Tracklist:

1. What Price Will You Pay (Code of Honor cover)
2. Leg-Hold Trap
3. Gamble (Lowest of The Low cover)

For fans of underground thrash, The Weakerthans, and Lowest Of The Low.  Find out how that’s even possible!  $3 for 3 songs, for charity AND your chance to win a Propagandhi vinyl prize pack.

1. Buy the EP, via the secure G7 Welcoming Committee web store.
2. Paste your confirmation code, your name and email address in the comments bellow and a random name will be drawn on April 18, 2010 for the LP prize pack (courtesy of WestCoastWeasel.com)

NOTE: Comments are NOT visible to other people.  They await moderation and will NOT be posted.  Open to residents of Canada and US only.

Tell your friends.  You don’t even need to like the tunes to want to donate.  The prize pack could make a great gift!

We’re seeking one new writer to join our team!

Currently our focus is currently of rock and its sub-genres: Punk, indie, folk, hard rock and more but we are definitely not genre specific. If you’re in the Vancouver or Seattle area and you’d like to write for a fun, growing music website then we’d love to hear from you.

Categories:

• Turncoat Turntable (album reviews)
• Renegade Rock Review (gig reviews)
• Informant Inquisition (interviews)

Our content-rich reviews aim to feature MP3’s, lyrics, sample audio and embedded video to offer a more rich, interactive review medium beyond a traditional text-only format. Reviews have included She & Him, Against Me!, Johnny Cash, You Say Party We Say Die, Megadeth, Frank Turner, The Gaslight Anthem, AFI, Them Crooked Vultures, Wilco, Tom McRae, NOFX and many more.

Our interviewees have included members of Against Me!, Screeching Weasel, Propagandhi, Northcote, Cobra Skulls and Frank Turner.

We’re hoping for someone who actively checks out new tunes and local gigs as well and—most of all—can write. We do get access to some advance material and periodic guest-listing at shows. Though, for the most part we’re hoping you routinely hit gigs and obtain music already. I would however like to help out, compensating your reviews by paying for some of your music and gigs, alike.  We are a non-profit website and the compensation is from personal income. The idea is that we’re doing this for the love, experience and exposure.  Please contact for more details.

The reviews are sent to our editor and sent back to me for posting. Bearing in mind that there’s a 24-48 hour turnaround after I initially receive the submissions, we still try for album and gig reviews to be posted within a week or a week and half of the release/show. This also isn’t set in stone but for obvious reasons it is our aim.

Contact admin@westcoastweasel.com with some examples of your writing.  Although we will contact every applicant, we are only siding with one fitting individual. A vermin moniker for each team member is part of the deal

Thanks,

Steve “Weasel” Roland

Weasels/Weaselettes,

Welcome to the new WestCoastWeasel.com.  Hopefully the improvements serve both the readers and authors well.  Please be patient as final touches and fixes are being implemented.  During initial testing it would seem that Firefox and Google Chrome browsers like the site best, though only minor formatting issues are apparent in Internet Explorer.  With any luck you’ll be using the latest of one the aforementioned browsers and the switch will be an easy and appealing one.  We welcome any feedback, suggestions or bug reporting: westcoastweasel@gmail.com.  A big thank you to Mike Michouris of Hilight Projects for his abundance of advice, training, and tweaking.  Visit him online for any of your web design, hosting, modifications or consulting.

Our entire first quarter archive has been migrated over.  Although attempts have been made to maintain the original layout/format of the original post–it was painful.  A few things in said archive may not appear 100% correct.  However, we still encourage browsing the archives for reviews on NOFX, The Gaslight Anthem, Gogol Bordello, Pearl Jam, Them Crooked Vultures and more.  Check out our Informant Inquisition interviews with members of Propagandhi, Cobra Skulls, A Wilhelm Scream and more.  Stay tuned for the special Weasel vs. Weasel edition of Informant Inquisition and more frequent updates / reviews moving forward.

...Weasel Was Here

It’s a new week in a new year in a new decade.  Looking forward, we have some exciting plans in 2010 for our readers.  First and foremost—the site will have a complete overhaul.  I’ve been working like a crazed coffee-drinking, meal-skipping, up-at-the-crack-of-dawn kind of vermin on the new design.  You should see this improvement soon.  

Roughly three months ago I took it upon myself to write an album review of Megadeth – End Game for kicks.  I decided to share it with a few people who seemed to enjoy reading it perhaps more than I did.  Being the critic I was about to become, I knew vast improvements would have to be made if I did another.  I hadn’t really formulated a plan of any kind of running a blog/site full-time but I did find the idea of doing something productive involving music appealing.  I took the nickname my father donned upon me since moving to Vancouver (West Coast Weasel) and made some likable imagery, as well as some witty categories. 

