Guts

The Hammer's initial response to the sound of DOA was not unlike most people's. She looked up at Sonja and I with an expression that could only be interpreted as, "What the fuck is that horrendous noise?" DOA were playing outside the Art Gallery to kick off a little rally against the various wars of occupation underway on our smoking planet.

I have enough DOA memories for a lifetime but I think I made room for one more: Randy's bass guitar booming back and forth between the glass towers of a city that cannot hold its liquor.

We left soon after the band played five songs, two of their own and three old hippy numbers. I do not need to hear any more ant-war/anti-occupation speeches. War and the gum-boot generals, politicians, priests and industrialists who love war are sick things followed by ready sheep.

Across the square from the demonstration a large sign advertised apartments for sale in what was once a stately Dope City hotel which once housed, in its dim basement, my favourite downtown pub. I miss all the long gone places I once got pissed in. We headed east one block for beer.

The street where we found a place to get beer and keep an eye on the dog was teeming with the first arrivals to celebrate a Celtic long weekend. Everybody was pouring them back like the Canucks had won the Cup in four straight.

The sun came out and you know what? Dope City looks just like it does on television when that happens. No one got shot, the dog enjoyed all the attention a big dog gets when it is in the heart of the city...it was just like how the people behind the Olympics figure things are going to turn out. Everything smelled of beer, steak and pot.

After our feel good lunch we moved to the Drive where I picked up an old Bloodrock record and a copy of a record with the best hockey cover ever - John Cale's "Guts." It has a photo of him playing his guitar wearing a '70s style goaler mask. It reminded me of when Cale bit the head off a chicken on stage in the mid-70s.

That is some dirty ass rock 'n' roll, motherfuckers.