SEAHORSE GETS CRACKED

SHELTER WITH THIEVES AND STONE MARY JOIN OLD BLOOD TO RELEASE THEIR DEBUT ALBUM. DAVE LIDSTONE

The Seahorse was already in full-swing when I sauntered two-at-a-time down the worn red steps into the bar. Old Blood, who were releasing

their debut album, Ruins, had started their set and the bar was filling up (in more than one way). This was the third of six stops for all three bands, as they rip through the Maritimes on their “Crack in the World” tour. Conveniently enough members of each band also carry weight in one of the others on the tour. Stone Mary and Shelter share drummer Matt Johnson, while guitarist Lloyd Smith jams with both Old Blood and Shelter. Johnson is the twin brother of Shelter’s lead singer Mike John-son, and has been the band’s anchor since they spawned out of a previous band called Shyne Factory. Matt took the reins drumming in Stone Mary for me when Christine Campbell, Brad Stevens and Alex “I ain’t yo baby daddy” MacDonald parted ways about a year and a half ago. Smith, along with lead singer Trevor DeSouza of Old Blood, bassist Josh White and drummer Cory Leach have a keen sense of what made 90s rock something to relish in. DeSouza’s vocal attributes scream 1992 in Seattle. Not that I was there, but you get what I mean. And don’t get me wrong, Old Blood doesn’t come off as a cheesy reincarnation of the flannel toting, angst lovin’ knock-offs who still surface every now and again; they’re a super tight band, with the punch their tunes demand. The crowd seemed to dig what the boys were laying down. After Blood came Mary. Having spent the better part of my musical “career” in a band with Campbell and later Stevens and MacDonald, I always enjoy catching their set—I know all the words! The Seahorse received a high-energy onslaught of flare, tights and hair from SM. Not to mention an impressive sonic display. I was ready to pack it in and assume their cover of Deep Purple’s “Highway Star” would be the highlight of their set. Wrong as usual. The old gang put on a wild display of rock ‘n roll fury in an almost ten minute guitar solo battle finale before leaving it up to Shelter to pick up the pieces. Shelter came on stage oozing experience and belligerence. Mike Johnson took the crowd and rubbed their faces in the band’s energy. The headbangers banged, the metal nuts nutted, the emo kids had something to live for. This was my first time seeing them and though their particular brand of rock isn’t necessarily what I gravitate towards, I was still impressed with the show and the musicianship that was on display. That goes for all the bands on the bill Wednesday night. The “Crack in the World” tour finished up this past weekend at the ECMAs in Moncton.

STONE MARY

SHELTER WITH THIEVES

OLD BLOOD