Since then, I’ve reviewed an additional five albums (plus two from my beloved editor) and ten live performances (plus two additional guest submissions).  These can be found in the Turncoat Turntable and Renegade Rock Review archives, respectively. 

Additionally, what I am equally, if not more happy and proud of is arranging the opportunity to meet some people I truly respect in the music industry and to have a conversation with them.  Frank Turner was happy to wait patiently as I transcribed my first interview nervously by scribbling in a notepad backstage at The Commodore Ballroom.  I switched to digital recording for the interview with Wendy Thirteen who shared both her angst and optimism outside of The Cobalt before it closed its doors.  Brian and Nick from A Wilhelm Scream and I sat down backstage on a couple ratty sofas at Studio Seven during my first jaunt down to Seattle.  Propagandhi returned to Vancouver for the first time in roughly a decade where I met Chris, Jord and Todd after their sound check at The Rickshaw Theatre.  Todd was kind enough to have a thorough discussion out back and slip me an all access pass to get a new friend into the sold out show.  I also waltzed through the side door of The Red Room hoping to find Devin of Cobra Skulls, who was happy to sit down, answer some questions, and reminisce about (our) glory days of punk rock music.  Having no preconceived plan to interview Matt Goud of Northcote didn’t prevent me from coming up with some quality questions on the fly as we stood out in the rain outside of The Media Club.  Although I missed the chance to meet Ben Weasel (of Screeching Weasel) at their sold out one off show at New City in Edmonton, he has since contacted me regarding an interview.  I have spoken with artists who are currently making their mark in the independent punk and/or rock scene, along with a couple who introduced me to it originally when I was a teenager.  Had it not been for them, I probably wouldn’t be writing this letter to those who now enjoy some things that I have to say. (Note: Frank Turner, A Wilhem Scream, Cobra Skulls, and Propagandhi all made the top albums of 2009 as voted by thousands of punk rock fans around the world at www.punknews.org.  A couple of them also made ours.) 

With the help of many individuals we totaled roughly $480 worth of contributions for Weasel’s Holiday Toy Drive.  42 children received a hand picked gift from my lovely elf helpers and I via the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau on December 24, 2009.  We hope to take what we’ve learned from what was a first attempt at such a venture and make the project an even greater success in 2010.

According to Google Analytics, we had over 1100 (give or take) unique hits by January 1 to the site since its inception during the last week of September.  While this may not be large in terms of viral internet trends, I never used to share my thoughts and work with over a thousand people across 33 countries/territories (including Spain, Sweden, Brazil, Russia, South Africa), so I consider it a notable achievement.  We’ve had next to no advertisement for the site.

I also had the pleasing opportunity to offer, exclusive free distribution of the long awaited album, Smoke Alarm Charm from my close Albertan friends in LBSC.

In conclusion, I suppose writing that Megadeth review wasn’t a bad idea after all.  Working as a pair (for now) of music fanatics and writers alike, WestCoast Weasel and Prairie “Oyster” Dog will continue to deliver more quality content to all of you.  Thanks for stopping by.  As always, comments and suggestions are welcomed.  Either of us can be contacted via our contact page. 

Special thanks to Karla Lemus, Kim Gagnon and Scott Malone who are responsible for either making this project a reality and/or maintaining its strength.  The lengthy list also extends to include all the readers who popped by and spread the good word. 

Sincerely,
Steve “Weasel” Roland

Click the album cover for the FREE download including high-res album art
Release date: 12/19/09
Format: MP3 (PC/MAC) – Online only @ www.westcoastweasel.com
1. Get Nocturnal
2. Cathedral Cash
3. Blood Shot Glass
4. The Dealer Said He’d Kill Me
5. Disappear Pressure
6. I Wanna Be Re-Animated
7. Temper, Temper
8. Lady Substance
9. Sever
10. Wolves Tale
11. The Chicago Typewriter
12. Smoke Alarm Charm

Legitimate Businessman’s Social Club is:
Jonny Bontje – Guitar
Spencer Donald – Drums
Scott Malone – Vocals
Logan Murray – Bass

“…old school Aerosmith learning new drug tricks from Queens of the Stone Age.” – File 13 ‘zine

“The wiser these guys get, the faster and harder their music becomes, not unlike a freight train (full of bootlegged liquor) barrelling down the tracks.” – Annonymous

www.myspace.com/thelbsc

Top 12 albums of 2009

(interview in Informant Inquisition #IV)

#2 – The Thermals – Now We Can See: opening the garage door to a catchy viral infection that puts H1N1 to shame.

