In The Twilight of Divinity

The room was lit like an ancient sunset

The speckled dust frozen in the streams of half light

And the walls stood weary from the passing years

Her face like a painting by Michelangelo

A thought left to be finished for another time

She stared out a glassless window across the fields of pale gold

A life that lay dormant under the weary hands of time

Questions chasing themselves in circles

As the reverie of lost years crutch her spirit

Nothing amputates the sting of failing dreams

Noted in the hint of her soulless smile

Her eyes speak like a silent tongue

A truth more obvious than a feeble lie

In times of desperation does one’s character grow stronger?

Or does it fade away in the twilight of divinity?

A wrinkled portrait of Jesus rests in a frame on the wall

Like a beacon smothered in a dense fog

There is peace in his eyes but pain in his heart

Things are never what they seem



The Big Give

As we live in times where “standing out from the crowd” is what seems to be the desired effect, essentially we all just want to feel normal. In this “Me” world it’s always good to be involved in something much bigger than yourself and on Tuesday night, as we performed at the 1st annual The Big Give event at The Great Hall in Toronto, that’s exactly what we did.

Look Good Feel Better is an organization that holds 1200 seminars for women and teenage girls who have just been diagnosed with cancer. The seminars teach these women how to maintain their self-confidence and elevate their self-image through their battle with cancer. The LGFB workshop brings women with cancer together in a safe and supportive environment where they can share stories, insights, laughter, and feel “normal.” LGFB should be applauded for their efforts in providing some comfort and self-assurance to those who truly need it.

A Massive Thank You to Margot Grant Witz for putting together a fantastic event and all those who gave their time and those who came out in support. We were honored just to be part of it.

What We're Listening To...

Switchfoot - Vice Verses

More of the same from these lads but sometimes familiarity satisfies like a pair of warm slippers. Plus, when you write songs this good, why change things? Though this album seems to have been recorded during a darker time for the band, the results are very uplifting.

Elbow - Build A Rocket Boys

A bit of a continuation of their previous disc, The Seldom Seen Kid, however, this one is even more melancholic but happily so.

Filter - The Trouble With Angels

The most kick ass album of the past 2 years. Great lyrical themes as well. Another gem from Richard Patrick. Even the bonus tracks, only available with the deluxe edition, are incredible. I think Patrick is in the most focused and prolific period of his career.

 

 

Kasabian -Velociraptor!

It’s no secret these guys are one of our favourite bands. 4 albums in now and yet another completely different record. A little less electronic and a little on the softer side than their previous 3 efforts, but equally enjoyable.

Bush - The Sea Of Memories

Back under the guise of Bush, Rossdale seems to have found the spark again. Good collection of songs, if only mildly different from his solo disc Wanderlust. At least he turned up the guitars this time.

IAMX - Volatile Times

We're not likely to see the former Sneaker Pimp, Christoper Corner's IAMX project crack the North American market any time soon. His cabaret-esque dark electronic sound seems strickly European in appeal, which is unfortunate really because it's too interesting and different not to be experienced.

Out In The Open in The Hideout





Saturday night @ The Hideout was monumental in many ways. Our first electric show in Toronto for many months felt like an eternity. We were victorious because we killed. We were victorious because so many of you came out in support (some faces we hadn't seen in a long time). We were victorious because on a beautiful Saturday night in our beautiful city we got to do what we do best and we feel we did it beautifully. Thank You All.

It's a night like this that makes it all worth it. The chaos and the often discordant rhythm of life become muted sneers on a passing train, fading quickly among the fierce winds of what will be yesterday. Goodbye Dark Cloud, your bags are packed and your ticket is in the front pouch. Time to drag your negative ass off into the sunset and go be a fuckface somewhere else. Would like to say it was nice knowing ya...

The Weekend That Was

Don’t know where to begin to describe the weekend that was. So let us just say this, the Spirit of Peace and Music Festival in Freeport, Illinois was an experience we won’t soon forget. Nevermind the 30 hours we spent in the van travelling from Toronto to Freeport and back again. Nevermind the impossible task of finding a late night watering hole in downtown Freeport (oh, believe me, we tried). And nevermind the technical difficulties that plagued the first half of our set. Despite all of the attempts from external forces to drag the weekend down some dark alley and leave it for dead, Magnificence strong armed the bullshit, with the help of all the beautiful people who worked the festival and those who attended, and saved the weekend in glorious fashion.

Now, we can’t speak on behalf of every artist who performed nor every soul that came to enjoy the fest, but we can tell you that TAE (aka: The Apollo Effect) made the most of what came our way. We enjoyed our set and gave it our best. So many wonderful locals confirmed afterwards that they too appreciated our efforts and to them we are extraordinarily grateful. You people really know how to humble a bunch of Canadian boys with your pleasant nature and genuine smiles. 

Highlights of the day included a backstage acoustic jam and sing-a-long, watching a great set from Tonic as well as a monster set by Filter. More importantly, the time we spent chatting with both bands backstage made the day even sweeter than we thought possible.

Shout outs to Pat Scully, Fred Brennan, David Hogan, Norine Smythe, Dawoge and everyone who helped make the event the experience it was.

