Music Vice: Protest The Hero and LIGHTS at Sound Academy

Protest The Hero with LIGHTS, Undeground Opertions Christmas show, Sound Academy
Review and photos by Music Vice editor Brian Banks - December 21, 2008

This show had everything that a Christmas rock concert should have. For starters, there were more bands than you can shake your devil horns at. Toronto label Underground Operations showcased the immense talent they have own their hands right now, including LIGHTS and Protest The Hero who are two of the best Canadian bands around. The turnarounds were fast, with half a dozen bands giving the kids three hours of non-stop music, with accoustic sets taking place in front of the curtain during the spaces in between full bands. The crowd was tightly-packed and racous, and the barrier-hugging kids at the front probably woke with some sore backs on Friday morning, as they endured the collective force of a few thousand happy people all pushing forward to get as close as possible to the stage.

Of the half-dozen or so bands who played, there were a couple of noted absenetees who were missing from the bill. Apparently Kathleen Turner Overdrive split-up a day or so before the show - don't take that as an absolute fact, but that's what I was told backstage before the show. Also absent was Chad Michael Stewart, who, according to an on-stage annoucement by Rody Walker of Protest, was missing because he'd sliced off the tip of a finger. Rody had been joined on stage for that announcement by other UO label mates and friends, and together they joined the crowd in singing American Pie.

The opening band of the night was Kingdoms, a five-piece from Kitchener, Ontario. The singer Hutton made it very clear just how much he and his band appreciated being up on stage, saying that it was something that he’d always wanted to do before he died. Kingdoms gave a gung-ho performance and were well received. Their sound is much in the same style as any other ‘hardcore’ rock band out there just now, but their honesty and sincerity gave them something to be remembered by. It’s always nice to hear a band speak out about just how good they feel to have ‘made it’ to being on the stage at a big venue, and it’s the kind of thing that can give encouragement to other aspiring rock stars in the crowd. Best of luck to Kingdoms.

Toronto punk rock band Hostage Life kept the bodies moving, with their best-known track This Song Was Written By A Committee sounding mint – Canadian punk at its finest. Fellow Torontonians, pop-punk outfit The Artist Life gave a good showing – I’d never seen or heard of them before. They gave a solid and spritely performance but none of the music grabbed me. The Artist Life had been joined on stage by other label mates from Underground Operations, which had been a regular theme of the night, with the occasional stage dive being made by a few of the boldest or drunkest.

"The actions of a few object-throwing retards were not going to faze LIGHTS, and she gave a brave and defiant performance."

The turn-out for this show gave quite a mix as the majority of the people were here for Protest, but LIGHTS also had a lot of fans in attendance. Unfortunately some of the Protest fans lacked any patience or basic decency during for the half hour or so that LIGHTS was on stage, with a few stupid enough to throw bottles and pennies at the stage as she performed. The actions of a few object-throwing retards were not going to faze LIGHTS, and she gave a brave and defiant performance. The unflappable and totally positive and fearless attitude of LIGHTS is something quite extraordinary in the world of pop music – very much a superhero for the genre. LIGHTS had the last laugh too as she was presented an indie music award before her last song, and given an ovation from the crowd, the majority of whom had given keen support to her set.

Before it was time for Protest The Hero to stand and deliver, Rody Walker took to the stage with his friend Chris to play a few acoustic songs on guitar. This duet performed the fan-favourite ‘pro-smoking song’ Tuesdays With Maury – Rody handling the guitar and vocals, with Chris sitting in silent support while holding a puke bucket.

Then came the big finale as Protest came out and the atmosphere peaked to levels of giddy festive euphoria. From the opener, Bloodmeat, Protest delivered a righteous display. From my vantage in the photo-pit, I was able to witness the sight of an endless stream of bodies crowd-surfing their way over the barrier and safely into the hands of the Sound Academy security guards. It was almost akin to a religious experience, which would be an apt summary considering the festive time of year.