Issue 19 - February 12 2009

University of Toronto’s community newspaper Independent since 1978

February 12th – 19th, 2009 Vol. XXXI, No: 19

1 Spadina Crescent, Suite 245, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1 Phone: 416 593 1552 thenewspaper@thenewspaper.ca www.thenewspaper.ca

the newspaper

the newspaper write between the lines

the news

the arts

2 Make-out corner!

4 Get caught in the Bikechain 5 Love for sale

6 Love hurts: the mixtape 7 Wavelength 450: the anniversary 6 Jason McLean talks to the newspaper

Good Weed

Saving Luna

ANDREW GYORKOS

ANDREW PROSSER

Community Interest Bureau

Film Review Bureau

If you’re looking for a novelty cannabis item to flaunt your mania for marijuana, but have grown sick of seeing the typical leaf labels everywhere, why not wear the plant’s genetic fingerprint instead? Yes, the good folks at www.MaryJaneGoods. com have identified marijuana’s DNA profile, extrapolated and enlivened it, and plastered the image on everything from coffee cups to clothing.

So what exactly is a “genetic fingerprint” or “DNA profile”?

Quite simply, it’s the seemingly random arrangement of bars the lab-rats on shows like CSI stare at all day long. Darrin Grandmason, the founder of MaryJane Goods and a student of advanced microbiology, discovered the marketing power of genetic fingerprints after a client requested DNA profiles of common household spices through his DNA artistry company. Inspired, Darrin retrieved the genetic mark of marijuana, applied the results to canvas, and founded MaryJane Goods to sell his new art.

All the products MaryJane Goods sell feature an iteration of cannabis’ genetic fingerprint prominently displayed.

While it certainly advertises the consumers’ love for the plant, it does so in a fairly innocuous way. The image of the marijuana leaf is iconic and universal, whereas an image of colorful bars is more abstract and perhaps even more artistic.

It’s a fairly discrete way to show your love for everyone’s favorite psychoactive hallucinogen.

Maybe the catchwords “documentary” and “Canadian” and “orca whale” don’t turn you on. I don’t blame you. But this is good, I swear.

Suzanne Chrisholm, a U of T alumnus, and her husband and co-director Michael Parfitt tripped to Vancouver Island to do a short story for Smithsonian Magazine. Their subject was a lone young killer whale named “Luna” that was causing a ruckus in the community just by being too friendly with the boaters. They had figured it would take about three weeks, but it ended up taking three years! The resulting movie rivalled James Bond at the Canadian box offices.

Why? Because a whale this playful is not only cute - it’s a disturbance to the social order.

Just by being insistent on goofing around with humans, Luna managed to rouse a quiet coastal community with high drama, unlocking the latent conflicts between scientists and politicians, Westerners and Natives, tourists and locals, reporters and activists, man and nature culminating in an aquatic chase scene and a possible murder.

“But Mom, I don’t want to see a documentary,” whined an

...err...weed goods

DNA artistry isn’t limited to the marijuana consumer market though. Entrepreneurs have found success taking the

Blow hole will blow your socks off

The genetic fingerprint of Cannabis Sativa is generated by exposing the plant’s DNA to molecular probes, highlighting its unique genetic sequence.

genetic fingerprint of a client’s significant other and turning the mark into meaningful mementos dear to the person’s heart. In fact, anything organic or natural has a genetic fingerprint, a mark DNA artists would be all too happy to immortalize (if the price is right, of course).

The appeal of DNA art certainly isn’t for everyone, and the cynic will doubtlessly be unimpressed. The difference between the genetic fingerprints of marijuana and, let’s say, a tulip, are presumably

minute. When you get right down to it, what you’re paying for is a collection of arbitrary lines assembled with no distinct meaning unless you’re a microbiologist yourself. The colourful lines sure are pretty, but they don’t immediately stand for much else.

Darrin’s Cannabis art is available through www.MaryJaneGoods.com.

8-year old being dragged to a screening.

After watching, he had decided it was the best movie he’d ever seen. If his word and my word, combined with the countless awards “Saving Luna” has garnered at film festivals globally, mean anything to you, then persuade yourself to attend an upcoming screening at AMC Yonge-Dundas, 10 Dundas St.E. The film screens daily at 1:30, 4:15, 7:00 and 9:50pm, and the Director will also be attending the screenings this Friday.

