by alexis rudderham
They sound like . . . Have you heard…? Kinda like . . . Oh, the Peter Parkers. It’s hard to describe this four-piece band from Moncton. Just about all the bands that I listened to that weekend sounded original, but these guys more than any other. I can’t really write about their set for I only caught two of their songs, but I did bump in to their drummer Errol a number of times throughout the weekend and got a tape. Totally impressed by the two songs I heard, I wanted to stay, but due to the tightly scheduled night I had to go and frankly I did not want to be in a bar. I wanted to be with people my own age, people there for the music. But despite the bar atmosphere I was able to enjoy my short visit. The music was loud and absolutely different. Their original upbeat sound combined with their attitude made for a wicked show. Much like their tape, to be reviewed in the next issue.
The next day we headed down to Club Cosmo to watch the last of the showcases, which included bands like Mad Hat and Burnt Black. This show, also held at a bar was for all ages. You could tell by looking at the crowd who were listening enthusiastically to Burnt Black, a Halifax-based metal band who made the trip up to Moncton to “WoW” the crowd. I don’t know if it was their quenching guitar or awesome lyrics that had the place mesmorized but I do know that they managed to get someone with no interest in metal at all interested in their music.
Burnt Black
As the bands switched I realized that it was Mad Hat who would be playing next. Yes, I love these guys! was all that was running through my head. So as they started to play I watched as they impressed the hell out of me and everyone else in the room. They really knew their stuff but lacked in stage presentation, which drives me crazy. I mean, you can do just about anything on stage and someone will like it! Look at Marilyn Manson. The guy says he’s Satan and sticks bottles up his ass because he thinks he’s the anti-Christ and every kid in America owns his CD. I’m not saying that any member of Mad Hat should do anything like this (God no!), just do something to make use of the room on stage. And yes it is possible that people could like your music more than they already do, despite the lack of movement they kicked ass.
