By Melissa Spady (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: April 3, 2013
Until very recently, I was convinced there was no such thing as a local show anymore. I’m not sure what brought on this completely wrong thought process, but I’m glad it’s been corrected thanks to Yeahbotsford. A collection of music aficionados, radio programmers and musicians, Yeahbotsford’s goal is to support the local music and arts scene by working with venues, bands and media outlets to promote events once a month. They consider themselves music ambassadors, hell-bent on supporting the local scene because, “it’s the only one we[‘ve] got” they state on their Facebook page. The event admission price is set firmly at an affordable $5 per person, with the proceeds going to the artists who perform. The shows are held at local clothing shop Champion Jack’s Emporium.
Champion Jack’s is already one of my favourite non-chain stores in Abbotsford, but now that I know they’re hosting local musicians, they have scooted right to the top of that list. If you’ve never been down on George Ferguson to check out the vintage clothing and music mecca of downtown Abby, then you are supremely missing out. Lined from ceiling to floor with various hilariously-dated apparel and jewelry, every time I wander into this store I come out with a new favourite piece to add to my wardrobe. For those of us who enjoy finding treasures from second hand and consignment stores, or have misaligned tastes with the current generation, Champion Jack’s will not disappoint. Prior to last Monday’s adventure I would have already been ready to talk up this store at the drop of a 1950s sun hat, but I now find myself bubbling in anticipation for someone to to bring up a legitimate segue for me to plug the awesomeness that is Champion Jack’s Emporium.
So our scene is set: odds and ends pieces from every recognizable fashion era, newly dated and seriously old-school records everywhere, and the intangible smell of vintage. An assemblage of sound equipment and musical instruments come through the back door to set up a makeshift stage at the far end of the shop. While it may seem odd to host a concert in a clothing store, considering the delightfully mis-matched group of attendees it fit like a sequined glove. A variety of uniquely-styled people walked past me to fill the already intimate setting. Everyone at this show knew each other. There were a lot of hands being shaken and bodies being hugged, but without the subtle yet distinct sense of elitism not uncommon to places where “everybody knows your name.” As an outsider, I felt comfortable to enjoy myself without judgement. The whole set up was brimming with those warm and fuzzy community-related feelings that we all know and love.
The line up included local Fraser Valley math (a-typical and rhythmic rock) rockers Losses, three piece punk rockers Slates from Edmonton, and the raunchy Vancouverites, Total Ice. Slates made the biggest impression on me with their expressed personal enjoyment of the venue, and despite a rocky start, their distinct Canadian-ness engaged my attention until the end of their set.
The night as a whole proved to be a fast-paced and upbeat adventure into the local rock scene. It left me with a feeling of nostalgia for the teen years I spent crammed inside a studio listening to Langley’s finest emo bands. Although some of the night’s performers had more presence and charisma than others, the room was filled and the crowd cheered to signal they enjoyed themselves throughout the show. Tapping feet, bobbing heads and shaking hips were all that the tiny space would allow in terms of dancing, but the many last-minute attendees that crammed inside just in time to see Losses get on stage spoke volumes for the overall success of the event.
