DESTROY VANCOUVER

Reshapes dissonance

Every other month a noise can be heard at the media arts space, VIVO. “I call it Destroy Vancouver because I noticed that this city politically was and is really starting to kill artist run culture and I wanted to keep a spot alive and Destroy [these] Vancouver paradigms,” explains curator, drummer composer John Brennan. An event which fills the experimental void after the slow down of Quiet City and departure of the Fake Jazz events.

THE REPOSSESSORS

finding free therapy

The Repossessors are one of those bands that seem determined to lay waste to the aggressive rock landscape or die trying. Together for only a year and a half, guitarist/vocalist C.J. Brabant and drummer Kyle Valade have a raw and ready delivery that’ll strip the weak hairs from your head and leave you feeling like you’ve just spent a month straight sitting in the blistering sun. Fuelled by coffee, beer, anger and determination, this garage punk rock duo is catching a steady buzz that soon will be hard to miss.

ABRIOSIS

Abriosis - photo by Kefkism Design

Vessel: preparation for musical takeover

Two sides of metal connect and collide to discuss the prog death metal band Abriosis and their newest release entitled Vessel. Front woman Claire Carreras of Life Against Death has a talk over Bluebuck beer with front woman and artist, Alxs Ness of Abriosis, a name that has been swirling around the Vancouver metal community since 2007.

PINK MOUNTAINTOPS, SEX CHURCH, FORD PIER VENGANCE TRIO

PINK MOUNTAINTOPS - bev davies photo

December 15, 2012 - Waldorf

Cake and Courvoisier was the warm butter and the frosting of a sweet and sold out night at the Waldorf. While Stephen McBean of Pink Mountaintops calmly sets up the stage, an excited new fan shouts out “does he always do his own sound checks?” Grinning, McBean carries on focused checking lines and cables.

With the assembly of boxes, pedals, a fairly compact amp and a vintage black Silvertone hollow-body, a little piece of magic commences. There is beauty to the crazing of dark paint on that old guitar, a webbed little history of rock 'n' roll.

SHITTY NEIGHBOURS

Drop the bomb

You just scored a dream apartment and on your first night in your new place your sleep is shattered at 4 a.m. thanks to the throbbing speaker next door. So you Google for help, and it tells you the best way to deal with the situation is to talk to them. Not what you wanted to read because you're always looking for the easy fix, but you decide to get up, walk to their door and knock on it, all the while asking yourself, 'who are these Shitty Neighbours anyway?'

SUBCULTURE JANUARY

IF YOU'RE READING THIS, CONGRATULATIONS!

YOU HAVE SURVIVED THE MAYAN CALENDAR END-OF-THE-WORLD SUPPOSED APOCALYPSE,
CHRIST CONSUMER MASS AND ALL THE BOLLOCKS ASSOCIATED WITH ORGANIZED RELIGION AND THE CORPORATE CALENDAR NEW YEAR.


I FOUND THE HYPOCRITICAL CATHOLIC CHURCH COMMERCIALS WELCOMING DIVORCED PEOPLE BACK TO THE FOLD MILDLY AMUSING. YOU COULD SEE THE REJUVENATED MAN’S SCRIPT VEILED A SLICK FINGER POINTING OUT HOW THE POOR GUY’S LIFE FELL APART WITHOUT THE CHURCH. THE DESPERADO PAPAL COFFERS MUST BE EMPTY FROM PAYING FOR ALL THE SEXUAL ABUSE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS.

REVIEW: JUVENILE HALL

JUVENILE HALL Magazine Collage - Dental Records

Beat Cop #1: “OK Fred, whaddya have on these scrappy sirens? We’ve been staking out their lair for months now, there’s gotta be somethin’ we can pin on ‘em?”

Beat Cop #2; “Well Mike, they’ve got two priors, both self-released and what they call “punk” music, but the last time they Got Caught we had to let ‘em go due to lack of evidence.”

Beat Cop #1: “You don’t say? I call this music garbage…didn’t we bust a girl gang like them last month? What were they called?”

WHO GOT TOONED?

TALK - ACTION = 0.

Joe Keithley of Vancouver’s DOA bids farewell to three (plus) decades of a punk career. With a January 2013 farewell concert booked and 2012 springtime news of leap into the political ring, campaigning would be a natural choice for an individual with a longtime involvement in activism.

 Illustrator Dan Harbord steers his pen in the direction of a fitting portrait.

JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION, QUASI

The Biltmore Cabaret - Wednesday November 14 2012

Was it the tequila or is the new stripped down and revved up JSBX just that good? The bombast and relentless chest-beating are gone. Only the heavy groove and the manic fury remain. Jon looks a little gaunt, older and wiser, like his band and his sound all the chrome removed to make it lean and mean.  The Biltmore was the perfect hideaway for this sweaty rebirth, low and dark; RL Burnside would have felt at home with his ass pocket of whisky (not a bad idea at those prices).

