Oh and what a show it was guys! A brilliant record release show for Future History’s brand new full length lp “Loss:/Self” was thrown on Saturday April 7th, 2012 at The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto and let me tell ya; I’ve been to a number of record release parties in my day, but this night stood out to be a special night that was mastermindfully put together by Kev and the band, with the hopes of giving all their friends, family and fans a memorable night of vibey ammunision that helped release their highly anticipated and undissapointing record Loss:/Self. Good vibes full of excitement and love were undoubtedly passed along each and every single person through out the evening, leading up to the highly anticipated release of their new record.
The first band of their recruited talent that blessed us up on stage was a 5 piece band from Oshawa, ON called RORY, which is fronted by a good friend Rory Taillon. Laying down the bass-lines in RORY was Taillon’s brother in-law, who is also an awesome friend of ours Theo Posthumus, who indeed also produced Future History’s new lp Loss:/Self. RORY set up the night’s festivities by playing a great set full of their crafty originals, which were strung along by Taillon’s soothing yet powerful vocals. Just like I always tell these guys after watching each set that they play: “Thanks for the memorable time fellas!” You dudes are my absolute favourite Oshawa people that I know! Aside from both your lovely wives of course! I appreciate having the best of the best from Oshawa for friends guys!
Next on the docket was a small in stature, but enormously gigantic in sound: Bzaryn — Armen at the Bazaar. This one-piece band caught every body’s attention by drowning the venue out with constant overtones and heart stomping beats that I’m sure were also felt all the way down Queen Street West! Although Armen at the Bazaar is only a one-piece band, his powerful sound and brilliant ideas shoot electricity all around the venues that he plays in! This wasn’t the first time that I’ve seen this dude play and I’m sure that it definately won’t be the last. Very impressive Armen!
….and so the beat rolled on.
Only to dramatically stop, allowing an over-powering calmness to fill the air. The sounds of glasses clanging against each other, the laughs and sounds of a sold-out crowd in the legendary Horseshoe Tavern and the overpowering excitement in the air, all led up to what was about to happen next! A darkness swept across the stage as 5 shadows were noticed coming up and setting up on stage. The crowd slowly began to get louder as people felt the energy seep off the stage, onto the floor. Future History was about to introduce their new record to the world! Kev’s notorius guitar riff that opens up their first track off their new album Ornamental State, flooded the entire place and every body in the crowd’s attention was locked in on Future History. The energy felt as soon as Justin dropped in on percussion was absolutely undeniable! It didn’t even take more than 5 seconds from Kev’s first riff of their set to turn an excited “audience” into an ARMY full of screaming, arms flailing, shouting and teary-eyed Future History lovers! The transformation happened right before my eyes man! Only a matter of seconds! “With these suffocating sounds,” they couldn’t ask for a better vibe to start their record release show.
Future History’s new editions: Paul (bass), Dante (lead guitar) and Chris (back up vocals, keys and which ever household item he decides to play), simply blew my mind! And not only because each one of them are really close friends of mine, but because each and every one of these guys bring their own flavor to the table, and along with the band’s staple tastes of Justin (percussion/vocals) and Kev (asphyxiative vocals, brilliant riffs and the luminous idea behind it all), they’ve been receiving well deserved reviews all across North America! Just like Loss:/Self, their set flowed extremely well and was complimented by their confidence! EVERY body in the place was completely in awe, just standing there bopping their heads and bodies. This record is rich with experimental sounds and vibes yes, but also has catchy riffed tunes that are well suited for radio-play like the 2nd song on the album Leaves, which quickly made me hooked to hitting the back button on my car stereo every time this tune ended.
I guess because Kev and Justin are really close pals of mine and we’re always around one another, I get the luxury of hearing their ideas come to life in song; also knowing what some of Kev’s lyrics mean to him. As soon as I heard their post-production mix of the 5th song on the record: Play the Part, I literally fell in love. Pardon my francais, but I fuckin’ LOVE this tune! The see-sawing tempo of Justin’s cajon and chimes from his glockenspiel, to the burrying bass lines from Paul, to the cascading riffs of Dante’s and Kev’s guitars, only to be bolstered by Chris’ melodic back-up vocals, makes this tune stand out by a mile for me! Before they started playing this tune though, Kev went on the p.a., dedicating this tune to me! This meant the world to me dude! Thanks man =) I fuckin’ love ya!
Following Play the Part on the album is a song called (Don’t) Let This Go. One of Kev’s favourite voices and biggest influences Mr. Todd Clark; the front man of a Toronto originated band Pilot Speed (formally known as Pilate) joins him in this song. But wait! Not only does Todd make a cameo on Loss:/Self, but Mr. Clark also accepted Kev’s invitation to accompany him on stage! The moment was absolutely unforgettable! I know Kevin pretty well, and I know what it meant to him to share the stage with one of his biggest influences, belting out his melodic chorus, with Todd’s complimenting soprano voice echoeing in the background. You did it brother!
My last note of Future History’s set was when they played their song Hold On/Let Go. A few months before Loss:/Self was released, a group of very close friends/family were invited to Chalet Studios to help the band record a couple of tracks. Hold On/Let Go was one of them. I will never forget each and every single friend that was with us at the studio that night. I know for a fact that you guys provided exactly what Kev envisioned. “I HOLD ON…THEN LET GO! I HOLD ON…THEN LET GO! I Hold On…Then Let Go! i hold on…”
Sitting here writing this review/blog, reflecting on the release of Loss:/Self, remembering milestone events and simply loving my friends right now, I feel like I can go on n’ on about everything. And definately not to overlook the closing band of the night Boys Who Say No; who absolutely tore the remaining parts of what was left of the Horseshoe Tavern’s roof off, but I’ll end this blog with simply this: “Something for your mind, your body and your soul. It’s the power to arrouse curiosity. The purpose. The goal which one acts on. A journey of force that’s hot like the sun and wet like the rain. Rythmatic movements in unison with others…” — Loss:/Self
….Pshhhh Over n’ Out!