After a few line-up changes, Friday night at Gus’ with The
Motorleague, The Cobra Jets, The Cuban Assassins and The Baketones
promises to be a rip-snorting, ribcage-juddering rock ‘n’ roll party
that will leave you with ringing ears and dry heaves. That’s the
ambition of Frederiction’s Cobra Jets, anyhow.
“Our sound has been described as the MC5 fighting
Turbonegro and Gluecifer over the last beer in the fridge,” says
guitarist Billy Strange, who also names the usual suspects (Hellacaust,
Motorhead) as major influences. The band is a new incarnation of
seasoned New Brunswick musicians, featuring Strange, Brian Davis on
drums, Mike Love on bass, the improbably named Bolt Vanderhuge on
vocals and Jon Price sharing guitar duties. “I’ve been using a few of
our songs with many different people and under a few different names
for one-offs, private parties or simply for fun,” Strange says. “The
group is now as solid a lineup as I have ever had the pleasure of being
part of.”
After sharing a handful of dates with The Motorleague (who have been
tapped to play with Bad Religion and Alexisonfire at Envol et Macadam
in Quebec City later this month), the Jets plan to hit the studio to
record some songs for a 7-inch with a full-length following shortly
thereafter. Also on Friday’s bill are The Baketones, fresh from their
first tour across the Maritimes. Despite lead singer Ben Kelly’s
bashed-up hand and a few fuzzy nights, they seem no worse for the
wear.
“Being on the road has made us realize one thing: we need to be on
the road more,” says Kelly. “In New Brunswick we tore it up and people
went apeshit like they did in Halifax at our first show. I see many
more cities in our future.”
This article appears in Sep 3-9, 2009.