The People’s Republic of Toronto (Redux)
I had meant to write a follow-up piece to Marxist Prediction Power and Marxist Prediction Power II about the Ontario election. But, life and work got in the way, and I never did. As it turned out, I was right (along with everyone else) that the Tories won the election, but I was surprised that the Tory vote was so large. The right-wing social-democrats of the New Democratic Party picked up some of the collapsing Liberal vote, but hardly enough to make a difference. After that, things proceeded pretty much as expected. Lots of grand talk, lots of fear-mongering, the I.S. held a “How we can stop…” [insert name of candidate you just failed to stop] meeting etc. Anyway, this piece is what you get instead. Not a trenchant piece of political observation, but a few random thought.
In the later part of his long political life, Murray Bookchin promoted the idea of libertarian municipalism; In Bookchin’s words, “The overriding problem is to change the structure of society so that people gain power. The best arena to do that is the municipality—the city, town, and village—where we have an opportunity to create a face-to-face democracy.” On a certain level, this makes sense. Municipal government tends to deal with the day to day problems of life (garbage pickup, pot holes in roads etc.) although on a much more important level, you can’t create islands of (municipal) socialism, anarchism or whatever. Still, as you may or may not remember, Toronto’s recent municipal history has been…well, let’s say, interesting.
First there was the reign of error of Rob Ford. Ford was a long-time councilor who was elected mayor in 2010 who during his time in office briefly caught broader attention as “Toronto’s crack-smoking mayor.” if you’ve forgeotten all of the details, read Robin Doolittle’s book Crazytown, which is an excellent summary of the Ford years, and contained a lot of things I’d forgotten (repressed?) Ford planned to run for re-election, but his diagnosis of cancer forced him to drop out and run as a councillor (He was elected, but died after the election, and his spot on council was one by his …nephew). His brother Doug ran for Mayor in his place representing the so-called “Ford Nation.” Comedian John Oliver had this to say at the time:
Ford lost the election to John Tory, but earlier this year captured the leadership of the Ontario Progressive Conservative party as they were heading into an election they were widely expected to win. Despite, Ford largely staying away from the public eye, and the lack of any kind of comprehensive program, the Conservatives handily defeated the ruling Liberals and the NDP and captured a majority government.
The first two months of the PC term were relatively uneventful and hardly surprising: As promised the new sex-ed curriculum from 2014 was rolled back to one dating from the 1990’s (i.e., before smart-phones, cyber-bullying, the legalization of gay-marriage, etc ); Pro-police noises were made ; the Ontario Hydro Board were fired (which will not affect the notoriously high Ontario hydro rates); there was a lot of rhetoric about Ontario being open for business. Yeah, nothing too surprising.
Then last Friday, just before the deadline to register as a candidate for this year’s municipal election, Ford announced that Toronto’s city council would be reduced from 47 councillors to 25, and that two elections for regional leadership positions in the sprawling 905 region would be cancelled. The rational being that by reducing the number of councillors, Toronto would save $24 million over four years, though many were quick to respond that $6 million for a city with an operating budget of over $10 billion is almost pocket change. The second reason was in terms of efficiency, and a vague campaign promise to “shrink government.”
There are three levels of government in Canada: Federal, provincial and municipal; however, the Constitution only recognizes two. Therefore, municipal government exists under the umbrella of the province. In 1998, Conservative Premier Mike Harris amalgamated Toronto, East York, North York, Scarborough, and Etobicoke into one city on similar grounds, although it was widely believed that he did it because he loathed Toronto and expected dire results to follow. There are over 400 municipalities in Ontario. Ford has expressed the desire to intervene in three so far: The 905 decision will affect political rivals, and the Toronto decision affects the city that rejected him as mayor. Seemingly the mark of a petty, vindictive man. But there are plenty of them elected to high office these days.
All of this makes the upcoming municipal election interesting. Centrist mayor John Tory is running for re-election. There are also the usual gaggle of fringe and perennial candidates including a neo-Nazi and an alt-right commentator who was fired from the Canadian younger brother of Fox News Rebel Media. Lastly, Jennifer Keesmaat, a former city planner, who is considered Tory’s main rival recently called for self-governance for the city of Toronto. Yeah, People’s Republic here we come.
I guess we do live in interesting times.
Music Notes: July 2018
Half way to fall!
1 Liz Phair – Girly Sound to Guyville
If you thrilled to the sheer audacity, the sheer brilliance of Exile in Guyville, you must surely want to own this set too: The original album, along with the “Girly sound” cassettes. The packaging is a little underwhelming, but the music is worth it.
2 Rolling Blackouts CF – Hope Downs
Jangly Australian pop. Lovely summer sounds.
3. The Undertones – Get What You Need
A wonderful band which released two (possibly three) near perfect albums and then breaks up. The band reforms with a new singer. Gotta be shit, right? Erm. Actually no. It’s a pretty great record. Buzzing guitars and catchy sounds. And while Paul McLoone will never truly replace Fergal Sharkly, he comes close.
4. Shacks – Haze
You may remember them from an Apple commercial a while back, but the full-length record by Shacks is a fuzzy dream pop treat. You might still be able to find editions with a bonus disc of demos too.
