Collectively the band has produced four studio albums. Through their works they have received awards at the Junos, MMVA’s and the Casbys ultimately making them one of the most influential bands out of Canada in years. With Dallas Green’s angelic voice and George Petit’s heartfelt, ‘hard-core’ vocals, the bands lyrical status created a harmony in their music that showed true heart, a unique feel, and emotion. Wade Macneil the guitarist of the band played riffs that could create anything from a mellow mood to an upbeat adrenaline rush. The band was able to pertain a live sensation through their lyrics and melody making it quite enjoyable for fans to listen to. I personally had the opportunity to see the band live on three occasions. I must say I wish every band put as much passion into their music as Alexisonfire did.

Before their farewell tour in December the group had not toured together since 2010, after Dallas announced he was leaving the band. The predicament between touring with Alexisonfire and City and Color was overwhelming for Green and he ultimately made the decision. They had decided to do one last 10 year anniversary show before they finally disbanded.
Despite being out of a small town in Southern Ontario the group was known around the world. Tickets for their show in London, England where they started the tour were sold out in just five minutes. Other gigs were in Brazil and Australia before their last ten shows in their home and native land, Canada. I got a pleasure of going to their last show on December 30th at the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton and they put on a very memorable and ecstatic performance. They played songs from their entire discography and left everything they had on the table. The emotion was strong as it was the final concert they would ever play mutually (or so they say). Alexisonfire will be missed dearly by their fans. The band may have broken up, but their music and achievements will live on forever in the hearts of their supporters, Canadian music, and people all around the world who were touched by these phenomenal musicians.

Below, Joe and I have provided our own personal thoughts on each of their four full-length releases:

Alexisonfire (2002)

Ryan: As a young local band (some members only 17 years of age) Alexisonfire was able to create an album that achieved great success, given it being their first major project in the music industry. The album became certified in Canada after selling over 50,000 units. “Alexisonfire” was more hardcore and up tempo than future albums. This album gave the band a base to progress off for future projects to see what aspects they could improve, along with an understanding of what kind of band they would like to come off as. As a whole, I do not think the albums quality was the best the band could’ve produced. However, individually songs such as “Pulmonary Archery”, “Little Girls Pointing and Laughing”, and “44 Caliber Love Letter” still remain to be some of the best work Alexisonfire has released to even to this day. Although not successful as the others, this album was able to generate a hardcore groove and a strong emotional attachment to the music. As evident in other bands it may be noticeable that styles change in future albums. I feel as if Alexisonfire did not transform style. Future projects may be different but the band continually set out to create the emotion they always have wanted to create for their fans.

Joe: This is not only my favourite Alexisonfire album, but also one of my favourite pieces of music of all time. The whole record is simply beautiful and never fails to send sharp and deep chills through my body. The guitars screech, moan in agonizing honesty, George’s voice growls, Dallas’ voice as young, starter musician intertwines and echoes his member’s screams, the percussion is sharp and defined, and it all comes together almost perfectly. The lyrics are deep, the music is unpredictable, and there are simply layers and layers and depth. These punk kids from St.Catherine’s managed to debut with an album so emotionally and physically powerful while creating an atmosphere and tone that can only be described as breathtakingly haunting. Truly, a masterpiece.

Watch Out (2004)

Ryan: This was undoubtedly my favourite album. This album debut was rated #6 on the Canadian albums chart. In just three years it had received platinum status. I guess you could say the group has matured a bit adding more of a rock aspect to their music. The synchronization between the band members was much more revealing and the songs were well thought out, well organized and emotion was very accurately displayed. It was easy to see that the band was on its way becoming very successful after this album. “This sh*t is not about pants, and this sh*t is not about shirts and this sh*t is definitely not about hair. This sh*t is about having a good f*cking time” These lyrics are featured on “Get Fighted” and show the band’s thoughts towards music. It is showing how we have lost sense of what music really means and focus too much on appearance opposed to the music itself. It is a metaphor for the present world and Alexisonfire’s denial towards it. They want to keep music alive with pride and emotion; the way it should be.
Joe: By this point, the group had matured and were looking for a wider audience that could provide more mainstream success. While still incorporating their signature style, Alexisonfire was able to come out with a catchier, more sleek, and polished record. The music has a little more of a pop-punk flair yet still retains a heavy and hard-core feel. The cover art is one of my most favourite ever pieces in recent memory. The group decided to add more of Dallas’ vocals in their tracks as I am sure they were all able to see the potential in this soon-to-be star.

Joe: By this point, the group had matured and were looking for a wider audience that could provide more mainstream success. While still incorporating their signature style, Alexisonfire was able to come out with a catchier, more sleek, and polished record. The music has a little more of a pop-punk flair yet still retains a heavy and hard-core feel. The cover art is one of my most favourite ever pieces in recent memory. The group decided to add more of Dallas’ vocals in their tracks as I am sure they were all able to see the potential in this soon-to-be star.

Crisis (2006)

Ryan: Who could forget “Crisis”; this album debut recorded a #1 spot on the Canadian Album Charts. After “Watch Out’s” great success people were thriving on what else Alexisonfire could bring to Canadian music. “Crisis” did not disappoint selling over 20,000 copies within a week of its release. In about a year the album had already received platinum status. Jesse Ingelevics was no longer a drummer in the band after being replaced by Jordan Hastings. “Keep It On Wax” was a song about his departure and disrespect to band after he had left “The only thing cheap to you was your friends”. Things would be a lot cheaper for Alexisonfire after this album, sorry Jesse. Other songs featured on this album that drew a lot of attention were “Rough Hands” and of course “This Could Be Anywhere In the World”. The band maintained their passion through “Crisis” and did not vary from their original style. “Well I’d swear every other word if I could but for her I’ll make an attempt”. These lyrics from Rough Hands imply a man’s thoughts about a girl being naive about how hard he is trying for her. With a struggled relationship comes stress and this line also proves that. There are many other connections behind the lyrics Alexisonfire writes, and practically anybody can relate in some way. Crisis will leave you in awe, and a fine respect for Alexisonfire’s ability to create brilliant and breathtaking music.

Joe: This album is what launched the group into mainstream success. With Crisis, Alexisonfire proved that they could put together a record that could compete with any other band on the market. They were no longer the young punks from Hamilton, but now were seen as dignified rock musicians. With hooks that will get stuck in your head for days, riffs that play over memorable record, and a matured Dallas who know was finding solo success in ‘City and Colour’, the future was not too clear for the group and their direction could lead them anywhere.

