Last night I went to Cafe DeKcuf for a show arranged by Justin of Loviatar, featuring his own band, Biipiigwan and out-of-towners Enabler (based in Milwaukee) and Calgary's Mares of Thrace. Despite a few bumps, it went off well and even managed to attract three dozen people - not bad at all for a rainy Tuesday.
Enabler started things off with a punishing set. The band features Jeff Lohrber, who has done time in Harlots, Today is the Day, Shai Hulud, Saviour For A Fallen Hero and has also toured as a drummer for Trap Them. The rest of the band has been a bit of a revolving door ... bassist Amanda Daniels and drummer Andy Hurley (of Fall Out Boy, among others) have recently joined (although Robby Wright is filling in on drums right now, while Scott Shellhammer from the mighty American Heritage mans the second guitar). Anyway, it was still a kickass metal-hardcore combo.
Enabler at Cafe DeKcuf, August 9, 2011
And here are the new guys (and gal)!
Enabler at Cafe DeKcuf, August 9, 2011
They were followed by Mares of Thrace, a duo which features Thérèse Lanz - most recently seen in these parts playing bass for KEN Mode (not their recent show, the one before that) and Stefani MacKichan, who is also in Kilbourne. Lanz had trouble with her amp, and switched to Shellhammer's. Unfortunately it died ("This is really killing my buzz," she noted). Then she borrowed Justin's, which survived so they could finish their set. Pretty cool stuff despite the hiccups.
Mares of Thrace at Cafe DeKcuf, August 9, 2011
Stef and her candy pink kit.
Mares of Thrace at Cafe DeKcuf, August 9, 2011
Biipiigwan played next. As is often the case, they have a new drummer ... well, Sebastien Choquette (also of Mekhaya) isn't so new, but it's the first time I've seen him play the band. This was a really thundering set from them.
Biipiigwan at Cafe DeKcuf, August 9, 2011
Seb hits!
Biipiigwan at Cafe DeKcuf, August 9, 2011
Finally Loviatar finished things off (and what remains of my hearing in the upper registers) with a set full of songs about flaming swords, frost druids and dragons. So basically it was a D&D module set to music, plus a cover of Leonard Cohen's Partisans. They've expanded to a quartet since I saw them last, and also have a new EP out. This set was dedicated to drummer J.P. Sadek's grandmother, who recently passed away.
Loviatar at Cafe DeKcuf, August 9, 2011
Rhythm section action!
Loviatar at Cafe DeKcuf, August 9, 2011
A fine and loud evening!
