What’s In Your Fridge is where the Straight asks interesting Vancouverites about their life-changing concerts, favourite albums, and, most importantly, what’s sitting beside the Heinz ketchup in their custom-made Big Chill Retropolitan 20.6-cubic-foot refrigerators.

On the grill

Alex Reed.

Who are you

Alex Reed, bass player in the Starling Effect. We will be playing a show at the Princeton Pub on Friday (April 19) to celebrate the release of two new songs we recently recorded at Little Red Sounds Studios.

First concert

Soundgarden, 1994 at the PNE Forum! Tad opened for them, along with another band I can’t recall the name of. I was in Grade 9 and my best friend’s older sister took us. This was the heyday of grunge mania, and my friend and I were obsessed with collecting Sub Pop records at the time. It was a blast! 

Life-changing concert

David Bowie in 2004 at GM Place. I was totally broke at the time and couldn’t afford to go, but I won a contest through the Vancouver Sun that included front-row seats and an opportunity to meet Bowie after the show! I was completely starstruck when I met him; I managed to introduce myself, then my mind went blank and I just stared at him mindlessly as he signed my copy of Lodger. I always wish I had said something meaningful to him, but it was life-changing to meet my musical idol. 

Top three records

David Bowie Low   I’ve loved this album since my childhood. My dad used to play it all the time when I was young. I love the duet with Iggy Pop, “What in the World”, but the second side, where things get really ambient, is my favourite part of the album to listen to. This is what I should have told David Bowie when I met him!

Cocteau Twins Heaven or Las Vegas   This album accompanied me through a separation and divorce three years ago. Robin Guthrie’s swirling, seasick-sounding guitars, Elizabeth Fraser’s fascinatingly unique vocal delivery, and the programmed beats somehow suited the experience perfectly. 

Jamiroquai Traveling Without Moving   I love the playful energy of Jamiroquai, and I think this album captures that energy the best (for me, at least). This is kind of outside of my usual wheelhouse, as I usually prefer more rock-oriented music (in general). But there’s something about these guys I find irresistible. Maybe it’s Jay’s Stevie Wonder-ish vocal delivery…

All-time favourite video

Genevieve Artadi “Visionary”   I don’t know about all time, but I am really enjoying some of the music videos being made by people like Louis Cole and Genevieve Artadi. The video for “Visionary” by Genevieve Artadi is great—very funny and tongue-in-cheek.

What’s in your fridge

Homemade pork pie. A pork pie that I made from scratch. I have recently developed an interest in baking meat pies. Next I’m going to try steak and kidney!

Scotch eggs. Another favourite of mine! It’s a hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and then baked (or fried). I make these in bulk sometimes. It’s like a meal in your hand!

My kids’ lunches. I have two elementary-aged kids that stay with me 50 per cent of the time, and they need to be fed…