March 29, my kids talked me into going to see a show with them at The Slice Bar and Grill in Lethbridge AB. Now, don't get me wrong....I love to go see live shows and normally do not have to be talked into attending but it was the end of the month, I was broke and I hadn't heard a lot from these bands. In fact I had only heard a few tracks from the headliners, Murder By Death. You might be wondering why 18 year old boys wanted their mother to escort them to the bar to see a show....well that's easy. They're even broker than I am and they needed a financier. Also, music is the area that my boys and I have always connected. To this day they still bring me their laptops and say, "Mom, listen to this!" In fact, I first heard about Murder by Death through them so I think they would have wanted me to go regardless....at least that's what I tell myself. Anyway, they talked me into attending and am I ever glad they did! What a fucking great show!!
Surprisingly enough it was the first time I had been to The Slice. I was a little surprised at how intimate it was considering almost every band that comes through Lethbridge at one time or another plays at The Slice. I know this because almost every show I went to in Lethbridge this year, the band announced, "The last time we were in Lethbridge, we played The Slice." The Slice Bar and Grill has live music almost nightly and an open mike night on Tuesdays for locals to stretch their live performance muscles. And that's on top of great pizza and beer!
Black Mastiff opened the show. This three piece band from Edmonton Alberta is made up of Vasilios (Bob) Yiannakoulias – guitar and lead vocals, Allan Harding – drums and vocals
and Clay Shea – bass and vocals. They have a powerful soulful sound reminiscent of Jimmy Morrison and The Doors that I instantly fell in love with. Their show and their sound were tight and they really got the hipster crowd swaying and paying attention.
Big John Bates was next and they had me out of my seat and jumping. This Vancouver based dynamic duo of Big John Bates and Brandy Bones surprised the hell out of me. Fuck, I'm trying to put a genre on it but I hear blues, rockabilly, burlesque, punk, metal, hard rock (yeah, I hear a bit of Alice Cooper in there)...and probably more....so I'm not quite sure how to define them. Brandy is an upright bassist and pure fucking metal. Yet her vocals are unbelievably versatile, ranging through all the different styles of Big John Bates' songs. Their performance blew my mind and I have to say their show is a must see!
Then the headliners....the one's my boys had wanted to see, Murder by Death. These guys bring new meaning to cool. If their music hasn't been in a fucking Quentin Tarantino film, it must be because Quentin hasn't checked them out yet. Oh wait....the song "Comin' Home" from Red of Tooth and Claw was featured in a trailer for Quentin Tarantino's award-winning film Inglorious Basterds. And it's featured on Sons of Anarchy Season 4 soundtrack as well!
Haha...told you they were fucking cool! I am so glad my boys talked me into checking out this show. Not only did I get to patronize one of Lethbridge's biggest Indie music supporters, The Slice Bar and Grill but I was witness to 3 amazing talents in their own right, live in an intimate setting. Thanks guys! Life fucking rocks..... ; )
Check out these great bands further by clicking on the links below
Black Mastiff on myspace
Big John Bates official website
Murder By Death official website
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