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.

Change Of Heart Live in Edmonton Oct.7th 2017

On Saturday night I attended the Change Of Heart, Napalmpom and Whitey Houston concert at the Rocky Mountain Icehouse as part of the UP + DT Music Festival. This triple bill was going to be a loud night of rock n' roll.

The first band of the night was Edmonton's Whitey Houston, a two piece band that is made up of Whitey (Lyle Bell) on bass and Gravy on drums, also on stage with them is Kim Rackel on maracas. Lyle and Kim are also play in the band The Wet Secrets. This band is super bassy, loud and fun. And with Kim on stage shaking the maracas and dancing and whipping her hair around actually adds to the stage show.

Like I say they are a very loud band for only two musicians, so much so that it was about four songs in to their set that a wood paneling on the roof in front of the stage that had a spotlight on it came crashing down. The panel with light attached to it smoked a lady in the head. Luckily she didn't look to be hurt too bad as I saw her later in the night still at the show, but this could have been much worse then it was. After that incident I was sure to watch where I was standing the rest of the night making sure I wasn't under something that might come crashing down on my head. You could say the band certainly rocked the foundations of the Rocky Mountain Icehouse.

Whitey Houston's half hour set was excellent. They closed out the set with the song "I Got Fucked By Liberty Mutual". This was a great band to open this triple bill. Especially because they don't seem to do a lot of shows lately. Was great to see they still have it.

Whitey Houston at the Rocky Mountain Icehouse.

Next up was Calgary rockers Napalmpon. This was my second time seeing the band live and holy fuck, did they ever kick ass yet again. Napalmpom's music is like a mix of all the greatest classic rock and punk bands wrapped in one. Think AC/DC, Thin Lizzy riffs, MC5 and a band having a whole lot of fun up on stage performing. So much energy and full on giv'r mode. They played a good mix of songs from their two full length albums 2017's The Core Competencies Of Napalmpon and The Unconditional Love Of Napalmpom. Not a slow moment through out their whole 40 minute performance. These guys never disappoint.

Napalmpon at the Rocky Mountain Icehouse.

Headliner of the evening was Toronto's Change Of Heart. This was my third time seeing the band live, having seen them years ago opening for the Tragically Hip. I'm so much more a fan of the band then I was back then. So I was really looking forward to seeing them play again. This time around Change Of Heart have reunited with the original line up of Ian Blurton on guitar and vocals, Rob Taylor on bass, Bernard Maiezza on keyboards and Glenn Milchem on drums (whom also plays in Blue Rodeo) for some shows in Ontario and Alberta, celebrating the re-release of their album Smile which came out twenty-five years ago. They were doing the album in its entirety, so this was gonna be another loud performance. I have been a huge fan of lead singer and songwriter Ian Blurton for years now, liking all the projects he has done which include not only Change Of Heart but also Blurtonia, C'mon and Public Animal.

Their show was loud as all of Ian's bands are, but it wasn't so loud that you couldn't understand the lyrics, all the musicians kicked ass. I especially enjoyed watching and hearing Rob Taylor on bass, he was incredible. Ian Blurton hasn't lost a thing either, his guitar playing was spectacular, the old gritty sound that I love and his singing was bang on as well. The rest of the band were no slouches either. Just an amazing night of rock n' roll from all three bands. Good times!!!

Change Of Heart at the Rocky Mountain Icehouse.

Change Of Heart t-shirt front.

Back.

After the show I got the chance to chat with Ian Blurton and tell him how much I loved his music in all the bands that he has played in. He was nice enough to autograph my Public Animal/Napalmpon split 12 inch vinyl. Thank you very much Ian!!!

Wet Secrets with Napalmpom Live Feb.25th 2017

On Saturday night Cuz and I went to The Buckingham for the Wet Secrets, Napalmpom and Cham show. The main reason I went to this show was to finally see Napalmpom live.

The night started with Edmonton pop punk band Cham, which did absolutely nothing for me. Not my cup of tea and really didn't think they were all that good period.

Next up was Calgary band Napalmpom. This is a band that my brother turned me onto a few years ago when he bought me their first album "The Unconditional Love of Napalmpom" for Xmas. I really liked the album but never got out to see them play live. Well, Saturday night was my chance. My Bro. had told me they were really good live and he sure the hell wasn't kidding.

Napalmpom's show Saturday was an album release concert. Having just released their second album "The Core Competencies Of Napalmpom". The band which consists of P.J. Lavergne on vocals, Shawn Petsche on guitar, Craig Evans on guitar, Ian Baker on bass and Matthew Bayliff on drums fucking kicked ass. A great rock n' roll band which reminds me of Thin Lizzy, AC/DC and The Who all mixed together making for some kick ass rock n' roll. I was very impressed with the sound energy the way the guys fed off of each other, you could tell the guys were having a lot of fun performing to a near sold out crowd, although bass player Ian was feeling under the weather, the rest of the band really brought it. P.J. on vocals is excellent. I can't wait to see these guys again. Canada's AC/DC!

Napalmpom.

Headliner of the evening was Edmonton band Wet Secrets. This was my second time seeing them in concert. The crowd had thinned out a bit after Napalmpom. Didn't stop the Wet Secrets from putting on a good show. The six piece band that dress in matching marching band outfits, this time they were in black outfits, as last time I saw them they were in red.

The band is led by Lyle Bell who also plays in Shout Out Out Out Out, with two ladies that play horns and sing back up vocals and dance and look good all while doing this. There is also another guy on sax, a drummer and keyboard player. I guess you could call the music dance rock with a real heavy bass feel mixed with horns. I find it to be a fun style of music.

Wet Secrets opened the show with the song "Grow Your Own Fucking Mustache Asshole" from their album Rock Fantasy. They have some great song titles, another one they did was "I Teabagged Myself" as well as "Get Your Shit Together" and "What's The Fucking Point" from their Free Candy album. They are a fun entertaining band to see. Check them out if you don't mind quirky weird dance slash bass heavy rock. Good times!!!

The Wet Secrets.

The new Napamlpom album The Core Competencies of Napalmpom.

A cool patch that guitar player Shawn Petsche gave me.

T-shirt.