AltCitY's Interview with Travis Ockenden from Vandal X Klothing!!

Brad; How did you decide this is what you wanted?

Travis; I came up with vxk back in July 05, I used to put on music shows in my hometown,
  since we pretty much lost all the venues to hold shows, clothing just kind of happened.

Brad; Did you think it would be the success it is now?

Brad; Where did the Name Vandal X come from and Working with models is something you do to show off your clothes ,
 Any advice to people looking to work with models for promotion?


 Travis; The name comes from a song called Vandal X, by a band called unsane. I've always been a promoter,
 so it was natural to make the switch. It's not the success I want yet,
 but it's slowly growing into its own thing, as we speak I'm about to make high visibility shirts for construction sites,
 this wasn't even a thing until a few days ago, but it's feeling like a pretty good idea now,
 also I just relocated from Lloydminster Ab/Sk to Cranbrook BC,
 with the move I'm hoping to sell face rags at music festivals etc.
 When it comes to models you have 2 options,  1 you can pay someone to promote your company through their social media,
 it doesn't always have to be a professional photo, the reach to a million people is nice,
 2 you either get a model who can set up a professional shoot,
 or you make contacts with a photographer who knows models.

Brad; What would you do in a Zombie Apocalypse?

Travis; I'd bunker down in a concrete fortress,  and if I had to leave the house I'd probably use a sword.

https://www.facebook.com/vandalxklothing/
Check out the website http://vxk.ca/ to order and Get a good look!!

Cheers! Happy 2019!!!

Hello World!! Well 2019 anyway, I'm back!!!!

HELLO!!!!

Back to commenting and ranting about the best thing ... MUSIC!!!

IT has been quite some time since I decided to write for AltCity because I lost touch and had medical issues that are starting to get better .. Although our scene is starting to be crippled itself losing a bunch of main stages Like Distortion, Lord Nelsons and so much more. . But we do still have a thriving music and art scene here in Calgary!! 

Calgary Town Hall - Freezer burn!

https://www.facebook.com/events/344576183052924/

The Galacicus EP releases Feb 22nd at Broken city!! 

The Galacticashttps://www.facebook.com/events/232826604266065/

MURPHDAY @ Verns pub!! February 22nd 

with!!

ROTTON CRUTCH

SICK RITUAL
HIVE
PATHETIC
CULTIST

https://www.facebook.com/events/417136309023953/

 

And a Jewel of February; 

It will be an interesting year for sure and I will make sure you all know about what is to come because I will have my ear to the ground and be attending more events! Cheers to 2019!!!!I hope to see ya out and about this year! 

Don't stop supporting local arts!

Interview with Jonathan Hayward of Dark Messiah!!

Go right ahead.

Brad

K so for the fans I have are mostly from Calgary so can you tell us a bit about your band, How you started and what created your sound?

We're from Winnipeg, Manitoba. I started forming the band in the summer of 2015. I wanted to start a band influenced by original thrash of the 80's. I gathered a network of local musicians, put out the call and the rest is history.

Brad

What Inspired the song Your final breath? I love that track!

Lawrence Reimer is the other guitarist in the band. He came forward to us with that song when he first joined. It was originally a song called Dealing Death by one of his previous bands called Morbid Symphony.

Brad

Fuckin eh! .. I have been listening to the self title album you guys put out and it is awesome! Are you guys selling it on Itunes or Bandcamp yet?

Yes it's available on almost all major music streaming sites.

Brad

Perfect!

K I'm curious if you have ever played along side the bands we have playing on the 12th of August?

After this is all fun and easy questions btw

No. We haven't played with any of those bands yet but we're excited to. This is the first time we've performed outside of Manitoba.

Brad

I am stoked as hell to see you all here! It is going to be a killer show! .. Have you ever been to Calgary before?

I have not been to Calgary since I was a kid. I can't wait to meet fellow Canadian metal heads.

You can ask me the rest whenever you're ready. \m/

Brad

K sweet!

We can't wait to see you guys too!

