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I dug a ditch inside your head
I buried myself and made my bed
I flipped a switch so you won’t remember what I said
Because if you don’t remember it then it never happened.

It’s about time to breathe in and not worry about how loud my exhale is.

This tour has trumped all other tours. The people are incredible and
kind. I am sad to think that it’s soon coming to an end BUT then we
head out with our old friends in Boys Like Girls and Lights in the
North East of the states…so it’s all gravy (and fries) any way you
look at it. I promise you that some insane pictures are coming your
way. Between the epic production for the tour and the brilliant
scenery I have seen along the way, there are some good ones.

- Shaant

Justin wrote us up a little blog from LA! And grew some hair since we last saw him! Anyway, here it is!

Hey what’s going on - this is Justin Nozuka. I’m here at the MTV Awards doing some promo at the moment.. I won’t actually be here for the event, but it’s a pretty interesting vibe.

We’ll be coming back to Ontario for a show in Ottawa and Windsor, then Halifax for the film festial - really looking forward to it.

Take care man!
Peace
JN

Montreal Montreal Montreal!

Where do I begin? We played a show in front of 11,000 gorgeous faces and then we followed that up with a brilliant day off in the same city. It was nothing short of amazing… I roamed the city on foot just to take in all of the sights.

My bones haven’t added up in quite sometime but I am aware that they carry the weight of each one of my lines. Easy come, easy go…

Welcome to the world of a warped boy without a cause to avoid the obvious mistakes. Enjoy the teeth and enjoy the speech.

- Shaant

Previous Diary Entries:
Day 3
Day 1

Day 3

Yo!

So this morning I woke up to a messy front lounge and the confirmation of Joe Biden being Barack Obama’s VP running mate. The air is crisp and the skies are clear, I threw the football with our bus driver Cookie just to soak it all in.

We are living a dream out here touring let alone with such an amazing group of dudes, Simple Plan. I’ve found that nothing in this life is out of reach not even how far fetched they may seem. Work hard and you shall receive.

I’ve been posting some pictures from behind the scenes on our website so give them a gander.

Something strange is happening these days and only in the most brilliant of ways.

Be good.

Shaant

Previous Diary Entries:
Day 1

Day 1

The great people at MuchMusic have asked me to blog each and every morning for the duration of our Canadian tour with Simple Plan, Metro Station and Faber Drive. As you know by now I graciously accepted, how can anyone turn down typing about being in the lovely country of Canada?

So I’ll just go ahead and list off (in no particular order) a few of the reasons why I love being here.

1. Scores of breathtaking women.
2. An undying devotion to the best sport I’ve ever played, hockey
3. The crisp fresh air.
4. Bryan Adams……. “You know it’s true, everything I do …. I do it for you.”
5. Eh
6. People care about everyone, not just themselves. It’s rare where I come from.

At any rate, I’ll keep you posted on the list as it grows. Last night was Halifax, Nova Scotia, our first night of the tour. We spent the majority of our efforts just getting into the swing of things.

As of two days ago we were on our own U.S. headline tour that was in small clubs with stages just big enough to fit our gear and now we’re dancing on arena stages that could easily be mistaken for a driveway. So it takes a bit of getting used to. I had the chance to meet a decent amount of people thus far but I have a feeling it’s only the tip of the iceberg!

The amount of people that are involved in putting this show on is pretty insane… The behind the scenes is so interesting to me. The buses, trucks, lighting rigs, stage setup…errr it’s all so impressive. I’ll see if I can get some pictures to let you have some visual insight. I am rambling and catering is calling my name so until tmrw… Think positive and try something new, I have the feeling you may surprise yourself.

-Shaant-

Other Diary Entries:
Day 15
Day 14
Day 11
Day 10
Day 6
Day 3

Tom and Bill Kaulitz

Wow, MuchMusic.com received this *very* special message from Bill Kaulitz of Tokio Hotel just now, explaining the recent events that caused the postponed tour dates! Read on for an update from Bill!

Hi, it’s Bill from Tokio Hotel!

Just wanted to say “Hi” to all our Canadian fans - everything is a little chaotic these days since I had to have surgery on Sunday to get my vocal chords back in shape. Luckily, everything has gone well so far…what a relief! I am not allowed to talk for the next ten days and after that I have to start training my voice again.

