Cutbanks- the Prince George Cultural Website
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Rocking middle earth with Treebeard's Revenge (Posted Feb. 22)
The city’s newest metal band Treebeard’s Revenge, only a few performances into their career, is already adding something unique to the music landscape.
The first and most noticeably unique quality to their music is the fact that, despite the typically undecipherable screaming vocals by Joels Chidiac and distortion-heavy Zakk Wylde-inspired guitar work by Marlin Fowler, the band’s songs are quite catchy. Fowler’s virtuoso guitar work was reason enough for the audience’s loud cheers during their first-ever performance last January. It’s hard to believe he’s only been playing guitar for about three years.
Another unique thing about the band is its theme – Lord of the Rings.
Click on the image to read and see more...
The first and most noticeably unique quality to their music is the fact that, despite the typically undecipherable screaming vocals by Joels Chidiac and distortion-heavy Zakk Wylde-inspired guitar work by Marlin Fowler, the band’s songs are quite catchy. Fowler’s virtuoso guitar work was reason enough for the audience’s loud cheers during their first-ever performance last January. It’s hard to believe he’s only been playing guitar for about three years.
Another unique thing about the band is its theme – Lord of the Rings.
Click on the image to read and see more...
Local musicians perform for Haitians (Posted Feb. 14)
Three singer/songwriters from three different local bands went solo February 12, when former local band Big Old Eyes co-frontman Corbin Spensley, The Concerns of Royalty co-frontman Nathan Kelly, and The Pucks co-frontman Murray Gable performed at the Africa Café February 12, during a Haiti fundraiser show that raised a respectably-sized jar of money for the earthquake-ravaged country.
It was Spensley’s first performance since a Record Store Day performance last April at Meow Records. A lot has changed for the musician since then, as since that time he has taken a life-changing six-month journey in his vehicle with a friend across Canada.
“I thought about staying in a few places, but there’s something about this place that draws you back,” he said of Prince George.
Click on the image to read and see more...
It was Spensley’s first performance since a Record Store Day performance last April at Meow Records. A lot has changed for the musician since then, as since that time he has taken a life-changing six-month journey in his vehicle with a friend across Canada.
“I thought about staying in a few places, but there’s something about this place that draws you back,” he said of Prince George.
Click on the image to read and see more...
RARA back with a new heavy sound (Posted Feb. 10)
Although they’ve been together as a group for about four years, experimenting with punk, ska, and metal music, the members of local band RARA consider themselves a brand new entity.
“We’re just getting started. The seed’s been plated,” guitar player Kiel Newson said following their February 8 performance at Art Space. The performance was their first-ever with their brand new heavy metal sound, complete with brand new member Braden Graham’s screaming vocals.
Click on the image to read and view more, including a video bootleg...
“We’re just getting started. The seed’s been plated,” guitar player Kiel Newson said following their February 8 performance at Art Space. The performance was their first-ever with their brand new heavy metal sound, complete with brand new member Braden Graham’s screaming vocals.
Click on the image to read and view more, including a video bootleg...
Youth concert showcases the talents of four local bands (Posted Jan. 31)
Four hard-rocking local youth bands (under 18) took to the stage during the early afternoon, January 30, at the PG Playhouse, following a workshop they took place in with the Great Lake Swimmers and Maureen Washington.
Bands included This Place?, Treebeard's Revenge, Benedict Beattie and His Delightful Gang, and Lost Cause 34, all of whom performing exceptionally well throughout the afternoon show.
This was the first-ever show for Treebeard's Revenge, a Lord of the Rings-inspired metal group.
Click on the image to see more, including video bootlegs...
Bands included This Place?, Treebeard's Revenge, Benedict Beattie and His Delightful Gang, and Lost Cause 34, all of whom performing exceptionally well throughout the afternoon show.
This was the first-ever show for Treebeard's Revenge, a Lord of the Rings-inspired metal group.
Click on the image to see more, including video bootlegs...
Supporters and protesters greet Olympic flame (Posted Jan. 30)
Making its way across Prince George to the thunderous applause of supporters along almost its entire rout, the Olympic torch wormed its way across the city January 29. Excitement and wide smiles lined the streets of the torch’s rout to the CN Centre parking lot, where a community Olympic event awaited its arrival.
Along 15th Avenue a group of Korean-Canadians waited for local torch-bearer You Seung-Austin Kim to receive the flame from fellow-torch bearer Thomas Guillemaud. Canadian and Korean flags waving, the group was quick to say how proud they were of their friend and family member. Kim’s wife Mia Choi was particularly excited for their family’s monumental day.
Click on the image to read and view more...
Along 15th Avenue a group of Korean-Canadians waited for local torch-bearer You Seung-Austin Kim to receive the flame from fellow-torch bearer Thomas Guillemaud. Canadian and Korean flags waving, the group was quick to say how proud they were of their friend and family member. Kim’s wife Mia Choi was particularly excited for their family’s monumental day.
