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Local bands teaming up for SPCA fundraising concert
Klamor For Kitties taking place April 1 at the Cranbrook Hotel Pub
“The SPCA has been my favourite charity, all my life,” said Cranbrook’s musical staple Ferdy Belland.
“I’ve always loved animals, whether in the wild or in the home. There’s always been dogs and cats and goldfish and whatever close by, when I was growing and into today. Whenever there were no animals around, I felt alone. And my pets aren’t ornaments, or disposable possessions, or substitutes for children. They’re my loving friends. They enrich my life. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been doing great work here in the province since 1896, and the local East Kootenay branch has been top-notch. And so it means a lot that the local music community is being so awesome about banding together for a fundraising concert!”
And what a concert Klamor For Kitties will be.
The evening of Saturday, April 1 will see the Voodoo Rhythm Kings, the Brotherhood of Lost Souls, and the Altituders join forces in the comfortably toney confines of the Cranbrook Hotel Pub (where Belland helps out as an outside events promoter) for a fun-filled and excitable evening of electric blues and rock and roll that will shake booties and foundations alike, with all proceeds from ticket sales going directly to the East Kootenay branch of the British Columbia SPCA.
The Voodoo Rhythm Kings are formed from the blues-rock power trio of guitarist-vocalist Keith Larsen, drumming legend Ben Dunn (formerly of Kimberley’s legendary ska-punk-celtic-whatsit funsters The Honeymans), and Belland on bass and vocals.
The VRKs have recently been absorbed into the world of Calgary’s blues-harmonica phenomenon Ethan Askey to create the exciting new blues band The Elevators, but with or without Askey’s presence the three musicians on their own are a force to be reckoned with.
“Keith’s one of the best all-around guitarists you’ll find in the combined Cranbrook-Kimberley area, pure and simple,” stated Belland. “And it was a true coup to drag Ben out of retirement – we’ve known each other 30 years, so this is a real treat for me. And before Leather Apron Revival were the kings of the heap, the Honeymans used to sit on that throne, so here’s Ben Dunn again, folks!
“There are barely any drummers around here, which is a common phenomenon in any small town music community… lots of guitarists to be found, sure – but few who have Keith’s chops. So to have both of these guys together in a trio? Talk about an embarrassment of riches! Now that we’re involved as Ethan’s band, the sky’s the limit, but it’s always great for the three of us to dust off our other blues-rock repertoire and kick it out live.”
The Altituders are simply a slightly tweaked lineup of the Mile High Club. Helmed by drummer-vocalist Shane Berry (Cranbrook’s favourite Ford salesman) and fleshed out in pleasingly garish neon wardrobes by guitarist-vocalist extraordinaire Dave Philippe, saxphonist-keyboardist-vocalist Bernie Primbs, and bassist-vocalist Sanjay Fisk, the group has long established itself as the East Kootenay’s premier party band nonpareil. Since Belland was once the MHC’s bassist (Spring 2017 – Summer 2018), he reached out to his old musical chums to help our furry friends in need, and they did not disappoint.
“It’s always a blast playing with those guys,” beams Belland. “Never a dull moment.
“These guys are quintessential showmen and unignorable performers, and they take their shtick very seriously. Whether it was a wedding out in Enderby or the Alberta resorts in Waterton or the high stage at Dewey’s Pub, they always got the dance floor packed and smiling. My knees aren’t in the best shape to pull off the Motown choreography they show off so well onstage, but at least I can still bang my head while playing ‘Uptown Funk.'”
The Brotherhood of Lost Souls (pictured above/ photo: Kryste Snider) is the long-time pet project of Pete Durning, one of Cranbrook’s more notable self-made men, who is widely respected as a colourfully street-smart and successful entrepreneur – the founding proprietor of Mission View Moving & Storage, former gregarious publican at the Legendary Byng Roadhouse, and a literal (not metaphorical) digger of gold up the Wildhorse.
Durning’s cohorts in the BoLS consist of lead guitarists Roy “BTR” Wilgan and Peter Warland Jr. (endearingly nicknamed “The Oak Tree of Rock and Roll” for his brooding onstage presence), dreadlocked drummer Morgan Fraser, and – you guessed it – Belland on bass. Their punchy hard rock is reminiscent of the Hellacopters, Turbonegro, Zeke, the Mooney Suzuki, and other such wildcard-wildman outfits.
“I need to be playing in yet another band like I need a bloody hole in the head!” exclaimed Belland. “But my old friend Pete invited me in once the previous bass player vanished from the scene, so how could I refuse? These guys are my friends, and I always saw untapped potential and promise in them for years, even if I only saw them play at house parties and they didn’t actually hit the public stage that much. And it’s been great to jump in.
“Everything’s sharpening and beefing up, gig after gig. And despite all the cartoon machismo, they’re all a bunch of sweetheart softies, so they jumped into the idea of playing the fundraiser wholeheartedly.”
Belland’s gratitude to his involved musical comrades is deep and sincere.
“All of us smalltown musicians keep getting badgered and harassed and emotionally blackmailed into giving our talents out for nothing for one sort of event or another. Usually, the ones doing the badgering and the harassing and the emotional blackmailing think they’re being cunning and clever by saying that participating in said event would be good ‘exposure.’
“The term ‘exposure’ was the first music-industry euphemism I ever learned. It means: No money. And people usually die of exposure. This event appeals to all people who describe themselves as good people, and so to have all my musical friends gathered together in one venue, on one stage, to raise money to help the helpless animals – and to have me sit in with all of them, all night? I couldn’t think of anything better. I love all these guys. And I love animals. It’s a win-win situation for me. I just hope lots of people show up so the puppies and the kittens win, too.”
Belland’s rationale for whipping up the event comes from the centre of his heart.
“Why do I need to explain it? If you come from an inner place of love and kindness, you beam that out to everyone you meet. Or at least you should try to. Humans are part of the Animal Kingdom – remember? And extending love and kindness and compassion and caring to the other animals, the ones who depend on us, or the ones who are at our mercy – that is the true measure of humanity, not how well you kill. You will always see the true inner character of every human being you will ever meet by the way they treat animals.
“Animal abuse is one of the all-time worst horrific expressions of the dark side of the human condition. It’s one of the lowest crimes you will ever commit. The miserable, wretched, psychopathic trash who abuse animals are usually only two or three steps away from abusing their spouses or abusing their children…if they’re not doing that already. Never forget that. Choose wisely who you associate with, because if you stand too close to the toilet – then you yourself will stink like shit. So: pet your dogs, and cuddle your cats, and buy your goldfish the tastier food flakes, and know that you’re excelling at your humane best. And please keep up the good work.
“And come on down to the Pub and Shake Your Moneymaker! You’re only building up your karma points.”
Klamor For Kitties erupts on Saturday, April 1 at the Cranbrook Hotel Pub (719 Baker Street), with live performances from the Voodoo Rhythm Kings, the Altituders, and the Brotherhood of Lost Souls.
Admission $10 advance (tickets available at the Pub during regular business hours: Wednesday-Sunday 2 p.m.-2 a.m.), $15 door – with 100% of all proceeds going directly to the East Kootenay branch of the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). A Cause for Paws!
Lead image: Part of the Klamor For Kitties poster (design by Richard Chapman). Images submitted
Submitted
