In 1994, a clever bunch of people got together and decided that 1) they didn't like New Music West very much, and 2) that they should throw a one-night middle finger of a show at the (sort of) annual Vancouver event. NMW has had its ups and downs over the years, but if this year was any indication, the struggling festival needs a serious shot of oxygen if it's going to keep from breathing its last breath. Conversely, twelve years on, Music Waste has grown from a one-night-only affair to a fabulous four-night showcase of the under-the-radar sounds coming out of the city. This year's Music Waste runs from June 1st - 4th and features 70 bands from the city and beyond, playing at seven venues throughout Vancouver's Eastside. Here's a taste of what to expect from 5 local acts.

The Winks headline another all-ager on the Saturday of the festival. I'll be completely honest: I despise their cover of Sonic Youth's Expressway To Yr Skull. The SY dronefest just doesn't adapt to the Winks’ quirky brand of folk and twee. Luckily, they aren't a cover band. Terminal City once proclaimed them "baroque punk," which is as good a description as any.

:::Winks show: June 3rd at the Ukranian Dance Hall with the Safety Show, Fake Shark Real Zombie, 12 Year Old Girl, and Sticks.
A multitude of Winks-related sound files are available at their website.:::

I just found out about these guys (and girl) earlier today, but I'm already smitten. The Blue Grey Dots are like the beautifully noisy bastard offspring of two of my now-defunct local favourites: the Red Light Sting and Fuck Me USA. The drums are frenetic, the riffage is razor sharp, and the synth stabs are in all the right places. Top it off with Nicola Jayne's Kathleen Hanna-esque vocals, and you’ve got enough to make the most pretentious asymmetrical haircutbreak into a spastic dance routine.

:::Blue Grey Dots show: June 1st at Pat's Pub with the Pockets, Dustin Garrett, and Palm Pirates.
Download three songs from the bands' self-titled EP at their MySpace.:::

If you're easily offended (actually even if it's not "easily"), you might want to avoid the rest of this entry, and skip out on Pub 340 until People Verses hits the stage. Mr. Plow has been delivering such lyrical gems as "Is that a dildo in your pocket, or are you really a guy?" with just his acoustic guitar as backing for years, making him a bit of a legend in the punk underground. He can't really sing, he's not anything more than adequate at guitar, but if you caught yourself giggling at the above line from "Are You Really A Guy?" even a little, you'll want to show up.

:::Mr. Plow show: June 2nd at Pub 340 with the Approach, People Verses, and Pink Noise.
Six of Mr. Plow's musical creations are up for download at his official site.:::

With this week seeing the death of Mesa Luna, Music Waste gets a double thumbs up for thinking of the kids by booking one of the best shows of the festival at the Ukranian Dance Hall. The supporting bands are fantastic on their own, and the headliners, They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? are the icing on the cake. I was playing in a band three years ago that lost to them at CiTR's annual Shindig! battle of the bands. Since then, my middling country rock outfit put itself out of its misery, while the carnival dance party that effortlessly handed us defeat has gone on to become one of Vancouver's most-loved local outfits, also signing to Portland's formidable Kill Rock Stars label.

:::They Shoot Horses, Don't They? show: June 2nd at the Ukranian Dance Hall with the Doers, Summerland, Love and Mathematics, and Cran.
Listen to "Empty Head" from the band's debut full-length, Boo Hoo Hoo.:::

Montag is Antoine Bedard's one-man show. A relocated Montrealler, Antoine graces Vancouver with soothing electronic textures that dance with hushed vocals. His most notable track to date features the soft croon of Stars' Amy Millan. Amy will not be in the house at the Music Waste show, but you should still go.

:::Montag show: June 4th at Pat's with Stumblers Inn, Shapes and Sizes, and Screaming Eagles.
Download three tracks from Antoine's MySpace.:::