14 Concert “aL ai Press November 28, 1995 Skydiggers Toronto Folk-Rockers dig emotional sky in Vancouver November 10 1995 by D.G. Black After enduring the Skydiggers’ opening act, Weeping Tile, a black banner with the word “Skydigger” was spread-out : across the Commodore stage on Friday night, November 10th. It resembled the kind of hand-painted backdrop you’d see for 70’s acts like the Doobie Brothers or BTO, or more currently (but not musically) Motley Crue or Bon Jovi. Then, the five-man Skydiggers band entered and placed themselves with their instruments. What came out next were familiar songs I’ve listened to for over five years; I stood back and they dug some sky. This band, dressed like dead- ringers for a cheesy Holiday Inn cover band, showed their experience as performers and songwriters. The Skydiggers write from regular experiences and they appear to do it effortlessly. Singer/guitarist Andy Maize shares lead vocals with guitarist Peter Cash often harmonizing in the melodious breathiness that is the signature sound of the Skydigger’s music. Maize takes the lead, then Cash, then Maize... It’s as if there are two different bands rolled into the same songs. The first few numbers had a harder edge to them, probably the part of the show that promoted the first of a two CD deal with Warner, Road Radio. Then they slowed into standards from earlier material such as J Will Give You Everything (if you don t demand it) and the plaintive We Don't Talk Much Anymore. With two and sometimes three guitars, the ‘diggers pulse-out a kind of mood that moves the musical soul. Songs often involve the theme of sweetly-connected love while others deal with some relationship’s messy break-ups that can quickly sway humans from love to hate. This white soul-music meanders, sometimes repetitively, through a maze of emotions. It’s good to be manipulated emotionally by good and genuine music. Much like Lloyd Cole and the Commotions earlier work, the Skydiggers have the same delicate touch on the strings. The Skydiggers have a casualness with the audience that compares to a good bar band playing a college gig. Friday night’s skydiggin’ music had couples at the Commodore body-spoonin’ as they swayed to music they have grown to love. Another Missing Book. Another D ay, Whats the world coming An oth er D oom too? Its impossible to leave ; to go to the bathroom Brian Gable without bolting everything Greystone down. Next thing you know... Nothing is sacred anymore. I hope the person that made off with this book learns something from it! [From the book. They already know why they stole it!] This book should be on the best sellers list, but it’s not. It’s the cartoon commentary work of Brian Gable, political cartoonist for the Globe and Mail, which touches on a wide range of issues. Although scattered throughout the book, this compilation offers an even distribution of Canadian national issues, Canadian regional issues, international issues, and general social issues. Of the regional and national issues, the topics with the most coverage are those of aboriginal issues and the deficit. There is one cartoon with a ship in the distant waters, two Native Indians standing atop a cliff overlooking the water, and two early Europeans saying “...And right over there...where those guys are standing...we’ll erect our ‘Founding of the nation’ memorial...” Gable doesn’t stop there. Another cartoon has a footer that reads Cowboys and Indians. The cartoon is of an unimpressed aboriginal on a horse facing two judges and an old western movie male stereotype, all on horses as well. The westernish guy is holding an open envelope and a land claim with a signature and seal while exclaiming “...Let’s see...the decision is in our favour! My, my...this is a surprise!!” Although Gable does cartoons on Canadian issues, some of his other work concerning international affairs igh heavily in this compilation. Pages upon pages of cartoons deal with situations in Russia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and the United States. One cartoon depicts two men discussing a newspaper article concerning the cane lashings in Singapore. One American electric chair manufacturer says to the other “...Six lashes with a cane?!! That’s barbaric!!!” Another cartoon pokes fun at the thought of enforcing gun control, while another two just poke fun at George Bush overall. Of course, there are cartoons that do not fit into any of the aforementioned categories, such as a rock band’s lack of obscenity charges, the overtake of technology (even for things as simple and non-technical as a sea shell), gays in the military, and euthanasia. One of the best cartoons on corporate invasion done by Gable in 1994 shows a crazed Uncle Sam yelling “Good morning Vietnam!!” to a subtle Vietnamese man while Sammy is leading a pack of suits off an embargo. Actually, the suits look like wind up dolls (in appropriate apparel: a Ronald McDonald suit, a Colonel Sanders suit, Coke, Hertz, GM, and Marlboro get ups, and, of course, an insane Mickey Mouse) ready to spread their corporations onto Asian soil. In the introduction to the book, Jeffrey Simpson, National Affairs Columnist for The Globe and Mail, explains how he was first introduced to the cartoonist in the spotlight. Simpson noticed that both he and Brian Gable oftentimes produced work on similar issues for The Globe and Mail, the only difference being that Gable left his audience laughing whereas Simpson was merely informing the public on political issues. He expressed his admiration quite plainly: “If the word is mightier than the sword, then cartoon is often mightier than the word.” by Rachel Young Classifieds PRO-TYPE Resume specialist Papers, presentations, _ : LPI STUDENTS: ‘Want . reports, etc. able to pass the LPI pee ee ate. ‘am?’ Then call me, [have mor sh service a B.A. degree from UBC, Phone 522-6770 - eo . F 529-2056 and T’can help you a oe oo successfully meet the... posn0s as COMPUTER SERVICES ; Student discount with card. individual instruction. a en Please call 438-4463 All brand names available. Quote reference. LFLFat 597-8572 . PROFESSIONAL RESUMES A well written, typeset, laser Pichardson printed resume & cover _ _ - letter will get you peer “OU ALITY MUSIC results. Letme,an INSTRUCTION: Ph.D.,D. experienced vriter/desktop- MA, Piano, Theory, History publisher help. Next ay fam preparation, rouale 4 service. - Call Mark: 432-7917 © 7 days a week * Low rates Metrotown. area shooting. Call 294-1613