The Big Wreck/Thornley and A Note On Hipsters

If I wasn't so drunk  I'd probably attempt to take a better picture...

I saw The Big Wreck @ The Sound Academy on the weekend. The opening act (Toronto's own Ko Kapches) really set the bar in my opinion. It was my first time hearing him and I became an instant fan. Loved his music, very passionate and real. I'd like to thank dimples for telling me who he is. And I'd also like to thank her for keeping me company for most of the night ;) His set put me in that head bobbin' mood! The night started off early thanks to his music, I'm sure everyone else at the venue felt the same way too. Definitely co-signing him (no pun intended). Check after the jump for a link to his music. Once Ko finished up, it was time for the main attraction...The Big Wreck! Let me tell you, the music was deafening, the songs were on point and the solo's left me in a stupor. It was everything a great rock concert should be! They played all the hits (and my favourite, "The Oaf") as well as an insane encore which included a cover of Pink Floyd's "The Wall".
I woke up the next morning without a voice and thankfully, without a hangover (shout outs to Pho Do Thi for saving my life on weekly basis).

Now, I was going to rant about all the sheeple *cough*hipsters*cough at the concert on the weekend...but, I'm feeling good right now, sipping on some hot cocoa and listening to some Ko. I don't want to ruin a perfect winter morning with a venomous tirade. All I'm going to say is, at one point in time, plaid was my favourite colour (yes, thats how much I loved it - I considered it a colour and not a pattern). My love for plaid developed after hearing Biggie mention it in Juicy, "The red and black lumberjack, with the hat to match". I remember thinking to myself, "Wow, my favourite rapper and I have something in common, we both have the red and black lumberjacks!" As juvenile as it sounds, it's true. I must of been like 10 years old but it stuck with me for quite some time. But god damn....you hipsters killed it for me. You killed a part of my childhood.
I will admit though, for every 10 plaid wearing skinny jean hipster there's at least 1 with style. That is all. End of rant.

Eye Candy: Girls with Side Braids ♥

This is kind of an odd post though. I know it says Eye Candy...but there's no cleavage or booties, sorry! I saw a girl the other day and she had her hair in a side braid.  There was something quietly confident and sexy about her. It was also refreshing to see something a bit different. With all these new trends and styles bombarding the masses we sometimes forget how beautiful the simpler things are. Enjoy :)

Freshest Fade in Mississauga: GQ Hair Studio

You can't beat a fresh haircut. It speaks volumes. Essentially, having a fresh cut translates into being a well groomed person. A vibe you should definitely look to give off. My personal haircut of choice is the fade. Number 3 on the top and 0 at the bottom. I've had several different hairstyles in the past but I always gravitate back to this time-tested classic. It suits my head shape, it's very easy to maintain, it's a staple of  hip hop culture and most importantly, women love it! :)
Now, I've been to a few different barber shops and salons in my time and hands down, the best haircut in Mississauga can be found at GQ Hair Studio. I've been to the Trinabago's, Nappy's, Donato's and even *gasps* First Choice's but nothing quite compares. I'm not saying those places are horrible, but if you're looking for a new barber or you're looking to get your first fade, GQ is a great place to start. Here's why...

1. They know how to cut hair! Everyone there is skilled at what they do and have a passion for cutting hair. On top of that, they're cool dudes.
2. They speak ENGLISH! No offense to any Jamaican/Caribbean barber shops out there but I have no clue what you're saying. I can try and front like I understand patois but I can't. I wish I could speak it though...so damn cool! Conversation and communication are key anywhere you go. Whether it's giving directions on how you want your haircut or complaining about your girlfriend's ridiculous demands, conversation in the barbershop is conducive to a great haircut experience.
3. Atmosphere: As mentioned above, there's always some sort of conversation going around. They also play some crazy tunes (house, hip hop, top 40 mashups). And you can wait around in comfort - leather couches and a flat screen (playing jersey shore or xbox 360).

Definitely check it out! You will not regret it. And I know I'll get asked but no, they did not put me up to this. The reason I dedicated a post to GQ Hair Studio is because it's a great barber shop in Mississauga. I've recommended it to a lot of friends and they're regulars too now.