On a chilly Friday night, a sizable crowd descended upon Calgary’s Grey Eagle Casino Event Centre. Two names on the bill: The Matchstick Skeletons and the Headstones – the former, a new project with some familiar faces, and the latter something of a Canadian rock institution, celebrating a milestone in their now decades-long career. Longtime fans may spot the oxymoron; after all, the Headstones were once known for their alt-punk “Live fast, die young, and leave a good-looking corpse” philosophy. The venue itself furthers this contrast, as fans often (and fondly) relate to having seen this band in small, dimly-lit basement venues sprinkled throughout the country, so to see the same band now fill a room as big as the Event Centre to near capacity is a bittersweet moment.
Shinedown // In This Moment // One Bad Son // 10 Years
Seeing a bill like this take me back to 1998 when it was still possible to go to a show and like every band on the bill. Nowadays with so much diversity within genres it has become rarer and rarer than I am a legitimate fan of all the bands we see one night. This night was very much the exception to that rule.
I’ll have to admit that the name 10 Years didn’t ring any bells when I started listening to them the afternoon before the show. Then I realised that I’ve got at least half dozen of their songs on my current hard rock Spotify playlist. Catchy, energetic, really well written songs were consistent throughout their entire set. A high energy performance from front man Jesse Hasek kept the crowd engaged, while the band behind him played with the experience that can only come from almost two decades on the road. A nice surprise to have an opener of this caliber take the stage before 7pm.
One bad son took the stage next. I’ve seen these guys a few times back in Ontario, even opened for them once or twice. They’re pushing the new wave of Canadian revival rock, and I couldn’t be any happier to see bands like this seeing success. Playing music relatable to the current generation, while putting on a stage show that is relatable to mine, makes a formula that you just can’t go wrong with. So many newer groups make the performance second to their music, and while the reasoning behind this would make for a long article all on it own, I am very happy to report that One Bad Son is not one of these bands. I don’t think Shane Volk could stop rock posing if his life depended on it.
Lead guitarist Adam Hicks is no slouch himself. Spending the majority of the show running back and forth across the stage, with swagger not seen since the late 80’s. Have I mentioned I love their live show? One Bad Son are Canadian rockers at the forefront of Rock and Roll Revival that we so desperately need. Also their drummer looks like Thor. Do not miss these guys if you have a chance.
IN THIS MOMENT.
I honestly have no idea how to even begin to describe this bands live performance. Every act on this tour brings a stage show that could be used as example for any up and coming indie bands who want to take their game to the next level. In This Moment brings a stage production Rob Zombie should be jealous of. Choreographed, natural, and non stop, this is without question the touring act of the summer. Maria Brink knows exactly what she is doing, and she is doing it well. Would love to see more bands following this example.
Without any further adieu, I am going to let my photographs do the talking.
Shinedown, in my honest opinion, are one of the most under rated bands in accessible hard rock these days. They consistently put out album after album chock full of rocking, singable, catchy, high energy tunes, and I do not hear nearly enough of it on the radio.
Lasers, catwalks, and kick-ass rock and roll were consistently delivered throughout there entire set. Singer Brent Smith engages well with his band, the audience, and even us working in the pit, coming down during their second song to shake hands with photogs and security. Showing appreciation for the people that allow him to live the life he does speaks to his humbleness. A rare quality in this industry.
Highly recommend seeing any of these acts if you get the chance. You will not be disappointed.
Photos and review by Dave Di Ubaldo and Natalie Fay of Worn Leather Media. Check them out on facebook, instagram, or on the web.
Dashboard Confessional stop by MacEwen Hall
At 7:20 pm on Monday night 200 or so people waited patiently for opener Gabrielle Shonk to take the stage at MacEwen hall. Ten minutes later their patient was rewarded as the young band took the stage. Playing their own brand of eclectic indie folk. Like a jazz band forgot about diminished chords and got a distortion pedal. Gabrielle shows off her bilingualism as she performs her original number ‘Trop Tard’ in french as the band comes close to the end of it’s half hour set. Lucky to grab this spot opening for childhood idols Dashboard Confessional, and supporting her 2016 debut EP, Gabrielle plugs their first single called habit, about “dudes with bad habits”. While they’re not exactly the genre I usually listen to, this song has definitely earned it’s place on my Spotify playlist. Powerful vocals pulling a cheer from the growing crowd, as avid music fans listened attentively to the soothing melodies of their closing number.
We got Wrecked by the Headstones at CJAY 92’s Halloween Howler!
A dark and wet Saturday created the perfect backdrop for CJAY 92’s Halloween Howler at the Grey Eagle Report & Casino in Calgary. On the ticket were a trio of Canadian heavy hitters: One Bad Son, Big Wreck, and the Headstones.
Rebels take over the peaks at the Calabogie Mountain Man Festival.
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of summer. Not just the sun and the warmth but most importantly, the festival season. When the festival lineup announcements start popping up in the spring, I get all giddy and start drafting a schedule of the ones I’ll definitely be attending that year.
Ottawa’s CityFolk Fest – Three Days and Counting
Ottawa’s annual Folk Festival returned to Lansdowne Park for a second consecutive year on Thursday, and is continuing strong as we plow through the weekend events, with more to follow starting Sunday afternoon. The festival, now widely known as CityFolk has continued to grow in new and inventive ways, included an expanded lineup of incredible performers throughout Ottawa’s local bar and restaurant scene….Marvest.
