Vancouver band reunite with new album after four year hiatus
I can’t remember the last time I saw so many smiling bearded faces at Amigos. And at least some of those faces were onstage.
Perennial Saskatoon favourites Ladyhawk had come back for one night. As Amigos’ Facebook status boasted, it was “one for the books.”
Formed in 2003 by four wasters in Kelowna – a total knifey hellhole – Ladyhawk quickly went on to far greater things, like moving to Vancouver and putting out rock albums that resonated with fist-pumpers amongst the heart stirrers.
In fact, the band’s debut, self-titled album still ranks among one of the top classic Can-rock albums of the decade. Total party time!
Front man Steve Lambke hollered and lunged, all without ruffling his collar, which was encased in a charming sweater.
Baby Eagle and the Proud Mothers opened the show with a refreshingly dry and sardonic take on bar rock. Hilariously, most people I talked to were unaware of the indie Can-rock reunion that was taking place in front of them: exactly 2/5’s of the Constantines bashed away on guitars while audience members calmly nodded along. Front man Steve Lambke hollered and lunged, all without ruffling his collar, which was encased in a charming sweater.
By the way, the new Baby Eagle record is a gloriously fuzzed out listen so go check it out.
Ladyhawk’s latest album, No Can Do, is similarly a burner of a record. Live, however, it didn’t quite match the intensity of their older material – not as much heart. The audience, however, smashed into each other and grinned like idiots on Christmas morning. The band was in as fine form as ever, and delivered a whalloping set that was nightcapped with “The Dugout” – probably the best ending to an evening that I’ve had in a long time.
Come back anytime beardos.