Old Crows / Young Cardinals (2009)

Ryan: Old Crows/ Young Cardinals was a very successful album and gave the band a strong recognition worldwide. After three previous releases, Alexisonfire had received a lot of attention and this album was much anticipated. Personally I do not believe this release was comparable to the content in the prior three studio albums. The style in the music was somewhat changed but not enough to make it significant. I felt the band had matured greatly and were now “commercialized”. Alexisonfire now knew what it took to become big in the music industry and looked as if they did it with ease. “Young Cardinals” was released as a single prior to the album release. It brought in much attention towards the band and excitement towards the release of the new album. Other major songs on this album were “The Northern” and “Old Crows”. The band has changed greatly over the years but has still managed to obtain that unique feel in their music. Alexisonfire will continue to be a strong influence in Canadian music even after their departure.

Joe: This album solidified the group as a success. Being played repeatedly over and over on the air—waves, it seemed that everyone had at least heard one song by Alexisonfire. Listening to Old Crows/Young Cardinals, it’s truly amazing to see how far they had come from their roots. The group had managed to bring hard-core into the general public and suddenly, you did not seem like as much of a freak for listening to music where the vocalist screamed his lyrics. Throughout their career, Alexisonfire had managed to influence and generally change the face of the Canadian music scene for aspiring rock and hard-core bands everywhere. Their unique style had generally never been heard before and they helped pioneer a movement of post-punk sound while also garnering and helping bring Dallas Green to come out as a solo artist. They were a band whom simply could not be matched and whom I am sure holds a place in the hearts of all those that ever once enjoyed their music.

- Ryan Wolski & Joe Modzelewski

Intro by Ryan Wolski

Not for those of a depressed nature

Perhaps a little unfairly, I was expecting to dislike City and Colour, the musical alter ego of Canadian singer/songwriter Dallas Green, before I’d even pressed play on my iPod. My initial impression from snatched acoustic melodies and vocals through the walls of my flat was one of dullness. But here I was about to devote my ears to his music for a whole week.

Released in 2008, Bring Me Your Love is Green’s second album under his recording name City (Dallas) and Colour (Green). Its folk sound couldn’t be more different from his former post-hardcore band, Alexisonfire. Influenced by sad music, Green previously said of his solo project: “I just write songs when I’m bummed out and I feel happier.”

Listening to the album, I spent the first few days in a state of melancholia, thinking of long dead pets, childhood friends and, at one point, how much I missed my boyfriend who I had only seen that morning, and who mostly annoys me. I was reminded of a scene in Father Ted were a suicidal priest finds his reason for living again only to hear a Radiohead song, drawing him back into depression, his smile fades, the sun disappears and dull light dominates the room. At times I felt like I was part of an American teen drama and this was the music accompanying the montage at the end, where lovesick middle-class kids stare longingly into space.

But once I got past that stage I started to appreciate the sentiment of songs such as The Girl and Body in a Box. Bring Me Your Love is probably the most grown up album I’ve ever listened to – the problem is I’m not grown up, I still want head banging and crunching guitars. I haven’t given up on it though, like a mortgage and writing a will, I’ll just put it off until adulthood.

Give pictures of 5 guys who are famous who you find attractive.

There was a reason I stopped the 30-Day Blog Challenge on this particular post. When I first started this post several (quite several) months ago on this topic, I edited and edited and edited it. There was just something about it that bothered me…

“How would Matthew feel seeing this post?”

So I decided to change this post up a little. I would rather post photos of five famous men whom I find attractive because they have certain qualities of my husband that I find attractive.

Aaron Gillespie – former UnderOath drummer/vocalist.

What is it about this guy? He reminds me of my husband when I first met him. Passionate about God. Passionate about hardcore/post-hardcore music. Passionate about worship in music.

Dallas Green

What is it about this guy? You’re thinking the beard, right? Once again, he reminds me of my husband when I first met him. But a little differently. Definitely passionate about music, but more so for going his own way. Anyone who knows Matthew remotely well can tell you there is no count to how many bands Matthew has been in/created. But I’m coming to find out that he does so because the music he writes is so complex that it’s difficult to contain in just one genre. Therefore, he writes songs for multiple genres and creates bands for those multiple genres.
Mr. Green was the former vocalist/guitarist/songwriter for Alexisonfire, another post-hardcore band. But he left to pursue City and Colour, which I love way more.

Ewan McGregor

What is it about this guy? Once again, you’re thinking the beard, right? Maybe I do have a thing for scruffy beards… But no. Think more along the lines of Moulin Rouge. Mr. McGregor plays Christian who is a poet seeking to become part of the Bohemian Revolution in France. He falls in love with Satine who is the star performer and courtesan dying of Tuberculosis. Christian pursues Satine with all of his being, fighting for her endlessly and tirelessly despite everyone trying to push them apart. His pursuit of Satine reminds me a lot of Matthew pursuing me and trying to win my trust back after crushing my heart so many times during our early dating period. And despite me trying to push him away and all the circumstances against us, he continued to pursue me until he finally won my heart. (Blah, blah, blah, cheesy, I know…) But it’s truth. :)

Eric Bana

What is it about this guy? Okay, so yes, I do have a thing for scruffy beards. But, no. If you have ever seen Troy, Mr. Bana plays Hector the heir to Troy prior to its fall. Hector gives himself completely and ultimately, even sacrificially, for those he loves. Daily I see how Matthew gives selflessly of himself for those he loves, especially to me and our children.

Rhett Butler

What is it about this guy? Clark Gable as Rhett Butler just makes me swoon. You know… like my husband. :)

APRIL

It’s somewhat fitting that I saw Hands Like Houses play a show on April Fool’s Day. Despite international acclaim and touring, they proved to be one of the most lifeless and uninspired bands I’ve seen live this year. What a joke. Still, at least I got to see Sound of Seasons tear it up at that show. Great live act, those kids. Onto the gorgeous surrounds of the Enmore, where I was fortunate enough to see ska legends The Specials tear the joint a new one. This was honestly one of the most energetic shows I went to in all of 2012 – I had no idea things would get this wild! For nearly two hours a solid crowd of roughly 1500, the band tore through their classics with all the energy and vitality that came with their release some thirty years ago. What a treat, what an honour. Definitely a major year highlight.

Milhouse launched their debut seven-inch in style, with a show at the venue they’re practically the house band of now: Black Wire Records. A very fun night indeed. The very next day, I had the chance of doubling up on a tour yet again – this time, twice in one day. Brisbane brats Bleeding Knees Club were playing in the afternoon in Sydney before playing that night in Wollongong. While it was fun to watch some kids going completely mental at what was quite possibly their first gig, the Gong show was something else entirely. Shit got decidedly loose, especially when local legend Jack Reilly got on stage with the boys to tear through a blink-182 cover. Oh, what a night!