It’s definitely a tough time but I am getting so much support from all you fans out there, also the other three band members are coming by on a regular basis to check on me. Tom is especially there for me…practically 24/7.

I just wanted to let you know that I am really sorry that we had to postpone our Canadian concert dates but I can promise you that we are trying to catch up on them as soon as possible. Stay tuned and I hope to see you all soon!!! Oh yeah, thanks to everyone who got our brand new album Scream that was released last Tuesday in Canada - it’s amazing to have the best fans EVER! Keep on rocking and take care!

- Bill

UPDATE: Canadian dates have been rescheduled!

May 16 @ Sound Academy, Toronto
May 19 @ Stade Uniprix, Montreal

Kid Sister performs @ Wrongbar in Toronto - Photograph Courtesy of Alexandra Byers

All right people - it’s January in Chicago and much like Canada, that means random ass weather systems (mostly snow) dropping science alllll the mf time!

Today the skies were beautiful and sunny all day long then out of nowhere a full on blizzard struck! (cue single teardrop…and single nose drop. eww, haha). In weather like this your character gets tested and so do your nerves and if you don’t have a car (like me) well, so does your knowledge of things like bus schedules. If you got business to take care of you better know precisely when, where and how you gonna take care of that shit or a heffa might just arrive D.O.A.!

Being a starving artist, or rather a formerly starving Bath and Body Works employee, then artist, I know the value of the simple things in life. Like getting to the bus stop right as it’s pulling up TO you! Makes you feel like the luckiest girl in the world, right? However, many a time in 2006 I was late to the bus. Many a time I was left out in the cold, all by my lonesome in my thin ass Baby Phat jacket and some bogus skinny jeans. No one told me the “skinny” part meant they were made out of tissue weight cotton! Ummm, SHIVER ME TIMBERS much? yeeeah. Plus there’s always some dude at the bus stop smackin’ his lips devonte swing, trying to spit game and ask when your birthday is. NOT CUTE. Zodiac signs don’t matter in blizzards, they only matter when you’re PMS and wanna read astrologyzone.com (that’s the shit by the way).

ANYWAY…

2007 was the year my life radically changed. And I’m not talking about all the music related ish (which is really awesome and I’m so very grateful for). Nor am I talking about the beginning of my relationship with Alain, a wonderful Canadian boy, who is also amazing. I am talking about something else my fine friends! I am talking about… (duh duhn DAHHHHHHHN) CAR SHARRRRRINGGG YALLLLL!!!

OK… (take a breath) Everyone who is poor and who doesn’t have a DUI on their record best ta LISTEN UP! Every last one of y’all should know about and participate IN car sharing! It’s the best thing that’s ever happened ever in life. Instead of lugging all your heavy laundry around town through snow drifts in sub zero weather in a 90 year old babushka lady cart you can now DRIVE it to the laundromat in record time and have time left over to shop or eat or drive to your man’s house across town! No more bus stops! No more frostbite! No more devonte!!! YAY!

All you have to do is google “car sharing” and the name of your city to see if you have a local program. In Chicago we have two of them. I picked the one that had cheap rates and more eco-friendly, dorkier cars. They ask for a yearly fee of $25 and that’s it. All I pay is $8/hour to drive it around. Free gas, free insurance, free maintenance, car washes, etc; HELLOOOOOOO PEOPLE!? Kiiiind of a no-brainer. It’s just crazy how no one really knows too much about this stuff but y’all really should!

All right this blog has gone on way too long. I gotta head to beeeed to get some booty rest and what not. But before I do please believe I am about to cut n’ paste this mug and forward it to my car sharing place so they could hook it uuuuuup! (say I’m playing)!!!! hahaha.

Hugs ‘n kisses!

Your favourite coupon clipper,
Kid Sister

Links:

Kid Sister: MySpace
I-GO (U.S. only): I-GO

What’s up my little blogalicious elven warriors?

Look who’s back in the hizouse, it is I: Sir Ramsay. Of the royal knights, Marianas Trench.

I know what you’re thinking, “What has my favorite band of jubilees been up to lately?” Well, fear not, I am here for you darlings. In fact, I’m in the MuchMusic building as we speak. I just finished taping an episode for a little ditty I like to call, Video On Trial. It was like eating smooth, rich pudding, made special by jesus. And you know what? It was some tasty shit. I’ve always loved pudding. So I did my part, tearing into music videos and continuing my noble quest of world domination.