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February 12th – 19th, 2009

the inside

the make-out corner

THE TABLE OF CONTENTS the front page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 the inside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 the editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 the news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,5 the arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,7 the jumbler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 the comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

the newspaper Publisher Matthew Pope

News Editor

Arts Editor

Ashley Minuk

Helene Goderis

Associate Editor Ari Simha

Administrative Assistant

Layout & Design

Caroline George

Jeffrey Spiers

Copy Editors

Photo Editor

Dan Craig, Michelle Ferreira, Tayyaba Jiwani

Sam Catalfamo

Contributors Sahar Ghafouri Baksh, Stephan Bundi, Sandra De Grandis, Andrew Gyorkos, Devon Marinac, Mathiaus Poe, Andrew Prosser, Miki Sato, Jake Steinmetz, Amina Stella

Ads & Marketing Peter Josselyn ads@thenewspaper.ca

the mission statement the newspaper is proud to be University of Toronto’s ONLY independent news source. We look to our readers and contributors to ensure we provide a consistently superior product. Our purpose is to provide a voice for university students, staff, faculty and U of T’s extended community.

This voice may at times be irreverent but it will never be irrelevant.

write between the lines

As the philosopher Jagger once said: “You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, you just might find you get what you need.”

the newspaper 3

February 12th – 19th, 2009

BEER • WINGS • POOL • JAVA SPORTS • JUKEBOX • SPIRITS EVENTS • OPEN STAGE • GAMES

the editorial I hate People V-Day MATHIAUS POE Opinion Column Bureau

Serving up a good time Every time since 9T6!

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In keeping with the spirit of the time, I’m going to address the Valentine’s nonsense. I realize that it’s extraordinarily difficult to say anything unique or original about this holiday that darkens our doors every February14th, whether you look forward to it or loathe it, but I’m going to try.

The most interesting thing about Valentine’s day is the wide array of often visceral reactions it elicits in such a wide variety of people. Very few manage to achieve neutral buoyancy in this tumultuous sea of love and hate. My question is: why should such a seemingly benign holiday raise such a big fuss?

There is no bigger fool than a fool in love. Emotions are the antithesis of rationality, so anything emotional like love is bound to be as devoid of reason as a Creationismspouting mouth-breather. This applies to people on both sides of the line. Those who are in

love or a relationship turn into babbling fools spouting lines like “well, it’s a chance to spend some special time together” or just drool about the object of their affection. Those who have been recently hurt, are out of a relationship or just plain lonely will cite the commercialization of Valentine’s day, profess that they have given up on love/ boys/girls/sex or just spiral into a mindless emo diatribe about how everything ends and nothing really matters.

As you can plainly see, none of these People are using a shred of reason in their thought process. Which is not to say that that is necessarily a bad thing. One of the beautiful things about love is that we cannot control it or reason with it. The heart is a random, powerful and sometimes fickle thing. Where the problems arise is when all these reasoning-devoid fools start mouthing off to each other and anyone else who will

listen. They label each other as cynics and saps and everyone walks away a little more miserable. As much fun as that may sound, it’s surprisingly counterproductive.

Personally, I find Valentine’s to be just another empty holiday in a long string of meaningless holidays. Every holiday is commercialized, as is most everything else in our increasingly globalized economy; even the most devout goth would be forced to admit to the commercialization of Hallowe’en if you put a fluffy pink rabbit to their head.

Whatever your take is on Valentine’s day, get over it. In the end, it really is just another day. As with most things, no one really cares what you think, so keep it to yourself. I will tell you this, which is my stance on virtually every holiday imaginable: if you need a specific day to celebrate anything, then I think you lead a very sad existence. Peace on earth and

goodwill towards humankind?

Why not live that every day?

Have someone you care about?

Demonstrate it regularly.

Want to express yourself and be different? Hallowe’en is paradoxically the worst day for it because everyone is doing the same thing. What I’m saying is that People seem to value these days because they ignore or forget the spirit of the holiday in question. The special days would be a lot less important if we remembered their spirit every day of our lives.

However, that would be very un-People-ish of you; it’s much better to live inside your head and spout your inanities to any fool who will listen. It’s much more like People to engage in pointless arguments over irreconcilable issues. And it seems to be working for you.

