Private Lives, The Wesleys & The Sad at L'escogriffe
July 11, 2024
When I hear that there is a new local band opening a show on a Wednesday night, it can sometimes be a cause for worry. However if that announcement is slightly modified by the phrase, “it’s the new project of Gabbi from SHUNK,” it immediately ceases to be worrisome and becomes a must see. Boy am I glad that the rain didn’t keep me from getting down to L’Esco early enough to see The Sad, the aforementioned new project of Gabbi from SHUNK.
Before the show, Gabbi described The Sad as “punk rock for doing the dishes to,” which I assumed was a flippant comment meant for having a laugh, but after seeing them, and then going home and listening to the debut album on Bandcamp, I think she nailed it, and I mean that in the most positive way. There is a sweet pop quality to the music, underneath the propulsive rock and roll beat, that instantly hooks the listener in. All I can say is that (A) you need to buy a copy of the album, and (B) make sure you catch this band the next time they hit a stage, and don’t be late because they might not be on stage for long, but are definitely worth the early arrival. What they lack in longevity, their set only lasted about 10 to 15 minutes, they most definitely made up for with sheer punk rock energy and power. Gabbi, for those who do not know yet, would best be described as a sort of cosmic offspring of the poet king of the Lower East Side, Richard Hell, and a dancing King Cobra. She is positively captivating as she moves about the stage, even venturing out onto the floor to dance and shimmy amongst the adoring crowd. She also understands the importance of a killer stage outfit.
Next up was The Wesleys, who I had the pleasure of hanging out with at their rehearsal space the day before to hear the new songs that they will soon record for the follow up to their most excellent self-titled debut that came out back in April. While they only played one of the new songs, a song so new that it doesn’t even have a name yet, getting to hear these fellas tear through their set is always a treat. Having been lucky to see The Wesleys a half dozen times in the last few months, they play those older songs like the engine of a fine luxury automobile, hitting on all cylinders with pistons moving at breakneck speed. This band is truly the definition of being greater than the sum of its parts. That does not mean that individually they are in any way lacking, it is just that the synergy between Henry, Will, Quentin and Pablo has reached next level status, and is something to behold.
Originally I was not planning on staying for the whole show, but the number of people who said that I had to see Private Lives changed my mind, and just like deciding to show up early, I was happy that they did. The final punch of this triple band lineup had ol’ Oncle Ian leaning over to me, mid-set, to proclaim, “Rock n roll is alive and well in Montréal!”
Private Lives are fronted by Jackie Blenkarn, who once upon a time tore it up with the legendary Pale Lips, and backed by a killer band of veterans, consisting of Chance Hutchinson (PRIORS, Cosmic Club, Sonic Avenues) on guitar, Josh Herlihey (Plastic Act) on bass and Andrew Demers (PRIORS) on drums. With an intense, steely-eyed expression, and the juxtaposition of an outfit that looked like a private school uniform whilst having both arms and legs covered in tattoos, Blenkarn was mesmerizing. As the band tore into each song she danced, sang and wailed, lifting the room into her orbit, holding it there for the entirety of the set. Blenkarn’s husband and partner in crime, Hutchinson, decked out in white jeans, white t-shirt and a perfect 70s moustache, came off like a punk rock version of Jack Nicholson’s character from The Last Detail, and from the looks of it Chance would also be a great host for your last night of freedom before being dragged off to the hoosegow. Patrolling the right side of the stage and ripping out riffs that Mr. Richards would be proud of, Hutchinson was a combination of menace and joy, two of the main ingredients for great rock n roll! Rounding out the band, the thumping rhythm section of Herlihey and Demers added a bounce that made it impossible to keep your body from moving to the music. As the band delivered rowdy versions of songs from their debut album, Hit Record (2023, Feel It Records) and their follow up album that will be released this November, they quickly took a place atop my list of favourite bands and proved that ol’ Oncle Ian hit the nail on the head, rock ‘n’ roll is indeed alive and well in Montréal!
Paul Brown The Go-Go Radio Magic Show / Petit Village Records
