I travelled to the desert with Hodgie and Sassie. Two guys who are such good friends I end their names in “ie”.  We initiated Ryan into the club.  We hung out at the Palm Valley Country Club along the 7th fairway bracing ourselves for the 100+ degree temperatures. Thankfully our artists were all playing well into the afternoon so we filled our mornings sleeping in, hanging by the pool, or sneaking in some NHL viewing.  In the end…….Chromeo crushed it and reached new heights; Boys Noize filled the Sahara tent as the crystal skull spun in the background; and Metric played while the sun set in the West over the hills….(what a career highlight) – they’ve come a long way from the loft parties of Metropolitan Ave.

We are planning our first big party of 2008…..a fitting stage to introduce to the world some of our newest signings.  The night will feature electro/funk/hip-hop specialists Let’s Go To War, a new signing from Jamaica Terry Lynn, and reggae ambassador O’luge.  Mark your calendars – it will go down Thursday, June 12^th at Toronto’s NXNE festival. We’ll have special limited edition vinyl, Puma giveaways, Last Gang wear, and some other good shit that I can’t mention yet.  If you are in the neighborhood, come by and join us – our license is until 4AM!  If all goes as planned, we’ll see you at CMJ and Pop Montreal for more Last Gang presentations.

We started this label with a motto, “Us Against the World”.  It’s always been about the bands and without them we wouldn’t exist; however as we celebrate our 5^th year in business, it’s nice to see that our brand is meaning something to fans of our artists and readers of this newsletter.  In this day and age when there is so much clutter and so much hype we are honored that you are trusting us to help you navigate through the noise.  Thank you for your words of encouragement and thank you for connecting the dots.  You’re right, “we always sign good bands”….well, we try.

Now….some updates on our incredible artists:

Crystal Castles continue to connect with kids on computers and kids in clubs.  Remember the stories you read about punk rock shows in the early part of the 80’s….well….in that spirit, their last LA show was shut down by the Fire department…..25 minutes of glory before the Marshall shut it down – deep bass, heavy strobe, violent screams, and way too many people packed into one club.  I saved a YouTube link to share with you, but it has since been removed…you’ll have to trust me – a true punk rock moment.  Our darling CC’s also scored their first NME cover (you can read the article here).  The artwork “controversy” is “news”??  Wow…we must doing be something right.  What next? “Ethan J Walks – AGAIN!!!.”  They are playing everywhere this year.  We are pushing for a remix record for the Fall….fingers crossed.

Terry Lynn is our newest signing.  She hails from Waterhouse, Jamaica – one of the more dangerous places to live on our planet.  As you would expect, her music reflects the place and times she has lived in.  Our good friends at Phree are hooking up a mix to give you an early listen to the record….hopefully for next month.  LGR – continuing to bring the danger.  Don’t believe me?  Check this.

Last year’s set by MSTRKRFT at Coachella was epic….this year’s set by Boys Noize was R-E-T-A-R-D-E-D.  When the greatest DJ in the world chooses to be on your label (along with our partners at Turbo of course) you gotta feel proud….and we are.

This summer we are celebrating Turbo’s 50^th release by re-releasing 15 of their finest 12”s…..including music from d.i.m., Proxy and Duke Dumont.  The first three vinyls will be released June 3, with the rest to follow through the summer (check lastgangrecords.com for details on street dates).  We are also putting together a digital retrospective to be released on iTunes, tentatively called “Superamerica”….watch for it in June.  Our relationship with Turbo continues to expand as they consistently bring the best dance music in the world to our doorstep.  All of that and advice on Rolex watches.  A match made in heaven.

Let’s Go To War have finished the masterpiece.  Electro, Pop, R&B, Hip Hop, Dancehall….call it what you want – how about GOOD music?  It took a while but it is finally here.  We are hoping to have some music out to you soon, but for now, check Live We Live (available free as an exclusive download through Myspace) – blog it, playlist it, stream it through imeem, ilike, muxtape, mixwit…..Myspace, Facebook……all of the above.

