Articles by Syd Ghan

About Syd Ghan

Syd Ghan is a Montreal media man, born and bred. After spending his formative years playing music on stages big and small across the city, he transitioned seamlessly into a career as a full-time writer, editor, and content manager. He has reviewed numerous bands both in concert and on record, written for a number of different blogs and online publications, been both a host and featured guest on various local podcasts and radio shows, and has even logged time judging live music competitions. In his spare time, he enjoys engaging in spirited debates over the finer points of pop-rock radio and he’s never met a chicken wing he didn’t like.

Against the Current with Chapel – Live at L’Astral – April 14th, 2019 – Montreal, QC

April 14, 2019 Syd Ghan 0

The one thing you hope and pray for if you’re throwing a show on a Sunday night in the middle of spring is that it doesn’t rain. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened when Against the […]

The Lost End – Without Being Anything

March 29, 2019 Syd Ghan 0

8.5/10 Without Being Anything, the latest release from Oklahoma boys The Lost End is, ironically, really something. These guys really know how to make rock music that sounds huge without adding too many unnecessary bells […]

Sticky Fingers with Tommy Newport – Live at Theatre Corona – March 24th, 2019 – Montreal, QC

March 24, 2019 Syd Ghan 0

No one could ever make the claim that rock stars, by and large, don’t fall victim to their addictions. Following a string of self-destructive decisions, Australian reggae-rock band Sticky Fingers’ front man Dylan Frost issued […]

The Smile Case – Murder Weather

March 14, 2019 Syd Ghan 0

3/10 There are three kinds of albums. The first makes up the vast majority; pleasant music that no one will ever demand be turned off, but will probably be forgotten within the span of two […]

Paul Moody – The Ghost Album

March 4, 2019 Syd Ghan 0

9/10 I’m always hesitant before pressing play on an acoustic record. So often, the problem with singer/songwriter stuff is that no one is there to tell them they’re making bad ideas. But real recognizes real, […]

T-Booty – Booty and the Beast

February 20, 2019 Syd Ghan 0

6.5/10 As Community’s Troy Barnes would say, T-Booty’s name doesn’t really fit the style of music that he makes, but also…it does? Because the thing is that Booty and the Beast seems to aspire to […]

Syd’s Rants: Does Your Band Actually Deserve to Get Paid?

January 11, 2019 Syd Ghan 1

The best way to figure out if your band deserves to get paid for that middle slot at one of your local pubs on a Thursday night is to ask yourself this honest question: who […]

Faults – The losing fight

January 7, 2019 Syd Ghan 0

6.5/10 No beating around the bush here; what The losing fight, the latest release by Montreal natives Faults most closely resembles is Converge. (Yes I know it’s a title, but they didn’t capitalize where they were supposed […]

Dead End Drive-In – Mea Culpa

December 27, 2018 Syd Ghan 0

9/10 Some bands pay way too much attention to what’s come before them and end up sounding like carbon copies of their favourite bands. For examples of this, see Trivium’s The Crusade, Throwdown’s Venom & […]

Silverstein with Hawthorne Heights, As Cities Burn, and Capstan – Live at Le National – December 14th, 2018 – Montreal, QC

December 14, 2018 Syd Ghan 0

Did you used to listen to Hawthorne Heights and Silverstein in high school? Well, you’re not alone, and both bands are grateful to you. So much so that Silverstein are currently touring Canada, celebrating the […]