Keep it up then.

the campus comment HELENE GODERIS

the newspaper asks students to share their Valentine’s Day stories, good and bad.

PODCASTING AS HOGTOWNCOMEDYRADIO (from our website)

All Day Breakfast and Canadian Tire Money at par every weekend!

Game Room with plasma available for groups FREE WIRELESS INTERNET PROVIDED BY:

Tayyab Ali, 1st year, Architecture

Mike Lee, 4th year, East Asian Studies

“My girlfriend is back in Pakistan, but I’ll be done with studying and I’m looking forward to our cyber date.”

“It was a blind date. I saw her and walked out.

Hey, I was young.”

Steve Straker, 4th year, Linguistics

“I went to one of those singles parties but this girl I met the night before called me the entire time. It ruined the singles party.”

229 COLLEGE STREET

416/59•STEIN WWW.EIN-STEIN.CA

Anita Chawla, 4th year, Arts

Edward Gebbie, washed-up former the newspaper Arts Editor

“I walked into my high school classroom and my boyfriend sent me 40 candy grams and no one else had got any. It was embarrassing.”

“Once I was accosted by a van load full of girls and implored to come inside their van.

I did not. Instead, I shuffled down to a bar in Scarborough to watch a wrestling PPV.”

Photos: Helene Goderis

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February 12th – 19th, 2009

the news Spinning in 2009

I love smoking

Bikechain gives students a ride

So why did I quit?

STEPHAN BUNDI

SAHAR GHAFOURI BAKSH

Campus Commute Bureau

Community Health Bureau

A Bikechain volunteer helps an unnamed patron repair his environmentally friendly conveyance.

Photo: Sam Catalfamo

On Tuesday, January 20, 2009, the City of Toronto held its annual Bicycle Friendly Business Awards ceremony extravaganza at the Gladstone Hotel. At the star-studded gala, Councilor Adrian Heaps, Chair of the City’s Cycling Committee, presented Bikechain – a non-profit organization at UofT – with the coveted “Best Overall” Bicycle Friendly Business Award.

Though ecstatic, the brains behind Bikechain were not altogether surprised.

“We believe we provide a unique service to the University of Toronto,” said Bikechain Coordinator Allyson Amster. “By empowering students and staff to bike more, we are creating a cycling community working towards a bicycle friendly campus. The City’s recognition … contributes to our efforts to elevate the status of cycling.”

Bikechain was conceived in 2004 as the brainchild of Environmental Studies/International Development Studies graduate Carlene ThatcherMartin, who sought to develop a sustainable campus and city where bicycling was safe, convenient, and affordable.

According to Bikechain’s official website, the nascent stages of the club during the 2004/2005 school year were spent securing the necessary partnerships and funds to make the idea of a selfhelp repair shop and cycling promotion facility a reality. As Bikechain gained momentum, its mission became three-fold: to preserve and protect the health of the public while encouraging safety and enjoyment of cycling, to support an environmentally sound form of transportation, and to provide students a facility with a lowcost alternative to bike shops.

“Bicycle repairs can be very expensive and present a barrier to cycling,” explained Amster.

“Bikechain’s shop not only removes this cost, but it removes the barrier by teaching people how to repair their bikes. This skill makes a more confident cyclist.”

Many students approach cycling with trepidation – the reasons for which vary. But the predominant justification is simply a lack of adequate on-campus facilities. Bikechain seeks to change that by providing such services to UofT students. Amster describes the club’s many dimensions and functions: “The organization provides a free educational repair facility… a free rental program that offers members an opportunity to cycle in Toronto with no initial investment, free workshops and seminars on bicycle maintenance and safety, a cycling resource centre, an open space for cyclists to interact and much more.”

Winning the “Best Overall” Bicycle Friendly Business Award provided the young club with more credibility. For any bikeenthusiastic student, Bikechain is a tremendous way to get involved by receiving handson bicycle repair training, free bicycle rentals as well as free access to bicycle repair and maintenance seminars. Located in the basement level of the International Student Centre (33 St. George St), Bikechain is always open for volunteers and interested cyclists. For more information, visit http://bikechain.utoronto.ca or contact via e-mail at bikechain@utoronto. ca.

