SHOW REVIEW: Radio 81 showcase @ Katacombes in Montreal

It seems that there's no lack of shows up in Montreal, although it slowed down significantly in the winter. However, when there's a good show, these folks make sure it's a really good one, and neither hell nor high water is gonna stop it from happening. Or, in the case, no blizzard that dropped a good foot of snow on the city the day before. I myself missed the Inepsy show at L'esco the night before that I heard a good number of intrepid souls braved the snow to see.

Simon from Radio 81 Records set this one up at Katacombes to showcase what was happening with his label and he's got quite the label. Not terribly many releases as of yet, but each of them meticulously done with great design and quality printing, documenting some of the best of local and area bands.

Vicious Circle, who released what seems to be their first 7" with Radio81, opened the show in style. I don't know if they're named after the Zero Boys LP or not. They could be, as they've got a quick, mid-west hardcore sound that combines good hooks with a speedy delivery that definitely recalls our corn-fed boys.

Sudbury's Statues played next, and with the first few notes it looked as if the majority-hc crowd might not be the most receptive of audiences for their Jam-influenced power-pop. But they took the circumstances in stride, and easily won over most of the crowd by the end of their set. My attitude towards this style is very hit or miss (but then again, that's my attitude towards most hardcore as well), as without the right ingredients it can easily degenerate into some pop-punk. Statues nailed it, though; slightly strained vocals, tight-as-fuck rhythm section, jangly, percussive guitar, and an awesome bass player who never missed a beat.

If Vicious Circle drew upon the quicker elements of the Zero Boys, Montreal's Confusers drew upon the more melodic aspects of that band. I was starting to lose steam myself and didn't pay as much attention to these guys as I had hoped to, but their split 7" on Radio81 with fellow hometown band CPC Gangbangs sold me.

Closing out the evening was Toronto's Brutal Knights, playing a Montreal record release party for their recently released second LP, "Feast of Shame". Snotty hardcore punk that seems to be about as much Pork Dukes as it is early Motorhead; nice combination, and put in the context of these other bands, you can see how their upcoming R81 7" will fit in nicely. In sum-- look here and keep your eyes peeled for other R81 records and happenings. A word of caution; their records seem to be pressed in small quantities, so if folks catch on quick enough there might be some shortages the likes of which fans of labels like the late, great Kicknpunch from Denmark know all too well.