L.A. Beat

Though numbers were lacking, Henotic’s first year anniversary bash was a blast with excellent music  which helped raise money for a great cause — the Lethbridge Food Bank.
The first day of the two day  performance , Dec. 18 featured the Square Waves, Skull Train to Hell Town, Smokin’ Pistols, Smokestack Jacks and Moby Dicks. The bands donated all of their earnings to the  food bank. Patrons also came through with a huge tub of food for the food bank, though  the final tally is yet to be calculated.
  On the first night Henotic alternated  shows upstairs and downstairs, but on the second organizers kept everything on the main floor. The Square Waves, brought their brand of catchy synth powered garage rock to the GCBC stage on the first night. They ended an energetic set with  an unusual synth powered version  of “Carol of the Bells.”
It was great to see local outlaw country band  the Smokin’ Pistols back in action.
 They worked their way through a lot of uptempo originals  about murder , hookers, fighting, crazy women, smokes and “Pretty Boys” like Keith Urban.
Scott Bartlett , in a cowboy hat and mirrored sunglasses was a charismatic frontman while lead guitarist Shael Pezdweric ripped of some twanging leads. They are planning on recording a CD early next year.
Smokestack Jacks played another excellent, energetic set full of slick slide guitar playing after that.
On Saturday the night was a little more low key  and had even fewer people, so with Matt Robinson starting with an acoustic set, followed by an energetic set by Jesse and the Dandelions.
 A two piece Necessities were also on the bill with upbeat originals.
 And the Phantom Creeps brought some uptempo rockabilly to end the night.