Chromeo was another highlight for a lot of people at Coachella this year.  We all have to admit that there was one funkier brother in Indio (a five foot dynamo from Minneapolis by the name of Prince), but if Chromeo isn’t #2, I don’t know who is.  We just got their new video for “Fancy Footwork” – check it through Myspace.  We are releasing a massive remix compilation called Fancier Footwork – available June 3rd through iTunes (Canada) – the perfect companion to the album….and pretty much all you need for your backyard summertime danceparty.  The release features exclusive mixes from DFA, MSTRKRFT, Proxy, Sinden and more, plus a few choice songs from their first album, She’s In Control.  If you missed them at Coachella, you can catch Dave and Pee sometime this summer….they are playing pretty much every major music festival that matters.

Metric skipped out of the studio to rock Coachella.  Technical malfunctions this time around were limited to Emily’s Pro1 keyboard……though she talked it back in fine style.  Unlike in 2005, the Coachella gods spared us equipment falling over, speakers blowing up, and a drum kit imploding.  Could it be an omen for good things ahead?  I hope so.  An album this year would be an amazing start…..all good things in time.  Check out their new song Satellite Mind.

The New Pornographers’ new video for Myriad Harbor is rolling on the nation’s music station.  They recently confirmed North American tour dates through the summer – check here for details….more to come soon.

Mother Mother are inches away from delivering a mastered/sequenced album, which we are hoping to release to you in the Fall.  I’ll have a preview for you very soon.

If you buy one reggae record this year, this should be it: O’luge, “Movements” featuring Citizen Cope, Ken Booth and other reggae all stars.  Check his track Istanbul on Myspace.

Watch out for our new look website coming in June. Pinky is killing it!

Hey………did LG just become the best label in the world????

Your President.

__________

……Ahhhh, ribs….SXSW is the Mecca of all that is alternative rock and roll and all that is beef ribs. Lenny Levine and I have been going together for about 5 or 6 years.  He swears I spooned him one late night in ‘06, but I disagree.  I think I was just momentarily “confused”.  He still agrees to room with me regardless.  We talk about ribs incessantly throughout the year, but the non-stop emails (including random photos of ribs, people eating ribs, people looking at ribs, ribs by themselves, rubbed ribs, hot girls eating ribs, cowboys eating ribs, ribs piled on one another, etc., etc.) start around January when the smell of brisket, sausage and other delights seem to waft through my tiny Toshiba laptop speakers.  For the past 10 years my friend Steve “The Grand Marshall of Meat” Jordan has organized the Saturday afternoon “Cattle Drive” to a specially selected eatery somewhere outside of Austin.  This year we ventured to Spicewood, TX (mmmmm Spicewood) about 45 minutes from town, to Opie’s BBQ.  Late Saturday morning our crew packed into the rental vehicle, we popped ZZ Top into the stereo and began the trek to a mouth-watering oasis that filled parts of my stomach I didn’t know I had.  I think I’m still digesting and emitting memories of the afternoon.  Best ribs of the week by far. Glorious. Just glorious.

Not all ribs are created equal and nor are bands.  SXSW was further proof that there are a lot of bad bands out there – here’s a taste of some of the good stuff…

Crystal Castles’ lead singer, Alice, slowly recovered from her rib injury suffered last month and trooped through the remaining US tour dates….there will be more coming soon.  Their album hit shelves on March 18 and has already sold 6000+ copies in North America!  Stay tuned for a preview of their first official video (Courtship Dating).  The Village Voice headline was hilarious, “Crystal Castles: Better Than Justice”.  The album debuted as the “Most Added” at college radio in the U.S. and continues to rise up the charts.

Let’s Go To War killed it at SXSW…..(and apparently in the bathroom stalls of 6^th Street).  Get ready for their first 12” in June featuring remixes from Al P (of MSTRKRFT), Roger Sanchez, and a feature vocal appearance by new Last Gang signee Terry Lynn.  Burn down the disco!!!!!!!!!! Fah Real.

What more can we say about Boys Noize?  His Oi3 EP dropped last month, featuring remixes from A-Trak, Para One, Housemeister and more.  The story just continues to get bigger and bigger.  Ask anyone who saw his SXSW or WMC sets last month…. they were over the top.  The SXSW set was for many the “show of the week” in Austin….. watch the last bit here.  WMC was equally crazy.  If you missed those, you can see him at Coachella on April 26^th.  Together with Turbo, we are giving away a laser engraved custom Boys Noize iPod loaded with the Oi Oi Oi album, EP, and other cool shit – enter to win here.  This thing is dope – trust me!

