Okay...so we're plenty hunkered down recording the new Camp Radio LP. More on that later. But in the meantime, this video for 'Murder On My Skin' from Campista Socialista just sorta happened.

Some may call this retro-fitting...we simply call it DIY.




New show dates have been announced and a big one is Ottawa Bluesfest with Camp Radio hitting the stage on July 6th. Those of you in and around Ottawa know what a stellar outdoor shindig that will be...

There is also a show in the works at the infamous HOUSE OF TARG featuring the legendary Werbo. (Yep. You read that right). That one will most certainly rule so we recommend educating yourselves.

Finally, the CR date for Ottawa Explosion will be announced soon. But in the meantime, book your time off work and get a pass before they sell out. The line up this year is of epic proportions.

Pancakes are ready. Chat soon...

 Thanks to the folks at Cafe Alt for putting on a fantastic show Feb. 1st! This was the first of the Cafe Alt Concert Series, and it was a rocking success.


Thanks to pals Winchester Warm and Organ Eyes for bill-sharing at the this old out show.

Crowd-surfing? Yep, crowd-surfing.



Now...back to recording the new album...

I Heard You Slurring Christmas Songs / To Plastic Reindeer
On The Lawn

Those who have been following me for awhile will know this line is from my song The Minor Crime at Christmastime (...it kinda cracks me up every time I hum it in my head. I know. I entertain myself).

Over the last 5 years I've been adding one holiday themed song per year to a collection of the same name. I mostly bother with this festive creative tinkering solely to amuse myself, but feel free to share (In fact, sharing is pretty much encouraged).

This year's addition is a quick little garage folk number called 'Left of the Christmas Dial' and contains more colourful images about the season in which we all love to complain about and which we are so now deeply immersed: 2012 version, whatcha got?!

The seed for this thing all started with a phone call from Paul Gott of the Ripcordz all those years ago challenging The Stand GT to write a Christmas song for an En Guard 7" Paul affectionately called Merry Goddamned Christmas. (That 7 is getting rare, find one if you can). What ensued is a whole story in itself, so for good measure, I've included 'Stocking Stuffer' here too. (It's also on YouTube for those wanting to listen there).

The songs are all FREE to stream and download so check 'em out, drop me line and send me stocking stuffer to make me feel guilty for writing 'You'll wonder why your stocking stuffer sucked' all those years ago. But I'll warn you it feels just as right now as it did then.

Happy Christmas everybody.


PS/UPDATE! Here is a live version of 'Left of the Christmas Dial' at the 2012 Centertown Holiday Office Party (Yep, it's a rare treat to play this live...thanks to Chris Cook for capturing it...)

New records underway. Yep!



.: Camp Radio at HPX 2012, by Geordie Mott :.


So many great shows and so many good times. Thanks to all the good folks for making us welcome at Pop Montreal and Halifax Pop Explosion!


Here we are at HPX playing 'Bleed The Real Estate Girls':




Now it's time to hunker down and get these new records wrapped up and ready to go for 2013. It's going to be a busy year for both my solo project and Camp Radio...

In the meantime, here are some covers I did recently...watch for more additions to the 'Zen Solitude Repair' very soon.

If you don't already follow on Facebook or Twitter...do it...all the secret tips will be revealed in due time:

FB: http://www.facebook.com/chrispager

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrispager

More Christmas stockings for stuffers as well...all in the hopper. More soon!

Camp Radio:
Pop Montreal, Halifax Pop Explosion, Ontario tour and a new record!



.: Chris at Dekuf, OXE June 2012 by Andrew Carver :.

Hey that's a swell summer so far.

From the killah local bash that is the Ottawa Explosion to being spoiled rotten with 3 amazing shows at Calgary's Sled Island, Camp Radio has had a pretty good run spreading the Socialista.

We've played some amazing bills and shared the stage with killer bands such as our pals Fet.Nat,
Thalidomy Kids,
Sheezer,
Yellowteeth,
Dog Day,
Terry Malts,
Archers of Loaf,
Needles//Pins,
Steve Adamyk,
Cousins,
Jon McKiel,
Nervosas,
Miesha and the Spanks,
Concealer,
...well...to name a few.



.: Camp Radio at Dekuf, OXE June 2012 by Andrew Carver :.

Pop Montreal

Next on the agenda is a show in a town we rarely get to, despite being a stones throw down the highway: Montreal. I personally need to get my metro on and re-establish my roots:

Thursday Sept 20 @ O Patros Vys


Black Sheep Inn!

I'm playing a solo show with Marvin Etzioni (of Lone Justice!) and my pal Alice Kos. But much more on this later. In the meantime, save the date!

Thursday October 11 @ Black Sheep Inn
753 Riverside Dr.
Wakefield QC

Halifax

After a sensational tour this Spring with pals Sheezer, we're back to play the legendary Seahorse in Halifax for the HPX.

Tuesday October 16 @ HALIFAX POP EXPLOSION
The Seahorse Tavern
1665 Argyle St
Halifax NS

Sadly, we can't stick around as that week we'll scurry out of the Maritimes...

Ontario

....to join old pals in Bender and The Groucho Marxists (Ex - Doc Hopper and Sinkhole) for an Ontario mini tour hitting Ottawa, Toronto and Hamilton. Break out your old faded Pumas for this 90s power-pop inspired fest. It's going to be a load of...well...something. Show details coming shortly...but keep the weekend of October 18th OPEN, k?

Really? A new Camp Radio record?

Yep. Pre-production has started. Set your watches/calendars/toasters.

Camp Radio at OXE and Sled Island


.: "What's goin' on back there? - Chris at Saw Gallery by Andrew Carver :.

Though Camp Radio didn't "get in" to NXNE or our own back yard event, Bluesfest, we're SUPER psyched to be revving the engines for both the Ottawa Explosion Weekend AND Calgary's Sled Island!

First up, we join what is sure to be Ottawa's coolest line up of the year this Friday as part of our hometown, 5-day bash known as Ottawa Explosion (#OXE, yo!).

Follow the links for details about ALL the shows and get your bracelet NOW:

Facebook event for Friday

OXE central


.: Estee got marshmallows at Saw Gallery by Andrew Carver :.

Then we're off to Alberta to Sled Island for several shows again this year...including a barnburner of a bill with the legendary Archers of Loaf! (And hey...just ask Chris how long its been since he's played the Republik. Yep.)

Chris also joins pals Concealer and Jon McKiel for a solo set in Edmonton at the Black Dog Freehouse for a pre-Sled bash next Wednesday.

See you by the side of the stage.