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Propagandhi w/ The Rebel Spell and Cambridge
| Message Board > Show Reviews > Propagandhi w/ The Rebel Spell and Cambridge |
| WestCoastWeasel User Info... | **For an audio/video embedded version and other reviews/interviews, visit http://www.westcoastweasel.com/2009/10/renegade-rock-review-vol-6-propagandhi.html The first of two Vancouver acts, Cambridge, kicked off the evening playing their tight, up-tempo brand of political punk rock with two dueling vocalists, Eric and Jesse. While the level of their voices could have been more favorable, the vocal mix did improve mid-set. As the crowd started piling in, the band-fan interaction was minimal, other than a quick mention of their discontent for the 2010 winter games. Being my first time seeing them, I was intrigued and hoped it wouldn’t be my last. Despite the breaking/replacing of Eric’s guitar string near the end of the set, it went unnoticed to most, to be quickly tuned and ready for their set closer “Problems and Solutions.” Two ladies, one bass player and a mohawked vocalist sporting an R.I.P.-Cobalt tee filled the second opening slot of the night. The Rebel Spell, a hardcore street style outfit full of socially aware anthems blew us away. Again, Todd Serious' vocals were a little buried, but it really didn’t matter—the intensity shared among them was incendiary. Chris Rebel stood out of his provided spotlight—leaving the focus on the remaining three—but it was his playing that shone most. His bass lines were more than a simple mask of the lead guitar chords, unlike many other players. Hearing Erin’s heavy, spot-on guitar and Stepha ‘s insistent drumming left Todd in good hands to sing his political hymns. The Rebel spelled every action and emotion needed to precede our beloved, respected thrashers Propagandhi. After a lengthy pause between sets, a gentleman activist approached the crowd with some key information regarding the tar sands project. Funded by the Royal Bank, the tar sands operation in Alberta will defy native treaty rights, destroying land the size of England while increasing global warming. Stickers were offered for Royal Bank machines and/or windows which enthusiastic people will undoubtedly use. I wonder if the large Royal Bank next door to the venue saw any “redecorating” the next morning. After ripping through their latest album Supporting Caste’s title track, the four skids we waited patiently for flattered the patrons of Rickshaw Theatre, saying “How’s it going, fuckfaces? We’re Propagandhi from Loserville.” They paid homage to Canadian thrash legends Sacrifice with the aptly titled “Bangers Embrace,” described as a song “about the power that music transcends.” Pretty big words coming from some of the most powerful musicians in our country. While earlier I couldn’t help notice how tame the crowd was (and these days in general), I was suddenly stopped dead in my tracks. Fuck 2009, it was 1996 all over again when “Nation States” (the tune that started it all for me) erupted. The crowd of hundreds went nuts, singing “what a stupid world” and “they own us” in perfect unison over the band. I found it admirable and fitting that “States” was followed by “Rock for Sustainable Capitalism,” a song detailing their discontent with the music industry, namely the colleagues who’ve shared both record label and/or fan base from the start of their career. Musically the guys were bang on. Seeing them perform with second guitarist David “The Beaver” Guillas for my first time, I felt, gave them far more range and ability. This was heard when lead duties were left to Chris Hannah during “Human(e) Meat,” a “warning to all post-vegetarians.” Fresher numbers like this complimented classics like “Pre-Teen McCarthyist” and “Less Talk, More Rock” throughout the set. Before closing with “Last Will of Testament”, Todd “The Rod” Kowalski pointed out that he could die happily knowing that Chi Pig from SNFU was at one of his shows. One-thousand punk rock fans stood amped, craving more. Todd came out first, explaining that since they hadn’t been here in a while they’d play a few more but with one simple rule:”everyone has to fuckin’ giv’er.” Chris, who previously mentioned how he liked our spirit (as it was superior to Saskatoon’s) called out all pathetic Canuck fans. I couldn’t imagine that either of these two gents will enjoy themselves as much when they crossed the border the following day. Our southern brothers may not connect with the encore opener, “Dear Coaches Corner,” an “open letter to the CBC” regarding Don Cherry’s insisted use of Hockey Night in Canada as his own personal