Vol. 4 - #4 Issue 22 - June / July 2008 Absolutely FREE

WACKEN PREVIEW - IRON MAIDEN, CARCASS, AT THE GATES, Kreator, 3 Inches of BLood

We talk to METAL Documentary film INTERVIEWS WITH producers Sam DUnn & SCot MCFadyen testament PLUS: CANADIAN METAL bands, TYRANTS BLOOD, death angel OST EST IMA & Electro quarterstaff obituary

Tattoos Music Horror Skate Art

Editor - In - Chief - Ira Hunter (BC) Rock Star - Willy Jak (BC) Art Director - Chad Persley (AB) Music Editor - Emily Kendy (BC) Graphic Design - Demonika (AB) Ad Design - Clayton Hearty (BC), table of contents Writers -IE.S. Day, Demonika, Dustin Jak, Emily Kendy, Pauly Hardcore, Bubba, Ty Stranglehold, Billy Hopeless, Chris Walter, locals only - the beaumonts...... page 4 Mark Morr, Jym Wilson, Ira Hunter, Ryan Dyer, Mark Morr, Erik Lindholm, Uncle Anus, John Tard, Ricky Jak, Kristin Semchuck, mainland mayhem , the jolts...... page 5 Bumsexjen, David Zunker, Darren Ollinger, Sean McKay, Nick Parsons, Heather Furneaux, Jimmy Vertigo, Grimm Culhane, calgary carnage - ost est ima, colin decker free fall... page 6 Ronalado Dinkbague, Jason Schmidt, Lethal. Photographers -Ira Hunter, Bubba, Ben Heiderich, Bryn demonika’s symphony of horrors...... page 7 Johnson, Pauly Hardcore, Chad Persley, Demonika, Jen Dobbs, Jordana Meilleur/jordanameilleur.com . childsplay...... page 9 Comic Artists – Robin Thompson, Randy Chaos, Dick Kaupf Horoscope - David Zunker - www.mysticmountainlodge.com head charger ...... page 10 Goddesses of Transcription – Chelsea Rotten Wotton, Emily Kendy, Crystal Walts, Sarah Larson death angel...... page 11 Super Stallions of Transcription – Pauly Hardcore, Chuck Wurley, Michael Motorcycle, Erik Lindholm, Adam Hughes wretched winnipeg - electro quarterstaff ...... page 12 Interns – Needed Desperately!!! Apply within to [email protected] Logo Design – Robin Thompson mexican power authority ...... page 12 Artists – Robin Thompson, Randy Chaos toronto trash - terminals ...... page 15 Crossword - Dan Scum Distribution - Vancouver - Amber Lamoureux, Manly Mark, Mr. Plow, Michelle Everaert, Robin Thompson, Jake Warren, absolute metal - tyrant’s blood ...... page 16 Kelly Everaert Victoria/Vancouver Island - Big Rick, Cabby Craig, Hippy Dave, DJ, Jesus, Lackie, Champs of Hell Dan and Aaron r.i.p. the father of l.s.d ...... page 17 Seattle - CC & Gravy, Calgary - Chad Persley, Guido Edmonton - Rich Bastard , Winnipeg – Jamie Vertigo sailor jerry’s tattooshop, coming to victoria ...... page 18 Lethbridge/Medicine Hat - Jeff VandenElzen Toronto - Glen Dirty Bird danny vapid...... page 19

Co-Published by Ira Hunter and Willy Jak testament ...... page 20 Absolute Underground PO Box 48076, Victoria, BC V8Z 7H5 cheesecake burlesque ...... page 21

[email protected] global metal interview with sam dunn and scot mcfadyen ..pages 22-23

www.absoluteunderground.ca wacken festival preview ...... page 25 www.myspace.com/absolute_underground american import - the last priority ...... pages 26 If you would like Absolute Underground distributed at your business or you are hardcore alley - ruiner ...... page 29 interested in advertising with us please CONTACT US: grave maker ...... page 30

Submissions: ska-fest ...... page 31 submissions @absoluteunderground.ca ninjaspy...... page 32 Distribution: [email protected] obituary...... page 34 Advertising: live music reviews...... pagea 37-38 [email protected] album reviews...... page 39 Classifieds: [email protected] film and dvd reviews...... pages 40-41 Info: [email protected] horoscope and comix...... page 42 Hatemail: next issue ... the calgary tattoo convention, [email protected] paul booth, the crowd, swingin’ utters, or snail mail to: PO Box 48076 Victoria, BC V8Z 7H5 gross misconduct, ham wailin’, white trash debutantes ABSOLUTE UNDERGROUND MAGAZINE is published 6 times a year (or a close proximity) by Hidden Forces Publishing. No part of this publication may be reproduced JOIN THE without the written consent of the publisher. Editorial contributions are more than ABSOLUTE UNDERGROUND CREW! welcome, only if they are being offered exclusively to ABSOLUTE UNDERGROUND We are currently looking for interns, practicum students, MAGAZINE. The publisher assumes no photographers, writers, web and print designers, responsibility for the return or safety of ad sales associates, basically if you think you have contributed materials and therefore will something to offer we will listen. not be held responsible. All opinions or statements expressed are not necessarily We are seriously looking at people in those of the publisher or staff. ABSOLUTE Edmonton & Toronto. UNDERGROUND MAGAZINE is distributed throughout Vancouver Island, the Lower Please email [email protected] with your Mainland, Alberta, Toronto and Seattle. The talent in the subjectline along with a samples of your reader must understand that all information work and or website links, your resume as well as the given is from many various sources, therefore city your are living in... ABSOLUTE UNDERGROUND MAGAZINE cannot be held responsible for any accuracy, completeness or legalities. www.absoluteunderground.ca  By Mark “Marlborough” Jak who had previously put together and played guitar in 2 Victoria bands from the early ‘90’s: AssBackwards, ( or the AssBastards as The Beaumonts hail from Victoria BC and consists of erstwhile some called them) featured Dustin Jak previously from Shutdown members Willy Jak and Rhys on guitars, Luke Burgess on drums and on skins and Doug Copley from the Clusterfux on Vox and bass Spider McTerrible on bass. The guys started up in ‘02 and quickly with Willy on guitar. Next, Willy slung together The Pricks, with put together a list of tunes featuring a great cover of The Sonics’ Victoria lokes Rob Handy playing bass and Andrew Walker and then “Strychnine”. Lots of crunchy dual Les Paul downpicking and tough, Dustin on skins. It was a fiery relationship that sometimes resulted snotty vox through each garage rock-esque, blues-ey track. Solid in physical conflict between not only the band members, but also slower- mid temp drumming hits the mark and keeps Willy’s and with patrons at their shows who might be offended by, say, Rob Rhys’s lyrics clear and audible. wearing a dead kitten on a string around his neck while playing at a The Beaumonts came to be through the imagination of Willy Jak PETA benefit (I think it was??). I mean, I can’t see it but the pressure must have been taking its toll on Willy, because he decided to put The Pricks on hold and take a cushy, relaxing job playing bass in The Dayglos for the next near decade! Paired with his continuing Calgary, Innisfail and Edmonton the days before. Armed with their commitment to The Dayglos, 6 song demo and some killer looking shirts and stix, these guys The Beaumonts represents should be able to generate enough revenue to afford the gas bucks the next progression of Willy’s to get them there and back in one piece. dirty, stay at home song writing BEAUMONTS on tour with LA’s Last Priority abilities. July 7 The Cobalt Vancouver BC Not scared to hit the road, The Beaumonts have made it out July 8 The Distillery Calgary AB to southern Alberta 3 times July 9 The Zoo Innisfail AB previous and are now slated to take it one step further and hit July 11 TBA TBA Saskatoon and Winnipeg after July 11 TBA Edmonton, AB gigging through Vancouver, July 12 Ozzie’s Winnipeg MB

Glen Bitters: I don’t have a Cadillac Accolade so I aspirations? think I’ll do just fine. Ty Stranglehold: Find a “sugar mamma” to finance Adam Sewer: No comment. your band and start putting out records ASAP! Eat Drink Tour AU: Glen, have you ever driven impaired while Big Rick: Better to burnout than to fade away, son! on tour? Glen Bitters: Find a lot of money. Glen Bitters: Had a couple Don’t live on an island. Buy a van that The Hoosegow Movie! here and there, but I can’t doesn’t have a 180-liter gas tank! really remember. Adam Sewer: I shouldn’t have taken big boys from AU: We didn’t see it in the so many Vicodin! Victoria. documentary, but how do Well, I guess the more things change, Almost two years you guys fend off all the the more they stay the same. Neither later, I’ve finally groupies when on the road? the footage nor the sound is the finished the Ty Stranglehold: I don’t know greatest in this documentary, but it’s documentary and what you’re talking about, very raw and real and gives you the I sat down with next question. feeling that you are on the road with the stars of the Big Rick: With beer bottles and the guys and in the half empty halls show to ask them razor blades. listening to them rock out. a few questions. Glen Bitters: They all look at Stay tuned and check the poles for AU: This Fish anyways. the release of the “Eat Drink Tour” documentary DVD. was shot in 2006, Adam Sewer: No comment. www.thehoosegow.com what’s happened AU: What’s the biggest piece of advice you’d between now give to all the kids out there with similar www.myspace.com/thehoosegow and then? Ty Stranglehold: Went on the road again with The Ripcordz in 2007 and have been by The Nicker working hard to I’ve known most of the guys get the band a Pizza Zone sponsorship. in The Hoosegow for a long Big Rick: A lot has happened. I’m a Dad, time, and in the summer and proud of it dammit! His name is of 2006 they approached Marshall. Other than that not much. me to accompany them on Glen Bitters: Ate about 10,000 chicken their annual tour as their wings. Also editing this damn thing videographer. I didn’t have at Westwood Lake at The Hoosegow access to fancy cameras or retreat with The Nicker. sound equipment, so armed only with a tripod and my Adam Sewer: No comment. small handicam I agreed to AU: With the imminent release of this hit the road. epic blockbuster, how do you guys The ‘Gow played shows on think you’ll handle all the accolades the Island, in the interior of BC and went as far as and fame? Edmonton, performing seven shows in ten days. Ty Stranglehold: Probably become a recluse The Ripcordz, Alcoholic White Trash (Jay Brown’s alcoholic who hides in his room, never to show his final tour), and Sheglank’d Shoulders were just face in public again. some of the bands that shared the bill with the Big Rick: Ain’t gonna be a problem.  www.absoluteunderground.ca some of funny. Good job. We’re only 21 There’s no swearing, I realized. It just spice minutes in… didn’t come out that way. Guess I’m JB: Racial tension. for this JB: We don’t have publicity training. getting more mellow, been listening to AU: How do you feel about 12 year interview. Besides the rock opera, AU: You need a manager. Those kids a lot of John Mayer. olds taking over Vancouver’s punk that has a glimmer of hope. have a manager. AU: Okay, so still waiting on a lyric… scene? DR: Just work with that. That can be the JB: We have a manager. He’s a dad. JB: Your body is a wonderland. JB: That’s good. I support that. If I headline, “Jolts Announce Rock Opera.” AU: Is he a stage mom? DR: We wrote that. By Emily Kendy started playing music when I was JB: We can talk. Just give me a topic. DR: He hangs out at the side of the AU: Wow, this took 24 minutes. The Jolts debut full-length album, twelve I’d be way further ahead. AU: Okay. Osama Bin Laden? stage, with orange slices and water DR: Bet it felt like an hour. Haute Voltage, is full of garage punk AU: Maybe you should one up them. JB: I’m all for Osama. bottles. rock songs, recorded at the Hive JB: How? AU: Yes. Yes it did. 24 minutes of DR: He does what he says. JB: He put us together. We’re what… ? with Jesse Gander. It is refreshingly AU: What am I, a fucking therapist? I JB: He’s not fucking around. completely manufactured. straightforward, an upbeat shout- don’t know. With a musical, or a rock DR: There’s gold on there. You just have out to the punk that is, according opera. AU: Gay marriage? AU: Jolt lyric to finish? to listen really carefully to the other people’s conversations. to singer/guitarist Joey Blitzkrieg, DR: I hate musicals. JB: I think they should just get rid of [Crickets.] “A-getting-fired-from-your-job-after- marriage. It’s useless. JB: In between when we’re talking. JB: We could do a rock opera. JB : Hm… being-caught-stealing-and-spending- AU: Existence of aliens? DR: What would be appropriate? (The Jolts CD release is June 13 at your-last-cash-on-Jagermeister-and- AU: What would it be called? DR: We’re for the existence of aliens. AU: What would be inappropriate the Cobalt, with the Parallels and hash-kinda-way.” JB: Built Like a Generator. It would be AU: Conspiracy theories? would be preferable… Petroleum Bi-Products, for more info Blitzkrieg and guitarist Dr. Danger sit about a rock and roll band in a car on the band go to: www.myspace. JB: Hilary Clinton was at fault in the JB: I was disappointed with my lack of down for beer at a pub on Commercial accident. They die and come back to com/thejolts) Waco massacre. She hid evidence. inappropriate lyrics with this record. Drive. They are stoned and tired, life by the power of rock and roll. And respectively, and what follows can only electricity. AU: Voting? For or be compared to two dentist’s chairs, DR: There’d be some lighting. against? a mouth full of teeth to be pulled JB: Big engines. JB: I think I voted and one reporter acting as stand-in AU: Did you really get a pie in the Marxist, last time. tooth puller. Also, imagine if you will, face when you were playing the AU: You can vote that? a background of crickets. This will best Cobalt? Joey Blitzkrieg: Yeah. paint the picture of what follows. JB: Yeah. Dr. Danger: If more AU: What’s the best thing about your DR: That was from Ashtray. people knew that… new album? JB: It wasn’t even a pie it was in a pie they should advertise. Joey Blitzkrieg: Best thing? I don’t plate with that oil based whipping JB: But they’re Marxist. know. The guitar solos. cream. I couldn’t even play the guitar AU: True or false: Dr. Danger: There are twice as many as my hands were sliding all over the worms are an last time. place. ingredient in AU: What’s the one song that best AU: So you’ve talked about old processed cheese? sums up the Jolts at this time? venues in Vancouver like the Starfish DR: True or false? JB: There’s probably not one song that room and the Brickyard, which were JB: Is this a quiz? sums up our album. It’s all over the two of my favourite venues back in DR: I’m guessing false. place in terms of style. the day. Have those been replaced, AU: I don’t know. It’s in your opinion? DR: We have a couple songs that are just a rumour. over five minutes, too. [Crickets.] DR: We can talk about AU: Tell me about each other. A JB: I guess Pub 340. The rock and roll the tour. We’re going secret. scene is pretty scattered. end of June. DR: We have to live together so this AU: That’s a good point. There is AU: Gonna hit up some isn’t going to work very well. no real set venue for rock and roll, more backwoods hick Joey Blitzkrieg: He likes boys? like there is for punk, or metal or towns? rockabilly… DR: I’ve got nothing to say. He likes to JB: We’re going to some break my stuff. DR: We can play anywhere, we’re happy real places, too. Across JB: We can talk about the other guys. playing the Cobalt, or Pub 340. We fit in Canada, to Montreal pretty good. AU: Okay, tell me about them. and Toronto and back. JB: Or maybe we don’t fit in pretty [Crickets.] We’ve got an awesome good. van that we’ll be paying DR: There’s four minutes and thirty AU: You also say in an interview that off for the next five seconds of gold right here. it’s not cool when kids eat all their years. AU: How well would you say you get parents’ cheese bread. What’s that DR: It has a nice roof along on a scale of one to five? One about? rack. We don’t know being murder attempts and five JB: That’s a story about a punk rocker what to do with it yet, being pillow fights. from West Van who ate all his parents though. JB: Two. Several assaults but no murder cheese bread and was grounded, so AU: Put the guy who’s attempts. There’s a lot of tension. he couldn’t make the show. That was the stinkiest up there? AU: Sexual tension? Electric’s story, our bass player. He JB: We’re all up there. JB: Sexual tension, physical tension. knew someone, or something. DR: No one’s driving. DR: Did you say racial tension? AU: You guys are killing me. I need AU: That was kind

www.absoluteunderground.ca  By Ryan Dyer. Todd: We put out a CD?? What’s a Andrew: We write around Bodies, Burning Bodies. What is the studio? a lyrical idea, concept, sound of discombobulated machinery Craig: The recording process was guitar riff, certain feel, a digesting a human into fuel? If you the same as any other filled with drum beat, everything. tripped on a rock and fell ear first frustrations and problems, but it made John: I’m constantly into a land mine, what would it the release better. I want to record as writing lyrics and when resemble? Ost Est Ima is this, and soon as possible, but not until the time I get an idea in my head, anything else. A death squad with is right. I’ll work it out as many set mission parameters to search and Pirate: A Few For The Dead was different ways as I can. disassemble, to make harmonious awesome, I had a great time at Every now and then, the it up for touring and they understand Warehouse/ Underground with local noises be classified as “disappeared”. Sergey’s. I don’t want to jump into boys dig what I’m doing. alot of bands could really use a vehicle bands playing the 18+ portion of the Ost Est Ima is as calculated as a NASA recording until I feel we have enough Will John continue to do artwork for for touring as well, they decided to show downstairs at The Underground moon mission and dangerous as a of a diverse selection of material. future Ost Est Ima releases? give it away to a band that could in between the bands upstairs. black widow in your sleeping quarters. Andrew: The recording process was John: Fuck yeah! I’ve always wanted to really use it. I responded to the ad and Unfortunately this was the first time What is open to perception in this case awesome and alot of fun. We plan do the artwork for a band and doing everyone else went down to pick it up. that we used the bus, and there were is your own macabre revelations when to start recording again but we will it for my own is a bit of a dream come Apparently the bus wouldn’t start, so some vehicle problems on the way going through their recital. Listen my see how everything goes, as we are true. a tow truck had to be called, so right to the venue causing us to miss our brothers and sisters, a new testament working on various things at the What is the meaning to the band as soon as the tow truck was arriving, slot. Our good friends in Mark of Cain is in the making, the legion of Ost Est moment and getting prepared to name? they eventually got it to start. To make played after Dying Fetus finished Ima is growing and I am but an apostle record. the sale, he sold it to us for $2 because upstairs and cut their set short so we preaching the word... have a sacrifice All: What doesn’t it mean? John: Recording with one of Pirate’s he wanted to get a coffee. No one would get the opportunity to play. ready.. Instead of a van going from venue to had any money on them at the time Some of the members of Dying Fetus old band mates made the process venue, you guys drive a short bus to What factor does Ost Est Ima possess more enjoyable. It was more based on so Pirate’s girlfriend ended up paying came downstairs afterwards and that other Calgary bands do not? lug around your stuff, who’s idea was the $2 (laughs). The bus was already checked us out for a bit which was friendship than business. I’d like to get it, who bought it? Todd: Intensity. I feel that we have into the studio as soon as possible, but painted black, we just re-painted it pretty cool. Andrew: Haha, well it’s a bit of a story. a loud and present feel with our also not until all the songs have been and fixed it up alot. It’s definately a gas Any last words? This band from Calgary called The band and music and we have a lot of perfected. guzzler. Pirate: Thanks to all the fans for Incandesence put an ad out on the ambition to our art and expression. You guys were going to open for listening and we’ll always strive to What is the songwriting process like, internet saying that they were getting And we believe in it to the fullest. Dying Fetus in Lethbridge, but make deadly metal and not disappoint. are things written around a lyrical rid of the bus. Basically, they got it Andrew: Besides what’s already been the show was cancelled. Can you idea, guitar riff.. rigged up for touring, but then broke Andrew: Thanks to everyone who has mentioned, one other thing is that we elaborate the incident, did they see Craig: We do it all. We write whole up before they went out on tour. If i supported us thus far! there are four of us who do vocals. you here in Calgary? songs, start with guitar riffs or lyrical recall correctly, non of the members See Ost Est Ima at: Andrew: Well I believe there were A Few For The Dead was released last content. Music always has a root and had a place to store the bus at either. Saturday July 19th - EVILFEST 3 some licensing issues regarding the year, how was the recording process starts it all. So they were originally going to at THE COBALT, Vancouver, BC venue in Lethbridge, so they had and when are you heading back into Pirate: Everyone contributes 1/5 to the donate it to charity, but decided just to to cancel the show. The show in www.ostestima.com the studio? musical writing process. give it away for free. Since they rigged Calgary was a combined show at The Photo by Dave Anderson

guys; their ability instruments are played with distinction and Darren rocks fitting seems limitless so vocals laced with non-sense creates a comical juxtaposition. it is assumable that The best thing about this band is that they’re truly over the whole it was effortless ‘get famous’ thing, they work for a living, they have normal lives. for them to out- Word has it that they’re not out to have a good time, they are hardcore most of the exclusively trying to teach shitty punk rock bands about how much hardcore bands in they suck and show them the way. I’m only partially convinced that the scene. After-all they’re not having fun because it sure looks and sounds like fun to the whole purpose me. CDFF plans to be in the studio frequently and sporadically not of this band is to necessarily recording another album, in the mean time pick up their show everyone how self-titled or have a listen on their myspace maybe come out to a the fuck it’s done. show, you might learn something that could change your life. They just released www.myspace.com/thecdff their first EP in April

