Local alternative rock duo Dead Army blew out a few ear drums and breakers with a hoot, loud, detuned set of original ’90s inspired hard rock and alternative rock.

 Frontman/ guitarist Rob Morrison and drummer Beau Sommerfeldt were lost in a haze of smoke and flashing lights. But they drew  heavily from the well of  the ’90s and 200s alternative rock, reflecting a touch of Tool and a lot of Alice In Chains.

 Most of their music  was original. On highlight was a song that sounded like the theme from the old Space Invaders video game. 

 All the lights  and sound blew on stage out as they turned things up a notch for a more metal flavoured number, so they were forced to take a break while that got sorted out.

They returned to finish their metal song and added a couple covers of  Nirvana and the Beatles’  “Come Together,” with Morrison adding an octaver harmonizer to flesh out the sound.

— by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor

Calgary jazz/ rock band l’omelette anded some new flavours into their eclectic, electric, horn powered musical recipe, when they returned to the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Saturday, Jan. 21.

As usual the band, powered by the powerful lungs and saxophone of Peter and the Wolves’ Meg Thompson,  transcended multiple genres but mostly focused on a groove laden ’70s R and b sound.

 They had a good sized crowd cheering and dancing to an eclectic set of mostly original sax powered music in a fun, quirky , groovy upbeat set that sounded like a more jazzy B- 52s  mixed with No Doubt and a strong strain of ’70s soul and R and B.

 Cormier laid down the beat on drums while Meg Thompson switched between belting out lyrics, belting out sax solos and even playing guitar on a song or two.

 In addition to a few covers by the likes of No Doubt, they also  played a few brand new songs, which had more Caribbean feel, which made me want to salsa.

They also dipped their toes into psychedelic rock for a few songs for a little more variety.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor

The audience has pretty much all gone home by the time I arrived at local country/ rock band Horizon’s show at Honker’s Pub, Saturday, Jan. 21.

Dory Rossiter sat comfortably on a stool in the middle of the stage  leading the band through a set of popular hits anyway featuring classic rock like mid 70s  Fleetwood mac, some country with Little Big Town, Blue Rodeo’s “Bad Timing” and more.

 They dug deep for  Dustbowl Revival’s “CalL my Name,” and  turned up the rock with Joan Jett’s “ I Love Rock and Roll.”

 They played a solid version of Warren Zevon’s “ Poor , Poor Pitiful Me,” which was more on the Teri Clark side.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. beat Editor

CBC 101.4 officially opened a Lethbridge bureau with  a lot of family activities and  live music at the Lethbridge Public Library, Jan. 20 and 21.

 I caught some of Saturday afternoon’s performances.

 I missed The New Testaments, but checked out  Starpainter and Bailey Kate.

 They played their usual strong set of alt  country/ indie rock .

 Their set  gave a nod to a variety of acts from Wilco to the Shins with  a touch of the Northern Pikes.

They played their usual solid, easy-going country tinged set. Bailey Kate added harmonies and extra rhythm and everybody got to solo. Joel Gray added tasteful guitar solos. Tyler Stewart  added peppy piano solos and Mickey Heyward  added solid rhythm on drums with bassist Colby Stolson.

 Frontman Joel Stretch sang soothing lead vocals and added  a harp solo on a couple newer songs including one they hadn’t played live before.

 Shaela Miller wound up the afternoon with solo set which I missed.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor