Stoned City, Ruby Slipper, Evergreen and Blackmagic March 15th at Piranha Bar

 Last Friday, March 15th, I can still remember the temperature, t'was fresh; hints of Gromphenia are caught by nose, and I cannot stop this overwhelming feeling of excitement that now runs through my veins. I'm as ecstatic as the homeless man across the corner of my apartement when he finally has enough money to get himself a knack of his favorite smack, I'm shaking from the inside. I fizzle as I hold up my board and let it go and the trucks whack agains't the pavement. I'm gone full throttle, heading towards Piranha Bar, where a show is about to be feasted on by the many restless fans that come to see their favorite act. Tonight, the choice is yours, acts from all genres are coming to spills their guts upon a stage for us. First there's Stoned City, a rock act winking at metal, it's there first show ever, then there's Ruby Slipper an alternative band I've never seen, coming up with a couple years of experience on stage, thirdly there's Evergreen, a cherished hot-headed band of mine with less than a year of live experience belt with a heavy grunge sound. Finally to close the night, Blackmagic will be there to get us stomping to surf rock, sixties rock n' roll and their very own songs plastered in alternative groovy rock.

Upon arrival, I am simply refused entering for being too early. But as I finish smoking a cigarette, I sneak back in and this time I am granted permission, as if suddenly I'd change identity and was part of the acts. Soundcheck is raging, the soundman is incredibly nice, compared to other venues I've been to and very careful at sculpting the exact sound the band wants on stage all the while maintaining a great balance for the monitors and PA system. Now this is great, for these bands, they know they'll sound clear and  mint for their show. I'm stocked knowing every band'll be able to show how great they sound including vocal which usually are unheard or barely distinguishable through the mix for the audience. At 9pm, the show starts, Stoned City are on stage, looking confident, the singer is a great frontman, not afraid of the wide stage he has to fill while jumping and screaming around, neither is he intimidated by the already large audience that are there waiting to see what this new band has to offer. The drummer offers us a small solo during the set and alltogether, they simply lit a great spark in the crowds hearst and feet as they played their songs and preceded to light up a fire that would burn throughout the night. This band really brought me back to the times I'd listen to Static-X, and sincerely they truly seem to navigate a sound resembling Static-X's Shadow Zone album. I'm am really excited for them to release music and see them on their next show which is yet to be announced.

Afterwards, a quick outie to talk about their great performance with the others that cropped up at the venue. A cigarette, a quick tagging and we are back inside, awaiting for Ruby Slippers to start their set. This band features Ask Ophelia ,whom you might know from her solo records who'll in fact be playing at Pouzza Fest 2024, Francis on guitar, Natacha on drums and Jessica, who's been part of Calico Fray, Bad Sister (a hommage group to Hole), No Chaser and French Frogs; on vocals and guitar. They start off with some heavy rock and immediatly the crowd starts jumping and swaying their necks up and down. Their set features songs from their Ep titled EP which reminds me of some good old Metallica and Megadeth especially the song Duskbreaker that kicks off with a scream resembling the one heard on Last Rites/Loved to Deth from the album Killing Is My Business and Business is Good from Megadeth. Their train wrecking intensity on stage is greater than what can be heard on their spotify and the youngsters present are clearly burning fiercely as the band rolls on with the songs and the guitarist is quite a skillful one as they are tightly locked in all four. As the set goes, I remark more and more people are packing the bar and I am shoved in a pit of angry guys who are thrilled to feast their soul with the intensity emitted from the band. By the end of the set, I am shook by their performance and relieved realising they successfully fed the fire started by Stoned City allowing for the show to be one of the best small venue show I've seen in a very long time especially with the pandemic and the ticket concerts reaching incredible prices now a days. For a ten dollar show, participants are more than thrilled and a smell of intense sweat can be smelled all over the place with smiles oozing from every fan in the place. I can definitely say this band deserves to play larger crowds and should absolutely release more music allowing for a greater fanbase to fein on their intensity. They are a great asset to Montreal local music scene and their efforts and mastery of respective instrument surely will lead em' to great things I believe.

