Double Floor Rager: Home Front, Poison Ruïn, Chain Whip, and more
Photo credit: @Guttershotyyc (Myles Marleau) - Home Front
Alberta’s own Boot Wave beauties, Home Front made another pilgrimage down the QE2 on Friday night to The Palomino. Only this time, they brought reinforcements. Philly’s own, Poison Ruïn made their long awaited YYC debut, much to the pleasure of local maniacs and anyone that’s paying attention to music over the last few years.
The double floor rager came out of the gate hot with local representation from openers, Garland Briggs who reminded us that the kids aren’t just alright, they’re pissed off and have something to say about it. Do yourself a favour and hit every show that has them on the bill because they’re blasting up the ranks at warp speed.
Photo credit: @Guttershotyyc (Myles Marleau) - Garland Briggs
Getting the party started downstairs was YEG’s Rhythm of Cruelty, delivering their absolutely unreal experimental and introspective sounds to the masses. Consisting of Brandi Strauss and Ian Rowley (both from Home Front), this duo delivers a diverse range that takes you on a satisfying journey throughout their set. You’ll see their names on a variety of eclectic lineups, ensuring that you’re always in for something fresh. Definitely not to be missed!
Photo credit: @Guttershotyyc (Myles Marleau) - Rhythm of Cruelty
The top floor stayed ablaze as Closetalkers, ripped through another ferocious set and decimating ears, as per usual. Their debut LP, Path to Peace dropped at the end of last year on Neon Taste, satisfying the hunger of anyone that has caught them live. They took no prisoners on Friday night, keeping the crowd maniacal and thirsting for blood. These dudes absolutely rule.
Photo credit: @Guttershotyyc (Myles Marleau) - Closetalkers
You couldn’t have crammed another singular soul into the basement when Poison Ruïn took the stage downstairs. With multiple tours alongside Home Front and Chain Whip under their belt, they may have had a sense of what to expect but there’s no way they could’ve prepared for what transpired. Since signing to Relapse Records, they’ve quickly become mainstays with record collectors. The lo-fi sound on their albums is truly unique and helps paint the dark picture that their lyrics and song writing encapsulates. Seeing them live is a different experience, you get to truly feel what brilliant musicians they are, alongside an entrancing stage presence that keeps you locked in from start to finish. With a constant shower of PBR and crowd surfers pinned to the roof, this will go down as one of the highest charged Palomino sets of all time.
Photo credit: @Guttershotyyc (Myles Marleau)
Threatening to tear the roof off the upstairs, Chain Whip, who require no introduction were up next. Hot off an East Coast rip through marginal US waters, they laid down a set that emphasized they were happy to be welcomed back to the North. These guys bring a relentless heat that is clearly demonstrated live but is also enshrined in their full lineup of releases, not an easy thing to do. Fronted by Josh Nickel, owner of local record shop, Neon Taste (featured in our latest print issue, also get your ass down there and support!), Chain Whip’s brutality always demands that when their set is over, you’ll leave sweaty, jaw dropped and ravaging for more. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for these gents!
Photo credit: @Guttershotyyc (Myles Marleau) - Chain Whip
Closing out the night in the basement, Home Front cranked up the synth and let loose one of their trademark, high energy attacks. It seems like these folks are always on tour with a wide range of bands, so when they grace The Palomino stage, we know we’re in for something truly special. Leaning heavily on their latest LP, Games of Power, Graham and the crew pile drived the crowd into a frenzy that never let up. David Wilcox’s “Laying Pipe” had been teased throughout the night, so were we in fact going to get a cover of the blue collar Canuck classic? The answer is no, but instead they laid down a blistering rendition of Cock Sparrer’s “Out on an Island” that not only got all the shaved heads in the crowd amped but everyone as a whole. Of course no Home Front set would be complete without their internationally beloved anthem, “Nation” closing out the night. This truly was a night and lineup for the ages. It’ll be a tough one to beat but if anywhere is up for the challenge, we all know it’s our local cherished venue The Palomino. See ya at the next one.
Photo credit: @Guttershotyyc (Myles Marleau) - Home Front