#3 – NOFX – Coaster: delving into otherwise absent personal territory, along side quintessential sex and drug comic relief—punk rock’s geriatrics churn out their (second) strongest album (since The Decline [of their career], 10 years ago).

#4 – Pearl Jam – Backspacer: with the flannel years behind them, a new sense of optimism shines through the most exciting effort since their 1991 debut. (full review in Turncoat Turntable 002)

#5 – Megadeth – Endgame: with competitive dueling leads, Dave and Co. revisit their old school strategies with modern techniques.

#6 – Cobra Skulls – American Rubicon: adding poignant vocal harmonies and identifiable lyrical content shows an already exciting group maturing admirably.

#7 – The Prodigy – Invaders Must Die: upon first listen, the decision to purchase (one of the only electronic albums of my catalogue) was made before realizing who it was or where/how I’d have to get it.

#8 – Gallows – Grey Britain: big budget production allows Vancouver’s GGGarth to purge the dozen grizzly and sinister cuts from these angry English pukes.

#9 – Spinnerette – Spinnerette: shedding the constrictive sleeves of a punk rock past; again, Brody borrows from her mate’s wardrobe—though this glove fits and leaves room to grow.

#10 – Mariachi El Bronx – Mariachi El Bronx: so-cal hardcore outfit heads further south for a head turning, soulful bout of authentic Mexicana.

#11 – Star Fucking Hipsters – Until We’re Dead: metal, ska, and pop make the toppings of this tasty, crusty punk rock pizza.

#12 – AFI – Crash Love: defying all odds, the band proves there’s still some fire inside. (full review in Turncoat Turntable 003 )

…Weasel Was Here

Top 12 albums of 2009

#1 – Album of The Year

#2 – Megadeth – Endgame: Setting his sights on social injustice, former love, and (what else) the government, Dave Mustaine churns out his most focused (and best) album since 1990’s masterful Rust in Peace.

#3 – Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures: Colossal expectations are actually met as these living legends come together to create this sexy slab of heavy weirdness. (full review in Turncoat Turntable 007)

#4 – Mariachi El Bronx – Mariachi El Bronx: Embracing Mexican culture, The Bronx put on their matching mariachi outfits, break out the trumpet and requinto romantico, and deliver one of the most affecting albums of 2009.

#5 – NOFX – Coaster: There’s a maturity forming underneath the usual scum as these veterans churn out a collection of anthems worthy of setting a drink on.

#6 – Hot Leg – Red Light Fever: Former Darkness singer Justin Hawkins kicks his habits and comes up with a party record made for prima donnas and their cocktails.

#7 – Future of the Left – Travels With Myself and Another: Like a head full of acid with new and fun ideas about Satan, this band picks up where others are unwilling to go and shrieks joyously towards oblivion.

#8 – Priestess – Prior to the Fire: The difficult second album by these Canadian metalheads hits all the right notes while venturing into unknown, heavier territory. (full review in Turncoat Turntable 005)

#9 – Sorry and the Sinatras – Highball Roller
Philly punks proudly wear their influences on their sleeves and spit out pure, pitch-perfect hardcore garage rock and roll.

#10 – Propagandhi – Supporting Caste Punctuated by their usual passionate calls for action, one of the angriest albums of the year works its way into hearts and minds.

#10 – Slayer – World Painted Blood
Like Megadeth, these thrashers release their finest album in nearly twenty years and prove they can still outplay almost any metal band and write a fucking good tune.

#11 – Gallows - Grey Britain A brutal, uncompromising record that sounds fresh while maintaining a surprisingly diverse sound.

- Prairie “Oyster” Dog

Never trust vermin. Support the artists and find out for yourself. WestCoastWeasel.com encourages purchasing one of these suggested albums at Red Cat Records in Vancouver, BC. Purchase digital and hard copies online at Amazon.com.

Disclaimer: All files have been scanned for viruses, and are 100% clean.  They are 100% PC / Mac and Ipod compatible.  Artists and labels are not affliated with this release.  If any artist / label believes that the hard work we put into showcasing a 1-2 track sample, in an attractive, unique manner as an online gift to music fans is piracy or malicious, feel free to contact me at westcoastweasel@gmail.com.  If having to move the sampler to a private FTP link and/or BitTorrent is the alternative–so be it.  We always encourage fans to support the artists, much like we do.  Let’s keep the sharing, holiday spirit alive by being reasonable.

