Thursday, Dec 4th
2 stages, rapid-fire turnovers, and some of the hottest buzz bands in the country.
The night started off with Vancouver’s Pacifika and their fiery Latin-infused love songs. Beautiful music, looks that kill, and an unforgettable presence onstage. Frontwoman Silvana looked like she was soaring through the air with her sweet, flowing melodies.
The band performed songs both in English and Spanish. Actually, I kept trying to pick out words I recognized, and only one comes to mind. Caliente’.
Woodhands blew me outta my tree. I’ve heard the name, seen pictures, but I had no idea how furiously funky these 2 individuals are onstage. One word describes this music: Hard. The synth/drum duo, led by one-time local boy Dan Werb, destroys all prior belief that “everything’s been done”. I couldn’t resist dancing. My feet just totally lost control.
Judging by drummer Paul Banwatt’s Star Trek T-shirt, I’m guessing these 2 are actually from a far-off, funkier planet. My recommended track: Dancer.
Wendy McNeill’s music is defiant of restrictions and leaning on manic. Taking the stage solo, the prairie girl’s soothing vocals and lead-actress looks caught everyone’s attention from go. Looping guitar, accordion & vocals, she’s not your average folk artist.
Wendy soared through her set way before I was ready to let her go. She really understands her arsenal & doesn’t hesitate to pull out all the stops. I think I saw an older man, stage left, wiping away a tear. That visual pretty much sums up the set.
USS is the yin & the yang; picture “Buddy Holly playing at a campfire in the middle of a drum n' bass rave.” DJ/Hype man Kebab sets up the groove and gets the crowd revved up, all while dropping handstands, cartwheels, or scratching with his face.
Guitarist Singer Schulz is a pretty gifted lyricist, very natural & fun. He threw in a rhyme he wrote at age 13, and it still sounds genuine. This is Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker.
In a bizarre finale, the boys took out a blender and made a smoothie out of OJ, tangarine slices, and a banana. USS chugged their juice, said goodnight and left the crowd shocked and confused… but ultimately delighted! I’d call this the Ultimate Sound Spectacle.
Radio Radio is a bunch of downeast bilingual boys, who just moved in and took the place over. These 4 funky Acadians busted out some party-time hip hop, always with a fat bass line. We got 2 DJs out back & 2 mic-men up front, busting rhymes in our 2 official languages. That’s how they roll in Moncton. With the DJ’s chipping in, we received a 4-man barrage of fine-tuned funny lyrics like in the track Cliché’ Hot.
We’re not used to French-rappers in VanCity, but I think this is more than just a novelty act. We could be looking at the beginning of a movement. Bientôt de retour
Final Flash is Heavy, without the Metal. The Montreal-based quartet started off promising, but the crowd just wasn’t engaged, and kept a healthy distance. Sounds like Supergrass/Hope of the States, but something was missing.
Frontman Joé committed 2 cardinal sins: dropping the mic, and then blowing into the wrong end of his harmonica. Stage banter was pretty awkward to say the least. Sure, tuning up is essential, but it shouldn’t stall the show.
Perhaps the English-language creates a barrier for Joé. At home, I imagine the intros are en Française. Mysteriously though, the French accent disappears once the singing begins. Maybe they should sing the introductions.
The members are solid individually, and the material works with their strengths. I just felt something was missing. They may have just had an off night.
Winter Gloves are a dancy pop outfit who is turning heads. Synth-laden, hooky, handclappy & very danceable music. 3 keyboards filled the airways with a tangling barrage of leads. Vocals were spot on, emotional and on-point.
Dancing is contagious, and the crowd was feelin’ the incendiary drumbeat.
Coming out of Montreal, Winter Gloves is backed by Paper Bag Records for the release of the new album ‘about a girl’. After just one listen, I’m convinced these lads could be very big, very soon.
Chin Injeti’s SuperGroup The Hastings Set capped off the night. You never know what you’ll get with The Set, but tonight it’s Chin, funk/electro duo Love & Electric, with soul singer Omar Diaz and a couple of wild dancers onstage.
Omar is a cross between Cee-Lo Green and Little Stevie Wonder; very fun, & pushing the energy over the top. Love & Electric are full of dancy grooves via DJ/programmer Kevin Mah, and there’s no escaping Roxy’s breathy bad-girl vocals. It’s getting hot in here…
The Hastings Set has released a trio of Compilation Albums with artists like Zaki Ibrahim, Kinnie Starr, Times Neue Roman, K’naan, Moka Only and many more.
The musical genius Chin capped off the set with his sweet acoustic track “Who I Am”, getting everybody onboard.
One thing’s for sure, this bunch is sure to get the party started. Or in tonight’s case, keep it going! Recommended track: Love & Electric, Never Wanna Get Over You
Check out tonight’s acts online at:
www.pacifikaonline.com
www.woodhands.com
www.wendymcneill.com
www.myspace.com/laradioradio
www.myspace.com/finalflash
www.winterglovesmusic.com
www.thehastingsset.com
*all photos by Nathan Stafford c/o www.flickr.com/freelanceyouth
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