Don’t play with guns unless, of course, it’s a Femme Fatale record. JFK from DFA79 has created a work more extreme than “I’m A Woman…” full of wreckless abandon; some link in the scheming chain; or is there method to the madness? – I suspect a bit of all the above. Should be in stores by the end of this month or shop online at www.deathfromabove1979.com. He just can’t control himself. Mastercraft: you read it here first. Jimmy Shaw of Metric travels to Europe with Broken Social Scene and it sounds like the laser is letting the wine on the continent dull his characteristic sharp vision. I’m sure he’ll have the pencil sharpener out by the time he hits Canadian soil and the beginning of the next stage will commence. New year, new challenges, new slates. Emily Haines readies her solo material (for 2005) and solo performance for December 17, 2004 at Church of the Redeemer (Bloor and Avenue) – you’ll laugh, you’ll cry…and that will only be while you are in line to get in. Forget what they are telling you in Ottawa…one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch just don’t be standing backstage left unless you brought your bullet proof vest. Sadness sweeps the nation as Bush holds the White House… great music comes from times of chaos and discontent …just think how much fun this will be when we are actually making money at it! …accelerate…repatriate…live free downtown.

Your President.

For those of you who have been following the bouncing ball Death From Above 1979 has been on an astounding ride the since July this year. As I write this they are in the UK finishing up their 3rd visit there in the past 5 months. They arrived in the UK on October 26 after flying directly from Vancouver (after finishing up the month long Billy Talent tour). The month-long Billy Talent tour included a trip from Saskatchewan to New York for shows in NYC at CMJ and then a week later a trip from Alberta to Toronto to film a video. The Billy Talent tour was preceded by a tour in the U.S. with Metric. Of course, you can see most of this on the band’s website which is starting to get the tender loving care it deserves: many thanks to “Gormley” and “Patrick” for that. The band’s online store is up and running (thanks to “Tonemeister “E” and “Margie” at Kill the 8 for that) congrats to many of you first time buyers!! We are laying the groundwork for the DFA79 Canadian street team. If you are interested, send me an email and I will let you know more about how you can get free DFA79 stuff; insider info.; free tickets to shows in your town – in exchange for spreading the gospel about the tallest band in Rock n’ Roll. (Your President wants to do something nice for those who attended the video shoot – any suggestions?). The press continues to roll in – honestly, I couldn’t have written better reviews myself. The tallest band in Rock n’ Roll is also the hardest working – and I should know, I work my ass off most days…Metric finished off touring “Old World Underground…” with a rousing show at the El Ray in LA on Oct. 29. They are on their way home (Toronto these days for Emily and James) for a much needed rest. James will record and tour with Broken Social Scene and Emily will continue work on her solo album to be released early in 2005 on LGR. We hope to put some sample recordings up here for listening very soon. I’ll find out what Josh and Joules are up to and let you know. I really like those guys. There might be a few Canadian Metric dates to close out the year – keep your eyes open for that. Last Gang Records: Working hard to bring you important music since 2003.

Your President.

There was a mosh pit at Pianos and I felt like I was 16 years old again – standing at the entrance to Antonelli’s in Windsor, Ontario seeing the Dry Heaves play in the midst of broken glass everywhere -while I prayed that no one would come up to me and ask me for my I.D. My heroes were The Rat Pack and DOS: bands that taught me you didn’t need to have a silver spoon to be proud and bold ¯ or to have FUN. You could be proud and bold about your working class roots and working with your hands – and use both to drink Five Star Whiskey. Mount the stars on your locker like badges of honor when you rolled into high school on Monday morning. REAL bush parties where the acid would take hold and the fights would start as the moon lit the sky and the fire threatened to spread to the woods around us. Someone watched over us to make sure we made it to another day…oh, if they could see us now. Sons of the beaches: DFA79 make it to #1 on the Canadian Campus Chart and Metric sells out the Bowery Ballroom on a beautiful New York night in September. Both bands see solid rotation at Much Music and embark on the tour of the year with friends and fans, Billy Talent (check band websites for tour listings). Emily Haines has chosen to stay home in the womb of LGR as a solo artist and Femme Fatale readies an aural assault that will cleanse the palate and ready you for the next missive from the ’79 – R U fuuukin’ ready for that????? “Everybody’s looking for the last gang in town. You better watch out for…they’re all coming around” (words by Strummer/Jones).