We are all happy to say The Jealous Girlfriends’ self-titled album will be available through Last Gang in the US and Canada on April 22^nd via our kind friend, Serge at Good Fences.  For those who just can’t wait, you can buy it a week early on iTunes.  Their sets at SXSW were truly sublime.  Holly and friends deliver effortless harmonies and ooze natural cool and confidence.  We are so excited about this record! Check out the video they made for How Now.

We’ve just re-released Chromeo’s first album “She’s In Control”, which features some cool bonus tracks not on the original album.  For those making the trek to Indio, they are playing Coachella on April 27^th.  They blew through SXSW and played a highlight set at Stubbs on Saturday afternoon….2-step, 2-step.

Metric continues their work in the studio.  Thank you all for your support on their DVD, Live At Metropolis, which is available in stores across North America or via mail order at Kill The 8.  They also join Chromeo and Boys Noize at Coachella this year.

The New Pornographers’ new video for Myriad Harbor is fantastic!!  We are so proud of it.  If you haven’t already seen it, check it out here.  We saw the band at Canadian Music Week last month and, once again, were amazed.  Carl and crew are the nicest group of musicians you could hope to work with.

Mother Mother are busy putting the finishing touches on their next album….if all goes as planned, we’ll have a mixed/mastered version by the end of April.  Check out next month’s 411 for a sneak-peek.

MSTRKRFT LP2 is still in progress.  We are all looking forward to hearing the new masterpiece! Their Kylie remix and current tour date info is available here.

…… Hope to see you somewhere in the desert in Indio.  Note to the wise: bring sunscreen…lots of it!  Until then, check back into www.lastgangrecords.com for announcements about the Coachella Turbo/Last Gang After-Party…..as if a full day in +100° temperatures wasn’t draining enough!

Metric (2003), Death From Above 1979 (2004), MSTRKRFT (2005), Emily Haines (2006), Boys Noize (2007), Crystal Castles (2008)……..

Any more questions???

Ribs.

Your President.

__________

…….I spent some holiday time in the “D”.  That’s what a Windsorite calls Detroit, Michigan.

I grew up in Windsor, Ontario.  Most Torontonians laugh when I tell them I grew up there.  Torontonians (like New Yorkers or people that live in Los Angeles) think they are in the center of the Universe, or at least the center of Canada.  Windsor operates as a safe suburb of Detroit.  A place you go home to after a night out at Leyland House, Grand Circus Theatre or Todd’s.  A place where you don’t need bars on your windows.  Yeah….we kind of tore down our art gallery to make way for the temporary casino; the strip bars are raw as hell; and it’s turning into a ghost town as the North American automotive industry continues to shutter it’s plants.

For me though, it’s the place where I saw the Clash, Iggy Pop and REM in the flesh (when Michael Stipe had lots of hair); but more importantly, inspiring punk rock bands you’ve probably never heard of like, The Dry Heaves, Rat Pack, DOS and others.  It’s true, Windsor produced Shania Twain and Richie Hawtin, but I never saw them growing up (former Prime Minister Paul Martin as well).  In high school, my band BFA (it stood for “Bourgeoisies Faggot Assholes”) would use this old Chinese restaurant on the main drag called the “King Wah” to set up our PA…. half of Windsor’s punk rockers would order their first underage beer there from 1982 to 1984.  We kept it running for 3 or 4 year despite numerous raids by the police and bloody fights inside and outside on the street.  Other weekends were spent in places like Bert’s Marketplace.

This holiday season I went back there for a jam session (yeah, your President isn’t all “cool” music all the time) and people like James Carter casually got up on stage and blew my mind.  It’s that sense of discovery and inspiration that led me to the music business.  Somewhere along the way I became the cheerleader, the enabler, as opposed to the participant…but it was all inspired by the same thing: a love of music and those who make it well.  In 2007 I almost forgot that.  It’s going to be a hard 2008 kids, but we’re going to continue to bring the inspiration no matter how hard the bastards try to beat you down – don’t give up – and don’t EVER underestimate the boy from the City of Roses.