With the Dig It Up! Festival in town, I had the chance to see the legendary Redd Kross play their cracking debut album, Born Innocent, in its entirety. While the Oxford Art Factory isn’t usually a great rock venue, this was the perfect room for these guys to thrash through the album and bring to life their wild younger years. Getting to press the flesh with the legendary Steve McDonald was also a total honour. A few days later, I was back at the same venue to see Brissie ex-pats An Horse play a rare Sydney show. A great audience and some top-shelf songs – wish these guys came back more often. Finally, I wrapped up the month with a show at Yours & Owls, which you’ll be hearing plenty more of later in the year. Here, I got to check out the frighteningly good Adelaide crew Night Hag grind to their heart’s content, with ample support from The Reverend Jesse Custer and Endeavours. Good times.

TOP 5:

1. The Specials
2. Redd Kross
3. An Horse
4. Bleeding Knees Club
5. Night Hag

DISHONOURABLE MENTION: Hands Like Houses. For all the hype, potentially the blandest band in all the land.

+++

MAY

Holy fuck. What a heavyweight month this was! Aside from maybe November, I can’t think of another period where I saw such incredible music being performed at such a consistent rate. An exhausting, exhilarating and life-affirming time in 2012. I kicked things off by farewelling The Butterfly Effect‘s vocalist, Clint Boge, with their final Sydney show with him at the UNSW Roundhouse. I’ll be the first to admit how daggy this lot can be, but I decided early on that I’d get there early, get the barrier and party like it was 2006. What a fun show this was, a complete nostalgia trip and a great send-off to a band that genuinely meant the world to me back in my mid-teens. Excellent fun, probably more than I should be admitting.

The next night saw me regain some of my “cred” by attending a packed-out show from the wonderful Frank Turner. In support was folk-punk’s first lady Jen Buxton, your new favourite punks The Smith Street Band and the jolly travelling bluesman William Elliott Whitmore. All four acts put on sets that superlatives simply cannot do justice to. It was a night to celebrate the arrival, if you will, of Frank. After selling out Wembley, he came to Australia with high spirits and an arsenal of anthems spanning all four of his albums. This man is honestly one of the reasons why I make music, so it truly was an honour to watch him bring his fervent folk-punk energy to the Manning Bar. You had to be there to get it.

Groovin’ the Moo – bit of a rubbish festival, but they bring the goods every now and then. Case in point: City and Colour & Wavves, who both put on great shows in Sydney. Having never seen C&C as a live band, it was quite fulfilling to hear so many tracks that I’ve loved over the years come to life so classily. Dallas is a great performer, understated and charming. I really appreciated the fact he asked everyone to put away their camera phones – one of my biggest vices at shows, so it was nice to get a break from it, however momentary. Although a totally different style of performer, Nathan Williams (aka Wavves) put on a cracking hour set at the Oxford Art Factory. All the best tracks from his own arsenal, plus a Sonic Youth cover (100%) and some gut-bustingly funny inside jokes made this a super-fun show.

Nearing the end of the month meant shit got increasingly more real. And it doesn’t get more freakin’ real than Prince. Holy shit, this was a spectacle and a half. To walk in and see the Allphones turned into a house of purple – complete with a stage shaped like Prince’s symbol – was breathtaking enough. Then, he decides to make things even more insane by OPENING with a fifteen-minute version of Purple Rain. Read again: OPENING with that. Where do you go from there, exactly? Pretty simple: Hit after hit after hit. This was a joyous, funky thing to be a part of; and I’m so glad I got that chance. Truly memorable stuff right there.

Following on from that, I got to see two long-time live favourites across two consecutive nights at the Patch – Dead Letter Circus and Tonight Alive. The former brought a meaty, volatile crowd with them; which was to be expected, really. Thankfully, I had myself a nice spot on the corner of the front row, tucked away and just enjoying their groovy tunes. Great live act, only getting better. As for Tonight Alive, this was the start of a pretty special run of shows with those guys – one show in Wollongong and two shows in Sydney, as a part of their final Australian tour for the year.

I always love these shows, if anything just for the company that comes with them and the incredible circle of people I’ve met through the band and its fans. It gets better, however: My boys in Totally Unicorn were the opening act, which meant that they got to terrorise a bunch of unsuspecting pop-punk kids and blow their freakin’ minds. All three shows had their good points, but the highlight of the bunch was easily the all-ages show at the Factory Theatre. There’s just something about AA Tonight Alive shows that have such an unshakable energy to them. The crowd is always mental, the kids up the front know the score and we can all go mental in unison. I usually have a pretty low tolerance level of AA crowds, but this was totally fine. In fact, it enhanced the experience.

May ended with not so much a bang as an absolute freak explosion. Two words: Janelle. Monae. Friends from across the country came out for this one, as the petite dynamo turned the Opera House concert hall into a next-level party. I can’t begin to tell you how much I needed this fucking show. After admiring Janelle for over two years, it was a complete thrill to finally get the chance to see her and her electric band do their thing, playing songs that still meant the absolute world to me like they did when they first came out. All roads truly felt like they lead to this very show. I can’t really give you much more detail than that. It was out of this world. Amazing. Life-changing. Pretty damn sure this was the one. As awesome as the rest of the year was, nothing quite compared to this night, these songs and this moment in time.

TOP 5:

1. Janelle Monae
2. Prince
3. Frank Turner
4. The Butterfly Effect
5. Tonight Alive

DISHONOURABLE MENTION: Young Guns, the main support for Tonight Alive. Sorry, lads; you seemed lovely but you were trying to do an arena show to an audience of about 50 people and it really didn’t work in your favour.

+++

JUNE

By contast, June was actually one of my quietest gig months. Not that it was a barren wasteland or anything, but I felt like a senior citizen compared to my frequent travels of the month prior. Even so, I probably needed the break more than I was willing to admit. I eased back into gigging post-Janelle (or PJ, as I so measure my life these days) with a small gig at Goodgod, one of my favourite new Sydney venues. My chums in Mrs. Bishop were launching a new single, and it was great to catch up with them and bask in their cooing harmonies. The week after, I bid farewell to an old mate in Trial Kennedy, who decided to notch up the nostalgia factor a little extra by adding After the Fall to the line-up. Getting in one last sing-along to Damage on Parade was a year highlight, as was the chance to FINALLY hear Mississippi Burn live; which is my all-time favourite TK song.

After having a ball (pardon the pun) at her last show in 2010, there was no way I was going to miss Lady Gaga on her Born This Way Ball tour. Although I wasn’t as big a fan of BTW as I was of her previous efforts, this was still an absolutely awesome show, full of wonder and big pop sing-alongs – which, if you know me well enough, are pretty much my bread and butter. The thing I love about big-arse pop shows like this one are that, even if it’s only for just a couple of hours, you can escape from whatever’s going on in your life and dive headfirst into a whole new world, Aladdin style. Gaga is a great entertainer and someone who can keep up energy levels like few others can. It’s truly a sight to see. Put aside your doubts and try it out sometime.