soapbox. “Speculative Fiction” followed, and then finally “that song,” the first song from 1993’s How to Clean Everything—my favorite, and quite possibly yours—“Anti-Manifesto” rounded off the evening. Their organizational mastermind (not “manager”) took over and played the last few bars of bass guitar as Todd performed a rolling stage dive into the crowd and Chris exclaimed, “If you’re never going to stand up, you might as well lay down!” Chris and fans shouted the lyrics “we stand for something more than a faded sticker on a skateboard.” This was obvious back then and is even more so now. Thank you Chris, Todd, Jord and Dave for a thorough fucking ass kicking... we needed it. ...Weasel Was Here Setlist: 1. Supporting Caste 2. Tertium Non Datur (right?) 3. Banger's Embrace 4. Iteration 5. Nation States 6. Rock For Sustainable Capitalism 7. Less Talk, More Rock 8. Human(e) Meat 9. Back To The Motor League 10. Natural Disasters 11. Bringer of Greater Things 12. Without Love 13. Mate Ka Moris Ukun Rasik An 14. Pre-Teen McCarthyist 15. Purina Hall of Fame 16. Last Will and Testament Encore: 1. Dear Coaches Corner 2. A Speculative Fiction 3. Anti-Manifesto - Fri, 30 Oct 2009 6:53am Edited: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 6:57am | ||
| rob User Info... | Great reveiw! that was an awesome show. By far one of the best I've seen in a while. Hpefully they decide to come back sometime soon! Rob - Sat, 31 Oct 2009 7:32am | ||
| WestCoastWeasel User Info... | Interview with Todd earlier that evening, now also online: http://www.westcoastweasel.com/2009/10/informant-inquisition-iv-propagandhi.html - Sat, 31 Oct 2009 4:34pm | ||
| denny User Info... | Thanks for posting the review. I thought the show was pretty good. Definitely not the best Rebel Spell performance I have seen. They thrive in a smaller venue, and being on a stage that big made it painfully obvious how desperately the singer needs some moves. Propagandhi sounded great, but would it have killed them to play a couple more old ones? I was actually disappointed to hear 'Anti-Manifesto' as the closer. I would have traded it in for 'Stick the Fucking Flag Up Your Goddamn Ass, You Son of a Bitch' or 'Haillie Sellasse' in a heartbeat. I probably wasn't the only older fan that felt slightly robbed with close to half of the set coming from the new album. But all the set list beefs aside, they put on a killer performance and the mosh pit rocked hard, but not so hard that it hurt. It is just a shame that Propagandhi has forgotten how to clean everything. - Sat, 31 Oct 2009 4:58pm | ||
| __DC__ User Info... | yeah, true, Denny. Also , being an "older fan" myself(31) and knowing they haven't played here probably since "how to clean everything was released some more older songs may have been nice. But, I gotta say their new album is really good. And after seeing them live, I can't stop listening to it. My faves,: 2.Supporting Caste , 3.Tertium Non Datur, 4.Dear Coach’s Corner, 6.Human(e) Meat (The Flensing of Sandor Katz) I really like this one!! 7.Potemkin City Limits 11.The Banger’s Embrace 12.Last Will and Testament This album has definately been able to keep me more interested than their last couple. And I think if they keep writing new songs like this there will be many more good albums to come. - Fri, 6 Nov 2009 7:22pm Edited: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 7:23pm | ||
| WestCoastWeasel User Info... | If I was ever in a band I would want the first three songs of my album to sound exactly like the first three songs on Supporting Caste. I don't see any further perfection being possible. Best album since Less Talk, More Rock. _DC_ - I agree with all of your choices on the new album, but no love for any of Todd's tunes? Night Letters explodes my head at least two or three times daily. - Sat, 7 Nov 2009 1:23pm Edited: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 1:23pm | ||
| tito santana User Info... | i was at the show in seattle with millions of dead cops and it was awesome. flawless set by propaganghi... mdc ripped it up too. missed rebel spell but seen them enough here to know what they're all about. neumos is a pretty cool club. - Thu, 12 Nov 2009 5:58pm | ||
| jackass User Info... | The Beaver blew my mind. He's a machine. Propagandhi was awesome. I saw them here a few years ago on tour with Randy and they were good, but nothing like they are now. Rebel Spell...meh. Cambridge...meh with really shitty sound. Really shitty. - Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:26pm Edited: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:26pm | ||
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