Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Up next were Parades Against Parades who have, in the months since they last played a show, seem to have forgotten about that whole dance-rock-hipster business altogether (as well as all their old songs). Playing an entirely new set list, Parades stomped through their reinvention as a ‘4 on the floor’ rock and roll monster reminiscent of the Stooges and MC5 (with a touch of the heavier slices of the Rolling Stones for good measure). Though visceral and incredible throughout most of their set, one of their mid-set songs (consisting of a sweet but simple bass hook coupled with five or six minutes of double guitar wankery) proved that even at the local level, excess is always a demon that needs to be checked from time to time. I bet they’ll figure that out in due time. - U of S Student Union
To cap off the evening, Parades Against Parades celebrated their CD release by continuing their longstanding (sort of) tradition of being better than anyone else currently attempting to lay down the dance punk law. It still amazes me that a band comprised of folks who were all in early grade school when I started attending punk rock shows could exude such a commanding stage presence (especially considering their fresh faced exterior), but judging from the audience reaction on Saturday, stage presence is certainly not something that Parades Against Parades are lacking. Cody Dyck’s furious cross-stage guitar arguments with Mr. Ian Potts, coupled with Nathan Young’s earnest attempt to beat his hi-hat like a ginger-haired stepchild had the predictable result of tossing the gathered crowd into a “dancing frenzy”. Truly this was pure punk rock goodness. Melodic mutiny was only narrowly averted by the persistently captivating bass rhythms of Fraser Baalim, whose concerted effort to soothe the frantic chaos around him, along with Cody Dyck’s dry ice delivery of his elegantly simple melody lines narrowly averted the advertised “tonality riot”. Rumour has it that the young gents of Parades are attempting to shed the disco-dance punk moniker, but don’t be fooled by their youthful charm and innocent protestation to the contrary; these fellows are the Carl Lewis of the dance punk Olympiad. Their newly minted CD “There’s no riot like a tonality riot” is available from the Teargas Recording Tree, and probably fine record stores everywhere (and by “everywhere” I mean “on Broadway”) and you should really take a gander at it. - U of S Student Union
Discography
2004 EP
"there's no riot like a tonality riot"
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Drawing from dreary Saskatchewan landscapes and the harshness of contemporary living, Parades Against Parades is an outlet for modern sounds and primitive energy.
We all lay tattered and torn on several sofas askew in a huddled basement crooked with amps and discarded guitars 'silent' after several hours of relentless jamming. Emotionally and physically we are nothing. What was conscious thought has now been replaced by an intense ringing that clouds our intellect. "You know like in that one song when it's like early stooges you know",
"Yeah man".
These are the words dripping from our tongues as we review the past three hours critiquing and most importantly glorifying our creations. We then recline into what seems like a perpetual bask. Later tonight some of us may go to sleep others may drink 40's, whatever it is we do tomorrow we'll wake up to something a little less exciting drab in comparison to 3 hours of blood, sweat and rock n' roll.
It's been close to two and a half years since Ian (guitar), Nathan (Drums) and I approached Fraser (the missing link) after a Modest Mouse concert in the jive Broadway district of Saskatoon and asked him whether he would like to play bass in our band, which at the time was still under long time alias Eckert's New York Deli. Needless to say he agreed. Naive and full of shit now there were four rambunctious little stage freaks yearning to break onto Saskatoon's indie music scene.
It's five minutes before our second concert ever as Parades Against Parades. We take the stage in a cozy venue; the crowd whispers to their friends "Who's Parades Against Parades",
"I heard they like to rock out".
Biff, Bang, Pow! The show is on its way. The constant flailing of the drums, the spastic attack on the twine, the relentless thud of the bass, blood, sweat and rock n' roll.
In the last couple of years Parades Against Parades has progressed tremendously as a band creating a strong local following, releasing an album and touring as far as Ottawa, playing with such acts as Despistado, Magneta Lane, The Floor, Clann Zu, The Wolfnote, Sylvie, In Medias Res and Ghosts of Modern Man. However one thing still remains constant; a live energy that sets us apart from other bands and a unique and exciting way to approach music.
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