Show Review – Rickshaw Theatre – The Electric Demons/Kicked off the Farm

The Electric Demons played host to a fantastic lineup at the Rickshaw Theater in Vancouver on a cold night in February.   Although I’m not familiar with the bands’ current music, it’s very fast, abrasive and hits you upside the head.  And in the midst of all this music was a moshpit that churned itself into a frenzied dance of the early 1990’s grunge music of Nirvana, Alice In Chains and Soundgarden with a little dash of Ozzy Osbourne and the Crazy Train riders of the new incarnation of The Electric Demons.

As I ride on the road to destination vacation, I think of this show with the moshpit that was insane.  I think that was the best thing about the show itself, giving off an idea that the fans of these bands love the music is quite an understatement.  Although not familiar with Kicked Off The Farm’s music, I was very familiar to a band coming across as giving it all they had for this show – excellent vocal work, good songs and great instruments gets the point across to the reviewer.  When I have some extra money after this holiday to buy the music, I will do so.

And the same goes to The Electric Demons.  Three years ago, I had the privilege to review the bands’ CD Rip Your Heart Out.  Shortly after that review was posted on this blog, the lead singer of the band died as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.  What should have a celebration of this bands’ music and stunning vocal work by Tarja, the female voice of the band, it was to attend a funeral of a remarkable woman who was just on the cusp of something bigger that herself.  I was unaware that at the funeral, Tarja’s parents had framed my review and it was there for all to read.  I was stunned when I found this out shortly after the funeral.  Tarja Ridgewell (Thundermonkey), RIP.  I posted this review the same day there was a tribute show to the late singer, where many were reminded how special she was to the Vancouver Music Scene.

On the bands’ Soundcloud page, there is a current 3 song live bootleg to enjoy.  The 3 songs are I’m Weak, Drugs and Kings Game.  Although these are not well recorded and are rough, I like the feel the band gives off to the crowd.  It’s like the band is giving energy to the crowd who in turn give it back to the band.  I personally am looking forward to more shows to come from this current line up of The Electric Demons!

Current members:

Guitar – Murray Howes

Drums – Melanie Fox

Bass – Brian Sword

Vocals – Dave Barroqueiro