War On Music: Day 2 - Monkey Around On Ska Night at Thee Parkside

The second day of shows was hard pressed to match the excitement of the first night in San Francisco, but the line up at both The Bottom of the Hill (Alkaline Trio, Kepi Goulie), and Thee Parkside which I attended equalled if not surpassed the night before depending on which bands you came to see.

The Parkside show included Monkey, Unsteady, Buck o’ Nine, and Slow Gherkin. Monkey was my favourite band that I was not familiar with before the festival. They were masterful with the instruments, and put on a stage show that may have been the best of the week topped of when the band would start skanking or “working it” around the small corner stage. Things really picked up when a cover of Skankin’ Pickle’s Fakin’ Jamaican was played prompting lead vocalist Curtis Meacham to invite everyone on the stage before retracting the invite due to an obvious lack of space.

If Monkey comes to your neck of the woods get out to see them, and be blown away by their fancy matching outfits.

Actually, I’m listening to their Lost At Sea album right now, and it is a really nice mello listen that keeps a good tempo. Great for a sunny day, and we actually got one today in Winnipeg.

Unsteady followed with another smooth set of ska that I unfortunately had to miss part of, because my friends room storage was broken into. No, wait, we later figured out that the wind had pulled it open on the freeway, because someone forgot to latch it closed.

Buck o’ Nine had the most energy of any band that played the Asian Man 15th. They came out fast, and old slowed down the action for moments in songs like Pass The Dutchie to crank it up again in the same tune. Their were highlights throughout including My Town, Drink and Fight, and my personal fav of the night, Calling in Sick.

It was also cool to talk with the lead singer of Buck o’ Nine Jon Pebsworth who actually knew a little about Winnipeg, and wanted to meet my buddies kids he brought along. Good guys, and you could tell they were having a good time.

Slow Gherkin was the last band on, and if Buck o’ Nine had the most energy Slow Gherkin matched the energy with crowd enthusiasm. There was a group of about 20 or 30 guys that seemed to know every word, and appeared to be some of the few locals.

It was cool to be immersed in another city’s scene, and see some bands that haven’t played in years. It reminded me of the Bacteria Buffet show (including the free stuff), only it lasted five days, and played in three different venues, and had a really cool BBQ, that included Mike Parks special pasta salad.

The horn section for Slow Gherkin was outstanding, and certain members were going so wild their glasses were flying off, being put away, and then put back on and lost again. Wild stuff. Shed Some Skin, Trapped Like Rats, and Turned Off are some of the other highlights, and videos that you can find on YouTube.

Almost every band I saw at this festival was a first time, and it is pretty amazing to see so many bands that rarely to never make it all the way up to Winnipeg. This show was the one that really made me realize how cool the Asian Man Records 15th really was. That and the fact that people I talked to were rarely from San Fran. I went to many shows with a guy from England, and two dudes from Switzerland turned me onto this band the Apers from Holland that were another huge surprise during the week.