A Car Factory? Ep. 6: Night of the Living Drunk (We're Skipping 5!)

Friday night was one of those nights. Which kind? I don't know, but it sounded good to start this review. It wasn't too cold, but fairly rainy. Maybe...maybe the sky was crying. You see, the Born Ruffians had to reschedule their performance/album launch at the Ford Plant! I wasn't too happy about that, and Matt was more unhappy because he likes them better. We had heard that the Torcus was going to play for them, so I was pumped.
Anyways, we walk into the Ford Plant and pay our pass, I was anxious to get in as I could hear acoustic strumming in the next room. We walk into the dimly lit room to see about five bunches of people scattered around, with two sombre looking fellows on the stage with acoustic guitars.
These two guys were quite good at guitar, but I felt that there were playing the wrong setting. When people flock to the Ford Plant for a show, we want to dance, or rock, we want to be entertained! The problem was not their skill level, as they were quite adept at guitar, but they just did not put on a show, or play songs that caught attention.
I felt sorry for them as they played and no one payed attention. One of them actually said something along the lines of "Go talk outside if you want to talk." They just didn't seem happy up there. Fucking downer, man.
My friend Mitch had told me that his friend's band, the Quantum Physique, was playing, so I was interested in seeing what they would be like.
Drums, big guitar amp, and big bass amp takes up with stage, along with three guys. The bassist turned out to be one of the Kimwipes. (Also, he had a Death From Above 1979 shirt, so it had to be good.) They started out their set with a bang, a loud raucous tune. Everything was going swimmingly, except that the vocalist/guitarist was kind of singing sideways into his mic. I think he was just nervous.
At this point, I would like to explain the title of this review. I am not against drinking or stoning, but it bothers me when these kids get out of their fucking heads. I mean, one girl came up to us, who was obviously slightly tipsy and we talked and it was cool. But then we've got the girls up at the front who were flailing like they had no control over their limbs. That poor girl who was just trying to dance kept getting smacked in the face by one of the drunkies!
As the Quantum Physique were playing, a couple of the drunk girls were going on stage. It's one thing hitting an undrunk person in the face, but interfering with the performers really traps my gummy bear, so to speak. In my mind, there's this line between the stage and the audience that should only be crossed if the people on the stage say so.
Honestly, the Quantum Physique blew me away with their whole set, apparently it was their first show. The drummer, Mike Barnes, was precise and had perfect control, the bassist, Johnny Hover, laid out the rhythm (fuck I hate that word! why can't you be spelled easier?), and the guitarist, Ryan Phillips, rocked it out with some nice licks and chops. Funny thing was: the guitarist seemed so unsure of himself, a bit self-depreciating. Which is too bad, because he was astounding on his instrument.
Our friends from Guelph, Arrows, was next. Er...Cursed Arrows, sorry, band name change! I saw them months ago and I remembered liking them.
The drummer, Jackie Stanley, tested out her kick pedal as she was setting up and it was like a gun went off. BANG! The memories flooded back as the Ryan, the guitar player, and Jackie Stanley filled with room with sound. I turned to Alex and said "I forgot how loud they were!" By no means is this a bad thing. Loud is good when it is this rockin'. (I need more adjectives...) Cursed Arrows played their songs with might, and we danced, and the drunk ones flailed. The band seemed surprised. "No one ever dances," one of them said.
Ryan, you have never met me, but I would like to say one thing. That blue guitar, I think it's an Eastwood. I would like to marry it. Please.
*ahem*
Cursed Arrows have always struck me as serious on stage, Jackie seemed so concentrated on her drums and Ryan was wailing into the mic with conviction. It almost gave me this sense that I had done something wrong, and they were angry at me, but I didn't know what. Maybe this just adds to the loud, gritty rock that they play. Over the course of the set the loosened up, and we were treated to some stage banter, which is always nice. By the end, the two didn't want to leave the stage, and neither did I. They went out with a faithful rendition of Heart Shaped Box by Nirvana. Brought the house down.
Eagerly, we awaited the Torcus as the crowd filed out. Finally, Isaac's brother told us that Tim was closing down. Nothing quite takes down the pleasure of a good night like the dejectedness of not having a third act.
Nonetheless, I left with a nice solid ringing in my ears, memories of odd drunk lady/lady snogging, the shirt pull, and possibly a new guitarist. Gasp!
-Lucas Thurston
P.S. The Quantum Physique guest singers were kick-ass! I'd love to see them every time you perform! Winning combo!