#Aanthems

[dentalrecordsmusic]

Live Review: Twosome Fest at the Astoria Hastings (Vancouver, BC), 2.2.19

My personal punk rock vendetta is against the devaluing of the two-piece band. Face it: unless you’re the White Stripes, or maybe the Dresden Dolls before everyone started feeling real weird about Amanda Palmer, nobody gives a shit about your two-piece. There’s this cultural climate of constant dismissal. You can’t possibly generate a big enough sound, just the two of you, regardless of what instruments you’re playing or how you’re playing them. I hate it.

But on 2/2/2019 (the two-est date before 2020), the Vancouver punk scene said ‘fuck it’ to that attitude and gathered for a full night of embracing the twos.

Twosome Fest has percolated in many minds for a long time. Ryan, the bass half of perennial Vancouver favorite AANTHEMS, talked about discussions ranging back years on setting up a show to build community between Vancouver twosomes and display their talents for the rest of our fair city to hear. Justin, “voices/strings” of Pedler, the band that organized the event,  conversationally informed the crowd that though it hadn’t come to fruition until that night, they’d been talking about it for at least two or three years. Apparently, it fell through at least once just because their drummer got tinnitus.

But boy, am I glad they got it together at last and everyone’s ears stayed healthy. Because this was some show.

The six-band bill got started around 9 at the Astoria Hastings, a keystone venue for Vancouver punks. The Astoria’s arcade game machines, a mysterious and vaguely disturbing wall of projected film strips, moderately uncomfortable bar stools, and pleasantly mid-sized stage for a smallish venue set it up as the perfect place to get up to whatever wild nonsense your musical brain can spit out. The black lights make your gin and tonic glow bright blue. It’s a good time.

Vice Girl kicks things off. All photos by Cae Rosch.

The first act up, classic guitar and drums combo Vice Girl, made suitably wild use of fuzzy riffs and the full, driving pressure of their drums. Though Vice Girl contains no girls, they certainly contain the good kind of musical vices: indulgently weird effects, a dark blend of rock and metal influences, and the exact kind of ‘80s horror references we as a community refuse to not love even in anno domini 2019.

Their brand of genre blending, ranging across volumes and rhythms and tones, still paced forward with a steady groove and guitar that occasionally almost droned in its fuzz. They set up the show well for its seemingly conflicting blend of styles across the night. A good beginning.

Double Standards makes it weirder.

Next up, bass and drums combo Double Standards got way up in there. As they finished setting up, bassist Steve announced in a high school principal voice, “Attention audience: please report to the stage.” This was not the strangest thing Double Standards did.

They kicked it off with some high-pitched synth before immediately going hard into loud and fast. They were clearly having a great time, and so were the rest of us. The two of them displayed a headbangingly intense commitment to their sound, somehow combining peculiarly ethereal synth, fast and furious drums that occasionally verged on something almost but not quite approaching funk, and melodic vocals. They possessed the stage, and it was grand.

There should be a joke about Pedler and pedals here, but instead, I’m just impressed by their enthusiasm.

Show organizers Pedler kept the energy going strong. Another bass and drums duo, their stage energy was maniacal and committed. It never let up. Though they cheerfully announced that they hadn’t played a show in weeks and practiced just twice for this one, they gelled like they had some sort of alien mind meld going on.

The surprisingly versatile bass with its delightfully screeching highs and comforting lows and the relentless energy of the drums persisted through some mysterious tech weirdness with an inexplicable hum, and Pedler’s cheerful stage manner and loud as fuck sound persisted in bringing me great joy and renewed energy dead center in a very long night.

Spike Girls were probably like, 80% of the “loud” in the tagline of the event.

The second “Girls” of the night, Spike Girls contained actual girls, which is always refreshing at a punk rock event (and may I suggested boycotting events that do not, just to discover how much your schedule suddenly clears up).

Let me tell you my immediate impression of Spike Girls: they were loud and heavy as fuck. Their stage presence was calm and casual. When they mildly stated, “We’re all about being gay and smoking weed,” I fell in love with their attitude. When their growling vocals and metal-heavy guitar exploded forth from their crust punk exterior, I fell in love with their sound. They showed us the darkest, heaviest sound of the night and they made it seem effortless.

