Matthew Booi, Joshua Dallmann, Jeremy Gontier, and Mike Rivet
Influences
Among others:
juniper berries, lost causes, David Bowie, Jesus and Mary Chain, the Verve, Roxy Music, Spiritualized, Serge Gainsbourg, Talk Talk, Scott Walker, Eric Blair, British Sea Power, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Philip Larkin, Pulp, the Smiths, Richard Burton, P.E.T., My Bloody Valentine, Dave Irwin, 5-hydroxytryptamine, Werner Herzog, Super Furry Animals, the Beach Boys (but not Mike Love), Luna, Klaus Kinski, Clinic, Ambrosius Bosschaert, the Velvet Underground, Morrissey, Elvis Presley, Albee, stereolab....
Sounds Like
"When you have a song that revolves around a Canadian downhill skier (and one that isn't as well known, even in Canada) well my dear people you damn well better have the music to back it up. And Stirling is stellar in that regard. With a sound that is equal parts Interpol, The Strokes and Editors, tracks such as the angular, infectious "Longest Fall" make one take notice instantly. The Cure-ish "Ostalgia" is another keeper that starts slow but is layered perfectly with guitars and a deep, rich, bass line. But perhaps the best complement that can be given is that a song like "Idaho Highs" sounds like it was better suited for Pulp's His N Hers album than one or two of the tracks that actually made it. This is especially more evident with the ensuing hi-hat heavy, dance-rock "These Too Safe Seas". Meanwhile, the group also shines on the radio-friendly pop rock gem "Burton & Taylor" and the equally adorable "Under the Pavement". Fans of Brit pop should cherish a band and an album as terrific as this!
8/10
JASON MACNEIL/ POPMATTERS
STIRLING:
(1) knows several anthems that the world forgot.
(2) has never willingly participated in a Ponzi scheme but the rhythm section has made a great deal of money on Pyramid scams.
(3) has two members who claim to have read Gravity’s Rainbow but we think they are lying. Despite claims to the contrary, no one has read Gravity’s Rainbow. Go on and ask them a pointed question about it some time.
(4) has shared the stage with the likes of Elbow, Kasabian, the Futureheads, the Duke Spirit, the Meligrove Band, the Russian Futurists and Islands.
(5) continues to spend their days and nights honing an epic sound that contains a great deal of dial-twirling, frequency-taming, pedal-engaging, and Bowie-inspired hollering that owes much to such bands as the Jesus and Mary Chain, Pulp, Talk Talk, and Roxy Music.
(6) likes to think that if they were a drink they would be a Manhattan.
(7) consists of Matt (vocals, piano and guitars), Josh (guitars), Jeremy (bass) and Mike (drums).
(8) is currently in the process of taking back the night. After a rocky start, they now feel that they are in the home-stretch.
(9) calls Toronto, Canada home, but has played in such far-flung locales as Berlin and London. Luckily, two members of the band speak German and all of them speak English so it worked out okay.
(10) spent much of 2004 trying to pass themselves off as a psych-rock band called Wolf Menagerie. In retrospect, they admit that it was a mistake.
(11) misses the Evil Empire, takes back the bad things it said about it (they were uttered in anger its true) and wishes it would return post-haste.
(12) will probably drink your rider but if it is any consolation they will feel bad about it the next day and most likely send you a heart-felt apology on the good stationary.
(13) has just released a record called The Fall of the Winter Palace that should be out quite soon.
(14) is prone to fits of pique and nostalgia.
(15) believes in reverb.
I'll apologize now for the mass Comment... but the good news is I don't know one darn person that got a $500 Macy's gift card.
In case you missed our Mod Club show last month, we thought we'd give you the heads up that we're playing this upcoming Saturday (November 17th) at Neutral Lounge on College St. as part of DJ Lawrence's Kensington Station night. Show time is 10:30 PM sharp.
In case you feel like a night out for malty beverages and of course some Rock and Roll, we're playing the Mod Club on Saturday the 20th (Depending if you're in the GTA that night or not)
If you think you might be able to make it send me a message and I'll put you on the guest list.
How are the ELECTRICITY( I'm too clever for my own good) bills to keep your GREEN room so lush? My friends....you truely are defenders of the faith! Never stop! EVER!
No, thank you! I fell in love with My resistance is low. I hope I'll come to one of your gigs someday. Who knows, maybe one day I'll come to Toronto and Mordecai will rise from the dead and have a whisky with us... F
That was a great set at The Rivoli, a simmering cauldron of ultra-cool grooves. The band is undeniably Canadian, the sound, raw rock energy capturing the UK spirit. Cool, gritty, inspired sounds that makes you want you to raise your arms majestically and utter, the rock flame is continuing to burn.
So after you packed up your gear and took the chicken wire down for the length of the stage, what time did you get out of there? On a serious note, Gail is no longer in the band. If everyone acts like they don't know what you're talking about....that's just shock. How was the show damn it..you know I wish I could have been there! SIM
Matt - I'm glad you want to motivate our lazy bums to record some more. I just moved to Calgary though - I took a job teaching grade 4! It might take me a little longer now....
The same goes for you though - for crying out loud - more Stirling tunes ASAP!
The way I see it is you can complain because a rose bush has thorns, or rejoice because a thorn bush has gorgeous roses. Now that you have new shoes listed, I can see the glorious flowers.....
