Kilt by death

It's been so long since I saw The Real McKenzies I've mostly forgotten what the performance was like. If memory serves it was at The Hi-Fi, so more then enough time has elapsed to make catching another performance a good idea. For this show at Mavericks The Valveenus and four-stroke served as openers.

First up, Valveenus. Last time I saw them play was also at Mavericks in July 2007, on a rather eclectic bill with The Jesus Mullet and Dr. Wily and The Robot Masters. Their folk-inflected punk rock made for a tighter fit with four-stroke and The Real McKenzies.


Valveenus at Mavericks, March 24, 2011

They also had some guest-fiddling action.


Valveenus at Mavericks, March 24, 2011

Next up four-stroke, who quickly had the crowd moshing wildly (or at least some of it). They were at full strength for this gig (unlike the last show by them that I caught, opening for The Subhumans in September 2010, where Mike Marauder was absent), and covered Personality Crisis' Waiting.


four-stroke at Mavericks, March 24, 2011

It was quite a rocking set.

four-stroke at Mavericks, March 24, 2011

I was wondering why the bands were starting at 9 p.m. ... then I saw The Real McKenzies's 30-song set list. They've been through a few membership changes since I saw them so many years ago ... I don't remember them making me think so much of a Celtic version of Snuff, though. They opened with a "A real Canadian song!" Stan Roger's Barrett's Privateers. There was also an acoustic interlude, somewhat stymied by said guitar's refusal to go into tune.


The Real McKenzies at Mavericks, March 24, 2011

Needless to say it was a lot of fun with much audience singing along.


The Real McKenzies at Mavericks, March 24, 2011

They're off to Montreal tonight before heading east.

•  Show reminder: Basia Bulat and The Wilderness Of Manitoba get down at the First Baptist Church; Acres return with Glory Glory Man United and The Gallop at Mavericks; KEN mode, Alaskan, Black Faxes and Spilt Guts destroy hearing at Cafe Dekcuf; Mississippi Grover, The Middens and The Johnnies perform at The Clocktower; The Ornaments, The Cosmic Eye and Darkmean perform at The Rainbow; Brock Zeman celebrates his birthday at Irene's. The Kingmakers , Ninety Punds of Ugly and Sick Sick Sicks are at the Elmdale; Statis Revolt perform at The Avant Garde. Professor LeStrange, Auto-Racing and Wayne Spears play Zaphod's.