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Press: August 6 , 2008 - NOW Magazine review of "The Road To Recovery" If there’s a cliché that still rings true after all these years, it’s “Practice makes perfect.” And if there’s anyone this old adage applies to, it’s Toronto’s Bellevue. When the trio first started, like every other small-time indie act, they were struggling to find their sound. Now, after one full-length and countless gigs around the city, Bellevue can be counted among Toronto’s best unsigned acts.
June 30, 2008 - Pop Matters review of "The Road To Recovery" -by Jason McNeil Kingston, Ontario born and now Toronto based rock band Bellevue aren’t ready for the big time yet, but this album does have the makings of some interesting and promising material for the future. After a decent “I’ve Been Meaning To Get Therapy”, the band hit pay dirt with the quirky but nice “Friendship” that singer and guitarist Brent Hough nails perfectly. From there, Bellevue hit a homer with the slightly faster, up-tempo electro-pop of “One Two Three” that is incredibly easy on the ears. That isn’t to say they are the ideals of power pop. A listen of the downbeat and somewhat depressing “Fake Your Own Death” that features some female harmonies which will only drive that point home. Most of this record is indie rock 101, with “Bitter & Blue” having a certain trace of the Seattle scene, albeit with more keyboards and synthesizers. Think of Dinosaur Jr. but with J. Mascis opting for the ivories instead of a raging, crazed guitar solo. One of the highlights has to be the short and sweet “Tear My Heart Out” and the equally stellar and punchy, crisp “Bombs” which has some bang to it. The only miscue might be the slow, waltz-ish “This Little Island” that falls flat and seems like Bellevue’s forcing the issue. June 03, 2008 Chart Magazine review of "The Road To Recovery" -by Scott Bryson Making an album that appeals to the hit-hungry masses and discerning music snobs might be the most difficult task a modern band will face. Perhaps the last time it was done perfectly was in 2000 when Danny Michel's old band, Starling, released their Sustainer debut, a radio-friendly disc about relationships and rejections that somehow managed to carry indie cred. Toronto's Bellevue make a serious run at Starling's trophy on this sophomore album. The disc was recorded in a cottage on the north shore of Lake Huron on Canada Day weekend and it really seems to embody that holiday's prideful spirit. Lyrically, it's uncomplicated (but not patronizingly so). Musically, it's full of deceptively simple guitar hookery. Most importantly, The Road To Recovery is just plain fun. So fun, in fact, that it's enough to make a non-dancer get up and shake his ass. May 23, 2008 WolvesHawksAndKites.com review of "One Two Three" Upbeat and undeniably catchy, this song from Bellevue’s 2008 album, The Road To Recovery, is nostalgia and fun in its purest form. April 25, 2008 GitPop.com Review of "The Road To Recovery" Last summer, the members of Toronto’s Bellevue decided to do something constructive with a long weekend; they hauled ass to a cabin on the north shore of Lake Huron and spent three solid days recording the tracks that would become The Road to Recovery. The band’s sophomoric effort follows up 2007’s Lost in Space with a solid dozen hook-laden guitar-oriented pop tunes centred around Brent Hough’s distinctive baritone. October 16, 2007 BigRockFinish.com Review of "Lost In Space" MARCH 8, 2007 NOW Magazine Reviews "Lost In Space" BELLEVUE Lost In Space (Music Maul Industries) Rating: NNN Thank god for the passage of time. If Bellevue sounded anything like they did two years ago, when they first formed, a one-N rating would have been kind. Since their conception, the T.O. band has switched drummers and other members and, most noticeably, have learned how to write a decent song. Their debut, Lost In Space, draws from all the usual indie rock influences: Pavement, the Pixies, Thrush Hermit, etc. Besides Brent Hough's deep voice, Bellevue don't offer up a ton of originality, but they have put together 12 catchy pop tunes that fans of old-school indie will dig. They need to gel better, and the songwriting is by no means on a par with their influences, but a few years of hard work will do Bellevue good. Bryan Borzykowski NOVEMBER 24, 2006 Interview/Article SPOKE (Conestoga College Paper) NOVEMBER, 2006 Interview/Article WAVELENGTH Music Series
