At Plastic and Wax we enjoy a good playlist. In honour of the upcoming “retro” Edgefest, here’s six slices of 90’s Can-Rock for you. Pure – Anna is a Speed Freak Doughboys – Fix Me The Pursuit of Happiness –Read more…
Skull Fist – Chasing The Dream
Toronto has become a hotbed for old school heavy metal. One of the bands leading the charge is Skull Fist and their latest album “Chasing the Dream” is their best effort to date. With a nod to some of theRead more…
The Offspring – Live
Twenty years ago The Offspring released Smash: the highest selling independent record of all time. It sold over ten million copies. It brought spawned two humungous hit singles in “Come Out and Play” and “Self-Esteem.” It (along with Green Day’sRead more…
Black Lab – A Raven Has My Heart
I first heard Black Lab in the fall of 1997. Their first single was featured on Toronto radio station 102.1 The Edge’s “Groundbreakers” show where they introduce new songs. (two of the other artists featured that week were Black GrapeRead more…
Tales From the Bargain Bin: Sugar Ray – 14:59
I once heard that Sugar Ray’s album “Floored” was the most returned album of all-time. Fact or myth, it’s not much of a stretch. The lead single off the album was a sunny reggae-tinged pop song called “Fly” and thereRead more…
Butch Walker – Peachtree Battle
Butch Walker has carved out quite the career over the past quarter century. A musical chameleon, he started as a teenager with-hair metal (Southgang) before moving on to glam-rock (The Floyds), and crunchy alternative (Marvelous 3). In 2002 he embarkedRead more…
Various Artists – This Is Your Life: A Tribute to Ronnie James Dio
Ronnie James Dio has long been considered (along with Bruce Dickinson and Rob Halford) one of the best metal singers of all time, if not the best. He was the vocalist for Elf, Rainbow and Black Sabbath before going outRead more…
SIANspheric – The Owl
Last week I wrote about Swervedriver’s new single “Deep Wound.” I should’ve known SIANspheric wouldn’t be far behind with a 7″ of their own in “The Owl”. (SIANspheric and Swervedriver frontman Adam Franklin shared a double-EP compilation back in 2003).Read more…
Amon Amarth – Under the Influence
It’s pretty common practice for a band to release a covers record. But a record of knock-offs? Amon Amarth included “Under the Influence” as a bonus disc to their album “Deceiver of the Gods.” It was intended as an homageRead more…
Tales From the Bargain Bin: Less Than Jake – Losing Streak
Remember when ska was popular again in the 90’s for about three months? It seemed like you couldn’t swing a dead fish without smacking into a ska cover of some popular song. A couple come to mind: Reel Big Fish’sRead more…