No Coast Hardcore were a popular Calgary oi punk and street punk band playing from 2000 to 2004, but when they abruptly parted ways the band members went on to form numerous other popular Calgary bands like the Spastic Panthers, The RiverJacks, Mandible Klaw, Tartan Hearts, The Bloody Hells, the Streetlight Saints and the Canadian Tire Fire.
But due to popular demand the Calgary Celtic influenced punks are back for one last show in Lethbridge, Sept. 26 at The Moose Hall with thrash band Speed Demon, fellow Calgary punk band the X-Ray Cats and Vancouver surf punk band the Tubuloids.
The show begins at 7 p.m. so the band members can go see their friends the Reckless Rebels play the Slice later that night. There is a seven dollar cover.
“We got contacted by the Calgary Punk Shows, a listings website, and they asked us what it would take for us to get back together, so on a whim I texted the guys,” said frontman Peter MacLeod.
“Originally it was going to only be for one show in Calgary because everybody is so busy in other bands, but then we got offered shows in Edmonton and Lethbridge,” he said adding the Lethbridge show will be the last show.
“I was amazed by how many people came to the Calgary show. It’s a good feeling, I guess we made a footprint on the Alberta punk scene,” he said adding he is expecting a couple car loads of Calgary fans to follow the band to Lethbridge.
He originally formed No Coast Hardcore to add a more Canadian voice to Celtic punk music.
“I’m originally from the East Coast and found a lot of Celtic punk bands were singing about where they were from like Ireland or Boston and I didn’t feel Canada was being well represented,” he said. After No Coast Hardcore disbanded the first time, his next band the Tartan Hearts started playing more traditional Celtic music.
“We had a bagpipe player and a mandolin player. The Streetlight Saints is the only band I’ve been in that has no Celtic influence. It’s straight ahead punk ,” he continued.
He said it is great to have the band back together for one last show.
“It’s been very nice. It’s been great. The band ended rather suddenly. We didn’t have a farewell show or anything, so it’s nice to be able to properly finish the chapter of No Coast Hardcore,” he said, adding they won’t be doing another reunion show.
“Everyone is so busy with other bands. When we started No Coast Hardcore, we were in our early ’20s. We’ve grown older. I’ve got a wife, kids and a mortgage and I’m pushing 40,” he said.
Frontman Peter McLeod plays with the Streetlight Saints and was in the Tartan Hearts, drummer Mikey Blotto also plays in several bands including the River Jacks and Mandible Klaw, guitarist Chris Holley plays in the Bloody Hells, guitarist Dennis Komili plays in the Canadian Tire Fire. Bassist Graham Riddle, the only non original member plays in several bands as well. Their original bassist moved to Victoria.
He said it wasn’t much trouble to relearn all of No Coast Hardcore's songs.
“When we started the band, we were in our early 20s and didn’t really know what we were doing, but were more experienced and have played in a lot of other bands since then,” he said.
“We played those songs for many years, so when we started rehearsing for the shows, we went on autopilot,” he said.
They are excited to return to Lethbridge for their last show and hope people will enjoy themselves.
“We’re excited to have our last show in a smaller city. The last time we were in Lethbridge was years ago in the Starlite Room and also a place called Vibes,” he said.
“No Coast Hardcore put on rowdy, raucous shows. So I hope people will come out,” he said adding he hopes they will get along and have a good time.
“You don’t have to be an asshole to be a punk,” he observed.
X-Ray Cat will open the show followed by Speed Demon, the Tubuloids and No Coast Hardcore, who will close the night off before heading to the Slice to support their friends playing there.
The show begins at 7 p.m. There will be a $7 cover.
