The Evaporators
The Pack AD
Lois
Kellarissa
Thee Goblins
and more!
The fine folks at Vancouver’s one and only Mint Records went all out this year for their “Ridiculously Early Xmas Party”. Sleighbells were ringing all weekend long. With 2 nights of live music celebration in Vancouver, and one in Victoria, we’re talking about a party of holiday proportions, with a stocking full o’ good times for all.
Here’s the recap of Night 1: Nardwuar Nite!
The party is at the Ukrainian Hall in East Vancouver. A modest venue, perfect for all ages punk shows, and maybe a potluck supper or two. Tonight’s menu includes a fun, fun evening of live music and special treats for the kids, including Narduwar’s video vault and some rumors of a special guest.
Aside from the 5 Minty-fresh acts, I was excited to see the big-screen presentation of Nardwuar The Human Serviette’s epic interviews with Pop Culture’s biggest names; Snoop Dogg, Courtney Love, Beck, Michael Moore, Henry Rollins – you name it, he’s got it! What a perfect way to keep the crowd tuned in between sets. The tartan-topped man of the hour himself was on hand to emcee the event, introducing the videos and bands, not to mention pouring in 2 Live sets with Thee Goblins & The Evaporators. This is just another day at the office for The new Hardest Workin Man in Showbiz.
Early arrivers were treated to a set from Narduwar’s spinoff band Thee Goblins. If you’re into costumed keyboard-rock, or you’re wondering what the heck that is, Thee Goblins are perfect for you! It’s a rare occasion to see Thee Goblins live, so I’m guessing somebody got their Xmas wish list in to Nardwuar just in time for the show.
Next up was the always fashionable Kellarissa, which is Finnish for “In the basement”. Indie fans might recognize this lady as a founding member of both The Choir Practice and p:ano. There is a peculiarity to her music, but the voice doesn’t lie. If you missed Kellarissa’s live set, don’t worry. Visit her myspace page and you’ll find 2 live tracks recorded at Pub 340. Hyvä! www.myspace.com/kellarissa
Lois was 3rd on the bill tonight. Lois Maffeo is a so-called anti-folk singer songwriter from Olympia, Washington who took a hop, skip and a jump to Vancouver for this gig. Joined onstage by Evaporator/Smuggler guitarist and multi-talented recording guy David Carswell, Lois spun through about a half-dozen or so songs to a campfire-like audience, seated in a giant circle around the stage.
For those who aren’t in the know, Lois is a very influential artist, especially to women in the Northwest Indie rock scene with her group called Courtney Love (this was before the Hole singer changed her name to Courtney Love). Her music is tripped down, acoustic-guitar-based with maybe a drum or percussion instrument thrown in. It’s just people making music for people. Call it folk or anti-folk or whatever. Call her Lois.
After another intermission-video, Blues-rock duo The Pack A.D. took to the stage. Thanks to Nardwuar, we learned that these gals recently returned from playing a Blues Festival in Columbia. Interestingly enough, the promoter thought they were such a big deal, he had prepared a few luxuries for the band, including special toothpicks made with the band’s image imprinted on them! Sliced deli meats were served using the “tooth-Packs”. What a strange, but cool story. Thanks Nardwuar!
For a duo, these gals sure sounded powerful. I closed my eyes and pictured John Lee Hooker with a big, soulful, rockin band behind him. When I opened them again, what I saw was guitarist/singer Becky Black hammering on her 6-string and drummer Maya Miller hammering her kit like a blacksmith. Maya was handling the song introductions, but couldn’t stray from dropping F-bombs throughout the banter. Looking around, she noted the presence of small children and corrected herself with an embarrassed slap to the forehead. Oh well, they gotta learn ‘em somewhere. The crowd was loving The Pack A.D. and so was I. I’m pretty sure they managed to sell some “Shit with our name on it” aka merch to the starving fans. What a great band – go listen to The Pack A.D.