See ya next summer!

Jammin' Backstage @ Festival

In The Movie Theatre

In the movie theatre
Where my life became a flicker
On the big screen like a bad dream
You were there holding my hand
As I shot a man - in a black coat
With a crumpled note - that read
“Careful of the man who shakes your hand he is a traitor - take the elevator to the top floor and ask for Red Rose.”

And when i turned around you were gone,
Like a dog across a lawn - chasing a car,
Halfway to the stars
I thought we were forever
So much for ‘never say never’
It’s a pipe dream, it’s a bad scene
Let’s go for ice cream - in the winter
I like pancakes for dinner
Saved your bacon - excuse me? you must be mistaken

One of these days we’ll make it to the end – you and me friend
We’ll say goodbye, tears in eyes and all that good stuff
Watch our spirits rise because that’s what spirits do.

That's A Wrap!

We finally finished shooting the Night Time video. After the meat locker type atmosphere of a freezing warehouse, this shoot took place in the tiny confines of a sweaty rehearsal space. Either way, i'm sure you won't notice the temperature of the environment when you see the video. A big shout out to Jimmy Keegan and his crew for an amazing experience all around. We're hoping to do it again very soon. Sooner than you might think.

The Cars Finally Roll into Town

24years sounds like a prison term. In many ways that's exactly what it was. So finally getting to see one of the most influential bands in my life for the first time Friday night at the Sound Academy was beyond surreal. Sadly, since the passing of original bassist and part-time lead vocalist Ben Orr in 2000 to pancreactic cancer, the show was missing a little something to say the least.

Never ones for a flashy stage show, the remaining Cars picked up where they left off so many years ago. A righteous but rigid performance delivering solid versions of their biggest hits, minus a few very significant ones such as Magic, Shake It Up and Drive. The latter being their biggest hit as sung by the late Mr. Orr. Along with the hits, 6 songs from their enjoyable new disc Move Like This were presented in the "this ain't a reunion for the sake of a reunion" fashion.

From a long-time fans persepctive, it was bittersweet. Ric Ocasek could have taken a big shit in the middle of the stage and I would have been satisfied just fine thank you very much. But instead we got a delightful show with no surprises. My only wish is that now they make another record and give us at the very least, one more tour.

Check out the awesome Blue Tip from the new Move Like This album:

Behind The Scenes

Thems Fightin' Words!!

I think I might have discovered my true calling, as evident by me and UFC legend, Chuck Liddell.

Night Time Video

Ask anyone who has filmed a video and they'll all tell you there's a lot of waiting around, but it's all good. After all, there are worse ways to spend a day. So, standing around in a freezing cold warehouse working on a music video leaves little room for any complaining. However, when it came time to film the rain scene, we were all re-thinking that.

What is it with playing music in the rain that seems appealing? Though the lyric does state "like dogs in the rain" it makes no mention of a subzero warehouse or rock hard nipple inducing ice cold water. However, we are dogs playing our music in the rain and we are happy to forgo the comforts of warm water and heated warehouses to prove our commitment.

Perhaps i'm being a little dramatic here, after all, it's just a music video. Nevertheless, we are 100% committed to the music and we're lucky enough to be working with some amazing people who are equally committed to the project. Jimmy Keegan is directing our most recent visual adventure and he`s proving himself to be an amazing talent. His crew is also fantastic and a real bunch of pros. It`s been a pleasure working with everyone on this video. We`ve got one more day of filming to complete, which includes a helicopter and office break-in. After a couple of weeks in the editing suite we will share the final product with you all. But let me reassure you, we`ve seen the dailies and things are looking incredible.

be back soon...

Let's Sign a Deal!!

As you've all seen from the posting on our website/facebook, we've signed a worldwide deal with Spectra Records based in the U.S. Needless to say, we're over the moon excited about it. I don't want to address the whole thing in detail but what is great about it all is that Escape Plan should get the proper attention it deserves. I know we've been talking about this disc for what seems like an eternity, but this really is the record we've been working towards for a long time and we're very proud of it regardless of what the results turnabout to be public wise.

Simply, it was the album we had to make. Shawn's playing is absolutely brillant. Jay really brought the energy we had been missing and I sang my ass off. What Escape Plan represents to us is how we were able to exorcise the demons from our recent past and properly align TAE's musical journey once again.

Bring on the summer!

Does Change Mean We're Changing...

Will a change just feel the same?
Will this time ever come again?

With winter retreating and spring about to make a grand entrance, I can't help but feel an oncoming presence of good fortune. New times for a new time? I am feeling a certain positivity that generally reserves itself for the fortune of others. Maybe our time has come? Just Maybe.

Big News...Coming Soon!!

We have some big, big, big news to announce...later this week. Hopefully by Friday. Just need to clarify and confirm before we make the big announcement. In the meantime, we're still soldiering on, waiting on the final mix of Promise from Mike B. At which point we would like to say the album will be finished. However, in connection with the soon to be announced big news we may indeed have to wait a little longer still as we try to put the finishing touches on a new version of The Honeymoon Is Over. Initially you see, we decided to scrap Honeymoon and let it go, but now it appears we may need to include it after all, giving us 8 tracks in total for the new disc. We'll know more within the next week or two.

