LADYHAWK TAKES A TUMBLE
Ladyhawk's current tour hit a rough patch before it even started after the band got into an accident on February 28. On the way home from recording sessions in Kelowna, the group's van hit a slick spot and rolled off of the highway. Guitarist Darcy Hancock doesn't remember much of the event. "It pretty much went by in a flash. The van sort of fishtailed; it didn't recover," he told the Straight . "When we hit the snow bank I was pretty freaked, but I don't really remember the roll. I was stunned. It didn't really sink in until after I was okay."

Miraculously, no one was hurt, but the vehicle was totalled. "It probably wasn't a write-off, but they had to roll it a few times to get it back on the road. It got destroyed for sure." The band managed to catch a bus back to Vancouver with its equipment to play the Plaza Club on March 3. However, the lack of a vehicle for the following evening forced Ladyhawk to cancel a Seattle show. Fortunately, the group is motoring on, as bassist Sean Hawryluk bought a van on the morning of March 5, in time for Ladyhawk to make its show in Portland that night.

> Gregory Adams

'BALT NEEDS BALLERS D.O.A.'s
exploits on the hockey rink notwithstanding, punk rock and organized team sports don't seem like natural companions, but don't tell that to wendythirteen. The wild-haired Cobalt impresario has made a tradition of rounding up crusties and rivetheads and getting them out on the slo-pitch softball diamond. Last season, however, the Cobalt Chaos fell apart because wendythirteen was in the process of reopening the bar, which meant she missed a number of games. This year, she's determined to get the team back into fighting form. Games take place Mondays through Thursdays at Trout Lake, with the season spanning from May until the end of July. The Chaos needs 10 men and 10 women who are committed enough to pay their dues and show up for games. Mohawks and flaming-skull tattoos are optional. Interested athletes can reach wendythirteen at 604-764-7865.

> John Lucas

ART LOOKING FOR VIDEO ARTISTS
Vancouver's Art of Dying is looking for creative types to make music videos for its song "Completely". Recently rated one of the top 15 bands "on the brink of bigness" by the U.K.–based Classic Rock magazine, the group, which is gaining popularity in Europe, is participating in a "viral video" contest. Through Memelabs.com and Indiemv.com, AOD has agreed to have "Completely" featured in an Internet contest open to the public. Nadia Nascimento of Memelabs.com told the Straight that the contest is a chance for budding videomakers to get some exposure, as well as win free prizes.

"This way they [AOD] are actually getting people who are filmmakers or who haven't heard of them," Nascimento said. Anyone 16 years of age or older can make a submission. Videos can be no longer than a minute long and will be voted upon by the public. The maker of the top-rated video will win a MacBook computer. Nine other runner-ups have a chance at Canon digital video recorders, CDs, and T-shirts. The contest is already open and will close 60 days after the 50th entrant has submitted a video. To download "Completely" and sign up, log on to www.memelabs.com/indiemv/ .

> Jon Braun