Reign in blood

Well, the Suoni per il Popolo festival is finished for another year, and to all the organizers, co-promoters, volunteers and other behind-the-scenes folks—a tip o’ my lid to ya. Once again, Suoni was at the forefront of exposing the most cutting-edge and innovative music being made right now, but oddly enough, one of my favourite shows during this year’s festival would hardly be considered “cutting-edge” and only further proved the fest’s eclecticism in programming. Local garage promoters Teenbeat Takeover jumped on Suoni last Thursday, June 17, and presented a night of hip-shaking rock ’n’ roll at la Sala Rossa with Bloodshot Bill, the A-Bones and a rare performance by the Reigning Sound featuring the soul-drenched genius of Greg Cartwright (Oblivians, the Compulsive Gamblers). Bloodshot Bill put electricity in the air with a near-perfect, raucous display of deep-twang rockabilly. Having now seen Bloodshot more times than I can count, he remains a true feather in the Montreal music scene’s cap. Next up were the A-Bones, who seemed genuinely shocked to be playing to a sold-out room and rose to the occasion by bringing the house down. Headed up by Norton Records owners Miriam Linna (drums/vocals, ex-Cramps!) and Billy Miller (vocals), with Yo La Tengo’s Ira Kaplan on guitar and keyboards, this was the second wave of garage rock history unfolding before our very own eyes. A-Bones guest singer and “the king of squat” the Great Gaylord definitely stole the thunder here with a blistering version of his sole hit “Do the Squat.” Up next was the Reigning Sound, with Greg Cartwright proving he is still one of the best crooners around. Channelling Sam Cooke and serving it up with punk rock urgency, Cartwright may have been tight-lipped in between songs but was pure magic once he slipped into one of his many gems. Outside of a violent outburst mid-set resulting in a young gent receiving a beer bottle over the head, this was about as good as it gets.

After seeing how rock ’n’ roll is supposed to be done, I can’t help but wonder why most “rock ’n’ roll” shows I go to as of late are just so damn depressing. More times than not, it’s either bands coming from an insular fan/record-collector perspective and not bringing anything new to the table or, on the opposite side of things, it’s bands that reek of careerism and desperation as they strut through their choreographed Johnny Thunders moves. Bloodshot Bill, the A-Bones and the Reigning Sound, on the other hand, all lived for the moment and ruled the roost with pure blood, sweat and fierce integrity. More shows like this, please!

For some of that real-deal rock ’n’ roll that I’m starting to crave lately, you can’t go wrong with the Japanese garage mayhem of Zoobombs when they hit Il Motore like a tidal wave on Sunday with Montreal fucked up fucks Crabe and no wave noiseniks Shortpants Romance.

BIEBER FEVER: CATCH IT! JONATHAN.CUMMINS@GMAIL.COM