The end of the month came quickly, with two more shows before it was done. First was a trip all the way out to Epping, where I ended up at a cafe called Pablo’s in order to see my dear buddies in Collarbones and Fishing; as well as Dappled Cities side-project Swimwear. This was put on by The Gate, aka Joe Hardy, who puts in great efforts to bring great original live music to unconventional places. The show was an absolute treat for the senses, squishing in with a stack of other music lovers to soak up some glitchy goodness. You KNOW a show’s gone well when it ends with an en-masse sing-along to Jenny From the Block. Finally, there was my dear old buddy Jonathan Boulet, hitting the big time with his largest hometown show ever at the Metro Theatre. Having followed his work for years across all of his projects, to see this show go so well was a big thing for me. Jono continues to amaze and inspire with his work, and his live shows (starring his remarkably handsome band) are no exception. Good times!

TOP 5:

1. Lady Gaga
2. Trial Kennedy
3. Jonathan Boulet
4. Fishing
5. Mrs Bishop

DISHONOURABLE MENTION: None! Everyone ruled! How good is that?

In today’s mail: All three City And Colour albums in red and green vinyl! Little Hell (top) was the best album of 2011; Dallas Green’s soaring voice and simple, acoustic arrangements were amazing to behold, creating a melodic album with lyrical depth that I’d recommend to anyone. As a result, I really wanted to hear Sometimes (center) and Bring Me Your Love (bottom), but they were only released on vinyl in very limited runs, all of which I missed. When the holiday-colored editions got announced (300 pressed of each), I snapped the pair up fast, but knowing that my completist/OCD tendencies would drive me crazy as soon as those two records showed up, I caved and bought Little Hell all over again in red and green, too. While it’s no longer the holiday season, it almost feels like Christmas morning, ‘cause now I have a lot of good listening ahead of me.

I was on the subway coming home from work this evening and I saw a couple on the train with these EXACT colours. This includes clothing, hair colours, skin tones and make-up. Weird, right? There was no colour to them what so ever!

I enjoy people watching, it’s one of my favourite things to do while taking public transportation. That is if I’m not sleeping.

Alright, so I KNOW it wasn’t actually her, but I swear it was Jessica Biel’s other half. And even though she wasn’t with Justin Timberlake, her boyfriend was quite delicious looking.

…. I really did see Dallas Green on the subway. Not today, but it was a pretty cool experience at the time. Wish I had talked to him… and convinced him to dump his wife for me.

Next time!

Here’s a collection of some of my favourite bands’ logos I drew last year. It’s an insight into my love of typography and music.

As I have written earlier, I can endure the snow, even the cold, through December because of the promise of Christmas. It feels right. Unfortunately, I live in a part of the world that freezes around the end of October, and usually doesn’t begin to thaw (if we are lucky) until the middle of March. Even less fortunate, by the second week of January, I am ready for winter to end. I think that these songs accurately represent the the gloom I feel around this time of year.

The Ice Is Getting Thinner – Death Cab For Cutie (Narrow Stairs; 2008)

Burial – Alexisonfire (Old Crows/Young Cardinals; 2009)

In Like A Lion (Always Winter) – Relient K (Apathetic EP; 2005)

LENGTH: 11:46

Dallas Green is from St. Catherines Ontario and is also a member of Alexisonfire

Don’t believe me? Go listen to a song by City and colour…go on I dare you. Even if it’s not your type of music, just listen to his voice. Try Comin’ Home or O’ Sister first and if you hate his voice…I will eat my hat. I don’t own a hat but if you hate his voice…not the music…his voice, I will go out and buy a hat especially just to eat.

In fact I’ll do all the work for you. Here’s Comin’ Home:
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUyQoHVgHu8

And here’s O’ Sister:
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi-crVagUok

Enjoy!

“Yes, hello.”

“You look like someone famous. A movie star.”

“Really?”

I’ll pause the dialogue at this point.  Firstly to explain that I’m positive I don’t look like anyone famous.  But let’s not kid ourselves, it’s flattering if someone tells you that.  Flattering enough that you want to continue the conversation just to find out which dashing movie star you might resemble.  In all truth I would have preferred to be likened to a rock star.  I’ve always harboured a secret desire to be the lead singer of a rock band – someone who could smash out a decent power ballad to a moshing crowd, but be just as at home wooing the ladies with soothing acoustic tones.

So cool…to be able to do two things at once. Imagine.

You know, someone like Chris Cornell or Dallas Green – people who don’t need to be able to play an instrument, but can just because they’re cool and can do anything – people who can drink a bottle of whiskey and still remember all the words to a song.  The only song I can remember the words to after a few beers is “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses.  And that isn’t very helpful at karaoke – I can’t sing and even if I could, I’m not cool enough to pull it off.  But I digress.

It was my first trip to Shanghai.  We’d arrived late and had decided to have a quiet drink at the hotel bar before turning in.  One of the Chinese bar staff had cornered me to kindly point out;

“Yes, you look like that famous American actor.  The one in lots of action movies.”

“Brad Pitt? I get that a lot.” I don’t, but I was enjoying myself.

“No, no – he does lots of fighting action movies. Ahh I know, it’s Jason Statham!  I thought you were him, you look just like him.  I think you would do very well with the ladies!”

“Oh…really?”

This isn’t me…although the body is close.

I didn’t have the heart to correct him on Jason Statham’s nationality, nor on that fact that I look nothing like him and have an Australian accent.  The only thing being close to a likeness with his comparison was that I hadn’t shaved for a few days and that I did well with the ladies (in my younger days).  Just kidding…I’d actually shaved that morning.

It’s nothing new that Asians think that westerners all look alike.  But with a fascination of western films and the increased ease of access to these movies, every westerner suddenly becomes a possible celebrity.  Particularly in more remote cities that don’t see many waiguoren.  Friends of ours were telling us recently of their visit to a Chinese city where they had been mistaken for a famous couple.  Being one of few foreigners in the city, they had already received their fair share of attention during their stay, but on one particular ferry trip things got a bit out of hand.  The local Chinese on the ferry had begun crowding around them and things were getting heated as people started to push and shove each other out of the way to gain access to take photographs.  It being the middle of winter, our friends were rugged up to combat the cold with heavy jackets, scarves and hats.  They also had sunglasses on – the large fashionable type.  Worriedly they asked their Chinese host why things were so manic on the ferry with all of the attention.  Highly embarrassed, their host explained that people thought they were Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes!

Help us out a bit here Tom…keep your hat on mate.

