Rumours from concert goers, music fans and different outlets across North America of Black Pistol Fire‘s infamous live performances had been heavily circulating around within the past while, and when the band’s first ever show in Ottawa at Algonquin Commons Theatre was announced, there was no way I was going to miss it.

Front man Kevin McKeown and drummer Eric Owen have a long history together, having originally met each other at the kindergarten in Toronto, and the pair have since found a new home after relocating to Austin, Texas. After being dubbed “the next big thing” by Huffington Post after SXSW in 2013, the band has steadily gained popularity and loyal followers over the past few years, and most recently lots of radio play with the single ‘Lost Cause’ from their latest album Deadbeat Graffiti.

Black Pistol Fire at Algonquin Commons Theatre. Photo by Laura Collins.

I had listened to the band’s five albums and their latest release on repeat leading to the day of the show, but nothing could’ve prepared me what was to be one of the most mind blowing rock shows I’ve ever witnessed.

Before the duo was unleashed, Seattle’s all female band Thunderpussy took the stage to get the crowd warmed up, and the band sure did give their all, even though the Monday’s school night show had not attracted as many people as both bands would have deserved.

Thunderpussy have been quickly deemed the new rock goddesses by media outlets, and have most recently collaborated with no less than Pearl Jam’s guitarist Mike McCready. The newly signed deal with a major record label Republic Records will be pushing things even further, and the four woman band is most definitely heading to the stars.

Thunderpussy at Algonquin Commons Theatre. Photo by Laura Collins.

These ladies look and sound the part, singer Molly Sides bringing in her soulful vocals combined with her sensual dance moves, guitarist Whitney Petty in her gold leather pants, delivering blaring guitar solos, complementing Sides’ singing, the drummer Ruby Dunphy’s hypnotic beats and bassist Leah Julius’ laid back presence make this band such a fascinating act to watch and listen.

The band’s music is a sweet combination of classic rock combined with punk attitude, and it was the perfect warm up for the night to come.

A simple setup, two men, a guitar, drums and three small cabs wheeled on stage may not look like much, but Black Pistol Fire’s huge sound and stage presence is enough to fill an arena.

McKeown took over the stage the minute he stepped in, and owned all of it, and to the delight of the ecstatic crowd, he jumped off the stage twice during the show to play in the middle of the audience.

Black Pistol Fire at Algonquin Commons Theatre. Photo by Laura Collins.

The band has an impressive resume consisting of some of the biggest festivals in North America including SXSW, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and Bonnaroo to name a few, but the duo clearly also enjoys their time at the more intimate venues.

What The Black Keys and Royal Blood have done before as a two man band, BPF has come and cranked it up a few notches. The amount of blood and sweat shed on stage during their an hour and a half performance is just a proof of the passion and commitment these two have for their art.

From the dancy ‘Lost Cause’ to the melancholic ‘Bully’ from their most recent album to the blues ballad Speak of the Devil, the band kept the audience captivated throughout the show, and made sure to give an encore to perform their rendition of The Kingsmen’s ‘Louie Louie’ to the audience who weren’t ready to let go of the band yet.

Most of us left ACT on Monday night wondering what the hell just hit us, and more in love with this band than we already were.

By Laura Collins.