Latest news with #CAKE
Calgary Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
CAKE to bring 'more frenetic, louder, messier' show to close Calgary Folk Music Festival
Article content When John McCrea returned to the stage after a lengthy break caused by the pandemic, he felt rare pangs of stage fright. Article content It was a strange development since the lead singer of CAKE has been performing as part of the California band since 1991, often in front of large festival or amphitheatre crowds. Article content 'Weirdly, after playing thousands of shows, I started having a bit of anxiety,' says McCrea, in an interview with Postmedia. 'I think I was just having anxiety about everything, about the world. But getting on the stage when you have anxiety is a tall order.' Article content Article content So, in the tradition of NASCAR races and Nickelback concerts, McCrea began to incorporate the T-shirt cannon into his band's act. Article content Article content 'Having that foil, as it were, this excuse for distance, this powerful T-shirt gun thing that made a nice, satisfying (pop), it actually got me back on stage,' he says. 'I could be playing music, but mostly here's what I'm doing: I'm shooting something into the sky. I guess that explains a lot of the gun-fetish culture. It gives you a reason to exist, I guess, in that moment. I'm not making any pro or con statement. I'm saying I'm playing music, but mainly I've got this physically demonstrative gesture. I can't explain it, but it really helps me.' It should add another layer of colour to CAKE's live show, which will take over the ATB Main Stage Sunday night to close the Calgary Folk Music Festival. Like most artists, McCrea has other ways of dealing with the anxiety the world, and his country in particular, has increasingly brought. At the end of 2024, the band released a single called Billionaire in Space. Initially broadcast as part of Texas Public Radio's Live from the Freight Elevator, the song has a folk-punk flavour and features McCrea's trademark nasally delivery. It's also the band's first new material since 2011's Showroom of Compassion and will be part of an album likely to come out in early 2026. Article content Article content While the title Billionaire in Space may seem on the nose in terms of the point McCrea is trying to make, the song has broader content than simply criticizing Jeff Bezos' and Richard Branson's costly and self-indulgent jaunts into the cosmos. It was inspired by wildfires in 2020. Article content 'We were going through the pandemic and down here on the West Coast, we were covered in smoke for weeks,' he says. 'There was a period of time when we were just buried, and it was very surreal. In the sky, the only colours you could see were brown and orange and grey for weeks, and there was very little difference between day and night, and the air was just toxic. It wasn't just trees of smoke, it was burned-down sporting-goods-store smoke. Anyway, at that same moment, we had two billionaires flying their rockets, orbiting the planet. It was poignant at that moment.' Article content Of course, politically thorny times have tended to produce good music in the past. Article content 'Inspire is a nice word for it, but I think maybe trigger would be a better word,' he says. '… I'm sort of at the mercy of whatever is going on around me in terms of subject matter.' Article content While the new album will have what McCrea refers to as veiled political content, he seems reluctant to pinpoint specific themes or musical direction it may take. Since forming in 1991, CAKE has never followed any rule book, except to offer a droll, dance-ready antidote to the humourless grunge acts that were ruling the music world in the mid-1990s. Article content CAKE became an unlikely platinum-selling group, offering a mix of disco, funk, folk, country and alt-pop — gamely referred to as 'quirk-rock' by some critics — that seemed to arrive fully formed on the band's 1993 self-released debut Motorcade of Generosity and its massive follow-up,1996's Fashion Nugget. Songs such as The Distance and an endearingly deadpan cover of Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive became staples on the radio. Article content Article content The band's early success was with the independent label Capricorn Records, although they did eventually sign with Columbia for a short period. While CAKE did face occasional pressure from label brass, their early success put them in a good place to steer their own ship creatively. Article content 'We released our first album on our own label and we were lucky enough to find distribution and it did pretty OK before we got signed,' he says. 'I'm pretty sure our song (Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle) was on the college-radio charts before we got signed. So they were kind of like, 'We don't know what this is, so let's just let them do whatever the hell this is.' That was cool. Mostly that's what they did. Here and there, they messed with us. A lot of bands, when they sign, it's a very unequal relationship and they can dress them up funny, put them with producers that are wrong for them, etc., etc.' Article content Article content As for the live show, we will presumably see some T-shirt cannon action, but beyond that, the band tends to be unpredictable on stage. CAKE never relies on a setlist for concerts, which should give the Sunday night showcase a sense of spontaneity. Article content 'We do that to stay alive inside and not feel like a machine that is being forced to play a certain song at a certain time,' McCrea says. 'That said, we tend to play songs from all of our albums. Most of the time, we remember to play a song that was popular in a country or a town. We remember to play that song sometimes, and sometimes we don't. But it is a more spontaneous, slightly more frenetic, louder, messier than our studio albums.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jim Cramer on Cheesecake Factory: 'There's A Lot to Like About This Story'
The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (NASDAQ:CAKE) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer reflected on. Cramer discussed the company stock in detail during the episode, as he commented: 'I got another one for you, just kind of popped outta nowhere on my screen, Cheesecake Factory. Yeah, it's up over 31% year to date, trouncing the 6.5% gain in the S&P 500 over the same period, Cheesecake Factory. So once again, I'm asking what the heck is going on here… It's infamous for one thing, its ridiculously large menu… A baker in a busy bakery, arranging freshly baked treats on a tray. Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ:CAKE) operates and licenses restaurant brands and manages bakery production for both internal use and external distribution. The company also supplies baked goods and cheesecakes to restaurants, retailers, and foodservice operators. While we acknowledge the potential of CAKE as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Malaysians welcome RM1.99 RON95 petrol price reduction
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement of the RON95 petrol price reduction to RM1.99 per litre has been met with widespread appreciation, offering much-needed relief to Malaysians grappling with rising living costs. Consumers Association of Kedah (CAKE) president Mohd Yusrizal Yusoff described the move as reassuring amid concerns over targeted fuel subsidies. 'Not only did the price not go up, it went down. This is proof that the government is listening to the people and working to ease our burden,' he said. For daily commuters like Nur Ayuni Syafini Shahalim, a 25-year-old kindergarten teacher from Perlis, the savings ease her travel expenses between Kodiang and Arau. 'I'm grateful because as a moderate-income worker, every ringgit saved is meaningful,' she said. Gig workers, heavily reliant on fuel, also stand to benefit. Mohd Bukhari Mohd Noor, a 41-year-old food delivery rider from Penang, noted that the six-sen per litre reduction helps cover family expenses and medical bills. 'This extra money can go towards my family's expenses and my parents' medical treatment,' he said. Civil servant Syarifah Suhaila Tahir from Johor sees the price cut as recognition of public support for government reforms. 'Even though the reduction is small, daily use makes the impact substantial,' she said. Students, too, welcome the change. Muhammad Aiman Haziq Mohd Alias, a 22-year-old university student, said lower fuel costs allow him to reallocate funds for studies and transport. 'I ride a motorcycle to campus daily, so with lower fuel prices, my expenses will drop too,' he explained. Anwar assured that the targeted subsidy would not burden ordinary Malaysians, benefiting approximately 18 million drivers and gig workers. 'Once the targeted RON95 subsidy is implemented, Malaysians will enjoy a lower petrol price of RM1.99 per litre,' he said. – Bernama
Barnama
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Barnama
From Pump To Pocket: Malaysians Welcome RM1.99 RON95 Price
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement on the reduction of RON95 petrol price to RM1.99 per litre has been met with relief and gratitude by Malaysians, who viewed the move as a 'breath of fresh air' in easing the burden of the rising cost of living. Those interviewed by Bernama said that even small daily savings make a significant impact when accumulated weekly and monthly, ultimately helping them better manage their household budgets. Consumers Association of Kedah (CAKE) president Mohd Yusrizal Yusoff said the announcement was a welcomed and reassuring news, especially amid public concerns over the implementation of targeted fuel subsidy. 'Not only did the price not go up, it went down. This is proof that the government is listening to the people and working to ease our burden,' he said. In Perlis, private kindergarten teacher Nur Ayuni Syafini Shahalim, 25, said the price drop helps ease the cost of her daily commute from Kodiang to her workplace in Arau. 'I'm grateful because as a moderate-income worker, every ringgit saved is meaningful,' she said. For gig economy workers like food delivery rider Mohd Bukhari Mohd Noor, 41, from Penang, the six-sen per litre savings make a big difference, given that petrol is a key necessity in his line of work. 'This extra money can go towards my family's expenses and my parents' medical treatment,' he said. Meanwhile, in Johor, civil servant Syarifah Suhaila Tahir, 37, said the move to lower RON95 price should be regarded as a tribute to the people's continued support of the government's reform agenda.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
1 Restaurant Stock with Exciting Potential and 2 to Approach with Caution
Restaurants increase convenience and give many people a place to unwind. But the side dish is that they're quite difficult to operate because high inventory and labor costs generally lead to thin margins at the store level. This leaves little room for error if demand dries up, and it seems like the market has some reservations as the industry's returns were flat over the past six months while the S&P 500 was up 5.4%. Only some companies are subject to these dynamics, however, and a handful of high-quality businesses can deliver earnings growth in any environment. With that said, here is one restaurant stock boasting a durable advantage and two best left ignored. Market Cap: $2.09 billion Founded by Dave Thomas in 1969, Wendy's (NASDAQ:WEN) is a renowned fast-food chain known for its fresh, never-frozen beef burgers, flavorful menu options, and commitment to quality. Why Are We Wary of WEN? Poor same-store sales performance over the past two years indicates it's having trouble bringing new diners into its restaurants Demand is forecasted to shrink as its estimated sales for the next 12 months are flat High net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 7× increases the risk of forced asset sales or dilutive financing if operational performance weakens Wendy's is trading at $10.95 per share, or 10.7x forward P/E. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than WEN. Market Cap: $3.18 billion Celebrated for its delicious (and free) brown bread, gigantic portions, and delectable desserts, Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ:CAKE) is an iconic American restaurant chain that also owns and operates a portfolio of separate restaurant brands. Why Is CAKE Not Exciting? Weak same-store sales trends over the past two years suggest there may be few opportunities in its core markets to open new restaurants Responsiveness to unforeseen market trends is restricted due to its substandard operating margin profitability 6× net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio makes lenders less willing to extend additional capital, potentially necessitating dilutive equity offerings At $64.30 per share, The Cheesecake Factory trades at 16.7x forward P/E. If you're considering CAKE for your portfolio, see our FREE research report to learn more. Market Cap: $12.5 billion With locations often featuring Western-inspired decor, Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ:TXRH) is an American restaurant chain specializing in Southern-style cuisine and steaks. Why Will TXRH Outperform? Offensive push to build new restaurants and attack its untapped market opportunities is backed by its same-store sales growth Same-store sales growth over the past two years shows it's successfully drawing diners into its restaurants ROIC punches in at 18.7%, illustrating management's expertise in identifying profitable investments, and its returns are growing as it capitalizes on even better market opportunities Texas Roadhouse's stock price of $194 implies a valuation ratio of 26.6x forward P/E. Is now the right time to buy? Find out in our full research report, it's free. Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs. While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Find your next big winner with StockStory today StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.