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Shows:
Friday, March 25 @ The Press Club (850 Dundas St W) w/ The Tight Ship, and Leonids. 10pm start. Pay What You Can! Thursday, January 6, 2011 in Toronto at The Press Club, 850 Dundas Street West. On the bill with us will be The Tight Ship, and TBA. Doors at 9om. Cover $6. Friday, January 7, 2011 in Kingston, ON at The Mansion, 506 Princess St. With us will be Dog Is Blue, Brad Sucks, and TBA. Dorrs at 9pm. Cover $6. Friday, November 5, 2010 at The Silver Dollar, 486 Spadina (just north of College). It's our CD release! FInally... Joining us will be Dog Is Blue (10pm), Leonids (10:45pm), then us at 11:30pm, then closing out the night, The Tight Ship (12:30am) DOORS: 9pm COVER: $5, or $10 w/ the CD! Saturday, August 7, 2010 at Tranzac, 292 Brunswick Ave. Toronto. w/ Brad Sucks (from Ottawa) Doors at 7pm. $12 cover. It's an early show... all over by 11pm, so come early! Saturday, July 17, 2010 in Kingston, ON @ The Mansion w/ Justin Bird Sanctuary, and Allowable Avenue. Doors:9pm Cover:Pay What You Can. Thursday, June 24, 2010 in Waterloo, ON @ Maxwell's Music House. Tuesday, Februay 9, 2010 at Swan & Firkin, 2205 Bloor St W. Toronto, ON. A benefit for Haiti. Tix are $10 at the door which opens at 8pm. All proceeds will be donated. more info. Friday, July 10, 2009 in Kingston, ON Canada at the Mansion w/ Music Maul, and What Seas What Shores $10. 9pm Wednesday, June 10, 2009 in Toronto at the Boat w/ York Redout Thursday, March 5 at The Horseshoe Tavern - 370 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON. We go on at 10pm sharp! More details to come. February 21, 2009 in Kingston, ON @ Bar None, 394 Princess St. Suite 300 (kind of on Division Stbetween Brock and Princess behind Burger King) w/ Owl Farm, and The Hereafters. Friday, January 23, 2009 at the Rivoli, 334 Queen Street West, Toronto. It's the Pop With Brains anniversary show! We're on at 9:30. $5 cover Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at The Horseshoe Tavern - 370 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON. This is Dave Bookman Nu Music Nite. Free to get in. We go on at 10pm sharp! Saturday, August 16 in Toronto, at Rancho Relaxo. Two Way Monologues Presents... Doors at 9pm. $6 cover. Saturday, July 5, 2008 NO SHAME at The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W. Toronto, w/ Invasions, and The Superstitions. Doors at 7pm. We go on at 8. $5 cover. Saturday, June 7, 2008 - CD Release for our second album "The Road To Recover", with Music Maul, Jewelry Rat, DJ Jewels, and DJ Broken Arrow at the Smiling Buddha Bar, 961 College St. (just west of Dovercourt). Doors: 9:30pm Cover: $5 w/ CD. Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at the Horseshoe Tavern - 370 Queen St. W. Toronto. We go on at 9:30pm. Saturday, December 8, 2007 at Neutral - 349a College St. (West of Spadina) a Kensington Station NIght. w/ DJ's Lawrence, and Trevor (Indie* BritPop* Punk* Shoegazer* & Trash*) FREE before 11pm $5 after. We go on at 10:30pm sharp! Thursday, November 8, 2006 at The Silver Dollar Room - 486 Spadina Ave. (just North of College) w/ The Invasion, and Olarok. We're on at 11:45pm. $5 cover. Friday, October 19, 2007 at Elmocambo (upstairs) 464 Spadina Ave. Toronto, as a part of the Paragon Muzik Fest benefit for AMREF (African Medical & Research Foundation). Also playing are Lioness, and Marla Zinger. 