Hearse sense

>> The Evil Boys cover the punk classics

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

I'm sitting with the Evil Boys during the St-Laurent street fair, at one of its many makeshift sidewalk "terrasses." As a throng of people's glances dart about in search of cheap tube socks and ample tube tops, I can't help but notice that my table is starting to garner quite a few stares of its own. I think it's because of Evil Boys guitarist Michel "Chapeau" Cyr's uncanny resemblance to Bon Jovi guitarist Ritchie Sambora, but I know which side of my bread is buttered and keep my trap shut.

Cyr and vocalist George Pearson first made their claim in rockdom as part of the Montreal hardcore scene of the early '80s, Cyr with the Unruled and Pearson with S.C.U.M. Recently they've come out of their punk-rock retirement and joined forces with some young blood, the Kamikaze's Fred Charest and One-976's Pouff Ze Clown (neither of whom have heard S.C.U.M. or the Unruled) and hope to take over the city. The young guys are one thing, but why would Cyr and Pearson, who are both in their twilight years, want to get back into the limelight?

"We never really lost the urge to rock, but now we're so old that when we were looking for rehearsal spaces we would inquire about wheelchair ramps," laughs Pearson. Not to be one-upped in the quotability department, as well as knowing how to blow up an angle, Cyr adds, "I drive a hearse and I'm at the point of wondering when I'm going to be the passenger instead of the guy behind the wheel."

These liver-spotted George Burnses of punk cook up classic covers of Dead Boys, Buzzcocks, Stooges, Sex Pistols, Teenage Head, Johnny Thunders, the Damned etc., and even manage to throw in a couple of originals. They bill themselves as a "'70s punk rock party" so crusty punk fans of their hyper-speedy previous bands may be a bit surprised by the Evil Boys' grumpy grind. "I haven't played a show in years," says Pearson, "so people should really come expecting anything. There is a good chance that I might have a heart attack on-stage just trying to make it through the set."

With DJ X. Caféïne spinning spirit-of-'77 punk at Jailhouse Rock on Friday, Sept. 1, 9pm, $5