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Story and Photos By Erika Gascon
Last night’s snowstorm didn’t stop fans from enjoying Amped at the Black Pirates Pub. The all local line-up played a variety of music to appeal to different tastes, including rap, rock, folk rock, experimental punk, and metal.
Up first was Fist Fight with Gandhi, and experimental punk band. They got the crowd moshing and had a good number of young fans. “They are creative and different—not like what I’ve heard before,” said Flo, an enthusiastic fan. Next, Boys from the Bay played an inviting set that included a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Wearing and Tearing.” The boys left the crowd cheering for an encore, and were followed by Thomas James Music’s exciting and interactive set. Their rap performance included dancers, back-up singers, and costume changes between songs. Up next was That Echo—a band that plays a unique style of music that defies classification. “I don’t know if you’ve ever moshed to a folk band, but it’s time,” said Tim Walters, lead singer. That Echo performed some amazing covers of great songs, such as Franz Ferdinand’s, “Take Me Out.” Last up was The Unbalanced, whose fans braved the heavy snowfall for the reward of some heavy metal.
The show was proof that Thunder Bay’s vibrant and diverse music scene continues to crank out new talent. With styles that appeal to all tastes and ages, combined with low cover charges, up-and-coming local bands are worth checking out.
