Music Preview: Death & Mayhem bookends
Death From Above 1979
The Canadian music scene, and beyond, has been buzzing with frenzied delight ever since it was announced that not only was Death From Above 1979 reuniting, but they would be putting out a new album. That album came out last September, and now the band has set about touring North America, with an Edmonton stop this Saturday night at the Shaw Conference Centre (doors at 7pm, $38.50).
The bass-drums duo, consisting of Jesse F. Keeler on bass, and Sebastien Grainger on drums and vocals, put out an album in 2004 called “You’re A Woman I’m A Machine” in 2004 that rocked pretty much everyone’s world. Few even believed you could get that kind of sound, that kind of fullness, from just a bass guitar and drums. And Keeler and Grainger proved them all wrong. The album was heralded not just in Canada, but across the globe, for its brashness, its tenacity, and its cutting edge.
The band officially disbanded in 2006, and for a short period the world moved on. But soon enough a veritable milieu of significant bands were citing them as a major influence, and a great many music fans were finding their sound and falling in love with it.
And with all the other legendary rock bands reuniting, maybe it was only a matter of time, but Grainger made it official in February of 2011, and Death From Above 1979 started performing live once more, and then sure enough, last fall the band released their sophomore album, “The Physical World”. And while it was different – and it of course had to be given everything that had transpired in their lives, in the music world, and in the world in general – it was met with extremely positive receptions from both fans and music writers. “Trainwreck 1979” stands up to anything from the debut album, and the other singles that have seen some airplay, “Right On Frankenstein” and “Crystal Ball”, are equally up to the task of matching some of their incredible tracks from the first album, like “Romantic Rights”, and “Black History Month” (covered by Metric in 2011).
Thursday 22nd
Weusedtobefriends. This local act, formed in 2013 out of the ashes of cusp, is hosting a release show for their debut full-length. The newest evolution of the project is still pretty heavy, but with a bit more of a cinematic rock vibe. And yes, in case you couldn’t guess, the name of the band is from the Dandy Warhols song. Jets to Theory open. Mercury Room, 7pm, $8.
Aaron Pritchett. This Pitt Meadows artist is one of the hottest acts in Canadian country music right now. He’s won a handful of Canadian Country Music Awards, including the title “Independent Male Artist Of the Year” twice. He’s currently signed to 604 Records, the production company of Chad Kroeger. Cory Marquardt and King & Cash are also on the bill. Cook County Saloon, 8pm, $30.
Friday 23rd
Buckcherry. You’ll undoubtedly recognize this hard rock band from their 1999 hit “Lit Up”, and 2007’s “Sorry”. Vocalist Josh Todd and lead guitarist Keith Nelson formed the band back in 1995, and both continue to front the band. River Cree Resort, 8pm, $29.50.
Lyra Brown. For as often as her name gets mentioned in the local music scene, you’ll probably find it hard to believe that this gig is to celebrate the release of her debut full-length. Yep, debut. The folk-popster recorded the album in June of last year in Edmonton’s own Red Panda Recorders studio. The Artery, 7:30, $15.
Saturday 24th
Mayhem. This Norwegian black metal band are vanguards of the scene in their home country and elsewhere, though they’ve been plagued with some controversy, including a suicide and murder of former members. They’re joined on this tour by Watain, another black metal band, from Sweden. Starlite Room, 8pm, $32.50.
