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Boys Night Out / Living with Lions

live in Victoria (2007)
Ferret Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: DarrenMcLeod
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on September 28th 2007

It’s great to see a couple of well-known Canadian bands taking along some lesser-known ones to help these young'uns build up a fanbase. In this case, it was Boys Night Out and Ten Second Epic (the latter being a band that is apparently getting fairly popular here in Canada, though it doesn’t appear they’ve made too large of a splash on the American/international scene) taking along Sick City and Living with Lions.

Winnipeg’s Sick City opened the night, playing a handful of songs from their upcoming Smallman/Trustkill debut, Nightlife. The band plays what can best be related to a (mostly) non-screaming version of Silverstein or Senses Fail done in a lighter, catchier manner. Though the bar wasn’t very crowded when they began their performance, they managed to put on the most energetic show of the night. Singer Josh Youngson danced around the stage with a few mic swings, but proved his best frontman ability was the in-between song banter, where he was among the funniest frontmen I’ve ever witnessed. The rest of the band also brought a lot of energy, with bassist TJ Stevenson in particular having a weird penchant for high-kicking like some sort of evil-looking Rockette. Their set list was a no-brainer, picking most of the catchiest tracks from their upcoming album. Set list (roughly):

Antoinette
Islands
XX & XY
Killing Ourselves to Feel
Turning Heads
In the Millions

Next up was Vancouver, BC’s Living with Lions, who share a lot more than just a hometown with Daggermouth. Yes, Living with Lions play the hardcore-influenced pop-punk that is so popular these days, but blend the two much smoother than some of the recent entries into the genre. They played five songs from their debut EP, Dude Manor, as well as a new song. While they brought plenty of energy (and had a surprising number of fans shouting along), their frontman had a lot of trouble hitting the high notes from the EP. He still brought plenty of intensity to the show, and the musicians were spot on, but the whole set sounded a little lackluster because of these missed notes. Set list (roughly):

Colors
A Noisy Noise Annoys the Boys
Said and Done
new song
Mark Has Bedroom Eyes
Later Is Better

Though I’ve heard a lot of bad things about Boys Night Out’s live show, they dismissed any fears I might have had with their first track. Lead singer Connor Lovat-Fraser danced around the stage barefoot, hitting every note with enthusiasm, only looking slightly disinterested at some of the screams during songs from Make Yourself Sick. Nevertheless, their early songs were not slowed down at all, and had the crowd clapping, moshing, and screaming along. Both the guitarists and the bassist kept the energy at its peak, while drummer Ben Arseneau may have been rocking the dirtiest mustache in the scene today. The band’s set list was simply a more condensed version of the one used at the show that Brian reviewed earlier this year, but that was no surprise. It was a solid set list full of fan favourites, and a great performance. Set list (roughly):

I Got Punched In the Nose for Sticking My Face in Other People’s Business
Dreaming
Get Your Head Straight
Purging
Hold on Tightly, Let Go Lightly
Medicating
Up with Me
Where We Breathe
Composing

After BNO’s set, I decided it was time to leave so that I could catch a bus home rather than fork out the cash for a cab, so I missed Ten Second Epic’s set (though a friend told me they put on a great performance as well). Even with missing the final set of the night, I left completely satisfied, having seen three talented young Canadian acts put on a trio of energetic sets.

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damnitsderek (September 29, 2007)

Did you get to their set late, by chance? I've seen them a half-dozen or so times since 2004 (maybe even more?) and they've always played that song -- and they usually play it first, too.

-Scott

No, I saw the entire set each time. The first time they opened with "Dreaming", and the second time I think they opened with "The First Time It Shouldn't Taste Like Blood". Just luck of the draw, I guess. They did play "Hold on Tightly, Let Go Lightly" the first time I saw them, though. That was pretty cool and unexpected.

maverick (September 29, 2007)

"Both times I've seen BNO, I've wanted to hear "I Got Punched..." so badly, and they never played it. I'm slightly jealous."

Did you get to their set late, by chance? I've seen them a half-dozen or so times since 2004 (maybe even more?) and they've always played that song -- and they usually play it first, too.

-Scott

DarrenMcLeod (September 28, 2007)

another guy from vic here?

hey, do you know a good site for the scene so i can stay on top of shows? or maybe just send me an email? i'm brand new to vic and i have no clue what's good in the scene, and can only look at livevictoria.com for shows where i recognize bandnames.

blake88 (September 28, 2007)

last october by chance i saw TSE play 3 shows in 6 days as they were opening each show. within 3 months they were on much music all the time and now theyre headlining over bno and making far more than the $100 a show they played for less than 12 months earlier. this music business is crazy haha

damnitsderek (September 28, 2007)

Both times I've seen BNO, I've wanted to hear "I Got Punched..." so badly, and they never played it. I'm slightly jealous.

Moray (September 28, 2007)

Ten Second Epic is just your average pop radio band. They get a lot of airplay here in Victoria at local stations. I was really shocked when I learned they were headlining over BNO.

That's like Snapcase opening for Atreyu.

The show was a lot of fun, you missed a couple of songs from BNO's set list. I know they played "Apartment" from the newest album for sure. Their drummer looked like a weasel with that moustache, plus he was sporting this awful rainbow colored mesh shirt.