucketlist Music Reviews" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bucketlistmusicreviews.com/christian-dearmond-helena-berlin-rogues-blushing-virgins/" target="_blank">Bucketlist Music Reviews</a><br><br>Read it all here- <a contents="Bucketlist Music Reviews&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bucketlistmusicreviews.com/christian-dearmond-helena-berlin-rogues-blushing-virgins/" target="_blank">Bucketlist Music Reviews </a><br><br><br><br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="Rogues & Blushing Virgins" data-link-type="page" href="/rogues-blushing-virgins--2" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/131765/6592ed58fd47b385b8d5d0e8106172a5bc7bc4d6/medium/rogues-and-blushing-virgins-cover-3.jpg?1442170184" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a>Christian DeArmond tag:christiand.ca,2005:Post/26260702014-02-22T01:56:34-05:002014-02-22T13:43:52-05:00Reviewed - Cut Loose and Live!<p>One thing you gotta know about Christian D And The Hangovers is that these boys can rock. Hailing from the big smoke known as Toronto these kats have been rippin' it up since 2007. Playing a brand of rockabilly that's just as much rock n roll with a bit of punk attitude, you can't help but take notice. With one ep,an album and a couple of singles the band has shown that it's not afraid to step outside the rockabilly box.<br><br>Which brings us to the band's latest release "Cut Loose And Live" and I gotta say this is one impressive live album. Clocking in with 15 songs,this is one set that is sure to light a fire under your ass. We get a kool mix of covers and originals as well as some new tunes. Highlights include "Gasoline Radio"(a new tune),"Vampire Rocker ", "Looked 19" and " Hot Mess".</p>
<p> Christian D And The Hangovers are in fine form here and as far as live albums go "Cut Loose And Live" is one of the better ones to come down the pike in the last couple of years. Definitely worth throwing a few of your hard earned bucks down on. Recommended.</p>
<p><span class="font_large">Here's the link to <a href="http://reviewsbyslam.blogspot.ca/2013/07/christian-d-and-hangovers-cut-loose-and_26.html" mce_href="http://reviewsbyslam.blogspot.ca/2013/07/christian-d-and-hangovers-cut-loose-and_26.html" target="_blank">Slam's Reviews</a></span></p>Christian DeArmond tag:christiand.ca,2005:Post/26260742014-02-22T01:56:02-05:002014-02-23T03:56:55-05:00A toast to The Hangovers<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><a contents="Errol Nazareth, The Toronto Sun" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/columnists/errol_nazareth/2011/04/07/17913266.html" target="_blank">Errol Nazareth, The Toronto Sun </a><br><br>Christian DeArmond doesn’t seem to give a toss what tags critics use to describe the music that his band, Christian D & the Hangovers, makes. I didn’t ask, but I’m guessing he’s pretty comfy with psychobilly.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">With a style that looks to The Cramps, Nick Cave and Elvis, The Hangovers belt out distorted, punky rockabilly on record and on stage as if their lives depended on it.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Their hour-long set at the East End Rockabilly Riot two weeks back was exhilarating and one that will surely be reprised when The Hangovers — featuring Mack Black, brothers Ken and Tim Kelley and charismatic frontman DeArmond — invade the Bovine Sex Club tonight.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">If you can’t make it to the gig, I highly recommend snatching up a copy of their blazing full length disc, <em>Shake It or Leave It</em>.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">It boasts the same volume, energy and power as their live show.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“I like to mix rockabilly, punk and alt country, so the basic starting point for the band is to pick up where bands like The Cramps and X left off,” DeArmond says.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“That’s why The Cramps song, <em>Cornfed Dames</em>, is on the CD. That band was really important to me in terms of what good and wild rock ’n’ roll should sound like.”</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Continuing in the spirit of those bands but not replicating them is what separates The Hangovers from their contemporaries in the city’s small but hopping rockabilly scene.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“As much as I love rockabilly, I’m equally influenced by guys like Nick Cave and Tom Waits and Iggy Pop,” DeArmond says. “I don’t want to recreate a ’50s sound — there are bands around that do that much better than I do. I’m in love with trash and twang and wild abandon.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“I’m more interested in just trying to write songs that I personally find intriguing and then trying to present them in a way that an audience might find interesting,” he adds.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“We’ve got a murder ballad (Mr. Handsome) that I like to throw in the middle of a set and some stuff that’s a little more what I think of as East Coast country.”</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">If their name doesn’t hint at their hedonistic vibe, cue up <em>Shimmy Shorts</em> and <em>Hot Mess</em> for more proof that “trash, twang and wild abandon” holds a special place in their hearts.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">DeArmond says <em>Shimmy Shorts</em> started with a guitar riff inspired by listening to garage rock for a day.