by JOHNSON CUMMINS

MOTÖRHEAD, METROPOLIS, APRIL 30: Looking exactly like he did when Motörhead started 30 years ago, Lemmy is living proof that copious amounts of Makers Mark and cheap bathtub crank is the Oil of Olay for the ageing rock star. Okay, his paunch is a little more pronounced and his slight balding at the crown is starting to look like a baboon’s ass, but considering he’s about 60 years old, this man can still live up to his legendary status. This being an anniversary tour, they yanked out hits like “Shoot You in the Back,” “Overkill,” “Ramones,” “Love Me Like a Reptile” and of course “Ace of Spades” (duh!). Although songs off their last CD Inferno went over well, we could’ve done without the drum solo (which caused a mass stampede to the smoking room and washrooms), and the songs off the duds 1917 and Another Perfect Day could’ve been removed to make room for “Bomber,” “We Are the Road Crew” and previous live staple “Motorhead.” These minuscule faults, though, could hardly mar this otherwise perfect rock ’n’ roll experience.

The fifth annual Electric Art Derby is happening at Casa del Popolo from May 7 to May 31. Once again curated by the lovely and talented Marielyne Tarabulsy, artists from all across Canada—including Heavyweight, Graham Hall, Scal, Johnny Crap, Kristy Ropelski, Sixtoo, Emilie Roby, Away, Dixon, Andrew Verhoe, Drazen, Nicole Steen, Andrew Dickson and 10 others—will be hanging art. Not your typical art show, the Electric Art Derby adds a rock ’n’ roll slant to the “high-quality lo-brow” art, guaranteed to put off the snooty wine and cheese set. After half a decade, this year’s show is proving to be the most successful yet. “I had a lot of people approach me for this year, but I also found artists at street sales and even found an artist at a car show who does these amazing paintings of small block engines,” explains Tarabulsy. “I’m kind of put off by a lot of galleries, and the people who like this type of artwork don’t go to a lot of them either, so I think we are definitely filling a void. This is one of the only art shows that is treated like a rock show, and still has that rock ’n’ roll type of excitement.” Rock DJs Seck and Gourmet Délice will be spinning at the free vernissage this Saturday, an antique car toy table and zine booth will be set up and there’ll even be a vintage car show out front.

I LIKE TO WATCH… jonathan.cummins@gmail.com

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