Goodbye B.A.R.F.

>> Franco-rock legends pull the plug

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

Neil Sedaka once said that "breaking up is hard to do," but according to Blasting All Rotten Fuckers singer Marc Vaillancourt, it was hard, but not that hard. I guess when you're a grindcore band with a name like Blasting All Rotten Fuckers you kind of know there is a ceiling on your career.

After 14 years, B.A.R.F. have exceeded all expectations, and now they've finally decided to call it a day. So what's the stink? Why end when you're at the crest of a growing wave in Francophone rock? Why not ride it until the dinner/show circuit?

"Well our drummer [Peter Jackson] said in February that he wanted to leave because he had lost the urge to play the kind of music that B.A.R.F. play," says Vaillancourt. "So I got together with our guitarist Denis [LePage] and he said that he didn't want to train another drummer, and I didn't want to go on tour with another drummer, so that was it. Just like ripping off a Band Aid--quick and painless."

As well as being the pipes behind B.A.R.F., Vaillancourt is also known for his cameos with Groovy Aadrvark, and as a dancer and singer in the dance company L'Opera Gisele. In fact, Vaillancourt will barely have time to cry in his beer after B.A.R.F.'s upcoming farewell show, as he's gotta prepare for an upcoming dance show in Ottawa.

"I really like the dance because it's aggressive and physical. It's not as technical as La La La Human Steps, but I guess to the untrained eye there would be some similarities."

As for the rest of the members of B.A.R.F., only drummer Peter Jackson has already begun a new musical life outside the nest, as the man behind the traps for Union Made (featuring ex-Voivod singer Snake).

B.A.R.F. plan to go out with a bang by inviting friends like Groovy Aardvark, Overbass, Necrotic Mutation, Ghoulunatics, Raid and Grubby Spit to play short sets at their farewell. "We're not going to reform, so this is really it. The closer it gets to the night the more and more emotional I'm feeling about it. I put my whole heart and soul into this band for 14 years! But I can guarantee you we're going to go out with a show that no one will forget. That's a promise."

The B.A.R.F. farewell show goes down at Metropolis on Friday, Dec. 3, 6pm, $13 at the door