The News

Carson Downey Band coming ‘All The Way’ to Lethbridge to play the blues

Sunday, 07 March 2010 15:05 Richard Amery

If you only catch one show this week, March 8-13, make sure you are at the Slice, either March 9 for the open mic or their show, March 10, because Halifax area The Carson Downey Band comes to the slice this week.

The Carson Downey Band comes to the slice this week.

blues rock trio, the Carson Downey Band will be back to tear it up and help the folks “living it up,” to quote one of their song titles.
“Tell them to watch out,” advised vocalist/guitarist Carson Downey, packing for a month long tour of western Canada, which stops at the Slice, March 9 and 10. The band hasn’t been to Western Canada since 2003, but they anticipate two visits this year, the second once their third CD (second studio) CD is completed in May.
“We came in one end and out the other, out to Vancouver and back,” Downey continued.
“We’re hoping folks will come out so we can tear it up with them,” he said adding due to record company issues, the band had trouble getting their third CD done, though they have released a live CD “Burnin’ it Up Live.”
Now they have been resolved, all that’s left to record on the new CD are lead guitar and vocals. They released their debut CD “All the Way,” back in 2000.
“This one is going to be more of a live sound. So there will be lots of screaming guitars. You really have to hear it. It’s well in your face,” he said, adding he is looking forward to the Western Canadian tour.
“We’ll be out for a month then back to finish the CD then we’ll be back again in the summer for a little longer,” he promised adding he spent three weeks overseas playing for the troops in Afghanistan last year.

Last Updated ( Monday, 08 March 2010 16:12 ) Read more...

Krang brings the noise to Endangered Ape Reunion show

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 16:49 Richard Amery

Edmonton based psychedelic noise rockers Krang are looking forward to playing a show at Henotic with a reunited Endangered Ape, Fist City, Bikeland and the Amber Waves, March 6.
They have just released their new CD ‘It Came From Planet D’ which is full of psychedelic chaos complete with drum solos and tripped out guitar solos. Krang plays Henotic this week. Photo by Krang

Krang plays Henotic this week. Photo by Krang

They will be recording their first seven inch single with Mammoth Cave Records, which means they will have to tweak their sound just a little.
”We don’t have a lot of low, shorter songs, most of them are over five minutes long. But we’ll still be able to be erratic and improvisational,” said Parker Thiessen, who was just playing Lethbridge with another band, Zebrapulse. It this band he plays clarinet and is responsible for most of the spacey, weird and just plain strange sounds in the band’s music created by a variety of electronic sequencers and mixers.
“We feel like we’re Hawkwind meets Black Sabbath,” he described adding the core of the band, Thiessen and drummer Jared Majeski, played together years ago as the Two Man Electrical band and they slowly added members. Most recently, adding Dean ‘The Ram’ Watson to the band five short months ago has really helped flush out and structure the band’s sound.

Jazz vespers combines music with religion and honours Evelyn Beattie

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 16:41 Richard Amery

Lethbridge saxophonist David Renter has been pleasantly surprised by the response to Jazz Vespers, which combines music with religion. The jazz vespers concert series has been happening for the past two weeks at the Southminster Church. Dave Renter playing a benefit for Haiti at the Slice, Feb. 27. Photo by Richard Amery

Dave Renter playing a benefit for Haiti at the Slice, Feb. 27. Photo by Richard Amery

“This is an interesting performance featuring my quartet. We play three or four jazz pieces, so it is a focus on jazz music ,” said Renter, just before going on stage for a well attended fundraiser for Haiti at the Slice, Feb. 26.
Jazz Vespers also features a gospel choir formed by one of Renter’s students, Mwansa Mwansa.
“We thought that was a great idea, so we thought we’d have them perform a couple of times.”
Jazz vespers is also a tribute to Renter’s grandmother, Evelyn Beattie, who passed away in 2008 and who was a huge contributor to music at the Southminster Church.
“She loved music and played organ at Southminster. It is a tribute to her,” Renter said adding Lottie Austin approached him with this idea.

Nestibo plays sedate country folk for folks

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 16:31 Richard Amery

Trina Nestibo at Henotic. Photo by Richard Amery Calgary based, Manitoba born singer songwriter Trina Nestibo was playing a more sedate, country folk flavoured set at Henotic, Feb. 26. It included some accordion, and some excellent countrified playing on the part of her accompanist Bryan Bayley. I enjoyed her song ‘Hit The Road,’ near the beginning of the set which featured her on accordion. Bayley added a lot of different instruments and textures to Nestibo’s music.

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat editor

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Blues at Henotic

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 16:27 Richard Amery

At Henotic, Feb.27 there were two big shows. Papa King, Darryl Düus and Tyler Bird brought the blues for a tight couple of set which were being recorded. Papa King digging the blues. Photo by Richard Amery

Papa King digging the blues. Photo by Richard Amery

Papa King played my favourite original of his ‘Beale Street Blues,’ as well as numerous originals and blues standards. Düus played restrained solos, but was let loose for a couple including a couple on which he sang.
Upstairs, The Pine Tarts, Miesha and The Spanks, the Jeremy Clarkson and Amelia Earhart brought the garage rock scene out. I only caught part of the first band and a fraction of local drums and bass duo Amelia Earhart’s set.

— by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor

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