Last Saturday my buddy A-Bomb and I made our way to the Starlite Room to take in the Yuletide Bonanza. This was the 8th edition of this festival, but the first time I have gone. A show featuring 16 mostly local bands and raising money and food donations for the food bank, so all for a good cause. The main reason we went, was to see Western Death Ballads, and I really wanted to see the band Barb Wire Choker. Being my first time to this event, I wasn't sure how this would work, what were the set times, who was playing when and such. Well, it starts with the hosts putting all the band names in a hat and then picking eight names, and the bands playing in the order they were picked, then a half hour intermission and doing the same for the rest of the bands on the bill. So if you weren't there early, you may miss the band you really wanted to see. In all there were 16 bands that played, with bands being added at the last minute. So it was going to be a long night of music with each band playing a 15 minute set. This is a great way to see a bunch of bands that you may not have seen before, and for me this would be my first time seeing most of them.
The first band to get things started was The Unwashed a skate punk band. They were alright, I believe the guys in the band were the hosts.
Next up was the Calgary band Citizen Rage. I've seen their name around for years and heard good things about them but had never seen them before. So I was looking forward to checking them out, and early in the night too. I thought they were great, a mix of thrash, skate punk and hardcore, reminded me a bit of Suicidal tendencies at times.
Next up was Edmonton's punk, rockabilly band The Devil's Sons. A band I have seen before, but not really a fan of. They're good at what they do,just not my taste in music.
Next up was locals Livin Filth. A punk band leaning to hardcore style music. I had to laugh when my buddy said the lead singer looked like the rapper Ali G. Didn't much care for this band.
The fifth band of the night was the Edmonton punkers 20/20s. This band has been around a while, I've seen the name around lots but don't believe I had seen them before. I enjoyed their straight up punk rock.
The next band of the evening was another band I had never heard of or seen before. An Edmonton band called Messor, with a name like that, I wasn't sure what to expect. Well they were a death metal band, not my kind of music.
Next up was Barb Wire Choker. This was one of the bands I was looking forward to seeing. Lead singer Lacy Machell used to front a band called Dolly Rotten that I really liked, this is her new project that I had yet to see. And I wasn't disappointed, straight up rock n' roll with a twinge of country influence. Makes me think of a Supersuckers influence with female vocals. A great but short set by barb Wire Choker. Hopefully an album release from the band soon.
The eighth band of the night was Calgary's Sick Ritual. A fast paced hardcore band, short in your face songs with lots of energy.
After a half hour intermission, some time to catch your breath, get some fresh air, have a smoke or two and it was on to the second half of the show. Another draw for the rest of the bands on the bill, so another eight bands drawn.
The first band of the second half was a three piece band from Fort McMurray called Supermodel Taxidermy. Great name for a band. They played a thrash/hardcore style of music.
Next up was Edmonton's Western Death Ballads. This was the band I most wanted to see and the third time I have seen them play live. After all the heavy music of the night, i was wondering how this three piece country/punk band would go over. And from what I could tell, they went over very well. Like the band name, some western death ballad music ending their set with a metal classic by Iron Maiden "Run To The Hills" done country style. Love this band!
The eleventh band of the night was Edmonton band Culled. Their music would be described as sludge death metal music. Not to my liking.
It was after this band that my buddy and I called it a night. I had seen the bands I wanted to see, and after eleven bands and lots of heavy music, I'd had enough. I'm just not the fan of the heavy stuff as I once was. All and all though, this was a great event. It was run very well, one band after another, a great turnout attendance wise, with everyone in great spirits. And a great way to catch a bunch of bands you may not know, short sets, so if you didn't like the band, you didn't have to wait long for the next band. To the organizers of this event and the Starlite Room, awesome job! Good times!!!
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