HIGH ON FIRE

T.Couture photo

Third Eye Awaken

2012 has been a busy year for Matt Pike and the road-worn battle-metallers of High On Fire.  April saw the band release their sixth record, De Vermis Mysteriis, to much head-banged acclaim. A trippy, Bakshi-esque animated video for “Fertile Green” followed in August. Summer would have also seen the band take the main stage at the Rockstar Mayhem Festival, but Pike pulled out of the tour to spend some time in alcohol rehabilitation for a few months. Now living alcohol-free and freshly back on the road, he’s noticed a little difference in playing sober.

“Last night’s show in San Antonio would have been gig number five for me since rehab,” says Pike. Sobriety brings a new set of challenges to playing live.

SPRËADEAGLE

rolls in the heavy
by More Betty

A RNR banger with Vancouver heavyweights, SprëadEagle and they are back for a one-time New Years Eve party at The Rickshaw!

“It’s the end of the world and beginning of a new one according to the Mayans, so bring it,” exclaims Nothing Is Heavy organizer, Chris Dyck, who booked the show along with No Sinner, Black Wizard, Three Wolf Moon, and If We Are Machines. “Total fuckin’ bro show!” he adds, “so three drummers, Thin Lizzy, maybe Slayer and maybe some Turbonegro, sound cool?”

It just made sense to do this one-off show right now. “All of the members’ current bands are home, no tours and we are all really good friends still,” says Dyck. “We have had a ton of jams already and it’s sounding pretty fucking heavy.”

With Chris Dyck, Matt Dyck, Kenny Cook, Aaron “Boon” Gustafson, Telford Germyn, Jason Dana, Mario Nieva and Eugene “Russia” Parkomenko, in the band, just the original bassist, would be away. “Boon’s got this though, all good,” laughs Dyck. “Our first drummer, Oke Chornick, she may play a tune or two.”

Band members have gone on to form and play in: Bend Sinister, Anciients, Black Wizard, the Hookers, Random Dander, Duffy and the Doubters, Men at Adventure, Mystery Machine and Darkest of the Hillside Thickets.

SprëadEagle spanned a great period of about nine years between Vancouver's heyday of garage, punk ‘n’ roll and some really great loud party rock.

“Yeah it was a killer time, I think we lasted because we kicked ass live and were heavy enough to play with some metal bands and rockin’ enough to play with garage rock bands and fit into the punk scenes also,” recalls Dyck. “Spitfires were our fave of that era for sure and loved playing with them.”

There were choice stage moments for SprëadEagle. “Playing with Nashville Pussy was a highlight back in the day, so was our first shows ever with the Misfits and I think our very first show was with Speedealer at the Starfish Room,” recalls Dyck. This band has managed to stay together for such a long time. The whole point was to have fun. “Not too much thinking and crushing volume!” he adds.

With the Marshalls, Ampeg and Soldano fired up, this plans to go late into the A.M. “We will most likely go on around 12:30-ish for like at least an hour and then we party!” says Dyck. “This is the cheapest and most gnarly New Year party in town, if you are a rocker or a metaller, this is all you brah!”

Bring on 2013 with SprëadEagle, No Sinner, Black Wizard, Three Wolf Moon, and If We Are Machines at The Rickshaw Theatre December 31.

HOLE IN MY HEAD

hit the spot

More Betty

How does this alt-punk pair manage to play in two bands together, share vocals, live in the same house and remain best friends? 

This destined collaboration of drummer Al Mackinnon and bass player Karmin Poirier is an equal hub of both punk party and productivity. Playing steadily on punk bills from grindcore to power-pop, they just recorded a new full length called “2^nd Place” with Mike Gittens (Tobeatic) at The Hive. Expect teasers in early December. The party favourite, “Noodles and Chips” is also on the Sizzle Teen cassette comp and they just played the recent showcase at Zoo Zhop for the new local label. Anticipate some CITR radio play on Matt G’s Friday evening show “Stranded”.

“It was band at first sight!” laughs Karmin. They always thought it would be a three piece.

“We found some really awesome people, but we found we had really good chemistry,” says Karmin. 

“We have this ability to just write like crazy with each other,” she says.

“Yeah,” agrees Al.

“It’s like finishing each other’s sentences,” adds Karmin.

“It’s pretty easy,” Al responds. 

Karmin comes from a band called Scumbelly and Al hails from a doom band called Blood. It all began in rehearsal space called BROhemian Grove and a ten-minute conversation on first meeting. That very night Karmin revealed that they would be a band together. “Al did not know that, yet!” she laughs. “We started by partying and then jamming in the small rehearsal space for hours…. sometimes we’d write four songs in a night,” explains Karmin with Al nodding in agreement.

They write incredibly catchy numbers, but also serious content like “To The Street” relating to the marginalized existence of living in poverty. There are songs from their first recording done at Little Red Sounds with Felix Fung on the 2011 Blood Klub III vinyl compilation. Their cassette demo called First Fuck was recorded at 6th Ave. Records with the Squamish crew. Al and Karmin also play together in pop-punk band called, Pro-Teens.

