Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Wapiti Reviews...

From <http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/big+bubba+tres>

The band got this one: "This was the opening act for Wapiti, Big Bubba Tres.

Pretty much every song was about killing zombies, zombie midgets, stripper-zombies, or zombies in the snow. Lots of talk of “titties,” too, which is kind of hilarious because they played at 7pm Friday night, prime time for family attendance. Their cover of “Like A Virgin,” and another of “Iron Man” were crazy. In between songs, the lead singer’s banter made me think of a demented and sex-crazed Fred Penner. It was pretty full-on.

“Ready for another zombie killing song or what?”

It would have been even scarier in the dark, but the half-light at Annex Park just made their smoke machine look like a shittily managed brush fire. There was even a gong onstage, which only added to the theatrical suspense; are they gonna cover “Bang a Gong?” Or Lamb of God?

“Vampire beer, it’s worse than we feared..!” Rad.

Craziest line, though; “Bitch, show me taco, give me reason not to kill your zombie child.” Made all the more surreal by face-painted kids dancing in front of the stage with the bunnies and yetis…"

The band enjoyed the show - a lot of energy at the festival for sure, although there was more lawn than bum in front of the group on the stage... they sounded excellent.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Fall 2011

On the news front, BT has got new photos (http://bubbacook.wordpress.com/).

BT has re-worked the 'set' to be dynamic and entertaining with the new line-up of 3. Instruments include a bass drum, bass guitar, electric guitars, electric ukulele, keyboards, mandolins, and more... a gong, iPads, visuals,.....

Booked dates for the fall (so far):
August 19th - Wapiti Festival (Fernie)
September 22nd - Marquee Room in Calgary with guests (Sonic)
October 21st - Zombie Cabaret/End of the World @ the Central in Fernie (with guests)
November 18th - Central in Fernie
December - New Years show in Fernie

Wapiti Festival - Fernie

Tomorrow night, 7 pm, Bubba Tres opens up the festival. A 35 minute set is in the works (see the ArtsWells line-up).

Artswells Festival update

Wow, what a great time was had at the Festival - a must do for everyone.

The band left Fernie on Thursday morning, pulling gear and excitement to Kamloops where they stayed for the night (after a fine meal and live music).

Friday saw the trip north to Quesnel and East to Wells. Weather was cool and cloudy. Tents went up (talk about a lot of neighbours), then a tour of the town and facilities was done. Time with Ben Sures and other friends and musicians was mixed with a look at the great main stage and load-in/load-out process, a meal, beers, and live music.

Saturday dawned early - after a night of noise (dogs fighting, neighbours partying, snoring, cars, and so on), and pebbles - gray and cold. Breakfast at the festival service in the school was free, and filling (if somewhat lacking in something... like coffee cups...). Lunch at a local restaurant (meatloaf, rice/potatoes, and peas) was filling and full of friendly banter and conversation with the locals.

Naps under a rainy sky that turned into a torrential downpour that lead to a stream flowing under Steve's tent, over topping his groundsheet boat and leading the n 'at sea' rescue by the Coast Gard (ok, no coast guard actually showed up, but the RCMP were nearby!).

Load in began around 1 pm or so, and then once in the community centre, the props were assembled, stage placements were decided, and a beer or two was consumed.

The opening band played, the next band played, Bubba Tres set up their gear (what an excellent stage crew and sound team), and the show began.

20 large balloons went out into the audience, streamers were launched and Peanut Butter Tongue started the show.

In order, the band played Bigfoot Calls, Tremours, Burn the Midget, Like a Virgin, Specky Spectacular, Rat Blood, 2-Headed Siamese Crow, Zombie Taco, Zombies in the Snow, Iron Man, and Polka Johnny. 4 Lasers, strobe-lights, lots of pink, orange coveralls, and a gong rounded out the visual show.

Sleep was found in the dry of the Casino building in Wells, so it all worked out as it should.

The drive home Sunday was an all-night drive so the band members could be at work on time 'next day' as it were.

No one lost an eye.

Lets hope that Bubba Tres makes the ArtsWells Festival in 2012.

Link to a mention in the Williams Lake Tribune: http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_cariboo/williamslaketribune/entertainment/126359913.html