Scenes from the Mission Impossible movie had been shot in Shanghai and it was known that the celebrity couple had been in the country.  Our friends got a bit of a giggle out of it and decided to stay behind the hats and sunglasses – mercifully for the local crowd because without his hat, the Tom Cat fraud is actually completely bald!  The revealing of the unlikeliness to Tom Cruise may have caused a riot.

As I recently sat in the open plan of a Hong Kong office, a Chinese employee approached and handed me a piece of paper.

“Excuse me, are you him?”

…And this isn’t me either.

It was the picture of Neil Patrick Harris I’ve attached to the left.  Admittedly I was in a suit…but that’s where similarities end.  Consider how alike Jason Statham and Neil Patrick Harris are and you’ll get the picture of how broad the celebrity comparisons can be.  So I’m wondering how this could work in my favour…to live out the rock star fantasy.  If the Chinese aren’t too worried about the details of how close westerners actually resemble a celebrity, then maybe they won’t be too worried about how poorly I sing.  Surely I could just jump on stage at some club and imagine being adored by the crowd as I thrashed out a few unharmonious numbers before the bouncers got me.  I did once dance on stage in front of about a hundred people in Beijing.  It was after a belly dancer had called me up to join her. I was a hit with the Chinese men in the crowd.  Or was it the bikini-clad dancer?  Whatever – rock on China!

I’ve been to quite a few concerts and alexisonfire was a big part of that. First time I saw them was in ’10 and they opened for billy talent. Later on that year they played at sound academy and I bought a meet and greet ticket. Hell it was worth it, I had some pretty cool conversation with them and got some snazzy pictures. And lastly I saw them on the 30th, their very last concert. Or so they say. I didn’t shed a tear, however, after the show it did somewhat sink in a bit that they won’t be making anymore music for us people. But I do believe that they will tour again, due to the amount of money they made from one tour and to spark up Alexis so that they won’t be forgotten. I know I won’t forget them.
It wasn’t a funeral ladies and gentlemen. It was a mother fucking celebration. 
Boy, what a bunch of rockstars.

Flight Recorder from Viking 7

Well, Happy New Year to all.  So far 2013 has been rocking.  I have seen already crossed path with more celebrities then I have in any years previous…combined.  That been cool.  Maybe it is some kind of foreshadowing sign of my coming fame! I also enjoyed a few dark chocolate chunk cookies from Cookies By George.  Pretty Cool.  Anyone remember the first thing they ate in 2012? No. Probably not.  I don’t.  Hope everyone enjoyed a safe, and happy new year and concluded the holiday season with smiles, friends & families.

As I sit here on this Air Canada Airbus – En route to Hawaii for my annual vacation, and to start off this new calendar year.  Tough, I know.  I already told you. It’s been rocking!  As I was, I sit here, and first of all, I am absolutely freezing to death, and am puzzled as to why there can’t be even the slightest little bit of heat coming from this plane. I also sit here, thoroughly annoyed of the person who continually rifles off his “I need help right this second” beeper/light.  Whatever it is.  I have never in my life rang it, as I have always been patient, and trusting enough that the flight attendants will make there rounds in due time, and I will get whatever it is I need.  Though, maybe I should ring and get a blanket.  Nah, I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.  I’ll freeze. Some other people though. Clearly not. K seriously. The same guy has since rang it 5 times in the time it took me to type those few lines. I am starting to think it might just be an annoying child…  In a grown ups body.  I feel sorry for these flight attendants, I certainly could not deal with those people.  Actually, I could.  Here is how.  First, I would scan the situation, see if there is any need for first aid.  Hopefully there isn’t.  Then I would continually walk by the impatient prick, but in the opposite aisle (yes, big plane) and then, I would just continually antagonize the impatient murphy till he gave it a rest.  Kind of like my belief on crying babies.  Lock them in a room, and let em’ cry themselves to sleep.  Don’t worry. I am not a parent. Nor have any plans to ever become one. This is just how I deal with my brothers, Brody & Kyle.  13 & 21 respectively.  Still. Lock the babies in a room, they’ll cry themselves to sleep.   Haha.  Kidding bro’s!  Kind of.  Also, as I sit here on this plane.  I truly think I have the best seat on the entire air bus. Well, second.  Whoever the third person in the seat next to Dallas Green, and Leah Miller…  They might be the luckiest.  But, in terms of space.  I am right in the middle of the machine, and have a pair of seats to myself, with the window.  Across the small aisle is 3 seats, and only one person is in that! I debated whether or not she had the best seat, because she has 3 seats to herself, but then I looked out the window and saw the plane wing, and decided when we are landing in Maui, I will have the best seats as I check out the views.  She will… uhh, check me out while I check out the views.  Boom.   But yes, if you are still wondering about what I just briefly mentioned.  Dallas Green is about 25 rows ahead of me with his lovely looking wife, Leah.  Of course they flew fancy class, Which is cool. If I could, I would.  This is a long flight.  Fortunately, I got seats to my self.  But, seeing those 2 on this plane… Makes me wonder, Surely they have enough money between the two of them they are able to fly on there own, privately to Maui. Or, surely they have friends who can hook them up… Etc.  So, I am slightly puzzled as too why they choose charter.  I know nothing about flying private, so I don’t want to create much of an argument.  So, I will settle for the answer that I presume is the truth, they are flying charter, cause they just want to be normal.  Good for them. Good humble, Canadian kids.  Why can’t the rest be like the best.  Oh, also on this flight.  Mr. Mayor; Naheed Nenshi.  Not sure where he is sitting.  But, the man is somewhere on here. Just a plane of celebrities.  Dallas Green, Leah Miller, Naheed Nenshi……. Me; The Kid.

