Vancouver ’70s s rock influenced band Bend Sinister always equal good times. They were a hit at South Country Fair last year and sold out a show at the Slice a few days after that fair, so I expected another sell out at the Slice, March 26.
W
hile it wasn’t quite a sell out they attracted a good sized crowd for a Thursday night.
It was the first gig with their brand new drummer Nick Tetro who fit right in adding a lot more intensity into an already intense set.
Their first of their two sets was full of their more energetic, rocking cuts, all powered by keyboardist / vocalist Dan Moxon, the tasteful guitar of Joseph Blood and the frenetic bass of the spastic Matt Rhode, who leaped about, squeezed feedback out of his bass in between high kicks and thundering bass riffs.
The punkish “ I Got Love” was an early highlight.
Thanks to Moxon’s electric piano and organ sounds coupled with his voice, the show had a very strong David Bowie style ’70s vibe with plenty of toe tapping groove which had a lot of people on their feet.
While there were a few slower songs in the first set adding more ’70s groove, they picked up the tempo on “ Teacher,” one of the longest songs on their latest CD “Animals “ and which had most of the room on their feet in front of the stage.
“ This is the only song where I get to solo,” Moxon chuckled.
Guitarist Joseph Blood also added a few extra keyboard sounds.
After a brief break, the band returned for a more laid back, groovy set which kept things moving along.
They ended their first set with a great cover of Foreigner’s classic “ Cold As Ice,” featuring Moxon on piano and Blood adding extra synth sounds.
This set allowed Moxon to show off his soulful vocals and the band’s more tender side as well as their more jamming and experimental side.
They played their oldest song from 2005 and ended the show with a beautiful version of Queen’s “We are the Champions,” which had the crowd singing along.