Unfortunately last night I missed my flight to Toronto. So I had to fly all night, only to arrive here at 7am. But I did it in style. I rode atop a fire breathing dragon. After a very quick sleep I was off to MuchMusic to tape a Video On Trial that can only be described as “majestic.” I would be lying if we didn’t all shed a few tears. It was akin to looking into the face of god and have him smile back at you and say, “you are my favourite.” That’s the kind of show they make ’round these waters.

On to my next topic. So what else is on the fair horizon for Marianas? Let me tell you. Let me crack an egg of enlightenment upon your thirsty heads.

We’re working on a new album. It’s basically 47 minutes of me tap dancing. We just put up a microphone and I donned my taps, and we just let it roll. It was so magical that we decided to just make it the centerpiece of our record. Yep the sounds of tappity tappity for 47 straight minutes. But it’s going to be a double album. The second half is another 47 minutes as well. But of pure silence. There’s extensive sheet music for this part. Lots of complicated time signatures and rhythms. But every note is, what we in the biz call, a rest. Which means you play nothing. But to fully enjoy it, you’ll also get a copy of the sheet music and a calculator so you can count along. I’m really baring my soul on this one, boys and girls. I’m so proud of this record. It’s the best thing that has ever been recorded in the history of time. I’m getting weepy just thinking about it. Look for it in stores later this year. It’s called, “Marianas Trench: The Norman years. A retrospective look at locomotion technology through the years.”

And in the meantime, let me give you some homework. I know you’re thinking, “what will I listen to untill the new Marianas CD comes out?”

Fear not my apple dumplings. Uncle J Dawg has the answers.

Option 1: Nothing. Sit in patient silence untill I send you a signal.
Option 2: “The Cheeky Song” by The Cheeky Girls. “Are You Jimmy Ray?” by Jimmy Ray. “Salami Fever,” by Pepe Deluxe. These are “Josh Ramsay pre-approved” listening material. Search all of these videos on YouTube, and enjoy their genius.

Remember kids, don’t drink gasoline, that stuff’s flammable!

- Josh

[Editor's Note: If you missed this sweet little lovenote from Juno darlings Diablo Cody & Ellen Page when they stopped by MOD in November, check it out below. A lot's happened since their visit - the movie's been released to rave reviews, the soundtrack is flying off the shelves (it includes cool songs from Belle & Sebastian, The Moldy Peaches, and the duet that Michael Cera & Ellen Page sing together in the movie) and everyone basically lives happily ever after.]

Links:
Reviews: Metacritic
Buy: Juno OST
Watch: MOD Interview

Hey, this is Ellen Page and Diablo Cody, the star (Ellen) and screenwriter (Diablo) of the upcoming film JUNO.

We’re psyched to be here in Toronto promoting the movie and meeting so many righteous peeps. Our favourite band is All Saints. Why doesn’t MuchMusic play more of them? They’re transcendent, like Handel or Brahms. I consider it religious music. Maybe that’s why they’re called All SAINTS.

Anyway, the veggie/cookie tray in the green room was incredible. We need a cigarette now, that’s how luscious and bangable that snack tray was.

Anyway, have a wonderful day and please go see our film, which also stars the pride of Brampton, Ontario, Michael Cera. He’s adorable, in case you haven’t noticed. Adorable and hung like a Tijuana mule. This will be evident to you when you see him in his
JUNO running shorts.

LOVE XOXO Ellen Page (and Diablo Cody)

Did you know that you can taste the difference in mountain air? If you’ve been living in the soup of London UK for a couple of years, the air in the mountains around Fernie, BC tastes better than almost anything you can think of. Over the last two days of mellow times in this heady place, Dragonette has been detoxing and taking brisk walks as we get ready for the last run of shows through BC before we head back to the UK, and to swampy air.

Today we cross these mountains, rocking in our white van to the kind of wicked classic rock you can only find on Canadian radio. BTO is alive and well on the FM dial here, and we’ll be taking care of business all the way to Kelowna.

Will the Englishman (he plays guitar) is sitting with his trigger finger on the ready to take a picture of the Giant Mountain Crocodiles we’ve warned him about. It’s his first time in the Rockies….