Against the Grain, On the Verge, Ol’ Time Moonshine & Low Orbit LIVE @ The Coalition – May 1^st, 2016

By: Dave Adams, HOOKEDUPB MAG Guest Writer   

It was a dead Sunday night in the city of Toronto; Game 7 of the Raptors 1^st round playoffs against the Pacers, and it seemed like the whole city was either at the game, down Bay St. outside the Air Canada Centre, or at home watching it on TV. But, not quite the whole city! There was a small, but supporting faction of people who came out on this night not for basketball, but for some good old ROCK ‘N ROLL!! It was a perfect night for it, because there was a GREAT bill of bands playing at The Coalition in the cool corners of trendy Kensington Market. The Line-up was: Against the Grain, On the Verge, Ol’ Time Moonshine, and Low Orbit.

Walking into The Coalition, you could see it was the perfect venue for this kind of show! With the black walls, metal bar vibe, retro pinball machines lined up on the one wall and a separate pool table lounge off to the side as you enter, you could tell this is the bar where Hard Rock, Punk and Metal bands reside! Although, this show featuring this set of bands in particular was a bit different than usual; all the bands on the bill had a mix of ‘all that’, and more!!

For everyone who missed out, here’s the rundown, set by set, on what happened at “Against the Gain” event held at The Coalition: 

Low Orbit - https://loworbit3.bandcamp.com/

First band to hit the stage was Low Orbit. Low Orbit's sound is a solar melding of Psychedelic, Stoner/Doom, with a punishing downbeat groove. Relentless at times and ever so beautifully layered in its thick, retrospective laid back jams; they were spot on tonight. The sound was GREAT in the room, and having the pleasure of seeing Low Orbit play numerous times, I can say this was the BEST I’ve ever seen them play. They were really tight, and created a solid groove. They played a few new tunes, which I thought were a bit doomyer, and heavier than their last album. They must be getting CRANKED up for their new full length album which they say is coming sometime in 2016! I can’t wait!

Ol’ Time Moonshine - https://oltimemoonshine.bandcamp.com/

Next up to hit the stage was Ol’ Time Moonshine. These guys have been bringing their brand of Riff Heavy, Stoner Rock to the stages of Canada & the US since 2009. I’ve also seen these guys a number of times live, and they sure can BRING IT!!! Fresh off their EP “The Demon Haunted World” they played a bunch of NEW TUNES too. The new tunes must be off their upcoming album that they have been in the studio recording. They had an AWESOME set coupled with AWSEOME sound which made watching these guys a pure pleasure for anyone who enjoys the RIFF!!!

On the Verge - https://ontheverge.bandcamp.com/

The next band warming up the stage for the “Against the Grain” event was: On the Verge. A staple in the Toronto Stoner Rock scene for over a decade, and we were ready to ROCK, And ROCK we did!! We played a mix of some up tempo Stoner Rock, slower doomyer Stoner Metal, and an Epic Psychedelic Jam track that sounded like some old Robin Trower called: “I’m Telling You”! Audience members told us we were “pure gold, and put on one of the BEST sets of the night so far”! With our new drummer Rick Wellbanks holding a steady groove, and the rest of the band creating a Vintage Stoner Rock sound, this was the BEST we’ve ever played. Playing 4 of 5 songs off our upcoming yet to be released NEW EP called “In the Eye of Saturn’s Hurricane”!

Against the Grain - https://againstthegrain-atg.bandcamp.com/

Closing out the night, a band from Detroit was Against the Grain! I was highly anticipating seeing these guys again after watching them RIP UP the stage last August opening for The Atomic Bitchwax, and they didn’t disappoint. With their fast paced dirty riffs, they kind of reminded me of that old school ‘Kill ‘Em All’ Metalica, mixed with some Motorhead, and Thin Lizzy. They scorched through their set of speedy riffs like a well oiled machine with some crazy double guitar solos to boot. I was in Heaven! What a band! With their latest EP “Road Warriors”, and they definitely are. Fresh off playing in Montreal the night before as part of the Night Demon Tour. Against The Gain, have been relentlessly on the road this past year touring, and playing shows with the likes of: Pentagram, The Atomic Bitchwax, Sacred Reich, Lord Dying, Dying Fetus, Weedeater, Bongzilla, Wilson, Black Cobra, Lo-Pan, and many, many more! This band seems to be making quite a name for themselves in the Underground Stoner scene. With their upcoming US tour alongside Toronto’s own Anvil we hope to hear much more from this GREAT, and upcoming band!!

If you like what you read be sure to check in with, or join the Bandcamp accounts provided above so you don’t miss out on their upcoming music releases, and shows!!

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