Red Fang - Mavericks, Ottawa, 24/112011
by Andrew Carver
published: 26 / 11 / 2011
intro
Andrew Carver enjoys an increasingly feverish set of high-energy heavy rock from Portland, Oregon-based band, Red Fang, at Mavericks in Ottawa
Portland, Oregon’s Red Fang have made a name for themselves in the past year with their high-energy rock, a well-reviewed 2011 release, ‘Murder The Mountain’ and, perhaps more important in the internet age, a low-budget video featuring the band driving through pallets of beer, television sets, a pinball machine and various other objects selected for their tendency to explode in an entertaining manner when hit by a beaten-up station wagon. Touring with similarly metal-minded rockers Mastodon, the band had a day free and made a detour to Ottawa for some high volume antics at Mavericks. Two local bands, Loviatar and Collider filled out the bill. All three bands feature a two-guitar line-up and appear to share a love for metal both classics, such as Black Sabbath and more recent outfits like Kyuss and High on Fire. Loviatar’s strangled vocals and doom rock riffage did a fine job of warming up the receptive crowd, while Collider knocked their short set out of the park, with preternaturally growly vocals over meaty guitar noise. A good chunk of Red Fang’s charm comes from their everyday-dudes image, which was cemented by their laidback stage banter. They crunched their way through a hefty chunk of the latest album, sounding a bit like the Melvins crossed with Queens of The Stone Age - indisputably heavy, but also with catchy hooks and an interest in melody. John Sherman is one of the most punishing drummers around, and shoves the band’s sound, sometimes dubbed “stoner rock” into a speedier zone. By the time the band was wrapping things up the moshing in front of the stage was reaching a feverish pitch. The only thing left to do to satisfy the sold-out crowd was to promise to return, then finish the night off with a drum kit demolishing (okay, tipping over) encore.
Picture Gallery:-
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
previous editions
Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the StairsHeavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
World Party - Interview
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Dwina Gibb - Interview
World Party - Interview with Karl Wallinger
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Prisoners - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart