Live at The Cambie - 3rd Weekend in a Row

Friday night I found myself back at the Cambie for the third weekend in a row.  I had to go to catch a couple of my favorite guys performing as Clear the Coast.  Also on the bill was Deluge, indie punk band from Calgary, Alberta; Sharks! On Fire, power pop punk band from Vancouver, playing their second last show EVER; and Nanaimo's favorite hardcore band Trace the Sky.

As I mentioned, the two young men that make up Clear the Coast are two of my favorite guys.  Blake Deal is the lead singer of metal rockers Carry the Storm and his brother Cody Johannessen is usually at my side rocking out with me at every Carry the Storm show I make it to.  I know both these young men personally and knowing the talent that each of them possess, I knew I was going to like their newly formed project.

What took me by surprise was how impressed I was by Clear the Coast.  This isn't your ordinary run of mill acoustic duo.  Both have hard rock/metal roots and somehow that comes through when they perform acoustically.  The only possible way I can think to describe it is to compare it to Nirvana unplugged.  Not that these guys have a sound like Nirvana but like Nirvana's unplugged album, even when they slow it down and unplug they still fucking rock...y'know?  Their collaboration in song writing is outstanding and prolific.  I hope they pursue this project further, get some touring under their belts and record their tunes because I truly believe they're going to appeal to a very wide audience.  When they do, I'll share and prove to you all just how unbiased my opinion of their talent is!

Next up was Deluge!  Traveling all the way from Calgary these boys were made to get the fucking party going!  Their energy and fun songs are what's needed to get any girl to shake their ass.  If bands like Jimmy Eat World, The Fray and Weezer are your thing, you'll get your rocks off to Deluge as well.   I was happy to donate to their A & W fund and pick up their EP The Quiet Things.  You can pick up yours at deluge.bandcamp.com.

With the crowd warmed up it was the perfect setting for Vancouver's Sharks! On Fire to take the stage and really get us jumping! Playing their second last show in Nanaimo, these guys were giving it all they had!  It's always bittersweet for me to discover another talented band only to find out they're fucking breaking up.  After being together for eight years (we won't discuss the drummer issue) AND obviously tight together AND obviously good friends, I couldn't understand why they were calling it quits.

I had my chance to ask Dan Hum, vocalist and guitarist for Sharks! On Fire after the show.  Apparently, it's all his fucking fault!  I'm just kidding....sorta.  Truth is, Dan has moved back to Kamloops from Vancouver.  He assured me that music is still in the future for all the band members, each are getting involved in new projects, including himself.  That being said, I'm looking forward to seeing how they evolve with their new bands.  In the meantime, let's not forget the awesomeness of Sharks! On Fire....

EVERYDAY, THE SAME DREAM

Wrapping up the night was Nanaimo's own Trace the Sky.  Now y'all know how much I fucking love these guys...I've written about them a couple of times in previous blogs.  Not only is their music incredible but they are just so much fun to watch.  Matt Harder is not only a wicked bass player and lead vocalist, he's fucking funny too!  Their music rocks hard and it's not unusual for a mosh pit to break out at any given time, yet at the same time they manage to pull off a heavy power punk sound. This creates a draw of metal, hard rock and punk fans.  It's the perfect blend and was the perfect end to another awesome night at the Cambie.  They ended the show with my personal Trace the Sky favorite Lessons Learned, but I've shared that one with you before.  This one is another favorite of mine and I know you're gonna love it too.  Here's In Time....

IN TIME

Now you would think three weekends in a row of great live music would be enough for any rocker, but no fucking way!  I'll be there again this coming Friday to catch Aviator Shades' return and get more merch!  Fuck I love rock n roll............ ; )

Y'all know how much I like to spread the love....here more links for you to check out....
Like on Facebook
Clear the Coast https://www.facebook.com/clearthecoast
Deluge https://www.facebook.com/Delugecalgary
Sharks! On Fire https://www.facebook.com/sharksonfire
Trace the Sky https://www.facebook.com/tracetheskymusic
Cat Hennebury  https://www.facebook.com/CatHennebury
Follow on Twitter
Sharks! On Fire https://twitter.com/SharksOnFire
Trace the Sky  https://twitter.com/tracetheskyband
Cat Hennebury https://twitter.com/CathyHennebury
Buy on Bandcamp
Deluge http://deluge.bandcamp.com/album/the-quiet-things
Sharks! On Fire http://sharksonfire.bandcamp.com/track/sharko-polo
Trace the Sky http://tracethesky.bandcamp.com/album/messages
Subscribe on YouTube
Deluge https://www.youtube.com/user/DelugeCalgary
Sharks! On Fire https://www.youtube.com/user/SharksOnFireOfficial
Trace the Sky https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6kSvX9pqyigBNskjRlS6YA

Trace the Sky

This weekend found me rocking at one of the coolest fucking little bars in Nanaimo, The Cambie!  I love this bar, notwithstanding the slightly shady area of town because they fucking support the local music scene.  I haven't been to this pub without being blown away by the local island talent and Saturday night was no fucking exception.  You see, Saturday night The Cambie hosted the Trace the Sky Messages EP release party.

