Electric Owl - July 16, 2013
Excellent to see Electric Owl hosting some heavy hitting metal bands and with Hoopsnake on the opening slot you knew there was gonna be some weight.
I arrived just in time to see Vancouver’s own Bison BC tuning up and gearing down. This crews' namesake is very appropriate. They are like a herd of bison galloping along the plains. When they play, the ground shakes, you can hear the rumble from miles away, and they destroy everything in their path. They were an obscene mass of sweat, hair and bovine riffage. If you have not had a chance to see Bison BC live, really go and do yourself a favour. They are hands down, the best live metal band this city has to offer. They even enticed us with a new tune that foreshadowed what will sure to be a pummeling new release in the near future.
Following Bison BC is always tough, but North Carolina’s Weedeater was up for the task! With a name like theirs I was expecting some sludgy laid back southern stoner metal. The sludgy metal was dialed in, but it was definitely not laid back. Stoner bands take note, be entertaining while laying down the sludge. I am not sure what kind of weed bassist/vocalist Dave “Dixie” Collins is eating, but I need to get me some. This dude is no burn out. He prowled around on the stage like a googly-eyed lunatic. These boys are hard swilling and bone chilling.
Drummer Travis Owen had an interesting approach by setting up sideways at stage front, taking full advantage of being a three piece. He was throwing sticks and making high kicks all dangerously close to the mob in the front. His kit was small and basic but he owned them skins! And he beat them like they just insulted his mother. The drum set up coupled with Owen’s ability, portrayed up front for everyone to see took the entertainment up a notch. Owen was all over the place. I wish more drummers would do this.
These guys really like to spit up the booze and lay down the noise. The crowd was eating up all the metal munchies Weedeater had to offer. They cooked it up with vigor and high energy that made for a perfect contrast to their slow heavy music. Y’all come back now!
- Heath Fenton
