Live music, bottomless kegs, and unlimited tap selections are the stuff of dreams for many musicians. Thanks to Vancouver radio veterans CFOX, this heavenly Happy Gilmore-style montage is about to be a reality for three local acts that scored big in the #willplayforbeer competition. Pairing up with Vancouver Craft Beer Week, CFOX is bringing three bands to the stage from June 3 to 5 at the PNE Fairgrounds for the 2016 festival.
The radio station hosted a competition via social media to vote for the top three bands who would, in theory, “play for beer” and open the CFOX mainstage playing host to several other musical acts. Of the 10 participating bands, Westender caught up with the three winners — all of whom are ready to go bottoms up for Vancouver Craft Beer Week.
THE BRASS ACTION
Six-piece brass-punk outfit the Brass Action is no stranger to crowds. One could say its own band, a sextet of ska-loving rude boys, is a crowd itself. But they have no qualms about drawing an even bigger one with their Vancouver Craft Beer Week appearance.
“We’re always looking for more people and to grow our party. We always like for our shows to be a night that we go out and drink and have lots of fun,” exclaims singer Ryan Clare, noting they heard about the #willplayforbeer contest from their personal graphic designer, Steve Kitchen, who’s also known for his work on Parallel 49’s beer labels.
Rounded out by Garrett McLaughlin, Richard Mitchell, Tyson Sully, Evan Kelly and Mael Thébault, Clare leads the high-energy, horn-driven punk ensemble.
“We’re more in it for the exposure than anything else,” Clare confesses.
“In the end, I thanked [Steve] for pointing us in the direction of the competition, and he was like, ‘Well, it was a little selfish because I just wanted to listen to some ska and drink some beer.’”
While Clare and co attest they’re not a “money making machine” or a touring band with a lust for fame, the troupe has released two full-length albums and two EPs since 2011, and even made a cameo in Horns, the 2013 dark fantasy horror film starring Daniel Radcliffe.
The band is currently working on its third EP, set to be released in the next year, including covering a few notable ska songs. To find out which ones they are, you’ll just have to catch them at Vancouver Craft Beer Week where they’re sure to try a couple out on the crowd.
The Brass Action performs the CFOX Mainstage on Friday, June 3.
DISCO FUNERAL
Disco Funeral is a band whose sound is famously elusive, and trumpeter Scotty Vigue makes no plays at denying it. The six-piece outfit has been blending elements of jazz, funk, metal, ska, and cheese – yes, cheese – in the four years they’ve been jamming together.
“It really is [a mix of] everything, especially if you hear our entire discography,” Vigue tells Westender.
“Every song is completely different from the next. There are some general dance songs that make people want to move; there’s some really psychedelic songs that make you just stand there and watch and listen; and some really big band songs; big riffs; big numbers. We have musical ADD in a way, where that really benefits us. We have a goal of making a good song, no matter what [genre] it is.”
Vigue is joined by bandmates Justin Reist on vocals, Johnny K on guitar and bass, Dave Malcolm on guitar and bass, Kaelen Jarvis on keys and Jae Kim on drums.
With so many members and musical tastes, it may seem a tad tricky to nail down any one vision for a song. Difference of opinion is no issue for the sextet however, Vigue says.
“We really encourage each other, and everyone gets their space. There is no one member that does more than the other,” he attests.
One thing they certainly have harmony over is the shared love of some dairy. As evidenced by their party song “Nice Shoes, Let’s Cheese,” the guys have no qualms about a fine fromage. But what does it mean?
“I guess ‘cheese’ would more be a slang term for ‘Have fun,’ ‘Let’s do this, let’s go off.’ Sometimes we throw out wheels of brie and camembert at our shows,” Vigue confesses.
When taking a break from cheese, you can listen to select tracks from Disco Funeral’s independently-released four-track EP on the band’s Soundcloud page (Soundcloud.com/discofuneral).
Disco Funeral performs the CFOX Mainstage on Saturday, June 4.
DAKOTA PEARL
Don’t let the whimsical name fool you. While some may conjure up thoughts of ancient Aboriginal talismans or a divine treasure, the guys’ true inspiration in naming their band was a potato.
“A Dakota Pearl is a potato,” frontman Adam Leggett tells Westender with a laugh.
“We live in Pemberton, which is known as the spud capital of Canada. So we ironically named our band after a potato.”
Perhaps the deeper takeaway is that the four-piece alt-country rock troupe is inspired by its Pacific Northwest surroundings, taters et al.
Dakota Pearl — made up of singer Leggett, Dave Trimble, Gavin McDermott and Bryce MacDiarmid — has been making a go at their alt-country sound for a couple years, after laying their 23-year stint as Whistler-based punk band Slush to bed.
So how much of the band’s sound is influenced by their Pemberton roots?
“Pretty much all of it,” Leggett admits.
“It’s all based on the scenery that’s around us and the lifestyle that we live and the people that we know…. The new songs are heavily story-based and based on emotions and trying to connect with people and tell stories that each and every one of us has lived.”
Told like a true cowboy, Leggett and his band penned storytelling tunes for their self-titled debut. The 10-track record is available on their website (DakotaPearl.com) for free, or for $1 on the group’s Bandcamp page.
“We think, if you’re a fan and you want to support the band, then you can pay for it. If you just want to listen to some music, I would much rather have someone listening to our tunes than have someone not listen to our tunes because they’re worried about spending money on it,” Leggett reflects.
“Nowadays people don’t want to spend money on music,” he says. “They’ll pay for live shows happily and they’ll go out and buy your merchandise, and its like who cares… I’d rather people hear it than not.”
That said, having people hear them is the best they could’ve hoped for in scoring a coveted spot on the CFOX Mainstage during Vancouver Craft Beer Week, Leggett says. But they certainly won’t be turning down any beers.
Dakota Pearl performs the CFOX Mainstage on Sunday, June 5.