Why do I love to smoke? For one thing, smoking is totally badass. It’s pretty much the closest we UofT students can get to rebellion. We rise up against “the man”, those health care professionals and policy makers who try to get us to change habits. We shiver on the street corner between classes in the dead of winter; sucking desperately at every last bit of nicotine we can get into our systems before having to endure the torture of yet another lecture.

By smoking, we are sending a giant “screw you” message to the establishment saying, “Oh yeah, bring it on, we don’t care if smoking may harm us in the future”. With every anti-smoking ad they ask, “What are you rebelling against?” And with every puff we reply, “What you got?”

I love to smoke; I always have and probably always will. It’s an entirely social vice, more so than drugs since you can do it out in the open, and it goes pretty well with another social-life enhancing substance – alcohol. You meet the most interesting people on the street corner just by asking if they have a light. Nicotine helps you feel better during stressful situations, which are not uncommon here at UofT, and it sometimes also serves an appetite suppressant. So, if you don’t have time to eat, you can smoke your lunch instead!

Then why, you may ask, did I quit? Certainly not because of yellowed teeth or fingernails.

Let’s be honest, coffee and berries stain your teeth too, and I have worn nail polish that turned ALL my nails yellow.

Not because of the foul breath and smelly clothes; that’s what perfume and mouthwash are for. And it’s not because I may develop heart disease or lung cancer in thirty years – I can’t even envision what I’ll be doing in a year, much less that far into the future.

No, the reason I quit smoking was because it became such a regular habit, such a constant in my life, that if for whatever reason I couldn’t smoke, my whole day would be ruined.

I would become irritable, nauseous, tired and uncomfortable – all of which we smokers unquestioningly accept as withdrawal symptoms. But why? Why should I accept that?

These are the exact symptoms I

experience from lack of sleep, food, or water. Why should I be so utterly dependent on something so utterly unessential? Why should I place so much importance on something that is nothing more than paper, leaves and poison?

I figured I would be smarter than that, figured I knew what I was doing; thought no way man, I’m not an addict, I can quit whenever I want to, but I don’t want to… Turns out, I’m not all that smart. It’s a sad day when you realize you’ve been duped, and you can only really blame yourself.

BTW, I found this group For some, the alluring “cool-factor” of on campus called Leave The smoking is too-much to resist, such as Pack Behind (LTPB), and I our weak-willed Publisher. wish I had found them before Photo: Ashley Minuk I quit. For anyone out there trying to quit, check out their And so, through a whole lot website. It’s student run, offers of blood, sweat and tears I mana whole lot of support and aged to kick the habit. But I will can get you free nicotine gum. always love smoking because it They told me they are looking will always be a little bit badass. for students to participate in For more information on a smoke-free day event where Leave The Pack Behind visit everyone is guaranteed to win www.ltpb.tk an awesome prize. I am doing it with my friends and I felt I should let you guys know about it too.

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February 12th – 19th, 2009

the news

cont’d

From your Valentine

Can’t buy me love?

Tragic tale spurs V-day mail

Op-Ed

AMINA STELLA

SANDRA DE GRANDIS

Holiday Bureau

Emotional Affairs Bureau

Ahhh Valentines Day - an exhilarating time for love, romance, candies and flowers – if, of course, you have someone to share it with (and that’s a big IF). If not, you’re most likely stuck spending it alone or with other single friends, celebrating the night with themed parties titled “Heartbreak Hotel” or “Valentines Day Massacre”. So, who is this St. Valentine guy anyway?

And how did Valentine’s Day become one of the most highly marketed and anticipated holidays of the year?

One of the more popular stories of the origins of Valentine’s Day comes from the vestiges of ancient Roman and Christian tradition. One legend has it that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that better soldiers were produced from single men than from those with wives and family ties, he outlawed marriage for young men, his potential crop of soldiers. Valentine realized the injustice of Emperor Claudius’s decree and, choosing to go against it, continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When the actions of Valentine were discovered, Emperor Claudius sentenced him to death.

As the legend goes, the first ‘Valentine’ greeting was sent by none other than Valentine himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl who often visited him during his confinement. Before his death in prison it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, signing it “From your Valentine.” Can you see where this is going?

When people found out about this tragic love story, they began giving cards

signed “from your Valentine”, in memory of the heroic priest.

The rest of the romantically inclined traditions fell into place over time.

