By: Jay Broderick
Toronto, ON - 5 years ago, 3 young lads came together to create a sound that is hard to place into a solitary genre. And that's how the 3 like it. With a mix of progressive, alternative, metal and post-punk music, Bastardane released their first recorded album in 2022 entitled Is This Rage. The Los Angeles based rockers followed up with Catatonic Symphony a couple months ago in May of 2024, and the band is now on the road for a 24 date ride across North America.
Due to the band's young career, it's understandable that you may not have heard of them. Once you google them, you'll fast come to see that every single article written about the band makes mention of the drummer's famous father. The band does not seem to mind, although they admit sometimes it gets a little tired. So I'll do Castor Hetfield a favour here and let his own music speak for itself.
Having listened to the band's newest album, there is an instant connection, so it was important for us here at LoudTO to get ourselves out there and bring some awareness to the city of Toronto. With the tour freshly underway, having only started on August 2, the band rolled into Canada for an August 4th date in Montreal. They then headed to our city for an August 6th date at Sneaky Dee's, with fellow "son of a famous father" in tow and his band OTTTO, along with local metal act Black Absinthe.
Black Absinthe
Let's be honest! For a photographer, the lighting is not good, but damn, I so love Sneaky Dee's! It's grungy, full of graffiti and it just screams rock and roll! Definitely an iconic venue in this city, so it's perfectly fitting for Black Absinthe to get this show kicked off. The 3-piece Toronto metal band (and you know how I love a 3-piece) is a throw back to the classic metal sounds of the late 70s and early 80s. With my brand new LOOP Experience 2 earplugs in, I'm ready for this one to get underway.
As the band hits the stage, bass player Kyle Scarlett appears before us in makeup that would make KISS proud. Fond memories of bands like Saxon happily flow into my mind as Black Absinthe get their set underway, but these guys also turn things on its head with dark brooding, death metal interludes and everything in between. It highlights the band's front man Jack Cerre's vocal abilities.
The band expresses their joy to be opening the night with Bastardane and OTTTO. Some really great strobes give a cool visual to the band's set, and drummer Fernando Villalobos also belts out the vocals on select tracks. These guys also have their own following which is clearly demonstrated during the song "Essentially Fucked" where the crowd participates in singing the chorus. Another fan beside me bangs his head throughout the set and Scarlett even pops down onto the floor during the last song.
This band's sound is literal music to my ears, and a great way to start this show. We'll need to make sure we keep our eyes open for more from these Toronto metal heads.
OTTTO
Like this evening's headlining act, OTTTO is another California band that has a crossover punk/thrash sound, very reminiscent of Suicidal Tendencies, and DRI. The band was formed in 2017, and after releasing an EP and 2 singles since 2020, they released their first full length album Life is a Game in 2023.
As the band hit's the stage, I immediately notice the bass guitar adorned by the band's bass player Tye Trujillo (the name will sound familiar for a reason). The 4 string is well worn, clearly showing the amount of play it has gone through over the years. Perhaps this is an old instrument handed down by the bass player's father?
OTTTO opens their set with "Ride Low" from the band's 2023 release noted above, and the intensity of their music and their performance is immediate. With Trujillo, and vocalist Bryan Noah Farretti literally jumping all over the stage, the action is non-stop through the band's first few songs. Understand, this is no small feat on the Sneaky Dee's stage as it is very tight up there even for a 3-piece, let alone these 4 guys. Add some acrobats, and it get's really crazy.
Halfway through the band's set, Trujillo comes front stage and belt's out a bass guitar solo, the likes of which I have not personally witnessed in the metal world since Cliff Burton. Now, I'm not saying Tye Trujillo is the next coming of Cliff Burton. At least not at this time in the bassist's early career. He is only 20 years old. But no mention of his very famous bassist father is required. I mean, it's in his blood for sure, but this kid isn't getting by from his familial ties. This is a really special player. I look over at the band's guitarist and he smiles at me as I shake my head in wonder. The small crowd bursts into applause as we're all left amazed.
Throughout the rest of the set, Trujillo continues to be all over the place. He also pops out onto the floor for a brief stint, jumps off the drums, and is just bringing some amazing energy. For such a young band, their professionalism is noticed when Farretti's microphone cuts out on him, but in expert fashion, he immediately jumps onto the microphones of his band mates, utilizing their equipment. May seem like a small thing, but this is quick thinking and is just another highlight of what is happening here.
By the end of the set, a number of fans congratulate Trujillo for a spectacular show. One couple lets the bassist know that they also saw him in Montreal 2 nights earlier. In humble fashion, Tye Trujillo thanks them, as the band clears the way for the headliners.
Bastardane
With a much slower, driving beat, the LA rockers Bastardane open their set with "Chum" from their 2022 release Is This Rage. Another trio, Bastardane's opening few tracks are more of the alternative rock (dare I say grunge?) variety, which significantly juxtaposes their style from the band that played ahead of them. Unfortunately, the venue tonight is only about half full. Not a ton of people for such a bill.
With band introductions coming after the 4th track "Sweat & Cheap" and looking for a bit of a spark, the band's drummer Castor Hetfield asks the crowd if they can hear them. The fans give an applause and the band goes into their heaviest and fastest track thus far, "Temporary Lies". Perhaps a little beaten from OTTTO's set, this one gets the crowd riled up, and engaged. This is certainly the spark needed as the rest of the band's set sees the crowd with hands in the air, banging heads, and soaking in Bastardane's live set.
The Band
Castor Hetfield - Drums/Vocals
Jake Dallas - Bass Guitar/Vocals
Ethan Sirotzki - Guitar
Bastardane's set definitely got heavier, faster and louder as it progressed, and the crowd got more engaged with each passing song. When the beat drops on the band's track "The New Sanity", the crowd goes into a heavy head banging, all in unison, which always looks so cool. With Hetfield sharing vocal duties on a number of tracks, there is definitely some gene pool running rampant. The band's drummer also does most of the communication with the crowd between songs, and seemingly is very comfortable with the role.
With tonight's middle act having such an intense set, they were definitely a tough act to follow. After a couple slower songs to start their set however, Bastardane killed it with their music. Perhaps not as flashy as OTTTO, but Bastardane definitely delivered the goods.
Set List
Chum
Gaslight
Slow Decay
Sweet & Cheap
Temporary Lies
Death Wish Granted
Praise No Bliss
The New Sanity
Masquerade
Above All
I challenge concert lovers to stop complaining about Ticketmaster fees, by heading out to some of your smaller local venues. For $25, or hell, even $40, you can see some amazing live shows. In the heavier music scene, promotor Inertia Entertainment does an amazing job bringing these show to our city. Get yourselves out there! You never know the band's you will discover, and who knows, you just might catch future superstars in their early days, at some clubs, with few people in attendance.
Concert Photo Gallery
Bastardane Online
show date: August 6, 2024
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