The Strugglers, A.W.T., Karen Foster - WISE HALL - June 21 2013
The Wise Hall was to be the venue for the long awaited video release of local punk rockers The Strugglers, who are sort of a spinoff of the now defunct Little Guitar Army. The Strugglers may just be the ugliest band in rock and roll. “G Tone” the burly bass player looks like he might live in a van down by the river. They have two guitarists, one with the first name “Dirty” and the other is a tall spectacled lankyfreaky looking guy with very horny hands called “Prickish.” The drummer “Jamieson,” just happens to be named after a whiskey. And “Bertman” the singer isn’t afraid to take it off and roll around with the best of them. Sort of a PG Allin, if you will. It’s a good thing that rock and roll isn’t a beauty contest. And on this night, The Strugglers failed to live up to their name by pulling off a flawless energetic set full of primitive rock fury. Their set was performed just the way garage punk should be performed. They let it all hang out and laid it down in a sweaty distorted heap of rowdiness.
Bertman is the perfect example of how if you have the right swagger then it doesn’t matter if you can’t hit the high notes. He is definitely one of the better frontmen in this city. All the smiling people in the mosh pit would surely agree that The Strugglers are well qualified to represent the Vancity!
A newly reformed Karen Foster got things off to a raucous start with their stop start technical punk. It’s great to see these guys back in the fold. High praise goes to the virtuousness and showmanship of guitarist Chad MacQuarrie. This guy is unbelievable. Alcoholic White Trash was up next and brought some high-energy punk that would have you think of no holds barred trailer park eviction party. I think everyone in attendance left this gig feeling a little less innocent, but in a good way.
- Heath Fenton
