Happy New Year! Local punk rock favourites Hello Hopeless are reunited and have released their long-gestating video for “The Match”, possibly the best song from the Dark Pasts, Brighter Futures EP. This video was filmed so long ago, that’s last winter‘s snow on the ground!
Enjoy this awesome video that was definitely worth the wait.
Given everything that happened in 2018 (cancer, more cancer, death), I wasn’t as tuned-in to rock and roll as I normally would be. I missed a lot of new releases, some on purpose, others by accident. Therefore, this year I’m doing something different from my Top Lists of 2018. Before we get to the lists, let’s talk about the past 12 months.
2018: RELEASES IN A NUTSHELL
January saw new CDs by Joe Satriani and Corrosion of Conformity, finally reunited with Pepper Keenan on vocals. There was new Loudness, and a release by Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa. Def Leppard had a low-key EP exclusive to iTunes (The Lost Session). In February we got the return of the mighty Saxon. March was a big month, featuring Judas Priest, Stone Temple Pilots, Jack White and Myles Kennedy. The rock kept rolling in April. The big metal one here was Stryper‘s God Damn Evil, along with new Godsmack and Thirty Seconds to Mars. During this time I was personally only able to get the Stryper and Priest.
As temperatures warmed in May, Bad Wolves came out with their novelty cover of “Zombie” by the Cranberries which became a predictable hit. Frank Turner and Five Finger Death Punch also released new records in May. News in June was unfortunately dominated by Kanye West and Drake, but don’t forget Ghost, The Darkness (with their first live) and Nine Inch Nails! In July, Halestorm came out with the critically acclaimed Vicious. Alice in Chains made their long awaited return in August with Rainier Fog, an album I bought but have not yet fully penetrated.
Autumn began with the biggest name in rock and roll, Sir Paul McCartney himself. Slash, Paul Simon, Lenny Kravitz and Suicidal Tendencies had records out on the same day. VoiVod, Therapy?, Metric and even Rod Stewart returned in September as well. October featured two big soundtracks: Bohemian Rhapsody, and A Star Is Born. Ace Frehley, Greta Van Fleet, and The Struts came out with new music the same month. In November we got Mark Knopfler, the Smashing Pumpkins, Ted Nugent and yet another live Beth Hart. The month closed with the latest Def Leppard best-of. December boasted Metal Church but not a lot of rock. Thank the Metal Gods that Max the Axe swooped in with Status Electric to save the year.
I spent most of 2018 checked out mentally. I missed most of the new releases and have a lot to catch up on. The summer was spent on Highway 401, and a flash drive loaded with music helped me survive it. New releases were not the be-all and end-all for me. Therefore, my Top Albums of 2018 list includes some oldies that just helped me get through it all. It seems right to do it this way, since I can’t really do a well-curated list of new releases without absorbing them properly.
TOP 10 ALBUMS THAT GOT ME THROUGH 2018
HONORABLE MENTIONS
TOP MOVIES OF 2018
Can’t do a movie list this year. Not possible. I didn’t see ’em all, but one movie blew away all the rest.
A PEEK AT 2019
What’s hot for 2019?
Stay tuned….
HELLO HOPELESS – The Boathouse (Kitchener Ontario, November 30 2018) with Another Crush, Pioneer Anomaly, and Antisocial Surf Club.
With a new CD in hand, Kitchener rock band Hello Hopeless introduced the Boathouse to a fistful of new songs in a velvet glove of rock.
Playing every song from their new EP Dark Pasts, Brighter Futures plus a couple oldies and covers, the threesome kicked ass from start to finish with nary a hiccup. The band were tight, proving that their performance on CD was no fluke.
Hello Hopeless tick several boxes: 1) Great stage presence and stage-worthy rapport. 2) Strong original songs. 3) Great vocalists. 4) Musical chops. 5) A clear love of what they do. With a Toronto gig on the horizon, the band are ready for the next jump.
Standout tracks included “Hurricane”, “The Match”, and acoustic ballad “Broke”. It was the first time “Broke” was played live, and its rawness was appealing. Singer Garrett Thomson poured everything into it, and it paid off. The set was otherwise upbeat, fast and fully electric. The band played a couple covers: “Mr. Brightside” by the Killers and “She’s Out of Her Mind” by Blink 182. Remarkably, their originals were much better than their covers.
Opening acts were Another Crush (Hamilton), Pioneer Anomaly (Toronto) and Antisocial Surf Club (Kitchener). Pioneer Anomaly suffered technical issues, including a downed mike stand during the first song. Fortunately a hero emerged from the audience as Max the Axe (he’s kind of a big deal) ran to the stage to fix the microphone so the band could finish the song! Max the Axe has earned the honorific title “Max the Roadie”. Max will be playing at the Boathouse next week, December 8, for his own CD release. Antisocial Surf Club were notable for a few catchy originals and covers though clearly aimed at a younger crowd than Max and I.
