Mrs. Sleaze Onstage, Moe the Teacher

Another remarkable night for Monteforte at the Horseshoe last Friday, and to think it was all because of last year's show. Brad From Halifax ("I recommend being in a band in your '40's - it really breaks up the week.") explained that show was a "showcase" for all sorts of music bigwigs, and the band impressed them so much, they won the chance to return this very night. The MF'ers showed their appreciation by giving all they could give and probably some more. Among the highlights: each set kicked off with a Loverboy song ("The Kid Is Hot Tonight" and "Hot Girls In Love" respectively), a delightful "Love Will Keep Us Together"; their continuing support of their hearing-impaired fans (it makes sense many of MF's biggest fans can't really hear them...) by playing "The Most Beautiful Girl In the World" with sign-language by Mrs. Sleaze, mother of The Most Famous Signing Baby On the Internet; a new Most Recent Song in the form of Clay Aiken's "Invisible" and a stellar version of Doucette's "Mama Let Him Play" with an extended solo by The Clapper. Simply remarkable. MP3s of highlights are on the way, but for now, enjoy this little taste of the action on youtube! (Thanks to Dave Cyr for the photo here and the new ones on the MF page. If you're so enclined, he has a whole set on Facebook.)

In other news, noted Vikki Sleaze doppleganger Moe Berg will be part of this year's Summer Writing School at the University of Toronto, which involves 11 professionals from a wide range of writing disciplines conducting intense workshops the week of July 7th. Although Moe was invited through his literary connections, he'll of course be teaching songwriting, with some guests to help out. For more details, check out the site for the School of Continuing Studies here.

MF Dance Drama, Frozen Ambers, Kris & Dee Unpack Guitars

Of course, we were all shocked by the controversial elimination of Brad From Halifax on "Dancing With the Stars" (seriously, there's no way she lifted him above waist-level!), but fortunately his appearance there served to promote the next monster-mega Monteforte show at The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern May 2. But make sure Carrie-Ann doesn't come, or else there'll be such a catfight!

Meanwhile, in Moe news, he braved -20 to -40C temperatures back home in Edmonton to produce the lovely Suchy sisters for the upcoming Ambers album, which should have mixing completed any minute now - around the same time he should be finishing up his project with The Holy Fields.

We've also heard from the greatly-missed Kris Abbott, who moved a bit east a while back with her fabulous wife Dee. They've settled into their new place enough that they've "unpacked our guitars and now we put them on the same stand." They've been using them too, and you can hear some of the results so far on their new myspace page!

Moe Year-End Business, and a Video of Happiness

The Moe Berg schedule continues to have very little performing, but plenty of producing and co-writing. He'll do his country axe-slinging alongside Pursuit Pal Shannon Lee Briggs for a show at the Horseshoe Tavern December 7 (part of the 'shoe's 60th birthday celebrations!). But starting around now going through the new year, he's helping out fabulous artists and bands like Emily Weedon (including a country DJ set at her fundraiser), The Holy Fields, Mike Slute and Alison McLean of Calling Wendy. Another highlight of 2008 will no doubt be Moe working again with Renée and her brilliant sisters on a full-length début album for The Ambers!

But if you really want to see Moe play, check out an amazing video on youtube of a performance earlier this year. If The Pursuit of Happiness was a sentence, this is the beautiful period.

Monteforte Video!!

Finally, I don't have to give you some long, hairy report on a Monteforte show - though there was Brad's sister doing sign language for "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and some girl rushing the stage and dragging her guy up so she could writhe all over him - but instead...here's a clip via YouTube from last Friday night!

MF Blows Up Your Summer

Now you've bandaged your wounds from Victoria Day fireworks, it's time to get ready for Friday night, when the mighty Monteforte come out of their irregular retirement to rock your ass off. The party's at The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern with Talladega opening at 10, then two big fat sets of rock starting at 11.

Modern Minds in Japan

A couple years ago, a guy from Japan emailed us asking about Moe's earlier work in Edmonton before TPOH. We referred him to Moe, and they started a very pleasant - if stilted with the language difference - conversation. It has culminated in great news for collectors and fans of the history of pop/punk: a collection of tracks from one of Moe's early bands, Modern Minds, is now for sale on CD in Japan and here!

Fireese on YouTube, Dad at CMW '07

Yes, it's been a while, but little Fireese Berg's profile continues to rise. In conjunction with mom Laura's "Smart Hands" work with baby sign language, two videos of Fireese signing can be found on YouTube, so check out the genius and cuteness. Also, they're going for a slot on current.tv, so head over here and (after a quick free sign-up) "greenlight" the video to be shown on current's tv show. At last report, in the last week, the video shot from #300 to #38!

Oh, and about Fireese's dad: Moe will be a busy hired gun for Canadian Music Week. He'll be slinging the axe alongside Shannon Lee Briggs at Lee's Palace Thursday at 10:30pm, and playing again with Galore Friday at 8:30pm at Hard Rock Live. Then on March 15th at Hugh's Room, he'll be part of "Boys Plays Girls", where male artists cover songs by females. Moe will be taking on the music work of one Hilary Duff.