I had never seen Vancouver/ Victoria based punk legends Nomeansno before, so was suitably pumped to see them play the Slice, Oct. 23.
I was almost more excited to see Ford Pier who has played with a who’s who of the Vancouver punk scene, not to mention DOA, among others. He’s even played with Edmonton roots rockers Jr. Gone Wild.
I caught the last couple songs of his set. There was massive energy and catchy punk hooks. He rolled all over the stage to end his set, soloing as his thunderous band kept the intensity and the music going.
Nomeansno put on a crushing set to follow, beginning with a feedback drenched, Black Sabbath style sludgy bass powered newer groove called ‘Old.’
The trio were amazing and had the audience clustered in front of the stage eventually starting a little mosh pit.
Big, loud bass chords dominated their set with devastating intensity. All three of them took turns on lead vocals, with bassist Rob Wright sounding the most menacing, though he grinned gap-tooth at the crowd throughout.
It was loud, of course, but had a lot going on musically with unusual guitar phrases and that devastating bass in a three pronged fist of unbridled power.
The had most of the audience singing along with most of their songs.
They introduced several new more old school punk style songs including “Old,” “Slave,” and a real catchy one called “Jubilation.”
Local progressive rock trio Lustre Creme opened up the show.