Posts Tagged ‘Punk Rock’
Looking to kick off the release of their new EP, “Even Honest Talk is Cheap”, local punk band, The Social Threat are playing an all-ages show this Friday, along with some more punk-rock goodness from the likes of The Ativans and Colour in the Clouds (both from Calgary). The show is at Station Coffee Company, located at 644 2 ST SE. Entry is $10 and will start at 7:30 PM (doors open at 7:00 PM), Friday, March 14th, 2014.
Speaking of their new EP, you can now purchase it from iTunes or listen to it online.
Here’s a video for a track off their new EP titled “Strong and Free”:
The Social Threat Website
Facebook Event
Station Coffee Company on Facebook
The Social Threat - Protest Songs Cover Art
The Social Threat is a 3-piece local punk band… er… possible the ONLY local punk band (now that One Shot Left is in hiatus mode). I admit that it is hard for me to get excited about punk music nowadays as my musical preference swings quite the opposite way, as of late. But I can still take the time to enjoy the memories and appreciate the musical aesthetic that The Social Threat is striving for. That’s kind of what listening to “Protest Songs” reminds me of; memories of my youth, going to some cool punk shows in Regina, back when punk was just getting huge again.
Musically, they are quite similar to bands like MXPX, Good Riddance, Dogwood and other punk rock bands from the 90’s and 00’s with fast drumming and harmonization. Lyrically, it’s heavy on politics and social change – like many of the bands of the time as well. It’s quite anachronistic when listening to it with this notion, yet nostalgic at the same time. That leads me to believe most of the appeal of The Social Threat is knowing punk rock from a decade ago. That’s not to say people new to the genre can’t enjoy their music, but I definitely think it would be harder for the layperson.
The Social Threat
There is some good production value on this sophomore album; however, it still feels of DYI in many ways, which I think lends itself to the music quite well. In interview with the band, it was discussed how if they had the choice (budget wise) that they there would be more production value on the recording, so the intention of a DYI aesthetic wasn’t focused on necessarily, but merely due to financials. I was lucky enough to get a physical copy of the album and was glad I did. The whole package was designed by Kyle Hodgman (Drums/BGV), which features a very nice composition focusing on symbolism, poetry-esque messages (on inside cover/insert/poster). It all feels cohesive and put together well (both design and packaging wise).
I feel thematically that the lyrics are good and range nicely from song to song; however, they are very straightforward, rather than relying on metaphor. It’s clear that they want you to hear the message and understand their music on that level. This also becomes transparent as each song has a different theme and clear-cut message of focus. Is that a bad/good thing? The songwriting and instruments are all top notch.
Normally this is where people give a rating out of 5 stars or 10 dinosaurs or something else that doesn’t mean anything. I’ll skip that, and let you decide if this is something you would be interested in. If you listened to punk music during the 90’s and 00’s I would definitely recommend this album (and I don’t mean that in an elitist, hipster kind of way). It’s also a local band, so you should support them! Duh!
Links:
Their full album is $9.99 and can be purchased digitally on CD Baby or iTunes. Alternatively, you can snag a cool physical copy by emailing them, or grabbing one at a show. THE JUMP – Read the rest of this entry »
On Friday, June 3rd, at 7:30PM (until 11:30PM) three bands will rocking the Kinplex Social Room (2055 21 Ave Se, Medicine Hat, Alberta). I mean, how often do punk shows happen in this city? Not very! So I think it’s important to support these (mostly) local bands.
The Robertson Privilege (local) will be opening for the night. Living with Lions, popular (as far as punk bands go) Vancouver pop-punk will be playing as part of their recent tour in support of their newest album release entitled, “Holy Shit”. They have also played a couple times in Medicine Hat, including once with A Wilhelm Scream. Topping it all off, The Social Threat (local) will also be playing in support of their first full length album release entitled, “Protest Songs”.
The event is all ages and will set you back a measly $10.
Living with Lions on Myspace
The Social Threat on Myspace
The Robertson Privilege on Myspace
One Shot Left @ Whiskey Creek
Long time punk rockers One Shot Left are set to rock Whiskey Creek on Saturday September 11th, with special guests Lions and Tigers and Bears (Calgary) & Jon Creeden (Ottawa). Tickets are $7 advance, $10 door, available from CD Plus (MH Mall) & Whiskey Creek (937 13th Street SW) starting Monday August 23rd.
If you have ever had the privilege of watching a band at Whiskey Creek, or under it’s previous moniker The Blue Turtle, it is by far one of the best rooms in the city to see a show. Let’s hope this is a great start to a new era of rock music in Medicine Hat!
One Shot Left on MySpace
Lions and Tigers and Bears on MySpace
Jon Creeden on MySpace
Hedwig & The Angry Inch
Being more of a punk rocker than a theatre-goer, when I caught wind of this production happening in Medicine Hat, I couldn’t resist getting on board. Here’s the scoop…
Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a rock musical about a fictional rock and roll band (The Angry Inch) front by an East German transgender singer. The musical premiered off-broadway in 1998 and the film adaptation was released in 2000, starring and produced by writer John Cameron Mitchell.
