Local funk/R and B/ disco collective Hippodrome always equal a good time which made even better when it is for a good cause.
They always pack the Slice when they play and did again for a Syria to Lethbridge benefit, Dec. 12.

They played three sets and raised $1,500 for From Syria to Lethbridge  and made sure everyone had a good time.
 They ended their first set with the always popular  “Land  of 1,000 Dances,” which, while it didn’t have  thousand dances, definitely  had most of the capacity crowd on their feet dancing blissfully.

 The second set began with a big jam  on the apt “ Dance to the Music”  which allowed the horn section to strut their stuff, the always popular “Soul man” and one of my favourites the Temptations “Standing on Shaky Ground,” for which the audience had the floor shaking with their dancing.

 Frontman Juran Greene was an affable host as usual belting out  the lead vocals with a  big smile on his face.
 But background vocalists Shawna Romolliwa and Erica Hunt shone on their solo songs plus on their usual strong version of Mustang Sally, powered by Greene’s massive voice.

As expected, things slow down a lot in Lethbridge this week due to Christmas. But there are a couple of key local shows which usually occur this time of year at the Slice.
 If you still need to get into the Christmas spirit, the Mormon church features their live Nativity program, Dec. 22-24.

The 29th annual live nativity presentation is Dec. 22-24 at 6-8 pm. every 20 minutes each night at the LDS Church on Forestry Avenue South.

A good sized Wednesday night crowd enjoyed the latest musical evolution of  Big John Bates at the Slice, Dec. 9.
Bates, wielding a tricked out Telecaster instead of his usual Gretsch, pretty much took a backseat to upright bassist Brandy Bones for this show, leaving her in charge of the lead vocals and eye-popping tricks. Bates supplied driving guitar and hot solos and sang a few of the show‘s highlights.

 While they have left behind their psychobilly, metal and punk roots of previous  years, those influences could still be heard in their exuberant show.

 They had a powerful impact as drummer Ty Ty the Saviour broke his snare drum three songs into the set. Slice owner Jesse Freed quickly found another snare to use.

The four piece including lead guitarist / vocalist Big John Bates, upright bassist  Brandy Bones, cellist Justine Echo and drummer Ty Ty the Saviour setting an ominous, bone chilling, hair raising tone from the start as Echo and Bones bowed their bass and cello, creating haunting sounds.

 Brandy Bones sang most of the lead vocals for the set, which focused on their latest CD “From the Bestiary to the Leathering Room.”

Bones’ bass resonated throughout the room. She brought out a magnificent bag of traditional rockabilly tricks, lifting her bass over her head, setting it on the floor and doing a few acrobatics while balancing on it’s side.

She lifted it over her head again and brought it over to the bar, not missing a note, jumped on top of it and played another bass solo while ordering a shot. Meanwhile Bates bowed at Justine Echo's feet as she sawed at her cello, smiling sweetly through black lipstick, dressed in black gothic garb.

Bones ’s voice alternated between blood curdling shrieks and haunting, country tinged vocals giving the band a sound similar to Southern Culture on the Skids.

 Bates sang “God Forgives, I Don’t,” which is a highlight of the new Cd, before delving into the band’s back catalogue.

 There was more spine chilling cello after that, which lead to a fun gospel tinged, groove filled re-arrangement of the Eurythmics’ ’80s hit “Missionary Man.”
 Bates wound down the show before 11:30 by wandering into the crowd for a solo and a shot while drummer Ty Ty used a grinder to send sparks shooting through the air as Brandy Bones ducked them.
 They were called back to play an encore of a couple songs.

Brandy Bones gave her bass to Justine Echo and took centre stage to sing lead vocals for a high octane cover of Iggy Pop’s “The Passenger.”
I missed opening act JJ Thomas, who apparently put on an excellent show.

 A huge crowd filled the Hungarian Hall, Dec. 5 to see Regina based bluegrass quartet the Dead South and to celebrate promoter Lorinda Peel’s birthday.

 The band, dressed identically in work shirts, long hair and flat brimmed hats had an Amish look about them, but were happy to supply the soundtrack for a fun filled, alcohol fuelled party, which had the audience clustered in front of the stage, whooping, hollering and dancing the night away.

Cellist Danny Kenyon wore his instrument around his neck and plucked it like an electric bass, which was something I hadn’t seen before.

Nate Hilts -(Guitar/Vocals); Scott Pringle ( Mandolin/Guitar/Backup Vocals) and banjo player Colton Crawford -effortlessly switched instruments in between songs,  displaying exceptional musicianship on all of their instruments.

They had a gripping stage presence, smiling and dancing as they harmonized with each other.

 Vocally they reminded me a lot of Elliott Brood with more vocal harmonies and a a little more bluegrass.

 They wound down their first set with  a couple of bluegrass classics like “ Rolling in My Sweet Baby’s Arms,” as well as an outstandingly catchy original “ Bastard Son.”