Valentine’s Day today has become, for many, merely about what and how much you receive –“proof” of that special someone’s love in the form of material gifts. Over the years, this day has essentially lost the spirit of sincerity and thoughtfulness it once carried in a simple endearment and signature on a card. Some people still feel that this is all that’s necessary, opting to avoid the rest of the consumer craze.

But don’t feel bad if you let yourself get caught up in the marketing frenzy; after all, expensive chocolates, diamonds and frilly underwear are all part of the picture for this fun and playful holiday. Plus, what better excuse to demand some foreplay and a mushy card from your significant other?

Some fun, cheesy pastimes for the holiday: Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry.

As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem broke.

Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy; and if she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire. Guess its time to bring out the binoculars!

A heterosexual make-out session, one popular display of love.

Photo: Sam Catalfamo

It’s that time of year again, probably the most blatantly consumerist holiday on the list, right after Christmas, that has singles turning into real life Mr. or Ms. Scrooges. You’ve probably guessed it by now: Valentine’s Day – when the number of red and pink heart decorations swamping every department store rivals the numbers on a post-Christmas credit card bill. Ok, perhaps that was a bit exaggerated, but it’s clear that Valentine’s Day has become more of a profitmaking scheme for business owners (Hallmark anyone?) than an actual day to celebrate love – pardon my bitterness, but who’s with me?

There is no “in between” when talking about Valentine’s Day – people either love it or they hate it. This divide correlates roughly to those being serenaded by consumer goods versus those plagued by feelings of emotional insecurity.

Nothing says “I love you” more than the same mass-produced card that millions of others will receive along with the typical flowers-and-chocolate purchased at the last minute.

If you really want to impress your significant other, you will probably get more creative by going for jewellery, exotic trips or maybe a spa getaway.

What do these gifts all have in common? Money. According to a CBC news report, “Last year, heart-addled Canadians and Americans spent an estimated $20 billion on flowers, chocolates, greeting cards, romantic dinners and, presumably, sexy lingerie.” What does money have to do with love? Apparently everything. Love does come from the inside alright – the inside of your wallet. The Beatles were wrong when they said, “Money can’t buy me love.”

If you’re on the receiving end, this may not be a problem; but woe to those of you shelling out the cash – you may have to hide from your landlord for the next couple months.

Perhaps people wouldn’t hate Valentine’s Day so much if it weren’t so hyped up. There is absolutely nothing wrong with loving someone and showing him/her you care, but why wait for one particular day to do this? You do not have to spend a lot of money to express your love, but that’s probably what makes Valentine’s Day so special. One can only wonder

Publisher Matthew Pope tries in vain to buy the affections of News Editor Ashley Minuk.

Photo: Tayyaba Jiwani

what the other 364 days hold for people “in love” (I guess sex is free).

While couples in love, or lust, bask in the radiance of each other’s gooey emotions, February 14th tends to marginalize a very prominent group in society: singles. Often thought of as strange and erratic creatures because they deviate from the so-called norm, singles are considered the epitome of what one does not want to be. Common stereotypes of singles lead us to believe that they sulk around all day, secretly waiting for someone to love them while wishing they had someone special to spend Valentine’s Day with. Although most of us know there’s nothing wrong with being independent, Valentine’s Day often leaves the single person feeling emotion-

ally insignificant and deviant.

Ironically, singles may in fact be the only people in society who are not brainwashed by consumerist culture (or at least that’s what they tell themselves to feel better). They appreciate the finer things in life, and realize that love may not always be the paradise advertised by PDA couples joined at the lips.

If only there were a St. Singles Day, honouring those in society who do not need flowers and cards to feel loved. After all, isn’t true love worth more that $5.99+tax?

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February 12th – 19th, 2009

the arts Love is a mix-tape

Mending Fences

And I smashed it

Vancouver artist’s show on Dundas

MIKI SATO

DEVON MARINAC & ANDREW PROSSER

Musical Arts Bureau

Arts Events Bureau

Do you not just want to throw cinnamon hearts at that canoodling couple on the street? Aren’t PDAs disgusting?

Is it possible that you feel this way because that used to be you, but hasn’t been since (insert name here) left your life?

