Last men standing

>> Local Rabbit Pete Elkas licks his wounds

by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

Forget Eastern Europe, there's a war going on here at home. It's called the Frontman War (Tour) and impartial observers say this: it's gonna be messy. The parties involved are all refugees from the crumbling Murderecords empire--the Local Rabbits, Thrush Hermit and the Flashing Lights. Now that Murder is Sloan alone, the other vets of the Halifax explosion are left to fight tooth and nail for whatever turf they can get.

"It's three bands that have already toured together," says Rabbits guitarist Pete Eklas, "and there's egos involved in terms of who goes where on the bill. It's funny the way that's become such an issue. It seems that we're gonna switch it up all the time."

All three bands go to war as walking wounded. The Flashing Light squadron includes survivors of the Super Friendz tragedy, the Local Wabbit commandos hopped off the Murder wagon with their lives and Thrush Hermit go into battle knowing full well that they won't make it back, having already announced their imminent breakup.

"I'm sorta hoping to convince them to stick it out a little longer," says Elkas, "because I don't really understand why they're doing it." Tragic, isn't it, how war leaves young men on their knees, weeping, imploring the Lord to tell them, "Whyyyy?"

There is a glimmer of hope, though--a white dove flapping around over the battlefield. Elkas insists that the Local Rabbits "are more of a frontman peace agreement." Given that Elkas and co-guitarist Ben Gunning trade licks and lyrics amicably, and reformed showoff Ryan Myshrall has retreated to the back of the stage (where bassists belong), there's no one soldier here to draw enemy fire.

These weary G.I.s yearn for the day their tour of duty ends, that they may return to the arms of their families, their beloved recording studio and hopefully a new label they can call home. Until then, though, the battle rages on.

Local Rabbits, Flashing Lights and Thrush Hermit are at Clyde's on Saturday, October 9, 9pm, $8