NOVEMBER 29, 2005

THE CADRE @ 9

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Road Hammer’s-An Unbiased Review

Jamie McGuigan ( Reporter Who the hell are the Road Hammers? This was the thought engrained in my mind while driving down to Myron’s last Friday night. Whilst I tend to avoid going out on Friday’s in general, I was bored, and a friend had free drink gift certificates. Upon arrival I soon realized I was the only person on PEI who had no idea who the Road Hammers were. Before I enter my unbiased recap of the concert into public record, allow me to provide some background information on the Road Hammers. They are described as “a five piece no- nonsense, kick-ass mix of Country, Southern Rock and Blues singing songs of maverick culture and the open road.” They go on to state that they have “songs that explore the universal themes of lovin’, losin’ and livin’.” In other words, most of their songs revolve around the topics of trucking and fucking and fit nicely in the genre of sucking. : The Road Hammers draw a very large and diverse crowd. Males and Females ages 17 to 57 filled Myron’s cabaret eagerly anticipating the country-metal hybrid band. Arthur Fonzarelli-esque jean jackets, denim jacket/pant combinations, and NASCAR Cap/T-shirt outfits all battled for supremacy, while those wearing the clothes eyed each other up uneasily. I was certain I was the only person there with a full set of teeth, but there were

some people in the back who I did not see.

Before things could get out of control with the denims and the leathers, a loud truck horn blared several times. Knowing it could only mean an 18-wheeler was coming crashing through the wall, I dove for cover. I was embarassed to learn it was not an actual 18-wheeler, but just a high-tech sound effect that marked the arrival of the Roaders. The crowd threw up heavy metal signs, and began moshing in what soon became a sea of plaid, leather, and cowboy hats.

The music sound was as good as you can expect from a country-metal band, possibly the best one I’ve ever heard. Several members of Myron’s staff had ear plugs, and I cursed myself for not having the foresight to bring a pair. Having gone sober, I was ill prepared to deal with the throngs of moshing Road Hammer fans who kept smashing into me. I felt like a professional athlete who didn’t warm- up before going on the field, and cramped up. So when the band began discussing a picture of a girl on a billboard, and which group member she found more attractive, I threw in the towel and left. So who are the Road Hammers? Who cares. Next time I hear of one of their concerts, I’m going to keep on truck’n.

Well Oiled-A Cd Review

Amanda Bulman Reporter

Well Oiled is an excellent compliation of orignal songs from local independant bands produced by Adam Gallant of Officer Girl. The all-Island line-up includes Officer Girl, The Robots, Smothered in Hugs, Two hours Traffic, and The Danks among others.

Although the album in it’s entirety is phenemonal, some tracks have a standout . quality. The Robots (a local Charlottetown band who sound like Interpol and Radiohead’s secret lovechild), song Open City is the CD’s Best track. Peter Rankin, the band’s lead singer, has a haunting voice that really shines on the chorus line “We can be so happy here”. The keyboard and dissonant, guitar line at the start of the song also produces a unique effect. Another standout is Fugato’s ‘Green Eyes’. The band, certainly influenced by Sublime, are the only real reggae- esque type of band on this compliation and have the greatest guitar riff on the albumn. Two Hours Traffic, who recently released a video on Much Music, play brilliantly. Their song ‘Purple Eyes/Yellow Lights’ has the

-best lyrics on all the tracks, with lines

like ““You’ve got Purple in your Eyes, yellow Lights emitting from your hair’. Liam Corcoran’s voice is distinct and melodic, while the muscianship of his bandmates is undeniably professional. Officer Girl, PEI’s version of At The Drive In, start the CD off with an angular disjunct song entitled ‘A Physician a Day’. Written by frontman Steven Gallant, the song is about a

messy non-sensical love triangle. The Danks’ Automacar is a song that sounds almost straight out of a Strokes albumn, lead vocalist Brian Moore, has incredible range and a high level of enthusiasm that although apparent on this track is more evident in their live shows, making the

Danks one of PEI’s most fun bands to watch live.

This CD will be sold at two release shows: the first show

will be at Hunter’s Alehouse on December 9th and will feature Fugato, Mystery Systym, and Double Ought Buck shot, the second release show will be held at the Arts guild on December 14th and will feature The Danks, Two Hours Traffic, Officer girl and the Robots. For those who miss these unmissable shows(which will also be Officer Girl’s last Island appearances) Cd’s will be sold at Back Alley Discs.

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