COLIN DECKER FREE FALL on the up and coming Calgary based label The New Black (www.thenewblacklabel.com). It Had To Be Done When I listen to the CD I notice a few things, the recording is By Kristin impeccable, I have to say it’s They found Colin Decker, 25, lying on the ground with a severe head really good. The album was injury and a collapsed lung. He was unresponsive and was having created at Music Centre Canada difficulty maintaining his airway. Witnesses reported that Decker in Calgary with the help of was scrambling up a mountain when he fell over 100 feet, striking Robbie Gwilliam who’s been his head… known to pump out some crazy professional work. To top it off The decision to name the band The Colin Decker Free Fall (CDFF) the production was refined by had nothing to do with the above incident; this Colin Decker is Jay Sinclair’s superior wisdom in unrelated to the tributed one who is actually a jack of all trades this department. The music as from Vancouver. He’s a stunt man, a comedian, a pro-wrestler all a whole has a healthy crossover wrapped into one man, some might call him a god. The coincidental sound formed by the collision characteristic of the name was discovered when a distraught friend of talent and as always musical angrily contacted singer Darren Ollinger to express his disgust with influence. According to Isaac and the band’s exploitation of such a grim situation. While they had no Darren much of their sound was knowledge of this incident prior to the conversation, the guy still born from a love for S.O.D. and expects some sort of grand apology in the form of a benefit show, Suicidal, to name a few. good luck with that buddy. Focusing on the lyrics, I’ve Let’s set the tribulations of the name aside and dive into the never heard anything more depths of the CDFF. The band started in September of 2007 and ridiculous in my life but on the before any songs were complete, a gig was in place, so they had a same note, aside from ‘Flight handful of riffs and a deadline. After two jams they managed to put of The Minotaur’ (which just together 9 songs with which to break into the scene. The CDFF is might be my favorite song), it’s well endowed; sporting bassist Jay and guitarist Scott, of Belvedere, all relatable. Like who doesn’t drummer Isaac, of Downway, guitarist Jeff, of Katabasis (or more have at least some sort of hate recently Killing Fields) and singer Darren, who hosts his own radio on for hippies, Zellers and bad show on X92.9, Project Punk. This band is a park walk for these grammar? The fact that the  www.absoluteunderground.ca There is a hedonistic impulse that surges through the mind coloured tape over the breasts and simply put black X’s over vampires from outer space, Warhol factory girls, and a on the dawn of an event by Demonika. For one, a pre-show them. With the different lights distorting a clear perception dominatrix turned housewife. exhilaration when seeing those ladies get disrobed and of their breasts and their covering, it still looked as if they An aura of decadence lifted the void felt by the hardcore then re-attach a libido engaging type of re-robe. Potentially were naked with a black X over the nip. Problem solved! kink-lovers, when whips and wires were brought to the dangerous to one’s common sense and commitments! Like Like times before, it’s easy to just say “you had to be there,” stage for a couple of submissive sets, one resembling an old pros that could summon men’s minds, hearts and groins because there was literally too much going on to fully Al Qaeda terrorist interrogation, the other… what some like little lace magnets, they are mechanically exact in their document without sounding like a rambling list of activities students will go through to get an A! routine of flirtatious thrill and spectacle. And then I am and resembling an episode of The Hilarious House Of Larger group routines included a fetishistic version of Bride taken aback when seeing the Warehouse fitted and layered Frightenstein with Demonika Clothing’s costume design in decoration, knowing sooner than one can shake those Of Frankenstein with filleted limbs, latex, and Igor groveling from a leather dungeon. Musical acts downstairs featured over the rejected bride, a “tough chick with a tattoo” goth black butterflies from the stomach, it will be stuffed with a the progressively dreamy Anabith Gish, up and coming crowd willing and susceptible to the maelstrom of kinkiness gang from the wrong side of the tracks stripping and nomads Persepolis, the eight legged galloping sledge of converting two prep girls, who in turn seem to enjoy the fluctuating about them. This is the black standard. We’ve all Ole! and the cleansing of mind – via blood brawl of grind left our inhibitions in the dirty clothes hamper along with dark side. Also, a completely ripped alien, who’d probed – with headliners, Exit Strategy. The festivities upstairs one too many natives, getting his just deserts by having our mundane blue jeans, and it’s hard to not burst like a were designed to titillate, shock and disgust. Hosted by the Jolly Roger balloon with anxiousness of what’s to come... his viscera ripped out of him whilst suspended, prone and cunning cunnilingus addict Bruce, they were like a six hour withering from the ceiling. Then there was everybody’s Word traveled fast about the morality police scrutinizing marathon of Grindhouse-style flicks with gift giveaways and favorite doctor prescribing vitamins of over-stimulation and the posters for the show a day before it was to happen, games in between crude trailers handled by the one and the always on-call burlesque beauties. As always, it’s hard to demanding censorship on the nudity and gore factor. only cardinal of carnage, Miss Demeanor. decide which ass to look at! This was countered quite easily as most girls wore a light Well, I said you had to be there but I’m obliged to spill some It was an overextended break to make sure the morality of the beans – just make squad had gone back to their citadels, but once the long sure you show your ass next overdue Demonika came on stage to join in the festivities, time! Routines were more just like a good crucifixion it was well worth the wait. In this varied than ever before, most bonanza her arms were pierced by wicked jester Jake, as Your Retro Tiki Hifalutin’ Lowbrow Shop being of two or so females, black balloons that hung from her incisions floated towards proving they don’t need big the roof before halting, arrested by the flesh from which groups to show their shit. they were converged. If she had of flown away, it would This included hula-hoop have been perfect personification of the elation of joy gyrations, event regulars that overcame me in the closing moments of the night. Of belly dancing (with a James course, it could have been that bottle of Jaeger contributing Bond femme fatale) and flags to that as well... used as dangerous weapons, old school carny contortions -R. Dyerbolique and glass walking, lesbian -Images By Pictor www.modelmayhem.com/pictor

%AST0ENDER3T6ANCOUVER 0 FUNHAUSERCOM

www.absoluteunderground.ca   www.absoluteunderground.ca the singer. He’s really cool Door” and “Blitzkrieg Bop”. we finished the set at the Jaden: We played with Mr. Plow. except he gets picked on for AU: Did you win? Balmoral, I went to sit down William: Love that guy. being short. He gets called a with my brother and this drunk Mishel: It wasn’t a competition. Jaden: He is really funny. He girl. [Jaden receives a cell phone guy came over and got on his played age-appropriate songs. call. It is the foreign named William: If it was, we would have knees [Mishel starts miming girlfriend from Playland. He won. the “we’re not worthy” bowing AU: I didn’t know he had any. tells her he’s in the middle of an AU: Are you going to drop out movements]. Did you meet Wendy 13? Blond Mohawk? interview.] of school to become a rock AU: So your EP covers quite Mishel: Levin. I have not much star? a bit of topics. Including… William: Oh, I saw her. to say about Levin. Sometimes Mishel: I am. hitting girls? Tell me about Jaden: Yeah, she came up to us he gets really wild. Jaden: I’m thinking about it. This that song. at the end of the night and said Levin: William is the bass player. guy [pointing to William] is on Jaden: “Did You Really?” It’s it was a good show. Chi Pig also He’s a friend. He got a new bass the honour roll, wants to get about how this person went drew a cartoon of us. into a good school. away and when he came back Mishel: I really think it was cool I don’t know, as he heard there was a party and to let us go in there and have long as I’m doing this person hit this girl over the a show ‘cause we’re not, like, something that’s weekend. Punched her pretty old enough to go inside those good. hard. Everyone was talking places. I just thought it was Mishel: Sometimes about it around school and he pretty cool of them. I think all you was this guy’s best friend and AU: Any words of advice, for By Emily Kendy wet – can belt out the opening on Tuesday and has a nice long need to know is the basics, like he didn’t think it was right and the kids out there? board. didn’t want to hang out with a Their rehearsal space is in a of the Ramones classic, “Hey, mathematics. Jaden: Don’t do drugs. Stay jerk anymore. community centre. Granted, Ho, Let’s Go”, or that guitarist AU: How long has the band AU: Math is important? in school. If you don’t stay in Jaden is sporting a pink-and- been together? AU: Who’s your biggest the community centre is on Mishel: More than spelling. school I suggest getting a good East Hastings, so they aren’t too black checkered tie and chucks Mishel: A year and a half. I met musical influence? job so you don’t end up with a Levin: Yeah ‘cause you have to far separated from their older makes them punk, whatever it him and these two were already Jaden: I would say Johnny screwed-up life. is works. Sure, they might look talk, not spell. punk counterparts who practice friends. He knew how to play Rotten. He’s just so cool. His Mishel: What kind of advice is like something Disney dragged Jaden: There are certain aspects in the area and they’re only a the bass in Grade 6 but I met facial reactions, how he’s so that? Stay in school, but don’t in but these kids have balls… of math that are important. I block away from the Astoria… him in Grade 5 – cocky. stay in school? Wow. I think you even if they haven’t dropped don’t think knowing the square where they could go have a Jaden: Okay, that’s going back William: Flea, from the Red Hot should stay in school and try to yet. root of a box is important. beer after jams, if they were a little bit. What started initially Chili Peppers. His style, stage get the best marks you can. old enough. But Grade 8 isn’t AU: Tell me about the person AU: Do you guys take music in was, by the end of Grade 6, presence, music… William: Working hard or hardly the new 19, unfortunately. This on the right – something no school? which was two years ago, I Mishel: I’d say Slash, from Guns working. Always ask that hasn’t stopped the young band one knows. got my first guitar. I asked William: Yeah, that’s how I N’ Roses. As far as singers, I question to yourself. from playing everywhere from William: This is Jaden, the William if he wanted to be the started learning. Playing and guess the singer from Skid Row. the Balmoral to the Cobalt. With Levin: Have a good girlfriend or guitarist, he has a new girlfriend bassist in the band. One of my reading music. He’s got a cool voice. their debut in the works, oh so boyfriend. that he’s hiding from his dad other friends wanted to be the AU: What do people think aptly titled, Just Say No, these Levin: I don’t know anybody. I AU: Childsplay Lyric to finish? named… some, I don’t know. singer so we gave him a shot. about you being in a band at little dudes are already strides know bands but not musicians. It’s a foreign name I can’t really My brother was playing the this age? William: Quit shoving little pills ahead of half the musicians pronounce. drums. The singer didn’t work AU: Best Gig to date? in me so I’ll sit in my chair. I Levin: No one cares about us twice their age in this city, but out because he never showed Jaden: The Cobalt was such a want to be me. AU: Why the secret? being in a band, they don’t talk the recording doesn’t do justice up or committed to anything. fun show. Jaden: She just calls me all the about it at school. (Childsplay will be playing Car to seeing these four perform. So my brother brought home time. Mishel: It was pretty cool. Free Day on Denman Street, Whether it’s the fact that Mishel Mishel. We tried him out for Jaden: After shows people William: I liked the style, the June 15. For more info on the – the François-accented lead Mishel: Is she the one you met singing and he was a natural. come up to us, asking how long walls and the posters… very band check out: www.myspace. singer, who looks like he might at Playland? Then we played the talent show we’ve been playing and stuff. punk rock. com/thechildsplay) weigh in at 15 pounds soaking Jaden: Yeah. So this is Mishel, at school. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Mishel: This one time after

www.absoluteunderground.ca  I’m sitting at the computer, supporters moving forgoing my usual morning away or settling down. routine of coffee, smokes and It will come back strong maybe something green to sometime again and AU: You’re set to release some pound out this article about will put most other towns of the new material this summer a pretty sweet band that are same size to shame. can you tell us a bit about the gonna be headed your way AU: What’s your favorite city new CD and the new splits you this summer. They hail from to play in? have coming out? Fredericton, NB, which is far, Tom: Montreal or Ottawa would far away from the usual Locals Tery: We have a full length CD be my favorite city to play Only stuff I write, but they’ll be coming out on No List records, because the scenes/bands here and all over the country the full length will also see a there are very good and the this summer. I’m listening to the European release on Black Seeds people are all about having a handful of songs that they’ve Records from Ireland. We’re also good time. got up on MySpace, while I work releasing a couple of split 7”s, on this. I don’t even think I need Tery: Totally agree. We get to one with my brothers in Iron my aforementioned morning play with some really cool Fist on Capital Kill records and vices; these guys work out to bands and have some really another with Montreal’s Fatal be the equivalent of a few cups good friends in those cities. Flaw that’s gonna be released of coffee and a morning bowl. We played a really fun show in on APH/Outrageous Defecation With lots of energy, good riffs Peterborough, with Ab Irato Records. We are looking forward and pretty intense vocals I’m when we were first starting out, to getting these releases out well taken care of. I sent them tones of people came out and and touring them around the some questions via the big we all got super trashed. world and flying the flag! bad Interweb and they were AU: You’re playing at AU: What about your plans to nice enough to get back to Arsonfest in Winnipeg and at tour Europe? Have you been me promptly enough so that I Distort Fest in Vancouver this before? Are you gonna hit could get this done for all you summer. Which bands are you up Amsterdam? What do you lovely dirt bags out in Absolute excited to play with? want to see while you’re over? Underground land... So on with Tom: Both of these shows Tom: We will be touring Europe the show. should be killer. Arsonfest for 27 days in October and AU: Tell us a bit about your should be awesome, looking playing shows in Germany, band. Who is Hard Charger forward to seeing Kursk, Czech Republic, France, and what is your mission? MankillsMan, Under Pressure Netherlands, Belgium and Tery: Well, we have all been and of course Putresence. Mike Sweden. I hope to see a lot of friends for awhile and have Alexander has been doing this killer bands and meet some cool known each other from other for years and does a great job, folks. Personally, I would like to bands we have played with easily one of the best promoters check out the Bone Church, in in the past. When we started in Canada. The people of Kutna Hora. We will be playing talking about what we wanted Winnipeg rule too! Same with Amsterdam at the end of our to do with this band we kept The Beer Store, since they’re tour hopefully the Weedian will it pretty simple, we’re all huge open ‘til 2 a.m. be summoned. This will be the fans of a lot of the Scandi-crust Tery: I am really excited to play first international Hard Charger and hardcore but we also with Mass Grave. I’ve been into tour. wanted to keep a good back those guys for a while now AU: How do you see the world bone of the rock and roll we and I think they are gonna be in five years? love like Motörhead, Zeke, Rose sick! And obviously, getting to Tery: I’m guessing the same way Tattoo, Thin Lizzy, etc. We did play with bands like Hellshock, I see it now, a disgusting rat race our first show in March 2007, in Criminal Damage, Inepsy etc. for power and status, one that Montreal and touring as much is gonna be a blast for all of us! we won’t be a part of. When as possible since then. We’ll Inepsy gets spun on our record nothing is left but wasteland play any shows we can – bars, player pretty much every time and disease, Hard Charger will all ages, basements, kitchens, we get wasted. look upon the mess we left our whatever… we’re just here to AU: Which bands should we be beautiful planet in and laugh play some good music and on the lookout for, here on the as the Interceptor’s fall and meet and play with cool bands West Coast? hammer down on our blood and people. Tery: There are lots of good soaked highway! AU: How would you describe Eastern bands the only problem AU: Well thanks for taking your sound for those who is most bands over here never time to talk to us, we here in haven’t heard you? What’s a leave the Maritimes. A few Victoria will see you on July Hard Charger show like? bands currently ripping shit 29, at the Camas Infoshop. Tery: I always hate havin’ to are Cuban Assassins, Rusted Tom: Thanks for the interest in describe the sound but I guess Dawn, Super Destroyer, Rocking Hard Charger we look forward without trying to copy anyone Argentos, Ironfest (toured to annihilating the West Coast or step on any toes I would say Canada and share members this summer. with Hard Charger) and we just sound like Crust ‘n Roll. (To check out when Hard Hellacaust who will be touring We’re loud and blurry. Charger will be playing your out west in September and AU: What’s the scene like in town hit up their website are probably one of the best Fredericton? at www.myspace.com/ Canadian metal bands going. Tom: The scene in Fredericton hardchargermusic) Ontario and Quebec have a is good but has died down in bunch of good bands too but Till next time keep it sleazy, recent years due to the lack they seem to get noticed more. -bsxjen of a steady venues and key 10 www.absoluteunderground.ca Abuse, we played with those guys all AU: Are you the time. stoked on some of AU: Your albums started off pretty the newer bands raw and crazy. Then you got more coming out? experimental and more with the Rob: Yeah, I came slick production, hey? up for air and heard Rob: Yeah, there’s a natural progression. there were all these We got into exploring sounds and thrasher revival wanting better sound. bands and all these young dudes AU: Is that on your new album as influenced by AU: And Kirk Hammett produced one well? thrash these days. That fucking rules, of your first demos as well? Rob: Oh, most definitely. This new it reminds me of us when we were Rob: Oh well, he produced our Kill As album captures our sound and is the younger and fucking coming out with One demo, which inevitably got us AU: Victoria, BC, Canada. best ever by far, man. The production the excitement of thrash. signed to our first record deal. of this album is the ultimate Interview with Rob: Beautiful I love Victoria. AU: You guys played a benefit called AU: What made you guys different production for our music. It’s powerful AU: Are you coming to Canada to Thrash of the Titans at one point. back then? and clear and raw and organic. It’s play anytime soon? What was that all about? lead guitarist everything, man. It’s eerie sounding. Rob: Besides the fact that we kind Rob: We must be. We’re going to tour Rob: It was all about [Testament of had our own sound in that genre, AU: Who was the producer? Rob Cavestany everywhere. Biggest tour we’ve ever vocalist] Chuck Billy, who had cancer. which we hold to this day–a sort of done. Hopefully Canada will be in the Rob: Nick Raskulinecz. He was a good friend of ours in that left-wing sound to metal, I think it was by Ira Hunter and Dustin Jak May to June part of the tour. AU: He hasn’t done much metal scene. When the call came out that also because we were really young. After last month’s chat with EXODUS, AU: So, you guys were influenced by has he? Isn’t he more into the shiny everyone was going to do this for We were the youngest band in thrash. it only seemed natural that we keep the earlier bands from California in happy bands? Chuck and how serious the cause Still are bro! We were all cousins to top the ball rolling with the BAY AREA the early 80s. Rob: Yeah, kinda. From your very own was… that was what it was about. it off, so there was a novelty factor as THRASH theme. DEATH ANGEL are a Rush through to Foo Fighters. He did People getting together for a good well. band that are always lumped in with Shadows friend. Thank God he pulled through AU: How old were you when you this notorious geographical region. Fall as far as that. started? Their debut E.P. THE ULTRA VIOLENCE metal goes. AU: You guys named your band after Rob: We were gigging when I was 13 was a thrash masterpiece when it was And Danko a book, did you actually read it? and Andy our drummer was 9. We were released with some of the band still Jones’ latest Rob: Nope, I heard it sucked so I playing parties and clubs all around in Junior High, yes, they were even album. never took the time to read it. Me and and were together for years before younger than POSSESSED. Songs like AU: How did Dennis when we were like, 15, we were we got signed. We were just freaks of “EVIL PRIEST”, the title track, or the you guys walking through a bookstore trying nature. anthem about their “fan base”/gang, get hooked to choose a better name for our band, AU: Do you guys still skate or surf? “THRASHERS” were all years ahead of up with which at the time was called Dark Rob: Dennis surfs like a mad man when the pack and all with an average age him? Theory. We saw that book and Dennis he can. Skating not as much, maybe in the band of 17. Two more excellent pointed to it and we decided that He is a just a little fucking around or getting albums, Frolic Through The Park, and would be a good band name. Act III were to follow, but while on the total metal from here to there, but quite frankly Rob: Well definitely Metallica, Slayer road in 1990 the band got in a serious head and an old school Death Angel AU: Is it true that Kerry King played there’s going to be too much pain and Exodus. car accident and drummer Andy fan. Danko Jones of all people was guitar for Megadeth at one of your involved. We have tours to play! AU: What about Punk and Hardcore recording with Nick and Danko came first shows? Galeon was critically injured, needing www.nuclearblastusa.com bands? into the studio wearing a Death Angel Rob: Yeah. In fact I think that was more than a year to fully recover. I was www.myspace.com/deathangel left only with an untorn ticket stub. Rob: Thanks for waking me up, I was hoodie. Nick saw it and picked up the Mark’s first show as our singer, 1984. nearest guitar and started playing our www.myspace.com/robcavestany AU: How are you Rob? just thinking purely metal here. Yeah, We opened for Megadeth and Kerry hello! Punk bands like D.R.I., Verbal old songs. King was in the band at that time. Rob: Great, where are you calling from?