AANTHEMS gets the floor going.

AANTHEMS, two brothers on bass and drums, drew the biggest crowd to the front of the night. They’re a favorite in Vancouver, even if, according to Ryan, they mostly just wait for other people to ask them to play shows rather than booking themselves. It’s for good reason. Even as their sound gets heavier in their more recent work, they’re catchy as fuck.

Together, they keep the kind of tight and fast rhythm that shows itself not only in the sound, but also in its breathless pauses and suspensions. They’re speedy, their lyrics are clear and memorable, and no matter how apparently heavy or light an individual song is, it always has a good beat (and you can dance to it). A fatigued but enthusiastic crowd staggered into something resembling a mosh pit for the first time that evening, which was particularly impressive given that AANTHEMS were the fifth act of the night.

Molten Lava closes it off with an appropriately heavy, slow, warm flow given their name.

By the time Molten Lava, last out of six, had set up, I had fallen asleep on a bar stool between sets. I am only mildly embarrassed by this. It was late and I’m almost 30 and I’m in grad school; you try staying awake past midnight when you live my nerd-ass lifestyle.

That said, Molten Lava fixed it quickly. Their first chord knocked me on my ass (almost) literally. They were big. Expansive. Loud. Their long instrumental passages flowed over you, almost relaxing in their steady weight. They led the high energy show out into an epic denouement - the perfect end to an exhausting but fulfilling night.

These were six very different bands, united in their two-ness and their commitment to loud. But as the show wound down and everyone packed up, I saw the event perform the exact function it was meant to do. Bands had shared equipment all night; now they helped each other pack up and head out. Hugs were exchanged. Hands were shaken. Low, friendly conversation filled the emptying Astoria not only between bands, but between bands and audience.

Twosome Fest united a niche community with a niche interest. And I don’t think it did so for just the one night. Twosome Fest is going to last.

Cae Rosch hugged like three people at Twosome Fest, which is egregious and you should all be impressed. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.

Follow DRM on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Subscribe to the DRM YouTube channel.

[thepermanentrainpress]

New Lyric Video: “Come Get What You Came For” - AANTHEMS

[punchland]

See Aanthems, The Prick Bastards and The Deadhits in Surrey on Saturday https://ift.tt/2KOKTVZ

[rocketfromrussia]

Episode # 254, Christmas RAGER Preview

Hello Hello Hello!

First of, big news! My band Russian Tim and Pavel Bures have two new hits ready! It will be out very soon as “SuperHIT and The Other Song” EP. And on the show I presented both of those songs!

In the first block I previewed Christmas RAGER which will feature The Greatest Sons, The Corps, Contra Code, Aanthems and of course Russian Tim and Pavel Bures.

And tomorrow we (Pavel Bures) are going to play a show in Chilliwack out of all places and we’ll be playing with The Spewers, The Schatzis and The Greatest Sons (again!!!)! So of course previewed that show as well! 

And the final block previews a very good show which is happening on Sunday at the Cobalt and features Uptights, Pet Blessings and The New Rituals! 

BAD RELIGION - Generator [Generator] RUSSIAN TIM AND PAVEL BURES - SuperHIT [SuperHIT and The Other Song] THE GREATEST SONS - 1982 [We'll Take The Road] THE CORPS - Pillar of Salt [In Blackest Night] CONTRA CODE - Slay Them All [Sickrad] AANTHEMS - Cops/Robbers [Die Every Night] RUSSIAN TIM AND PAVEL BURES - The Other Song [SuperHIT and The Other Song] THE SPEWERS - Lists [Get In Line EP] THE SCHATZIS - Up to the Attic [World Premiere] THE GREATEST SONS - My Name Is Short [Play Through The Pain, Sing Through The Strain] UPTIGHTS - Edge of the Earth [Time + Space] PET BLESSINGS - Passive [Demo] THE NEW RITUALS - Do You Get It? [Sweets Demo] POINTED STICKS - Real Thing [Perfect Youth]

download / listen online

[punkrockmixtapes]

