Remembering R&B belter Sugar Pie DeSanto on her birthday

Raising a glass to Sugar Pie DeSanto with a short documentary and a few performances and recordings worth checking. 

R.I.P. Sam Ferrara of The Viletones, The Ugly and Screamin' Sam

Sadly, Toronto musician and metal sculptor Sam Ferrara – equally skilled with a slinky, grater or singin' saw – has passed away far too soon.

B-Side Wins Again: Kit & The Outlaws

Kit Massengill and the Outlaws outta Dallas cut the snotty garage punk classic "Don' Tread On Me" for Black Knight in 1966.

Bill Kirchen's Honky Tonk Holiday Show @ The Horseshoe, Dec. 2

Telecaster master Bill Kirchen brings his swingin' Honky Tonk Holiday Show to Toronto on Wednesday, December 2. Tickets now on sale! 

Here's the scoop...

Forget the Nutcracker. For a real taste of seasonal cheer, nothing says joy to the world like Bill Kirchen singing "Daddy's Drinkin' Up Our Christmas."  Featured is a sleigh-full of rarely heard holiday numbers from the blues, rock 'n' roll and honky tonk bags: "Silent Surfin' Night," "Truckin' Trees for Christmas," "Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy" and many more. But be ye not afraid, there'll be so much more than holiday songs of questionable taste; you can count on a truckload of dieselbilly classics to take the edge off the holiday fuss. Bill will be touring with his all-star Texas band The Silent Knights (Jack Saunders on bass and Rick Richards on drums).

Advance tickets for Bill Kirchen's Honky Tonk Holiday Show at the Horseshoe Tavern on Wednesday, December 2 are $27.36 ($19.50 plus $7.86 fees and taxes). Get 'em right here. Watch Bill perform a couple of heart-warming holiday faves below. 

Vincent Price: What Keeps Us Alive screens @ Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, Oct 21

Matthew Miele's much-anticipated Vincent Price doc gets a Toronto screening on October 21 with daughter Victoria Price present.

Here's the scoop...

This fully authorized documentary reveals far more than the man behind Hollywood’s master of the macabre. Through rare archival materials and intimate interviews with Price’s children, Victoria Price and V.B. Price, alongside cultural icons and admirers including John Waters, Tim Burton, Patton Oswalt, Hank Azaria, Bill Hader, Cassandra Peterson, and Alice Cooper, the film uncovers the remarkable life behind one of the most recognizable voices and faces in popular culture.

The documentary traces a life of elegant contradictions: a classically trained actor who redefined screen villainy with charm and intelligence; an erudite art collector, educator, and gourmand who moved effortlessly between high culture and low-budget horror; and, perhaps most surprisingly, a warm and generous mentor figure whose influence extended far beyond the screen. Through his films, television appearances, cookbooks, lectures, and iconic voice work, Price became an unlikely cultural touchstone for multiple generations.

At its emotional centre is the story of Price’s evolving identity, shaped by the turbulence of Hollywood politics, the complexities of family, and a lifelong fascination with the psychology of villains. In later years, Price spoke of villainy not as evil, but as a mirror—an opportunity for audiences to confront their fears, hypocrisies, and hidden desires. The film explores how he transformed from a sophisticated screen antagonist into a beloved ambassador for curiosity, creativity, and individuality.

More than a portrait of a horror legend, this is the story of an artist who defied categorization. Through the reflections of family members, filmmakers, comedians, musicians, and cultural commentators, the documentary examines why Vincent Price continues to resonate decades after his death. What emerges is a richly human portrait of a man whose legacy endures not merely in screams and shadows, but in the intelligence, generosity, wit, and warmth that defined the man behind the mask. 

Victoria Price shared the documentary trailer here. 

Join Victoria Price for a special post-screening Q&A at Bloor Hot Docs Cinema on Wednesday, October 21 at 7 pm. 

Advance tickets for Vincent Price: What Keeps Us Alive are available here. 

Watch the Vincent Price A&E Biography followed by a few of his television appearances and interviews below. 

Halloween Beach Party w/ Night Chill, Fuzz Vultures @ Guelph's Jimmy Jazz, Oct 17

Night Chill & Fuzz Vultures kick off the spooky season with the Halloween Beach Party at Jimmy Jazz in Guelph on Saturday. Check out their new 7"!

Get a copy of Night Chill's creepy cool new single "Return Of The Sorcerer" b/w "Coffin Bee" right here. 

Midweek Mixdown: Iranian Nuggets

Here's a brilliant 13-track collection of pre-revolutionary Persian rock 'n' roll swingers feat. Abbas Mehrpouya & Googoosh. Check it out while you can!

Here's the scoop...

Various - Iranian Nuggets ( Pre-Revolutionary Persian Rock N Roll) 60's 70's Iranian Pop Garage, Psychedelic Funk Music Album Compilation LP

A brilliant entry point into pre-Islamic Iranian rock’n’roll, pop, garage and psychedelia from the 1960s and 70s. These were the golden years of modern Persian music, when Western sounds met traditional Iranian styles and sparked something soulful, distinctive and full of feeling.

This set brings together 13 pure, unaltered tracks, moving from big names to obscure and mysterious gems. It also includes notes on the artists, making it an easy one to get lost in and return to.

Akenaton Records, 2026

Various Artists – Iranian Nuggets 

Side A

• A1: Mehrpouya – Twist, Dokthare Shab

• A2: Bijan – Baroon Omad

• A3: The Rebels – It's Alright

• A4: The Golden Ring – Uncle Chainmaker

• A5: Tak Khal Ha – Play with Fire

• A6: The Littles – Fatemah Sultan

• A7: Zangoleah – Wish Map

Side B

• B1: Fereshteh – Shahre Khali

• B2: Shahram Shabpareh – Woman

• B3: Googoosh – Kaj Kola Khan

• B4: Kourosh Yaghmaei – Ghad Boland

• B5: Betti – Khooneh Khaleh

• B6: Mahasti – Do Ta Cheshmoon