Photos and writing by Sammy Bauer
Since their first show only last March, Flower City HC band Scab has been a powerhouse in the GTA coming from the Brampton’s DIY scene. The band recently announced the release of the debut EP Pick Your Skin, an iconic and witty titled considering the band name. The freakishly alluring EP came out September 20th consisting of four tracks (in order) Street Magic, Park the Gauge, Shot in the Foot, and Freak Show, which was their first single featuring Dear-God. Produced by Jesse Turnbull(@musicbyturnbull) and mixed by Dan Weston(@westonruinedmyrecord), it’s intense, it’s clever, it’s hardcore, it’s Scab.
Saturday September 21st the release show followed presented by Offleash(@offleashworldwide). Scab was joined and supported by friends Mace, Klokwise, and Dear Evangeline. Let me say if I would have missed this show, I would have never forgiven myself. It was held in a colorfully graffitied garage in Brampton, and the intimate space did not stop anyone from dancing or moshing, and one audience member from crowd surfing during Scab’s set.
Mace warmed up the crowd with their groovy hardcore tunes, who have quickly gained fans and admiration in the local music scene since starting out last winter and releasing music in July. Klokwise followed letting everyone know that it was time for business. I have never seen a crowed controlled at a show like when they are playing. You hear jump, you better, and if you are told to put your middle fingers in the air you fucking do it. Speaking of do it, DoFlame joined Klokwise to perform recent collaborative single Let It Pop. The Brampton artist later appeared on the mic with Scab to perform what I’m guessing could be unreleased music fans are more than ready for! Dear Evangeline kept everyone on their feet awaiting the Pick Your Skin set, with their famously known throughout the GTAs vigorous performances that impressively landed them as openers for Kittie’s Toronto tour date in July. Some members also shocked us by joining Scab for a song, hinting there is some possible scheming going on between the artists, or maybe just showing us a good time? Dear-God grabbed a mic as well to perform the previously mentioned track Freak Show live.
The microphone wasn’t only shared between performing friends but also grabbed by fans multiple times during the night. At one point it was passed all through the crowd forcing Klokwise vocalist to grab an extra!
It was amazing to see all who came out to support Scab. They played an amazing set, not a single person in that garage was without movement, I was definitely risking my cameras life in that pit. It was a lovely sight to see that the DIY space Offleash provided was respected by all, and what a beautifully sweaty time we all had. Be sure to stream Pick Your Skin out on all platforms now!
MACE
KLOKWISE
DEAR EVANGELINE
SCAB
Find Scab on Instagram @pickurskin, all other artists mentioned @mace.hc @klokwise_nm @dearevangelineband @deardashgod @getshoved, and myself @sbdepiction
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