Odds tell "A Good Weird Story" in Coquitlam this weekend

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      Nowadays--in the music world at least--B.C. is known for the likes of Nickelback, Michael Bublé, and Carly Rae Jepsen. Fuck that noise. If you ask me, B.C.-and Vancouver in particular--should always be best known as the home of Odds.

      Probably the most underrated pop band in Canadian history, Odds put out a string of albums in the '90s that were equal in quality to anything released on this crazy old planet. They were so awesome that the one-and-only Warren Zevon hand-picked them to be his touring band, for cryin' out loud!

      The current Odds lineup--singer-guitarist Craig Northey, bassist Doug Elliott, drummer Pat Steward, and lead-guitarist Murray Atkinson--is still going strong. Maybe you've seen them perform as the Vancouver Canucks' "house band", trading licks with Don Cherry and the Tragically Hip's Rob Baker on Hockey Night in Canada before the puck drops. Or maybe you picked up their latest album, Cheerleader, partly because it includes that snappy number heard at the end of every Corner Gas episode, "My Happy Place".

      Well, now you can check out another side of Odds, because this Saturday (July 7) at Coquitlam's Evergreen Cultural Centre the quartet is branching off into storytime theatre with "A Good Weird Story", sharing experiences of the last 20 years or so.

      "I guess you'd call it a play," says Northey in a press release. "It's a narrative, maybe a storyteller's concept about our strange history. We weave ideas and war stories between the songs. There are visuals to accompany the show, including a large screen with gorgeous colours and dynamic clips. It all works together to take people on a different ride than that of a regular concert."

      Hey, speaking of Odds' strange history, maybe Northey will explain why their best song, "Nothing Beautiful", only made it to #73 on the Canadian charts when it was released back in '97. Now that's what I'd call a good weird story.

      For all you early risers, Odds will host the Bro Jake Show on Rock101 tomorrow at 7 am, then Northey will appear on Breakfast Television on CityTV at 8:45.

      You can follow Steve Newton for all his wacky rock 'n' roll reminiscing on Twitter at twitter.com/earofnewt.

      Comments

      12 Comments

      R2

      Jul 5, 2012 at 1:24pm

      Je suis d'accord a 100% avec Monsieur Newton!!!
      Thx for the heads-up on the morning appearances.

      Steve Newton

      Jul 5, 2012 at 1:29pm

      yer welcome Frenchie

      earlnelly

      Jul 5, 2012 at 1:42pm

      certainly agree that they are a highly underrated band. not so sure about Nothing Beautiful being their best song. "Satisfied", "Someone Who Is Cool", "The Last Drink" & "Wendy Under The Stars" would all be candidates in my books.

      wish i could go.

      Steve Newton

      Jul 5, 2012 at 1:50pm

      well, I'm sure. Didn't you play the clip?

      R2

      Jul 5, 2012 at 2:33pm

      Don't quibble boys Nothing Beautiful and Satisfied r both great songs but how bout ''Outcome the Stars', 'It Falls Apart', 'Hurt Me' actually everything off of NEST.....I Would Be Your Man, Truth Untold, Anybody Else, Mercy To Go...
      Mon Dieu, I could go on ad infinitum.
      I've seen them probably 6 or 7 times since they reformed 7 or so years ago and every show's been awesome most recently in West Van without Craig(Toronto) and temp replacement Shaun Verrault(wife went into labour) and ya know what Doug, Pat and Murray still kicked the arse!
      Will be a fun night Saturday get there early for the Bbq.

      Miranda Nelson

      Jul 5, 2012 at 2:35pm

      "Eat My Brain" is obviously the best Odds song ever, C'MON GUYS.

      Steve Newton

      Jul 5, 2012 at 2:41pm

      always with the zombies, eh Nelson?

      Miranda Nelson

      Jul 5, 2012 at 2:46pm

      You know it!!

      Chrissy C

      Jul 5, 2012 at 4:14pm

      All ODDS songs rock!! I would be your man, Love is the Subject and My Happy Place are my current faves (these change weekly!) and duh - someone who is cool,nothing beautiful, it falls apart... Make you mad is also rad, listen to the lyrics folks!!

      Steve Newton

      Jul 5, 2012 at 5:43pm

      but no Odds song steals Paul McCartney's bass sound from Band on the Run nearly as well as "Nothing Beautiful", ya gotta admit