The night kicked off with a fucking kick ass performance from Carry the Storm....island Metal at its best! At the end of the night I had a conversation with Blake Deal, front man for the band and was told they will be hosting their own EP release party soon, so you can be guaranteed that they will be front and center in the Litter Box very soon!

Next to hit the stage was the trio of Atlas Collapses.  It was the first time I'd heard this band but it definitely won't be the last.  A friend next to me put it best, so I'm gonna steal his description of their music...."they're like a jazzy Muse."  I will definitely be paying closer attention to Atlas Collapses!

The real treat of the night though was of course when Trace the Sky hit the stage and performed their EP live!  Matt Harder may be the bass player and front man for Trace the Sky, but all the members  including Liam Glaim - vocals and guitar, Matt Gladman - guitar and vocals, and Chris Anderson - drums and vocals....all have a dominate presence in Trace the Sky.

What each member brings to the band creates a mash of styles that include rock, metal and surfer punk....I fucking love it!  Fans can dance, jump, headbang and/or fucking mosh!  It's fucking incredible!  I picked up the EP and am fucking loving it!  In fact, I'm loving it so much I'm having trouble picking just one song to share with you!  Here goes....eenie, meenie, minie, moe.....Lessons Learned it is!

LESSONS LEARNED

Some of their songs are on youtube....subscribe to them at www.youtube.com/use/TraceTheSkyMusic and some of them are on bandcamp at tracethesky.bandcamp.com but I'm not seeing a place yet to pick up the EP....my suggestion....bug the shit out of them on facebook at www.facebook.com/tracetheskymusic and tell them to get it fucking posted!  I'll bug em too....after all, I'd fucking hate for y'all to miss out.......... ; )

No Operator can Trace the Sky and Carry the Storm

CARRY THE STORM

Wow...what a time for music!  I've had my fill of fucking great music this last little while.  We have greats like Black Sabbath and Eric Clapton releasing new stuff, I've been hearing some great Indie stuff online like Screaming Eagles and Jemile Aka BaghdadBad Boy (two very different styles but man I got to tell you about these guys in more detail!) and then if that isn't fucking enough I caught some great island local live music on June 7!

And it's that show I'm going to tell you about first!  I've traveled off the island to the big city of Vancouver to see shows in the past...and there is no fucking doubt, Vancouver rocks!! But I found out first hand this weekend that Vancouver Island and more specifically Nanaimo fucking rocks too!

On our way to the show our designated driver was telling us about his new favorite band.  It was a band he had caught live the weekend before and as luck would have it, he had the CD!  The Body Politic is a hot new Progressive Metal band out of Nanaimo, BC and they are building quite the fan base.  Any fan of Tool would definitely get off on the vibe that The Body Politic is laying down and vice-versa.   As a matter of fact I asked our designated driver (my friends kid, just turned 19) if he heard the similarities in sound between Tool and The Body Politic.  He asked me who Tool was...... fucking kids!

The show we were on our way to see was at a small club called the Cambie in Nanaimo.  A cool little dive with limited seating and a small stage.  Taking the stage that night were three bands.  These bands, though diverse, all have something in common....members of each group have played with who I was going to see.... Blake Deal.  I was excited to finally hear Blake perform.

Blake Deal - Carry the Storm

Blake's band, Carry the Storm, opened the show with face-melting Deathcore Metal - what my sister-in-law refers to affectionately as kill your mother music.  Blake's demonic vocals led Riley Anderson and Steven Bekker on guitars.  Their fingers flew over their guitar strings, the friction surprisingly not setting their guitars on fire, but definitely alighting something in the souls of the audience! I had five words for Blake after their set.... GET INTO THE FUCKING STUDIO!  He tells me in a couple of months....and when they have something recorded you can bet your ass that I'll be sharing it with all of you!  In the meantime you can find more info and photos by visiting and liking their facebook page at facebook.com/Carry-The-Storm!!!

Trace the Sky hit the stage next and let me tell you, these boys know how to rock.  Their alternative style has a pop punk edge much like what made the Offspring and Green Day so popular.  Liam Glaim has come out from behind the drums (used to play drums in a band he shared with Blake) to come out front with the two Matts (Harder and Gladman) to play guitar and sing.  They definitely had the crowd jumpin!  Here's just a sample of what we heard......

Check out Trace the Sky on facebook to listen to more - facebook.com/tracetheskymusic

Headlining the show was another fucking awesome band from Nanaimo!  No Operator has a hard rock sound that definitely appealed to this hard rocker!  And wouldn't you know it....Oliver Galloway (Ollie) - guitar and vocals - used to play in a band with Blake as well!  Either Blake really gets around or Nanaimo is a small town.... well maybe a little of both, hahaha!  Anyway... these guys are really making waves on our island.  Take a listen to the lighter side of No Operator and you'll understand why!

Visit No Operator on facebook to learn more about this up and coming band - facebook.com/nooperator

Needless to say, I had an fucking great time!  What more could a girl want than hot bands on a hot summer night........ ; )