It is tough to get people to come out on a Tuesday night, so I was disappointed though not surprised by the lack of numbers for Calgary thrash punks Citizen Rage at Inferno/ Pulse, June 21.

Especially considering they had a lot of competition for a Tuesday with Meatloaf playing the Enmax and BA Johnson at the Owl. I missed opening acts Chernoff and Ginger Priest, but made a point of catchy Citizen Rage.True to their name, they had a lot of Rage as frontman Mark Russell strutted across the stage and into the audience bellowing into his microphone as his band blasted on behind them.

There was a lot of rage but also a lot of love and community despite the small numbers, Russell made everyone feel part of the Citizen Rage family as he shouted at everyone to come closer. A mosh pit started and ended as quickly as it began.

Russell introduced  their new guitarist who provided a loud  and intense wall of snarling distortion.

 Russell took a seat behind the drums and traded places with the drummer who took centre stage to shout out lead vocals for a song.
 They played a lot of familiar music from their Red and blue CDs as well as new music from their brand new Green and yellow EPS.
 Their bassist looked like Dan Vacon from the Dudes and High Kicks.

 I left early because I wanted to catch B.A. Johnson, but needn’t have as he was still in the process of setting up when I arrived.