www.absoluteunderground.ca 11 to incorporating a bassist. How was that same time. I’m finally transition? hearing our music in UPPERCASE letters. wretched winnipeg Drew: We started jamming with Marty Thiessen [formerly of avant-garde jazzers, Gardening with AU: So you are telling and farther away from traditional heavy metal- Alice] in December of 2006 and have since written us that Marty is the mad scientist and was the derived techniques with the most recent material, Electro Quarterstaff, Part I three new songs with him in addition to drilling missing link in EQ? but at its essence you can still hear subtle traces of “Ride The Lightning” and “Master of Puppets” “An Electrified String Quartet” him on the old material. Before Marty entered the Drew: Marty is by far the musically skilled in the black heart of our sound. We all listen picture, our music was basically “tennis without member of the group. He is extremely versatile to a wide variety of music and subconsciously Interview with Drew Johnston a net.” There was a lot of very visceral, screwball in adapting his bass parts to compliment all the incorporate stylistic aspects common to serves and volleys but with no real backbone or various guitar work and in establishing serious By Pauly Hardcore & Jimmy Vertigo technical death metal, jazz, grind, prog rock, reference point to really punctuate some of more propulsion with Dan for the rhythm section. and impressionist/modern classical music. As Photos by Michael Aporius extravagant rhythmic excursions, in providing Marty has played everything from Indian music far as metal is concerned, Gorguts and Voivod Electro Quarterstaff is Josh Bedry, Drew Johnston depth and contrast. I feel like he is kind of the and reggae to the most slithery, unpredictable were insanely curious about their instruments and Andrew Dickens melting our faces on guitars, goalie or gatekeeper of riffs, so to speak – always improv jazz-fusion. Literally a jukebox of ideas and remain an enduring inspiration for us. We’re with Dan Ryckman pummeling our minds on the protecting the pocket and enabling the three and influence. Some of the atonal intervals of my committed to the constant challenge of pushing drums. Filling out the rhythm section is newest guitars and drums to explore passageways and guitar riffs were a little foreign to him at first, not structural arrangements further than what could addition Marty Thiessen, manning up to wield the intervals that were never otherwise possible, or to mention our structures being very detailed be expected, without embracing unnecessary Bass of Doom. Enjoy this deep-sea adventure into even available to us, without an actual rhythm and regimented, but he has the killer instinct and emotional or musical clichés. All bets are off and the psyche of Drew J. section holding down the fort. Now everybody can trump any challenge on the instrument in there are no musical boundaries, as long as we all has more room to breathe and assert their virtually any musical context. Personally, I think AU: So after a self-released EP and 2006’s remain challenged and have fun. This band is the strength and personality on their instruments. A the material we’ve written with him is our most Gretzky LP on Willowtip Records, you most liberating form of expression I could ever be certain weight has been lifted but added at the potent and uncompromising. Marty’s presence went from three guitars and a drummer involved with. on the bass has really been the secret ingredient in sewing the flesh of these new songs together AU: How did your relationship with the artist by liberating the guitars to investigate some who did Gretzky’s artwork – Blane Throttle untravelled intervals. The old songs from Gretzky – come about? Great stuff. even sound like they got a nuclear B12 shot as Drew: Blane is a mutual friend of the band. a result of his bass work colouring and further We’ve known him for years and watched his style defining the weight of the material. Unlike become increasingly original and grotesque over the rest of the band, Marty has background in the years. Our concept for the Gretzky artwork harmony and theory and can drastically adjust was pretty vague, we basically wanted a tropical the harmonic compass of how certain riffs and landscape littered with various sea creatures, melodies are perceived. He’s like a tickle trunk of like squids, dolphins, starfish, etc… adorned inflection and has many intuitive shortcuts up with certain tribal or aboriginal sensibilities. his sleeve with respect to approaching strange Earth tones and pastels were also suggested. timings and layered harmonies. I can’t believe we Since Blane is a friend of ours, we were able to didn’t have a bassist for five years; it’s like getting view work-in-progress sketches and give him a third nostril after being asthmatic all your life... feedback/suggestions concerning the direction, especially with a juggernaut like Marty in the but ultimately we gave him free reign to trust ranks. his own artistic instincts with regards to object AU: For those unfamiliar with the band, how placement, character relationship and in some would you describe yourselves? cases, colour selection. We knew that his twisted, idiosyncratic vision would translate effectively in Drew: I hate to use specific terms, but what representing our music. His imagery juxtaposes we’re doing is basically a strain of instrumental elements of the macabre and absurd disharmony progressive thrash metal or “aggro fusion” with with childlike nostalgia. an emphasis on rapid-fire riff attack, layered harmonies and non-repetitive, schizophrenically Stay tuned next issue for part 2 & the dramatic mutating structures. I think we’re getting farther conclusion

12 www.absoluteunderground.ca ,

DATALINK 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month

06.06.2008 Datalink 06.21.2008 Mose Giganticus w/ The Emotron Electro industrial/ ebm/ synthpop 06.25.2008 Christian Hansen and the Autistics w/DJ Kosmonaut w/ Blitzen Trapper, Library Voices 06.07.2008 Tree Burning w/ Eye In The Well and Tetraktys 06.08.2008 Neuraxis w/ Fuck the Facts 06.26.2008 Details w/ Paperbacks, Wizards, & Gross Misconduct Hawaian Bibles and Painted Birds 06.13.2008 Left Spine Down 06.27.2008 Key to the City w/ The Clips, “Touring For Voltage 2008” Gutterawl, The Bloodlines and Andy McGoffin 06.14.2008 DefEKT w/ Ripcase 06.20.2008 Datalink Electro industrial/ ebm/ synthpop w/DJ Kosmonaut

The Past a number of groups who started Kev: Across Canada as far as Quebec world except MPA, what kind of AU: How did the name Mexican breaking all the stereotypes, and we City. It was all pretty memorable, 16 response did you get and do you get Power Authority come to be when were among those few. shows in 19 days, 11 500 km… there now? none of you look Mexican? Kev: are dozens Jason: Since 1991 we have always of stories. Kev: After I left MOC (‘87) I was Personally had a strong international following, jamming with Peter and Dan from I had just Jason: especially in Europe, but also Latin Noise Generation, and one of them had it with Playing America, Asia, Russia, Iceland, parts somehow came up with that name. all the Regina of the Middle East and Africa, etc. We We never really used it so it was shit I was with have fans in over 50 countries. kicking around for a couple years, until hearing, VOMIT James: I always had this image of our eventually when this band came into including was great. fans that I call the “negative 3%”. But existence it just seemed like the right the band I they seem to be everywhere. People name somehow. was playing seem to appreciate us more the greater in at the James: Imagine a shanty town in the distance they are from the epicenter of time, and middle of a desert with high voltage the explosion. started to power lines running through it. I’ve AU: MPA played their first show in feel like since found out that there is a thing ten years last November – why the it would called the Mexican Power and Light decision to start playing again? be fun to just play in a hardcore band Accidentally leaving Jeremy at a gas Authority that is pretty much run like a again. station on the prairies was pretty Kev: Keith from Scratch Records fascist organization. asked us to play a gig for the 20th James: In the midst of the post punk funny. He forgave AU: What happened at the end of the anniversary of his store and label, hangover it was time to just have some us... by Ricky JaK eighties to make MPA emerge with and it just seemed like the right fuggin’ fun – everything became so Kev: That was in Mexican Power Authority are back after the sound it did? moment. official then. It was like freeze-dried, Calgary, after we a ten year absence and have played Jason: I think that at the end of the 80’s salmon-farmed punk. came over Rogers AU: What will the future hold for two successful and fun live shows. there was an extremity climax amongst Pass with NO MPA? Having got mainstream newspaper AU: Metal was part of the equation. How come MPA didn’t take BRAKES. James: The plan is to cool it on live coverage in their home town, it’s time shows for awhile and come up the underground had its turn and to the stage with an all out James: Then there metal sound back then? was the Montreal with 12 or so new songs; we have dug up some info on this intricate and several in the works right now. breathtaking band that you may or Kev: Well that’s it, it was gig with 25 cop may not know. As I listen to the MPA just part of the equation. cars full of riot Kev: Whenever we get ready double LP called “Haiku…Gesundheit” Metal generally tends to be cops circling the – having found another drummer I hear a lot of historical Victoria music a bit too formulaic for me gig, and Jason – we’ll record a new album. sounds. With the initial burst of punk personally to want to adhere defusing the James: The online release should over with and the metal years of to exclusively. I’d already crowd. be around year end. I’m sure there Victoria just cresting in the late 80’s, done that with MOC and got Kev: I recall a fair amount of police will be some limited edition vinyl as MPA entered into the 90’s with a sound really bored with it “having” presence and hassle, overall. We drove well. like a Harvest of Seaweed mixed with to be this certain way. from Toronto to Edmonton in 47 Jason: The new material is a lot some newer blends of grind, jazz, and Jason: I would say our straight hours. By the end of the tour stronger; I think the 10 year break has a tweak of metal. collective machismo and I got so overfatigued and dehydrated given us a lot of perspective on what MPA is taking my virginity by being testosterone is just so LOW from way too much Petro-Can “Rip does and doesn’t work. City” coffee that at one point I was the first ever band I interview for AU… and subdued, and metal guys Kev: It’s like the same group of weirdos, hallucinating that I was trapped in a they said they’d be gentle. Well, Kev underground styles – hardcore, punk tend to be kind of over the top. but with higher quality control. and metal finally met at a crossroads steel box with three giant insects. did anyway… AU: You did a tour some ten years www.mpacanada.com and produced crossover and the ago. Where and any memorable The Future Jason – vocals / James – bass / Kev www.myspace.com/ first wave of grindcore. There were moments? AU: How does the international – guitar / Lincoln – drums mexicanpowerauthority www.absoluteunderground.ca 13 14 www.absoluteunderground.ca fuckin’ milk? Where should I start? organizing an urban are many other punkfest of some great local bands toronto trash Jules: That’s probably Twitchy: How about sort. playing. where we get the starting with the to get to say a “last Twitchy: All of our “/hardcore” part. big cum stain you’re Twitchy: Fuckin’ Roddy: Don’t forget all words” type thing in balls! sporting on your shirt right! It’s the first the other great bands Roddy: Fuuuuck… I this interview? Jules: Mine are too there, Roddy? annual Terminal City from around Ontario! really have no idea AU: Sure, so… big to fit in anyone’s Ricochet, August what I was talking Jules: Don’t say that! Jules: Yeah, like the any last words mouth! about or where I was It’s not true. You’re just 29-31 at Sneeky Bella Bombs [Ottawa], for Absolute Roddy: Oh, I get it now. going with that… trying to tease him Dee’s in Toronto. We Pantychrist [Hamilton], Underground You mean all three of when you should be are still finalizing Punch Drunk [Oshawa], AU: That’s Hardcore! readers? us. For a second there focusing on promoting the line-up but have The Clusterbombs Tell us about the already confirmed two Twitchy: I just wanted I thought you were By Uncle Anus Jules: Are you trying to the band! [Brantford] and many Restarts show Montreal bands: Ab to say: hire prostitutes calling me a eunuch! say its punk, possibly tomorrow night. How Roddy: Umm, actually, more that we are still There is Irato and Subsistence. to kill pimps because Twitchy: With cum on hardcore? did you guys swindle it’s unfortunate but in talks with. an endless Of course, the bill is unemployment sucks. his shirt! supply of Roddy: With a side your way onto such a true. chalk-full of Toronto Roddy: Yeah, there will Up the punks and suck Roddy: Fuck Off! bands that salad of Tiger beer! great bill? AU: How did you get legends like Dirty Bird, be a fuckload of bands! my balls. form with AU: I can see the vast Jules: Well, Kieran the cum on your shirt? Bunchofuckingoofs, AU: And Terminals? AU: Your balls, or (www.myspace.com/ musicians who have all Random Killing, theterminalsrock) treasure of empty bass player is originally Twitchy: He got it on Jules: Absolutely! all three Terminals’ played in other bands. Murder Squad T.O. and Tiger beer cans from Toronto and we the bus! balls? But every now and filling your rehearsal all hung out. the G-Men but there Twitchy: Are we going again, one of those “all Roddy: Hehe, yeah. I space! Are Terminals Twitchy: Yeah, it’s star” lineups has just sponsored by the was a little short for the right chemistry, the Toronto old farts beer this morning and Singapore Brewing show! All the old boys and the result is Company? there was this old guy nothing less than a who still have enough on the bus… Marshall amp cranked Roddy: We wish! energy to shake the dust off their bones are Jules: Roddy, stop! to 11. Navigating Jules: We only drink it playing! the broken steps, I ‘cause it’s cheap. Twitchy: No… Roddy, Go! Roddy: Just kidding. I’m not going to tell you where the fucking cum came from! Twitchy: You know where it cums from! Roddy: Fuck you! How about we talk about you instead! Like, the time you threw down your bass in the middle of a set and went looking for beer. You went behind a curtain and came back with… Twitchy: Cum on my shirt? Roddy: Fuck off with the cum on my shirt!

Roddy: What are you AU: Where is descend a crooked Roddy: [Muttering talking about? I think it Terminals’ favourite and narrow staircase to himself] …must tastes great! place to play? in 17 Mitchell House remember to talk more Twitchy: I always like as the chaos of old Twitchy: All I know about the band and playing Peterborough. school punk/hardcore is that they deliver it less about chocolate There are never greets my anxious ears. to the beer store on milk. enough shows there The beer drenched Thursday at noon, and Twitchy: In all honesty, so the kids are just three are Jules [Repeat by 12:05 p.m. they are we are pretty enthused starving for live bands. Offender, Spotty out of stock and we do to be a part of this They really get into it Botty], Twitchy [Chachi not have much room show. Those old bands and thrash hard. on Acid, Shitloads to practice! still know how to of Fuck All, Hobo Jules: In Toronto, AU: What about rock better than most Banditos], and Roddy Sneeky Dee’s is the smoking pot? bands of today. [Repeat Offender, dog’s balls, but my Ethyl Mormans, Roddy: Oh fuck! When AU: I’m looking over favourite shows are in Spazms, Spotty Botty]. we were all living your set list and Montreal. together we used notice songs that Complete with cum Roddy: Montreal is to get hash fits and I have not heard stained t-shirts, they fucking great! are Toronto’s own… skip school together. before. One day we came AU: How the hell Terminals. Jules: We thought we home to nothing do you make it to would introduce the AU: Let’s start with but McGuinness Silk Montreal? I’ve seen crowd to some of our one of the worst Tassel to drink. After a your tour bus! questions that new stuff. few shots we smoked Jules: Ha, ha! Someone interviewers typically AU: But aren’t the a huge fuckin’ hash else drives us. None of ask bands. For those songs on your CD the joint and went back to us has a license so we AU readers who have Sheridan College. With new ones? not heard Terminals push our gear to local major pasties drying Twitch: We have shows in a shopping yet, how would you our mouths we went describe your own enough songs to cart. into the cafeteria. We record two CDs but sound? Roddy: Don’t forget wore baggy clothing, only enough cash to our winter tour bus! Twitchy: It’s nothing you know, so you record one. Remember, like the new shit could do the old, “grab this is a punk band. Twitchy: Yeah! The they call punk that a chocolate milk” and Toboggan! Now that’s Jules: /hardcore. plays on the radio. Psheeeeew! Like that! punk! We sound more like It would flip down your Twitchy: Ha! Yes! Jules: /hardcore. arm and out of site of the traditional punk AU: Can’t forget the cashier… Twitchy: With cum on bands of old. Classic /hardcore! Tell us your shirt! punk with a touch Twitchy [to Jules]: Is something that is of… um… well let say he really using this Absolute punk. Roddy: Fuck off! it’s kinda like… well, interview to talk about Roddy: Oh fuck! There AU: I’ve heard rumour sorta… stealing chocolate is so much to tell! that Terminals is

www.absoluteunderground.ca 15 AU: The newer releases, the three-way guessing the combined age of the band when I heard Exciter’s Heavy Metal Maniac, TYRANTS BLOOD split CD and the five-song EP, Prophecy, members is over 100 years of metal! Venom’s Black Metal, Destruction’s Sentence are brutal. The speed is sickeningly fast Haha. of Death, Mercyful Fate’s Melissa, Metallica’s and unrelenting in power. Are there any Marco: Ha, ha. Yeah, especially myself. I Kill ‘Em All and Slayer’s Show No Mercy and Prophecy of new sounds or styles that you guys are started in Witches Hammer, back in the mid- Hell Awaits. Also, Exodus’ Bonded By Blood. going to unleash on us with your latest? 80s, so old that it was the first speed metal These albums cinched it and then when Punishment Marco: Well, we band in British Celtic Frost came out with Morbid Tales… by Bubba hope to progress Columbia. In that was it. I was done. I wanted to do something like that. After watching Tyrants Blood kick everyone’s constantly with fact, we couldn’t ass at Logan’s on Friday night, I had to ask our sound and play with any AU: Which bands have you guys played some questions of Vancouver’s death/ style. This is the other bands with that stood out for you? Are there any thrash metal heroes. I want to point out goal. But also, except punk bands you want to play with on tour? I that Tyrants Blood are a rad group of guys we will hope to and hardcore personally think a world tour with Toxic – totally supportive of the metal scene remain true to groups because Holocaust is in order! here in Victoria and Vancouver as well as ourselves and the metal scene Marco: Horde of Anachron, Mitochondrion the whole metal community. With so many be as natural as was glam back and Warmarch have been killer shows for metal styles out there now, it’s refreshing possible with then and we Tyrants Blood. I believe that any group true to see a band true to the roots of the genre, our writing. The were their in their style, like Diocletian, Ares Kingdom, mixing in the new with a solid base of the newer material Antichrist, until Nifelheim and anybody else in this style old. Truly, Tyrants Blood is a force to be dealt remains in the groups started would be complimentary on any show bill with in the metal scene! Marco Banco, guitar, same extreme to come about on any given night. style but we that played in was nice enough to give me some insight to AU: Any words on the Ross Bay Cult, for seem to be the same sort of the band. the unknowing? incorporating genre and style. AU: You have three releases to date. Are Marco: Ross Bay Cult belongs to a few more peculiar AU: Having you going into the studio soon? that still believe in something we created time signatures watched you Marco: Yes, we will be in the studio by the through the years together. Ross Bay Cult in the music back in 86 summer time. We have to finish up the final is a belief and is eternal. To write about it without making any ridiculous new school and 87, in the band Witches Hammer, I pieces on about four tracks and we will takes a long time and really is something wankery. We try to stay away from that as noticed the metal scene is much different be good to go for the next full length. We that is now locked behind a massive iron much as possible. than it once was in Vancouver. The metal may possibly release a live album before or door marked “Private.” Too many folks and AU: How long have you guys been scene has always been eclectic and odd around that time, also. weird bandwagoners ride on that time and involved in the metal scene? I am but it seems we had much bigger shows cheapen and bastardize things that they and more of an all age’s metal scene back don’t know anything about. It’s too easy in the late 80s than now. What is your to try and claim, or water down with just a take on this? phrase. So I leave it to the brotherhood and Marco: The style was new and so it became leave it there. That way it stays put and the somewhat of a movement and was on our dogs are left outside where they belong. own. We have grown up with it from the AU: Back in the day, playing the New York beginning. Metal is not new anymore and Theatre and Kennedy hall, the shows what is new is what has taken its place. Of were more of a mix: metal, punk and course, mass media – such as the Internet hardcore were all together. I thought – has dictated what is cool and what is not. it made more of a strong following, So style and fashion play a much bigger role featuring something for everyone. I find than ever in the youth of today. So therefore now most shows are tailored to one genre the metal scene as it has always been, is of music. Do you think this is a bad trend somewhat relegated to the alleyways and in the underground music scene? Or with skids once again. I would agree that there all the strange shit they call metal on TV, was a time when it was much more of a is it needed to keep true metal alive and movement in size and strength. This would well, now that it is more accepted in the also have to do with the fact that punk, mainstream? hardcore, metalheads and skinheads all listened to a lot of the same groups back Marco: Yes. Exactly what I said earlier. I agree then and played on a lot of the same bills, so fully. Good music is good music. Fuck the the shows were much larger. Today’s shows trends. In fact, knock them right out. I want pull 200 but back then, I remember 400- people to like it for themselves and not people shows to be the scene. I have some what they’re told to like. That’s what it’s all fairly killer shows on old VHS that make me about. If you don’t dig it, say so! Don’t like go, “Wow!” when I look at them again from something or hate it because it does or time to time. doesn’t fit in. The glam-y black metal scene has caved in on itself for just this reason. Too AU: You guys are going to Europe when? many pretenders, phonies and chicken shit And what metal fest are you playing? conformists out there rallying under one Marco: 2009, with Diocletian and Ares flag for a belief that isn’t even their own. Kingdom. We will be playing the United How the hell does that work!? Metal Fest. Looks like a killer gig. Of course, AU: What are the plans for Tyrants Blood any show outside of the country will expose in the future, besides kicking everyone’s us to all kinds of new people. We’re looking ass with brutal music? forward to the adventure. Marco: Just that – rolling on, writing AU: What are the essential metal bands and recording. Playing and destroying that you found influential as a young everything in our way. We are Tyrants Blood thrasher in north delta? and we play for the legions, not the trends. Marco: For myself, I grew up listening to my We tear it up so you can tear it the fuck older cousin’s Kiss, Ted Nugent, AC/DC, Blue down. Oyster Cult, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, www.myspace.com/tyrantsblood etc., etc… But what really got me going was

