Annthronein… May 8

Annthronein
with Guests or something
at the Yale New Drama Room, May 8, 2008
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak Unpurpose

Drew Riekman is sixteen, and Guests (aka All In Red aka Rage Against the Machine) put on the most entertaining show I’ve seen at a high school in years. The obvious disciples of the.wpp are a two-piece that sounds like half of a four-piece, but they’ve got time to fill out, and for now they’re exciting. The entire set felt like something was going to happen, and then not a lot did, but that would be remedied with more vocals. The set climaxed as they pounded out two chords, filled the room with feedback, and distributed the drum-kit throughout the crowd, finishing a couple minutes after the power was cut, creating white teenage suburban tribal music that made my hands bleed.

You Say Party! We Say Die!… May 3

You Say Party! We Say Die!
with the Doers, the Dirty Dirty North, WCB, and Velvamatics
at the McCallum Activity Centre, May 3, 2008
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak being increasingly obtuse

The Velvamatics are at a good start. That’s weird, ‘cuz I’ve been seeing them (not in this configuration) for two years and now they’re at a good starting point. It’s reasonable, they’re seventeen. Their garage rock climaxes at its noisiest, and with a few less repeats they’d be handling some nice fuzzy econo-rock.

You Say Party! We Say Die!… Jan. 11

You Say Party! We Say Die!
with TAXES, Twin Crystals, and the WCB
at the McCallum Activity Centre, January 11, 2008
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

We need more. Over two hundred kids sludging through their first week back to school and letting it go on Friday night. The enthusiasm was encouraging. Apparently some people aren’t jaded enough to stand stone-faced, half-dead while fluid fun is discharged at the front. If these kids start to show up when You Say Party isn’t playing maybe Abbotsford won’t be so unbearable.

All Purpose Voltage Heroes… June 15

All Purpose Voltage Heroes
with TAXES and Schuul
at the McCallum Activity Centre, June 15, 2007
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak‘

Eighteen bands couldn’t play this show, and there were at least half a dozen shows happening in the Fraser Valley that night, including two in Chilliwack. Attendance was unsurprisingly pathetic.

Fury and the Mouse… May 20

Fury and the Mouse
with Golden Phoenix, Revolution Dance Hits, Ursa Minor, and Foster Kare
at the McCallum Activity Centre, May 20, 2006
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

Every Abbotsford show, more people show up, and less go inside. While the 20th wasn’t as bad (attendance-wise) as the Spinoffs’ show, it was still not good. Not only was the attendance poor, this review will be lacklustre because I waited two days to write it. Sorry!

Spinoffs – May 5

Spinoffs
with the Stag Reels, and Eyes of Alexander
at Classic Rhythms, May 5, 2006
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

Did you hear? Pond Scum was on the bill, but their drummer quit! Mankind takes a step closer to enlightenment. However, they’re still together, but won’t be ready toplay again for at least a month, so let’s enjoy it while it lasts.

Epiphany… May 3

Epiphany
with Mad Flower, Annthronein, and the WCB
at Yale, May 3, 2006
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

Debut show for The WCB! Since I’m in them, I can’t review them, but I can comment on how satisfying it was being a total asshole. I felt really tired during our set, but in the last song I managed the energy to fling myself into the crowd, knocking over a couple of the kids who were just standing still until that point. If someone wants to review our set, that would be super rad! Email me!

You Say Party! We Say Die!… April 21

You Say Party! We Say Die!
with Chris-a-riffic
at Classic Rhythms, April 21, 2006
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

Doers… April 15

The Doers
with Sean Wesley Wood and the Vancouver Vipers, Greg MacPherson, and Ursa Minor
at the Eagles Hall, April 15, 2006
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

The first show at a new venue is always a little weird, but at least Twilight Union (formerly Turd Ferguson) is kicking up the pace again (putting on three shows in eight days).

Epiphany… March 2

Epiphany
with Annthronein and High Tide Rising
at Yale Secondary, March 2, 2006
Reviewed by Stephen Jersak

The best part of this show was that if you showed up early you could catch the end of a spelling bee! Justin and I did, and even scored a quick interview with the young lad who came in second place.