If you need a sign that the Vancouver scene has an enthusiastic "next gen" heading its way, you only had to step inside Green Auto this Thursday. Because the renovated auto shop isn't a 19+ venue, it played host to a much younger crowd of excited music fans, a refreshing change from the usual bar circuit.
I got there at 7:15 PM during the tail end of soundcheck. While there was only a handful of people early on, a steady stream filtered in throughout the night to support the debut of QueenPin (formerly QueenTide). The band had to rebrand last-minute due to a name conflict, but for a group of four who practically met as strangers on Craigslist, they put on an amazing first show.
With seven songs written and one released ("Small World"), the quartet's sound can best be described as "Mathy Shoegaze." It’s an upbeat but heavier tone that created a deeply immersive atmosphere—one that fit perfectly with the technical proficiency the Vancouver indie scene is known for.
The venue itself played a huge part in that atmosphere. The shows were bathed in red light (which looks cool, though it's notoriously hard to take photos of), and the harsh concrete and industrial makings of the shop benefited the garage band aesthetic far more than a gently treated theater would have.
As with any debut, there was some sound trouble, but it was dealt with smoothly and gave the band time for genuine audience interaction. The crowd was definitely taking notes.
Kama Sutra Murder was second to go and was a highlight for me. This being my third time seeing them live, they remain a stylish lot—the drummer especially was dressed to kill this time.
With only one official release, last year's "Smile-Thru," they relied on a high-octane performance. They immediately commanded the stage with tempos that demanded the audience move along with them. The audience obeyed; even for a late Thursday night, some light moshing and a circle pit broke out.
Whether people were there on a whim or were dedicated fans, no one was standing still. The unreleased track "CUNT" was a clear favorite amongst the crowd, and they ended their set strong with "Jungle."
I was unfortunately not able to catch EARS as they were the last show of the night, but what I heard as I was saying my goodbyes sounded very promising. The sense of community was alive and well, from the girl drawing QueenPin during their set to the sticker swapping and conversations between artists and guests alike. It was a great night for the local scene.