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“In my mind it would be perfect with those stripper-style drum rolls that D.J. Fontana used to play with Elvis,” he says. “That led me to thinking about Poison Ivy from The Cramps in those red shimmy shorts she wore in the video for <em>Bikini Girls With Machine Guns</em>, and then the song kind of wrote itself.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“I think I finished it in about 30 minutes, then went back and did some minor lyrical edits.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“I love when a song comes together really quickly like that, they usually turn out to be my favourite ones.”</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Then there’s <em>Hot Mess</em> with these lyrics: “Saw you at the bar last night, ya got 4-inch heels and your hair piled high/Your cleavage flows down to your mystery, I’m sure you know what that does to me.”</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“It’s a humourous take on the kind of girl you’ll sometimes meet in a bar after you’re done playing,” DeArmond says.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“She’s kinda pretty and sexy but a little disheveled and out of control.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“You’re kind of attracted to her, but you can’t help wondering if she wouldn’t be more intriguing on the other side of 8 a.m.” he adds.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“When you meet someone at closing time, it’s sometimes amazing how differently they act in the light of day.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“You’ve got to accept anything that happens at two in the morning with a certain suspension of disbelief,” he says.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">“You’re living in a hazy night time reality there, and what you see often has little bearing on day-to-day reality.”</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong>NOTE:</strong> Christian D & the Hangovers, The Grave Mistakes, and Ginger St. James play the Bovine Sex Club tonight. 10 p.m. $5. 542 Queen St. W.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding: 0px;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 1.1em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong>Visit Errol’s blog at www.musicinthemessage.blogspot.com.</strong></p>
<div> </div>Christian DeArmond tag:christiand.ca,2005:Post/26261042014-02-22T01:53:24-05:002014-02-22T01:53:24-05:00Christian D interview SugarBuzz magazine Check out the full interview here: <a href="http://www.sugarbuzzmagazine.com/?p=6834#more-6834" mce_href="http://www.sugarbuzzmagazine.com/?p=6834#more-6834" target="_blank">Sugarbuzz Magazine</a>
<p>1… <strong mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="font-weight: bold; ">How influential were The Cramps and why?</strong></p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Hugely influential to me. Why- because they are just about perfect in my book- sexy, trashy, raw. Everything that rock and roll should be.</p>
<p mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">The first time I heard them in high school was a real eye opener- the perfect blend of rockabilly and punk. I don’t think anyone has ever done it better. We covered Cornfed Dames on our first full length, and I’m sure we’ll record another one soon. We do a bunch of Cramps covers live when we’re playing longer shows. Or covers of Cramps covers, which I tend to like better than the originals.</p>Christian DeArmond tag:christiand.ca,2005:Post/26261032014-02-22T01:50:37-05:002014-02-22T01:50:37-05:00Feature Interview- http://torontorockabilly.com/<p><span mce_style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">There are certain bands that come to mind automatically when you mention a city or country. And the rockabilly group Chrisitan D And The Hangovers are one of those bands that jump out at you when you mention Toronto.<br><br>Christian D and The Hangovers have been going at it for a long time and their live shows are living proof that they know how to rock the house at any time of the day or night.<br><br>Some have classified Christian D as rockabilly and others have described them as psychobilly - but it really doesn't matter what you classify them as because at the end of the day they will have your foot a tapping and your head-a-bopping.</span></p>
<p><span mce_style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Christian was kind enough to answer some questions we threw at him and there is some great news for all you Christian D And The Hangover fans out there...read on...<br><br><strong>TR: So what new or exciting things have been happening with Christian D And The Hangovers recently?</strong><br><br>CD: The last big thing for the band was getting the Kelley Brothers in the line- up back in October, Ken (guitar) and Tim (drums). We brought them in on the fly to do some shows, but now we've had time to really gel as a band, and it looks like they are now a permanent part of the group . Both guys are really great players, and a lot of fun to hang out with. <br><br><strong>TO: The last album "Shake It or Leave it" was released quite a while ago. Are there any signs of a new album coming out any time soon?</strong><br><br>CD: We're heading in to the studio in July, I'm really looking forward to getting the Kelley Brothers on tape! I don't think it's gonna be a full CD though, what I'm thinking about is doing singles for awhile, so I can put new songs out more often, and doing it primarily as downloads, maybe on a "name your own price" kind of deal. The details will be up on the website: http://christiand.ca/ as we get nearer to release dates.</span></p>