Looks like we'll be filming a video for Night Time. We've had discussions with film maker Jimmy Keegan who has written a sick treatment for the song so hopefully we can start filming soon.

That's it for now...talk soon.

We Rocked De Island!

We're back from our tour of St. Kitts. It was an amazing experience on all fronts. Though the majority of the shows were incredible a couple were disappointing. We played perhaps the best we've ever played but a couple of the shows weren't properly promoted and lacked somewhat. However, by the end of the week word had spread around the island and the crowds responded in numbers and with much love. Of course, the trip wasn't without its drama as we feared for our lives on more than one occasion.

There was Justin's near death experience while falling out of a tree. He also nearly lost a leg to a rather dubious looking barrel on the beach. Thank God for the liquor. There was ‘Paranoid Thursday’ as we searched for our disappearing manager while awaiting the death squad to dispose of the "Rock Band from Canada" as we were being evicted from the resort. Not to mention the invitation for a haircut by a local down a rather suspicious alley.

Then there was Brent’s Bono moment in Independence Square as he was surrounded by a throng of school kids requesting autographs. Seeing our faces everywhere around the town as our posters advertised the big event. The radio interviews, the press conference, photos with anyone and everyone. Surreal times indeed.

So many people to thank for taking care of us when we thought we’d have to resort to roasting the cockroaches for dinner. For introducing us to the drink stealing monkees. For giving us a sample of the Island’s untainted herbs. For introducing us to Mama and her makeshift beer store at 2.30 in the morning. For the venomous mountain moonshine we graciously drank one afternoon. For the hazy 4th set we barely managed to complete at Reggae Beach Fest. For driving through the mountains at twilight with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Caribbean Ocean on the other. For showing us the best places to party! And finally, for preventing us from making the wrong turn down the alley to certain doom.

We Thank You All!

See posts below for more!!

Mountain Moonshine!

Brent, Andy and Shawn kickin' it with some locals at a makeshift roadside bar. We were handed a bottle of fresh mountain moonshine that would burn the hair of your nuts! We quickly inhaled it and were given another even more venomous.

The people of island were beyond generous and kind. It were moments like this one that made the tour one for books. Big Ups to our boy Wayne (seated at the left) for making it all happen.

Bang Da Drum!

Shawn and Justin jam backstage before the big show with the legendary Crucial Bankie, one of the many amazing local acts on the bill.

Meet 'n' Greet

Fresh from the stage of the big show. Meeting the locals. Can't remember this cats name but he loved the rock 'n' roll show!

After Party

Celebrating at the after party with one of the hosts of the big event. Needless to say we represented Canada very well ...the entire week!!

Surrounded!

We were swarmed by a group of local school kids who just wanted us to sing! We were happy to see some of them at one of the shows a few days later.

Magnum Force!

Brent, Justin and Shawn endorsing the local energy drink Magnum! Best ad campaign EVER!

Drink Stealing Monkees!!

As you can see, these monkees go straight for the good stuff! Brent got a huge surprise as one monkey steathily ripped the drink straight from his unsuspecting hands. However, this guy wasn't so lucky!

Rehearsals

Rehearsals have been going very well. The new songs are sounding amazing, so much fun to finally be playing these songs. The old ones have new life, which is refreshing. I like what we're doing with Me Against The World, it's got a cool new vibe yet maintains the charm of the original. I'm really liking Escape Plan and regretting it even more that we didn't record it for the album. Will it be odd that the title track isn't on the this album, but the next one?

Promise is killer! We're playing it like it's the last song we're ever going to play. It's bleeds passion and intensity, as it should.

Old Jizzoey is holding things down on the keys, really great to have him back. Justin is kicking the shit out of the drums and couldn't be a better fit for us! Things are really great in TAE nation right now, we're focused and pumped about the St. Kitts tour. Beyond stoked about the release of the new disc and lots of cool stuff planned.

Stay tuned.

Here's To 2011, Can We Final Release This Album?

As we tip toe into the new year, closing the door on 2010 with a subtle thump, we find ourselves in a state of overwhelming anticipation. We're beyond stoked for the release of Escape Plan. It seems all we've been doing is talking about it, believe me, no one could be more tired of hearing about it than us. We're determined to make it awesome so we've decided to get a couple tracks mixed by some old friends. We've asked Mike Borkosky to handle Night Time and we've sent Promise to our friend Yohann in Paris to see what magic he can make.

In the meantime, we're currently rehearsing for our week long residence in St. Kitts in the Caribbean. We've got to thank our manager Cat @ Selective Image Inc. for all the sleepless nights she's incurred over the past 2 months putting this together. It's kind of a first ever Pop/Rock event at Carnival Village at the St. Kitts resort and yours truly will be headlining the event. Needless to say there's lots to be done between making the set list and choosing the proper SPF!...Fuck it!! We're going for the lobster look.

Now excuse me while I try to find my lime green flame embroidered speedo!