BY: Darien Johnsen & Emma Kent-Dion
Captain’s Cabin, a pub in Mission, hosted a free Halloween show this past Friday featuring a mix of bands from different genres.
The pub was packed with spectators dressed up to celebrate Halloween. The small size of the venue fostered an intimate and exciting atmosphere, aided by a fog machine and laser lights. There was space to sit and to mosh, and the bands had ample room to perform.
The evening opened with PlagueDoctor, a black/death metal band from Mission who were playing their first show. They had an energetic stage presence and every band member except the lead singer sported plague doctor masks. They sounded like a sludgey type of grindcore (which is catchy heavy metal mixed with hardcore punk). The green laser lights added a sense of eeriness to the performance.
PlagueDoctor was followed by No Faith in Fortune, a post-metalcore band originally from Alberta, but currently residing in Abbotsford. They had a melodic, catchy, space-age sound that would definitely appeal to deathcore fans. The lead vocalist, Matty Toth, was an engaging performer, often flailing out into the mosh pit.
Up next was Villan Villan, an experimental progressive rock pop that self-describes as psycho-pop. The vocals by the lead singer, Jaydee Joseph Bateman, were reminiscent of Thom Yorke of Radiohead. They were a foot-tapping band with an intricate sound and enormous energy – Bateman and lead guitarist, Luke Kokoszka, took turns jumping on and off dual keyboards. Periodically, Kokoszka would shake things up (literally) with a maraca.
Random Dander finished off the night. This local Mission band rocked the house with their classic rock sound and progressive features. Jackie Lee, the lead singer, captured the crowd with her raspy vocals and occasional screams. The band members were perfectly in sync with one another — and they should be since they’ve been playing together for a decade. Friends of the band jumped up to join them on the tambourine and Lee jumped into the crowd to dance with the audience. Both guitarists were in costume, James Kelly as a pickle and Javon Delorme as George from Seinfeld.
Seeing the bands in costume, which is always a highlight of Halloween shows, added an extra layer of fun to the festivities. Though the venue was a little cramped, it was well-decorated and the sound was spectacular; the sound technician was attentive and accommodating for each band, making all the performances run smoothly.
Darien Johnsen is a UFV alumni who obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree with double extended minors in Global Development Studies and Sociology in 2020. She started writing for The Cascade in 2018, taking on the role of features editor shortly after. She’s passionate about justice, sustainable development, and education.