<p><span mce_style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><strong>TR: How have the last couple of Christian D shows been? Good response?</strong><br><br>CD: People really seem to love the new guys... so that's pretty encouraging.<br><br><strong>TR: Where's your favorite place to play in Toronto?</strong><br><br>CD: Here's my three favourites: The Cadillac Lounge of course, The Bovine and we had a really fun show at the Dominion on Queen awhile back. <br><br><strong>TR: Are there any Toronto rockabilly bands that are catching your interest right now?</strong><br><br>CD: We've got a number of good acts in T.O., but the guy I'm always interested in is Alistair Christl. I've been watching, and doing shows with him for about 6 or 7 years now and he just keeps on getting better and better. It's a real kick in the ass to watch him, actually. <br><br><strong>TR: When you're not playing a show where in Toronto do you and the rest of the band consider to be a good watering hole (bar/restaurant/venue etc)?</strong><br><br>CD: my favourite T.O. bars to hang around are the Cadillac Lounge for it's cool vibe and buckets of beer and the Bovine for it's seedy rock and roll feel.<br><br>You can catch Christian D And The Hangovers in Toronto on August the 13th at the Caddical Lounge alongside Ninety Pounds Of Ugly from Ottawa.<br>For more information on the band check out their website at <a href="http://www.christiand.ca/" mce_href="http://www.christiand.ca/" mce_style="font-size: 12px; color: #731314; text-decoration: none;" style="font-size: 12px; color: rgb(115, 19, 20); text-decoration: none; " target="_blank">www.christiand.ca</a>.</span></p>Christian DeArmond tag:christiand.ca,2005:Post/26260862014-02-22T01:45:16-05:002014-02-22T01:45:16-05:00Wildy's World full review - Shake It or Leave It!From the dark underbelly of Toronto, where urban cowboys moonlight in the psychobilly clubs comes Christian D And The Hangovers. Mixing early rock n roll with punk, country and lots of beer, Christian D And The Hangovers do for rockabilly what Big Rude Jake does for big band music. After the well-received <em>Life Gets In The Way EP</em>, released in 2008, Christian D And The Hangovers had to go full length to build on their legacy. Build on it they have with the dynamic <em>Shake It...Or Leave It!</em> This is an album you can't put down.<br><br><em>Shake It...Or Leave It!</em> opens with the demented surf rock of "Vampire Rocker", capitalizing on the current vampire mania inspire by Twilight and fed by shows such as True Blood. Christian D has a post-punk Big Bopper persona that works well in the fast and loose musical arrangements presented here. "Life Gets In The Way" is pure early rock n roll, complete with backbeat and snappy melody line. On "Shimmy Shorts" Christian D is part Elvis, part Jerry Lee Lewis and part Phil Ramone, barreling his way through an entertaining and danceable bit of rock n roll. Christian D And The Hangovers get down to some pure rhythm and blues on "Good Woman", celebrating his woman's best traits even while deriding his own.<br><br>"Sleep My Life Away" is a catchy call to get up and go; a rough musical sketch that works in spite of the messy arrangement. On "Child Of The East Coast", Christian D digs into a country/rock sound that's appealing and seems to fit him well as a vocalist. "Baby Jane" is a raucous bit of early rock n roll likely to inspire fits of dancing, and features some of the cleanest guitar work on the album. "Hot Mess" seems like it should be destined to become the theme song of a movie of the same name. Once again, Christian D And The Hangovers manages to craft an incredibly catchy tune from a rough musical sketch that's highly appealing. "Hillbilly Heroin" is dark and catchy, but can't hold a candle to "Cornfed Dames", a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the talents of the fairer sex. Mack Black sits in with Christian D And The Hangovers on the closing number, "Dime A Dozen", a highly entertaining tune that will certainly not be the lead-in for the next NOW conference.<br><br>Christian D And The Hangovers aren't into pithy nuance; <em>Shake It...Or Leave It!</em> has the bad-boy feel of early rock n roll updated for today without pushing the envelope too seriously. Rock musical arrangements are the order of the day in support of entertaining, hip-shaking songs that are likely to cross generational boundaries in appeal. This isn't the refined sound of The Stray Cats, but a slightly rougher musical feel that's likely closer to the rough demos you might have heard out of 1960's mainstays such as The Beatles, Chuck Berry or even Dick Dale. If that sort of music is in your wheelhouse, then you're bound to appreciate Christian D And The Hangovers.<br><br><strong>Rating: 4 Stars</strong> (Out of 5)