Click on the image to read and view more...
Coldsnap presents three nights of local music (Posted Jan. 28)
Over the course of three nights, between January 25 and 27, 19 local artists/bands performed at Art Space. Playing four songs each, local producer Moses Kostamo hopes to salvage at least one song from each set in order to create a special “Live at Art Space” CD compilation some time in the near future.
The three nights showcased the various musical styles abounding in Prince George – from the Celtic songs of Out of Alba to hip hop experimental electronic music of Shae Morin.
Click on the image for photos and various video bootlegs from the three shows...
The three nights showcased the various musical styles abounding in Prince George – from the Celtic songs of Out of Alba to hip hop experimental electronic music of Shae Morin.
Click on the image for photos and various video bootlegs from the three shows...
Pictures and video from PG's Got Talent (Posted Feb. 25)
PG’s Got Talent organizer Sufey Chen had quite the job set out in front of her when faced with over 70 very talented local people a few months ago interested in performing at the first of what she hopes to be an annual local talent show. As the finished product, January 23, proves, Chen made the right choice with not most, but every single one of the performers.
With 14 performers, from virtuoso musicians, two bands, a couple of hilarious monologues, and even a 12-year-old hip hop dancer, the show displayed a wide range of Prince George’s talent.
Hilariously emceed by local improv and stand-up comedian Tristan Rynsewyn, the sets seamlessly transitioned into one another, minus a 15-minute intermission mid-way through in order for people to view the lobby full of local artwork.
Click on the image to view more...
With 14 performers, from virtuoso musicians, two bands, a couple of hilarious monologues, and even a 12-year-old hip hop dancer, the show displayed a wide range of Prince George’s talent.
Hilariously emceed by local improv and stand-up comedian Tristan Rynsewyn, the sets seamlessly transitioned into one another, minus a 15-minute intermission mid-way through in order for people to view the lobby full of local artwork.
Click on the image to view more...
A folky evening with Dunbar, This Place? and Logic Manifest (Posted Jan. 6)
Click on the image for bootlegs and photographs...
Out of Alba to kick up the pace for Coldsnap (Posted Jan. 1)
Prince George Folkfest Celtic music veterans Out of Alba are to kick up the rhythm and play an energetic danceable set during an opening performance for Vancouver-based electronica world-music inspired group Dehli 2 Dublin, January 22 at the Ramada Hotel.
Cutbanks caught up with Out of Alba backstage during a few breaks at their Christmas show December 19 at Art Space, the venue above Books and Company. Although their December 19 set mixed slower-paced songs with the more danceable numbers, percussionist and vocalist Alan O’Reilly said that they’ll have to kick up the pace for their January 22 set in order to keep up with Dehli 2 Dublin.
Click on the image to read more and view a video bootleg...
Cutbanks caught up with Out of Alba backstage during a few breaks at their Christmas show December 19 at Art Space, the venue above Books and Company. Although their December 19 set mixed slower-paced songs with the more danceable numbers, percussionist and vocalist Alan O’Reilly said that they’ll have to kick up the pace for their January 22 set in order to keep up with Dehli 2 Dublin.
Click on the image to read more and view a video bootleg...
The Arbitrarys break hiatus and play sold-out show (Posted Dec. 29)
Nancy O’s Restaurant was filled to capacity with local music fans December 28, eager to see local rock group The Arbitrarys break their semester-long hiatus with one of their best-ever performances. At least 30 people had to be turned away at the door due to capacity being reached before the show started, much to the dismay of those being turned away, and the stress of those forced to do the turning away.
Click on the image to read and see more, including video bootlegs...
Click on the image to read and see more, including video bootlegs...
Local Punk group Fatal if Swallowed return to the stage (Posted Dec. 21)
Powering power chord-driven local punk band Fatal if Swallowed performed a homecoming show, December 20 at Art Space, the venue above Books and Company on Third Avenue downtown – their first show in over a year.
With a large circle forming in front of the stage with violent mosh pit dancing, the audience was quite receptive to the band, throwing themselves against one another, interacting with the band and even singing along from time to time.
“I thought it went well,” guitar player and lead singer Sam Hawkins said after their show-closing performance, following local acts Acid and Oil, who played their first-ever show, Illicit Dissent, and Alter Ego. “All of my friends said it sounded like we never left home.”
Click on the image to read and see more, including a video bootleg...
With a large circle forming in front of the stage with violent mosh pit dancing, the audience was quite receptive to the band, throwing themselves against one another, interacting with the band and even singing along from time to time.
“I thought it went well,” guitar player and lead singer Sam Hawkins said after their show-closing performance, following local acts Acid and Oil, who played their first-ever show, Illicit Dissent, and Alter Ego. “All of my friends said it sounded like we never left home.”
