Punk rock in the Park is family friendly fun
The weather gods were also in the mood for a punk show at Bowring Park on Thursday, as the skies remained clear throughout the threehour show. The outdoor event was organized by local musician Andrew Waterman, who slogged through the necessary paperwork to secure an event permit from the City of St. John’s.
His hard work paid off from the moment the show started, with Waterman smiling down at his three-year-old daughter, Alina, onstage next to Dad with her ukulele and noise cancelling headphones. Alina counted to four, and Swellheads began their set.
The sound was unlike what you’d typically find at family friendly music events, but that’s precisely what made this show so uniquely beautiful. The half dozen toddlers, handful of kids and hordes of teenagers enjoyed the music as much as the adults in attendance.
The four-piece band delivered a wave of hard rock, accentuated by blistering riffs and heavy use of the tremolo bar. I mentally kicked myself repeatedly for not having seen this band already.
Swellheads, who debuted in February, is comprised of guitarist Christian Gagnon, bassist Andrew Waterman (both of Monsterbator), guitarist Mike Coffen and drummer Mitch Dyke (of Hard Ticket). As the musicians regrouped for the evening’s three sets, they demonstrated just how varying the music scene is in the capital city, and how many musicians tend to have multiple projects on the go on the same time — sometimes even playing on the same bill.
After Swellheads wrapped up their set, Hard Ticket made their way to the stage. Mitch Dyke picked up a guitar, while Nicole Squires grabbed a bass and Meg Harnum took Dyke’s place on the drumkit, who hit hard with their brand of indie pop/rock, with a punk edge.
The seemingly adult lyrics held literally no meaning to the youngest attendees, who happily bounced around. Hard Ticket’s set even inspired little Alina to step back on the stage for a brief moment of rocking out with the band.
Longtime local rockers Monsterbator closed out the evening, the five-piece aurally attacking the crowd with a wall of heavy sound. Frontman Waterman let loose, dancing and flailing, with guitarist Gagnon doing the same — an electrifying energy he is well known for in the local music scene.
The large stage provided ample space for Waterman and Gagnon’s antics, leaving enough room for bassist Victor Lewis, drummer Devon Milley, and Stefan Warbanski and his synthesizer. Monsterbator’s energetic rock and roll is raw yet refined — the boys have certainly cemented their sound since the band’s inception in 2009.
Energy levels remained high, until a brief moment of uncertainty when park security showed up. After giving organizer Waterman a thumbs up, the show continued, with a rousing round of applause from a thankful audience. Monsterbator played on as the sun set, wrapping up just before nine.
Before exiting the park, I gathered the general consensus: “More family friendly outdoor shows, please!”