Canada

Toronto’s Cold Specks making her mark

Entertainment / Music Etobicoke native Al Spx, turns heads in London, is now in Toronto opening for St. Vincent on Thursday.      Al Spx is Cold Specks. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Wed Dec 14 2011   If you were a betting soul, you could safely wager that Cold Specks is glad her telemarketing days are over. But it was only recently that 23-year-old Etobicoke native Al Spx,…


The big business of metal

The big business of metal The big business of metal | Toronto Star Toronto-born Jason Hook of Five Finger Death Punch says he’s fine with the corporate side of rock.      Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Fri Dec 02 2011 The timing couldn’t really have been any better for the latest Five Finger Death Punch album, American Capitalist. With the “Occupy Wall Street” protests against social and…


Sultans Of String see their world expand

Entertainment / Music Band playing Saturday on rise, despite any confusion about its name.    Sultans of String: Chris McKhool, centre. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Wed Oct 26 2011 Fair warning to all those recording artists — aspiring and otherwise — who decide to name their unit after a hit song: be prepared to tolerate some confusion. Not that anyone would mistake Sultans of String‘s lively rumba and…


Brighter blues with Matt Andersen

Vinyl Cafe and his talents take bluesman to a new level, and the Winter Garden.    Matt Andersen is using the Vinyl Cafe as a springboard for his solo shows. Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Wed Oct 19 2011 Strike up another career boost for The Vinyl Café. Beloved CBC storyteller Stuart McLean has made a habit of bringing along a promising Canadian musical talent on his cross-Canada…


Review: Kings of Leon pull off sonic miracle

Review: Kings of Leon pull off sonic miracle | Toronto Star The Grammy-winning clan of Southern rockers take 15,000 fans in the Air Canada Centre for an intense musical ride. Nick Krewen Published on Wed Oct 12 2011   It’s all about momentum. It’s one thing to show up to a venue and play your repertoire note for note — perhaps even stretch it a little here and there with…