And now, it’s time for the main event: the garage rock ensemble The Evaporators! The set was opened up with ‘Half Empty Halls’, but to the contrary, this hall was overflowing with people, bouncing and bopping. If this was anything like last year’s Mint Xmas, I knew a special guest or two would soon be taking the stage(search youtube for Alex Kapranos with the Evaporators).
2 costume changes in, I began wondering where Nardwuar was taking us. With original bassist/New Pornographer John Collins now joining in on rhythm guitar, the band declared “I don’t need my friends to tell me who my friends are”. But we still love our friends!
It’s Surprise-Time! Nardwuar ran into the crowd with not one, but 2 mics. I noticed a rather tall fellow dressed completely in white. As Nardwuar handed him a mic, the band quieted down and announced the presence of rock & roll madman Andrew W.K.!!!!
Once Andrew took the stage, the show was cranked up about 257%. I’d say Nardwuar himself is about 157%, and when you add Andrew, carry the one and you better prepare for mayhem! After busting out the Andrew W.K. anthems “It’s Time to Party”, “Ready to Die” and “She is Beautiful”, along with The Leather Uppers’ “Don’t Sell Hot Dogs Tonight”, Nardwuar began quizzing the newest Evaporator. It wouldn’t be an Evaporators gig without a little trivia.
Holding a copy of The Evaps’ new record “Gassy Jack and Other Tales” next to a copy of Vancouver punk legends The Subhumans’ 1980 LP “Incorrect Thoughts, you might spot an alarming similarity. “It’s a Parody!” shouted Andrew. Nardwuar bet Andrew that he’d never play with a member of the Subhumans. Well, all bets are off tonight.
Taking the stage brandishing his blue bandana head wrap, Brian “Wimpy Roy” Goble led the band into the 1978 Subhumans single “Oh Canaduh”. With Andrew W.K. joining forces with the Evaporators and Subhumans, I figured I’d seen it all.
www.youtube.com/cherielily
Did you know that Goble played bass in The Skulls, Joe Keithley’s first band before DOA? Do you know who took over on bass after that? Bonus Points if you knew it was Randy Rampage. I thought I saw Randy poking his head out from behind the curtain earlier on in the set, but I guessed he was just there watching. Double Bonus Points if you guessed Rampage would join the boys onstage. TRIPLE BONUS POINTS if you guessed they’d be joined by the amazing drummer Jon Card, who’s played for everybody including, Personality Crisis/SNFU/DOA/Subhumans/Evil Twang.
There’s a punk rock Supergroup onstage. I can’t handle this. Pleasure overload!
Let’s recap: The stage now consists of:
Nardwuar on vocals, keys & crowd-surfing.
Stephen Hamm on bass (Evaporators, Canned Hamm, Slow)
John Collins on rhythm guitar (Evaporators, New Pornographers)
David Carswell on lead guitar (Evaporators, The Smugglers)
Scott Livingstone on drums (Evaporators, Thee Goblins)
PLUS
Andrew W.K. on rhythm guitar and vocals
Brian “Wimpy Roy” Goble on vocals (Subhumans)
Randy Rampage on vocals (DOA)
Jon Card on drums (Personality Crisis/SNFU/Subhumans/DOA)
I think I should pinch myself. My wildest dreams have just come true. This is like all of my favourite bands combined into one crazy package. With so many groups represented here, so much material to draw from, how do you pick the song? I’m happy to say, the choice was a right one.
The anthem of my teen years: “Fuck You” by the Subhumans.
“We don’t care what they say, Fuck You!”
(Gerry Hannah, 1979 The Subhumans EP)
Seeing all these legends onstage playing the anthem of my disgruntled youth, I think I just soiled myself a little bit.
I hung around afterwards, to congratulate Nardwuar on a job well done. Of course, he and Andrew W.K. were mobbed by teenage fans, but my patience paid off, and I managed to grap a photo op:
Photo credit: Wanting Qu
Thanks to Mint Records for putting on such a fun event! I think the grand finale Super Group experience more than covered my Xmas wish list for this year. Nardwuar, you’ve outdone yourself yet again. Ho Ho Ho and a Fresh Breath of Mint!
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