Public Animal
August 22, 2013 – Public Animal was back in action on Sunday night at Bovine for a free show with Peterborough metal band Mokomokai. This was Public Animal’s first local show since they exploded onto the scene at NXNE with a pair of blazing debut shows at Lee’s Palace and the Bovine back in June. It was their third show in a row after Hamilton on Friday and Sudbury on Saturday.
But that doesn’t mean they haven’t been busy. Frontman guitarist Ian Blurton told me recently they’ve completed 13 demos and are looking for the right producer to record the project. In my opinion, Blurton is himself the best possible producer option but he wants to focus on the guitar. The project would have been incredible without any outside help and it will be interesting to see where it could go with the right producer.
As Supersuckers frontman Eddie Spaghetti declared at the Lee’s Palace debut show, “We’ve all just seen our new favourite band here tonight”. I asked drummer Ryan Gassi about merch and while they’ve discussed shirts, it was all still preliminary.
They are however getting close to completing a 7″ single. Public Animal announced via twitter (@thepublicanimal) that their next show will be at Theatre of Human Health, 853 Bloor St W. on Saturday 21st at 10:30pm.
Video from the NXNE Lee’s Palace show by Michael Litt.
Mokomokai
It was the first time seeing Mokomokai but it certainly won’t be the last. They immediately established themselves on the “Never miss one of their shows” list. Apparent influences into their sound would include classic 70s and 80s metal legends like Dio, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Deep Purple, whose song Bludsucker they covered. Mokomokai is a power trio with a special emphasis on power.
John Ellis is on guitar and vocals. He’s a great player and played some killer heavy riffs similar in style to the man they preceded. Jeremy Pastic is on bass and JP Contois on drums.
I’m not normally a fan of the double bass pedal on drums but Contois actually gave it some feeling and rhythym rather than merely the usual high speed fluttering normally heard from a double bass pedal. According to wikipedia, Mokomokai are the preserved heads of indigenous New Zealanders with traditional facial tattoos, which were sometimes used as trade items. Times have definitely changed. It’s hard to imagine the Walmart shopping list including an extension cord, some car wax and a tattooed head, but maybe that’s just me.
Diemonds’ Priya Panda and CC Diemond were among many local rockers on hand to take in the show.
http://mokomokai.bandcamp.com/
Check out the video for Poison Whiptail featuring Joan Smith of Little Foot Long Foot.
MOKOMOKAI – POISON WHIPTAIL from decipher films on Vimeo.
Review and photos by Steve Mallinson.
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