Reach for your iPod instead of a Kleenex, and let music help you through the stages of your break-up: t Denial: “Don’t Speak� No Doubt Gwen wrote this song about her real-life relationship with her best friend and guitarist for the band, Tony Kanal. She begs, “Don’t tell me ‘cause it hurts.� If you don’t hear it, it’s not true right?

For the post break-up early days, try Coldplay’s “The Scientist,� Mariah Carey’s “Without You� or “Linger� by The Cranberries. t Anger: “You Oughtta Know� - Alanis Morissette This classic crazy-angry femme song rages raw with lyrics such as “Are you thinking of me when you f*** her?�

Sometimes all you need is to down some Vodka and get red in the face. For more raging, go for Ben Folds’ “Song for the Dumped,� Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart� or even Kelis’ “I Hate You So Much Right Now.� t Mourning: “Trees� - Pulp When you realize what is gone, the depression and

unbearable loneliness kicks in.

Jarvis Cocker cries, “I carved your name with a heart just up above - now swollen, distorted, unrecognizable; like our love.�

Songs to feed this misery include Kanye West’s “Heartless,�

Nina Simone’s “Break Down and Let It All Out� or Gnarles Barkley’s “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul.� t Acceptance: “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright� - Bob Dylan Bob’s poetic lyrics reaffirm that everything happens for the best. To assist you in your steps towards singleness, we recommend Fiona Apple’s “Oh Well,� Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way,� Stars’ “Your Ex-Lover Is Dead� or just “It’s Cool We Can Still Be Friends� by Bright Eyes. t Celebration: “Single Ladies� - Beyonce It’s time to put on your dancing shoes and embrace life again. “Put your hands up� and be happy you do not have to call someone up to tell them where you will be tonight.

Celebrate with music like Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,� Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain� or Regina Spektor’s “Rejazz.�

Lean on family, friends and Lady Godiva for as long as you need to. But not for very long – there are too many people out there you have yet to meet!

Love hurts, get over it.

Scruffy blonde hair, a bright orange hoody and green stripey Buddy Holly glasses, with a sultry high-pitched East Hastings-scarred whine. This is Jason McLean, a Vancouver artist who moved to Toronto about four months ago, along with a new show of his at the Jessica Bradley Art Gallery. He has shown with the likes of Marcel Dzama and Henry Darger in such places as Shanghai, Venice, Germany, Mexico and all across North America.

A couple of years ago McLean released Nog a Dod, a collaborative collection of works from 1994-2006 featuring his artwork alongside that of artists Marc Bell, Peter Thompson and Amy Lockhart. It’s subtitled “prehistoric Canadian psychedoolia.� It’s a pretty good description of McLean’s early work, which lands somewhere in between Basquiat scrawl, “outsider� rhizomatic doodling, and echoes of the 50’s cartooning you’d see advertising concessions before a drive-in feature. If the better halves of our best Canadian

cities got together and created a magazine like the New Yorker, McLean would probably be illustrating the front cover.

He invited us into his house, introduced us to his wife and kids (Felix and Henry), and Shay Semple - a friend of his who was on the couch absorbing TV. Then we hit OddFellows and drank Pabst on the house while McLean downed a glass of cranberry and orange juice. “I’ve never paid for a drink here.�

Shay also bought us a round with a 20 he found on the floor.

We talked about his latest showing at the Jessica Bradley Art Gallery on Dundas. His painting has progressed into the 3’ by 6’ abstract painting realm - but he showed us one of these pieces in its first stages in his basement studio. It was still cartoons. “This will be layered and layered over, though.�

The work has become multi-faceted, pushing his naive cartooning style into a densely layered, interlocking map of ideas that drifted in from his radio or off the street.

It’s a tumultuous experience

that evokes both his childish optimism and his inner turmoil - he lamented to us about his private battles with psychotic experiences and schizophrenia.

But on the other hand, when you get McLean in person: “I like the mainstream. I love the Blue Jays. To the point where I was getting physically sick if they’d lose.� He’s completely at home discussing Bruce Springsteen and Tina Turner on the way to Coffee Time. Basically he doesn’t seem to hold any prejudices when searching for sources of inspiration. “I’m pushing 40 years old but you’ll find me at Canzine,� but, to even his own surprise, he has two pieces on the 40th floor of the BMO tower. “I don’t even feel like I have what it takes to be a professional artist, but here I am schmoozing with bank owners... more often I try to get people who don’t go to art shows to go to my shows.�

McLean is showing with Adrian Norvid at the Jessica Bradley Art+Projects gallery, 1450 Dundas Street West, until February 21, Mon-Sat 12-5 pm.