Click on the image to read and see more, including a video bootleg...
Celebrating Christmas at Books and Company (Posted Dec. 19)
Both levels of Books and Company on Third Avenue Downtown were in the holiday spirit, December 18, when Jeremy Stewart, Erin Arding and Justin Arding, alongside a few backup singers played Christmas music upstairs in Art Space, and Eric Tompkins and Theresa Jordan downsairs in Café Voltaire doing the same thing.
Click on the image to read and see more, including video bootlegs...
Click on the image to read and see more, including video bootlegs...
Pictures and a video from the graffiti stairwell at CNC (Posted Dec. 16)
Click on the image to see more...
Fun times at the second Cutbanks show (Posted Dec. 5)
The second Cutbanks fundraiser show, December 4 at The Raven Haven, was a much smaller-scale event than the previous month’s show at Art Space. For the Raven Haven show, all sound equipment was nixed for a purely acoustic evening of music. The small intimate audience feeding off of the all-local musicians, and vice-versa, created a unique atmosphere.
The show opened with an introduction by Cutbanks owner Tyler Clarke (me, the one writing this article), and a performance by Clarke and musical partner Tabatha Lundholm.
Click on the image to read and see more, including video bootlegs...
The show opened with an introduction by Cutbanks owner Tyler Clarke (me, the one writing this article), and a performance by Clarke and musical partner Tabatha Lundholm.
Click on the image to read and see more, including video bootlegs...
Prince George's musical best shines for Movember (Posted Dec. 2)
A good-natured fun evening of local music, coupled with amazing musical talent by all members of three local bands, made for one of Prince George’s best-ever nights of local music, November 30 at Art Space, the venue above Books and Company on Third Avenue.
Taking to the stage were local rock bands The Concerns of Royalty, Dangercat, and Cera, with many of the band members sporting different moustaches in honour of Movember, a worldwide fundraising day for prostate cancer.
Click on the image to read more...
Taking to the stage were local rock bands The Concerns of Royalty, Dangercat, and Cera, with many of the band members sporting different moustaches in honour of Movember, a worldwide fundraising day for prostate cancer.
Click on the image to read more...
All Shook Up epitomizes feel-good theatre (Posted Nov. 22)
Prince George’s Theatre North West is currently in the midst of its most technically-challenging play ever with All Shook Up, which is also the theatre company’s first-ever musical. Local fans of theatre have come out in droves to experience this unique experience.
“Being sold out before opening night is a good position to be in,” Theatre North West artistic producer Troy O’Donnell said while directing people to their seats during opening night’s near flawless performance, November
Click on the image to read and see more...
“Being sold out before opening night is a good position to be in,” Theatre North West artistic producer Troy O’Donnell said while directing people to their seats during opening night’s near flawless performance, November
Click on the image to read and see more...
Photos from the Vintage Fashion Show (Posted Nov. 15)
Click on the image at left to view more photos from the November 14 Vintage Fashion Show that took place at Art Space...
Video bootleg of Prince George musician Stephanie Zatzke (Posted Nov. 12)
Click on the image to view a video bootleg of local musician Stephanie Zatzke performing November 11 at Pizzarico's, opening alongside Jamie Bell for Joey Only Outlaw Band member Jeff Andrew.
A subjective account of Remembrance Day in Prince George (Posted Nov. 11)
A legion of supporters memorialized the thousands of Canadian Armed Forces members who have fallen in the line of duty over the many wars and conflicts they have taken part of over the past century.
Holding dead soldiers in high esteem I stood at a bus stop headed for the Civic Centre, where the events were to begin at 9:15 a.m., a few minutes early. After waiting for what felt like enough time to make it feel as though the bus would never arrive, I realized it wouldn’t – Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday.
Click on the image to read and view more...
Holding dead soldiers in high esteem I stood at a bus stop headed for the Civic Centre, where the events were to begin at 9:15 a.m., a few minutes early. After waiting for what felt like enough time to make it feel as though the bus would never arrive, I realized it wouldn’t – Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday.
Click on the image to read and view more...
Cutbanks show a huge success! (Posted Nov. 8)
CutLoose, the first fundraising show for Cutbanks- the Prince George Cultural Magazine, was an amazing success, with both an unexpectedly high level of attendance and an amazing array of local musicians making it an enjoyable evening, November 7 at Art Space.
Although this reporter hosted and awkwardly emceed the event, as a semi-outsider, watching the musical acts perform was an enjoyable experience, with every musician showcasing their unique talents.
Click on the image to read and see more, as well as view video bootlegs.
Although this reporter hosted and awkwardly emceed the event, as a semi-outsider, watching the musical acts perform was an enjoyable experience, with every musician showcasing their unique talents.
Click on the image to read and see more, as well as view video bootlegs.
