Live music is cautiously coming back amidst Covid 19.
As expe cted Musicians are feeling a little lost and venues are suffering.
So an eclectic group of musicians played the Slice, July 11 to help the popular local venue out.
I was an impressively eclectic line up. It showed just how many different kinds of acts the Slice features. They were doing their best to social distance with hand sanitizer at the door and limiting capacity to 45.
And all the vocalists brought their own microphones. This show featured majestic metal, classic rock, ’90s funk rock, alternative rock and straight ahead bare bones hard rock and roll.
Celtic metal band or Celtic screamo
band Minstrels of Crevas formerly Night Blaed, opened up the show right on time at 8 p.m. The band dressed in their finest Celtic makeup and clothing put on a majestic show of heavy, Celtic inspired metal.
Vocalist/ keyboardist Ryan Radley aka Cordell played pipes and other Celtic instruments on his keyboards, while narrator Tempest screamed as if bewitched and narrated bardic tales, which were lost in a muddy mix.
Guitarist Aanaris played tasteful guitar, ending their set with a flurry of two handed tapping.
The Andi Roberts band were up next to supply the classic rock rock fix of the night.
They have a special place in my heart as Andi Roberts is my vocal instructor.
She belted out spirited version of Journey’s “Any Way You Want.”
Robert’s introduced “Crazy Train” by yelling, I don’t know about you, but Covid is driving me crazy.”
Arvay and Tristan Leacock effortlessly traded guitar solos.
Tyrants of Chaos Drummer Ryan Dyck and bassist Joey Steckly, supplied a thunderous backbeat.
For something a little mellower, they played a spirited Version of Tom Cochrane’s “Life is A Highway.”
They picked up the pace again for “Sweet Child O Mine” and ended their set with a hot version of AC DC’s “Highway to Hell,” before Roberts asked everyone to toast Derek and the Slice.
Up and comers Waterfront were next, with a set of appealing original funky ’90s inspired rock. As everyone was using the same backline to enhance quick changeovers, they were forced to strip back their usual effects laden sound, leaving just the music.
I enjoyed their set a lot. They had 
an appealing, upbeat original sound and excellent melodies that reminded me of Cosmic Charley who were doing a similar thing a few years ago.
For a complete contrast to that, it was great to see local punks the Scallywags back on stage as a full band.
The long standing punk rockers played a solid set of loud, aggressive punk rock, what mostly seemed to be about getting drunk, though I thought I heard a cover from Calgary punks the Motherfuckers, which enhanced the band’s gang vocals.
As GG Scallywag was opening local punk shows on his own, it was great to see a full band.
I had never heard S I who are new to the scene.
The spirit of ’90s grunge was strong in S I who played solid, and tight Pearl Jam inspired alternative rock.
Quick Draw, whose drummer Ben Lamb, organized the event to support the Slice and help some of the musicians in the scene get to know each other, finished off the set with a great set of straight ahead rock and roll.
They sang fantastic three part vocal harmonies and even played a cover of the Misfits “Dig Up Her Bones.”
I forgot how much I missed covering live music shows. And this show was only just showed just a small percentage of the amazing scene Lethbridge has.