Prize Winners:

Jessica Yee – Grand Prize Pack #1

Shout Out Out Out – Integration Time (double 12” vinyl) w/ free album download  [courtesy of Red Cat Records]
Chadio & Aalo Guha – Underestimated Raindrops (CD) [courtesy of artist]
Liquid Amber Tattoo – Red Zip Hoodie (large) [courtesy of Liquid Amber Tattoo]
Beatstreet Records – $20 Gift Certificate [courtesy of WestCoast Weasel]

Katie-Ellen Humphries – Grand Prize Pack #2

Weezer – Raditude (180gram 12” vinyl) [courtesy of Red Cat Records]
LBSC – t-shirt (w/ free MP3 download of new album Smoke Alarm Charm) [courtesy of artist]
Equinox Skate and Apparel – t-shirt (size of your choice) [courtesy of Equinox]
Liquid Amber Tattoo – $20 Gift Certificate [courtesy of WestCoast Weasel]

Meredith Lorfing – Prize Pack #3

Why? – Eskimo Snow (12” vinyl) [courtesy of Red Cat Records]
Manta Ray-Gun – Spirokeet (cassette) + t-shirt (medium) [courtesy of artist]
LBSC – s/t (CD) [courtesy of artist]
Red Cat Records -$10 Gift Certificate [courtesy of WestCoast Weasel]

Tia Ohman – Random Prize Pack

Chadio & Aalo Guha – Underestimated Raindrops (CD) [courtesy of artist]
Itunes – $15 Gift Certificate [courtesy of WestCoast Weasel]

Contestants will be contacted by January 3, 2010 to arrange pickup or delivery of prize packs.

WestCoast Weasel would like thank everyone who got involved one way or another (donations, word of mouth, assistance arranging sponsors, holding my flyers, sponsorship, setting up my donation box, helping me shop, etc.)  This wouldn’t have been possible without you.

A special thank you to the following people for their direct assistance, sponsorship and/or quality suggestions that made this a reality:

Tarah Hogue and the girls of The Gam Gallery (please check out their New Years Masquerade Ball & Silent Auction)
Jessica Yee
Dave @ Red Cat Records
Liquid Amber Tattoo
Scott Malone and Jon Bontje of LBSC (check out their last ever show in Red Deer, AB on December 28th.  It’s going to be one of the grittiest, sweatiest rock shows to close the new millennium.  Check our site and theirs the day after for the skinny on the new album Smoke Alarm Charm)
Ryan Lundy @ Equinox Skate & Apparel
Chadio
Brittny from Manta Ray-Gun (catch their intense live performance at The Gam Gallery’s New Years Masquerade Ball & Silent Auction)
Tonia Evans
Didi Freeman

PLEASE VISIT OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS:

First, second and third prizes will be awarded to the top three contributors as well as a random prize draw.  This provides a potential win/win situation for everyone involved (in case providing toys isn’t enough already).  The highest contributor has his/her choice of Grand Prize Pack #1 or #2.  The second highest will receive the other Grand Prize Pack.  The third highest will receive Prize Pack #3.  We will do a random draw for its prize pack.  PRIZES ARE SUBJECT TO IMPROVE FURTHER.

Grand Prize Pack #1
 
Shout Out Out Out – Integration Time (double 12” vinyl) w/ free album download  [courtesy of Red Cat Records]
Chadio & Aalo Guha – Underestimated Raindrops (CD) [courtesy of artist]
Liquid Amber Tattoo – Red Zip Hoodie (large) [courtesy of Liquid Amber Tattoo]
Beatstreet Records – $20 Gift Certificate [courtesy of WestCoast Weasel]
 
Grand Prize Pack #2

Weezer – Raditude (180gram 12” vinyl) [courtesy of Red Cat Records]
LBSC – t-shirt (w/ free MP3 download of new album Smoke Alarm Charm) [courtesy of artist]
Equinox Skate and Apparel – t-shirt (size of your choice) [courtesy of Equinox]
Liquid Amber Tattoo – $20 Gift Certificate [courtesy of WestCoast Weasel]

Prize Pack #3
Why? – Eskimo Snow (12” vinyl) [courtesy of Red Cat Records]
Manta Ray-Gun – Spirokeet (cassette) + t-shirt (medium) [courtesy of artist]
LBSC – s/t (CD) [courtesy of artist]
Red Cat Records -$10 Gift Certificate [courtesy of WestCoast Weasel]

Random Prize Draw:

Chadio & Aalo Guha – Underestimated Raindrops (CD) [courtesy of artist]
Itunes – $15 Gift Certificate [courtesy of WestCoast Weasel]

Additional prize donations are welcomed as an alternative to financial contribution, to provide incentive for those in a position to contribute monetarily.  If you’re in a band, have a clothing company, or are an artist and would like to donate a prize; that is a wonderful way of showing support and getting your product out there.  We will also ensure credit / link on the website and Facebook results page.  Please get in touch ASAP.