Yours always

from South Detroit,

Your President.

xoxoxo

___________________

We are busy putting the finishing touches on The New Pornographers’ video for, “Myriad Harbour” – check LGR TV for the premiere…..the vibe of the song captures the sentiment of Velvet Underground.  Stay tuned for a tour announcement with stops all over North America through March-May 2008.

Metric’s DVD, Live at Metropolis, is finally here as of February 12, 2008.  The band, Last Gang staff and I have worked a long time to pull this together so we hope you like it.  We are previewing the film at various theatres in Canada and the U.S. through January and February – Metric in HD! – the next best thing to seeing them live…..check here for local listings.  Three live tracks from the Metropolis show are packaged along with the DVD trailer on iTunes, all for just $1.49….(or less) – CAN / USA.  And if you just can’t wait……you can pre-order the DVD from these fine retailers: Canada – Kill The 8; USA – Insound and Newbury Comics.

Boys Noize is coming back too.  Alex’s recent visit to Montreal blew the roof off the place.  I don’t think I can say more than I have in previous posts……you just have to see him to get a sense of how powerful and distinct his sets are…they are epic.  Watch this to get an idea.  The wild part is that this continues for 90-120 minutes……sets are perfectly spliced together with tailored edits/remixes to exhausting heights.  As a follow up to Boys Noize’s critically acclaimed debut album Oi Oi Oi….we’re working with Turbo to assemble a new EP of remixes which should hit shelves March 11….watch for a preview here.

The BBC says Crystal Castles are “one of the hottest bands around at the moment”….and they’re making everyone’s “Band to Watch” list for 2008…..should you believe the hype?? – your President thinks so…. either way, now’s the time to see them in some sweaty bar before they explode mid-year: Ethan and Alice (aka Crystal Castles) will be touring throughout Canada and the United States in February and March……see all the dates here.

Dave 1 and Pee Thug, known to the masses as Chromeo, continue to spread the gospel.  Kid Sister, Steve Aoki and A-Trak will be joining them soon for sold out dates at the El Ray, Bowery Ballroom and Studio B….though it’s all just a run up to their March 11 show in New York at…….yeah…….Madison Square Garden!!  Our favorite sons will be sharing the stage with Justice as part of the Myspace Music Tour.  Get your tickets now kids.  We’re preparing a new batch of remixes for release next month, along with a string of Canadian tour dates……watch for a pre-sale link here.

We’ve been working with our good friends at Turbo (one of THE best dance labels on the planet) to bring you various 12”s and a retrospective compilation…..all set for release in 2008.  Expect music from Jesper Dahlback, D.I.M., Proxy, Jori Hulkkonen, ZZT…..just too much good shit to mention it all.  The Turbo/Last Gang partnership first brought you Tiga…..then Chromeo…..then Boys Noize….who will be next???

My long two-pointed ladder’s sticking through a tree

Toward heaven still.

And there’s a barrel that I didn’t fill

Beside it, and there may be two or three

Apples I didn’t pick upon some bough.

But I am done with apple-picking now.

Excerpt from…..After Apple Picking, by Robert Frost

……Leaves turning to brown.  Frost on the window.  Blood on our Hands?  Holiday season is a heavy sales period for the records you’ve put the groundwork into months previously.

The New Pornographers should be our hottest selling title over the holidays.  The new album, “Challengers” has been selling solidly with some radio support and a bit of video support….and most of the world hasn’t yet seen or heard “Myriad Harbour”, my favorite track on the record.  The Toronto show at the Phoenix a couple of weeks ago was phenomenal.  You don’t see Toronto crowds ask for a double encore very often.  I wish I had seen their Webster Hall show in NYC – from everything I’ve read it was epic.  In case you missed them, check these links to our friends at KCRW and NPR – streaming New Pornos 24/7 for all the world to hear.  YouTube nation stepped up to the NPs challenge…check out the winning entry here.  Watch for new music from Carl and friends on iTunes in December….(ho ho ho!)

Boys Noize is hitting hard, even harder than expected.  The critical raves for Oi Oi Oi are dropping like the leaves on the pine tree outside my house.  In the words of Resident Advisor, we should all believe the hype.  We are about to announce the imminent release of a Boys Noize remix EP, as well as more eagerly anticipated North America tour dates….watch for all of this in early 2008.  Talking about his WMC set in Miami, Kid Millionaire said, “It was the best DJ set I’ve ever seen…I really think he’s the future”.  Your President was there too….it was insanity.  Go see him play, trust me.

