Birthdays are always the calling card for a party. So it’s no surprise that when Clean Up Your Act music productions hit the big five, CEO Mattie Cuvilier decided it was time to go all out.
For five years, Cuvilier has almost singlehandedly kept the alternative scene alive staging all ages punk rock, thrash metal and all things weird.
Bringing in some of his favourite bands, the former St. Albert resident cranks it up this Friday at ISBE Domain. Leading the charge is Canadian punk legend Knucklehead along with local boys Slates with their ingenious brand of heart-and-soul rock and roll.
Edmonton indie Goths Cygnets put their tears to the dance floor, and Vancouver’s unconventional Evan Symons sings tearing anthems of the outsider world.
Cuvilier has even tapped a St. Albert foursome known to fans as Stepmothers. Fronted by Troy Snaterse, formerly of Futures Fest winners The Pyromaniacs, the band is taking off.
“This is the biggest thing they’ve done yet. They’re just starting to explode,” says Cuvilier, a social worker for the Bissell Centre by day.
When Clean Up Your Act debuted its first show with a local band, the only venue available was an old laundromat. Today, Cuvilier books bands from every province and the United Kingdom.
Despite CUYA’s growing reputation, scheduling conflicts have previously prevented Calgary band Knucklehead from performing.
“They were one of the first punk bands I ever saw, and for me as a professional person, I still feel they are an important part of my life. I have found ways of expressing myself through their music. For reasons like that, I have grown with them at each step of my life.”
The close-knit Slates have played a lot of Cuvilier’s shows. They’ve toured extensively in the last year and are set to record an album with Steve Albini, once a producer for Nirvana.
Finding Edmonton a tough hill to climb, Vancouver-based Vapid played once in the City of Champions. Unfortunately there was a low turnout.
“They’re a fantastic female fronted power pop band and I wanted them to have another chance at playing in Edmonton.”
As Sonic Band of the Month, Cygnets has developed a strong local fan base and their addition to the roster simply adds more credibility to the event.
Evan Symons may be the one to watch. He creates “outsider art” by writing his own music and filming bizarre shorts projected on the wall behind him.
“He doesn’t fit anywhere in music. He’s a solo artist and he seems oblivious to music trends. He does it for bliss and has a unique perspective on the world.”
Calgary’s four-piece Spastic Panthers led by Dan Izzo is part of the notorious never-ending bastion of punk rock.
“He’s covered from head to toe in tats and he is a wild looking guy.”
Cuvilier is also bringing in three deejays – DJ White Trash, DJ G-Whiz and DJ Mighty Tiger. ISBE Domain has two floors and Cuvilier is rotating live music and deejays on both floors throughout the evening.
This is an all-ages show, however the club is licensed for the 18 and over crowd. The cover charge is $20. Tickets are available at yeglive.ca.
