Edmonton's been steadily enduring the rain and humidity for the past few weeks but last night we were fortunate enough to enjoy some Burning Hell. The Burning Hell stopped by the Haven Social Club with Wax Mannequin and guest Manraygun for a late show (doors opening at 9.30pm).
Just before the show I had heard that Manraygun was a mix between the Clash and Bruce Springsteen. Hm. Really? Is that possible without just recreating classic sounds? Well I wasn't blown away but definitely knew where the comparison was coming from after hearing a few songs from the 5 piece band. Three out of the five members take turns singing different songs (all three also play guitar). One of the members definitely has the slightly gravel-ey pitch that makes you think
Springsteen, and some of their songs are even good for toe-tapping. They weren't a band that I would go specifically to see, but at the same time there wasn't a band thing I could say about them; they all knew how to sing, they constantly tuned so that they could give us the optimal sound and they played a solid set.
Afterwards came Wax Mannequin, a one man show of a guitar, two microphones, a chrysalis of balloons and singing on top of bars/tables. The genre that he would fit into would be just as hard to describe as The Burning Hell. He played his acoustic guitars to the witty and clever lyrics without faltering. And during his last song he not only organized an audience sing-a-long, but he really did jump up onto the bar to sing the drinking song; while jumping up on a table he very narrowly escaped dismemberment from a ceiling fan....a few times. His personality definitely redeemed his set, but I'm not sure how good he would be recorded when so much of the experience was himself in addition to the singing.
Just before the show I had heard that Manraygun was a mix between the Clash and Bruce Springsteen. Hm. Really? Is that possible without just recreating classic sounds? Well I wasn't blown away but definitely knew where the comparison was coming from after hearing a few songs from the 5 piece band. Three out of the five members take turns singing different songs (all three also play guitar). One of the members definitely has the slightly gravel-ey pitch that makes you think
Springsteen, and some of their songs are even good for toe-tapping. They weren't a band that I would go specifically to see, but at the same time there wasn't a band thing I could say about them; they all knew how to sing, they constantly tuned so that they could give us the optimal sound and they played a solid set.
Afterwards came Wax Mannequin, a one man show of a guitar, two microphones, a chrysalis of balloons and singing on top of bars/tables. The genre that he would fit into would be just as hard to describe as The Burning Hell. He played his acoustic guitars to the witty and clever lyrics without faltering. And during his last song he not only organized an audience sing-a-long, but he really did jump up onto the bar to sing the drinking song; while jumping up on a table he very narrowly escaped dismemberment from a ceiling fan....a few times. His personality definitely redeemed his set, but I'm not sure how good he would be recorded when so much of the experience was himself in addition to the singing.
There was a bit of bad luck once The Burning Hell took to the stage. During their first song the fuse for the stage blew (including power for the microphones, the instruments/amps and the lights). Besides the initial surprise the band handled it as if it happens to them all the time. They played through to the end of the song, with clapping as support from the crowd. Lead singer Mathias Kom then had the good idea that it was time for an acoustic song. It was impressive how quickly the issue was fixed and that the band didn't even flinch. They played mostly new songs from their recently released album "Flux Capacitor", and a few songs from their album "Baby" and beyond. You know how I feel about this band: nothing but admiration and a so far unwavering love for their well versed wit. Personally I think that they're 10x better live than on a recording since, like Wax Mannequin, their personalities and banter is more than half the show & experience. I haven't listened to the "Flux Capacitor" album yet, but I have no doubts that it'll be just as great as previous albums. I think the biggest "issue" (I'm sure there's a better word to use there) would be that I always hear their newest album live first, and so the record doesn't stand a chance. The band is made of of interchanging members for different songs, and I assume they tour based on which artists are available to tour with them at the time. Mathias Kom is a staple in the band. This night there were 6 on stage...which was kind of a feat itself at Haven. You can be sure I'll be going the next time these boys and girls come back to town.
Their merch booth was a highlight, not only because they were selling cassette tapes (more on this later), but also because some of the band were hanging around selling. I was able to talk to Natasha, saxophonist extraordinaire, and Mathias Kom for a minute. As for the cassette tapes...they blew my mind when I saw them on the table. Apparently few bands are starting to do this now, but I guess since the turn of the 90's when "compact discs" came about, the technology for making tapes was completely lost. It's cool to see bands going back to this, if only for nostalgia's sake. Also really cool, were the "clear" vinyls that BH was selling. I was told they only made about 200 in honour of it being their first vinyl; if I had a record player it would've been the first on my list...but...since I do not..PLEASE, if you do have a player GET A VINYL WHILE YOU CAN!
Haven Social Club is located on Stony Plain Rd. It might be hard to spot if you blink...or hard to get into if you're not paying attention (Someone in the Burning Hell had an...interesting encounter with an elderly masseuse from the ...massage parlour next door...). The venue is located down a flight of stairs and is fashioned in the way of an old speak-easy/social club from the 1920's. It's a long space with the stage set at one end, so if you're unlucky enough to arrive late you might not even get to see the stage (even more unlucky is if you don't get a seat at all. There are only tables and a few stools around the narrow bar, and with hardly a spot to stand without getting in someone's way you might not have the best experience). Other than that it seems like an acoustically sound (ha!) spot for folk/more intimate shows. Not a bad word to say, except that well...the bartenders could be a tad nicer.
So I don't want to leave on a bad note...so...a joke?
Their merch booth was a highlight, not only because they were selling cassette tapes (more on this later), but also because some of the band were hanging around selling. I was able to talk to Natasha, saxophonist extraordinaire, and Mathias Kom for a minute. As for the cassette tapes...they blew my mind when I saw them on the table. Apparently few bands are starting to do this now, but I guess since the turn of the 90's when "compact discs" came about, the technology for making tapes was completely lost. It's cool to see bands going back to this, if only for nostalgia's sake. Also really cool, were the "clear" vinyls that BH was selling. I was told they only made about 200 in honour of it being their first vinyl; if I had a record player it would've been the first on my list...but...since I do not..PLEASE, if you do have a player GET A VINYL WHILE YOU CAN!
Haven Social Club is located on Stony Plain Rd. It might be hard to spot if you blink...or hard to get into if you're not paying attention (Someone in the Burning Hell had an...interesting encounter with an elderly masseuse from the ...massage parlour next door...). The venue is located down a flight of stairs and is fashioned in the way of an old speak-easy/social club from the 1920's. It's a long space with the stage set at one end, so if you're unlucky enough to arrive late you might not even get to see the stage (even more unlucky is if you don't get a seat at all. There are only tables and a few stools around the narrow bar, and with hardly a spot to stand without getting in someone's way you might not have the best experience). Other than that it seems like an acoustically sound (ha!) spot for folk/more intimate shows. Not a bad word to say, except that well...the bartenders could be a tad nicer.
So I don't want to leave on a bad note...so...a joke?
Son: Mother, I want to grow up and be a rock-n-roll musician.
Mother: Now son, you have to pick one or the other. You can't do both.
You're welcome!
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