What would be your Ideal lineup if you were to get to see some big bands together?

Metallica, Lamb of God, Slipknot and Testament.

Brad

That would be siick!

K my last question is always my favorite!! ..K so what would you do in a zombie apocalypse? Alone or with your band or family?

With my family and my bandmates. I guess the first thing you would need is guns, ammo and food. Acquire those first without getting eaten and then hope you can make it some place you could bunker down and hold out for the longest. Oh and work on my cardio.

Brad

LOL Good answer! I have had people say " Just give in" .. Dude thanks for the interview and I look forward to the show!!!! Anything else you wanna tell Calgary before you come to enter it violently?

Well whenever we enter something violently...it's sure to bleed.

Intervoo with Visha Loo!! The deadly Model

Welcome to Intervoo With Visha Loo!!

The beautiful and talented Visha Loo and I sat down at very different places to
have a chat and I am only going to edit some of this! Because I think the Time it took to do this interview and the content is priceless :D

She is on everything, And has done everything! eg, Event promoter for Lube wrestling, Contortionist, Fashion Designer, Model, Artist, All a
round Alternative Goddess!

That is the calm stuff... Just wait it gets messy!!

Visha-Xxx <Previous Lube Lucha msg :) 

BSK-fuckin eh! in the mean time are you still interested in doing an interview ? 

I have been busy sorry I didn't get back to you :P

Visha -Yes yes

BSK-Gots some time today? You are very well known for your art in Calgary and all around.. 

For the readers can you explain a bit of what you do??

Visha-I do a bit of everything. Im not good at sitting or just relaxing. Hehe. For the most part I perform on stage, 

make and design latex clothes, model and I just started getting into acting. 

By day I do hair and I make youtube videos 3 times a week.

BSK-I have noticed being a Fb friend and fellow alternative art lover that you don't sit around at all as you said , 

you do WAAY more than regular shows . where did you find the time?

Visha-I'm the queen of multi tasking! I will sit in the splits while gluing latex 

and writing people back online or whatever computer stuff and listen to songs for my next shows

 and go over stuff in my head. I feel the more I do at once the better it is. 

If I only have one thing to do, I see something shinny and I'm gone. Hehe. I still sleep lots. 

Need to. You can't be a crazy person that does a million things if you're sleepy  hehe

Oh I forgot I also put on shows!  Hehe. Lube lucha is my main baby right now

BSK-Fucking awesome! And yeah our Friend Rica Shea will with ya for Lube Lucha too yeah!? 

Visha-Yes yes. She has been at all of them

I can go more into detail if need be on anything

Honestly I am sure detail on anything to do with you will be very well accepted!

i'm going to plug your youtube and model stuff anyway :P

Visha-Oh and I have my own blood line. More stuff is coming too

My youtube video are stretching, wardrobe, and my wet nightmares

BSK-Oh have watched a good potion of that to get ready for this and holy 

fuck needless to say love the black and white stripe latex you wear a lot!

When did you start modelling and or getting into contortion?

Visha-I started modelling back in 2003 because I dated photographer. He is now my husband. Feeding my vanity. Hehe

I started contortion in 2006. I saw this circus show and I ask if I could run away to the circus. 

He said yes, so I did! It was just a fun thing I did but then I fell in love with the stage. Now it's my everything

BSK-That is probably one of the most amazing stories I have ever heard!! .. You and I

have something in common;

We both like models and photography.. the crazier the better.. what would be your craziest shoot to do?

Visha-I guess hanging my friend from hooks so I can bath in his blood was the craziest for a shoot.

BSK-On the point of blood and fun; 

My favorite question to ask is what would you do in a zombie apocalypse .. 

But with you hehe would you bless us with your story in detail?

BSK-Sorry it has been a while to get this interview done, I have been super busy!

Visha-Hehe all good. Me too

I just realize I did not answer the zombie question. I feel like mine won't be good. Hehe. 

I would just fuck shit up and kill zombies.  Trap them and make a zoo maybe

BSK-Hahahaha .. Hopefully not a petting zoo.