16 www.absoluteunderground.ca R.I.P. The Father of LSD Dr. Albert Hofmann “You, my dear friends, and millions all (Jan. 11, 1906 – Apr. 29, 2008) over the world who now commemorate the 50th birthday of ergot’s child, we all testify gratefully that we got valuable help on the way to what Aldous Huxley said is the end and the ultimate purpose of human life-enlightenment, beatific vision, love. I think all these joyful testimonies of invaluable help by LSD should be enough to convince the health authorities,finally, of the nonsense of the prohibition of LSD and of similar psychedelics.” Dr. Albert Hofmann, celebrating the 50th anniversary of his first LSD experience Dr. Albert Hofmann the first person to synthesize, ingest and experience the psychedelic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) died as a result of a heart attack on April 29, 2008 in the village of Burg im Leimental, Switzerland, he was 102. Dr Hofmann follows his late wife Anita, who passed away this past December. A brilliant chemist who developed several still used medical compounds, authored 100’s of drugs “changed my life, insofar as they provided me with papers and several books. Hofmann is most remembered a new concept about what reality is,” he said. “Before, I for his pioneering psychoactive drug discoveries both had believed there was only one reality: the reality of in the lab and in us. Working with ergot, a fungus which everyday life. Under LSD, however, I entered into realities grows on cereal grains, most commonly rye, he first which were as real and even more real than the one synthesized LSD in 1938 however it was not until April of everyday.” He also “became aware of the wonder of 19, 1943 at 4:20 pm that Albert Hofmann intentional creation, the magnificence of nature and of the plant dosed himself and took the worlds first full-blown acid and animal kingdom. I became very sensitive to what trip. Years later, after reading of the work being done by will happen to all this and all of us.” Hofmann called LSD R. Gordon Wasson he became interested in the magic “medicine for the soul” and was frustrated by the world mushrooms used in southern Mexican native rituals, and wide prohibition that has pushed it underground saying in 1958 was the first to identify, isolate, synthesize the “as long as people fail to truly understand psychedelics active compounds psilocybin and psilocin. The seeds and continue to use them as pleasure drugs and fail to of the Mexican morning glory species Rivea corymbosa appreciate the very deep, deep, psychic experiences they (called Ololiuhqui by the natives) also intrigued him. He may induce, then their medical use will be held back.” was surprised by his findings that the active compound, ergine (lysergic acid amide), was closely related to LSD. In In a 1996 interview he said “Those doors of perception 1962, he and his wife Anita traveled to southern Mexico must be cleansed. And if the experience does not come searching for the plant “Ska Maria Pastora” (Leaves of spontaneously, on its own, then we may make use of Mary the Shepherdess), known now as Salvia divinorum. what Huxley calls a gratuitous grace. This may take the He was able to obtain some but was never able to isolate form of psychedelic drugs, or perhaps without drugs the active compound (diterpenoid Salvinorin A). through a discipline like yoga. But what is of greatest importance, is that we have personal experience. Not The effects and alterations of Hofmann’s “problem child” words, not beliefs, but experience.” LSD, on the world are incalculable. Much of our art, music, literature, and philosophy has been influenced Have you ever been experienced ? I have. by the psychedelic experience. Like many who would Thank you Dr. Hofmann follow, Hofmann said LSD and the other psychoactive

www.absoluteunderground.ca 17 “Sailor Jerry Swallow’s Olde Tyme Tattoo Shoppe…Comin’ to Victoria” Interview with Jamer By Ira Hunter AU: How the hell are you, experience like? Jamer: Traditional. tough guy? Jamer: I met Jerry at the first AU: Where has he been Jamer: I feel kinda short right Calgary convention. It was located/working up until now. Too short too be a tough funny; I bought a couple books now? guy. off him and shot the shit. Jamer: For the last 10 years AU: Tell us how you first Jerry’s a real comedian so I was he’s been in New Glasgow, NS, learned about but before that it was Sailor Jerry Halifax. Swallow. AU: But there are Jamer: My first big changes on the week in a tattoo horizon I hear... shoppe I was told please fill us in on about him by Stu how you came to be Kay. in a position to bring AU: Describe Sailor Jerry here to who Sailor Jerry Victoria to set up is to someone shop. who doesn’t Jamer: We were going have a clue… to open a tattoo like most of our museum in Halifax readers. with a shop in the Jamer: Jerry is back. I was unable to one of the most move there due to my important and clientele in Victoria. So, recognized the only way we could Canadian do it was for Jerry to tattooers. He’s been tattooing move out here. We were going in Nova Scotia for 48years. to do it in Langford but it’s all He is also an American tattoo new construction, which would historian. One of the few people not suit the style of the shop. left who know where the It would also be weird having traditional designs came from guest artists from say New York and what they mean. or Tokyo and sticking them out AU: There was also another in a suburb. Sailor Jerry as well, clear up AU: When and where is this the confusion. happening? Jamer: The Sailor Jerry that you Jamer: Three doors down from find on high end clothing and the gate to Chinatown. 1710 rum bottles has been dead for Government St. The doors many years. He was a great opened June 1. tattooist who tattooed mostly AU: What does this mean in Hawaii. When ever you see to the Victoria tattooing art or anything by Jerry Swallow community? it is always signed, “Sailor Jerry laughing the whole time. Jamer: Victorians won’t have to Swallow.” The American Sailor AU: How did Jerry get started fly to Halifax to get tattooed like Jerry’s birth name is Norman tattooing himself? Where? I did. And one of my favourite Collins so a lot of times he will Jamer: A tattooer by the name tattooers is Chris David, from be addressed as, “Sailor Jerry of Charlie Snow showed him Toronto, who will be joining us. Collins.” how to tattoo when he was 16, Vincent Meyer from New Jersey AU: When was the first time in Halifax. will be with us in the summer. you met Sailor Jerry Swallow AU: How would you describe AU: Will this be where Sailor in person? What was the his tattooing style? Jerry ends up retiring, you think? He seems more like a Hawaii guy maybe, or was that the other Sailor Jerry Jamer: Jerry will definitely be retiring here. This is the Canadian version of Hawaii, hahaha. AU: Will there be other guest artists coming through the new shop as well? Jamer: Some of the greatest tattooists on the planet will be stopping by for guest spots. By 2009 there should be a world class tattoo museum. AU: Tell us a story about Jerry that no one else knows and that he hopefully won’t kill you for… Jamer: Jerry once tattooed a Russian Navy fleet for their uniforms. He had every rank of uniform by the end of the week. They even stole the captains back up. (www.oldetymejerrys. com, www.myspace.com/ tattooshoppe)

18 www.absoluteunderground.ca falling out. A cold war followed for over from where I did, so in a way it it going again. I was living in DC at the the U.S. coasts sometime this year. Danny Vapid of about three years. Around 2000 we all kind of made sense. By the time time so I recruited B-Face and Lumley. AU: And you are a five-piece these made peace and have been friends Boogada came out I was sold on the The long distance thing didn’t work out days!!! the methadones since. band. I listened to that record every too well. I moved back to Chicago and Dan Schafer: Yep. It’s easier to sing and day. I came into the band knowing the went through a short stint of line-ups Gonna Have Fun Tonight!! AU: Tour stories of the days in SW? I have a guy who sings more backing material well. before getting the guys I have now. By Chuck Wurley Funniest things that happened? vocals. Meet any nice girls? AU: In the liner notes to, Kill AU: You guys are quite established This guy really needs no introduction, AU: When are you coming back to the Musicians Ben hints at the and happy on Red Scare Records but since that is what we do around Dan Schafer: The first SW tour I was Canada? I will get you a show with or Riverdales, when he talks about now? And have been touring quite a here, I will give him one anyways. on was in Ben’s car. We borrowed without the Queers! playing more Ramones like stuff and bit over the years. Even got around Dan Schafer: aka. Danny Vapid, or just equipment for the entire tour. Our first calling yourselves anything but SW. the U.S. with the Queers? Dan Schafer: Hopefully soon. Thanks. Vapid. He has played in some of the show was in Oregon, which took us Comments? (For more information on the best pop punk bands to ever grace about two days to drive. It was pretty Dan Schafer: Right, we have a new fucked up. The shows that followed Dan Schafer: I tried to picture what Dee record, This Won’t Hurt, on Red Scare, Methadones, go to: www.myspace. this earth. Vapid played in Screeching com/themethadones) Weasel on and off for years. He played were really far apart. We sang “99 Dee Ramone was thinking and then which we’re pretty happy about. We’ve in the Queers, was in the Riverdales (for bottles of Beer on the Wall” quite a write. Like, if I was Dee Dee how would done some touring out west with the all three albums, and the infamous tour bit, brought a flat tire up on stage at I write a song? And then a song would Queers and plan on hitting Europe and with Green Day) and has since formed Gilman Street. Not sure why. I guess come. It was a fun his own band, the Methadones. That we were trying to make the best of it, thing to do for a while good enough for you people? Good. which is all you can really do. By the but I couldn’t picture time we got down to Arizona most doing that for too long. Now read what Dan has to say. of our vinyl of Boogada had warped AU: The Riverdales AU: You joined Screeching Weasel in from the heat. The few that we had was taken from 1989 as the bass player? left were sold on the rest of the tour. A the Archie comics Dan Schafer: Right. I replaced skater kid in Pensacola, Florida, broke obviously? Who’s Warren Ozzfish under the ridiculous one in front of us because he didn’t idea was that? Was pseudonym Sewercap. like Ben. We played a backyard party there a story behind AU: You co-wrote a lot of songs with full of Nazi skinheads that broke out it? into a brawl. That one scared the shit Ben while in the group? Who else Dan Schafer: That was out of me. Aside from the tour being wrote lyrics/music? Ben’s idea. a bit of a disaster there were always Dan Schafer: John Personality came people doing outrageous shit. People AU: Punk Rock Local up with some music on Wiggle. John would get naked. One kid actually 27? Jughead contributed musically on the tried jerking off underneath me once. Dan Schafer: Same. early releases. He looked embarrassed by his flaccid AU: Will the AU: You were on, My Brain Hurts and penis. There were about 600 kids so Riverdales ever play then Wiggle, but not How to Make we were packed in like sardines. At again? You and Ben Enemies… then back for Bark Like a least 30 or 40 saw this kid and finally, did a tune at the Dog in 1996? when I made eye contact with Ben and Insubordination Fest Dan Schafer: Right. Ben and I had a gestured downward, his eyes bugged. this past year. falling out and I was replaced by Mike We all laughed. Dan Schafer: I doubt it, Dirnt. We then, somewhat, worked AU: You and Ben and Panic formed but never say never. Ben’s out our differences and I joined the the Riverdales in 95-ish? busy with his solo thing Riverdales. After that, the band ran its Dan Schafer: Yes. Supposedly SW was and I’m busy with the course and we came back for another done and we were on to something Methadones. SW record. new. Ben asked if I wanted to join the AU: When was it AU: In 1994 you were also on the band and I accepted as long as I could that the Methadones Queers album Beat Off, and the Surf sing my songs. We agreed that the were formed? It was Goddess EP. As well as their 1994 live writer would sing his songs and we originally you, B-Face, album, Suck This? would share publishing rights equally. and Lumley? Obviously Dan Schafer: Right. SW wasn’t very AU: What was it like to be in SW, I after the first CD, Ill active at the time and the Queers mean you had been a big fan before At Ease, came out you needed another guitar for the live hand, is that correct? Did your guys got pretty serious show. I liked the Queers a lot so I was dreams come true, haha? about it – as you have happy to play on those records and do Dan Schafer: I was very excited to been quite prolific! some touring with them. join the band. I sang in a hardcore Dan Schafer: We first AU: You and Panic both quit band called Generation Waste before formed in 93 as a side Screeching Weasel by 1997’s Major I was asked to join. We played with project. I couldn’t find Label Debut? SW a few times. I got to know Ben members so we faded Dan Schafer: Ben and I had another and John who grew up a few suburbs away. In 99 I tried to get

www.absoluteunderground.ca 19 Peterson: “The Formation of Damnation could be melodic. Vocally, I think Chuck just wasn’t ready 1988’s The New Order’s Big Brother.” Yes. Yes! YES! yet. I’m kinda glad we waited – it’s too good of a AU: Life is good? song to just kinda compromise. It’s gonna be on the next record. I know Chuck will hear it a little Eric: Yeah, it goes up and down. And right now bit different this time. we’re up a little bit. You just ride the wave. AU: Is this reunion line-up gonna stick? AU: Paul Bostoph – last with Testament in 93 – is back on drums, but weren’t you guys just Eric: I sure hope so. I mean, of course working recording with Nick Barker [Cradle of Filth, with Chuck is always killer. I know what the Dimmu Borgir]? end results are gonna be. Having Alex back is awesome. And then Greggy on bass, he’s like Eric: That didn’t work out. I mean, it worked Geddy Lee or Steve Harris. I think as long as Chuck out musically but we had some problems with and I stick it out... even without the original guys immigration and visas and stuff like that – we we still made top-notch records. Low is probably didn’t have a visa while we were on tour. Then one of the better ones. James Murphy, he really he got deported. They were slapping our hand, did a good job man. I’ve seen a quote he gave us which is understandable. Play by the rules. Get on the new record, “I’m fucking pissed. I no longer caught. What’s weird is that at the same time [Paul play on the coolest Testament record.” [Laughs.] Bostoph] had just quit Exodus and was available. As long as Alex is in to playing heavy stuff – that’s AU: Half the best metal players of all time have the whole key point in the past that kind of played in Testament. separated us, his love for jazz. I dunno why we Eric: Yeah, playing with all these great drummers just didn’t go, well, let’s not tour as much and just has really inspired me and kept my licks up and do a different trip, ya know? But we were young, kept Testament heavy. People complain about it, and maybe we were all kinda control freaks. Now but it’s kept me fresh. everybody does what they want. AU: Why is it so hard to keep a band together? AU: What about original drummer Louie Eric: Well, a lot of those drummers that we picked Clemente? He was stellar on 2005’s Live in are top-notch drummers. They’re looking for a London. good gig but we don’t tour that much; we go Eric: He really out and do did step up. weekend shit. But he’s got DiGiorgio, all three Slayer drummers – while A lot of those this problem TESTAMENT = “Killer!” singer Chuck Billy and riff-lord Eric Peterson have people are like, with one of By Dave Bertrand carried the torch, from near death to the recent “Dude, let’s go the bones in Testament is the most steadfastly awesome rapturous reunion with [most] of the classic out on tour and his feet and American metal band to survive the 80s heyday. line-up: Greg Christian on bass, Alex Skolnick on stay a year...” with his ankles There’s been a gazillion line-up changes and lead guitar, plus wayward stickman Paul Bostoph We realistically and tendonitis shitty luck but they’ve never really faltered. [Slayer, Forbidden, Exodus]. could stay out and stuff like for three, four that. And we Observe these moments of glory: the “10... 9... 8... They’ve recently come out with their first new months and talked him 7... 6... 6... 6...” countdown to “Demonic Refusal” studio album in nine frickin’ years, The Formation make money, into, like, “just with its rumbling chug-a-thon, the loopy bass of Damnation and took to the road with the which is what I plan one or intro to “Souls of Black”, the tripped-out fuzz/wah- Metal Masters Tour playing alongside Judas would like to do. two songs.” stomp of “Hammer of the Gods” and the soaring, Preist, Heaven and Hell and Motörhead [!!!]. As for But Chuck has He ended up thrash n’ roll rush of “Electric Crown”, etc... Damnation – after the glut of sub-par Testament a day job and playing half re-hashes and re-recordings bombarding us since Since the big split of 92, Testament have cycled I was working the set! And Chuck Billy’s bout with cancer, in 2001, it’s about through almost every metal MVP alive – John around Chuck’s later that year, time for new, old-school thrashletics. Says Eric Tempesta, James Murphy, Gene Hoglan, Steve schedule. It’s not something I was happy with, but he ended up going to Japan and Turkey and all I didn’t want to go, “Yeah okay, well I’m gonna get these other places with us. I dunno if he just got a new singer.” Haha... that’s not gonna work. cold feet, or if he just decided that maybe his old AU: Chuck has a day job? Is he still paying lady wasn’t digging it... but what he does with his cancer treatment bills? life now is amazing – he does this art and antique stuff. He’s really, really good at it and he loves it. Eric: No. If he wanted to he could quit and we And he loves music as well but I think playing could tour. He’s just... there was a time where we drums and music was more of his adolescent weren’t touring that much and things weren’t thing. He kinda grew up. I mean, I grew up too but looking too good. He’s got a good job, ya know? It I love Metal. There was no way that I would ever kind of opened that door for everybody else: Alex not play metal. has got his TSO [Trans-Siberian Orchestra] and his jazz thing [Alex Skolnick Trio], and I’m doing AU: What about when lounging around the Dragonlord [Eric’s black metal project] on the side. house? AU: Moving on, the cover art for The Formation Eric: I recently just blew my stereo up, in my car, of Damnation has a swarm of angry angels by listening to the new Amy Winehouse album. I flying from the White House... like to bust out my old live records like Mahogany Rush Live, All the World’s a Stage by Rush, tripping Eric: [Laughs.] Yeah, basically it’s the fantasy on a lot of 70s rock guitar stuff. version of what Judgment Day would be. And since it’s the original line-up I wanted something AU: Live at the Fillmore [1995] is one of my all- that was similar to the Practice and Souls of time favourite live albums. Black cover with the five figures, and the sky and Eric: It is a good record. Some of the stuff’s a the vanishing point in the middle. I got a lot of little quick for me. The drummer, Jon Dette, influence from [Gustave] Doré’s paintings… then, he has a... tempo problem. Fuckin’ played I dunno, I picked the Vatican, the White House and everything hella fast. “Low” was like, “gidagidagida Parliament to be all on fire. [More laughs.] gah! Gidagidagida gah! Gidagidagida gah! AU: Thoughts on The Formation of Damnation? Gidagidagida dah DAH!” It was like, “dude, woah!” But some of the stuff sounds better fast, like “Dog Eric: I think it sounds like just Testament, ya know? Faced Gods”. And “Apocalyptic City” came out Sometimes it reminds me of The Gathering fuckin’ smokin’ on there. We brought that back in – the title track reminds me of “Legions of the the set now – we play “Apocalyptic City” live. Dead” or “The Fall of Sipledome”. “The Evil Has Landed” could’ve been off of The New Order or AU: Do you still play non-Alex years stuff now Practice. “More Than Meets the Eye” reminds me that Alex is back...? of “Restless and Wild” [Accept!], or “Barracuda” Eric: Yeah, we’ve been doing “3 Days in Darkness”, [Heart!], or a “Raging Waters” type riff. “D.N.R.”, “Low” and “Trail of Tears”. AU: And then there’s Alex’s song. AU: Killer! Stoked. Last time Testament came Eric: Yeah, “F.E.A.R.” That one’s really old school to town I was underage and couldn’t get in. sounding. It’s great. It’s a fast one too, which I like. Now, the Metal Masters armada won’t make it When he told me he was gonna write a song I to Western Canada but look for Testament and was thinking it was gonna be more like “Deadline” Judas Priest to liquefy your metal mind this or something. Something softer, more kinda July at: rock. But when I heard that badabadabadabada 7/23 – Victoria, B.C. – Save On Foods Memorial double-bass, I was like, “Yeah, Al! Killer!” 7/24 – Vancouver, B.C. – General Motors Place AU: It’s been a looong time since you guys have 7/26 – Calgary, AB – McMahon Stadium done a proper soft ballad. [They’ve only done –Monsters of Rock three in 20 years. All are excellent.] 7/27 – Edmonton – Shaw Conference Centre Eric: Yeah, actually we had one written. Musically, 7/29 – Saskatoon, SK – Credit Union Centre it’s just off the hook, it reminded me of something off Lovedrive by the Scorpions. Really cool, really 7/30 – Winnipeg, MB, Canada – MTS Centre

