After Dark/After Hours hosted its inaugural double performance on Saturday as Regina's Black Drink Crier scored well with the Estevan audiences.
The band got things started at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum, playing to a crowd of close to 30 people. Judd Stachoski, lead guitar player, opened with a solo set before bringing the rest of his cohorts up. Following the performances at the gallery, the band stepped over to Eddie's Neighbourhood Grill and Bar to play a louder set, more appropriate to the after-hours lounge setting.
Before Black Drink Crier began their set, Cameron Wensel, the band's lead vocalist, sat down with the Mercury.
Wensel said this was the first art gallery they've performed in, and they had to scale their production back a little bit. He pointed to the miniscule drum kit that was set up in the corner, and noted their rock show later that night would be a little larger.
"We're a bit louder than that. We're a bit of a rock band," said Wensel. "You gotta be a little more volume conscious. You want to play more subtle tunes, whereas when you're in (a bar) you're pretty loud, especially with the tornado brain of a drummer we have."
The audience at the gallery got into the spirit of the band's songs. During Stachoski's opener, he played a song by The Bystanders, another band he is a member of, entitled Bark Like a Dog. The chorus was greeted by some howls from the crowd, while a song played by the band inspired a pair to get up and two-step in the generous main gallery space.
Black Drink Crier includes Wensel, guitar and vocals; Stachoski, lead guitar and vocals; Phillip Legrand, bass and vocals, and Nathaniel Bowen on drums.
The group hasn't played the kind of setting they did at the art gallery, and it was a bit of an adjustment to turn their tunes into something that fit the space.
"We haven't played this one quiet, so we'll see how it works," said Stachoski before starting into one song that they converted without any trouble.
Wensel said the band has only recently gotten together officially, but noted he has known Stachoski since high school and has been playing with him ever since.
"He's my roommate, and we jam in the basement. Nat and Phil, Regina's a pretty small music community, so we kind of met each other from there. It's not like there was an official ad that was taken out."
They've known one another for about eight years, and Wensel said now they are a little older, they have been able to find the time to take the band a little more seriously.
"It takes awhile before you settle into your style. The more established you become, the more invitations you get to places like this."
Wensel noted they also host a concert series type show every couple of months in Regina under the name The Buffalo Jumps. They perform with like-minded bands and said they like to get loud.
Black Drink Crier is planning on recording an album this spring. Wensel noted his brother has a recording studio in Regina, and they are completing the finishing touches on the album's tracks. In 2011, Wensel released an album under the Black Drink Crier name called Porch Fire, which was produced with fellow Regina band The Lazy MK's.
Their preparation for the gallery show was limited. Wensel said they arrived in Estevan, had a bite to eat, and as they set up their instruments they were getting a feel for how things would work.
As they performed, they rolled through both original tracks and covers. While Wensel was the primary vocalist, Stachoski sang on the mic as did Legrand who sang during their cover of Neil Young's Harvest Moon.
The next After Dark/After Hours concert series will be held on Feb. 8, with local group Third Town Band.
Check out www.estevanmercury.ca next week for video from the show.
