This event, due to the change of venue and smaller number of performances, was a cozy affair. The Viper Room, 302 - 3rd Avenue SW is one of my new very favorite live music venues, despite being downtown. As the driver of a Ram full size pick up I generally avoid downtown venues, primarily due to parking issues, this is not an issue at The Viper Room, street parking around the venue is free after 6pm and as well, there are at least two parking lots and Eau Claire Market parkade all within walking distance, I paid a grand total of $2 to park my truck safely for the night. The decor of the room is upscale and cozy with a couch lounge and available VIP Room near the back and the stage and dance floor at the front. Friendly staff and a clean cared for environment make this an excellent choice for a night out. Great job to Brett Sheane and the staff for hosting this event! The Viper Room can be found on facebook, as well as at www.viperroom.ca
The event brought together many different genres of music as well as the original and cover bands, the mixing of the musicians and fans makes for an entertaining and awesome night all around. First band of the night was brand new for me. Called Knee Deep, these guys and gal played everything from Sass Jordan to Red Hot Chili Peppers, I really enjoyed these guys. You can find them on the web at www.kneedeep.ca. Next up was a band that I enjoyed at the last Calgary Bands fundraiser, Hotrod Kitty, the highlights for me were I Love Rock N Roll, Joan Jett as well as Pink Floyd The Wall, the band transitions very smoothly through the genres, this band has been on the scene for a couple years and you can learn more about them at www.hotrodkitty.ca
Then came Sub Urban Dwellers, this 5 piece retro classic rock band brings the whole party with them. Stand outs in my mind where, Closer to home Grand Funk Railroad and Rolling Stones Miss you, utilizing congas, harmonica, flute, slide and acoustic guitars for awesome sound! Really really enjoy these guys, you can find them through their facebook group.
Moving on to one of my favorites, Flatline Phoenix, these guys burst onto the Calgary scene in January 2011 with a vengence. I met the singer through mutual friends at the end of March, since that time I have only missed one of their shows, my two fave's of the night from this band would be Slash's Ghost and Sedated by the Ramone's. These guys can be found at www.flatlinephoenix.com , Reverbnation, they have a facebook page and they are also on twitter. Wicked vocals and rocking music make these guys a must see! Next up Cliffhanger, also a new Calgary band , these guys seem to float through the genres, performing Soul Sister by Train, Daddy don't know by Toronto, 500 miles by the proclaimers and ending with Poker Face by lady gaga, great band! For more info check out their facebook group.
By this time , the event was in full swing and the room was pretty packed, the vibe in the room was awesome and the next band up was great to pump things up a bit, 80's tribute Band Lixx and Kisses, the youngest of Calgary's full costume tribute bands , these guys did a great job, two of my fave's they did were Crazy Train and Round and Round and as well they stuck around for most of the night supporting the other bands and having a blast, you can find these guys on facebook as well.
I was really looking forward to the next band, hadn't ever heard them. Performing their own original music was the guys from InForLife, they coined the term Crunch Rock to describe their style. From the very first note I was amazed by these guys. Energetic, soul stirring rock n roll. I am going to let the video I shot of these guys do most of the talking. You can find them on facebook, myspace and Reverbnation. moving right along, up next was Silly Wrabbit, long time rockers that have played the Calgary circuit for years , these guys are all about the fun and the party! They are awesome at involving the audience in the show, there is a great video of them performing Jump by Van halen on my youtube. Look up their website at www.sillywrabbit.com or join their facebook group.
By now it was 11pm and taking the stage was Silentpanic,previously mentioned in my Rock the Cure post, these guys are phenomenal. I listen to them every day. Check out their website www.themusicofsilentpanic.com as well as facebook pages and groups.
Silentpanic was a perfect lead in for this next band, another original Calgary act. Arcane Sugar, with a very heavy feel and punk and metal influences, pure energy. These guys brought out my inner metal queen! They performed five of their songs with my favorite of the night being High. Check them out at www.arcanesugar.com, as well as their facebook page. Further videos etc can also be found through their singer Freedom Jak. In keeping with the heavier tone set by Arcane Sugar, next up was another original act. Scarbelly Creek, these guys were the heaviest of the night, thrash metal originals such as Fat Catz, Pain, Ceo, Free and The "FU" song (censored that one but you get the idea! ) they like to bill themselves as pound for pound the heaviest, hardest rockin act Southern Alberta has to offer. Best way to find these guys is on their facebook page. The guys from Scarbelly leading us into the angry, ass kicking Mr. Furious who play all my favorite metal hits! Most notably, Balls to the Wall by Accept and Ace of Spades by Motorhead..we were transformed back in time as the Lixx and Kisses rockers in their 80's gear headbanged and worshiped at the rock alter all through the set, another group of long time Calgary rockers, if your a fan of metal music, you are a fan of Mr Furious!! Mr Furious can be found through their facebook page By this point in the night the crowd had thinned but the die hards were still there to cheer on Suzie X , they performed one of my all time favorites.. this chick can freakin sing, never heard Creep from Radiohead performed better, Zombie from the Cranberries was another wicked wicked tune. This set ended with Suzie X featuring Berkley Shea and the brains behind "Calgary Bands For" Mr Terry-Lee Bharti himself, performing Man in a box by AIC.
Last but very not least we were promised an all star jam band featuring The Rev. Mike Kruse (Free Byrd, Mr Furious) Jamie Warren & Reed Shimozawa (Bush League)and Rick Lucas (Mr Furious) who are all long time very talented and dedicated Calgary musicians. They had just enough time to perform two songs It's so easy by GNR and Love Removal Machine by the Cult.
This event was a smashing success, with a cozy friendly vibe in the room all night long. The primary goal behind the "Calgary Bands for" Charity Events of course is the money raised for the chosen cause, we raised $1785.00 for the victims of the Slave Lake Fires and everyone involved deserves a hug and a huge thank you, however there is a secondary purpose behind the idea of these events and that is the complete and full revival of the Calgary Live Music Scene. These fundraisers give us the fans the opportunity to see what Calgary has to offer for live entertainment, the bands the opportunity to meet and support each other, as well as exposure for the venues. As fans we can be a part of this by getting out there and supporting our favorite live acts, join the facebook group Live Music Rocks & Lives in Calgary to see where your fave's are playing. We at calgarylivemusic encourage the bands and the venues to hit the facebook, myspace, website, reverbnation, where ever you can promote yourselves and the scene. Join the facebook group Live Music Rocks & Lives in Calgary and post where & when you are playing, or who is playing at your establishment, link your events, chat with your fans, build & promote yourselves any way you can. It all goes back to the cliche movie quote "If you build it they will come"
The complete photo album for this event can be viewed by anyone on my facebook page for Kari Reding and the other video I shot can be seen on my youtube channel Karisoccermom.
Next up, the third and last in this series of fundraisers is "Calgary Bands For Cause" June 19, 2011 starting at 2pm at the Kings Head Pub benefiting four local charities! Hope to see you all there!
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