It was actually quite funny, I am about a big a fan of airports, as I am the Calgary Flames.  I absolutely hate airports. (And, the flames) Few things in life can stress me out like that of an airport.  And, I am not entirely sure why.  I have never really had any scares.  I am always organized, though in my own unique way.  I am always on time and prepared, and I have been on about 200 airplanes, so I know and understand the process.  But, still, it get’s to me.  Going through security, going through customs.  Holy piss.  What a stresser.  Once I get through customs, and security, which almost never do I beep; I am completely relieved.  Feel completely lighter, and relaxed. Then the vacation is on.  The reason I never am excited for vacations, is because I haven’t gone through security yet. Once I get through.  Party On Wayne!!!  Haha.  So, yes. I am walking to my gate, I always go there first just to see where I am going, so I am prepared, then I typically, enjoy a beer, a sandwich, or whatever, Starbucks.  This time, I walk into my boarding room, and I see Mr. Mayor Naheed Nenshi.  I know very, very little about him, and politics in general.  Other than he used to be a professor at MRU, while I was student, and of course, he is the Mayor of the city I live in, which, in itself, should be enough to make me have some interest in it.  But, no.  Though, Of any political figure, I do quite like Nenshi.  He has gone with the times, and is very social, personable, and I love how he utilizes social media.  I do appreciate that.  Being personable is a lost quality for people in positions of power.  However, Nenshi has stuck with it, and is always interacting with us Calgarians.  To me, that’s top notch, and he’ll continue to get my votes.  Any-who.  I was so excited that I saw the Mayor, even though, I have seen him around Calgary a few other times, including the Malcolm Gladwell show.  He’s probably the most famous person I have seen just chilling, other than maybe seeing the rock band P.O.D at LAX 10 years ago.  But, instead of going to talk to the man, and say hi.  I, a victim of this generation, decide to tweet him!  “Hey, @nenshi, have a good flight! I see you in the boarding room, got time for a beer?”  Yes. Creepy, I know.  I tweeted this, while he was maybe 15 seats away from me.  Haha.  Thinking I wouldn’t get a reply, within moments I have a reply.  “No beer for me, but please come and say hi!”  Oh shit.  Now what.  That was unexpected.  A logical person, would have, went and introduced themselves, and said hello.  But, then between thinking, I don’t really want to be that guy, and what would we talk about, I got all flustered and took a different seat.  A bigger, more luxurious seat, and began trying to collect myself.  Well, here comes the fucking knuckled! Sweet Bell Peppers.  Amidst, trying to collect my shit, and stop acting like a 11 year old girl who just saw Justin Bieber. I am buried nose deep into my phone, as per usual, and then, oh man, you know when you just feel someone looking at you,  Yea, I did.  So, I look up, and sweet crocodile rock, It’s fucking Dallas Green & his wife Leah Miller.  I am pretty sure, we made extremely awkward eye contact.  As I can guarantee as I saw them, I burnt a hole staring through them.  So, my loser moment of the year…took… all of 15 hours to happen.  Good one kid.  So, As I am trying to collect myself from being star struck by the Calgary Mayor, one of my favourite musicians; Dallas Green walks by.  Wow, the guy is beeping his “Help me” light again, constantly.  STOP IT. Anyways. I am a huge Dallas Green fan, I love City & Colour, right from his first album. I also enjoyed his band, or former now I suppose; Alexisonfire.  Especially their later stuff, where he had a much bigger hand in the vocals.  My sister was also a fan of Dallas Green, which adds sentimental value for me.  Also, I can remember when Leah Miller was a MM VJ, and I was just in love with her.  So, seeing these two, was pretty cool.  I never knew really if I would ever be a star-struck kind of person, cause I have never really had to find out.  Like I said, I haven’t seen many famous people, and the ones I have seen, I couldn’t care all that much about.  Until, now seeing someone that I do truly appreciate. Yep. I was starstruck.  I think I texted & tweeted everyone I knew, while, I stared at the two of them for ohh, I dunno, the next hour? Haha. Many times, I had to tell myself, deep breaths, they are only people bud. All the while, amongst this, I completely forgot about the mayor, who I was trying to collect myself so I could introduce myself.  I was fixated on the Greens. But then too, I wouldn’t talk to them, again, not wanting to be “that guy”.  Meanwhile, though, I tweeted something about having just seen him, and mentioned @cityandcolour, and then my girlfriend tweeted me, mentioning both him and I.  And, while I was still completely staring at them, He was on his phone quite a bit, and I wonder if he saw those string of tweets… And, thought, What the fuck. Haha.  The poor guy. Sorry. Awkward. So, yes.  Apparently I do get star struck, or at least did that time.  It completely threw me off guard! Not fair.  Oh, and then I instantly changed my iPod “Now Playing” playlist to that of City & Colour.  Haha. Loooooooosssser.

I will most likely get off this plane as fast as I possibly can, and will try and find a spot next to them at baggage claim, and again, not say a word, but just blatantly stare at them.

As I mentioned, Definitely my loser moment of 2013 already.  I don’t think I could surpass this in the next 300 & some days, even if I tried.  Maybe at some point in the next 4.5 hours of this flight, I will go up there and ask him if he wants the bag of peanuts I got.  I don’t know, maybe they don’t get those snacks in first class, and all the guy wants is a normal dudes baggy of salted airplane peanuts.  (I think I just surpassed my loser moment already)

I don’t even remember Jan 1/2012.  Jan 1/2013 has already been an absolutely hilarious, fun day.  Though it is only 7pm. Or, wait. No. I am somewhere in the air, so I have no clue of the time. But, lets hope today really is a sign of things to come for the new calendar year.

Happy New Year everyone, I hope the new year does bring you everything, or almost everything that you wish, and pray for, and most of all, I hope it brings you health, happiness and laughter.   Because, I know the entire world could use just a little bit more of each.

Thanks for reading goneawayboys

- Check me out on Twitter for a lighter, sharper, wittier, comical, arguing me! @BlairLystang

1. Crosses – EP II

Chino Moreno can’t really do anything wrong.  He appeared on the list last year with the first Crosses EP and now does it again.

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2. Alexisonfire – Death Letter

Dallas Green does it again.  He takes six Alexisonfire songs and turns them into acoustic gold.  Might not excite the Alexis fans, but the City and Colour fans will love it.

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3.  Christian Alvestam – Self 2.0

My favorite part of Scar Symmetry has always been Alvestam.  I am fine with the growls, but it is his clean vocals I have always been a fan of.  In this solo debut he uses all clean vocals.  There is definitely an 80s thing going on in there.  Some of it is just like a toned down clean version of his other projects.  Real happy to see this come out.

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4. Terraplane Sun – Friends EP

I hear a lot of Foster the People influence in this EP.  Their older stuff was a little more 70′s, but this is a little more modern pop.

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5. Burial – Kindred

It is only three songs but still weighs in at about 30 minutes.  It is dubstep with ghostly vocals done like only Burial can.  Any fan should have this one.

The noxious scent of Lake Ontario waded into my nostrils as Goody and I got out of my car after a long drive. The black Toronto skyline was illuminated with splashes of red, blue & green reflecting off it’s structural marvels. My stomach was turning after a long night and day of writhing from the flu, but none of that mattered. Last night was all about the music. It was all about celebrating a Canadian band who’s left their mark on the world. It was all about saying farewell to the St.Catherines’ Alexisonfire.

We walked out onto Polson Pier – Sound Academy – and jumped into line shortly after the doors opened. You could feel the excitement in this crowd as soon as we walked through the entrance. There were people ranging from fourteen to I’d say at least fourty, if not older. Decked out in band shirts, covered in tattoos and piercings all over I could tell this was going to be a good show. Not to mention the fact I saw a ton of people not double-fisting, but TRIPLE-fisting, there was excitement nonetheless and everyone was here to wish one of their favourite bands a fond farewell and epic goodbye.

