You can increase your music consumption considerably on a long weekend, and today’s Queen’s Birthday extravaganza brought to you by Unpop offered up five bands from near and far. There were also market stalls, face painting and even a hairdresser if you were feeling a big shaggy and unkempt.
Openers on the five-act bill were ScotDrakula. This three-piece write good songs, they do neatly packaged garage pop but they know when to fuzz out and ride a jam for all it’s worth. Following on were Deep Heat who have become somewhat of a scene staple, and for good reason. A trademark guitar dichotomy has developed from Alicia’s clean tone contrasting nicely against Gus’ dirtier wail, and their urgent punk sound scattered with early ‘90s hooks is a winning combination.
Next up was hometown hero Adalita. Without her band on this occasion, Adalita’s songwriting prowess was on full display. Brandishing a kind of razor sharp earnestness that is confronting as it is confessional, the crowd stayed transfixed on the singer/songwriter for her set’s duration.
It was hard to not smile at the self-depreciating stage banter of Upset singer Alison Koehler, and her failed attempt at a high kick after opener Queen Frostine simply sealed the deal. Most of the LA bands songs appear to tackle adolescent emotions, which is no surprise as the band are self professed Jaw Breaker fans; their set featured two covers, Kiss the Bottle and Do You Still Hate Me. Fortunately, Upset don’t take themselves too seriously, so their juvenile lyrics are not detrimental to their slacker-pop-grunge mash up.
White Lung front woman Mish Way arrived on stage with a teacup, no doubt something to soothe her well-used vocal chords. This picture of quaintness was quickly transformed as the band ripped into their latest album’s lead track Drown With the Monster. Way has a great stage presence; she commands it in a majestic manner, her hands saying almost as much as her telling lyrics.
The term post punk gets bandied around a lot when considering the Vancouver band’s sound, but tonight they just felt like a punk band with a darker edge. Although at less break neck speed guitarist Kenneth William’s discordant lead work does lend itself to the genre. The set flew by and the crowd were hungry for more but unable to convince White Lung back for an encore. No matter, the quality of bands throughout the day had satisfied punters appetites sufficiently.
BY KRYSTAL MAYNARD
Loved: The locals as much as the internationals.
Hated: Naught.
Drank: Despite my best effort not to.
