Thursday is all right for a night of punk music to clean the palate after a vicious leader's debate.
So that was on the agenda after the debate ended, which they were screening at the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Sept. 17. Most of the people there for the debate left after getting their fill of food and political rhetoric. I arrived after the rush.
While I missed Burlington, Ontario’s the Penske Files, I arrived in time to catch a boisterous set of Celtic punk from Calgary’s the River Jacks who played an addictively catchy set of light-hearted Dropkick Murphy’s style Celtic punk about pirates, raiders and money with superpowers who fall in love and not being and smitten lovers unable to afford the rent.
They were down an accordion player leaving the Celtic feel to be maintained by frontman Spencer Jo Burgess, guitarist Jordan Barrett and most of all bass from Kurt Jensen. Mikey Blotto kept time behind the drums. As always they were a lot of fun though Spencer Jo noted they were still recovering from the previous night's gig.
Somehow I missed Winnipeg punk/ alternative rock duo Mobina Galore the last time they were here but made a point of catching guitarist/ vocalist Jenna Priestner and drumming behemoth Marcia Hanson as they closed off the night just before midnight.
Jenna Priestner thrashed away on her guitar, singing like a the bastard step child of Joan Jett and Courtney Love, playing lightning fast power chords and the odd dissonant solo.
Marcia Hanson was a blur behind the drums, riding the cymbals and thundering away at a variety of drums while singing addictive vocal harmonies.
“Pieces of You” was a highlight near the beginning of the set which picked up near the end with throat shredding vocals while still maintaining catchy melodies.
They burned through their repertoire with a lot more highlights and little chat between songs other than a quiet thank you to the audience.
“Bad Love Song” was an addictively catchy highlight near the end of the set as was one I think was called “Take What You Want.”