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<p><a href="http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2010/07/christian-d-and-hangovers-shake-itor.html" mce_href="http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2010/07/christian-d-and-hangovers-shake-itor.html" target="_blank" title="Wildy's World Review">Wildy's World</a></p>Christian DeArmond tag:christiand.ca,2005:Post/26260762014-02-22T01:42:36-05:002014-02-22T01:42:36-05:00Blue Suede News review of "Shake it Or Leave It!"Christian D & the Hangovers are relative newcomers on the Toronto scene, but they’ve wasted no time establishing themselves on live stages and in the studio. Arising from the ashes of local rockabilly group Real Gone, vocalist/guitarist Christian D, along with drummer Mick E. Special are reunited in the Hangovers alongside guitarist Brendan Bauer and bassman Mack Black. These guys mean business, and make good on the promise of their 2008 EP, <em>Life Gets In The Way</em>, with new long-player <em>Shake It… Or Leave It!</em><br> <em>Shake It… Or Leave It!</em> showcases the Hangovers upbeat rootsy rock over a compact 12 song, 35 minute set, short and sweet without any filler. And while five tracks are reworked versions of songs from the group’s EP, the new recordings are amped-up and outshine the earlier renditions. Most of the songs tend to follow familiar rock and roll themes of escaping the boredom of everyday life through the pleasures of music, women, and booze. The lusty “Shimmy Shorts”, “Hot Mess” and faithful Cramps cover “Cornfed Dames”, as well as nightlife paean “Sleep My Life Away” and “Life Gets In The Way” certainly adhere to these badboy themes. Two of the best songs on the album stake out new territory. Opener “Vampire Rocker”, storms out of the gate in a fury of pounding drums, fiery guitars and yelped vocals, a horror-themed number with a psychobilly edge. And “Mr. Handsome” is an unexpected change of pace, a sinister serial killer tale featuring some great tremelo-fueled twangy guitar.<br> <em>Shake It… Or Leave It!</em> teams up the Hangovers with producer Jesse James Dale, to good effect. Dale is the frontman for 2-piece sensation Buzz Deluxe, and has moonlighted with the Hangovers on guitar, so he’s the right man to capture these unruly characters in the studio. The Hangovers’ various different sounds are well represented, their rockabilly-flavoured foundation fleshed out with elements of psychobilly, cow-punk, country, and rock and roll, all recorded with a live energy. <em>Shake It… Or Leave It!</em> is a solid first album for the Hangovers, and you can expect to hear more from this greasy crew in the future.<br><br><br>Blue Suede News # 89 Winter 09/2010Christian DeArmond tag:christiand.ca,2005:Post/26260752014-02-22T01:38:46-05:002014-02-22T01:38:46-05:00That Christian D! An Interview.<p mce_style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: #262626; line-height: 1.75; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(38, 38, 38); line-height: 1.75; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">So who is <a href="http://christiand.ca/" mce_href="http://christiand.ca/" mce_style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: #000000; text-decoration: underline; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: underline; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; " target="_blank">Christian D</a>? What makes this singer/songwriter totally magnetic in terms of music and presentation? Well, a lot of things actually but I will just state the obvious. He’s got the attitude that will make you want to listen what he says or what he sings about. Lyrically and musically, he’s compelling. And he lives to the occasion as he is our featured artist along with this interview. Check this out and spread the vibes!</p>
<p mce_style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: #262626; line-height: 1.75; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(38, 38, 38); line-height: 1.75; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><strong mce_style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">I listened to all your releases and you have a signature sound along with that big voice. Where did you get all that combination?</strong></p>
<div mce_style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: #262626; line-height: 1.75; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(38, 38, 38); line-height: 1.75; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><strong mce_style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </strong></div>
<div mce_style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: #262626; line-height: 1.75; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(38, 38, 38); line-height: 1.75; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Any signature sound is probably half by design, and half dumb luck. As far as the basic songwriting goes, I have to take most of the blame for that. The sound of the recordings has a lot to do with the guys in the band at the time.</div>
<div mce_style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: #262626; line-height: 1.75; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(38, 38, 38); line-height: 1.75; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> The big voice? Basically, I’m just loud, I guess. Probably helped years of trying to hear myself in bad monitors in clubs. I’m just trying to use what I got- there isn’t much pretty in there but there’s a lot of loud. I believe in exploiting my limitations.</div>
<div mce_style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: #262626; line-height: 1.75; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(38, 38, 38); line-height: 1.75; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Check out the rest here: <a href="http://spheremusic.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/that-christian-d-an-interview/" mce_href="http://spheremusic.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/that-christian-d-an-interview/" target="_blank">That Christian D! an Interview. </a>
</div>Christian DeArmond