Chioé Bach

arts@theotherpress.ca

Boozapalooza: cowboy debauchery at its finest

By Ashley Whillans

 
 
 
  
  
  
  

(a2. up anyone? With
fiddles, electric ukuleles,
washboards, haystacks,
and studded Stetsons to
boot, Dustin Bentall, the
opening act for the Town
Pants, described the night
best in song; the musicians
featured at Boozapalooza
were definitely “crazy
country rebels on a fucking
rampage.”

On Friday, November

21*, performers Dustin

Bentall, Run GMC and
headliners the Town Pants came together for the second
annual Boozapalooza at the Commodore. The Commodore
lived up to its reputation as one of Vancouver’s best live
music venues, with chill people, cheap drinks and a high-
spirited crowd. The night was pure country rock and roll,
full of surprises and antics from bands and crowd members
alike.

At one point in the evening a middle-aged'man stood
on the shoulders of a friend, and flashed some titty to the
crowd. Yes, male titty. That was just an example of the
outrageousness that not only did the three bands enjoy, but
also encouraged.

From folk rock, country, metal and Celtic music, to
high-energy love ballads honouring magic mushrooms, the
eclectic mix of musical styles made for an enjoyably white
trash evening.

Fresh-faced Bentall and band kicked off the night with
toe-tapping rhythms that bordered on Hicksville insanity.

' With warm melodies, folk beats and a bluegrass feel,
Bentall set up the night nicely playing for almost an hour,
and ending his set with the hilariously up-beat song “I Love
Getting High & I Talk When I’m Stoned.”

With fancy haircuts and designer shirts, the next band,

 

Run GMC, were definitely the country divas of the night,
playing an exciting set complete with fiddle,
slide guitar, and harpsichord. Rapping like Buck
65 and playing guitar like Johnny Cash, this band
further hyped up the energy for the main event:
the Town Pants.

After two hours of opening acts, the Town
Pants finally made it on stage. I don’t know if
it was the length of the show, or the beer I had
drank, but by this point I was pretty tired, and
ready to call it a night. Good thing I didn’t; the
Town Pants were incredible.

With the Keogh brothers Dave and Duane
leading the band in vocals and instrumentation,
Aaron Chapman on tin whistle, harmonica and
vocals, Mo Sherwood on percussion, Ryan
Robbins doubling as a bass player and human
didgeridoo, and Kyle Tenner rocking out on fiddle, these
master musicians played with unrelenting passion and power
balancing metal, with melodic, and traditional Celtic sounds.

With amazing chemistry, lively performances by all and
crowd pleasing antics Boozapalooza had to have been the
biggest party in town. Thanks to Boozapalooza I went home
drunk and happy; definitely a Friday night well spent.

Exclusive Interview with The Town
Pants’ Aaron Chapman

Before the show, The Other Press had the opportunity

to talk with band member and founder of Boozapoolza,
Aaron Chapman. Intelligent and thoughtful, Chapman gave
some great advice to all aspiring musicians out there. “It is
possible to be a musician and tour. Don’t think you have

to become a dentist, making a life as a musician is entirely
possible.”

After being on the road for 10 years, Chapman
understands this better than most, and was able to share
his thoughts on the artistic process, and the importance of
festivals such as Boozapoolza.

Chapman started Boozapalooza last year to keep the
music scene alive in Vancouver. “A lot of people think they
need to move somewhere else to make music happen, but
it’s not true. If what you are doing is good, you can make it
happen here.”

hapman went on to discuss the importance of festivals
to help Vancouver build up local bands, and to keep local
talent from looking elsewhere to “make it big.”

Bands like Nickelback first started playing small
venues before moving to larger venues which allowed them
to become the success they are today, explained Chapman.

The Town Pants began much the same way. Ten years
ago Chapman partnered with brothers Dave and Duane
Keough and began playing shows. Starting off playing for
“fish and chips and pints” at local Celtic bars, the Town
Pants now tour globally and have released four albums since
their humble beginnings 10 years ago.

Each song and record is an amalgamation of styles
from Celtic, to metal, to rock and bluegrass, showcasing the
musical diversity of the six band members.

“When we write songs together, we each contribute
a different part, it’s much like building a car,’ Chapman
explains. “We offer what we have, we see what fits, and
hopes it runs, if not, it’s back to the drawing board.”

Chapman and the Town Pants are a great example of
local musicians making a living doing what they love and
they encourage others to do the same. “It’s hard work, we
run our band like a Ma and Pop business. Often I spend
more time on the phone than writing music. But at the end of
the day it’s worth it.”

 

With the recent release of their 10-year anniversary CD,

 

The Town Pants Coming Home, sold-out shows around the
world, as well as the success of Chapman’s Boozapalooza,
the Town Pants are an inspiration to all young artists who
might be second-guessing the chances of making money as
a musician.

“The weirdest thing about it all (touring) is touring in
countries such as Japan where people can’t speak English,
but know all the lyrics to your songs,” laughs Chapman.

“I never thought I was going to be making my living as a
musician, but you never know how life is going to turn out.”

Check out Town Pants on December 31“ at the Town
Crossing in Surrey. For more information go to www.
thetownpants.com