1 CHBP 2010: Cold Lake (Video)

Cold Lake just may be this town’s saving grace at the moment, and at 3pm Saturday on the smallish Vera Stage they pretty much showed why. James Burns’ slicing and dicing riffs swung out his Park Amp like a blindside haymaker, while frontman Corey Brewer unhinged his jaw in providing some seriously gut wrenching screams and wails. The powerful rhythm section of Jeff Mitchell on drums and Clyde Peterson on bass steered the ship with bombast, and all together the tight foursome brought something fierce and fresh to the table.

When Corey jumped up on the stage right PA speaker for a raucous version of “Hex Exhaled”, I’m pretty sure it took a few folks by storm -- possibly even melting a few free popsicles in its rebellious wake. I will say though that nothing topped “Troll III”-- Cold Lakes’ finest offering to-date. Don’t get it confused as the band likes to refer to it live with any number of names including; Flop’s Julie Francavilla or some may remember, “Eric Grandy’s Blues”. You’ll know it as the oh-so chunky number with the dope solo towards the end-- a song that doesn’t leave much to the imagination in the way of its influences, but one things for sure-- could only have been cultivated right here in the NW.

With a sick demo in circulation, Cold Lake are piecing out a little niche for themselves with a sound and intensity that is sometimes hard to find around town. Seattle needed a band this fervent, this fucking vicious live to come around-- shit we still need 3 or 4 more. Despite the comparisons made about Cold Lake and bands of the past, it remains that very little if any bands in town are currently blazing these type noisy punk rock trails. Originality built from the past and it works.

The overall set was a shot of adrenaline, crushing my Helms Alee bangover. In fact, the idea that I was evening hurting from the previous night’s escapades had all but disappeared due to the intensity. I’m stoked these guys decided to make this type of noise together-- it was a brilliant idea.

Words, Photos, Video by Nik Christofferson