Real Sickies & Napalmpom at 9910 March 15th 2019

It's been over a week already since I went to the Real Sickies and Napalmpom show at 9910. Also on the bill was a band called the 20/20's. This was my first time going to this venue in downtown Edmonton. It's a pretty cool room for a show, it is in a basement and is a nice open venue with great sight lines and sound.

The first band of the evening was local band the 20/20's which is a band led by Dana Robertson who used to front a band called Punched Unconscious. This four piece band were loud and reminded me of the Ramones. A great band to get the night started. Lead singer Dana had all the moves and shouted his head off. I thought their set ran a little long, but was still good.

20/20's.

Next up was Calgary band Napalmpom. This would be my third time seeing them live, and as always, so much fun. They are all the classic rock fun you expect rolled into one, all that with a punk edge as well. Great songs, good vibes, awesome energy and the guys look to be having a blast on stage.

Napalmpom setlist and pictures.

Headliner of the night was Edmonton punkers Real Sickies. this was my fourth time seeing them in concert. Led by Ben Disaster on vocals with two guitar players this time around. Last time I saw them which wasn't long ago, they only had one guitarist and he was brand new. But this time around they had their original guitar player back with the new guy. It was good to see them back as a five piece band. If you are looking for 70's influenced punk rock this is the band. High energy, especially from Ben. He such a great lead man, that you can't help but get into the music. The crowd was very much into it as they were moshing around like crazy. I fuckin' love this band and am always up for seeing them play. A very fun night of Alberta punk rock. Good times!!!

Real Sickies set list and pictures.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Live in Edmonton March 12th 2019

Last Tuesday Buzzard, Janis and I attended the Lynyrd Skynyrd Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour at Rogers Place. I was hesitant about going to this show as there is only one original member left in the band, but I heard nothing but good things about their show the previous times they have come through town, and Janis bought me a ticket for my up-coming birthday, so I was going now.

Opening the show was Canadian legend Randy Bachman who has played in the Guess Who and BTO previously. This time around he is touring with his own solo band. This would be my third time seeing Randy play solo. And he didn't disappoint at all. Opening the show with the Bachman Turner Overdrive song "Roll On Down The Highway", then into another BTO song "Let It Ride". We were of to a great start, it was one classic Canadian AM/FM classic rock after another. Lots of Guess Who songs as well such as "No Sugar Tonight", "American Woman" and "Laughing". Joining Randy in his band was his son Tal Bachman who did his one big song "She's So High". Randy and his band closed their hour long set with the BTO classic "Takin' Care of Business". A great opening set that had the crowd singing along and warmed up good for the headliners.

Randy Bachman's setlist.

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Randy Bachman Band.

Now it was time for southern rockers from Jacksonville, Florida, Lynyrd Skynyrd. The only original member left in the band is co-founder guitarist Gary Rossington. On vocals was Johnny Van Zant who took over vocals in 1987 when the band reformed after the death of his brother Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and backup singer Cassie Gaines died in an airplane crash in 1977 just after the release of their album Street Survivors. Also joining the band and a long time member was Rickey Medlocke on guitar who played briefly in the band in the early 70's. He has been back in the band since the reformation in 1987.

The band opened with the song "Workin' for MCA" and after that it was classic southern rock for the hour and a half show. It was like listening to a best of album "What's Your Name", "That Smell", "Saturday Night Special", "Simple Man" you get the idea, just great musicianship from the whole band. I thought Johnny Van Zant did a great job on vocals keeping the spirit of Johnny alive and well. I really liked the cover of J.J. Cale's "Call me The Breeze". Last song of the set before encore was "Sweet Home Alabama" which had the crowd on their feet as they were for most of the night. For the encore of course they did "Free Bird", but what was really cool is that they had on the big screen behind them archive footage of Ronnie Van Zant singing, with the band playing along, while his hat rested on the vacated mic stand. Along with that they had old photos of the band, paying respect to all those that have been in the band. A great night of badass southern rock. Way better then I was expecting. Good times!!!

Checkout the setlist.

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Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Rickey Medlocke and Gary Rossington.

Dave McCann Live in Edmonton March 2nd 2019

Last Saturday my buddy Buzzard and I went to the Dave McCann and The Wildhearts concert at the Station On Jasper on what was a bitterly cold night, which might explain part of the reason for the small turnout.

This would be my third time seeing Dave McCann in concert but first time seeing him with a full band. The previous two times it was Dave McCann playing with Leeroy Stagger and John Wort Hannam (Highway Three Roots Revue). Those shows were acoustic affairs in which each performer played a few songs, a singer/songwriters circle I guess you would call it. I really enjoyed his songs both times, so it was nice to see him come through Edmonton this time with a full band promoting his new album Westbound Til Light.

We got there a little late and only caught the last 3 songs by Jake Ian, an Edmonton musician. What we heard was really quite good, a roots/country based style of music. Wish we had caught more of set. I'll be keeping my eyes open for another show of his.

Jake Ian.

Headliner of the night was Lethbridge based roots singer/songwriter Dave McCann. Dave and his band The Wildhearts sounded great, also sitting in with the band were the Mayhemingways from Ontario. Dave has got a great voice, his music is not only roots based but also a tinge of blues and rock. His harmonica player was good to, I liked that he wasn't overwhelming like some harp players can be. He did of course some new songs from his new album, a lot of the new songs are folklore stories, like the song "Can't Cheat The Mountain" which is about the Frank Slide, which was a rockslide that buried part of the town of Frank in the North West territories. Another new song was called "Swing Your Lantern" about some homeless people caught in a blizzard by Lake Superior in Ontario during the Great Depression.

Dave and his band also played some older songs from his album Dixiebluebird. I wish I knew the titles better, but I did recognize a few songs from that album as I do have that one in my collection. Overall I really enjoyed his show. It's really too bad he didn't get a better turnout for the show, but that certainly didn't stop him from putting on a hell of a show. A big thanks to Cuz for the tickets. Good times!!!

Dave McCann.