Sound Academy is by far my favourite venue for concerts. I’ve been there a few times (it was good even when it was The Docks) and every time I hear a show is at Sound Academy I’m instantly more excited for it. It’s spacious, has a ton of room to breathe but it’s also intimate enough near the stage that you get a damn good view of the band from any angle. The acoustics are great – you’re always able to clearly hear the music and the vocals. I’ve never seen a band play Sound Academy and have it sound really terrible. There’s three different sets of bathrooms, two outdoor “smoke-pits” and even a nice little lounge area with couches if you decide you get tired and want a drink. The only drinks I got this time around were ginger-ale and water (I hear beer doesn’t help the stomach flu so…)

At 8 o’ clock sharp Fucked Up came out on stage. I’d never really listened to them before but heard about them and thoroughly enjoyed the performance they put on. They are a Toronto-native hardcore band that well, likes to cause a scene. The lead-singer Damian was full of energy the whole show. Jumping around on stage erratically, high-fiving the crowd and bringing excitement to all; even those who haven’t heard Fucked Up before. Fucked Up is well known for instigating wild mosh-pits (particularly on MTV Live…) and causing severe amounts of damage (again, particularly on MTV…). It was also really cool to see Damian have his four-year old son come out on stage and sing along during one song, The Other Shoe. The crowd was really into it and we were all able to sing along with the line “Dying on the inside/Dying on the inside!” with both the band, Damian and his son Holden.

There’s not too much more I can say about Fucked Up as I don’t know enough about them besides what I experienced last night. Which, to say the least was an incredible amount of energy, passion in the songs they played and a very diverse and unique act that has me far more interested in this band. Their job last night was to warm up the crowd for Alexisonfire and they lit the place on fire.

After Fucked Up left the stage there was a brief intermission as Alexisonfire got their gear setup. An anxious crowd stood around waiting, trying to hold their spot near the front as others went to fetch more drinks, smoke another cigarette or check out the merch stand. I took this time to rest near the lounge and chug down another ginger-ale to help keep my stomach settled. I was hoping between that, Pepto-Bismol tablets, Advil and the one piece of food I ate all day – a Tim Hortons bagel – that I’d be able to make it through the rest of the show.

9:30 rolled around and the music started to blare through the speakers. The nausea that I’d been experiencing earlier instantly faded as the adrenaline rushed through my body. This was the moment. As ambient noise that had a tremendous build-up kept pulsating you could barely hear the insatiable crowd’s roar – “Alexis! Alexis!”  The suspense was almost unbearable before the six of them rushed the stage and began with George Pettit’s lacerating scream: “ALRIGHT!” backed up by Wade MacNeil’s bellowing voice “This is from our hearts!/Sincerity over simple chords/We made some mistakes/We made some mistakes/But it’s a long time coming when you’re giving it everything.” There was no front of the crowd anymore. There was no back. There was one unified being of pure heart and energy. Everyone was everywhere. Jumping around, giving it all they’ve got and loving the band they came here to see. Drunks, Lover, Sinners and Saints was the perfect song to open to.

Not long after they began they took a trip back to their first album – the self-titled debut from 2001 – with .44 Caliber Love Letter. This one is a slow, melodic buildup for a solid two minutes before the beat picks up and we hear George backed up by Dallas. By far my favourite part is hearing the title-line  ”This is a .44 Caliber Love Letter straight from my heart.” The subtle stop in the song before it jumps right back into it’s own intense vocals, drums and guitar riffs sent the crowd reeling. The intensity didn’t stop as we were treated to another fast-paced thriller from their third album, Crisis: Boiled Frogs. This song makes me not only want to jump around and sing along, but dance around like a fucking idiot. And that I did. Along with everyone else in the crowd. Hair swinging, arms out and what could be described as the punk-equivalent of a “fist-pump.”

Hearing The Northern was an incredible solemn and relaxing point in the show. It was an unrelenting, peaceful track that gave the crowd a moment of silence and reverie. It’s a very Dallas Green-centric song that repeats “Hallelujah/We’ll praise the lord/Hallelujah, Hallelujah/We’ll praise the lord.” Wade works the backup vocals again “He comes, he comes/Judge so severe/Seven trumpets speak/The speak the sound of fear.” I love the contrast here between Dallas and Wade – Dallas has this heavenly, choir-like voice and Wade’s is the exact opposite – almost demonic. The two voices play off each other so well like a “Devil and God” back-and-forth.

The Northern Video

We Are The Sound was played to the crowd like an anthem that kept repeating. Everyone in the crowd sung along with Alexisonfire repeating: “We are the sound/We have no voice/We are the sound/We don’t belong/So raise up your voice/And sing along.” And when we weren’t loud enough by George’s standards, everyone was told “What the fuck is this Toronto?! I know you better than this. I said SING ALONG!”

The undeniable amount of energy these six boys brought to the stage was like no show I’d ever seen before. Alexisonfire knew this was their final few shows, knew that Southern Ontario was the locale that helped make them who they are today and decided to reward us all with an amazing experience. At first, only two shows were available. But with how fast they sold out, a third opened up. And then THAT sold out. So they opened a fourth. And when that instantly sold out they opened a fifth and final show. Out of respect for their fans Alexisonfire wanted to make sure that everyone had a chance to experience their sound one more time. Like Wade said during the show “If it were possible, We’d have loved to become the Sound Academy house band for a month.” Shortly after Dallas Green added “A band like us? We’re not supposed to be popular. Our music shouldn’t make it this far. It’s you guys who made this happen. It’s you guys who made the last ten years possible.”

The bassist, Chris Steele – Canada’s best bassist I’ve been told – certainly played like he was. He was a constant point of entertainment throughout the whole show. He was running all over the stage, playing perfect bass lines yet sporadically drawing attention to himself with his wide-eyed grins, odd stares and intensely-awkward facial expressions. Normally you focus on the frontman; or at least a vocalist. But Chris kept grabbing my unparalleled attention throughout the whole act.

The guys played a 21-song setlist that hit on almost all of their classics, weaving in a good amount of slower songs with a perfect mix of heartfelt hardcore that had the crowd in an uproar. You could TELL how into this show Alexisonfire was. The sheer look in George’s eyes throughout the whole show was one of pure voracity.

“This isn’t a funeral. We aren’t acknowledging the death of Alexisonfire here people. This is a mother-fucking celebration. This is a wake summing up the life of Alexisonfire. So get the fuck up. I wanna’ see you guys moving around and show us what Southern Ontario is all about!” exclaimed George during a high-point of the show. It was a damn good time to announce that because at 13-songs in, the crowd is starting to get a little-worn. Caked in sweat, vying for more energy and reeling from the last couple songs we certainly needed a boost. Alexisonfire made sure to re-ignite the crowd in an explosive rendition of Keep It On Wax.

