Dark Side of the Tune: Underground Victoria

Diving into the intense presence of stoner metal and stoner rock in Victoria's scene at the time, we go deep into the depths of the murky, nostalgic vibes of this music through two prominent bands of the now.   During the height of their musical boom, Crimson Witch bring their fuzzed out sound to the table to discuss integrating into the scene through creative merging, the genre-defying definitions of stoner rock/metal music in which they thrive, musical progression, and pal-ship within the scene.   Then, Vancouver Island legends of MENDOZZA take time to talk about the changes they have seen in heavy doom/stoner evolution on the island over the past 15 years, being professional musicians in numerous radical bands, babies in mosh pits, and a new and anticipated album coming after a writing hiatus.

The ritualistic effects of Lawrence Pazder's book "Michelle Remembers" on North American musicians rippled into Victoria's art scene and cultivated a heavy metal wave in which Victoria-based bands like Armoros recall Michelle's satanic apparitions in demo and live album. Metal is thriving in Victoria compared to other semi-underground genres and is continuing the takeover by putting on festivals in open city spaces and apparently being advertised by hipster coffee shops.   This episodes features Casey Lazar- pivotal show promotor and organizer of the Vancouver Island Metal Festival talks about starting Heavy Metal clubs, promoting shows, putting on the metal fest and other elements to Victoria's metal scene that create its unique taste.   Then, owner of Cavity Curiosity Shop as well as promotor and organizer Andy Andersson talks about the history of the shop, the recent move, and the future of the new space in relation to the local underground music and arts scene; of which this space is home. 

This episode (5) features loud and local punk rock band Vic City Rejects and metal influenced stoner punk band Bad Human Beings, both of which own the audience and the stage when they rip their steely tunes.     First- Bad Human Beings bring the "heavy, loud and confusing" energy of their show in discussing meshing subgenera, musical integrity, DJ's, and diversity in Victoria's scene. Next- Vic City Rejects' elaborate on the importance of participating in or putting on a fun show, the creative misfortunes of intoxication, mutual support in the scene, and local pay for play issues. 

This episode highlights integral elements to punk and the anti-establishment foundations to which these genres arise: intelligent and passionate youth and feminism through the old-school styles of Sugar Castle and Beaverette.  First off, the politically charged local group Sugar Castle discusses forming a band and potential barriers for youth and femme-folks in the scene. Their honest music represents the integrity by which this group strives for change and a safer community in all aspects. Next, feminist punk band Beaverette discusses misogynistic experiences in the West Coast scene, protesting through music, and the feminist roots by which they rise.

In this episode, I met with Jason Lamb of The Punk Show on The Zone 93.1 to discuss identity in the punk scene and meeting punk rock hero's through work at the radio.  Then Troy Lemberg- the music director of CFUV 101.9 and local show promotor talks integrating into hardcore scenes, putting on shows, working as a radio music director, egg punk, and more! Support local radio!

This episode features interviews with 2 of Victoria's many bands of which find the concept of defining their niche sound to be a taxing task. Recording from Screen Test Studios- Crom/Dam a chill pair of individuals who bring a lot to the scene: an all-ages show space, screen printing for band merch, put on Fan Klub music and social club every Sunday in addition the loud & hardcore sounds they emit at any gig. Next, Wayst offer many insight into songwriting, growing up in Victoria's age of Ska, jam spaces, and diverse realities of being a grungy-punk band.

For the first episode, we delve into the origins of Victoria's underground music and the essence of the scene in the late 70's and 80's. Jason Flower of Supreme Echo Records, Ruby Karinto, as well as the co-writer of All Your Ears Can Hear archive book on Victoria's scene talks about his fascination with the punk/underground movement that inspires his work.  Next- we head on over to Subculture Club to speak with Steve Bailey (The Neo's) and Rob Nesbitt (Ak47) to discuss Subculture, all-ages spaces, integrity within music, and their work on Paulina Ortlieb's documentary "Somewhere to Go: Punk Victoria."