If Hello Hopeless come to your town, see them. If they keep playing gigs like this and writing quality originals, you will be hearing about them one way or the other.
5/5 stars
Local punk rock threesome Hello Hopeless will be releasing their new EP Dark Pasts, Brighter Futures tonight November 30 at the Boathouse in Kitchener! This smoking hot release is well worth your attention and the measly $10 they are asking for it. Support local music and go see Hello Hopeless. Here are the details:
The Boathouse, Victoria Park
57 Jubilee Dr., Kitchener, Ontario
Show starts at 8pm
Featuring guests AntiSocial Surf Club, Pioneer Anomaly and Another Crush.
Come and meet me!
If I didn’t truly love this CD, I wouldn’t be plugging it. Hope to see you at the Boathouse.
HELLO HOPELESS – Dark Pasts, Brighter Futures (2018)
You have to admire a band that puts in 110%. Hello Hopeless, a trio of punk rock upstarts from Kitchener Ontario, have spared no expense making their new EP sound perfect. It’s verges close to punk metal if you asked me, but let’s not split hairs. Whatever you want to call it, the production is surprisingly deep with loads of variety and small details.
It’s easy to compare Hello Hopeless to modern punk greats like Blink, but there’s more to it. Opening instrumental “Dark Pasts, Brighter Futures” works things up with a Priest-like beginning (think “Electric Eye” going into “Screaming For Vengeance”). The tension seeths into the next and best track, “Victim, Victim”. Busy drums and a chunky riff back up a great, punchy song. Garrett Thomson (vocals, bass) seemingly plumbs the depths of his soul when singing, but the simple, hammering riffs are what keep you coming back. The drums (by Will Bender) are fast n’ busy, just like you want it. Blasting on, “Save Myself” (guitar solo!) and “Inertia” continue in this direction. “Inertia” is particular is a varied trip, and well worth it. The dark lyrics are quite good, but the production just smokes.
An unexpected acoustic ballad called “Broke” boasts a raw, emotional vocal and excellent melodies. It’s a good break in the action, because it’s pedal down from here out. Thomson and guitarist Nathan Heald share lead vocals on “The Match”, and again I’m hearing a hint of Judas Priest (the opening to “Hellrider” specifically). Catchy vocals paired with a groovy bassline, plus a guitar solo, riffs n’ drums…what more do you need? The closing track “Hurricane” also features shared vocals, and goes out on a suitably powerful note. There’s even piano for a touch of the dramatic. Once again, I hear a lil’ bit of metal. Savatage this time. What a way to end it.
I may be a little biased since these guys are from my home town, so let’s get that out there. I truly think Dark Pasts, Brighter Futures is one of the better releases of 2018. You’d do well to check it out. So go ahead and do it, it’s on Spotify! For those who demand a physical product, the CD is out November 30.
4.5/5 stars
Check out Hello Hopeless at the Boathouse in Kitchener on November 30 to get your CD.
HELLO HOPELESS CD release – Dark Pasts, Brighter Futures – November 30 2018
At the Boathouse in Kitchener (57 Jubilee Drive, Kitchener, Ontario)
Locals! We have two gigs/CD release parties to alert you to.
Both gigs are at the Boathouse in Kitchener, in Victoria Park. It’s a fantastic, much-loved local venue right on the water. (57 Jubilee Drive, Kitchener, Ontario.)
2/3rds of Hello Hopeless
November 30: HELLO HOPELESS CD release
Hello Hopeless are a great new punk band from the local scene. They are releasing their second EP Dark Pasts, Brighter Futures and I promise you, it’s a gooder. I had the chance to sit down and interview the band recently, and that will be out soon. I learned that they put a lot of time and effort into the mix to get it sounding just how they wanted. And don’t let the punk tag fool you. These guys aren’t afraid of guitar solos. I look forward to sharing the video interview — you are going to like Hello Hopeless! The EP will be released digitally on November 23 if you wanna spin it in advance. Check yer Spotify!
Max the Axe
December 8: MAX THE AXE CD release / with the Hellen Keller Band
“You Gotta” check out the new album by Max the Axe called Status Electric. According to Max, it’s his “3rd LP and 6th record.” Max has put everything into this one. On lead vocals: Uncle Meat. If you follow this site regularly I guarantee that you will see some familiar faces at the Boathouse on December 8. Various flavours of hard rock from old men — it fucking rips! And you’ll hear it live at the Boathouse.
Won’t you join Max for some Status Electric?
mikeladano.com 