8pm. $10. Wednesday, September 26 Pitter Patter Nights at The Boat w/ Sarah Gates, 158 Augusta Ave. Toronto. In Kensington Market. Friday, July 20, 2007 at the Cameron House in Toronto, with Leonids, and The Live Amps. Wednesday, July 4, 2007at the Smiling Buddha Bar 961 College St. (college and dovercourt) Toronto, ON. w/ Leonids Thursday, June 14, 2007 at the Smiling Buddha Bar, 961 College St (west of Dovercourt), Toronto, ON, w/ Jewelry Rat, and James McNeil. Thursday, May 10, 2007 at the Grad House in Waterloo (U of W Campus) with James McNeil, and Cowboys and Cowboys. Thursday, May 3, 2007 at the Concorde Cafe 937 Bloor St. W. Toronto, w/ The Pill, and Barett Cressman. Saturday, March 10, 2007 in Toronto at Hal's Ballroom, 244 Adelaide St. W. (Adelaide / Duncan)@10pm as part of the first annual Pitter Patter Music Festival Thursday, March 1, 2007 -CANCELED WILL BE RESCHEDULED- in Waterloo, ON at the Grad House (U of W campus) with James McNeil, and Cowboys and Cowboys Thursday, February 22, 2007 at Mitzi's Sister - 1554 Queen St. W. Toronto, ON. w/ Kyra & Tully Friday, February 16, 2007 at the Cameron House, 408 Queen St. W. Toronto, ON. CD Release w/ Jewelry Rat, and Velvet Claws Friday, January 19, 2007 at the Bombshelter in Waterloo, ON Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at the Supermarket 268 Augusta (in Kensington mMarket) w/ I'm Only Sleeping PITTER PATTER NIGHTS Saturday, January 13, 2007 in Toronto, ON at the Global Backpackers Hostel at King and Spadina. w/ Basement Arms, and Shitt Hottt Friday, December 29, 2006 in Toronto at El Mocambo 464 Spadina (college & spadina) with Basement Arms Friday, December 1, 2006 in Waterloo, ON at a Trepid Records House Show with the Kettle Black Sunday, November 12, 2006 at Sneaky Dee's as a part of the WAVELENGTH series. 431 College St. Toronto, ON. Thursday, November 9, 2006 at the Circus Rom - 729 King St. E. Kitchener, ON - with the Jon Cohen Experimental, and James McNeil. Friday, October 20, 2006 at Siesta Nouveaux fro Siesta Fest! 15 Lower Sherbourne(enter on Esplanade. For more info: (416)364-4556 Thursday, October 5, 2006 at the Supermarket(in Kensington) Toronto, ON. Cost is Pay What You Can. We're on first around 10-10:30. Thursday, Aug 31, 2006 at the Circus Room in Kitchener, ON with the Live Amps. Saturday, Aug 26 at the High Art For the Low Down Club, Toronto, ON with Lipstick Machine and Cedar. Sunday, Aug 20, 2006 at the Reverb, Toronto, ON Wednesday, June 14 2006 at Zaphod Beeblebrox - 27 York St. Ottawa, ON (613)562-1010 -- with Justin Bird, Steven Dall, and the Love Machine Friday, May 12, 2006 at the Bagel - 285 College(at Spadina) Toronto, ON - with Jacksy(formerly Ass Machine), and First Person Shooter Saturday, April 29, 2006 at Sneaky Dee's - Toronto, ON - with the Jet Trio, and Clothes Make The Man Thursday, April 6, 2006 at Neutral - Toronto, ON Friday, March 24, 2006 at the Cameron House - Toronto, ON -- with JP Houston Saturday, March 4, 2006 at the Merchant - 6A Princess St. Kingston, ON (613)547-1313 with Justin Bird Thursday, November 17, 2005 at The Silver Dollar - Toronto, ON Friday, November 18, 2005 at O'Grady's Tap & Grill - Toronto, ON Another Pitter Patter Night! Friday, October 21, 2005 at The Speakeasy (formerly Rockit) - Toronto, ON. As a part of the Pitter Patter Nights. Thursday, October 13, 2005 at the Cameron House 408 Queen St. W. Toronto, ON (416)703-0811 --- with JUSTIN BIRD (from New Brunswick) Thursday August 4, 2005 at O'Grady's - Toronto, ON - As a part of the Pitter Patter Nights. Saturday July 23, 2005 at the Cameron House - Toronto, ON with The Airfields, and Lobster Rock Tokyo Thursday July 7, 2005 at Rancho Relaxo -Toronto, ON Friday June 3, 2005 at the Corktown Tavern - Hamilton, ON May 30, 2005 at the Drake Hotel - Toronto, ON May 11, 2005 at the Cameron House - Toronto, ON April 18, 2005 at the Reverb - Toronto, ON July 23, 2004 at the Cameron House - Toronto, ON July 8, 2004 at the Reverb - Toronto, ON July 1, 2004 at Sneaky Dee's - Toronto, ON
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