“Oh Christ!” responds Mikey Heppner, lead singer and guitarist of
Montreal band Priestess, when told that they are being billed as the
“stars of Guitar Hero III” on posters advertising their latest
Halifax shows.
“I think it’s cool that we’re on the game and
I think it’s cool that it’s brought us to the attention of a lot of
younger people,” says Heppner, while acknowledging the perils that come
with being known as simply “that band with the song in Guitar
Hero.”
Fortunately for Priestess, they’re not
one-trick ponies and there’s more to the band than just “Lay Down.”
They’re also touring material from their upcoming album—a heavier
offering than previous discs. The album should only disappoint
Priestess fans because of its current lack of availability. They
announced a release date of March 2009, but the month went out like a
lamb and there was no album. Heppner says that the album will be
released in Canada on Indica Records, Quebec’s largest alternative
record label, which previously released Priestess’ Hello Master.
Unfortunately for Priestess, the album doesn’t have an US home right
now and that’s holding up the Canadian release.
Those looking for new Priestess material will
have to satisfy themselves with shows at The Pavilion and Coconut
Grove. Priestess plays here this weekend before heading off on tour
with gore-grind vegetarians Cattle Decapitation and comedy metal
legends Gwar. After that, they head to China to play to one of the
world’s fastest growing entertainment markets. The current Atlantic
tour is a continuation of Priestess’ previous Canadian tour with Bison,
B.C. (ex S.T.R.E.E.T.S.) and Barnburner (featuring members of Black
Ships). This incarnation of the tour sees them playing with Black Moor
and ECMA winners Iron Giant.
Tickets for both shows
$12adv/$15door, ticketpro.ca.
This article appears in Apr 16-22, 2009.
