Alexisonfire at The Borderline
Alexisonfire – The Borderline – 11 June 2009
Words by Eric Cannon / Photos by Marcus Maschwitz
One night at The Borderline would suffice a fan, but three nights in a row at such a small venue for such a talented bunch is almost unheard of. Day three of this unique run of shows and the excitement in the room in obvious as the Canadian heavy weights take to the stage. The reception for even the intro into tonight’s opener is so immense, and leaves little to the imagination as what to expect. ’Young Cardinals‘ is grand, almost larger than life, restricted only by the small walls of this venue, and shows that the band are going to deliver the goods with their soon to be released album titled ‘Old Crows / Young Cardinals‘. They waste no time and rampage through classics like ‘This Could Be Anywhere In The World‘, ‘We Are The Sound‘ and ‘No Transitory‘. The floor looks like a pot stewing with fans, one minute just standing, waiting, the next bubbling in an assortment of legs and arms. The energy levels in the fans and the band is incredible, and at times it seems the stage is somewhat to small to house such an energetic bunch. Bassist Chris Steele darts from side to side like a lunatic, weaving in-between his band mates as if he needs to be everywhere on the stage at the same time, with a maniac look in his eye’s that I can’t even begin to explain. It’s no wonder though, Jordan Hastings ability on the drums could probably get anybody moving about as much. It’s not often that a drummer grabs my attention but Jordan plays with so much determination, plainly put be abuses those skins like he wants to break them.
The Unique thing I find about this band is their vocal input, not happy with the standard of having one singer, they choose to have three. Firstly you have George Pettit’s cryptic screams, leading the fans headfirst into an audio inferno. Then to mix it up you have the chillingly beautiful sounds of Dallas Green, although tucked away to the side and remaining rather quiet all night his presence is immensely felt with every note he strikes. Lastly you get a bit of the brilliant gruff roars of Wade MacNeil. The juxtaposition between the three vocals is simply mind blowing.
Most people in the back of the venue would of missed tonight’s comedy highlight, George seemed to have just about enough of one offending fans hand constantly poking him in the chest, so he grabs the offending appendage and gives it a cautionary bite. Nice!
Back to the actual show and I know I can only speak for myself but the song of the night for me has to go to ‘Get Fighted‘, it posses everything that any of the great AOF songs have, but it’s just one of those songs you don’t expect to be in their set, it is one of those songs you only expect to be in those amazingly intimate shows you only read about…and then you realize that your at one of those shows!
June 16th, 2009
awesome pictures!
June 22nd, 2009
[...] UPDATE – You can read the review I shot for and see a few more photographs on Clink Music Magazine [...]