Life of the Party

I’ve got a confession to make. I have a musical love which I’ve hidden from all of you…and by all of you I mean all three of you that read my blog.

I love ska music. I can’t explain it. The sound of the music is completely different from acoustic, folk, or indie, but I love it. Perhaps it’s the upbeat tempo or the feel good vibe it gives off, I’m not really sure.

As part of Juno Fest, I had the immense pleasure of seeing Canada’s most prominent ska band, The Planet Smashers, along with openers The Johnstones and Saint Alvia.

The three bands put on an entertaining show, all bringing a different but enjoyable sound to the stage.

Saint Alvia opened the night. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one. As The Saint Alvia Cartel I had enjoyed their singles, but never divulged deeper. Don’t Wanna Wait Forever and Blonde Kryptonite were both on my playlist in the summer of ’08. Safe to say, the band had definitely stepped away from the feel good pop punk of their previous incarnate.

The band had a darker sound with heavy guitars and less melodic vocals, but they pulled it off nicely. If I have one gripe with the show, it’s that Saint Alvia really didn’t fit the feel of the night. Ska music is high tempo and upbeat, neither of which describe Saint Alvia.

The goofy, funny, and entertaining Johnstones were up next and got the crowd hyped. People were skanking, the dance not the life choice, to the beat of the music and the young crowd thoroughly enjoyed it.

Then came The Planet Smashers. The ska veterans produced a high energy, well paced show that the fans in attendance went nuts for. They played many fan favourites such as Life of the Party, Super Orgy Porno Party, and the one that sent the crowd into a frenzy, Surfin if Tofino.

If you like ska, or a good time, see The Planet Smashers at your earliest convenience. Below are two videos of the band. Enjoy