20 www.absoluteunderground.ca Photo by Jamie Drouin Bottom left to bottom right are: Ricky Hard, Miss Bunny Ruffles, Wild Honey, Midori Colada, Champagne Sparkles, Kitten Kaboodle and Miss Rosie Bitts

award this year for “Hardest Working been setting their business minds A sweet slice Person(s) in Local Dance.” and glue guns to work. The group has A typical Cheesecake Burlesque successfully been selling their hand- show is anything but typical. Each made merchandise at shows for over a of cheesecake Cheesecake has her own individual year. Audience members and fans can By Pam Lloyd, aka Bunny Ruffles character style, and the troupe has an buy silk screened t-shirts, scarves and They are veterinarians and bureaucrats, amazing variety of acts. panties, along with Cheesecake pin-up collector cards and photos. office workers and scientists. They The Cheesecakes wrapped up a are also starlets stepping out into the successful spring tour which took them Now they are taking on the Victoria burlesque scene with their to Powell River, Nanaimo and a sold- Internet. The troupe launched their own powerful D.I.Y. confidence. These out show in Victoria. The circus themed webstore last March, specializing ladies are the Cheesecake Burlesque shows, entitled “Welcome to the in pasties (also known as nipple Revue. Funhouse,” were to raise funds for the tassels). Browsers stopping by www. The Cheesecakes formed in July 2006, troupe’s upcoming trip to Miss Exotic cheesecakeburlesque.com will find and took on the name The Cheesecake World in Las Vegas, where they will be dozens of styles of nipple tassels for Burlesque Revue in January 2007. performing at a gala event. everyone’s taste, ranging from the heart-shaped pink sequined “sweet Since their inception they have been Miss Exotic World, officially the Miss heart” to the leopard print “cat scratch featured in numerous news media, Exotic World Pageant and Striptease fever” to the “sexy bitch.” Each nipple including gracing the cover of the Reunion is widely known as the tassel kit includes a Cheesecake Monday Magazine summer 2007 issue. “Miss America of Burlesque” and Burlesque collector card, extra They regularly perform to packed is a gathering place for burlesque double-sided pasty tape, application crowds at Lucky Bar, and have travelled performers from all over the world. instructions and tassel twirling tips. on successful tours in Vancouver, the It attracts stars of the neo-burlesque The website also features fringe thong BC interior and southern Vancouver scene along with legends of burlesque panties and “Make Tassels not Hassles” Island. Individual Cheesecakes have such as Blaze Starr and Tempest Storm. performed as far away as Berlin, t-shirts. Edmonton and the Burning Man To pay for the troupe’s way to Vegas festival in Nevada. The group just took (and their oceans of costumes and home their second Monday Magazine glitter), these burlesque ladies have

www.absoluteunderground.ca 21 documentary about metal from it’s roots up, and maybe (if they’re Brazil officially became plugged into the mixing board of metal. The lucky) include a famous musician to narrate it like Bruce Dickinson. great vindication came when Sepultura were to play the festival Injecting Sam into the picture as an on screen navigator and in 1991, silencing those who denied their tangibility to the big character that people could latch onto would be the formula that leagues. From nothing to playing the biggest soccer stadium in the turned Metal - A Headbanger’s Journey into a smash hit. He was world in your home country? Inspiring to say the least. an embodiment of every metal fan who has wanted to ask those questions, and each one is explored richly. He isn’t someone who stands on the sidelines or pulls punches. He is in the pit right there with us, and his honesty and intellect were a perfect combination which attributed to it’s immediate success. After a five and a half year quest to completion, Headbanger’s Journey made it’s debut at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival, where soon after they sold it to Seville, under Warner Brothers Pictures to get a theatrical release. The success was enormous. Metal fans from around the world had found in Headbanger’s Journey, a voice they could call their own, a liberation of how people perceive metal. People could show it to their grandmothers in hopes they’d finally understand where they were coming from. Dunn and McFadyen were flooded with email responses from several different countries, some that they never knew experienced metal or had a full fledged scene. When asked if it was the obvious decision to do Global Metal after Headbanger’s Journey, Dunn disagrees, saying that continuing on with some of the unexplored topics such as race and drug use in metal would have been the JAPAN easiest sequel. But Dunn and McFadyen chose to take the more challenging route. These were uncharted territories where they The film takes us to the land of the rising Sun, where former knew almost nothing of the bands they were going to interview. Megadeth guitarist and current Japan resident, Marty Friedman Armed with an interpreter, they set out to explore the globalization plays guitar on a project called Death Panda. It’s basically a cartoon of metal in countries you’d seldom connect the music with. Panda with 45 schoolgirls singing along to metal music. Why is this be successful in a place like Japan and not America? Japan is a place where taboos are off. In all the places they visit in Global Metal, GLOBAL METAL - Interview with Dunn states that Japan was certainly the hardest to figure out. Unlike other countries, the people of Japan do not go to metal Metal Documentary Producers concerts because they feel dissatisfied with their lives or oppressed by the government. They see it as more of an entertainment Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen avenue, an adrenaline rush which evokes only positive feelings by Ryan Dyer within themselves rather than redemption against deep seeded discomforts. Dunn explains it perfectly by using a friend’s In preparation for my interview with Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen, comparison, “Japan is like KISS, they go to the venue, they do their I must have watched Metal - A Headbanger’s Journey ten times thing, and then they go back to their day jobs where they’re the and the screener they sent us for Global Metal another three. With complete opposite.” such a bulk of information coming from the two documentaries, it was no easy task coming up with the most relevant things to KISS, as well as in most other countries, was one of the first bands, bring up in the small time I would be speaking with them. Talking along with Deep Purple, to introduce metal to Japan. Now there with bands about themselves is one thing, but when you’re talking are bars entirely devoted to Deep Purple and their legendary about the entire idea of metal with someone who has studied it status there. Unfortunately, such as in Headbanger’s Journey, both and it’s people, it’s a little daunting on the nerves. Global Metal is bands do not do interviews in Global Metal despite the good press everything you could ask for and more when comparing the two (McFadyen thinks this may be attributed to a press conference films. While some of the best Sepultura, Metallica and Scorpions where Sam names KISS as his least favorite metal band). fans will recognize the live concert clips in Brazil, Japan and As for gender, audiences in Japan are cut right down the middle, actually Iran from watching the film Soundtrack to War, the rest was BRAZIL there is no 10 guys for every girl like most concerts in America. certainly an eye opening experience. So join me as I piece together There is also Visual Kei, a mix of Journey, Iron Maiden and hair metal Brazil is the first stop on the journey, and is known mostly for it’s my vicarious Global Metal experience... which is going huge in Japan, thanks to groups like X Japan, but most famous metal export, Sepultura. Max Cavalera is one of the in contrast to that, Japanese black metal band Sigh’s singer Mirai Metal - A Headbanger’s Journey was a phenomenon. Not only great inspiration stories of metal. Starting out with next to nothing, Kawashima says of Visual Kei and their not being metal because being a comprehensive look at the beginnings of metal to the he and his brother Igor started the band without knowing a note, “Metal is something that is supposed to be cool.” bands of today, Headbanger’s Journey explored topical subjects only wanting to create honest music which acted as a voice for it’s in metal such as gender and sexuality, religion, censorship and famished citizens. They made bullet belts out of AA batteries and INDIA satanism which made it stand apart from most VH1 counterparts. stole microphones from other bands because they couldn’t afford It started off as an idea for a book when co-creators Scot McFadyen India is a place where metal is in a most infant stage. Since them. Max’s lyrics in songs like “Inner Self” spoke of nonconformity Bollywood is such an overbearing presence in India, the general and Sam Dunn met in 2000. They soon decided to combine and integrity regardless of financial situation or government McFadyen’s music supervising experience from films like Fubar and populous thinks nothing of it to be passionate about mindless oppression. Dunn had stated in Headbanger’s Journey that bouncy songs and oompa loompa dance numbers in these films Ginger Snaps with Dunn’s anthropological know-how to create a interviewing Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson at the Hammersmith documentary. than the more subjective challenge that comes from metal. Odeon was the highlight of his journey thus far, but for this film File sharing is a huge influence on metal’s induction into India, “It wasn’t easy to get people interested, we had to write the admitted that speaking with Max was the highlight. Brazil has been which makes for an interesting comparison when looking at the managers these long letters”, says McFadyen on the early trials of on the up heave since Rock In Rio hit in 1985. Hungry would be too progression of a metal fan in America. getting the film up and going. They worked on the documentary soft a word to describe their anticipation to be involved in metal. sparingly for years whilst doing other projects. “When I was growing up, there was no way I would have heard When Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, The Scorpions, and Iron Maiden Morbid Angel before Twisted Sister” explains Dunn. With India, Convincing Sam to be the film’s host didn’t happen until later, as (who’s performance actually began two minutes before midnight) with everything accessible to a metal fan at his peak of interest, the the first and easiest way to do the film would be a generalized played in front of 1.4 million people over a 10 day long festival, possibilities of bands to discover are limitless in their ordering.

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22 www.absoluteunderground.ca China. Dunn says this is directly attributed to Norway first embracing their storied history in metal music, leading by example - letting other countries know it’s alright to be yourself instead of constantly trying to become more westernized. INDONESIA With the world’s fifth largest population and nearly 40 percent of it’s residents homeless, Indonesia is a place which identifies most with the third world lyrics of one Max Cavalera. Here, there are high rise office buildings right next to tree hut slums, virtually in the gutter. As far as gender is concerned, Indian shows are a lot less likely to When Sepultura came to Indonesia, the feature females in the audience, but this is more close to culture fans typically went crazy with wild mosh than taste in music. Recently India has experienced their biggest pits. The security there then began to concert yet with the arrival of Iron Maiden. When deprived of beat down the first few rows of fans with something for such a long time, when the moment finally comes to bamboo sticks, Cavalera then saw 20,000 witness something as powerful as Maiden, the atmosphere is unlike people immediately sit down on the rock. The Maiden one will see a song from select cities visited as any other. ground. well as candid footage backstage, on the way to the venue, meeting “Certainly seeing Iron Maiden play in India in Bangalore, the When Metallica came, it was so over packed that countless fans fans, etc. The Rush one will be a straightforward documentary excitement level was far bigger than something I had ever were not let in, even with a ticket in hand. In reaction, a riot broke in the exceptional style you’d come to expect from Dunn and experienced,” says Dunn, “and I’ve been able to go to Vokken and out which you could see going off amid buildings burning outside McFadyen. As for future projects, “Slayer is a possibility, as well as a some big metal festivals, but they made them look like pretty the outdoor venue as Metallica is playing. Big concerts like Metallica documentary of the concept of Satan itself”, expresses McFadyen. sleepy events.” were banned subsequently. In places like this, where the music had Throughout the countries visited in Global Metal, the differences been unattainable for so long and the chance are vast. The Japanese with their orderly lives and politeness to see someone like Metallica is a once in a unleashed in a positive emotional frenzy compared to third world lifetime opportunity, I really couldn’t blame Indonesia burning down buildings to demonstrate their hunger them for getting so crazy. to see Metallica. The people of China, set in their ancient craft; Have North American’s been too spoiled in discovering metal through cheap CD’s liquidated from America their concert going compared to this type of demonstration? “Obviously the sense of release and just the emotion of experiencing something like this firsthand I think far out exceeds anything that we could ever imagine” says Dunn, “..in Europe and North America metal has been going on for something like 30 years now so you do get the feeling that metal has finally kind of broken down the wall.” ISREAL Israel was also a puzzling place for metal to bloom for the reason that it is deemed anti-moralistic. Obviously, it is a very sacred place CHINA where nothing really debunks their connection with God In an instance most unique out of the countries visited, the first most. introduction of metal to China can be linked solely to a single x- compared to India, hungry to break out as a major metal market In a place where its citizens are in constant fear in their everyday factor, Tang Dynasty founder Kaiser Kuo. Kuo was raised in New York influenced by an armful of styles. At times metal is segregated, lives of being shot just walking down the street, only because of and formed the band with the reluctant Ding Wu when he relocated especially in America with its hundreds of sub genres and micro a disagreement in religion, it is no surprise that metal helps them in China. Kuo convinced Wu to pursue his inner headbanger and politics in the scenes. But it is this debate that keeps it moving, cope with this danger. to help him create the biggest metal band China had ever seen. evolving. No matter where you live, metal has found a way in, Initially, China’s introduction to Western music and metal came via When speaking of anti-Semitism, Slayer’s “Angel of Death” is whether it be by one man or through peer to peer file sharing. rebuked records discarded by record companies and arriving on the brought up. “Auschwitz, the meaning of pain, the way that I want Although we are all different in our preference of metal, the streets of China, sold dirt cheap. you to die”, aren’t the most comforting lyrics to a descendent of the commonalities outweigh the differences. We are a tribe, and it is Holocaust, but the responses amungst the Jewish metal musicians growing... “You could find a Madonna record next to a Slayer record” and fans was that it was more a monument to the horrors opposed Dunn says of China. Would they have evolved into the small but Global Metal opens in Calgary at the Plaza Theatre June 27th. to a glorification. “I don’t think Slayer is a Nazi band,” said one Jewish formidable metal force they have now without the assistance of metal fan. Check out www.globalmetalfilm.com for other screenings near you. Kaiser Kuo and with only those cheap CDs to aid them, or would they all be Chinese hair bands? THE FUTURE “It’s hard to say”, says Dunn questioningly, but is quick to add, “But Dunn and McFadyen are I think. they would have found a way, with the assistance of file currently finishing their sharing, I think they eventually would have accessed it one way or documentaries on Iron Maiden another”. China embraces the ancient and intricate aspects of it’s and Rush, two bands who’s culture in the music. It’s no surprise to see a band using traditional influence is unbound in the instruments like the horse head fiddle in traditional costume in annals of metal and progressive

www.absoluteunderground.ca 23 24 www.absoluteunderground.ca by Erik Lindholm completely! into music. Delivered with Every July, just outside the sleepy town of Itzehoe So here’s to uniting for three days of metal the soaring vocals of Bruce in the northern province of Schleswig-Holstein, fellowship in a wartorn and uncertain world... Dickinson and galloping bass Germany... things get mighty busy. The town of Peace through musical violence, friendly soccer of Steve Harris, the band 32,000 is overrun with upwards of 75,000 rabid matches, beer gardens and massed camping. moves crowds from all four metalheads from the furthest corners of the Wacken 2008 - Prost! corners of the earth. world. Their destination? A tiny well-forested BAND PREVIEWS: Who the fuck is playing? “...You’ll take my life but I’ll outpost with a population of 1,800 which both take yours too KREATOR fears and loves the overwhelming attention. This You’ll fire your musket but I’ll Essen, Germany’s own KREATOR are town is Wacken; and the objective of the horde is run you through the Wacken Open Air. thrash luminaries. Fighting hard since 1982, they are So when you’re waiting for Growing steadily on the verge of entering the next attack since it’s start 1990, Wacken is now widely regarded as the ultimate metal festival in the world. Every year top bands from around the world play back to back to the morbid delight of fans in attendance. the studio to This year, more than seventy record their twelfth bands have been announced and the lineup is album. Legendary unreal in it’s scope. There has never been such aggression is what a gathering of established veterans and brutal the band is known up-and-comers. Wacken 2008 sees thrash, death, for, gaining fame playing their music of social and power metal collide into a lethal three-day unrest throughout the poitcally charged downfall cocktail of metal. of East Germany and the Soviet Union in the late And it’s not just about the bands – through the 1980’s. camping, sports fields, and the vast marketplace, “...Time to raise your flag of hate, destroy the people from all over the world can network, trade world is our only aim...” - “Flag of Hate”, from goods and enjoy their favourite music and sports. Pleasure to Kill You might come just for the bands but you know you’re going to meet some like minded maniacs IRON MAIDEN and have a great time. The Absolute Underground East London, England’s own IRON MAIDEN are Crew is down for metal on a massive scale is Wacken 2008’s headlining act. Ruling heavy making a pilgrimage to Germany this summer metal since 1975, the band is famous for turning – to immerse in worldwide metal culture stories of classic literature and historical conflict

You’d better stand there’s no turning back...” - “The Trooper”, from Piece Of Mind 3 INCHES OF BLOOD CARCASS East Vancouver, Canada’s pride, the mighty 3 It’s been fourteen years since Liverpool, England’s INCHES OF BLOOD are spreading their message of CARCASS has taken the stage. Known for their awesome orc-destroying power to warriors from gory lyrical content and unreal grooves, the band around the world at this years Wacken. Making explored styles ranging from grind to doom massive headway into the metal scene with the to thrash to death for intense critical acclaim. release of their latest work Fire Up The Blades on Political and violent, CARCASS frightened the Roadrunner Records, their energy and relentless shit out of politicians and English high society performance make them a band to watch for! with their tales of murder, medical terminology “...Mighty warriors with metal on their side, and social unrest. The health problems and label screw-arounds which ended the band have been Enemies of metal, your death is our reward...” overcome, for just one more summer of rot ‘n roll... - “Deadly Sinners,” from Advance and Vanquish “...The sins of the flesh sound so appealing, THE REUNION ZONE - What makes us at Absolute Underground super-pumped for the festival is so let me wallow in my guilt, announcement of three CLASSIC metal bands your hell will be my heaven, choosing Wacken 2008 to reform and air their so let’s turn up the heat...” - “Go To Hell” from material. We can only hope that there is more to Swansong come from these titans... CYNIC AT THE GATES Leaders of the jazz fusion metal movement by Gothenburg, Sweden’s undeniable legends of the merits of just one album, Miami, Florida’s metal are responsible for influencing metal on a CYNIC are one of a kind. Earth aware and spiritual, global scale. Joining unbridled aggression with the brutal instrumental sounds are tempered speedy melodies in a way has never been seen with jazz and ethereal vocals to make a unique before (or since) AT THE GATES are the pinnacle listening experience. After the short life of CYNIC, of Swedish death metal. After a ten year hiatus guitarist Paul Masvidal and drummer Sean Reinert which has seen key songwriters the Bjorler twins went on to record “Human” with DEATH and start form mighty thrashers THE HAUNTED and singer the shift towards more progressive death metal Tomas Lindberg sing in THE CROWN, LOCK UP compositions across the scene. On the verge of and DISFEAR they are ready to annihilate the releasing a new album and prepared for a bright stage once more. future, this is not a band to miss. “..Slaughter of the soul “...Veil of Maya Suicidal final art Chops and divides God’s dream thoughts Children - born of sin The great divider Tear your soul apart...” - “Slaughter of the Soul” As we be subject to likes and disgust...“ - “Veil of from Slaughter of the Soul Maya” from Focus

www.absoluteunderground.ca 25 The Last Priority By Willy Jak american import AU: Introduce the band and who does what. Last Priority: Brady, vox, Ryan, gits, Josh, fattys and Chuck on sticks. AU: Tell us a bit about Oxnard, CA, and nardcore in general… Last Priority: Great place, great scene! We all have influences from the older nardcore bands (Aggression, Stalag 13, Dr. Know, Ill Repute, False Confession) and being from a place where punk ran rampant it gives us a reason to keep the flame burning and keep nardcore alive. AU: Did you guys grow up seeing those bands a lot? Last Priority: We grew up watching them and have had the opportunity to play with Dr. Know, Ill Repute, Stalag 13, R.K.L, Last Priority: No, but by the time we Rat Pack, Aggression, leave Canada you won’t have any The Rotters and many left! We have iron lungs and steel more! stomachs! AU: Who are some of AU: Favourite Canadian bands? your influences to your Last Priority: D.O.A.! Homewreckers, sound? Dayglo Abortions, Born Dead Icons Filth – we’re playing with them in a boxing R.K.L. ring in Bakersfield, CA – SNFU, False Confession NoMeansNo. Oi Polloi AU: Ducks or kings? D.I. Last Priority: KINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO SHIT EXPANSION TEAMS! Ill Repute AU: The Mohawk skull-dude on Aggression your album cover is drinking rot Black Flag gut whisky. Are you guys all whisky D.R.I. drinkers or do you like to mix it up? Jedi Mind Tricks Last Priority: It’s actually a molotov The System cocktail, we drink pretty much anything! Irish car bombs! Thanks to External Menace Axis for the artwork! Immortal Technique AU: Your MySpace has a video of Bad Brains you guys called Last Priority vs. Aus Rotten the Las Vegas Police. It looked like Against All Authority a sweet gig in the desert. How did that turn out for you? Doom Last Priority: The gig was really sweet. AU: Your new album It was in a big lot in the middle of is called Amerika’s Vegas and about three or four bands Hijacked. What is the played before the pigs came... We got significance of the “k” to do about three songs before the in Amerika? Who is Vegas police department decided to hijacking America? show up. They got outta their cars, Last Priority: Not really walked through the pit straight to any significance, it’s just Brady while we were playing a song, a way spell it. The song tapped him on the shoulder and we talks about a touchy just kept playing till the song was subject in the USA: almost over… fuckin’ great. 911 and the attacks AU: What’s the deal with Brady’s on the Twin Towers artwork and where can one check and the Pentagon. The it out? government is lying flat out – we are not being Last Priority: On the raw city street, told the facts about in a few galleries and I have some on what really went down. www.myspace.com/brady805. It’s up There are movies out in a few spots in SoCal art galleries such as 911 In Plane Site, and in Hawaii too! Soon also a little Loose Change I & II and DIY food spot in San Clemente, CA, then there’s Alex Jones’ Infowars… knowledge will have about ten pieces. I just do it for kicks. reigns supreme!!! I’m just here to fuck shit up and have fun! I’M What led to a Canadian tour? You should GONNA FUCKIN ROCK CANADA I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!! record some of the live shows and release On tour with the |BEAUMONTS: HIGHjacking Canada. Have you ever been to July 7 The Cobalt Vancouver BC Canada before? Last Priority: Never been to Canada but we July 8 The Distillery Calgary AB are destined to go! We never played outta the July 9 The Zoo Innisfail AB country so we decided it would be a challenge and we could see something outside this crap- July 11 TBA TBA hole country. Yes, we will be filming every show July 11 TBA Edmonton, AB of the tour. So, hopefully we get some crazy bad- July 12 Ozzie’s Winnipeg MB ass gnarly footage! AU: Ever smoke the BC bud or drink the killer Canadian beer? 26 www.absoluteunderground.ca >K=;I;B;9J?ED F?F;I"8ED=I"L7FEH?P;HI" HEBB?D=F7F;HI"I97B;I" 8K88B;87=I"=H?D:;HI" =HEM8EEAI7FF7H;B