I’ve seen over 100 Metric shows.  If you were at the Fonda on October 5^th you saw one of the best Metric shows of all time.  YouTube’s got some clips.  The lights, the energy, the sound…the smell of Fall in the air!  And all of this the day before they performed for MySpacers around the globe for “Hey, Play This!”…(which I’m happy to say set an all time viewing record in Myspace land.)  Metric are putting it all into their live show, playing a bunch of new songs and hitting another level with consistently inspired performances….worth the price of admission.  The buds of a new album are about to blossom and Spring/Summer 2008 should be time for this band to take their rightful place amongst the Art Rocker elite.  Their first DVD, titled “Live At Metropolis”, is readied for release February 12^th, 2008 (check out the trailer).  And just to get the Metric faithful through the holiday break, we are releasing a live audio/video EP in early December featuring highlights from the Metropolis show….all bundled in a nice package on iTunes for 99-cents!….(breaking the mold even Jay-Z couldn’t).

Crystal Castles hit the road with Metric for all of their recent U.S. dates, flew home and finished tracking their album, then flew off to the UK to start the UNITAUR! tour sponsored by our friends at Vice.  They will do a few weeks of European dates before heading back to the UK to open for Mercury Prize winners, The Klaxons….to be followed by a visit to Japan and Australia before coming back home to Canada for the holidays.  We are currently planning their February/March 2008 U.S. tour and look forward to bringing the new album with us!

Was that Chromeo on Jimmy Kimmel?  Was that Chromeo on MTV (the REAL MTV??!!!) many, many times?  Is it true they are working with Hall & Oates??  Hell yeah!  These gentlemen bring the real spirit of Rick James to the party….(and they don’t even have to hire impersonators to play it live).  Their new video for “Bonafide Lovin’” is golden delicious…check it here on LGR.TV.  MTV is playing the video everyday….though our good friends at MuchMusic are still holding out – help Dave1 and P Thug get some video love by requesting it here through MOD.

Mother Mother continue their Exclaim! presents cross-country trek with Most Serene Republic and Dragonette.  An odd bill that seems to be working – especially for MM.  They’ll be back in the studio very soon working on the next recorded installment.

Let’s Go To War played their first show ever…..but you wouldn’t know it from the clip that Aaron put together for us – it’ll be up on LGR TV very soon.  We are working on releasing their first piece of vinyl in early 2008. The whole city’s got a cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An apple a day.

Your President.

__________

……First we take Manhattan, then we take… September marked your President’s first visit to Berlin.  It was very nice…candlelight and Dubonnet on ice.  Ironically, I booked the travel to hang out with Boys Noize and he was on tour in North America while I was in the Deutschland.

As Xavier of Justice says, “Boys Noize makes the words ‘german’, ‘techno’ and ‘dj’ sound cool again”. Listen to his album (Oi Oi Oi released everywhere September 25^th) and go see him DJ…..things will melt – like a Richie Hawtin set at Watergate….overlooking the Spree River at 4, 5, 6, 7 in the morning???  “I’ll pick you up around 1:30AM and we’ll go out – is that too early?” “huh?”.  Daddy’s flown across the ocean leaving just a memory snapshot in the family album.

Metric and Crystal Castles are on tour together across the U.S. right now.  Metric are using long sound checks to work on new material for their forthcoming album which we hope will be out next summer. Like a fine wine…it’s going to take some time.  New York and LA were maddness…..did you see them at Webster Hall?  If not, you can catch them in San Francisco at the Download Festival…..or better yet, live on the World Wide Web via our friends at MySpace (Emily and crew will be taking requests from YOU…all you gotta do is send them in – check out the details here – “Hey, Play This!”.)

The debut Crystal Castles album is being mixed now and readied for a February 19, 2008 release.  In the meantime, Last Gang will release a single/EP for CC’s featuring, “Crimewave”, “Untrust Us” and 2 or 3 other tracks to be released digitally in North America in November.  (Don’t fear international friends……it will also be released on Pony Canyon in Japan and Shock in Australia this February…..stay tuned for UK info next month.)  San Francisco massive see them at the Mezzanine if you couldn’t get in to see them with Metric.