5. Robert Gordon – Live Fast Love Hard
If you’re a fan of Gordon, this is really something to have. Two live discs, one with Link Wray, and the other with Chris Spedding (man, the guy had good taste in guitar players), and pretty amazing sets. The sound is good, the song selection choice, and the energy high.
6. The Crystals – “He’s a Rebel”
Breathtaking.
7 Sleaford Mods – “Stick in a Five and go!”
You be the judge. Good to see you back lads.
8 The Pixies – Acoustic: Live at Newport
One of my biggest regrets is never seeing the Pixies in their prime. This DVD doesn’t make up for it, but it’s a good way to spent time.
9 Mazzy Star – So Tonight that I might See
If you’re in the moon, this is untouchable. Like the Cowboy Junkies or Lana Del Ray, all their songs kind of sound the same – whispered, world weary vocals and a groovy backing, but who cares? It’s a great sound. Fine record.
10 The Pirate – “My Babe”
Wilko Johnson mentions this in a recent piece in Uncut. Basically a rewrite of “This Train is Bound for Glory, ” but a hell of a good one. Listen to that guitar.
North Korea
For a while there I was sleeping well. After Trump’s trip and meeting with loopy Stalinist Kim Jong-un (who is apparently more popular among Republicans that Nancy Pelosi) , there was the announcement that even though Kim had made the same empty promise North Korea has been making for decades, nuclear war had been averted. Then of course a week later, the US rhetoric began to creep back and it turned out Kim is upgrading his weapons. Huh.
It feels as if the U.S. research and prep was based on screenings of Team America and The Interview.
Now all we need is the Workers Vanguard article defending the “North Korean deformed workers state” and North Korea’s right to have nuclear weapons. What did they used to call that, the workers’ bomb?
Music Notes: June 2018
For some or other reason, there was no May Music notes post, so here’s June.
1 Roxy Music – Roxy Music
There’s a delulxe edition of the classic debut with a disc of extras including Peel sessions and a live set. Also in the booklet is an extended essay on the origins of the band which is quite interesting. The original album is pretty great, and the extras are cool versions. Something to consider, even if you’re not a big Roxy fan
2 Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – Live at the Garrison
No, not a live album. Rather the band’s Canadian debut. Unfortunately, the band’s debut hadn’t been released at the time of the show, (it’s out now), so I had to make do with repeated listens to the French Press EP. which I recall buying at Soundscapes, and being instantly hooked by the sound. “Sort of like all your favourite New Zealand bands” read one review, but RBCF aren’t actually from NZ; they hail from Melbourne, Australia. Great show and they’re coming back in September.
On the bill too were Kiwi jr., who, despite their name, were also NOT from New Zealand. But they do also have that jangly Clean/ Bats/NZ sound. They even cover the Clean’s “Thumbs off” to great effect.
3 Link Wray and his Ray Men – Law of the Jungle (The Swan Demos 64) des,” “Rumble” etc.) and it’s just great. Saw Link at the Horseshoe Tavern sometime in the nineties. Kinda cool to see living legend. This collection from ’64 features slightly different versions of all your favourites (“Deuces Wild”, ” Ace of Spades” and “Rumble”), and because it’s Link Wray, it’s worth a listen.
4. Christian D
Came across this one recently: Christian d Local Toronto act. Rockabilly, punk and more. Free music if you subscribe to the email list. CD out soon.
5 Lydia Lunch
The Hard Luck Bar is just that. Little in the way of frills, but good sound and a big dance floor, so when Lydia Lunch graced its smallish stage back in May it was a treat. . True it was a short set, and there was no encore or merch to get, but it was still a great show. Ms. Lunch wailed a primal blues at us for the better part of an hour. if you were there, you were a part of something big.
6 Public Enemy: Yo! Bum Rush the Show
The first Public Enemy album. Let’s leave aside the misogyny of “Sophisticated Bitch,” the debut PE release is a great Rick Rubin rock-rap record. But who knew what was just around the corner.
7 Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – Sparkle Hard
The seventh album may be the best (at least that’s what people say). Yeah, pretty amazing record. Like much of Malkmus’ work, it plays with pop, punk, country and I dunno oft-kilter stuff. Featuring Kim Gordon on one track. Great stuff.
8 Shilpa Ray – Door Girl
Apparently Shilpa Ray was a door girl once. This latest album contains punk, 50’s style pop, spoken word and everything between. Great live act too, but maybe a new video director is needed (OK, the intro is funny and the song is great, but…)
9 The Telescopes – Splashdown
Now, you really should get this one. Shoegazer pop with loads of extras. THe second album, EPs, and much more. Really great.
10 Young Marble Giants – Colossal Youth
It doesn’t work in the car, but the minimalist pop of YMG still resonates if you’re home alone.
Marxist Prediction Power (II)
It’s election day tomorrow in Ontario. and I’m going to revisit my earlier predictions.
