It was a crazy busy week in Lethbridge, which meant I had to pick and choose which shows to make it to. One show which was guaranteed to be a priority was a Sunday night show featuring Toronto groove rockers Public Animal, Calgary riff rockers Napalmpom and Lethbridge alternative rockers the Supervoid.
After their third appearance in Lethbridge, Public Animal are starting to get the audience they deserve for their big, loud brash wall of ’mid-70s inspired sound reminiscent of bands like Budgie, UFO, Foghat and, of course, Deep Purple. I’ve seen them all three times they visited Lethbridge and once at Sled Island in Calgary last year and every time they blow me away.
They have a massive sound which could, if properly channeled, level tall buildings and send little animals scurrying for cover. In the process they proved you don’t have to detune and growl like Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster to be heavy. At the very least they’ll knock you on your ass.
Guitarist Ian Blurton sang huge melodies with his massive voice, thrashing away at his weathered Gibson SG, sharing lead vocals with keyboardist Caitlin Dacey adding that much more raw power.
The rhythm section of bassist Ryan Gassi and drummer Eric Larock provided a formidable groove. Most of their set was brand new material so it was a treat for the 30 some audience members coming out on a Sunday.
If Public Animal was all about raw power, Calgary’s Napalmpom was all about exploring the fun side of ’70s rock.
They sounded like Cheap Trick on steroids, adding huge background vocals and a whole lot of harmonized guitars from Shawn Petsch and Ian Baker for their set of high octane power pop. Bassist Ian Baker leaper about the stage as did frontman PJ Lavergne who couldn’t take his eyes off towering Supervoid bassist Jonny Little in the audience and asked him to settle a bet among the band about how tall he was.
He answered “seven feet, now play another song.”
And they did and a lot more. most of their set was newer material though they hit most of their contribution to their split 12 inch with Public Animal. I didn’t hear their cover of Jr. Gone Wild’s “Cosmos,” though.
As I expected, “Watch it
Burn,” which came near the end of their set was a highlight of their show as it is also a highlight of the 12 inch.
“ Get With Me” was another highlight combining harmonized guitars and ridiculously catchy ’70s style guitar hooks enhanced by punk frenzy.
Together they made an impressive double bill and with addition of local alternative rock trio the Superviod, it made for one hell of a Sunday night.
The Supervoid played their usual energetic set of modern alternative rock to open the show.
— by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
