DANGERCAT

They say Dangercat ... we say pussycat!

Coming together just over a year ago, Dangercat has the sweet personalities that you don’t get often enough in punk rock. That said, the band also has enough well-deserved confidence in its talent and individuality to let some relaxed self-deprecation shine through.

“The insane bottom end, ... the tone that comes out of my bass – it’s pretty hard to match,” bassist Ryan Roemer explains. “My playing skills are subpar, but let me tell you – that tone…”

Said with sarcasm or not, it’s this tone and the band’s natural energy and connection on stage that keeps fans, new and old, coming back for more.

Recently, Dangercat’s shows have gone from the huge Scotiabank stage at the Forks as part of Skate4Cancer, to the floor level performance space of Albert Street’s worst kept secret, The Death Trap. No matter the size of the venue, Dangercat’s members believe that playing live is where they feel most at home.

“Just seeing the crowd go off, that’s what it’s all about for me – I love it,” says singer Dylan James.

“It’s a trip! It’s what it’s all about,” adds Roemer.

That enthusiasm will be shared Thursday, Sept. 22 at The Ellice Café & Theatre when Dangercat are joined by four other rock acts, including two home-grown groups. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. Visit www.dangercat.bandcamp.com.

– Pamela Roz

SCOTT HINKSON

It’s not easy being lauded with praise and distinction, so after a bumper year in 2008 with The Torrent Sessions – including a spot in the top 97 songs of the year in Winnipeg from Power 97 and a song featured in the Sean Garrity film Zooey and Adam – local rocker Scott Hinkson took a few years to lay low.

He wasn’t laying idle, though. Hinkson started working on his third solo album in October 2009.

“This is the first album I laid down all the bed tracks myself. I’ve never done drums before, so I actually took a chance at drums this time,” he says.

The new disc, One Beside Two, is a combination of classic and fresh material.

“I’ve had some songs kicking around since the late ‘90s that I’ve slowly been trying to spread over the last three albums. This represents about the last of that group,” Hinkson says.

Compared with his last album, Hinkson says his new songs are more simple.

“I think this has got more of a softer, indie vibe to it,” he says. “It’s more of a performance than a production this time.”

Hinkson is set to release One Beside Two at the Park Theatre on Thursday, Sept. 22. Joining him will be the new band Thrift Store Love – playing its first show ever – and Murray Krawchuk. Tickets are $10 and available in advance through Planet of Sound or at the door. Visit www.scotthinkson.com.

– Aaron Snider

FOREVER I

Local metalcore five-piece Forever I’s members may all be under 20 with musical stars in their eyes, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t fully committed to making music and making it well.

With the release of its debut EP just days away, Forever I has been working on its craft for just over two years. Starting off with a lineup that ended up not quite strong enough for the long run, Forever I have solidified a new lineup that couldn’t be more attached.

“The biggest difference with our new lineup is being able to play with guys who you are closest to. They’re not only my band members, but they’re also family,” explains drummer Eric Janczyszyn. “We got along well with our former members too, but it just wasn’t the same level of love and bonding between one another.”

The loud and proud love doesn’t stop there, either – the passionate noise is mirrored in the music.

“We don’t try to make our songs sound any particular way, we write what we think sounds good and what we think fits into that particular song,” Janczyszyn says. “We don’t want to have two songs that sound exactly the same; we want each one to be unique and enjoyable to our listeners.”

The band will share these unique tunes from the debut EP Take Your Shot on Monday, Sept. 26 at The Park Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and four other Manitoba metalcore bands kick off the evening at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10.

– Pamela Roz

Published in Volume 66, Number 4 of The Uniter (September 22, 2011)