http://www.rock1053.ca

The audio isn’t the greatest but it’s still pretty cool to watch, especially if you’re looking to pass some time at work.

I’m not sure if the rockers and rollers of this world know something we don’t in reference to the ‘End-of-Days’, slated for December 21st by the way, but if that’s the case it’s encouraging to know that the summer of 2012 is providing many a means to clean out the ear potatoes in what I hope isn’t one final ‘huzzah’ in terms of human existence. In the last 30 days, it was announced that original shock rocker Alice Cooper is making his way to the Gas City. With barely enough time to BBQ a steak and/or enjoy a Lucky in between upcoming concerts, we learned here at the Rock 105.3 World Headquarters that Stone Temple Pilots, Bob Dylan and axe master Slash will also taking part of a Forgotten Corner tour but wait, there’s more. (Dylan and STP will be Lethbridge)

Should you have been fortunate enough to endure the 1980′s with minimal Chip&Pepper purchases or the rat-tail hair-do, there were actual highlights of that ten year span and for the record, the fanny pack was not one of them.  Amid the clouds of hairspray and migraine inducing Zubaz pants emerged The Cult, the very same band that will be shaking the foundations of The Esplanade this summer as Rock 105.3 presents one of the few high water marks to emerge from the decade that gave us the keytar, brass picture frames and faux leather zipper ties.

Ian Astbury was one of two reasons why I grew the long locks past my ears and now that I’m on the verge of having more days behind me than in front, the opportunity to experience The Cult will be a major bucket list accomplishment. (Don Henley was the other reason I gave up silk shirts in lieu of flannel plaid and neck covering hair.) Happening on the high note of the week, The Cult will strut their stuff Saturday, August 25th with tickets going on sale tomorrow.  And if Slash selling out in less than 5 minutes is a sign of things to come, I have a feeling a little bit of luck and a credit card with some room on it will be a big advantage in securing some space to see a band that helped rock, great rock, thrive and survive during the 1980′s.

The 3rd Sunday of June has marked Father’s Day for about the last 100 years or so and yet Fathers everywhere are forgotten about but I think I may have figured out why, at least in theory.

It was a time of bad fashion choices and even worse hair cuts and while I wasn’t missing out on my university education because of unneeded protests, I did miss most of my college classes, even those that started past the crack of noon, due to excessive amounts of unforeseen partying. Decades later, it occurred to me when I became a Dad that those tumultuous years of caffeine pills (Red Bull wasn’t on the market yet) and weekday barn burners that went on for days at a time were grooming me for Fatherhood. Being a Dad and failing college have a lot in common; 4 AM chaos, incoherent babble, bodily fluids on your favorite Metallica T shirt that didn’t necessarily originate from your body and a complete and total loss of sleep.

Added to the list of holidays only because there was space at the bottom of the page, Father’s Day isn’t so much about recognition as it’s more about taking pride in the one of the most rewarding aspects of life, being part of a family.  If it was about gifts and gooeyness, more Dads would be on the receiving ends of overflowing toolkits instead of last minute string art although there was a time when the elementary school art class ashtray was a hot commodity before healthier social practices. 

Looking back at that twisty turny road of life, Fathers are the unsung heroes of the family. I’ve learned that Dads are created; not born. I’ve also learned that dirty diapers aren’t so bad (okay, yes they are) when they belong to your brood but load up on the Roman Candles fireworks because a party of unbridled proportions will be had when my Poop Monster has mastered the art of toilet training. I also think I may have figured out why Fathers everywhere don’t mind if they’re forgotten about during the third Sunday of every June. Maybe I’ve been listening to one too many mixed tapes of power ballads or possibly the ending of Old Yeller has finally gotten to me and as hokey as this sounds, when those little arms are thrown around my neck and I hear that little voice yell out ‘Da-da’, it’s like living Father’s Day every day. (I said it was cheesy)

Six months into 2012 and it seems only now that bands are releasing their latest efforts.  With that being said, if you did your taxes and find yourself on the receiving end of some federal gov’t goodness, here’s some music releases for June if you’re looking to update your music library.

June 12^th             Rush    Clockwork Angels                              19^th studio album

June 19^th             Lit        The View from the Bottom           5^th studio album

June 19^th             Smashing Pumpkins  Oceania                           9^th studio album

Jne 26^th               Linkin Park      Living Things                           5^th studio album

June 26^th            The Offspring   Days Go By                                  9^th studio album