Not to mention all-age hardcore shows blues explosions and Scientists
There may be very few (read: no) proper blues venues in town but that sure ain’t stopping Frankie McQueen . The group — and no no one’s really named Frankie so don’t ask — has some of the best groove-laden riffs in town which it’ll have on full display when the band plays at Broken City on Friday September 4. Combining fret-scaling virtuosity with the monster-psych licks of Kyuss it’s a band best experienced with the Windows Media Player music visualizer straight out of the XP era. Or binaural beats. Or uh something like that. Laptop experimentalists Napolean Skywalker get things started.
Thought Def Leppard was the only band with a one-armed drummer? Whiskeyface begs to differ. But that’s not its calling card; rather the Edmonton trio chooses to turn heads with its brand of lo-fi possessed country. At times deploying Conor Obert’s earnest warble at times channelling the electrified grit of Elliott Brood (minus the serpentine singer of course) it’s the perfect antidote to those who’ve worn out their copies of No Depression . And if that sounds like you ditch the porch jam and head to the Palomino on Saturday September 4.
But then all-ages basement hardcore shows really can’t be beat. No Calgary doesn’t have the well-worn churches and VFWs of say New Brunswick — Lifetime’s pissed — but we’ve got one better: Tubby Dog. And better still the venerable 17th Avenue street-meat joint will be hosting the ever-snotty Rehashed also on September 4. The Saskatoon five-piece plays in Edmonton the night before with the legendary Poison Idea and that should give you an idea about its sound: It’s snotty. Hateful. Vengeful. Don’t expect high-fives and stage dives here. But do expect to pick up a delicious Caesar salad-themed hot dog once you’re done. Tell us how it is — we’re too afraid to try.
Next California-based trio We Are Scientists hits the Republik on Sunday September 5. Its first time in Calgary the group plays a frenetic blend of sometimes abrasive mostly melodic post-punk that recalls the days when Gang of Four ruled the airwaves (OK who are we kidding? It’s of the Rapture era). A group that received far more adulation in the U.K. than it did in the U.S. the band is supporting Barbara a boozy barnburner that parties like it’s 2005. If angular riffage and even more angular haircuts are your bag this is your show.
Oh and a word of advice: Don’t miss Vancouver garage duo The Pack AD and Young Rival at Broken City next Thursday either.
