Arkells' release 'Rally Cry' with a vision for the long run and a sense of history

By Will McGuirk

Looks like the Arkells have found what they were looking for with ‘Rally Cry’ and it may be less Jackson Sq. and more Joshua Tree. The boys from the Hammer are ready to smash the world with their biggest brightest most bombastic album yet - this rally is for radio. If the four lads from Dublin are looking for brothers in arms then the working class spirituals of Arkells No 5 may be just the closest thing - listen to “Only for a Moment” even “Show Me Don’t Tell Me” and you can tell me if I’ve shown you wrong and if you think I’m just being a homer here, recall Bono and buds called in Steeltown icon Danny Lanois to helm and that Simcoe sound found its way across the Atlantic, so mix the Dan vibes and the Dubs and you may just have the Arkells, we’ve said it before.

Oh and yes if you dig into “Don’t Be a Stranger” you will hear about a pal of the band who was from Oshawa, and yes we asked and yes the band answered but said it was personal. Just so you know.

But its not just the Biggest Band in The World which echoes through Rally Cry, there’s Springsteen and the Pixies, Motown Girl bands and afro-pop, Hall and Oates, and a Bob Seger interlude.

So we’re fans of the Arkells from the beginning; singer Kerman, guitarist Mike DeAngelis, bassist Nick Dika, keysman Anthony Carone, and drummer Tim Oxford are a band who have had been able to seize the opportunities, to build and grow, keeping fans while gaining new ones, keeping their eyes on the prize. Like their hometown they have been planning for the big time, knocking on the door so to speak, and they are ready now it has been opened. Hamilton is ready for the big time and so are the Arkells.

And if they are going after U2’s crown, to be the people’s champ as well as the company band, more power to them, I hope they win it all.

Collegial rockers Arkells release new single 'Only for a Moment'

Those sons of the Hammer have a new album, Rally Cry, forged and ready. Singles are being issued, “People’s Champ”, “Relentless” and now “Only for a Moment.” There’s movement in the camp, they are as the Hawk says, heading for the Big Time, Its right around the corner.

"There’s a line in our tune “Come To Light”, 'The underpass would keep us from harm.' It’s that moment when you’re driving through a rain storm, and you have a second of respite from the chaos outside. I find myself writing and thinking about those moments of calm, and how important they can be. “Only For A Moment” is an extension of that idea. My friend’s mom was struggling with some oppressive mental health issues. It was tough for everyone in her family. But there was a moment we were out one night, where my friend seemed to leave the trouble behind - just for an hour - and could just enjoy her life. The stress in her face seemed to disappear. And I was happy she could have that."  - Max Kerman

Also the Ham fam have released the video for “Relentless”

The Weather Station announces her first headlining tour, Jennifer Castle will open

By Will McGuirk

The Weather Station, aka Tamara Lindeman,  will tour Canada as a headliner beginning September 22 in Creemore, Ontario. On her latest album, self-titled, Lindeman takes a turn from the folk to the fuzz but the songwriting remains just a vital and her voice is just a crystal clear. She will be touring with a band comprised of Ben Whiteley on bass, Ian Kehoe  on drums and Will Kidman (Constantines) on guitar and keys. Jennifer Castle will open western dates..

"It feels like a long time coming, to tour my own country as a headline act.  Having played all over the world with this band, it feels like high time to bring it all home," says Lindeman in a press release.  

And I couldn't be more excited to have Jennifer Castle coming along with us.  She's one of the most important people in my musical life - my hero both for her songwriting and her undeniable spirit."

The Weather Station will play the Mod Club in Toronto Sep 29.