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www.absoluteunderground.ca 27 28 www.absoluteunderground.ca were for our full Rob Sullivan: We were just trying to hardcore alley length. At the time think of a name that worked and was we were still in semi-fitting. Nearly the entire band downloads it. But I mean it opens the door for a contract with 1917 likes Nine Inch Nails so we joked about calling lot of different kids to get into bands they usually to do our LP with ourselves Ruiner. Eventually it actually happened. wouldn’t give the time of day. them. However, To know us personally you would realize it’s not AU: What song do you think sums up Ruiner after a falling out just a clever name. and what gets the best reaction from the with the label AU: Since you played out here you have gone crowd when done live? “What Could we ended up going with Bridge 9. We haven’t out with This is Hell, Soldiers and Elysia. Any Rob Sullivan: Well, to answer the live question, regretted it. stories from the road? “Adhering to Superstition” will probably always Possibly Go Right?” AU: Pretty morbid cover art; is there a story Rob Sullivan: Honestly, nothing really. It was a fun get the best reaction. With the total stupid ending By Pauly Hardcore behind that? tour and very different for us. We had never done of “If I had a blah blah blah...” I’m sure it will always Ruiner, a five-piece outfit from Baltimore, MD, a package tour before but it was cool for the be a favorite. Funny thing is the rest of those lyrics released one of the better records of 2007 with most part. I personally prefer to just go out with in that song means a lot to me. As for what sums Prepare to Be Let Down on Bridge 9 Records. one other band or just us. That way we can still up Ruiner probably, “The Lives We Fear” or “Paint Besides Rob on vocals, we have Joey Edwards, do basement shows and more personal venues. Peals”. Both are about touring and the things we drums, Danny Porter, guitar, Dustin Thornton, AU: You also played a date of the last ever have lost over the years doing such. I think those guitar and Stephen Smeal, bass, who all combine MLIW tour – memorable? songs tend to relate to the entire band as a whole and not so much just me. to form a sound not heard of for years. It’s Rob Sullivan: It was pretty memorable. We toured heartfelt, to the point and in your face hardcore with those guys once and I did a lot of their AU: Ever pull out a cover tune? Favourites to with sprinkles of punk influence. Complete with shows in Baltimore play? a breakneck pace there are personal and deeply over the years. It Rob Sullivan: In the very beginning we played touching lyrics on songs like, “Long Time Coming”, meant a lot to get the Bad Religion’s “Do What You Want”, but only a few “Choke On It” and “Kiss That Motherfucker chance to play with times. More recently we covered “Beat My Head Goodbye”. There’s also some kind of Jedi mind- them one last time. Against the Wall” by Black Flag. meld between the musicians to pull off what AU: So you’re off to Japan with Killing the seems to be complete chaos while having it come Rob Sullivan: I gave the lyrical content to Linas AU: Who are some of Dream in August – first time over there? How out sounding exactly how it’s supposed to, so [Garsys] who did our artwork and that’s what the people/bands, did that come about? I have to give them credit where credit is due. I he came back with. I am really happy with it. etc., who have found myself in the situation where all of them as I think it captures the vibe of the songs very influenced you over Rob Sullivan: Yes this will be our first time in well as the supporting band had nowhere to go well. the years? Japan. We are fucking stoked to say the least. KTD after the show. With prices as they are, it may end AU: Since we last talked you were preparing Rob Sullivan: If it and Ruiner have toured together so many times up costing them all a fair bit or at the very least to go into the studio to record a new one, wasn’t for Shai Hulud that we figured, why not go to Japan together? an uncomfortably packed 15-man van overnight. when is that due? and Bane I probably wouldn’t have gotten into KTD had already done it once and felt it would be hardcore. But we had some local bands when I cool to take us along. We couldn’t be happier or In sub zero weather, with a smell... oh man, the Rob Sullivan: Well, at this current second we are was growing up that got me into punk. I’ve always more grateful. smell. Well, fuck that I said and had them all take working on the songs. If we are comfortable with been much more into fast straight up punk/ over the main floor of our house. them come the beginning of June we will begin AU: You’ll be in Vancouver at the end of June, hardcore then anything else. AU: So how did “prepare to be let down” come recording. Also we have to figure out where we which is exciting. Too bad there’s no time for a about and your association with Bridge 9? will be recording. Most likely it will just be a close AU: P2P file sharing – is it a necessary evil, Victoria show! Last words? Rob Sullivan: We always knew we would write friend or a local engineer. If all of this plays out the absolute scourge or somewhere in-between? Rob Sullivan: Thanks for the interview and the an LP, so once we finished the EP we started to way we would like it to, sometime in August is the Rob Sullivan: Somewhere in-between. Bands do letting us crash on your floor! go to work on it. It took us a while but we finally answer to your question. lose money because of it and someone took a lot (Check www.youtube.com/79ofspades for had enough songs we were happy with. Bridge AU: What’s the story with the name, Ruiner? of time in the artwork or at least the layout of that footage from the Victoria show.) 9 came to us after the EP, asking what our plans record. They will receive no credit if some kid just

www.absoluteunderground.ca 29 beyond, Most Precious so we can work and save up some money. We’ll Blood toured South Africa be touring from September to December and in 2000, Comeback Kid hopefully we will be jumping over to Europe and just finished touring all of Japan so we will need to save our pennies to get South East Asia. They just some plane tickets! went to Russia, Iceland, AU: So you are all really into Tattoos? Who are and have a full South some artists and shops you frequent? What American tour booked. theme are you going for with yours? Not many bands have Bailey: Everyone is the band is quite into tattoos. made their way to Alaska I’d say a shop that we have all been tattooed at but I know Die Young did would be Liberty Tattoo in Seattle, WA. Jon, Wayne a few years ago and just and Brian have all been tattooed by Matt Arriola the other day I was talking far some of the there. As well all four of us have been tattooed by to JD from Shipwreck best meals I Jamie King, who is also from Liberty. A friend of “Ship is Sailing” and he was talking about have ever had. ours just opened a shop down in Sacramento not By Pauly Hardcore Greenland, of all places. too long ago, called Relentless Tattoo. So a few After a Stint visiting countries no hardcore/punk AU: You AU: Sweet, Die Young of us would stop in for a minute on tour and get band had ever reached and recording a brand recorded the new album, Bury Me At Sea recently – how was that, where was it done and [TX] will be here in June. So who did the some sweet bod mods. new album, Bury Me At Sea, over 19 days in artwork for the album? California, it just wasn’t good enough. So Grave who did it? AU: Without the advent of P2P file sharing and Bailey: Ryan from Eyestone Illustration did the Maker members then hit the road with fellow Bailey: We finished recording in mid-march with MySpace it is hard to believe your music has cover and artwork for Bury Me At Sea. He did NWHC act Ill Intent, playing Victoria in May and Roger Camero, who was more then a pleasure to stretched as far as Nicaragua & Guatemala. our 7” cover and we were really happy with how then heading across Canada, back into the states work with. He actually just built an awesome new Before you even got there to tour, what do you it turned out so we asked him if he would be for over a month before they plan on returning recording studio called Bright Lights Studio down think of this technology? interested in doing the CD for us. Everyone in to Vancouver for a gig on July 19. It’s safe to say in Irvine, California, where we were for about 19 Bailey: Well, I think it’s amazing. We set our the band is really into the sailor theme. We have these four buccaneers ship has set sail with no days. The whole process was more then awesome. songs up on our MySpace so that anyone can a song called “Sail Away” on the CD and it’s just turning back. Ahoy, matey! Roger was really good to work with on a business download them for free. Before we went on our about going on tour and never coming back. level and by the end of the recording we all made Central American tour I looked up as many bands AU: So how was Central America? Memorable Everyone in the band just wants to travel the really good friends with him. We definitely had no from Central America as I could, posted on their tour moments? world, play as many shows as possible, meet new complaints! MySpace page and tried to get our name out Bailey: The whole trip in itself was more then friends and well… tour, tour, tour. as much as I could from my side of things. The amazing. We had no idea what to expect for the AU: Also signed to Think Fast! How did that AU: What sort of topics are you broaching with promoters definitely did there part as well, there most part and later I found out neither did a lot of happen? the new album, lyrically? were tons and tons of kids who already knew the people from down that way. Apparently we were Bailey: I initially started talking to Ryan at Think Bailey: The CD is pretty broad, from really personal words to our songs just because the promoters the first hardcore/punk band from North America Fast! Records because he also co-runs a booking issues to songs that are just about hanging out at made sure to get our name out there on flyers, to play in El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua agency. I had emailed his booking agency to see hardcore shows. Overall you can wrap the CD up internet, at other shows, on the radio etc. which is pretty crazy to me. As far as shows go if they had a tour that Grave Maker could submit saying its about four of the best friends anyone I would have to say Guatemala City, Guatemala for, not knowing he ran Think Fast! We started AU: If a hardcore show were arranged on a could ask for; who love living in a van together and San Salvador, El Salvador were two of the talking back and forth about plans for the band boat/ship who would have to be on the bill and driving back and forth across the country. most memorable. The shows were completely off and what we had coming up for us. One thing led along with you? the wall, kids were climbing all over each other to another and now we are on Think Fast! Records! AU: Touring plans for June and beyond? Bailey: Humm, that’s a good question. In no and even a ton of kids who didn’t speak English AU: What bands do you relate to and draw Bailey: Touring plans for June are looking really particular order I would have to say Manowar, knew all the words to our songs! They were also influences from? amazing and we are all very excited to say the Judge, Ill Intent and Grave Maker! two of the hottest most packed shows I have ever Bailey: Personally, a lot of my influence comes least! We are doing a week with Killing the Dream, AU: Sick bill that’s for sure. Last words? been to in my entire life without a doubt! Another Ruiner and The Carrier out east playing in NY, MA, from bands like Die Young, Shipwreck, Most Bailey: Thanks for the interview! amazing part of the trip was definitely the food MD, PA etc., and then we have about 15 shows Precious Blood, Comeback Kid and so on… (For more information on the band, go to: and coffee. I don’t even drink coffee and I could not at all because of their music, I do enjoy the or so with our friends in Decades from Dallas, TX. not stop drinking it down there. The food was by We are planning on taking July and August off www.myspace.com/gravemaker, or www. music, but they are all bands that tour above and thinkfastrecords.com)

30 www.absoluteunderground.ca Well summer finally First, this is a local reggae mainstay Pato his fourth appearance. showed up and frankly event put together by Banton and Inspector, He’s a wizard on the it’s about time that it the same promoters Mexico’s first platinum trombone and after did. Drinking beers in who bring you tons selling ska band. having worked with your basement is great of cool shows each Speaking of Inspector Stubborn All-Stars, and all, but having a and every year. So you if your reading this Skinnerbox, Rancid, The cold one out on the can rest easy knowing magazine then chances Toasters, The Slackers porch tops that any that Kevin Lyman and are the show on the and Murphy’s Law day. You can’t spend Sharon Osborne aren’t festival that you need he deserves all the the whole summer about to turn it into a to see is Friday July 11, respect he can get. Any jamming in your garage reality TV, show thus where this 10-piece trombone player would and playing guitar hero, saving your meager party ska band will be stupid to pass up so what are you going street cred for when headline at the White a free lesson with this to do? someone catches you at Eagle Hall, with Los guy. The grand finale takes place Saturday, July 12, at the Victoria Curling Club with The Skatalites, Easy Star All-Stars, the Debonaires and Current Swell. This is always a good party so I’m not even going to get into it, just ask anyone who’s been there. There you have it and while I’m still being a total shill, check out the rest of the bands and listen to some tracks at www.victoriaskafest.ca, then pick up a ticket to one of the shows and support a grass roots festival. Warped tour has been the Gap. Furios and fellow Victoria’s 9th Annual shit far longer then it Second – and possibly Mexicans Mama Pulpa, Ska Festival had ever been good, the most important who are back for their OzzFest is only in Texas, reason you should go second year in a row July 9-12th @ Victoria’s and that Pemberton – it doesn’t have to cost and they are not to be Inner Harbour (Ship thing wins points for your broke ass anything missed. Catchy punk/ Point Uplands), having J. Hova but it’s since half the shows ska songs, comedic Victoria 99 problems only begin are free. and irrelevant lyrics Curling Club, and with army of crap that is This year’s festival and Mexican wrestling various other venues. Coldplay, Interpol and features over 20 bands masks make Mama Tickets available at: Metric. Pulpa a band to behold. from five countries Victoria: Lyle’s Place & So what’s a punk to including the legendary New to the festival the Reef do? One option is to Skatalites, who helped this year are the free Duncan: Area 51 strap on your boots launch the careers of musician workshops. and suspenders and Bob Marley and Lee King Django and the Nanaimo: Fascinating raise a glass with your “Scratch” Perry, The Easy Dubmatix Soundsystem Rhythms rude boy brethren at Star All-Stars, who’s Dub are holding a free Vancouver: Zulu the Victoria Ska Festival, Side of the Moon and workshop, respectively, Records, High Life which runs from July 9 - Radiodread records to help you brush up Records & Redcat 12. Even if ska isn’t your have earned them on your Trombone Records first choice of music this steady rotation in head skills and learn to Online: www. is a great event that you shops from here to create your own dub ticketweb.com should support for two Amsterdam, England’s tracks. King Django is reasons. Grammy nominated a festival vet, making

www.absoluteunderground.ca 31 producers GGGarth Richardson earth. People prevail and Blood Brothers [Rage Against the Machine, machines crumble under the RHCP, Mudvayne] and Ben funk thunder of, “Evolution for Life Kaplan, Ninjaspy released their of the Skid” and “Dot.Calm. By E.S. Day debut CD ature in the fall of Down”. Somber serenity floats Like a Death Metal version of 2007. The record finally fused eerily over silent battlefields Fishbone, this Vancouver trio the fragments of influence in, “Pure Sketch”. “Circle Pity” is causing some serious street Ninjaspy had been training in and “SOS from the SOS” send buzz right across the country for years. Ninjaspy and ature a clear signal out to all those and we can only hope that live have one predominant closet dwellers that it is time they will be the beams of light similarity: from start to finish to emerge from their hiding waiting at the end of a dark one scarcely knows what places, punch the floor, kick tunnel. to expect. From downbeat the sky and throw the skank Misunderstanding was to breakdown, reggae, ska down. especially rampant In the world of Ninjaspy, in 1999 when three “the skank” can be defined brothers, the Triad in as the negativity inside each Blood, began making one of us, which inhibits music together. Joel, us from feeling free to love Adam, and Tim Parent, and express ourselves. To at the ages of 15, 13 survive, we must throw the and 11, respectively, skank down until we die. came to the end of the Ninjaspy is currently on century with distinct tour across Canada with musical preferences an appearance at NXNE in despite a lifetime of Toronto. proximity. Training in the www.ninjaspy.net intricacies of hardcore, ska, grunge, reggae, TUES JUNE 3, MONTREAL, funk, jazz and metal for QC @ BAR ST. LAURENT seven long years, the brothers and hardcore wed in musical JUNE 5, TORONTO, ONT @ THE struggled to find a functional cacophony, πature is like an KATHEDRAL epic war of words and music. idiom for their evolving mix JUNE 7, LONDON, ONT @ THE Initiating the onslaught with of music and hormones. After EMBASSY a few independent releases a swiftly drawn metal Katana, JUNE 8, AJAX, ONT @ TOP including a 2001 basement “Defecating on What’s Left of SHELF LP entitled Speed Queen and Our Child” is the soundtrack two demos (2002, 2005), the for the chaotic melee between JUNE 12, TORONTO, ONT @ dawn of 2006 finally unmasked opposing clans of life and ANNEX ROOM Ninjaspy. choice on the battlefields JUNE 16, THUNDER BAY, ONT @ Ninjaspy picked up of youthful cerebra. While DISGRACELAND children of the west momentum where their JUNE 17, WINNIPEG, MB @ contemplate procreation, child 5 Jun Sons of Butcher with This and 6 Jul Ape with Brother Voodoo faceless, seven year muse OZZY’S left off. For a year and a half soldiers are forced to march The Karma Curse 8 Jul Saxton JUNE 18, SASKATOON, SK @ they played relentlessly in like drones through “Sub- 6 Jun Electro Quarter Staff with THE ROXY 8 Jul Black Listed with Skarp Vancouver and toured several Arctic Trickery”, their moral Sally Hadesty , LINT, The Seventh inhibitions systematically JUNE 19, MEDICINE HAT, AB @ 11 Jul West Point with Chasing Mercury times across Canada with help Eye and Blood Flow dismantled by guerilla THE DOGHOUSE , Moments of Brilliance from friends in Whitey and 7 Jun Johnny News and The Paperboys governments. Sirens wail JUNE 20, KELOWNA, B.C. @ THE 12 Jul Bloated Pig with PC Theft , Batoche. In correlation with a with The NRBs ,The Duped , as if in remorse for lost lives HABITAT Oh Shit commitment to real, reciprocal Vaughn Kane human connection and and “Hit by a Cement Mixer” JUNE 21, KAMLOOPS, B.C. @ 14 Jul Through the Messenger with Fall captures the erratic confusion 8 Jun Larry and His Flask with Ours to zero-ego, high-energy, free- THE PAVILLION THEATER of Sacred and Ghosts and Glass of grief and loss. Mourners Destroy , Stab Twist Pull expression dance pits, support JUNE 27, VANCOUVER, B.C. @ 18 Jul Alcoholic White Trash with are rudely interrupted as the and Censless for Ninjaspy grows with every THE SWEATSHOP Lesbian Fist Magnet , wheedly-wheedly guitar starts 13 Jun Portrait with Seven Shots From show. Dog Facedmodels and EnemyUs the silly campfire scream- JULY 2, CALGARY, AB @ VERN’S Sober , Standby for the Bomb Through alliances with along, “Out of Tampons”, the JULY 6, MAPLE RIDGE, B.C. @ and Adam Smith and the 19 Jul Joey Only Darren Gilmore of Watchdog essential Ninjaspy analogy ADSTOCK 2008 Invisible Hand 20 Jul The Ataris with Holiday and Management and prolific for our mistreatment of the 14 Jun Day One with Mark of Cain Euphoria s Depression and Celestis 21 Jul Sugar Coated Killers with 18 Jun Ghost Brains DC Heads and The Dirty Roses 20 Jun The Tartan Hearts with Thee 2 Aug Enemyus Thems, The Press Gang , Johnny 10 Aug Mudlark with Osk Incognito and Dead Neck Fury 13 Aug Helcion with HypnoPilot and 24 Jun Empire Alley hite Light District 27 Jun Fucked Up 16 Aug The Horny Coronors with The 28 Jun Deluge with Abreaction Key , Bloody Hells , NRBS , Throat Kick Bitter Pill and The Juvenille Assasins 2 Jul Ninja Spy with Chaos , 27 Aug Blood Nasty Disorder and Panic 4 Jul Out the Garage with Smith on a Sunday , The Lions and Jezebelle

32 www.absoluteunderground.ca www.absoluteunderground.ca 33 John Tardy’s evil ways people change for the better than it’s all worth it. We play those large festivals so you kinda get those jarred in your AU: You know what, I figure Obituary has Inconvenient Truth memory as big shows. There are crazy metalheads all over the place, There’s something for everyone in Florida. For your grandmother, I’ll tell you that. there is excellent year round sun and delicious oranges. For your whooped with the “Don’t Care” video. jock buddies there is cheap tequila and big-time partying with JT: Yeah, that got billed as an environmental theme, but it wasn’t AU: With all these crazy metalheads around, you ever think of college girls on spring break in Fort Lauderdale. And for death metal by design. As I said before, it’s not like we are some political band writing some acoustic love-ballads to calm them down? Throw a fans, there is nowhere better. The fetid swamps of southern Florida with some message, it’s just not what we do. We did the video, and little falsetto in there? spawned American death metal as we know it! Legendary bands to do a video you need to have a idea behind it. It just kinda fit, the JT: No! No, with as many records we’ve done and how such as Death, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Deicide and of environmental theme. We’re not a rampage to change the world. long we’ve been around, the precedent has been set as to what course the almighty Obituary are proud to call the state home. AU: It’s a sweet video and gets the point across right quick, we’re good at and what we like doing. I don’t see us going too far 2007 marks the return to form for gruesome genre-leaders faster than a talking head. Speaking of environment, you’re from that. Other than that, we have our own studio, we’ve been Obituary. They’ve signed a new deal with Candlelight Records and from the legendary Florida scene, for 20 plus years, and as one doing a lot with other bands. Donald and Ralph are working on found a new lead guitarist in Ralph Santolla (ex-Deicide, Death, of the founding bands, do you find upcoming bands look to you projects like I mentioned earlier, Greg Gall from Six Feet Under Iced Earth, Eyewitness, Millennium). Touring and playing festivals for guidance? (drummer) has a guitar player that he’s working with that’s been over and me and Donald have been writing music together that’s worldwide has generated intense excitement for new material. With JT: Nahhhh, I don’t know. I don’t pay much attention to it. We play different than Obituary – I don’t know about any quiet love songs a new home studio in Florida and the creativity flowing as freely as local shows and invite local bands to play with us, and they’ll say though! the beer, the band has produced it’s best material of the past ten how they grew up listening to us and things like that but it really years. It’s a fresh take on the unrelenting, enormous grooves and wasn’t until our six year stint before “Frozen In Time” came out and AU: That is good news for the fans out there, that was a test thrashy speed riffing the band is known for – it never stops and we got back on the road that we started running to these bands right there! Thanks for taking the time to talk to us and do you only grows more fierce with the addition of agonizing screams from that are real popular now, the Slipknots of the world; and heard have any last words for the Canuck shredders up north? vocalist John Tardy. them saying the same things about how big an influence we were. JT: You know, it has been absolutely too long since we’ve been up to With the worldwide touring well-underway for the new album It makes you feel old in one fashion, but it’s nice to hear. It makes Canada. Speaking of some crazy fans, we’ve had some really good “Xecutioners Return”, we got in touch with John and talked about you feel good to know that A) someone likes your music and B) shows up that way. We’ve actually been trying for the past few years the long journey towards getting this album done, the band’s another musician complemented you and views you as inspiration. to get some shows set up and it’s been unsuccessful trying to get environmentalist leanings and why the band’s classic sound has so It goes along with writing a lot of records that you’ll start to something lined up. We’re hoping with this next record coming out much influence over today’s generation of metal. The executioners influence kids in someway or another. we can get six, seven, eight shows through Canada and hope to get have returned... AU: Speaking to the breakup you had briefly in 1997 and some shows through September. *connection troubles, missed calls, static – and finally clarity* returning in 2003, did you find a lot of people were happy AU: Best of luck on the tour, knock ‘em dead. Absolute Underground: Hey John, how ya doin’? to see you back and recording again, and what fueled that JT: I appreciate it very much brother. downtime? John Tardy: What’s happenin’ brother? -Erik Lindholm JT: Breakup is not a good word to use, cause it really started as a www.myspace.com/obituary AU: Managed to get a hold of the new album, it really sounds three month break away from things. It wound up being six, seven, deadly, the production is sharp, it’s like a razor man. eight, ten months – a year went JT: Awesome! I appreciate that very much. And we hadn’t said much by real fast - and Roadrunner was before hand, but once I get a compliment like that - I’ll start off doing nothing for us as usual. by sayin’ that we built our own studio and the album was actually It wasn’t like they were coming tracked there. to us saying “Hey, are you guys AU: Hooooo! Ya, you really notice it. doing new record? We have this tour lined up...” or anything like JT: It worked out great; having the ability to walk out of your house that. It worked out good, the and into your studio at any given time – it’s just so nice. When you whole metal scene was getting feel like playing – if it’s nine in the morning, I go out and sing a song quiet then. We all just got busy – if I want to sing for five minutes or an hour – you just do it. I don’t doing other things. Donald (Tardy, have to worry calling anybody or scheduling anything. It’s there at drummer) was jamming with any given time, you just press “record”. It’s just such a powerful tool Andrew W.K. And Trevor (Peres, to have at your disposal. guitar) had a project going, Frank AU: It’s gotta let the creative juices flow a lot better. I was (Watkins, bass) and I got busy with wondering with the title, I was doing my homework here, and other things – job related stuff. Obituary was once known as “Xecutioner”. What message We didn’t have much we felt like did you want to get across by titling the album the “The doing. It was quiet and no one Xecutioner’s Return”? was coming our way. We just hung JT: Well, we were with Roadrunner for so long, and finally being low, until we got offered to play, out from underneath their thumb and being able to do whatever which got us back to practicing we wanted to - it such a relief to be done with them and put it – which was really all it took. We behind us. We felt like we could go back and start over again and do started jamming the old songs whatever we want – we had total control over what we wanted to and all these ideas started coming do – and it just seemed to be fitting to go back to our original name out, stockpiled from six or seven and bring that into the mix with the new record. Especially after years of not jamming and those working with Andreas Marschall (cover artist for 1992’s “The End ideas carried over into this record. Complete”) and giving him some ideas and seeing what art he came That’s all it took. up with for the album, it all came together real nice. AU: That’s when the best writing AU: Excellent. Do you find you inspirations for writing songs emerges, when it feels natural. has changed over the years, has family life given you a new JT: Yeah! And we’ve never been perspective? a band that puts out an album JT: Ahhhhh, not really. Family life gives you new perspective, but not every year anyway. Even before really in my writing. We don’t really get too into that. It’s just like we “Back From the Dead” there was always have, we jump into the jam room and start writing, jamming, a few years and even before and having a good time – and what comes out is what comes out. “World Demise” there was a few live this summer! We don’t put too much thought into what were doing or too much years. Whenever we start getting meaning behind what were doing, it’s just meant to be fun and to together and writing, we don’t have a good time with it. force it, we just do it when we AU: Rockin’ man. Well, up here on the west coast of Canada, want. june 14 kelowna, tba we hear quite a bit of this environmental noise. This movie, AU: You guys have been out an “An Inconvenient Truth” by Al Gore – what do you make touring the last few weeks, of that? What do you make of the sudden concern about the you’ve been through Mexico, environment right now? Brazil, Chile, Holland, Argentina, july 1 calgary distillery JT: First of all, I love the outdoors. I do what I can to recycle and Australia, England and the things like that. Al Gore probably has a lot of good points, but at States – has one nations fans the same time if I look at the overall picture, Antarctica had palm stood out as the most batshit july 3 innisfail the zoo trees and alligators at one time. The whole global warming thing crazy for you guys? is what it is. I’m sure we’re doing a lot as a species to change our JT: Ahhh! That’s tough! There are environment but I’m not completely sold on all of it. Obviously, a lot of crazy shows we get to in there are lots of things we can do better worldwide to make our Mexico and South America, but environment a happier, cleaner place to live in especially for years the biggest shows are in Europe. to come. I’m not ready to push the panic button yet, but if makes In Germany or Belgium or Italy.