Visha-Maybe......

They will be more zombies and I won't have to catch them hehe

BSK-Build a zombie army by drwing people in calling it a harmless Zoo , Crafty!!!

Visha-See you got it.

BSK-I had other questions but I lost my notes, Editing this has been Crazy. 

Visha-Hehe sorry

BSK-No problem it is fun as fuck lol

You are such an interesting character it's hard to know where to focus lol

Visha-Hehe I am all over the place

BSK-And so this interview post will be .. quite fitting lol

Check out Visha Loo < Here and on Youtube! Here>https://www.youtube.com/user/MissVishaLoo

Cheers!!!! -BSK

Local Shows and Concerts This Weekend! - Lots to look forward to for ST PADDY'S Day!!!

Ok I have been Gone for a long time and that had to do with my health issues and I am happy as fuck to let you all know that I am healthy as hell and good to get back in full swing!!

That being said I have good news! I will help you find your shows for the weekend once again!

Tonight- NITE OWL is hosting Sugar Snap indie night! more info you can check it out HERE!

ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!

-Distortion is hosting Just Haze Enertainment, W/ Dj Distinct,DJ, Eradik and DJ Rippel. info and address HERE!

-The Ship and Anchor is holding a FREE! Show with the lineup and links HERE!!
https://riverjacks.bandcamp.com/

https://firenexttime.bandcamp.com/

https://theshillelaghs.bandcamp.com/

www.reverbnation.com/fromunderthestone

http://www.nova-scotiables.com/band-1/

http://sealegsyyc.com/

-The Gateway at Sait invites The Elwins and Go for The Eyes for ST. PADDY'S!!! More info HERE!!

-Sage Rhodes is rockin with Veto at Country line (T&C) for Paddy's day!! info Here!

-The GRAND Theatre is hosting Jameson's St.Patricks Day Live!! Info HERE!!!

-The Blind Beggar is hosting Recession Friday for Paddy's day! with
Stab.Twist.Pull (www.facebook.com/stabtwistpull/)

Thrillhouse (www.facebook.com/ThrillhouseRock/)

Junkies Rush (www.facebook.com/JunkiesRush/)

Chalklines (www.facebook.com/TheChalklines/)

More info HERE!! 

CHEEERS!!!! HAPPY ST.PATRICK'S DAY!!! HAVE FUN YOU CRAZY FUCKERS YOU!!!!!!!

BSK.

Interview With Kevin Towill of The Reckless Heroes,

Altcity Canada Local band showcase!

Local Calgary Thrash/ Shred Punk Band, The Reckless Heroes is my first Band interview of 2016 ! ..

BSK-How goes it guys? Give us a quick who's who of the band?


Kevin-Hey Brad! We've got Chris Saunders (guitar), Nolan Semenoff (Drums), Kevin Towill (Vocals/Guitar) and Danny Daigle (vocals/bass)

BSK-I know that I have known about you guys for some time but in your own words how would you describe your band to the readers?

Kevin-The Reckless Heroes are a Calgary-based band that combines elements of punk, metal, and rock to create their own sound

BSK-are there any main influences you guys have? Some of your tracks to me have a sound I love! like Buried alive and Bad Guy. (From the new album available on Bandcamphttp:/m/sheroes.bandcamp./therecklesco ) jus sayin ;)

Kevin-We all have a lot of different influences between us but a couple of bands that we all agree on are Cancer Bats and Rise Against

BSK-The new album " Losing Faith in everything" just came out not long ago! I have it in my ear right now! .. How much fun was that to record? You did that at Red Tree studios yeah?

Kevin-Yes, we recorded the album at Red Tree Studios which I believe is not around any more. The recording process itself was lots of fun and a really great experience for all of us. However, in the post-production stages we ran into some issues.

BSK-That really can be problematic, although the record came out awesome in the end! Best shred punk album I have heard in a while!!

You guys went on tour a  while back , What were your favourite moments on tour as a band?