Keep It On Wax Video

Of course, when the show is ending there is a bittersweet sadness that is suddenly overwhelming. “Holy shit. I will never hear these songs live again.” Everyone was hungering for more after Alexisonfire ended the show with their hit-song This Could Be Anywhere In The World. And of course they delivered. There’s NO way a show like this could end without an encore. The stage was cleared and the crowd’s chants lit up the venue – “Alexis! Alexis! One more song! One more song!” They came out and played three-more to try and satisfy the desire for more music: Rough Hands, Young Cardinals, and a personal favourite, Happiness By The Kilowatt. Anyone who had any energy left exerted it all here. Crowd-surfers went up. Beer cans went flying. And once again the crowd all moved to the same beat defined by the sounds of Alexisonfire’s final tracks. The only other track I wish I could’ve heard at this show was the title-track of the third-album Crisis. I can still hear George repeating “There’s nothing that you can do/The sky is gonna’ crush you!” and would’ve loved to hear this one in person one last time.

The stark contrast between Dallas Green’s engaging, solemn voice, George Pettit’s hard screams and Wade MacNeil’s callous grumbling was spot-on this whole show. It was like listening to the Alexisonfire greatest hits album that never existed yet was doused in perfection and mastered a thousand times over. Despite me not having NEARLY enough energy for this show it was one of the best I’d ever seen. Even the lighting amazed me. There was so much effort and heart put into these final shows that ANYONE who is a fan of Alexisonfire needs to go and see one of the remaining three shows. I don’t care how much it costs you. I don’t care if you work “in the morning.” I don’t care if you have the stomach flu and feel like garbage – this is your last chance to see Alexisonfire and missing out would be doing yourself a great injustice. If you can manage to secure some tickets… DO IT!

Now that said, anyone have remaining tickets for Saturday’s show they’d like to sell?

You’ve abandoned me. Love don’t live here anymore.

When he arrived at the venue where Alexisonfire is playing its last-ever Brazilian concert, in Sao Paulo a few days ago, George Pettit had to fight his way through a crowd.

Fans screamed his band’s name and cheers erupted in waves. When Pettit was finally safe inside and able to pick up the cellphone handed to him by Alexisonfire’s tour manager, he was a little winded.

“There was a bunch of kids waiting outside,” the singer said with a bemused chuckle. “Yeah, it’s been a very interesting experience.”

The band’s final round of touring began in the U.K. with three sold-out concerts at the O2 Academy Brixton and will take the band to Brazil, Australia and across Canada to wrap up in Hamilton.

The end of Alexisonfire, one of the most influential melodic post-hardcore bands of the past 10 years, was a fait accompli long before the quintet composed of Pettit, singer/guitarist Dallas Green, singer/guitarist Wade McNeil, bassist Chris Steele and drummer Jordan “Ratbeard” Hastings announced in 2011 that it was breaking up.

Green had hinted at his desire to concentrate on his work with softer side project City and Colour for a while, and the nail in the coffin came in the form of McNeil being offered a spot as the lead singer for U.K. hardcore band Gallows last year.

The band, which formed in 2001 in St. Catharines, Ont., had been discussing the possibility of soldiering on and making a fifth studio album without Green. But having two members intent on leaving instead of one ended any thought of keeping the Juno-winning band going.

“We’d known Dallas was leaving the band for several tours before we were done,” Pettit says. “We kept it very secret because we weren’t sure what we were gonna do. The last few tours we did, and especially the cross-Canada tour (in 2010), we were all harbouring this weird secret.

“Those were depressing tours — very sad. We knew things were gonna change. When it was done and the dust had settled, we decided we probably shouldn’t end this on a sour note, we should try to celebrate. We spent 10 years on the road, we shared all these experiences together, we might as well do it appropriately with our fans.”

Pettit has been focusing on his family, while Steele “now looks like a freaking Calvin Klein model,” and Hastings has opened a cigar/barber shop-type “gentlemen’s parlour” in Burlington, Ont.

“They’re both very talented people,” Pettit says.

Some of the fondest memories Pettit has of Alexisonfire are those weird, coincidental, down-in-the-dumps tales of survival that can only happen when you’re part of a touring band.

“On our second tour of the U.S. we got to New Orleans, and Dallas and I at the time were the only ones old enough to go to a bar. We were broke, living on the strand. We had about $10 a day we could eat meals with. So we went down to Bourbon Street and managed to turn it into a night. This couple came out of this nightclub and gave us their receipt and said, ‘Go on in, we’re not going back.’ Then we met these two girls who took us to all these bars.

“The next day we got up and went to Baton Rouge and the show was cancelled, so we went to Waffle House — again. Those are the top moments I can remember.”

The band isn’t going to the U.S. on its farewell tour, which has irked some American fans. (The band had originally skipped a few major Canadian cities in its tour announcement in August — including Vancouver and Hamilton — that were added to the list later on.)

Pettit, however, says the band had a limited amount of time, and that the U.S. had always been a fairly limited market for Alexisonfire. The biggest concert the band ever played in the U.S. was at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City for about 500 kids.

“That’s nothing to shy away from and it’s an amazing accomplishment,” Pettit says. “We did 14 tours of the United States and we slogged very hard to get the fan base we did, but at the same time there weren’t a lot of people coming out to the shows.

“There was no good way to do it (on this tour). We didn’t want to go to America and do L.A., Chicago and New York at the expense of going to Vancouver. So we decided to add Canadian shows instead.”

Alexisonfire also released a final EP aptly entitled Death Letter, consisting of six songs culled from its various albums and re-recorded with an atmospheric twist by Green and McNeil.

Pettit admits he doesn’t listen to melodic post-hardcore so much any more, and is unsure where the musical style’s future lies.

All he knows is that, for a while, he was part of one of the biggest bands in the genre, one that helped define and refine post-hardcore’s identity.

“I think we’re all at a really good place right now, where we can process that this is all over,” Pettit says.

“We are very much going our separate ways. But I look forward to when we’re at home and we can spend time together outside of the van or the tour bus or London’s Heathrow Airport. It’s very difficult for me to put it into words. There’s a lot of things going on. I’m not necessarily sad, but nostalgic — it’s nice that it’s coming together this way.”

For more on Alexisonfire, visit Theonlybandever.com.

Genre: Post-hardcore / Indie rock
Origin: St. Catharines > Ontario > Canada
Website: theonlybandever.com

Death Letter – Alexisonfire (US release: 04 DEC 2012)