I didn’t have high expectations for last week’s Warmduscher show at Bar Le Ritz, due to the fact that it was on a Wednesday evening and the temperature was acting up that day. A cold rain began to fall as I hurried back to the venue at dusk, freezing me to the bone and almost making me wish I hadn’t left the comfortable warmth of my apartment. Luckily, I made it to the Ritz, so far half full, only moments before the music started, just in time to buy myself an overpriced beer and find myself a spot in the front.
Groupe B, the solo project of Stephen Baird, ex-member of several Montreal groups, including Double Date With Death and Bland, started the evening quite explosively, framed by two columns of purple lights that flashed to the rhythm of the songs, holding a candy pink guitar and wearing large Pit Viper sunglasses. The music boils down to pre-recorded synth and drum machine tracks immediately reminiscent of Italian Giallo horror movie soundtracks that often combine funky disco beats with more sinister synth melodies, as well as more punk or even heavy metal guitar riffs. The range of songs goes from epic, romantic ballads, to more hard rock, ‘guitar hero’ style tracks, to more electro-punk tracks. One thing is certain, Groupe B knew how to keep us spellbound and I can’t wait to see them in concert again.
After a short intermission during which the room quickly filled up, it was Boar God’s turn to take the listeners’ eardrums by storm. Active since 2017, this veteran group of the Montreal underground scene, which has always been able to please fans of supersonic shoegaze, once again did not disappoint the crowd. Intricate, effect-packed and extremely loud guitar lines (probably why the band’s vocalist and guitarist, Eric Bent, always wears noise-cancelling headphones while playing) are backed by very solid bass lines that stand out and punch through the immense wall of sound. The drums do a great job of being tenacious and persistent, allowing you to really get mesmerized by the songs. The whole thing is crowned by a magnificent harmony of the voices of Eric and bass player Sabrina which recalls the formation My Bloody Valentine at their peak. If you’re a Boar God fan, new or old, I highly recommend New Zealand record label Flying Nun, who in the ‘80s and ‘90s captured the hearts of post-punk fans with bands like The Clean, Tall Dwarfs and Bailter Space.
A jam-packed Ritz enthusiastically welcomed the headliner, London-based band Warmduscher, who were in town for their first North American tour. The roster arrived on stage to a torrential downpour of applause, all dressed in dark blue boilersuits emblazoned with the “WD” logo at heart level. After only a few seconds of music, the dance floor ignited and stayed that way until the last note of the evening. The rhythm section plays a mix of disco and completely crazy funk while the guitar adds an energetic touch of more garage tones. For its part, the synth lends a low-budget ’70s porn movie vibe over which the lead singer, Clams Baker Jr., tells often crazy and sordid stories with the flow and ardor of a coked- up televangelist.
To the delight of the excited spectators, the band was able to offer an excellent selection from their catalog, including several of their singles, such as “Midnight Dipper,” “Disco Peanuts,” “Fatso,” “1000 Whispers,” and “Burner,” (which they dedicated to rapper Kool Keith who appears on the studio version of this song).
All in all, a very nice evening that surprised me and reminded me why sometimes it is worth going out and giving yourself a hangover in the middle of the week—to take a good warm bath of culture.
Words By: Max Seaton
Photos: Stephan Boissonneault
