Real Sickies Live in Edmonton December 20th 2024

  

 Last Friday I went to the Real Sickies and Languid double bill at Blakbar on Whyte Avenue. Two great local bands playing to a packed venue.

 This was only my second time seeing Languid live, the first time was in 2018 also opening for the Real Sickies.

 Languid is a metal/punk band that play a very loud grinding, doomy metal punk sound. I love the vocal style of the lead singer. The band is tight and very entertaining. I wish I knew their music better as it was so loud I didn't really understand any of the lyrics, yet still enjoyed the set.

Languid.

 Headlining the evening was Edmonton's pop punkers the Real Sickies. This would be my 9th time seeing them play. By the time they hit the stage the crowd was in a very festive drunk party mood. The band sounded great and knowing their music better, and not being quite as loud as openers, I could understand the lyrics and liked the choice of songs. There were some songs I didn't recognize, so I am presuming they are new songs. It was nice to hear some songs from their 2020 album Quarantined. Lead singer Ben Disaster sounded great as the rest of the band did as well. Though I swear every time I see the Real Sickies there are new members in the band. Nonetheless, they still sound good. Near the end of their set a guy dressed like an elf or something along them lines handed out some gifts from the stage. I managed to get one, pictures at the end of post. All and all a fun night out. good times!!!

Real Sickies.

Real Sickies setlist.

Sore Points, Real Sickies and Languid @ Bohemia Sept.21st 2018

Because the Swingin' Utters show was moved to Thursday, my Brother (Citrus), Sherry and I were able to make it out to this triple bill of punk bands at the Bohemia, a venue in downtown Edmonton that I had never been to before.

Two of the three bands playing on this night I had never heard of before, and the one band I had heard of, I had yet to see live, so this was going to be an interesting evening.

The first band of the night was Languid. Wasn't sure what to expect from these guys, but holy shit were they fun. There music I would describe as mix of thrash metal and crusty punk. The guys in the band look like something out of the movie Fubar, especially the lead singer. The lead singer had so much energy, singing in to the mic like Lemmy of Motorhead, and punching the air like a mad man. I was really impressed with their set, way better then what I was expecting.

Languid at the Bohemia.

Next up was the Real Sickies another Edmonton punk band. And again, I was really impressed with these guys too. There music reminded me of old school punk like the Ramones. I had heard of the band before but had never got out to see them perform live before. I most certainly will be out to see them again. Lead singer Ben Disaster has an amazing stage presence and with him having his head full of baby powder, so when he got rocking and shaking his head, the powder coming off his head made for a pretty cool effect with the lights. Although about three songs into their set the smell of baby powder was a little overwhelming, but hey, it looked cool. The Real Sickies made me think of what it must have been like to see the Ramones back in the CBGB days. Kick ass band with Ben , short intense songs. Very very good!

The Real Sickies at the Bohemia.

Last band of the night was Vancouver band Sore Points. I thought they were a pretty good band, but after seeing Real Sickies it was going to be hard to top them, but nonetheless they put on a good show, short set which was perfect for the 70's era punk rock they played. This was a fun night out with my brother and his girlfriend Sherry, swilling beers and seeing three bands I had never seen before. Loved the venue as well, a cool place to see a show. Good times!!!

Sore Points at the Bohemia.

Real Sickies vinyl I picked up at the show.

T-shirt.