AANTHEMS You are the Devil OFFICIAL

[justforfunconcerts]

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 157 (2020-05) The Pandemic Episodes

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 157 (2020-05) The Pandemic Episodes

Hmmmm…..I am in an aggressive mood today so Episode 157 of Tales From the Drop Box is going to be far more up-tempo than the last couple of episodes of these pandemic versions of your favorite podcast. I’m telegraphing a few things in that last sentence. Yup, it is a punk rock episode! You should also note that I’ve also upped significantly the caloric contentof this episode with a couple of…

[50thirdand3rd]

Album of the Week: AANTHEMS - Blood Fortune

Album of the Week: AANTHEMS – Blood Fortune

It’s hard to believe it’s been 4 years since Vancouver noise punks Aanthems appeared on our radar with their second EP ‘Die Every Night‘. The bass and drum duo made up of brothers Ryan and Geof Dolejsi have been slowly building up to the release of their debut album over the years, while we’ve been patiently waiting for it, somewhat content with the intermittent release of singles.

‘Blood Fortune

[iluvpcy]

/lollipollipop/status/833535192954331138 wow i cant believe park chanyeol and junggigo are gonna drop the new gay aanthem slajakskdhslalgh

it says post not found but i agree

[fortheloveofpunk]

Lyric Video: Aanthems - “Pound Pound Pound” http://bit.ly/2depXw4

Lyric Video: Aanthems - “Pound Pound Pound”

Vancouver punk act Aanthems have released a lyric video for their song “Pound Pound Pound.” Watch “Pound Pound Pound" below: The song is taken from the bands’ latest EP Die Every Night, which was released on May 29th, 2016.   onTheWeb: …

[thepermanentrainpress]

New Music Video: “Pound Pound Pound” - AANTHEMS

[rocketfromrussia]

Episode #253

Hello Hello Hello!

The first block previews upcoming Christmas RAGER and I played SUPERmassiveMEGAhits by The Corps, The Greatest Sons, AANTHEMS, Contra Code and of course Russian Tim and Pavel Bures! I'm pretty sure that by now you know that those bands are from Vancouver, BC, Canada!

In the second block I did a ticket give away to The Bombpops, Supersuckers, The Bellrays show at the Venue!

And block #3 features Pack A.D., Actors and Sorry Edith who played a great Pack A.D.’s album release show at The Rickshaw!

TOYGUITAR- Is It True [In This Mess] THE CORPS - The Island [Punkouver, vol. 1] THE GREATEST SONS - 22nd Street [Punkouver, vol. 1] AANTHEMS - Mikey Mikey [Punkouver, vol. 1] CONTRA CODE - Snap Crackle [Punkouver, vol. 1] RUSSIAN TIM AND PAVEL BURES - Alkogolik [Punkouver, vol. 1] THE BOMBPOPS - Sweet for Sorrow [Fear of Missing Out] SUPERSUCKERS - Hey Ya! [Devil's Food] THE BELLRAYS - Black Lightning [Black Lightning] THE PACK A.D. - Dollhouse [Dollhouse] ACTORS - How Deep Is the Hole [Reanimated] SORRY EDITH - Tide [Goodbye Frida EP] DEAD TO ME - Bad Friends [African Elephants]

download / listen online

[50thirdand3rd]

AANTHEMS - Grimy New Video for Cops/Robbers

AANTHEMS – Grimy New Video for Cops/Robbers

Vancouver noise duo AANTHEMS are weighing in with a new video for their track “Cops/Robbers” and you get a sense that the fuse is lit. Brothers Ryan and Geof Dolejsi make rock and roll that suits the name, it’s big, loud, and full of anthemic hooks. With two EPs under their belt, AANTHEMS are building momentum for a full-length due this fall. Can’t wait.…

[blogarbage]

@ldbd and @aanthems’s precious chromosome mashup hand drew me a card. Violet was instrumental in showing me I didn’t hate all children, just the children of assholes. https://www.instagram.com/p/BnzOirVFnq9CqdgGN1uqtFJEcM7SRBX3ogL-Q00/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=30cj6dykfm20

[rocketfromrussia]

Episode #251, Interview with The Dreadnoughts

Hello Hello Hello!

