Gonzo Preiview of The Festivals #02

There’s only 1 more day left till the 17th annual Eyelens Film Fest in Oak Bay here in Victoria! If your not from here I have a few warnings & suggestions. If your arriving early;Beware: today there will be hundreds of freaks, young & old smoking Marijuana in peaceful protest next to City Hall downtown in Centennial Square (or Spirit Square as it’s been calle…d lately) so keep your kids away. The answer is blowing in the wind.

In celebration, there will be various savage events happening all over the city tonight. Deep in the bushes of W. Saanich tonight at a secret location, The Red Door; my friends in their Grind-Core band 6 Brew Bantha will be releasing their new L.P & playing a gig with other local crusty, metal, punks Iskra, No Eulogy & Bungus. This will be the last house-show at the venue as well as the last time 6-Brew plays before they disembark on their insane 2-month tour of America. My friend Dirty Devon is also playing a bar show in Fernwood at Logan’s Pub in his Stoner-Rock band Buzard opening up for Vancouver’s Cocaine Mustache & in Esquilmalt (E.S.Q) The Sweat Hogz are playing at The Cambie.

If your 19 or older my favorite joint to hang out in is Big Bad Johns; forget the clubs like Hush, Boutique, Rehab & 919; I prefer geezer pubs, Monty’s & Soprano’s Karaoke Bar. In B.B.J’s they serve you free peanuts which they encourage you to huck on the floor; there’s bra’s & undergarments hanging from the ceiling & you can graffiti all you want on their dirty walls. It’s a historic Honky-Tonk where they play Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Stompin’ Tom Conner’s, Tammy Wynette & all my other ancient Country Classics I love.

Tomorrow will be record store day too! So before festivities begin go to Wolf & Dani’s Black Raven Records on Quadra St. & my friend’s shop Talk’s Cheap on Pandora Ave. He has vintage exploitative movie posters & art on his walls; with some dirt cheap VHS horror films for sale , hundreds of rock n’ roll records & books. A buddy I met at 2-day film school owns The Absolute Underground Store too beneath Trounce Alley where you can pick up sleazy, gory movies like Brian Clement’s Meat Market 3 & his vile comic books; Champions of Hell, Zombie Jesus & Undead Inbreds. All these dealers sell merchandise from many of the awesome local musicians in the city.

Another place is Old Nicks Emporium on Johnson St. owned by Jesus Bonehead, ex-drummer of Victoria’s Dayglo Abortions; a band that has lasted over 30 years. I’ve known him since I was 10; when I’d skip school & study all his shirts, labeled with unseen band logos, movie posters & demonic explicit imagery. His store corrupted me & led me to listen to many atrocious bands.

Cause havoc within St. Ann’s Academy, Beacon Hill Park, The Whale Wall near The Johnson St. Bridge, Pandora, Rock Bay, The Songhees Rez Trailer Park, The Bastion Square Alleyways, Mt. Doug & as the deceased band D.I.Y sang; Riot on the Causeway.

Enjoy the Festival!

Alex T.