Kevin-Since we recorded this album, we've been on a Cross-Canada tour, a week-long tour out to Vancouver Island, along with some weekend stints in BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Touring is one of my favorite things about playing in a band. You get to meet so many different people who are usually like-minded to us being in the music scene and all.

BSK-Hopefully you guys get back out on the road then!

Now to my favourite question but a bit tweaked .. If you and your band were on tour through the prairies and found out there was a zombie apocalypse stuck in a small town, what would you do? haha


Kevin-Sacrifice the bass player to the zombies and then try to make our escape during their feast.

BSK-LMAO right on .. not the answer I thought would come but that's fine .. almost last question I have for you guys is do you have any local shows coming up to tell us about?

Kevin-Yes! We'll be holding our official CD Release Party for "Losing Faith in Everything" on Thursday April 21 @ Broken City. Following that, we'll be doing some Western Canada touring through the spring and into the summer. Show can be found here <<<<

BSK-Fuuuckk yeaahh! .. I will be at the release if anyone wants to come and join in!! ..

One last question before we are done here .. Who came up with the shirt and tie thing? It's rad but I

'm curious! haha


Kevin-Haha, the shirt and tie thing was originally conceived by our lead guitarist, Chris, and our first drummer, AJ. When we started playing shows they wanted us to visually stand out. So we began dressing in ties, dress shirts, and jeans and eventually started wearing bullet belts as well and just kind of made it our own thing.

BSK-That is fuckin great! It works!! .. Thanks for Chatting with me!!
Cheers!!

Kevin-Thank you!!

Waaaay Overdue post! News and events!!

Dear readers!

   I have been massively busy not being able to do what I love the most in life whilst here in the hospital, one should be obvious and the other is going to local shows!!! I have missed out on waaay too much! I have missed interviews and album reviews... Sorry guys and gals , but I do have a bunch of news for you other than random shit about me!!

-Septembryo Comic launch is in full swing until March 4th, You can help them and get some merch plus the comic itself at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/septembryo-graphic-novel !!! There is a vid on there to check out of the band!!

-Chris from Shark Infested Daughters and I just had a lil Chat tonight and they are telling me about a show on April 19th with Make Them Suffer!!! The Gateway pub at SAIT!
I highly suggest making this show !!

C,O Aaron Hamilton

Shark Infested Daughters live!!

-The Ativans are going to be rocking out with The Old wives and Fake Werewolves at the Ship and Anchor  This Wednesday !!! info Here

-The Calgary Final for Wacken Metal Battle is At Distortion Friday at 8pm .. This will be killer as hell and you can get the address and other info - HERE!

I will have more for you closer to the weekend! 

BSK!! CHEERS!

-

Welcome to 2016!!! We are back!!

I would love to welcome you back to AlTCiTY Calgary!! .. BSK here And I would also love to announce we have one hell of a year ... Although I have to go back and recap last year first ... Last year including the holidays I was stuck being stressed out and unable to go to shows or speak to band members like I normally do.. I am sure that I'm not the only one feeling the pain of the Calgary recession and holiday broke blues :p ..  All in all I have been writing songs and making a new website for a different type of alternative arts. That is why I have been absent, I will be back very soon with interviews with models, New bands to show you and info on new venues all this week :D

Interview with Chris Thoresen vocalist for Shark Infested Daughters!

My online interview with the lead singer of Shark Infested Daughters - Chris Thoresen!!

BSK-You down to start? I have Tidebringer in my ear and have some questions!

Chris -Shoot!

BSK- Alright let's get on it! Altcity Calgary invites Chris from Shark Infested Daughters for an interview after they killed it at Dickens with Every Hour Kills , All Else Fails and Archon Prophesy this past Saturday!! .. Thanks for having a chat with me !!
 You know I have been a fan of yours for some time now and you guys just keep getting better in my eyes! .. The band is getting tighter and the sound is getting more solid since time I first met you all.. And I love it! .. But how did you all meet and get this great sound together?