Your President.

A world tour of Olympic proportions occupied your President since late June. My apologies for not addressing you over the past couple of months. UK – Germany – Japan – Australia – Toronto Island (the true center of the musicial universe for a day). Lots to catch up on. “Death From Above” is dead, long live “Death From Above 1979“. Although some may characterise this name change as something less than amicable let me go on the record and say this was a fair accommodation to an uncomfortable situation. A rose by any other name…By now, if you get Much Music you have seen the new video since it is in serious rotation on the Nation’s Music Station. You should be able to view it on the band’s site soon. All of us have been caught off guard by the momentum for the band and touring has kept the boys from updating the site. Reinforcements are on the way and you will be seeing some serious activity soon. MTV next? Contact your local Congressman (or woman and make it the law). At the very least: vote. Think about it. The youth vote boycotts the polls; politicians focus on their constituency; the youth vote and youth issues become irrelevant during their tenure if they are not part of the voting equation. Republican, Democrat, Liberal, Conservative, NDP, Green Party or Death From Above 1979…whatever. Vote. Metric and Death From Above 1979 will tour together throughout the U.S. and Canada from September 17 – October 23. Check the band’s websites for updated listings. Metric’s “Combat Baby” continues to climb the charts (vote) and the new “Dead Disco” video is almost ready for consumer consumption. Sprig. Ms. Haines has joined the roster as a solo performer and the little record that could – does – updates here – music in 2005. Soon to come – Femme Fatale (Jesse from DFA1979 glorious side project). Music that continues to change the world in its own little way. Vote for love – vote for money – vote for change. Gold medal music for golden hearts.

Your President.

The emails are starting to trickle in. You are actually reading this stuff??!! It was so much easier when I thought nobody was listening. The president’s diary becomes a public history of the development of this labor of love that has become serious, and sometimes, a preoccupation. It was so much easier when it was a last resort. What now, that we are becoming an attractive peddler of cultural wares? Alan from Poptones?? – who gave you my email and why should you care if we missed your after-party on Hollywood Blvd.? Now the spotlight begins to swing to the children of the LGR and the children respond with “Schools out for Summer” and “We Don’t Need No Education”. Isn’t it ironic, the producer of both aforementioned songs gave a 20 minute acceptance speech at the 2004 Junos about the importance of music IN EDUCATION? We continue to educate the children but from the look of the Death From Above message board the children are figuring it out themselves. Teach…the children well…

Your President.

Death From Above have just delivered their finished record: “You’re A Woman, I’m A Machine”. Let the music do the talking and let the bullshit do the walking. My ears are still recovering from the Brooklyn show last week. I have never heard a band sound so loud…“mercy” or “merci”? If they ever learn to wire Lit we will come back but we WILL sue if we are electrocuted!!! As you read this Death From Above plays Australia and St. Kilda allegedly rules the Football roost – next thing you know they will tell me the Esplanade Hotel is still standing. Check out Jesse and Sebastien in LA May 17-20. Just missed Coachella, where our original children from Metric joined some blond kid playing trombone in a gorilla outfit while on mushrooms – I’ve got to stop them from running with that bad crowd. That was so like, uh, “1992”. Next year “Coachella Or Bust”. A rumored Metric/Hillside (Guelph) appearance this Summer will be a welcomed visit along with both Death From Above AND Metric performing on Toronto Island with Sam “the real deal” Roberts on August 7. It is going to be a glorious day. As a matter of fact it is going to be a glorious Summer. August 3 approaches…have you checked the children??

Your President.