Chaos cancelled

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

First off, if you missed the Brutal Knights/Aids Wolf/CPC Gangbangs show at Lambi last Saturday, you really shat the bed. The triple bill was stacked to be sure and, as expected, the venue was close to bursting at the seams by 11. Starting the night off was Toronto’s Brutal Knights who absolutely slayed with their ’80s-styled hardcore. True, they were a bit marred by bad sound and didn’t quite hit the stride like they did at l’Esco three months back, but they still proved that they are one of the best hardcore bands happening right now. With a new bassist and the drummer from Hidden Cameras in tow, they started things off with “Extreme Lifestyles ’07” and didn’t let off the throttle until their set ender 20 minutes later. Their encore was sadly thwarted by a soundman who wouldn’t take off the house music as the band just sat stunned on the stage. Weirdsville!

I hadn’t seen AIDS Wolf with their new guitarist, but they are easily one of the best bands in the city right now, with discordance still ruling their roost but more prog rearing its head that both teases and startles. Singer Chloe Lum is a wailing banshee with her yelps hovering over the cacophonous mess, but the star of the show is easily the plodding beat from drummer Yannick. This guy has turned into a monster and pounded his drums into submission before gently overturning his kit, signifying the end of the set.

CPC Gangbangs lived up to their reputation and delivered the goods with their trademark psych/punk rock, and the sound improved greatly for their set. The heat of the Lambi lights became overbearing as the band discarded their freshly pressed suits and proceeded to sweat through their set like Barry White on the fourth of July. My only question of the night was, what the hell was that smell?

Brutal Knights singer Nick Flanagan returns to town tonight and manhandles the wheels of steel at St-Henri’s hottest night, Time’s Up at Blackjack (3800 Notre Dame W.). On Friday night, Flanagan will be busting sides with his stand-up comedy at l’Escogriffe backing up Montreal gansta rap/ska band Skaface—is there anything this renaissance man can’t do?

If you were planning to check out Discharge, Broken Bones, BFG etc. at this year’s Chaos fest at Club Soda, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s cancelled. Although not exactly D-beat hardcore, you should head up to l’Escogriffe instead tonight, Thursday, Aug. 23, and check out one of my favourite bands in the city, Starvin’ Hungry before they head off as the support act on the Besnard Lakes’ U.S. tour. The more noise-inclined may want to check out the dementia rock of les Temps Liquides, Panopticon Eyelids, Tandoori and Dreamcatcher at la Sala Rossa.

A tribute to one of the ’50s wildest women howlers, Wanda Jackson, is going down on Sunday at l’Escogriffe. If you haven’t heard the brilliance of this rock ’n’ roll queen, download “Fujiyama Mama” or “Let’s Have a Party” right now and prepare to flip yer wig.

On Monday, take in the raucous sounds of Beauty School Dropout, Margaret Thrasher and the Confusers down at the most happening rock ’n’ roll club in town, l’Escogriffe.

Can I wham my oingo boingo in your velvet
underground? Jonathan.cummins@gmail.com