L.A. Beat

What is Red Mass?
 Ask Red Mass frontman Roy Vucino, aka Choyce, about his Montreal based rock and roll “collective” and he’ll talk your ear off for close to an hour with a really involved and entertaining explanation which boils down to rock and roll.

“We’re not a typical collective where we all collaborate. We‘re more of a rock and roll organization,” Choyce said. They will be a highlight of  the Magnetic South Festival this Thursday which features 19 bands including numeorus local bands playing at  four different venues ( The Slice, Tongue N Groove, Owl Acoustic Lounge and Blueprint), Thursday night.


 While they have had over a dozen members on stage at one time to add a modern twist to old school rock and roll, they have boiled the band down to its essence — Choyce, Pouf on drums,  the Janitor and the Roller for the touring edition of the  band. The latter two play in some of the other bands playing the Wyrd Canada tour this year as well as the Magnetic South Festival in Lethbridge.

 Local garage rockers the Ketamines will help fill out their sound for the Lethbridge show.
While things can get pretty psychedelic  and strange at a Red Mass show, Choyce promised a more straight ahead rock show for their Lethbridge debut.

“We‘re going to play a straight ahead rock and roll show so people can cut loose and let their hair down,” he continued adding he wants people to come away from the show with the best experience possible. They should expect a lot of uplifting energy and good vibes from the show.

 

 Red Mass is a tip of the glass and nod of the head to rock and roll’s originators, but while adding a more modern twist.
“What we enjoy is making experimental music and soundscapes. It is something that seems to be lost now,” he continued.

“Guys like Bo Diddley were inventing beats over their careers. These guys were way ahead of their time,” he continued.
“Rock and roll is more of a lifestyle. Rock and roll has kept me out of a lot of trouble. Of course, earlier, it got me into a lot of trouble too,” he said.

He enjoys being part of a festival like the Magnetic South and Wyrd Canada.
“I think this experience will be amazing because the genres are so open,” he said.
“All of these acts are on the fringes of popular music, but people have opened up their ears to different kinds of music. All of the bands have something that sets them apart.”

 Wristbands which allow access to all venues cost $20 and will be available at each individual venue.