34 www.absoluteunderground.ca www.absoluteunderground.ca 35 26 Jun Edmonton New City 2 Jul Nanaimo TBA 27 Jun Calgary Stetson 3 Jul Victoria Logan’s Cables, Capo icks 28 Jun TBA TBA 4 Jul Vancouver TBA s, Drumsticks, Strumst 29 Jun Innisfail Zoo 5 Jul Drumheller TBA

1 Jul Vancouver Cobalt Lessons, Repairs, Check myspace.com/theunwanted2006 for updates CDs, DVDs, Tickets

36 www.absoluteunderground.ca Send Us your Live Reviews by Email [email protected] Absolute Live Reviews Support the Canadian Underground! Dimmu Borgir w/ Behemoth & Keep Of career was not in attendance, to my dismay. MEGADEATH / IN FLAMES / CHILDREN Kalessin After a lengthy equipment set-up and OF BODOM / JOB FOR A COWBOY / HIGH March 25, 2008 - MacMacEwan Hall, what looked like some intensive attention ON FIRE Calgary AB to the sound controls – trying to figure May 16, Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver B.C. Getting a ticket for this concert was a out why nothing was working properly fucking headache, let me tell you. This was and sounding worse, Tiger Army took the to be set in the old Mac Hall, which was stage. Unfortunately, nothing was fixed fine to me since last year Dimmu played and the sound problems ensued from the in the new Mac Hall, with the old having a get-go, noticeably frustrating Nick 13 and “tighter”, and “more intimate” atmosphere. then rest of the crowd. Vile feedback and The beer garden was still situated out the an overall unimpressive mix didn’t make doors, down the stairs, take a left, walk for the most enjoyable listening, but they some more...aggravating as hell! This was were troopers and didn’t let it stand in the the first show I’ve seen where none of the way – “Tiger Army Never Die”. Predictably bands are from North America. During Keep Nick 13 proclaimed halfway through the Of Kalessin played I paced arouare would set that “Tiger Army is and always will be turn on a few ladies I know. After only six or a psychobilly band” and seriously, how so songs, I’m just begging for more. It isn’t many times do we need to hear it? Is he just going to happen. Dimmu Borgir is left, who saying it now to go through the motions, look unceremoniously like a biker gang or do they really believe it? I’m not slagging tonight. Lots of leather vests and bandannas. them but I do have to say that it is hard Less belly pudge. A strong set, but I was to draw reference to psychobilly on their bewildered by the bass player’s mellow newest, Music From the Regions Beyond, vocal passages which coast the burnt pork which the majority of their set consisted of. chop like a layer of accessible medium rare Some classic old tunes like, “When the Night meat. Darkness is invaluable, don’t turn on Comes Down”, “Never Die” and “Nocturnal” a flashlight! along with an impromptu three-minute bass solo, while said technical difficulties - Ryan Dyer was attempted to be sorted out. All in all Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I AIRBOURNE / ENDEVERAFTER / STONE a decent show, if it weren’t for the sound missed the first couple bands cause the WRITER failures and the elusiveness of Nick 13 and show started so damn early. The tail end of April 19, Plaza Club, Vancouver, B.C. TA making an interview impossible, ah well. Children of Bodom’s set was bearable but Missed both opening acts Endeverafter – a -Pauly HC not mind blowing. I really don’t know what bunch of Guns N’ Roses clones – and Stone QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE all the hype is surrounding these guys but Writer [maybe this writer was too stoned May 1, Save On Memorial, Victoria, B.C. I’m thinking they should at least blow fire to get to the show on time]. The reason or something. In Flames had a great light anyone even slightly in the know was at What can you really say about these radio show, that’s about all the good I can say. this show was because Airbourne members douchebag sell-outs? You either love them It’s the type of metal that suddenly goes are the newest if you’re a girl or hate them ‘cause your girl all slow and romantic halfway through the slaughter loves them. Either way you’re fucked. I will song. I can live without that false metal in masters from say they might have a couple OK-ish songs my life. Megadeth had a very stripped down the prison if you’re really, really stoned. I will also state, stage show and rocked all the classics you island known as for the record, that they have some extra would expect, from “Wake Up Dead” and Australia. I tell shitty ones as well but that didn’t seem to “Peace Sells”, to “In My Darkest Hour”, with you, these rock quell the screaming crowds of brainwashed all the new crap no one cares about mixed n’ roll renegades radio listeners. The fancy light show wasn’t in for the newbies in the crowd. If they just are like the enough to mercifully blind me as pre-teen played their first three albums that would next fuckin’ girls gushed over Captain of the Gingers and be so deadly! Dave Mustaine should really AC/DC!!! Dare I vo-cock-list Josh Holmes. I think his great, take a different approach on this and catch even say they great uncle Sherlock should help this guy the wave of new thrash bands destroying are better than find a clue. Gone are the days of glory when music once again. Next year could rock if it’s the Highway these guys would play dingy titty bars and Megadeth, Exodus, Death Angel, Municipal thrash hotel rooms with coked-up strippers. Waste and Toxic Holocaust. Bring back the to Hell’s toll KNUCKLEHEAD / THE REBEL SPELL / THE CURE keepers? Maybe It feels more like they got diapers to change thrash and take out the trash. after the show instead and if they sniff BROADCAST ZERO May 26, GM Place, Vancouver, B.C. not, but they are definitely the next best -Mal Content May 24, Logan’s Pub, Victoria, B.C. thing on a Saturday night in Vancouver. around long enough, they just might realize It’s been over ten years since my last Cure These Vegemite eating maniacs are the the smell is coming from their own pants. GRAVE MAKER / ILL INTENT / A CROW’S Well the long awaited arrival of Calgary’s sighting so I’m pumped to see the familiar bastard children of all the women Bon Scott Pure wankery. GLORY / MAYDAY MAYDAY / MT. street-punk sons, Knucklehead, has been silhouette of Robert Smith on the dimly lit and the boys raped after the ‘74 Jailbreak. -Mal Content CRUSHMORE a long time in the making – their entire stage. Despite a somewhat slow start and This is the type of shit that makes you want May 16, James Bay Community Centre, career in fact, as they have never made it not a lot of verbal communication with the NOFX / NO USE FOR A NAME / AMERICAN Victoria, B.C. across to the island. Accompanying them crowd [we forgive, he’s shy] it doesn’t take to crank your stereo to 11 and proceed to STEEL run around in your shorts like Angus Young Regrettably I arrived later than expected was Broadcast Zero, upstarts from Eastern more than a few songs to hear how tight May 9, Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, On-terrible supporting their brand new the band sounds. The dark, introspective and wreck stuff. These are beer swilling, B.C. and missed Mt. Crushmore and Mayday outback 4x4-ing, kangaroo-poaching party Mayday, but I am told they put on great sets album, Yesterday, You Could Change the mood – so distinctly The Cure – is set. I hear tunes at their best. The show was epic from Vancouver was lucky enough to be one of and I believe it – those two bands are two World. They got the crowd warmed up with the unmistakable opening for “Lullaby” and start to sweat soaked finish. Airbourne the dates chosen for one of only eight shows of Victoria’s freshest sounds on the hardcore a blend of passionate and heartfelt street I smile as I see Robert Smith’s eyes roll back played all of the current mega hits off set up to promote NOFX’s new live album, scene today. Luckily, I walked in right as Ill level sounds and songs about drinking their album, Runnin’ Wild, including the They’ve Actually Gotten Worse Live! Intent started treating us to a lethal dose with friends, supporting your scene and soundtrack to debauchery, “Too Much, Too No Use for a Name? More like No Use for of honest and ultra heavy hardcore. This tearing down the walls of oppression built Young, Too Fast”. Warning! You may lose Washington band’s message is clear and up by the Government. They couldn’t have consciousness if you try to keep up with the they get it to you in under a minute, usually, been nicer dudes and looking forward to amount of booze this band consumes on covering everything off of their demo, seeing them out this way again. Next to stage! They did jump around a bit but maybe “Crucial Times” and leaving a sweaty mass of take the stage was Knucklehead and from not enough to warrant the name Airbourne. kids coming up for air. In what I thought was the beginning they were spot on. Playing I was expecting David Lee Roth jumping a strange turn of events, Grave Maker was a healthy selection spanning their four splits, at least. I left feeling stoked to have up next and from the opening riff the crowd releases, including “Bodies at Midnight”, scoped out this show at a relatively small was in a frenzy for these guys. Blistering “Wasted 22”, “Shot Down, 1989”, “Cosmetic club because I’m sure the next time they through all the tracks they have, it would Youth” and slower but equally pleasing come through town they will be filling rock appear that the relentless touring schedule new tracks, among others. A high energy arenas to the rafters. is paying dividends as all four were jacked- set with amusing banter between songs and a really good vibe made for a really -Slaid Rider up and in fine form. The ever enjoyable “Time Heals Nothing” garnered a pile-on great experience. With Kyle’s [singer] wife TIGER ARMY / THE UNSEEN / NIM VIND sing-a-long and everyone seemed really expecting their second child soon and a in his head. He becomes the star spider in April 28, Croatian Cultural Centre, this Band! They are done! Too much chasing stoked on hearing all the new songs off the bassist expecting his first, the band is going this web of seducing beats and you believe Vancouver, B.C. rainbows for my liking. On the other hand, upcoming, Bury Me at Sea, like “Wreckage” to be taking it easy and it is going to be his story about this demon that is, “stealing Arriving in time to check openers, Nim Vind, this was a pretty impressive NOFX show if “Cast Away” and “I Won’t Belong”. There were another year before we get the chance to past the windows of the blissfully dead, a Vancouver local band playing a gothic you consider all the factors needed to keep scissor kicks aplenty and a real family vibe, see ‘em again. So if you missed out, you looking for the victim shivering in bed… style of surfabilly. I cannot say that I am a someone like me entertained. First off, the with vocalist Jon thrashing around in the totally screwed the pooch. The Rebel Spell don’t struggle like that or I will only love big fan, but they got the crowd moving and band was just the right amount of drunk to pit with the heathens and really getting made their return to Vic triumphantly and you more”. It’s great to hear them play some shaking. Before long it was Boston’s The be slightly belligerent but not so wasted that everyone fired up. It seemed that after GM sounded like their tour with the Flatliners of their bigger hits, which are far too many Unseen, laying down their brand of hardcore they fucked all the songs up. There was also half the crowd couldn’t make it up for air and did them some good. They wasted no time to mention, but the superior early stuff is punk and I have to admit I was excited, as all plenty of snide remarks and audience abuse bowed out. It’s too bad, as A Crow’s Glory ripping into choice cuts like, “Please Resist”, a far sweeter fix. A trio of large screens is of my previous attempts to catch this band handed out by frontman, Fat Mike. “Don’t unleashed the beast on the remainder of the “I See Fire”, “Rebels Sing” and dedicating my set up behind the stage and play images live have been fruitless. They ran the gamut throw joints on stage. Throw bags of cocaine crowd with one of the heaviest sets I have favorite song, “Sit With Me Anger” to our Evil throughout songs. During the three songs of their catalog – evenly distributing their or pills instead. Everyone in Vancouver is a seen from these Vancouver Doomsayers. Overlord, Ira “had to leave early in order to of the Faith encore, chilling and thought set between the songs they cut their chops stinky hippy!” About halfway through their Though the crowd had grown sparse, the catch the Hoosegow movie premiere at the provoking images of war and human on, from 2003’s Explode and 2005’s State set they honoured the crowd by playing the energy and intensity were still there as those Roxy” Hunter. Don’t worry buddy, I got lots of destruction are shown. Combined with the of Discontent as well as a healthy offering 20-minute political opus, “The Decline”. of us remaining were treated to a punishing video. Every time I see these guys they seem haunting guitar playing of Robert Smith and set. As always, there were plenty of kung-fu to be getting tighter and tighter and it really the boys, it is one of those powerful concert from their most recent album, Internal At one point in the show, Fat Mike and and karate chops synchronized in the pit, as sounded good in there – the crowd was high moments you know you’ll remember. He’s Salvation. Against Vocalist Matt’s wishes, guitarist Eric Melvin ended up wearing the well as more pile-ons and sing-alongs. When energy and non-violent, singing every chant magical to watch, a vulnerable and giving there was the inevitable cover of the Rolling bras that some frisky fans threw on stage. all was said and done, it went off without along chorus in unison and having a grand performer. Playing an impressive, nearly Stones’ “Paint it Black”. Running back and Fat Mike burst out laughing at the sheer a hitch – or violence, which has become a ole time. If you haven’t seen this band live three-hour show, with a few encores, makes forth across the stage and down into the stupidity of it. “Who wears a brown bra, rarity these days. Happy birthday Troy and yet there really can’t be much excuse – one for great energy within the crowd. People Crowd for most of the set, he really knew anyways?”. It was a sick show and caught how to get the crowd involved and keep thanks for putting on this rad show. of the hardest working Canadian bands on are moving and what a sound and energy! them in Seattle the next night where Fat the scene today. Awesome show. the savages entertained. Tripp Underwood, Mike was even drunker and angrier. -Pauly HC the original bassist and author of the book, -Pauly HC -Auntie Jor So This is Readin’, which details the band’s -Ira Hunter

www.absoluteunderground.ca 37 Photos by Dale DeRuiter

Demonika’s Metal A Gore Gore down behind a sheet, as to shield our virginal eyes... w/ Dead Jesus, Skepsis & Bitchsplitter only to be skinned alive. I’ve never seen the youngens of May 26, The Stetson, Calgary, AB Skepsis before but they played a satisfying mid-card set, The Stetson is an odd venue. Totally to divide the horror and gore from criss full of life and young people during crossing into itself. Performing next was the many gigs they put on, and full Zylpha Nail, the only girl I know who is of the neighborhood locals watching immune to having sparks fly into her the sports on TV and the VLT’s flash. If face. Who needs Leatherface when she I was an old man watching the hockey can saw up her own body? game at the Stetson at 6 p.m., just There were a few contests in between hours before Demonika’s Metal A Gore these sets but to tell you the truth I was Gore went underway, I’d probably either drinking or having a joint outside have had a heart attack by 7 p.m. Yeah, while they were going on. The Butcher the nets I’d be watching wouldn’t be introduced Demonika for her custom near goalies... Meat hung about the commissioned human art set. If only all bar like it was a slaughterhouse while of the paintings hanging around her the cattle got touched up in makeup. house were like this! The final band of Slaughter in style right? the night was the always unpredictable Bitchsplitter were introduced by the Dead Jesus. Drunk as fuck, Calvin Fehr Butcher, a man who is no stranger to stood on top of a ladder, smashed a last handling meat. You couldn’t have a supper picture against his head, cut better band name for the proceedings himself on the forehead, and jammed tonight. I don’t think Keera has a his hulking body through a table on medical license. Marla came on stage the floor (which didn’t break). All before obviously needing help, bandaged and visibly impaired the band started playing! The suspension finale didn’t in the torso region. Keera accepted the plead, but then leave out any of the squeamish details. Meat hooks. Flesh. saran wrapped Marla’s body to a table, and ripped out her Again, who needs Leatherface? intestines. A somewhat unorthodox medical practice. - Dyerbolique Next up, one of those cattle women were propped upside