There’s various ways to support this drive, not limited to a financial contribution.  Here’s three main ways you can help us, help them:

1.    monetary donation (Min: $5  Max: n/a – Maximum donation will be matched by WestCoastWeasel.com up to a maximum of $150)
2.    prize donation (music, art, clothing or something equally appropriate)
3.    WORD OF MOUTH (if you are unable/uninterested in donating, you may know someone who does.  This form of support is equally as important)

Donations can be made on or before December 16, 2009.  Cash donations will be accepted at Noshit- Arts and Crafts, Show and Sale @ The Gam Gallery (Dec 12-13) or by contacting me directly (see below).

We accept credit card payments using our secure, online Pay-Pal system.  You do not need a Pay-Pal account.

DONATIONS ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTED. TOY DRIVE HAS ENDED.

A: While food/shelter are vital, there are already numerous programs focusing on these necessities.  Here’s a few links if you’d like to show them your support as well.
http://www.foodbank.bc.ca/main/?help
https://secure.salvationarmy.ca/registrant/tribute.aspx?EventID=8102&LangPref=en-CA
http://www.cfox.com/SantaFox2009.aspx
http://thebeat.com/post/4547
We are focusing on sharing joy, by the means of entertainment and/or education, which is appropriate considering what we do here at WestCoastWeasel.com.

Q:  I’m not Christian and/or don’t support the materialistic angle of Christmas.
A: Neither are we.  We are non denominational.  This is a “holiday season” toy drive.  Providing toys to under privileged children, in our opinion shouldn’t violate the scrooge like stance that one may carry.  We are not suggesting rings or vacations for that “special someone.”  We’re buying toys and/or books for kids.  We don’t believe this is the only time of year people should be socially conscious or donating, though it would surely be the most successful.

Q:  What is WestCoastWeasel.com contributing?
A:  Weasel (Steve Roland) will match the highest donation, up to a maximum of $150.  Prizes (CD’s, vinyl and/or merch) will also be purchased as incentive for generous donators.  WestCoastWeasel.com is currently a non-profit organization and this one person’s personal contribution.

Q:  What stores will be receiving our hard earned money?
A:  Both locally owned/operated toy stores (Granville Island Toy Company, Kaboodles, The Toybox, etc) as well as Canadian chain stores (London Drugs, Toys R’ Us) will be scouted to ensure a balance of unique, affordable and valuable selections.  US and/or International companies such as Wal-Mart or IKEA will not be considered.

Q: What is the price range of each toy?
A: We feel that a $5 minimum and $15 maximum is appropriate to ensure we can get as many valuable toys as possible.  For example, if we raise $300 that is a minimum of twenty children we help have a brighter day.

Q: How does the random prize draw work?  When will prizes be awarded?
A: Every donation will be tracked with a unique number and a number will be drawn at random after the campaign closes.  All prizes will be awarded in the first week of January.

We welcome any questions/concerns and/or constructive suggestions.  Let’s keep the spirit positive.  If you are interested in a banner exchange (you advertise us, we advertise you) feel free to contact me.

“We don’t cease to play because we grow old, we grow old because we cease to play.” – G.B Shaw

Thank you,

Steve “Weasel” Roland
westcoastweasel@gmail.com
778-846-3945

PLEASE VISIT OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS.  THANK YOU…

    One week ago I took it upon myself to start www.westcoastweasel.com, with a few ideas in hand.  Since then, I have gathered content for the first two releases, of all three main segments (Turncoat Turntable, Renegade Rock Review and Informant Inquisition).  The feedback has been overwhelming and the momentum continued today when our college journalist cousin, Prairie “Oyster” Dog joined the WestCoast Weasel family.  He will be both editor in chief, as well as co-contributor of content.  We are seeking a weasel worthy “Metal Muskrat” to review the metal scene’s show and releases.  This is no place for the weasel alone.  Suggestions will be considered via our upcoming contact page.  FAQ and some other improvements will emerge soon.  Remember to follow the weasel.

-Weasel Was Here