The local production features 11 full songs, with the band on stage throughout the entire show, a band featuring a handful of local punk rock veterans (One Shot Left, Rex Stiff, Iverdale). You can guarantee this will be the heaviest rock musical to ever run in Medicine Hat!
When: March 12-13, 18-20
Where: Community Theatre Arts Centre (1221 10th Avenue SW)
Tickets: Adults – $24, Students – $19 (with valid student ID)
Tickets available online at http://www.ctacmedhat.com or by phoning Della Jesse at 403-502-3477.
(Warning: The following move-clip has some coarse language)
SNFU - March 10
SNFU, another classic Canadian punk rock band, is scheduled to return to our city on Wednesday March 10th, this time to rock the infamous Royal Hotel. On top of their always entertaining performance, they will be showing an exclusive screening of the new documentary Open Your Mouth And Say… Mr. Chi Pig, an in depth look at SNFU’s colourful frontman. If you’re not familiar with Chi Pig, he’s well-known in the punk rock community for his theatrical style show, full of obscure props and costumes. He is truly one of Canada’s best performers and stills rock harder than most bands half his age.
Tickets for the show are $15 (only available at the door), with a door time of 6PM. Joining SNFU are BDFM from Calgary and Medicine Hat’s own hardcore outfit Helltrack.
http://www.myspace.com/snfuband
http://www.myspace.com/bdfm
http://www.myspace.com/helltrackca
(Warning: The following trailer has some coarse language)
Three Days Grace - Image from Ticketmaster.ca
There’s a lot of big names coming through Medicine Hat lately, is this a sign of our city growing up?
Either way, Three Days Grace with guests The Used will be playing at the Arena in just over a month’s time on November 28th, 2009 (7PM). Although I’m not a huge fan of Three Days Grace myself, but their newest video (shown below) is pretty sweet; albeit, a bit lame in some ways. They are also a hugely successful rock band with tons of radio hits. Their last released album, “Life Starts Now” sold more than 6 million worldwide which is a nice accomplishment for the Canadian rock band from Norwood, Ontario.
The Used on the other hand are an American post-hardcore (punk/rock/emo for the laymen) band that is touring to promote their newest album, “Artwork” which was released on August 31st, 2009. It’s quite odd for me listing The Used as a guest considering they are definitely the more popular band and have also achieved Gold and Platinum statuses in more than six countries worldwide. I also quite enjoy their music.
Tickets are $44.50 (floor) or $39.50 (seats) or, supposedly, you can get a VIP package for this event. What that means, I have no idea, but it will cost you $250.00 or $175.00. Call 403-502-8777 for more details on those.
Uh oh, is this another semi-positive article about a non-My96FM event? Sound the Kim Johnston alarms! I kid, I kid. Some people will know what I am talking about.
Large scale punk rock is coming to Medicine Hat on March 12th, 2010!
One of Canada’s current, most popular rock bands, Billy Talent is on tour to promote their summer release of the album, Billy Talent III. They are touring with Canada’s Alexisonfire who are also promoting their summer release of their new album, Old Crows / Young Cardinals. Backing those two big names is the punk band, Against Me! who’s popularity has been rapidly growing since their 2007 release of the album, New Wave. Against Me! vocalist and guitar player, Tom Gabel has pushed this Florida based bands success with his unique lyrical voice and song structure.
The show is being sponsored and presented by ROCK 105.3. The three band line up are going to put on an awesome show. If you have not pre-ordered your tickets, then I strongly recommend getting them as soon as possible as they are now available at tixx.ca
THE JUMP – Read the rest of this entry »
Dayglo Abortions
A match made in heaven, Dayglo Abortions, the Grandfathers of Canadian Punk Rock, will be rocking The Royal on Wednesday, September 30 with BDFM (Calgary) and locals Common Enemy and The Finishers.
Since their formation in 1979, Dayglo Abortions have had their fair share of media scrutiny with controversial album artwork and titles such as Feed Us A Fetus & Corporate Whores (plus many others much too vulgar for this site). In 1988, the courts attempted to prosecute the band for possession with intent to distribute of obscene materials, but Dayglo was found not guilty.
Controversy aside, they always put on great show, full of humour, beer and a good dose of vulgarity, much like any night at the good ‘ol Royal!
Doors open for the keeners at 6PM, tickets are $12.
A Wilhelm Scream
A Wilhelm Scream from New Bedford Massachusetts will visit Medicine Hat on Saturday October 3rd to rock The Silver Buckle with special guests The Artist Life & The Riot Before. Tickets are only $8 Advance / $12 Door, available at The Silver Buckle and Rapscallion, a steal of a deal for a great 3 band punk rock bill!
Wilhelm played The Doghouse (RIP) just over a year ago to a packed house and are by far one of the best fast technical punk rock bands around. Bass player Bri Robinson is a native of Canada, previously of the Toronto outfit The Fullblast, and had been named Bass Player of the Year by Alternative Press. Check out the video below to see why!
A Wilhelm Scream – The Horse [live] – Brian Bass Closeup
A Wilhelm Scream on Myspace
The Artist Life on Myspace
The Riot Before on Myspace