- I still think the Conservatives are to win, but there are a couple of complicating factors. It seems likely that they will win a majority, but if the Liberal vote collapses and flows to the NDP, they might be denied it in favour of a minority. It remains to be seen whether or not the fact leader Doug Ford’s being sued by his sister-in-law will affect things. My guess is no, but it may cost them a few seats. It’s really amazing that had the party stuck with Patrick Brown or even chosen Christine Elliot to replace him, much of this speculation would have been put to rest. the more you get to know Doug Ford, the less you like him.
- Kathleen Wynn took a bold gamble last week, admitting the Liberals would lose the election. On the one hand, it’s nothing people didn’t already know, but to admit it, is usually a NDP strategy. It;s likely a strategy designed to appeal to Liberal die-hards to come out and vote rather than just give up. If the Liberals fail to win eight seats (something which might well happen), the party will lose its official status – given that the Liberals were pissed when the NDP fell into this category in 2003, the Liberals can’t hope for favourable treatment from them. The day before the election, it doesn’t seem clear that Wynn’s idea has paid off – if anything, more voters continue to bleed towards the PCs and the NDP.
- For a brief moment the NDP seemed poised to form the next government, but that has faded. Offering the usual bland neo-Keynesian policies, the NDP does seem ready to be the official opposition. But given the absences of anything like class struggle to back them up, you can probably expect little from them.
But yeah, I’ll watching tomorrow night to see how wrong I am
Scott Hutchison
Frightened Rabbit were a band for ten years. I saw them five times. They were one of the few bands that I saw live more than I owned their records. Oh, I liked the records too, btu live they seemed in their element. The perfect blend of exciting rock ‘n’ roll, a sombre lyrical content, and a band that seemed to be having a great time.
I saw them last a few months back at the Mod Club, the place I first saw them in 2012. They were in fine form.
The passing last week of front-man Scott Hutchison brings back all those happy memories, and fills me with a deep sadness over the loss of this brilliant singer-songwriter with a barbed wit and the soul of a poet.
Sometimes words just won’t do it.
The Montreal Anarchist Bookfair
It’s mid-May, and that means it’s only a couple of weeks until the annual Montreal Anarchist Bookfair. The bookfair has been around since 2000, and is the biggest of its kind in Canada. The past few years have felt a bit smaller, but there’s still loads of things to do, see, and buy their (loads of free stuff too!)
I’ve tabled at the bookfair every year, but unfortunately this year I won’t be there. Personal commitments and a heavier than usual work load, have made it impossible for me to attend, but maybe next time…
The bookfair takes place May 26 and 27 from 10:00 until 5:00 both days.
Marxist Prediction Power
June 7, 2018 is election day in Ontario.
Using deep seated reasoning and magical Marxist prediction powers, here’s what’s going to happen.
The Progressive Conservative Party will win the election. Despite the unpopularity of leader Doug Ford, who unlike his brother cannot blame the fact he’s an arsehole on a drug problem, the Liberal are even more unpopular. My powers cannot see whether Kathleen Wynn will keep her seat, but she will fall on her sword after the decimation of her party, and Michael Coteau will emerge as the new leader.
Of course, my powers also predicted the Liberals would see a reduced minority in the last election and lose the one before that (in the last election, they won with majoirty and won the one before that with a minority- 0 for 2 Mr. Fischer) I also predicted that Rob Ford would lose his race for Mayor. He won handsomely. Lastly, I told everyone who asked that Trump could not possibly win, and believed it right up to the minute that I realized he would win.
So Ontario? Pretty much anyone’s guess.
Music Notes: April 2018
Couple of things then
1 The Breeders – All Nerve
How long has it been since the last Breeders record? Too long. “Nervous Mary” and “Get in the Car” punch hard at the start, btu on repeated plays, the subtlety of the rest hold onto you.
2. The Strypes – US Tour 2018: Radio Sessions Bootleg
Five song E.P. on sale at shows on the recent tour. Nice run through “Mystery Train.”
3. The Clash – London Calling
Had this on in the car the other day. It’s such a great record, that you sometimes forget just how good it really is. I bought this on vinyl the date it came out way back in 1979.
4. v/a – Big Sensations
A maximum R & B sampler that came free with the latest Mojo. 50 years old and still amazing. Seek it out.
5. Slade – “Cum on feel the Noize”
Nuff said.
6. v/a- The Fatboy Slim Norman Cook Collection
Collection of Cook remixes. Not to everyone’s taste (not entirely sure if it’s mine), but worth a listen – spot the samples!
7. David Bowie – Scary Monsters
A Bowie record that somehow fell through the cracks for me. Not part of the “Berlin” trilogy and before I completely lost interest with Let’s Dance. Still pretty cool. (Love Robert Fripp)
8. That bit on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, when Aimee Mann says, “Man, I hate playing vampire towns.”
9. Lydia Lunch – “Diddy Wah Diddy”
Going to see Lydia Lunch next month. Wonder if she’ll do this Bo Diddley cover she recorded with 8 Eyed Spy?
10. Record Store Day was last week and I missed it, btu it’s great that such places still exist. It seems to be getting harder and harder to actually buy music. (I know it’s uncool, btu musicians gotta eat, and I’m happy to help some of them do that) It’s all streaming or at a gig now, but to be able to walk into a store and purchase is surely a good thing.
Till next time then.