A much needed break is needed after this explosive set by Ruby Slipper and everyone heads outside where we are greated with a pooring sky and a smell of cigarette that pester the streets. Vagrants decorate the sideroads and one occasionnaly saws through our discussion beggin for some rusty gold coins, but sadly, I am nothing more than a loafer dangling with the issues every youngster handles living in the big city and of course the most common one is being broke. I take time to meet my freinds who just arrived and suddenly I turn around and the tapisserie of people filling up the streetwalk in front of Piranha Bar is gone. In a rush I fumble down the stairs and into the venue  packed to the brim, as Evergreen start their acclaimed introduction that once again drives us concert goers crazy. No need for vocals, only the four guys bringing the place down instrumentaly. I love this intro because although last time I said it was a Deftones number by error I still believe it strongly resembles to their grittiness and aggressivity especially to the song My Own Summer (Shove It) from the album Around The Fur. Jey on drums remains one of my favorites because his style isn't reaching out to be as prolific as Tools drummer not even as technical as John Bonham, but one things he achieves is the heavyness all punk band dream of, the simplicity that supports the bands and gives the necessary gas to bring the show down. He isn't afraid of pounding hard on the skins and he definitely keeps the pace tight! And  their bassist is the best at fiddling along the groove in sync with the drums bringing an extra heaviness to every number. Once their first song is finished, the now short hair Cobainesque singer invites me on stage to introduce them to all who came and I take up the mike and recount when I first saw them and as we outed I remember Matteo telling me he wasn't sure how he'd get gigs because they didn't know the other bands and I told him don't worry man you gyys are fucking great, you'll get bookings. And I then asked the crowd to make so fucking noise and I went back into the crowd. As they chug down their famous 789 number, a technical problem tackles Matteo's playing. A problem that has plagued him for now a couple of shows maybe two actually. It's had it's downside because he cannot perform the solo's or melodies but yet Tyler the other guitarist keeps backing it up perfectly. The brightside to this problem, is that we've gotten to see a band that learned to cope with it perfectly, either the three others simply add up on their parts to cover over while Mat scribbles, and bruizes the various pedals, and plugs unplugs the cables or even at times when he seems mostly irritated he whams the guitars straight up at the poor amp and rolls on with Hendrix clever feedback or what Pete Townshend would do at Who shows. Not only that, at times when desperate mesures are needed, he embrasses Brit Rock movement and smashes the guitar hoping it'll screech out and listen to his every command. Tonight, he knows what to do, first of all he decides to emphasize on the singing so our ears are feed more catchy choruses and verses while we headbang and shove one's body agains't another. And he proceeds with the other measures listed above while we all chant and scream louder than what our poor voices are made for. James or the unofficial Evergreen roadie as I call him, comes on stage as they play and helps Matteo change guitar and the bands paces crazily through their numbers. As they famously cover Silver by Nirvana, people lose their shit and a guy in a Hot dog costumes is shoved by all sides and we all have the times of our lives. By the end of their set, I am crushed and out of breath, the venue is on fire almost and kids are at the height of their thrills, once again Evergreen amazed litterally every body at Piranha Bar. I cannot emphasize how excited I am for them to release their music to every one and to see them play more shows, Bigger shows!

Another cigarette break, words in the street Evergreen were amazing! They crushed it there's nothing more to say. Pals leave to catch their metro and those remaining are stocked because the next band to come up and close the night is none other than Blackmagic the surf rock wizards with Aldo the guitar magicien who plucks every god damn solos with style and makes it look so easy. Behind drums is Zack, always dressed shap with some great chops and unafraid to make some fucking noise just like the good old Keith Moon back then. Finally there's Leanne, the talented voice and bassist of Blackmagic, and together these three will bring the house down tonight. Back inside, the band has started and I notice the crowd seems tired, worn out after all we've been through. But once again, Blackmagic put a spell on us and our feets and arms danced the night away! As they started playing, I was truly tired and I went to sit in the back  to relax. But unbeknowst to me, I wouldn't be relaxing long, because a couple numbers in, they started to play surf numbers, wipeout if I'm not wrong and someone came over air guitaring and jiving. I couldn't resist and neither could the others who were sitting so I got up and went back in the crowd and I sent my hips moving back and forth. A chuch berry rendition of Johnny B' Good comes on and now seemingly everyone is dancing together and laughing their guts. They played some numbers of their EP Dans La Lune and their singles and once again, I must admit their live rendition is astounding, they've got drive and a fast pace that gets the crowd to beg for more. A couple numbers later, Leanne and Aldo went to play in the crowd and they certainly are one of the few bands I see do that and I must say it is great, they really try to connect and allow the fans to enjoy the show as much as possible. One last thing, although they weren't the heaviest band on the bill all along their performance, Leanne kept pouring energy in the crowd for us to move and shove each other and I have to say by the end I was drenched again and so it worked congrats to you guys!

In sum, this was a great show, I've witnessed bands who were truly talented. Now for those who missed this show, Stoned City have yet to announce any other dates, Ruby Slipper are set to play at Purple Room April 6th and they'll also play at Pouzza Fest In May for those going there. Evergreen are going to play alongside Mindfuzz, Conflit Majeur at Piranha Bar on April 5th and lastly Blackmagic are set to play April 25th at Casa del Popolo sharing the stage with Mindy Sins and Tatum Quinn. 

The first and third photo was by Simon and the second and fourth picture was taken by Gabriel