The Whitecaps Twitter feed has been making use of the hashtag #HouseOfCaps lately. Something just clicked when I read it the other day, and it got me thinking of this great party tune that came out a few years ago.
The video is great fun too... I mean, who *hasn't* been chased through a park in the middle of the night by angry businessmen wearing luchador masks? Well I suppose that if it's still on your bucket list, the best way to cross it off is with an overnight away trip to Portland. Stranger things have happened!
To the tune of "Tongue Tied" by Grouplove:
Take me to Vancouver's house Buy my ticket in the south Ohhhh yeah! Take me to Vancouver's house We loved them then, we love them now Ohhhh yeah! Don't take me north side! Don't take me west side! Whoooooaaa! South-side! (shouting: "1-2-3-4!")
One of the problems with getting up there in years is that the great songs I listened to in my youth are fading into obscurity. If you try talking to your average 20-something about bands like Joy Division or Ultravox, they always seem give you this baffled look that leaves you feeling as though you've just wandered away from an old folks home. That's really a shame, because the pop and new wave hits of the 1980s are an absolute treasure trove of fantastic football chant material.
Kevin Bacon knows my pain. Preach on, brother:
Anyway, here's one of the most recognizable electropop tunes ever to survive the Cold War nukes of Mother Russia. Surely you young whippersnappers have heard this one before?
To the tune of "Bizarre Love Triangle" by New Order (jump to 2:10 mark)
First part mimics the song's main keyboard riff. Second part matches up with the lyrics.
The Canucks have been the city's best supported sports team for decades. Unfortunately, this season has been a nightmare of controversy, futility and frustration. Last night they blew a 3-0 third period lead against the New York Islanders and lost 7-4.
Ouch.
Oh well, at least there's another team in town that knows how to take care of business....
Well, after a 10-month sabbatical to wrap my brain around my new role as father to my infant son (and future Canadian international, of course), I'm blowing the dust and cobwebs off the old keyboard and resurrecting the JMFC blog. There was a moment last week where I was feeding the kiddo in his high chair when I said to myself, "Damn it, Monster. There's only so much Dinosaur Train a grown man can handle before his mind wanders to dark places. Make yourself useful, FFS." So here we are.
The timing couldn't be better. Our beloved lads in Blue and White seem poised to move forward from the disappointments of last season, and the three ring circus of the pre-season. Last night was the 2014 Whitecaps home opener at BC Place, and what a night it was.
First, a fantastic tifo encompassing the entire south end to celebrate 40 years of Whitecaps memories. Huge credit goes to Brett Bird [ @brettness37 ] and his crew of budding artists and volunteers for pulling this one off without a hitch.
photo credit: @annanreid
To absolutely nobody's surprise, French superstar Thierry Henry declined the opportunity to join his New York Red Bulls teammates in Vancouver for the match. Again. That's four years running he's dodged the Whitecaps. He's been harder to find than Jonathan Leathers!
His reluctance presumably stems from concerns about sustaining injuries on Vancouver's horrible, horrible turf. That's somewhat understandable given that we had a HOCKEY RINK on top of it last week, but still! What a bastard! Either way, I wasn't going to let him off without a wee shot on Twitter:
As it stands, the best story of the night was Carl Robinson's impressive reboot of the Whitecaps.
Kenny Miller definitely had the crowd on its feet, starting with a PK from the spot in the first half, and a cheeky chip over top of the keeper in the second for the double. However it was our new South American midfielders that inspired me to get a few songs going in the Southside that seemed to catch on quite well.
First off, Seba Fernandez, our new midfielder / striker on loan from Uruguay. He was a dominant force on the wing, and launched a couple of eye-popping Howitzers at the NYRB goal. One of those found its way to the back netting, and damn near went through it. For this, I turned to a little Swedish disco pop.
To the tune of "Fernando" by ABBA (jump to the 1:25 mark):
He wears the blue and white He's gonna score all night Fernandez!
His fellow countryman, Nico Mezquida, came on as his replacement in the second half and was quick to show off some crafty ball control. No goals came for Nico this day, but he did get a great little tune.
Argentinian defensive mid Matias Laba put on an impressive display in partnership with Nigel Reo-Coker, but it was Chilean attacking mid Pedro Morales who left jaws on the floor with some fantastic ball distribution and a goal of his own. Laba and Morales are sure to earn songs of their own at some point in the future, but last night we celebrated all four of our new arrivals with a little classic rock.
To the tune of "It's Only Rock And Roll" by The Rolling Stones (jump to :48 seconds):
I-I-I-I-I know! It's only espanol But I like it! I-I-I-I-I know! It's only espanol But I like it! Like it! Yes I do!
Final score on the night was 4-1 to the good guys. There's still some rust to be shaken off in the squad, but that will come with time. I've got a good feeling about this year, so stick with me, folks - there's finally some fun and optimism on the horizon.
Cheers, @johnniemonster