The New Pornographers continue to make friends.  Their album “Challengers” debuted at #34 on the U.S. Billboard sales chart and continues to climb to Gold here in Canada.  See their newly minted video on LGR TV very soon.  The NME says “[Challengers] is a staggering masterclass in indie-pop songwriting that will make your brain melt and send firecrackers around your heart.”……seriously.  Have you seen the NPs contest on YouTube?……AC tells you all about it here.

Chromeo just played a handful of shows with the Beastie Boys in Montreal and Toronto.  Dave 1 and P-Thugg…working hard to bring the “2-step” to sold out arenas nation-wide.  Check back next month for the debut of their new video “Bonafide Lovin”…..

Let’s Go To War – (a fitting band name for a blurb about Berlin) –…….are coming……check the video for “Life We Live”.  They’ll be dropping it hard at Pop Montreal (Oct 5 @ FouFounes Electriques and Oct 6 @ Les Saints), CMJ and beyond.  Push Up Ya Lighta!!!!! Say “hello” to our friends at A.D/D. for working with us on this one.  If you’re gonna throw a party, why not do it with the professionals?  Long live Circa.

MSTRKRFT continues to circle the globe. You gotta wonder where they’ll find the time to make their next masterpiece…..but now is the time since Boys Noize and Justice have raised the bar.  If anyone can jump that high it’s JFK and Al.  Let’s just make sure they are wearing parachutes.

Als die Wand heruntergekommen ist, haben einige Leute nicht gemocht, was sie auf der anderen Seite gesehen haben.

Good bye.

Your President.

__________

LL puts the sizzle on the steak sometimes with 16 pt font.  MG cracks the whip when passport photos need to be done.  Lana B. is balling and knows it all.  TDawg is Spock in disguise and is wise beyond his years.  Scoots is quiet but effective.  Pinky is eating for 2 and keeping the pixels in check.  Kayla, Alex, and Julien form an essential intern legion.  Francis makes sure bleed recommendations are followed.  TSim and Shaun fill application after application that our government puts before us.  Jo, Sophie and Kathryn hit up the press.  GMac, Steller, and Sloan knock on radio’s door.  Gazza helps us edit ourselves.  RickDick crucifies campus radio where we live and dominate.  Mr. Shio cuts the cheques and Deke makes sure they don’t bounce.

We are a song away from getting on the map.  We are 2 songs away from becoming a serious business concern.  We are 3 songs away from believing.  We are 4 songs away from being one of the best labels on this continent.  We are 5 songs away from becoming a cultural force.  We are 6 songs away from becoming semi-legendary in indie circles.  We are 7 songs away from being able to cross every velvet rope.  We are 8 songs away from dominating.  We are 9 songs away from being able to truly take care of our families.  We are 10 songs away from thinking we’ve got it all figured out.

Crystal Castles are coming home from the UK where they played the massive Reading/Leeds Festival and nearly destroyed legendary record shop, Rough Trade….see for yourself.

Metric’s new music made the hair on my arm stand up.  Wait until you hear it live as they tour across North America this month and next with openers Crystal Castles…check the tour dates here.  They have some great interactive things lined up for this tour leg…..check their site for details.

Bang Lime just finished their maiden voyage and have returned home…..alive.  Their new video for “Death of Death” is a poignant commentary on the pressures inherent in post-modern society….or maybe it’s just best friends in love dressed in animal costumes?  You be the judge.

The New Pornographers are getting married, appearing on Letterman, making the cover, and selling boatloads.  We are happy with all of the above.  Effortless writers and a dream addition to the Last Gang family.

Boys Noize is dropping “Oi Oi Oi” September 25^th…..so heavy it’s been hard for us to keep up.  His tour dates are here.  His WMC set nearly tore my head off at Studio “B”.  Seeing and hearing is believing.  Check the preorder from our friends at Insound….ya just might get a free t-shirt!

We are almost there.

This month’s PP is dedicated to Haydain Neale.  A father, a husband, a friend and a crackerjack songwriter.  I’m thinking about you everyday Jacksoul.

Your President.

__________