To everyone out there who thinks that Toronto has become a ghost town because we’re all scared of SARS – this pic was taken this afternoon on Queen West. Wall to wall people out and about, not a facemask in sight.

In anticipation of the June 10 release of Welcome Interstate Managers, there’s a new official Fountains Of Wayne bio from their publicity company here (the title of this post is the name of a former incarnation of the band). Expect tour dates in July.

Seeing as how today was so nice, staying in was not an option. I headed out on a walkabout with Kyle and Andrew, whom I hadn’t seen in probably almost four years. He wears socks now. That took some time to wrap my head around. But it was good to just get out and enjoy the sun, people-watch, soak up the SARS. Walked a whole lot – from my place down to King, across to Bathurst, up to Bloor and back again through the University. My feet hurt. Looked at some bikes, picked up the new Cardigans album, earning me some ribbing from Andrew. Hey, I like The Cardigans. No apologies.

My brother ordered a bunch of the new Miyazaki DVDs. We’ve got Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Castle In The Sky here, now. It’s going to be all anime all the time for the next while.

I picked up a pair of floor wedge monitors for the rehearsal space this morning. Got a good price on them, and these will let us use the nicer Yorkville PA head we’be been using to keep the kick drum from moving instead of the lousy Realistic mixer we had been using. There will have to be a great shifting of gear over the next few days as we figure out where to put them and the new guys move their stuff in.

np – The Cardigans / Long Gone Before Daylight

Pitchfork has reviewed all three reissues of the Rockville-era Uncle Tupelo records. And there might well be some commentary on the records themselves buried somewhere in all the verbiage, but damned if I’m going to go shovelling through the writer’s exercises in journalistic masturbation to find them. Sometimes you need to be reminded why you hate Pitchfork reviews. Swizzle Stick has a far more coherent review of the Rockville trio. My unbiased opinions on the albums? They’re genius, all of them. The end.

Thanks to SARS, Toronto is being bypassed by some high profile musical acts. Both Styx AND last year’s American Idol Kelly Clarkson have decided to give Hogtown a pass on their upcoming concert/promotional tours. Hmm, maybe there’s an upside to all this nonsense after all.

np – The Wedding Present / Singles 1995-1997

I took this picture today on the way to lunch. It’s an old painted-on sign atop a building by Richmond and Bathurst. I just love the look of it, this poor, weatherbeaten placard simply stating, “Lovable”. And it is.

Penny Arcade has jumped on the SARS bandwagon. Et tu, Gabe and Tyco?

Sloppy, sloppy band practice tonight. Brad and I both broke strings in the same part of the same song. Clay broke a stick. 517 didn’t break anything.

I got my Homestar Runner t-shirt! I will never take it off. I also got some Homestar coasters and temporary tattoos. I want to put The Cheat on my forehead!

Playboy has started a poll for sexiest indie rock chick ever. Umm. Not sure what to think about this. Have a look here for yourself. Link from Largehearted Boy – I did not find it myself! I cast a vote for Neko Case, btw. Runner up would be Caithlin from Rainer Maria. Write-in vote for Gemma Hayes. Okay, no more objectifying musicians.

Speaking of Rainer Maria, you can watch the video for “Ears Ring” here.

np – Wilco / More Like The Moon

Listening to the Motown box set. It’s amazing how talented Michael Jackson really is, or at least was when he was a little black boy and not a crazy white woman.

Okay everybody, take note. This would make a fine 28th birthday gift. Disregard the recommended ages, I’m sure they know not of what they speak.

I want to go find some WHO officials and give them a great big hug.

np – Cinerama / This Is Cinerama

The above comes from the Rotate This tickets listing web page. Piss on the WHO for declaring Toronto a plague zone. Fucknuts. Our health officials believe it’s safe to travel to Toronto. Seeing as how I have to live here anyway, I’ll choose to believe them. I wonder how we’re perceived by the rest of the world right now, whether they think we’re shuttered away indoors refusing to leave our homes without full SCUBA gear. Truth is, the streets have as many people as ever. We are going about our business like always. It’s not a leper colony for chrissakes.

I won a copy of the new Bettie Serveert album off of eBay today, and received my previous win, the Hitsville USA Motown box set in the mail. Sweet soul music.

This is too good. Creed fans sue Creed for sucking.

I just paid my taxes online. One fell swoop and I am $3000 poorer. But richer in life experience, or some shit like that.

np – various artists / Hitsville USA – The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971