The vinyl will be out in the new year, but digital downloads as early as December on their Hole in My Head Bandcamp with songs like “Semen Seagall”, “Fightin’ Crime”, “Bike Snob”, “No Sleep” and “Fear Of Aging.” Also “Beers for Fears” but, that’s a long story. “There was some record smashing,” says Al. “There is a piece of the record still stuck in the wall,” adds Karmin and motions to a sharp fragment sticking out of the window frame and remaining pieces hanging over the exit.

Hole In my Head play Interurban Gallery, December 8 with Nu Sensae, the Jolts and Real Problems.

DIECEMBER FEST IV

draws attention

by Jason Kolins and More Betty

Diecember Fest 2012 returns for two uncompromising days of the loudest and most diverse local lineup of subgenres: punk, metal, thrash, noise, hardcore, sludge, grind, and doom.

“I wanted to start a festival that showcased some of Vancouver’s aggressive underground scene,” says local metal musician and ANION front man, Johnny Matter. In 2010 he had just started a new band, about the same time a slew of recent ones were also forming from the ashes of previous groups. Thoroughly impressed with this influx, he came up with an idea to give these new bands some exposure. Rather than looking out of the city at larger headliners, festival organizer Matter draws his attention to our own rich talent. "I'd like to keep Diecember Fest always local. To support the local scene and shine some light on new bands generating in Vancouver," says Matter.

Year one started with four hard-hitting bands playing their first show. “The first Diecember Fest was almost too big for Pat’s Pub. The place was packed and the sound system limited,” explains Matter. “I'd needed a larger venue. I got hold of my good friend Denyss McKnight at the Rickshaw and with his help we made it happen. The growth came naturally with adding more bands, which in turn brought more people out to the show.”

Anion, Burning Ghats and Galgamex return to the fest along with newcomers Abriosis, Mendozza, Life Against Death, and featuring the first shows from both Ancients and the Villain Avian Symphony. The third year moved to the Biltmore Cabaret with a substantial jump in attendance plus lineup additions of Cathar, Memorial, Silverback Gorilla, Sabrael along with alumni.

"All my fests, I try and have some what of a theme or do something a little different,” explains Matter. “I think the possibilities are endless. I just try to be creative about it and give people another reason to come out to the shows."

He runs Apocalypse Sunrise Productions and does two festivals per year: Diecember Fest in the winter and co-produces the well-liked summertime bash, Burgerfest along with Scott Bart.

Last July, with a bit of help this full time chef-musician turned promoter made 400 beef and vegan burgers from scratch for the event. When asked what he likes most about doing Diecember Fest every year, “for me it’s about helping out the bands and to try and get everyone out for a good time,” he answers. “I keep the ticket prices low enough,” says Matter. “After costs, I give all the money to the bands…. it’s a labour of love for me.”

In 2012, the popular festival is expanding once again. “I’m doing two nights at the Rickshaw, 10 bands a night,” says Matter, who hopes to see another hundred new supporters.

“We will also be accepting non-perishable food items for a local food bank this year in exchange for five dollars off the already affordable door price,” says Matter, encouraging everyone coming to bring something in. The festival will showcase returning artists: Abriosis, Burning Ghats, Galgamex, Life Against Death, Memorial, Cathar and first timers: are Mete Pills (punk alternative), NEEDS (post punk noise rock), Harvest the Infection (tech death metal), Elevator Compactor (experimental noise), Astrakhan (progressive rock metal), The Nautilus (progressive metal) Anchoress (hardcore melodic punk), WTCHDR (hardcore grind), Aquanaut (ambient doom), Excruciating Pain (death metal thrash), Dig Your Graves (hardcore metal), Bear Mace (stoner metal hardcore), Night Mother (ambient noise), Dungeons (doomy metal). “I like to try and mix up the shows I put on,” says Matter, and he’s done just that. Head down with your food-bank donation for two days of 20 heavy bands. You can’t lose!

DIECEMBER FEST 2012 is December 6 and 7 at the Rickshaw Theatre

FALL DOWN/GET DOWN 2012

FALL DOWN/GET DOWN FESTIVAL - NOVEMBER 1st to 3rd

The Fall Down/Get Down weekender owned up as triathlon of music and revelry. A frenzied relay with incredible legends passing on the sonic torch. Tim Kerr’s primitive and inspiration driven artwork line the walls of Antisocial Skate Shop marking the start. A relatively new Nervous Talk gets the go ahead from the audience. Nardwuar pulls out all the stops with the seasoned Evaporators as they work the skate shop into furious sweat.

While Friday sports dinner sets at LanaLous, Sex Church and Fist City hold down the house at the Rickshaw Theatre with Memphis TN, Tiger High, a who’s who of Goner Records’ roster readying stage for the revered protopunks. Detroit’s Death, flew in just for this event. By the second number you knew this was incredibly special.

TERRIBLE FEELINGS, TRANZMITORS, THE B-LINES, VAPID

Terrible Feeling - Sean Law photos

The Zoo Zhop - Monday November 19, 2012

A power pop fiesta inside the Zoo Zhop was a complete contrast to the chilly Monday evening down on Main Street. Three local favourites and Malmo, Sweden's Terrible Feelings heated up the record shop!