38 www.absoluteunderground.ca Send Us your Album Reviews by Email [email protected] Absolute Album Reviews Support the Canadian Underground! THE ABSENCE – Riders of the Plague inevitable) Igor and Max reunion is here. former members of the legendary Front Was it worth the wait? Nope. It’s not that line Assembly and The Black Halos, has Metal Blade Inflickted isn’t a decent album – it’s just disemboweled the current industrial/electro- The Absence has developed a much tighter, that it bears little resemblance to the work goth state of mind and taken the entrails bigger sound in their new and pretty that made us all Sepultura fans in the first from its carcass to boil a pot of mash-up shredding album, Riders of the Plague. It has place. Where are the mental breakdown stew. Intense and aurally corruptive, the some great melodic guitar leads like their litanies of Beneath the Remains? The fluid borderline power metal persona gives way last release, but has a more intense sound time signatures of Arise? The violent tribal to straight hardcore industrial with a fresher, to it with heavier vocals. Their style reminds drumbeats of the Chaos A.D./Roots era? more vibrant kick that oozes much needed me of At the Gates and maybe some Dark There are brief moments of genius on the danceable forms of aggression. Tranquility meets American death/thrash. down tuned, hardcore “Bloodbrawl” and -E.S. Day -BitchFork Timmey righteous “Black Ark” but not enough to carry the whole album. Overall, it’s over-produced THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES THE ACCUSED – Return of and generic, sounding more of Roadrunner – Medium Rare Martha Splatterhead in Los Angeles than Cogumelo in Sao Paulo. Big Rig Records Relativity The jungle is calling... This CD contains three new songs, which are -Erik “Morbid Visions” Lindholm If you missed this the first time around you by far the best tunes on the album. This says have no excuse to not own it now! Raging COLIN DECKER FREE FALL – Demo a lot about the band coming back! The new crossover from the Pacific Northwest. They tracks are “This List”, “Don’t Worry Desmond played here a buttload and my friend got Independent Dekker” (one of the coolest Bosstones songs crabs at one of their gigs in 88. This is the These guys are from Calgary and feature in a long time) and “The One With the Woes last of their recordings with the legendary some ex-members from Downway. They All Over It”. The final of those three tracks Chewy Accused on bass, who was kind of tend to overuse the dueling guitar leads a appear to lyrically be about the band’s rise a West Coast version of Harley Flanagan. bit but the sound is pro and the band cooks in popularity. One of my favorite tracks on The famous thrasher skate rock print of along with a pace that is varied from song to the CD is “Chocolate Pudding” which I hated the guy jumping with the guitar is actually song. Tracks vent on day to day annoyances at first; you can immediately see why it is Chewy. He passed a few years back. Long live such as shopping at Zellers and jeans that a B-side. It seems to be one of those joke Chewy!!!!! Oh yeah, go buy this today and I are too tight… at least, I think that is what songs that bands do just for fun, but I will be wont tell yer pals you were a fuckin’ poser! “Sperm Count” is about. Lyrical content damned if it is not really catchy after a few Accused – more fun than an open casket aside, this is an aggressive and heavy demo listens. funeral. and one can hear each instrument clearly -Chuck Wurley -DustinJaK, Gordon Head 08 in the mix. I can find new hooks each time I listen to it, which keeps it interesting. MUTINY – Demo ACROSS FIVE ACRES – Life Underwater -Mark Morr Creepcore Records PENNYWISE – Reason to Believe tracks on the disc, which spans pretty much Victory Records 15 Blisteringly fast crust-grind/hardcore their whole career. As soon as I threw on For those who like a little melody mixed IMMORTAL DOMINION – Awakening MySpace Records – The Revelation delights from Victoria’s politically charged the disc I was immediately stoked on the in with their scathing vocals and hardcore Mutiny. With over half the tracks clocking it These Hermosa Beach, CA, punk rock first song, “Ben Zanotto”, written about one breakdowns, A5A may be for you. Independent at less than 40 seconds they know how to stalwarts announced earlier this year that of Tim Armstrong’s deceased friends. There Mixing a mash-up of hardcore and metal Pretty standard metal, trying hard to pull get their point across and do it fast as fuck. their new album would be released for free are some previously released classic Rancid musicianship, with powerful vocals that are off what 3 Inches of Blood do, just not quite The message is simple: there are a lot of via Textango and Myspace. I was skeptical tunes on here, such as “Tattoo”, “Brixton”, capable of dropping down to an almost soft pulling it off and coming off sounding a tad fucked up things happening in the world at first but upon hearing the quality they and “I Wanna Riot”. There is also an amazing and sweet range is a little impressive. The too screamo for this testicle head. Brown and it’s time to stand up and do something were offering, including album artwork, I was instrumental tune called “100 Years” and 11 tracks touch on staunch subjects against would’ve slammed this, but it really isn’t all about them. Increase your knowledge. sold. The sound is Raw and aggressive, with “Clockwork Orange” I don’t think has ever church and state and pull no punches about that bad. Take action and be fucking heard and do it Jim’s vocals lending themselves to that of been released anywhere, which is the best it either. Their skills are honed, sights are Against the Grain era Bad Religion. It carries -DustinJaK, Gordon Head ‘08 whilst bludgeoning your head in with blast track on the disc by far. It is a violent song set and the time is nigh. Fans of Underoath, beats and guttural screams. Standout tracks a breakneck pace throughout the album’s musically and lyrically, but then just look at From Autumn to Ashes and the like will INNER SURGE – An Offering abound but some personal favorites are 13 tracks, with two bonus tracks available the title. certainly be pumped for this one. Judging “Jerry Falwell! Burn in Hell!”, “To Be Governed for those who shell out the cash and pick Independent -Chuck Wurley by the quality of this album I wouldn’t be is to Be A Slave” and “Abortion is a Womyns up the retail version. Jim and the rest of the surprised if they picked up a few more fans Hailing from Calgary, this is Inner Surge’s Right”. band give us reason to believe that they A TEXTBOOK TRAGEDY – Intimidator along the way. fourth album and as always they have raised aren’t ready to go softly into the night just - Pauly Hardcore Distort/Universal -Pauly Hardcore the bar since prior recordings. Apparently, yet. With their first single, “Western World” they lost their bass player in the middle NASUM – Doombringer debuting on the US modern rock chart at 28, Vancouver’s ATT has delivered its second CADAVER DOGS – Pariah Social of production so it was a bit of a struggle. their highest ever, it would appear as though album to the masses, a schizophrenic mix of This album is more political than I care for, Relapse after 20 years some well deserved dues are metal and hardcore with a dual layered vocal Independent hitting from a few different angles such Hellbent on destruction, Sweden’s Nasum finally getting paid. Put it in, crank it the fuck assault that gives heavy highs and low lows. The Cadaver Dog’s laid-back, whiskey-tipped as “Halliburton Piggies” and “The Monroe have brought forth the demons from up and enjoy. With hilarious song titles like “Dude, I’m On debut effort, Pariah Social, is a straight-up Doctrine” as well as quite a few others. Steve Hell (and all that other cliché shite) into -Pauly Hardcore Alesse” and “Stay out of Riverdale” it is clear country album. A far cry from drawling- Moore does a great job singing; he sounds a spectacular live album. Problem is it’s that these guys have a sense of humour. That singer Mark O’s touring stint as guitarist for dreamy and tantric at times, hard-hitting spectacular due to the fact that the tracks PRESS GANG – Demotronicus & Warts being said, there is nothing funny about this Thor. The album is clean in production and, and aggressive at others. My favorite song clock in at less than one minute each. I and All album and its intensity rarely falters, with the well, who wouldn’t like a song titled, “Beer mean it. Riddle me this: how the fuck is one musicianship lending itself to early Dillinger is “Crossing the line”. It’s quiet with a good Independent Flavoured Beer”? Mmmm… beer… While build, keeping the intensity throughout and supposed to get hypnotized in just over Escape Plan. The 12 tracks deliver, firing on this review would best fit in Country Living breaking into some really great parts. half a minute? Impressive! They must be In late 07 the Press Gang released all cylinders. The six-minute title track is one and not here, I’m friends with bassist Dusty two “albums.” One is the four-song EP, -Demonika the Karnacks of Grindcore. Recorded live Hell of an onslaught. The band is currently Doug, so this is where ass-kissing lands ya! in Japan, the whole album transpires in Demotronicus, and the other a live CD, Warts on tour across Canada so check them in your - Emily Kendy LEFT SPINE DOWN – Fighting For Voltage under 25 minutes – I’ll assume the Super and All – live at the Stetson. Because who town, you won’t be disappointed – and pick Terrific Happy Nasum Extra Special Limited doesn’t follow up their demo with a live up their CD, ‘tis one for the ages. Synthetic Sounds record? Well my friends… The Press Gang CAVALERA CONSPIRACY – Inflickted Edition box set (8 CDs) should round out at -Pauly Hardcore Vancouver’s Left Spine Down turns the right does. The demo itself is a well-crafted little Roadrunner Records a full hour. I’d rather listen to the soundtrack songs up on Fighting for Voltage. Right off from Meatballs 4 while shopping at Ikea. I’ll disc that really captures the good times and VANCOUGAR – 7” Split Finally. After 12 years the much-hyped (and the bat this six-piece unit, which features stick with the studio tracks if I need garbled antics you’d expect from the band. However, Mint Records Swede metal. the one thing the demo is lacking is more Vancougar are a fun and lovely girlie-pop -E.S. Day songs and that’s where Warts and All steps up to the plate. Warts presents everything combo driven by hot fuzz bass. They recently NECROBIOSIS – The Evolution of Sickness you’d expect from a Press Gang show, released a pretty, green-speckled 7” record. including some sloppy playing, but what the Or rather, it was supposed to be a second Independent band lacks in polished musicianship they Vancougar cooker on Side B “Distance”, but I need to see this Edmonton five-piece live to more than make up for with witty banter things went fuckity and now their addictive, get a better feel for them. Released in 2007, between songs, killer funny tunes and of affecting, absolutely bubblegum eleven- Sickness offers songs that are kinda grindy, course a constant call out for beer and word A-side, “Obvious” is backed by a crunky kinda death, kinda thrashy... a mish mash of Jäger-bombs. imitation of Cradle of Filth (!!!). I pleaded sounds. They like the horror/torture sound -Darren Ollinger Mint Records for a misprint copy and made effects and that fits great with the deadly it my personal quest to track down these artwork on the cover. I like “Nothing and RANCID – B Sides and C Sides mysterious black metal heathens. My only Nowhere”, though it’s a bit slower than the clues: a bombastic keyboard break mid-tune Rancid Records other tracks on the record. “Crushing Black and the “DARKSIDE009 B” imprint on the Depths” is pretty good too. I need to see So this is the last release from Rancid with vinyl’s underbelly. I need help!! original drummer Brett Reed. The titles these guys live! -David Bertrand -Demonika pretty much explains this CD. There are 21

www.absoluteunderground.ca 39 Richard Price novel, The Wanderers Absolute DVD Reviews – has made us want to bail on all 1990: The Bronx Warriors three and throw on The Lords of “What Fulci did for Italian zombie cinema, Enzo Flatbush starring Rocky and the unrest fest 2008 G. Castellari ruins for late 70s Gangsploitation.” Fonz. Given the year (82) and its confused pre-dawn Post-apocalyptic NYC is now a fascination with street gang culture, the ‘Enzo’ ravaged wasteland for aging decided it would be best put it to a mediocre extras to reprise their aging actor use. The result is a poorly written script with roles as bad people who can’t zero gratification, bad sets and the most spell or read. Beyond the horrific Vic Morrow, contrived (even at the time) costumes ever, also bestowed upon us is our favourite main making Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome almost motherfucker Fred Williamson, who makes more worth watching again. The obvious take on The than one appearance to keep whitey in check. Warriors is evident – as is the antics that are Too bad Freddy didn’t run for President – he borrowed from the screen adaptation of the would have gotten the job done. -E.S. Day Absolute Theatre Reviews ILSA – QUEEN OF THE NAZI the “final solution” they’re LOVE CAMP looking for? March 26-April 12, One Yellow Rabbit Theatre, Let me level with you, Calgary, AB when I saw the ad for this show, I nearly shit Borrowing the character from the celebrated my pants. I was totally (in certain circles) cult classic Ilsa – She Wolf Of unaware that anyone attitude adjustment hellshock The SS (which I’m certain half the audience in had attempted to bring attendance had never seen), the One Yellow such a vile movie like Ilsa Rabbit production tells the the tale of Ilsa, – She Wolf Of The SS to in haste twisted system concentration camp seductress, the Colonel and life. Although it simply their quest to contain and preserve the sacred borrows the character’s scruple of their beloved Führer in hopes of name and softens her plus more to be added! cloning him and continuing the Reich’s thousand up a little, Ilsa certainly does justice to the film year reign with the comfort of competent future – educating one of the morally corrupt act of leaders. This is intermingled with the true story rd th the denial, and thus rewriting of history, which is august 3 and 4 , edmonton, ab of Jim Keegstra, schoolteacher, mechanic and wrong normally, but preposterous when doing former mayor of Eckville, AB. Notorious for his so when one is in a professional situation, such denial of the Holocaust and promotion of hatred, as teaching. Actors Denise Clark, Michael Green, new city compound, 10081. jasper ave. which he practiced in class, Keegstra’s trial and Andy Curtis fit heir roles like a tailored SS eventually went to the Supreme Court of Canada uniform, and on stage musicians David Rhymer and received major international attention. Ilsa’s and Karl Roth make a minimalist score sound Tickets $25 or $40 for both days. journey takes her to Eckville (the town’s origin is gigantic, which is complimented more so by the explained as the reaction of stepping in faeces), original songs of the said cast. I had a fucking where her and the Colonel confront Jim. blast at this organic, intimate spectacle. I only For more information Frustrated and infuriated, the Nazis shrug off the hope that they don’t wait another 13 years to clueless mechanic and attempt to awaken Hitler run their swastika-clad motorcade through call 780-429-CLUB himself via spirit hot-line. He purgingly manifests Calgary. himself in the Colonel’s body, but will he have -Herr Doktor Dyer

40 www.absoluteunderground.ca Absolute Film Reviews to the original zombie outbreak but updated to as during a horror movie shoot, the zombie this very quickly and took care of the gore via George A. modern times. The biggest difference this time as infestation begins. She also explains that she is computer. Believe it or not there are not too zombies start to take over the earth, people are finishing the film for the original director, who many actual deaths as his other films but it totally Romero’s uploading their zombie encounters for others to was the most adamant about documenting every makes up in the quality of zombie deaths. If you Diary of see via Youtube and the like. Broadcasts coming minute of the outbreak, as his last wish. Also ever wanted to see what happens if you smashed from the mainstream TV stations are editing out included are video clips she found on the internet a jar of acid on someones head, I think it is a the truth, trying to keep down the mass hysteria. by survivors of the zombie holocaust. pretty accurate representation. Try to pull that the Dead one off at the next Zombie-walk. Many still trust the TV networks and think its an With a lower budget than the Dennis Hopper This is the fifth internet hoax, oblivious they are in the middle of driven Land of the Dead, this film raises a lot of - Coke Gibson movie in Romero’s a full blown zombie shitstorm. ethical questions into reality TV, dealing with zombie saga. With (Editor’s note, this had a very short run if any in actual reality and what news on TV is telling Night, Dawn, Day The film plays out as a film within a film, “The theatres. We were lucky the Plaza Theatre in Calgary us. Shot mostly by digital camcorders held by and Land of the Death of Death”. The narrator explains during the was one of those few. Just prior to printing Diary of the the characters themselves (yes, this film was Dead preceding, opening credits that this film is a documentary Dead was released on DVD packed with a tonne of completed before Cloverfield), Romero shot Diary takes us back her and her friends stumbled upon making, extras. Check back next issue for the review of the DVD.

Calgary Underground Film Festival Favorites www.calgaryundergroundfilm.com Jack Brooks – Monster Slayer Machine Girl What We Do Is Secret www.brookstreetpictures.com/jackbrooks www.machinegirl.net (on DVD June 3) www.myspace.com/germsmovie This is the story of Jack Brooks (Trevor Machine Girl is a colostomy of everything Before Seattle’s Grunge, before Minneapolis’ Matthews, writer, producer and star) a bad, outrageous,superfluous and stupid put Alternative rock, there was LA Punk and now plumber with extreme rage issues. After together all in one little meatball. A feminine after 30 years comes the story of the Germs witnessing the brutal murder of his family at boy and his chunky friend are killed in cold arguably one of the best and most infamous a young age, it’s established that Jack has is blood by a leopard trench coated son of a bands of the era. battling some inner demons to say the least. Yakuza and his gang of lowly thugs. His older Fronted by Darby Crash (Shane West) the sister vows to avenge his death by killing Winner of the 2007 “Best Motion Picture movie chronicles his rise and fall in the LA every gang member responsible in classic – Xtreme Midnight Selection” at the Stiges music scene. People went to see the Germs kung-fu revenge style seen in movies like International Film Festival and voted not for the music but in anticipation of what Lady Snowblood and Kill Bill. After a few extreme gory deaths, our “Audience Favorite” at the Calgary Underground Film Festival, Jack was going to happen, when they played chaos usually ensued. heroine is held in containment by the Yakuza gang (who showed Brooks is carrying on the tradition of the Horror/Comedy genre. For once the musical performances in the movie are better than the their ruthless cruelty by having a butterfingered cook eat, ironically, Almost like a mutation of Evil Dead and Trailer Park Boys, this movie real band’s original performances. Fact is Pat Smear had Shane West his own fingers on slices of sushi) who then slice off her forearm. is full of laughs, physical comedy and stop motion latex monsters. do vocals for the Germs Reunion tour. If Shane West looks familiar This gives the writers a perfect opportunity to gear up our heroine (Fuck you digital effects.) think ER. with Gatling gun on the stumpy appendage. Almost in a nod of approval from the horror gods, Robert England The movie does a really good job capturing the feel of LA in the It is a unique comic book atmosphere that never misses an (Freddy Krueger) stars as Jack’s night-class science teacher. It was early 80’s. Watch “The Decline of Western Civilization” and the same opportunity for gore, acts of perversion, or pushing levels of great to see they avoided any ‘wink at the camera’ references to fictionalized scenes from this movie are amazingly exact. absurdity (the gang of mourning parents with pictures of their his past and most well known role. The story gets going when Jack Over all the movie makes Darby Crash more articulate than he really slain children on their chests as battle crests). As soon as I thought takes a look at the plumbing of his instructor’s newly purchased was and has great music. What more do you want from a punk rock the pace was dimming, a drill bra came on screen and alerted me old estate home, this is where the evil is awakened and the action movie? Ending Spoiler – He dies. back into an attentive state. This movie had the highest attendance takes off. There were lots of cheers and clapping from the audience of the CUFF and amongst the cheers of the crowd throughout, - Dan Brandenburg throughout the movie, this was definitely the start of where cult everyone went home happy. favorites are made. - Ryan Dyer - Coke Gibson

www.absoluteunderground.ca 41 COMIX

June & July 2008

Life is fast and flirty in the beginning You can organize people, deepen of June. But an element of chaos relationships, and connect with prevails, so just hang on and enjoy distant supporters. Plan some travel the ride. Little is accomplished. and take vities and echinacea to Seeds of intention are planted be healthy for it. Libras like to keep with this New Moon June 3rd, which grow into everyone happy, but don’t use dishonesty to mutant strains of wacky results by the end of the avoid conflict, now. Rising to a challenge can month. You are beset by changes in several areas really get you in a position of advantage socially of life. Relationships, goals, and social activities and romantically. You are attracting attention, are all going through big shifts. July holds more so look good. July brings more public attention excitement and close relationships are anything, and a career boost. Your work situation improves but stable. Work is tough and stress may impact and social life has some attractive new additions. health. Romantic dreams are almost coming true Bringing a new attraction deep into your lair at the end of July. before you make any moves works better than hot pursuit. It’s all about the money, isn’t it? You Taureans can be so Secret manoeuvres enhance your career materialistic. Maybe if you would and domestic scene over the next few just get more than a little faced weeks. Money patterns change. Do you might be able to relax and what you can to make these changes positive. A enjoy yourself. Yet, beware that a new hanger to little game of clashing of egos is going on in your your social scene on may prove to be unscrupulous. social circle. Try not to let it be a big distraction. Career, money, and credit, all seem to be coming Sometimes a little challenge helps you make together beyond your expectations. Let yourself an effort. Into July you are being listened to. It is believe! Early July sees you developing some handy to have something to say. Career pressure or new interests and social contacts. You are so keeping up a good front doesn’t let up into July. At darned determined to get your way in parenting, least you get to be bohemian. recreation, and romance in July that you may just manage to take all the fun and surprise out of your opportunities. Get out there and beat the bushes to see what sort of new contacts you can make. You Seize upon the June 3rd New Moon are defining what you want and a few days after as your time to in close relationships, maybe recreate your life. Make fresh plans even choosing a partner. Give promising new and be open to new career directions. relationships a few weeks for trust to develop Personal and intellectual relationships before you make any emotional or financial deals, are reorganizing themselves around though. The Full Moon June 18th highlights how you Make sure you speak up and tell others what significant relationships, and avenues of self you would like. You just may get it. July brings expression and learning are coming together. proof that money matters are improving. You may July begins with an effort to enhance your need to lay down the law at home and with family personal and financial security. Ask for what you members for a couple weeks, in order to maintain need, yet you will need to reciprocate with a some semblance of order. Set up a craft table to massive effort to show what you can do in your make some spare coin. career.

Have a quiet meditative vacation or at least find June holds a big push for self some private time. The first 3 weeks of June are improvement. A few changes in about reflection upon where routine and thought loops will your past decisions have taken result in a new attitude. New you. Expect some good karma. ideas to make work more efficient find support. Finances, credit, business, and Take note of the inspiration, which you have in work matters fall into place on a mid-June, about new money making ideas. You higher plateau. Later June and into July don’t mope, can get on them later. Changes in your role at rather be stoic. Your serious outlook can facilitate work are laying the seeds for a bigger change in an authentic reprogramming of your self talk. Go the next 9 months. July brings a positive glow ahead and change your own personality to be to close relationships. Demonstrating some more to your liking. You can be someone whom optimism and a spirit of generosity pays off. you admire. You are more cheerful in July. Mid-July, Flashes of intuition and strange dreams have you close relationships are improving, while finances investigating new concepts of spirituality and plunge into chaos. philosophy.

You are all keyed up through June, with Mars in June is about fun, kids, recreation, your sign. This is a time to get stuff accomplished. and romance. Get some time off The focus is on social and community and enjoy yourself. Just do so while activities, improving your working trying very hard to not overspend. You may feel environment, and close relationships. all enthused about a new partner, but keep it Make it happen now, because the light until the end of July. This one’s a catalyst for breaks are put on your life in July, as change; bringing new activities and people into you get boringly practical. That’s OK, your life. There is another new infatuation around because as you have your nose to the grindstone, the corner. Creative and employment doors are you are attracting significant romantic attention. opening around the Full Moon June 18th. July Find time for some fun. The Full Moon July 18th brings improvements at work, or a big effort to brings you a role in a mystery. develop business activity. Sincere effort brings results; iffy deals fall flat.

Early June highlights your initiatives to develop your career. Determination June is about improving your is required, because you are domestic environment. New experiencing a try and try again roommate, new décor, and new scenario. With the Full Moon June paint; every little bit helps. At least pretend to 18th some results should be falling consult with others who are impacted by your into place. It will then be clear that decisions. Get as much clarity as you are able circumstances are changing at work and at about fuzzy issues at work so you aren’t wasting home. There is a subtle shift in family dynamics. your efforts. A health matter, too, may benefit Don’t just let things happen. At least state your from further consultation. July sees you ready opinion. July brings the need to assert yourself. for fun and recreation. Connect to friends and You may be in a position of having to confront potential friends in your expanding social sphere. injustice or an authority figure. Don’t just roll A new romance that takes you beyond your over. Support comes from friends and a newly comfort zone may beckon. A serious working developing relationship. things out is due in a close relationship.

David Zunker is an Astrologer, Tarot Card Reader, and occult guy in Victoria, who does readings and classes. CHAOS COMIX www.mysticmountainlodge.com

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