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Photo: Helene Goderis

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February 12th – 19th, 2009

the arts

cont’d

Wavelength #450

Wavelength #449

Key Witness, Sadie May Crash & The Machetes 9 years later and still going strong DEVON MARINAC & ANDREW PROSSER

DAN CRAIG & HELENE GODERIS

Arts Events Bureau

Musical Landmarks Bureau

Wavelength this past Sunday at Sneaky Dee’s ($4 bottles of Grolsch!) was front to back Rock ‘n’ Roll. While four members of rock quintet Key Witness hail from Toronto, drummer Shinnosuke Yamaguthin had been a Japanese immigrant in Canada for just a matter of weeks before responding to an advertisement posted online.

The band produced some absolutely jaw-dropping sounds, the genre or categorization always slightly ahead of the listener.

On their Myspace page, the “Influences” category lists a spectrum of such artists as Bob Dylan, Captain Beefheart and Led Zeppelin. When asked to locate the predominant influences, Key Witness band mates articulated that diversity is what inspires their sound. Dave Stein, guitarist and producer of the band’s most recent, but as yet unnamed and unreleased album, commented that “as a band... a lot of music comes from the tension between the very different things we listen to.” During their set, the guitars certainly produced a coherent sound that pumped catchy melodies over energetic drum beats and got the crowd jittery with excitement. The haunting vocals of JM McNabb established a gravitational pull around which the listener was forced to orbit.

Their most recent album has been a labor of love.

There were several hurdles to overcome while producing the album in a farmhouse belonging to ex-bandmate and fiddler Elaine Kelly. One problem was overcoming the feeling that more was needed: “we just kept adding [stuff ]” said lead singer JM McNabb.

Eventually, and partly because of time constraints in the studio, the band settled on a finished product, even if they have yet to decide on a name.

“Sadie May Crash” was up next with an eerie, jarring

sound that had the crowd spinning with delight. You could tell the band is used to soaking in the spotlight. Their eccentric sounds received some welldeserved credit when named “the Best Toronto Indie Band” at the 2008 Toronto Independent Music Awards. They also have received radio play on Mod Club Radio’s Saturday night broadcasting on 102.1 “The Edge.” When asked what these accolades have done for the band’s confidence and mentality, lead singer Paige Boy says, “[they’re just] gestures that show us we’re in the right direction.” Bypassing university after they finished high school, the band is clearly committed to their music.

Finishing off the night with a wave of hard-pumping rock was the all-girl punk band, “The Machetes.” Grinding guitar chords and somber bass lines were constantly in flux, shifting between an undefinable rage and an obscure melancholy that, by the end, had my nerves in knots. Along with “Key Witness” and “Sadie May Crash,” “The Machetes” attribute their refreshing yet debilitating sounds to an exchange of ideas, rather than a dictated direction.

As bass player Norelle French puts it, “it’s a very collaborative effort... [we] bring our own story into the picture.” Among others, the band paid homage to Arab on Radar, the Stones, Dead Boys, Black Sabbath, the Sex Pistols, T. Rex, and David Bowie.

Check out the bands for yourself at their respective MySpace pages where upcoming show dates and album release information can be accessed: www.myspace.com/thekeywitness www.myspace.com/ sadiemaycrash www.myspace.com/machetesband

Wavelength was “founded in late 1999 by a loose collective of frustrated yet hopeful independent musicians trying breathe some life into some of the darker corners of Toronto’s perpetually overlooked indie music scene.” Mission accomplished. Nine years later, Wavelength has established itself as Toronto’s definitive indie music showcase.

Starting tonight, pick up the scent and cruise with some sound hounds for four nights of indie music. 19 bands, five venues, lots o’ leg humping.

Be sure not to miss Foxfire, $100 and Steamboat. Check out the website to find out more about venues and bands.

Writer Daniel Portoraro interviews Wavelength organizer Ryan McLaren in a washroom stall, far away from the noise of the crowd.

Photo: Helene Goderis

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The Machetes perform at Wavelength #449

Photo: Helene Goderis

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