Death Sentence and the Ripcordz

Syd Savage front and centre for the Ripcordz

I don't feel like I was able to give the Ripcordz a fair shake last night. The sound was pretty rough at Funky's, with the guitar and especially the vocals somewhat buried; couldn't hear a word Paul sang, though I enjoyed his between-song patter and liked the vibe of the guy (anyone who titles an album
More Songs You'll Never Find On Spotify Because Fuck Those Guys is all right with me). 

And rough live mix or not, the band still got an energetic, positive pit going -- a fun pit to watch, and occasionally I pointed my phone at it when shooting vid. They played with enthusiasm and commitment and tho', yeah, it's one old guy and two young'uns, the bassist sure had charisma and fun tattoos! If I weren't stone broke, I'd actually think about goin' to see them again tonight at Bully's, where I think maybe the sound will be better. 

Truth is, though, Death Sentence kinda stole the show, at least for me; I knew the songs -- especially the killer delivery of "In Flames" -- so the sound quality wasn't so much of an issue, especially where two chugging, driving guitars were the main feature. I have seen the band about five times before, each time in a different configuration, so that helps... Actually, if I've seen them play with more fire than last night, I don't remember it; it would have been in the days of Pete Cleaver, if so, but that was a long time ago. Syd is in great form, really commanded the band (he had seemed a bit tentative, the first-gig-back, with "Betty Machete" in the Pete-role, but he's definitely the bandleader now). 

Shot some vid of that, too, but not "In Flames." That I wanted to dance for (but I avoided the pit, kinda tucked myself in between the stage and a pillar. I don't like bein' collided into!

Funky's toilet was also amazing. Best punk rock toilet in Vancouver? I posted about that on one of wendy's DOOR GAL DIARIES threads, which are always a fun augmentation of shows she's at. Someone named Travis Green had commented about the puke in the sink during the Funky's glory days, when wendy was booking the space (I suspect a lot of the graffiti is a leftover from those days). I replied that in fact, there was puke in the sink right then, as well. The rest of that exchange went like this: 

Travis: like for fuck sakes, there is a toilet right behind you! Why the sink?

Me: I would have to look in the toilet to answer that question.

Travis: oh for fuck sakes, Noooo!

Actually THAT INTERACTION was probably the high point of the night, but "In Flames" rocked, too. 

I'm actually still feeling swamped with gigs and writing-pressure and financial pressure and so forth, so I'm trying NOT to write about everything I see... but it's difficult. I also won't BE at Bully's. I have other commitments. But y'all should go. Especially if you live in New West! Bully's has done substantial remodeling, has a huge wide stage now, and I suspect the sound will be wayyyy better. You can walk there from Columbia Station, too!