Live review at Iron Road Studios - August 1, 2012
The common denominator was all about subtraction. A set of bands that stripped bare the genre divisions of hardcore, punk rock, garage and rock n roll. It didn't matter which corner of the block was your territory. If you didn't walk out of this show completely soaked to the skin, the sorry news was, you weren’t working on the right equation. Next question, what happens when you book two slaughtering bands off Grave Mistake with two of Vancouver's uncompromising favourites?
Night Birds are a bunch of Brooklyn and
Jersey boys touring their way around North America. Holy smokes! They
really did surf through a punk show and seamlessly unified two
opposing styles you would never think could mix so well. The Surf and Hardcore worked. Sold... and
they out sold of vinyl if you didn’t get there early enuff, so your automatic B+ for attendance was demoted to an F. Oops. The Night Birds grade was A+ with a
“special” emphasis on fun.
Big Eyes are pop-punk rockers from
Seattle, land of the space needle. If this “Back
from the Moon” tour didn't leave you hungry for
another flight, perhaps someone needs to be grounded. Kate Eldridge's
presence on lead vocals and guitar jets you back to fond memories of
Kim Shattuck, the rocket fuel lead of the Muffs. A very good thing
and yes, a tip of the hat to Night Birds drummer for sitting in on
the kit in as a pinch hitter because he did not miss a beat.
Local punks, Vacant State started
things off. Survey results from the likely suspects were in total
agreement in the satisfaction department. Maybe even as a suitable
antidote for that emptiness you might feel inside. No, you cannot
find them online but you can find them on Deranged. Maybe some
respectable punk distro will pass you a crib note.
The Jolts hosted this rumble. Between
the set list strategy of what to leave in and what to leave out, they
really knew how to throw together a party punch. They had all the
respective camps rolling. They are friendly guys, punks and rock n
rollers. Go buy them a beer and say thanks or do yourself a favour
and get their records. If you weren't there, chances are some evil
villain with bad taste tied you to the train tracks outside. So sorry
we couldn’t hear you calling.
-More Betty
