October 6, 2023 – Le Ritz, Montreal, Quebec
I was sat on the fence about venturing out to see the great Agent Orange, a band that I have been really fond of for decades now, as well as supporting act, Montreal’s own Hood Rats, not based on the bands, or even the shitty weather, but because of where they were playing.
It’s not a secret that Le Ritz is one of my least favorite venues in the city, and that statement I realize comes from a place of privilege at us having so many great spots for live music within the city of Montreal. But it is true none the less. From the terrible sound and dreadful lighting, to the difficulty that anyone not stood in the first three rows has at seeing whatever artist is on stage. The rooms “L” shape structure leaves the largest part of the venue obscured from visibility and I honestly don’t understand why the place is booked for international artists. Small local gigs, sure. Beyond that though, is a waste.
Bands the stature of Agent Orange simply deserve better.
See Also: Black Veil Brides at MTelus, Montreal
All that aside, I obviously couldn’t resist the urge to catch this show – or else there wouldn’t be anything to write about, would there? Following a quick cheeky pint over at the Boréale tap room, I sauntered in to hear DJ Punk Police spinning classic cuts over by the bar.
Hood Rats
To say that the Hood Rats have come a long way since I first saw them, back in 2017 when they were one of the support bands for D.O.A – when frontman Tony Salador was singing from behind a drum kit rather than ripping massive solos on his Gibson Les Paul, would be a monstrous understatement.
Salador was born to run a stage, front and center with the microphone in his face and guitar in hand. Raw energy being the key ingredient and while the band has undergone several changes in their six years in existence, their current and longest lasting line-up is a solid foray that will only yield good things in the years to come. With Andy McAdam on bass and Guillaume Tremblay battering the drums, the Hood Rats are making themselves heard.
As their set wore on, the divide between those familiar with the groups work and those hearing them for the first time began to shrink, until everyone in the room realized how kick ass a band the Hood Rats are, and by the end, the energy and vibe was electrifying. Salador stomped about the stage like a bat out of hell, dropping to his knees to rip thunderous solos that summon the golden era of dirty rock n roll bands like Motorhead or Amebix – and it was glorious.
By the time the Hood Rats had wrapped up their set, it was clear that they had given Agent Orange a hell of a run for their money and they would really have to be on their game to match how great the Hood Rats had been.
Agent Orange
With vocalist and guitarist Mike Palm playing with pneumonia, it would be fully understandable for him to have an off night. Instead though, he was the most eager to get the show started, while the rest of the band were backstage hanging out with old friends – members of Montreal’s own (by way of New York) The Turbo AC’s. Playfully annoyed at this fact, Palm began bashing a drumstick on Sandy Hansen’s splash cymbal, thus drawing Hansen and bassist Perry Giordano to the stage.
Once started, Palm, Hansen and Giordano set the stage ablaze. Playing banger after banger, as today’s youth like to say. And while the room was mostly made up of older folks, it was a great feeling to see younger people there and just as into the music as those of us that have had this experience so many times before. Music truly never ages and never grows old. These compositions have already stood the test of time and still find an audience wherever Agent Oranges pulls up to play. That’s magical.
If a show can be judged on the reaction of those that had paid to be there, then both bands had been a complete success. Just being in the company of giants is inspiring enough, and that is a fact that I feel more and more as I age. It is important to pay homage and to show respect to those that laid the paving stones upon which we walk, and even more so when those giants are still doing there thing all these years later.
It is always an absolute privilege to hear Agent Orange jamming their classic tunes, the likes of Everything Turns Grey, No Such Thing and Living In Darkness. Tunes I practically grew up on, and although I have seen Agent Orange play them live several times over the years, its still a good time and something that never gets old. Given Palm not feeling well, and the fact that he could have easily have cancelled the show for that very reason, makes hearing these tracks once again all the better.
As good as Agent Orange are, there were several moments where they seemed to miss their queues tonight, or at least play renditions of their tunes that weren’t as they are on the original studio recordings. Such small things in the grand scheme of things yet irksome none the less. Still, these small nuances don’t detract from this being a great show – minus the terrible setting, of course.
Read More:
>> Black Veil Brides at MTelus, Montreal
>> Beast In Black at Club Soda, Montreal
>> M4C Day 2: Rancid at Music 4 Cancer, Sainte-Thérèse
After the dust had settled, it was clear that despite Agent Orange playing a solid set, while under the weather, that the Hood Rats had stolen the show and the hearts of the locals. That’s not to take a shot at the great Agent Orange in anyway – they are legends of the genre and I have nothing but love and respect for them. It’s to announce that the next great Canadian punk band is here, named the Hood Rats, and they are about to take the scene by storm!
All that was left to do now was to begin the long walk back to the metro station, in the pissing rain. Another of the things I greatly dislike about Le Ritz. It’s miles from anywhere. At least there are two good microbreweries near by it, though.
