Tofino Concert News for April 2006

by Adam Buskard, Tofino

The following concerts are happening in Tofino in the month of April 2006. Tickets are available at Tofitian, Esso and at the Common Loaf.

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Romi Mayes
Saturday, April 8, 2006
The Tofino Legion
Tickets $8, Doors 9pm

Country bourbon bluegrass - stellar vocals, solid guitar playing and brilliant songwriting. Singin' about whiskey, heartache, and bar brawls, Romi Mayes' live show has been known to make some miss their mouths when sipping their beer and is putting her on route to becoming the Joan Jett of country. Mayes is recognized for her raw and roots driven sound, proving that her years on the road have paid off. Her songwriting is edgy Americana bluegrass guitar style.

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Matthew Barber
Friday, April 14, 2006
The Tofino Legion
Tickets $8, Doors 9pm

In the singer-songwriter genera there are those who rock and those who do not rock. Matthew Barber, with the help of his band the Union Dues, is one of those singer-songwriters who rocks. Matthew sets majestic lyrics and melodies against a backdrop of electric energy and a backbeat. Matthew has grown immensely as a songwriter and performer. He's had the good fortune to tour the country with great artists such as Matt Mays and El Torpedo and Joel Plaskett. Do yourself a favour and don't miss him when he comes to town.

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Magneta Lane
Saturday, April 22, 2006
The Tofino Legion
Tickets $8, Doors 9pm

Magneta Lane, a potent antidote to the faux punk posturing of today's manufactured young rock bands. Guided by their influences, The Kinks, Sonic Youth, Velvet Underground and Nancy Sinatra, Magneta Lane have created a sound, mood and style all their own. Impressively they preserve their femininity while engaging the audience in positively gritty sounds and wise beyond their year's lyrics. Magneta Lane have shed the false plastic layer that has been put upon girls like them and show you what's underneath.

Big John Bates
Saturday, April 29, 2006
The Tofino Legion
Tickets $12, Doors 9pm

Big John Bates' music has its roots in blues-based rock'n'roll but its high-energy twang and pulp fiction lyrics (focusing on the seamy side of our culture) give them a sound all their own. The band appeals to the rock'n'roll crowd (early 20's to late 30's), blues-rock fans (from ZZ Top to Thorogood) and to subcultures from greasers to punks. Beginning in 2000 with the release of their 7" "Vibro Psychotic" BJB has played festivals from Los Angeles to Spain and some very unique shows including the Federal prison in Antwerp, Belgium. The second release "Flamethrower" on Spain's El Toro Records rated high with reviews around the world and "Mystiki" on their own Devil Sauce imprint rode the top 50 on campus charts for six weeks. John was even interviewed for the A&E/Discovery Russ Meyer documentary (which included John Waters, Dita Von Tease and many other personalities).

BJB's live show has dragged in spectators from Blink 182 Reverend Horton Heat, Los Straightjackets, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy & Puppetry of the Penis--all to see just what happens at a BJB concert. The show is an animal of its own and often finds the band on-stage with their own burlesque group (the Voodoo Dollz) who perform mainly non-traditional burlesque numbers choreographed to BJB's music and based on John's pulp fiction lyric themes. Somewhere between the sex and murder there's always room for a few laughs. Hell, it's only a matter of time before Conan O'Brien is duct-taped to his desk.

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The Beautiful Girls
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
The Tofino Legion
Tickets $12, Doors 9pm

The Beautiful Girls are at the forefront of the new roots and groove music movement. Both live and on record they manage to blend their affection for hip-hop and reggae with their love of real blues and roots. The band brings a mellow and foxy feel to everything they touch. They rap to a resolectric, rocksteady with an acoustic and they do melody like nobody else. They will be visiting us on their North American Tour as they take some time away from their native Australian turf. Don't miss this chance to see these up-and-comers.

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