Kootenay gutter-ska punk band NewtronBomb likes to describe their music as “kind of like that scratched up CD you find on the side of the road”—similar, in some ways, to the early music of Gob.
“But it’s also the one you don’t want to take out of the CD player,” said lead singer and guitarist Evan Catskin.
And when they take the stage at Spiritbar alongside the Tarholes to open up for Gob on Tuesday, June 30, it will be an all-Canadian punk party to remember.
(Or, as they put it, to forget.)
“Back when those guys were big I was still a metal fan, an elitist, and I didn’t listen to them,” said NewtronBomb’s bass player Newt, who has the biohazard symbol tattooed on his skull to demonstrate his genre commitment.
“But then a buddy showed me the album How Far Shallow Takes You and it’s so thrash punk, it’s beautiful. I’m pretty stoked that I’m getting a chance to see them live, and I don’t even have to pay.”
Luke Fougere seconded the sentiment, saying NewtronBomb’s sound is comparable to Gob’s earlier albums. The trio have been working together since a drunken jam session in which the end results were surprisingly good. Having worked together in other local bands, such as Drunk on Purpose and Dealer, the guys are taking advantage of a long-term creative chemistry.
"With Evan recently moving back to the Kootenays, we're ready to start playing and writing more," said Fougere. "We play a mix of snotty crust punk with upbeat ska. From political head bashing songs to immature skankin' tunes."
And when they take the stage, they’ll be channeling that energy audience-ward.
“We try to be as high energy as possible. It’s like a sweat-cave. I like to jump around, I’ll probably play dead a few times, stuff like that,” said Catskin.
And Newt said they feed off the party energy.
“The more you put out, the more you get back, so that’s what we go for.”
Gob has another Kootenay connection: drummer Gabe Mantle grew up in Sunshine Bay (Harrop-Procter) and won a Trafalgar music award. His father spends winters in the Kootenays.
Fougere said this is their first Nelson show since playing at Punk Rock Bowling last fall. They will also be playing the Artswell Festival in early August.
The band took the opportunity to thank Nelson from Nelson, the promoter who gave them the opportunity. The concert is hosted by On The Road Management and the Crank it to 6 Concert Series.
The concert takes place the evening before Canada Day, which gives audience members a day off to recuperate following the event. Doors open at 9 p.m. Music starts at 10 p.m.
Tickets are $20 in advance from the Hume Hotel.
To hear NewtronBomb's music visit newtronbombska.bandcamp.com. For more information visit NewtronBomb on Facebook.