Chris- That's an interesting question. We all met through various channels and through the scene. I guess it originated when Dan Mccormick (Guitarist) left an ex endevour in 2010. I was living with Dustin Wolfe (Bassist) at the time and we were playing around with recordings and decided to ask Dan and Evan Bootle (Ex-Bassist) to try and start something. From there it was 9 grueling months of jamming without a drummer until Dustin left SID to pursue other musical avenues. I stumbled upon Yannick Mathieu  (Drummer) at a restaurant we worked at, and pretty much forced him to be our drummer. After the departure of Dustin we found Oliver Carter-Wells  (Guitarist) through mutual friends to fill the second guitar position, and continued to write and rehearse. At that point in time I was dating Erika Leah (Synth) and she would come lay down some synth here and there for fun, until we ultimately asked her to join SID. Our sound has changed wildly since our debut EP in 2012, since (through painful trial and error) we've finally found our niche. We wanted to challenge ourselves more. In 2014 we met Producers Rob Kukla and Sacha Laskow, who worked on the single  "Attack on Trost" and we decided this was where we needed to be. Heavy music with challenging instrumentals, and vocals that invoke a feeling. Our mission statement since we formed was: To write music with substance.

I should probably mention we parted ways with Evan Bootle late 2014. And Dustin Wolfe rejoined as our bassist

BSK- Well you fulfilled your mission! . It is always hard to lose members but it is always for the greater good  in most cases when you are working hard! .. What would be your standpoint on the way venues and shows are run in Calgary and the difference it can be changing members and connections?

Chris- Venues and shows in Calgary are hit and miss. We need a new all ages venue. I think since the New Black shut down its been harder and harder to get kids interested in supporting local bands, or even giving them the opportunity to play shows. We've always been pretty DIY with shows and we rarely work with promoters. The show is a direct reflection of how hard you work for it. Calgary has some great venues to play, that are only a phone call away to book. It seems a growing trend is lazy bands who won't take matters into their own hands. Go out and print posters to your show. Put them up, hand them out, do some leg work. Don't think for a second just because you're booked on a Saturday the venue will fill itself.

BSK- I Wholeheartedly agree! . I couldn't count how many times I have had to deal with that even as a promoter it needs to be a group deal with everyone's full attention.


Chris- Member changes is always tough. To find someone willing to dedicate themselves to learning your material without any prior context or writing influence is tough. After Bootle's departure we had a couple of people come and go until we asked Dustin to fill in for our tour. We gave him 3 weeks notice and he absolutely blew us away on tour. I don't think we'll be looking back any time soon.
BSK- Knowing that we will have more venues is the future , We will have all we need.. For venues but promoters will be needed , Not all promoters ask for anything wink emoticon ..... You know as well as I do you cannot trust everyone and that brings me to my last questions .. first off .. Tell us about this last Saturday!!!

Chris- Saturday was the Every Hour Kills CD release party featuring: Every Hour Kills, All Else Fails, The Archon Prophecy and SID.
We were beyond excited for this show. I met Sacha in 2014 when they asked me to do a guest spot on their single "Chosen". We absolutely love the stuff EHK puts out and since we spend alot of time with Sacha working on the new SID stuff, it was only natural that we combine forces.
BSK- I had a killer time at the show And I know everyone else did too!! .. But you you know I have one last question for ya right?

Chris- Awesome man! I'm glad you came to support.Lay it on me

BSK- Always if I can!

BSK- What would you do in a zombie apocalypse??

Chris- Depends what kind of zombies I guess. I would obviously follow the zombie survival guide and get myself situated if we're talking slow decrepit dead dudes trying to eat brains. If the zombies can run I'd shoot myself in the face as soon as possible.
BSK- Not a bad response .. I Think you would be fine though!
Thanks for chatting with me!!

Chris- Thanks again man!

