Toronto Calling
Below I've posted some details I just received about a cool photo exhibit coming up soon. I'm gonna check it out. You should, too.
Toronto Calling- Photo Exhibit March 3 to April 1
STEAM WHISTLE BREWERY
255 Bremner BoulevardToronto, ON M5V, Canada(416) 362-233
Toronto Calling- Photo Exhibit March 3 to April 1
STEAM WHISTLE BREWERY
255 Bremner BoulevardToronto, ON M5V, Canada(416) 362-233
Photographs of the British New Wave as it happened in Toronto 1979-’81.
Never before displayed, these photos are a front row perspective on a movement that changed the course of music. A glimpse of an underground era in music history, which was locked out of mainstream media, shot by former Torontonians Simon and Nick White. These photos capture a moment in time before the internet and before corporate sponsorship; a unique and exciting time which still seems to resonate with a raw energy and passion.
Included are some of punks most iconic bands, including The Clash, The Ramones, Johnny Rotten, U2, The Specials, and many more. All images were taken in Toronto and reflect the grit and energy of the first punk explosion as it came from London, New York and Jamaica. Most of the photos are black and white, all were taken in venues scattered around the city.
This unique presentation features a stunning 8' wide mural of a snarling Joe Strummer from The Clash's first performance in Toronto. Also a 16' window display of The Ramones performance at The New Music Hall on The Danforth in 1980. Quite possibly the largest photo of the band ever displayed.There are many firsts in this exhibition and sadly a few lasts. A very young Bono is captured on the El Mocambo stage at their first show, and Bob Marley is dramatically shown at his last apperarance here in Toronto.
"I was lucky to witness some of the excitement coming from England. I had to sneak into gigs with my camera, fake ID, and 5 bucks. The shows were often so small that only a couple of hundred people would be in the audience. There was something special in finding a picture that showed the newness and raw emotion in the performance." says Simon White. These are truly shots from the scene.
Opening Reception
A gala with both photographers will be held from 6 to 11pm Wednesday March 3rd at the Steam Whistle Gallery at The Roundhouse, 255 Bremner Blvd in Toronto. It will be an all-ages event. To have your name added to our guest list, email rsvp@steamwhistle.ca The exhibition will remain on display until April 1, 2010.
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posted by Liz Worth at
1/19/2010 03:43:00 PM
1 Comments:
I am looking forward to this exhibit as it's part of a now growing body of documents that chronicle a formative period in Toronto's musical culture. It certainly has taken a while to lurch into existence. There's more to come no doubt and congrats to you for your work.
It's not entirely clear which Clash gig there are shots of though. Their first gig here was in February of '79, while the O'Keefe show was in September. We'll see I guess.
To me, The Undertones were the band of the night at the O'Keefe Centre. They were more real, raw and energetic. We left to go to the bar after the B-Girls started. They were wearing mini skirts and white Go-Go boots, and were fairly tame. When we came back into the hall, the Undertones were going wild. Amazing.
There was no riot for the Clash, just a lot of kids standing or jumping on top of cheaply made seats that collapsed under people's weight. It was a media/band management hype up. Even by that time, 1977 was quite a while past and this was Toronto a year after the Last Pogo.
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