In this episode I previewed a very exciting punk rock weekend in Vancouver.

On Thursday we had Iron Chic, Off With Their Heads, Mobina Galore and Aanthems to play a show at The Cobalt. 

On Friday The Dreadnoughts presented their brand new album “Foreign Skies” at the Rickshaw. I did an interview Nick and he told me how they locked themselves up in a cabin, drank cider in a hot tub and how this all ended up being their great new album “Foreign Skies”.

And the final block features bands which played AntEater’s release show at Pub 340. 

FRENZAL RHOMB - Medicine Balls [Forever Malcolm Young] IRON CHIC - A Headache With Pictures [You Can't Stay Here] OFF WITH THEIR HEADS - Nightlife [Home] MOBINA GALORE - Vancouver [Feeling Disconnected] AANTHEMS - Mikey Mikey [Die Every Night] THE DREADNOUGHTS - Black and White [Foreign Skies] Interview with Nick (The Dreadnoughts) THE DREADNOUGHTS - Jericho [Foreign Skies] THE DREADNOUGHTS - The Amiens Polka [Foreign Skies] ANTEATER - Pleather [Smashed Antholes] RAISED BY APES - Armed Forces [Destination Nowhere] SELFIST - Glimmers of Hope [Dystopia Now] REDS - Underhill [Our Freedom Day] COCK SPARRER - England Belongs to Me [Shock Troops]

download / listen online

[rocketfromrussia]

Episode #242

Hello Hello Hello!

This weekend is filled with great shows in Vancouver, so in this episode I previewed a few shows which will exist in that time frame and beyond:

September 21, Giuda, Buster Shuffle, Vicious Cycles MC @ Rickshaw

September 22, Greg Rekus, Dead End Drive-In, Cras , Seth Anderson

September 23, Fableway, Contra Code, Shockload @ Pub 340

September 25, Sheer Mag, Woolworm, BB @ Rickshaw

AANTHEMS - Paper to Pen [Old Dogs] BUSTER SHUFFLE - Brothers and Sisters [Do Nothing] GIUDA - Get On The Line [Let's Do It Again] THE VICIOUS CYCLES - Keep Your Hands Off of my Bike [The Strange and Terrible Saga Of​.​.​.] SHEER MAG - Just Can't Get Enough [Need to Feel Your Love] WOOLWORM - Judgment Day [Deserve To Die] BB - Dream Rope [Demo] CONTRA CODE - Road Rash [Wasted Already] SHOCKLOAD - Day By Day [Punkouver, vol. 1] FABLEWAY - Hoot, Poop, Good to Go [Medical Tourism] GREG REKUS - ...But Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others [Sibling Cities] DEAD END DRIVE-IN - Carrie [Spray Me Down] CRAS - Fucking Nerd [Demos] THE ZELLOTS - Let's Play House [Zellots 7'']

download / listen online

[rocketfromrussia]

Episode #231, Rocket From Russia Fest preview

Hello Hello Hello!

This is a preview of Rocket From Russia Fest which is happening in Vancouver on July 21-22nd at The Media Club. The RFR Fest features 12 great local punk bands and this will be a celebration of great Vancouver punk rock scene! 

Two-day weekend passes are available HERE - $20.

THE ISOTOPES - Bleacher Creature Girl [Nuclear Strikezone] YOU BIG IDIOT - Run Home Jack [Happy Thoughts] ELLESMERE - This Time We Ride [Bail City] CONTRA CODE - Assaulted Peanuts [Sickrad] ANTEATER - A Brand New And Better Tomorrow [In the Cheese (Demo)] AANTHEMS - You Are The Devil [Die Every Night] THE ISOTOPES - Indian Summer [1994 World Series Champions] THE CORPS - Violet [In Brightest Day] ATD - 1000 Cuts [Waist + Tragedy EP] THE DEAD HITS - Peace, Land, and Bread [Demo] SHOCKLOAD - The Disgrace [Attractive Distraction] SKELLS - Wake Up [Welcome Mat EP] YOU BIG IDIOT - Better Than Omar [Happy Thoughts]

download / listen online