November 10th, At Blue Dog, War Doves, Charlotte Renaud, 7Gardens and Mellonella

 Blue Dog, October, Movember 10, A Sunday more like Funday. A lot of coons are there. The Snatchers are watching and taking pictures, Ryan Brio the yet to be self-acclaimed Prince-a-like do it all musician is there and even Poolgirl are seen watching tonights incredible lineup. The bands are, Charlotte Renaud a solo artist who glided gracefully across a piano while singing, War Doves the Megadeth lyrically-themed a-like band, Mellonella a Rush-like prog fast paced band and finally 7Gardens whom could be held as the Canadian Eagles without all the drama until now that is.

Here we go, I came, t'was cold! I ran up the streets left, right, up, down, dizzy and out. But luckily for me here I am at the corner of Saint Laurent and Duluth, right next to the venue. I put my hat on, it's greatly effing freezing. No alarming psychedelic inducing drugs have been taken so to no one must I state my delirium. Far away eyes spy and see people are there, they're chirping and giggling, smocking packs of cigarettes or vapes hoping to get cancer or die by twenty-seven if that's something still relevant? I don't think so, now youth want's to live, so long, so far, so strong! They want to follow their parents' footsteps, conquer the moon, walk on hall of fame walkways, be the hippest! That goes without saying that along the road they'll surely polute, exploit the poorest and re-establish the latest controversies! But tonight they're all their to get their kicks and promote their lifestyle or their latest jokes and accomplishments.

To start the night, I arrived late, Charlotte just finished playing. I don't like first act I've got to say, people tend to be too rowdy for the mood and thus the first act never receives their due claim! But what ever, people said she rocked it!

The band who followed was War Doves, a blend between Megadeths war, self loathing lyrics and Rage Agains't the Machines rythm with a stint of modern hard rock groove. The singer was shaking herself to the mysic as James on the drum pounded every surface avaible! I was on the side and for a second I taught Geez the man is convulsing! Get an ambulance but then I remembered he was the drummer so no need, he's only keeping time steady. Charles on guitar kept pressuring every song with his rightful rhythm playing and solos riffling through the air. Anja on the bass is a new standard of what a bassist should be, her way of picking songs and adding angst to the singer's pleads reminds me of Rage Against the Machine. Truly this band could very possibly bring back a chef d'oeuvre à la selft Titled Rage Against the Machine in a near future and their vision of what serves music is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Next up was Mellonella a prog rock band, a Zeppelin meet King Crimson, a Yes type of sounding quatuor building on the foundation layered by those in the past and bringing it to a new sonic standard. The singer Nep is also the badass bassist while Ralph whom once daunted the guitar in Chicken Suit is now sligging his axe all around in this band while the ex-Truck Violence drummer Gael is keeping the grooves along. They played Yes-like songs along their set and you kind of wondered where one song started and when it ended but else than that it was great! It surely didn't seem like a simple jam, their was a flow, stories were told while Ralph would riff raff and their bassist simply followed! Their greatest moment was their Zeppelin cover along with Charlotte playing Dazed and Confused! They nailed it and at that moment I got to see Charlotte's crazy talent, as I was drinking my pain away hoping this feeling of being love sick goes away, the song started and I almost fell on my head! I thought, 'Damn motherfuckers know I've been Dazed And Confused or something, they must have ingested mescaline to hear my thoughts or what so ever the shit they took!'' By the end of their set, Ralph also broke a string and majestically changed guitar mid song which was quite cool to see. Truly these three kids have talent and I very much wish for anyone who loves Rush, Yes, Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin to name a few should totally go see them at their next show dated December 20 with onetrillionbees, lovebombers and conflit majeur!

Finally the last act, 7gardens a band I'd ignored for so long. To me they lack an image, I can't name one guy in the band. Just like the fucking eagles we all know the band and like what they do but never goes further than that, they could change all the members of the band tomorrow and no one would notice. Yet 7 gardens music is a gem, a canadian rock pure gem. Neil Young, The Band, The Eagles are surely all inspirations. Although their vocal harmonies are nothing close to the Eagles, or to Crosby Stills Nash and Young, their synchronicity and understanding of each other is remarkable and adds a sparkle of joy and satisfaction to their live shows. I do encourage you to go see them live for their act, but as of their public image and ways of going, I have to say they do lack a bit of imagination yet I do believe it isn't something they mind because they know they have talent and that is one great thing when your job is to play and entertain people. Seeing 7gardens is a smooth experience, heart-warming and cleansing moment. High like I was, I could glide for the duration of their set and forget about my heartbreak and all daily problems. One last thing is, if you listen to their music on spoitfy I definitely recommend listening to their self titled EP if your looking for an authentic live experience since I found the rest of their catalogue tended a bit too much towards indie modern processed music while their self-titled is closer to what I heard during the night. Their next show is December 13th alongside Frontrow and Frownline, if you wish to go you'll have to ask em' about the address!

To say the least, the night was hectic and although I came with a heavy heart and a knick for a good old bamboozling effort to forget about it all, the bands were truly what got me a shore and kept me oozed up with a joy and lightness! Thanks to Blue Dog for hosting and to all the bands!