Once again, the herald is summoned to the always delicious Fox Cabaret, where three offerings are lined up for Him to consume. Due to life being life, he ends up missing all but the last couple of songs of the opening offering, CHERRY PICK.
The herald has been anticipating this evening for a while, with two of his longtime favorites coming together to celebrate the release of SLIGHTEST CLUE’s latest EP, ‘Carousel’, and to appease His insatiable hunger if but for one night.
BLEAKO’S NUCLEAR DISCO
With the return of their previous guitarist for only one show, this now four-piece sans bassist brought their signature indie/dance rock to the stage. With a flair for the dramatic, the lead singer led us through the set with their usual showmanship and style.
Despite the shifting band makeup over the past year, they have kept the core sound they created. With the OG guitarist jumping in for this show, they brought back several sexy as fuck guitar riffs and solos I didn’t know I missed till that moment.
As always, those drums were on point. Keeping the dancing pace clipping along, they were tight and never afraid to get creative, expressing themselves thoroughly on the kit. They even get a few solo bits where they can really flex their muscles.
It should come as no surprise that a fully engaged crowd was down at the front, especially as the set went on. I have seen them many times, and they always succeed in moving the crowd.
SLIGHTEST CLUE
People sometimes ask me what local bands I could see make it on a larger platform and “hit the big time.” While I have thrown a few names around, my go-to has always been this particular quartet, who came out onto the stage looking particularly dapper in their matching black suits.
From first seeing them at Lanalou’s twenty months ago in front of maybe fifteen people, in one of my first-ever summons, to a packed Friday night at the Fox Cabaret, I have seen them grow into one of Vancouver’s premier live acts with their infectiously entertaining dark pop/grunge jams that always pleases a crowd.
They were tight as fuck, fine-tuned perfectly for this big EP release which came complete with a little video before the band came out speaking on the band’s progress over the year. They have their marketing on point and can always connect with their audience, who come out in droves as they did tonight, singing and bouncing along for the whole set.
The lead guitarist was on ridiculous fire tonight as they tore through the sickest solos. Their tone is beautiful and never fails to get me squiggling all over. On one song in particular, they have multiple fake-out endings—which, after many listens, still gets me—and that gorgeous noise comes squealing back in; it’s easily my favorite song from them.
Their confidence and passion, loving every moment of what they do without a shred of anything but joy on display, make their shows such a fun and raucous good time. The place was so packed I could only flail on the spot or take a chance in the surprisingly aggressive pit, itself a smushed and sweaty pit of humanity.
He was pleased with tonight’s offerings.