You can find tracks from S.I.D HERE>https://sharkinfesteddaughters.bandcamp.com/

Cheers! -BSK

Throwback Thursday - Dead Venues

This is a tough subject for many people invested in the Calgary music and arts industry .. The dead Venue .. Although when we look back at the places we loved for live music we may or may not have heavy hearts but probably fond memories!

The Back Alley,
Never really supported local music and should have fucked off a long time ago.

The New Black Centre for Arts and Music.
A wonderful place that nobody over 18 wanted to go to and was run down and suffocated by poor promoters.. well one in particular.

Shooters Bar and Grill.
I used to love the place even though it fell hard due to idiocy in ownership after the original owners sold it to the wrong people and over time it became something it should never have become.

The Area.
The community centre that should have been more than it was .. Although being a great place to be it was just not advertised enough or capable of bringing in revenue to keep it open.

The Distillery 1, 2
We all loved The many styles of music that The D brought to us over and over and it will never truly die .  Distortion carries the D name on and I highly doubt the D will ever die!

And For one that will suck for many .. Republik is shutting it's doors for good as well ..They have hosted tons of local and international shows over the years and it is sad to see them go! there is more info here on that sad subject.

The places we love and want to hold onto are important to our industry so get out and support before they end up the way of these places!

Cheers! -BSK

The Goings on in Calgary This week!

I have been quite distant when it comes to posting on my blog and I really hope I can get back into it this week! So here are some things you can into!

Thursday!!

The Calgary Beer Core is hosting it's 11th year anniversary at Distortion! With many locals and out of towners .. This will be one hell of a night!!! info HERE

Locals Negative Earth is playing with the one and only Econaline Crush @ Morgans Pub! info HERE

Dickens pub is hosting TRAIN BIGGER MONKEYS with Eye of Horus , Perception of Pain, His Last Words and PENITENTZ.. more info HERE

Friday!!

Day 2 of The Beer Core pops off at Distortion with some amazing local bands !!! check out the lineup HERE 

MAGESTY is back! They will be playing The Blind Beggar with some friends.. info HERE

Saturday!!

The wicked band THE ATIVANS has an album release with a bunch of friends at NITE OWL .. More info HERE

Thrashadactyl is rocking Lord Nelsons with Krepitus and my old friends of Maimed Wolf!!!
more info HERE

Dickens Pub is hosting Critical Hit 2 .. Geeks, Gamers and Alt lovers rejoice as there will be everything you need at this show!!!! more info HERE

Grandola will be sharing their album release with Broadway Bullies and guests Dusty Tucker and Th Northern Coast @ Nite Owl. Info HERE 

Get out and support local music and venues!!!! Cheers all!!!! -- I is great to be back and I will get back on the old train and will see some of you this weekend!!! -BSK

Tonight will not be a TBT but It does feel like too long since I saw DETHGOD.

Tonight at the new Distortion venue (which is fucking great btw) there will be some serious band touring through from TO both VESPERIA and OUT OF THE RUINS alongside AB bout DETHGOD!!! All info to the show can be found HERE
Enjoy the show! I know it will be killer! Cheers! BSK

Throwback Thursday - Multi-pick- Bands I used to love and always will.

THROWBACK THURSDAY -MULTI PICK

Jane Vain and the Dark Matter - 7+ years ago was the last time I heard of this awesome indie alternative band and have heard nothing since and that is disappointing but I do frequent their music to catch up in hopes they come back. This video is from back in 2008ish.

Sharks Aren't Scavengers .. They have not been gone long but I still miss their music now and again. local postrockers with a TOOLesc sound and a mad passion for music that is wonderful to draw to ,  jus sayin. check out their grooves here.

I am glad to say that Million Dollar Fix  is still around so I thought i would give them honourable mention because I have not seen them live nor any of them in person for quite some time.. sorry dudes! I hope to hear from you!

NEW FIGHT SCENE is a local Screamo band that I have not heard from in quite some time but come back to every once and a while because they are right up there with alexisonfire but local! This a video proving my point from 2010.

That is all for now folks! I will have more next week! I will be posting This weekends shows tomorrow! .. Cheers! -BSK