It's kind of weird going to a nostalgic reunion show for a band you never really knew. The Smugglers wrapped up their music career just before I was getting more into local/Canadian music, and I've only ever really known frontman Grant Lawrence as a radio host and then author. But with the release of his new book, Dirty Windshields: The Best and Worst of the Smugglers Tour Diaries, he's got the band back together for a few shows, including the book launch in Vancouver at the legendary Commodore Ballroom.
They brought a host of other punk bands with them, staring the night with Vancouver's own Needles//Pins, the youngest band of the night. Signed to Mint Records, the same label as The Smugglers, they put on a short but energetic set, that definitely got the crowd warmed up for the evening.
Next up was Calgary's Chixdiggit, continuing the punk vibe. They played very fast and the songs were very fun, with hits like "Miso Ramen" and "Coquihalla". When not singing in his low-crouching power-stance, lead singer KJ Jansen chatted between songs, urging the crowd "let's hear it for..." almost everyone he mentioned, including his wife who he met when she heckled him at a show.
In the theme of reunions, next up was The Muffs; who were not reuniting with each other, but the city, as it was their first show in Vancouver for nearly 20 years. Their songs were hard & loud, Kim Shattuck's powerful howl cut through the ballroom, her voice rattling bones. Drummer Roy McDonald put all other drummers of the night to shame -- and not just with his nearly flawless ability to toss sticks high and catch them without missing a beat.
And finally, it was time for The Smugglers, the five members hitting the stage in their trademark suits with gumboot. They started off hot with "Rosie", as if they never missed a step. It was initially weird seeing Grant in that context, as he bounced around on stage like a hummingbird on speed, but at the same time it made total sense. Grant hardly stopped moving the entire set, dancing and leaping around, and the rest of the band equalled his vigour, David Carswell and Nick Thomas on guitar, bassist Beez (all of which also helped out on vocals) and drummer Graham Watson.
They brought back their famous International Dance Contest, inviting the first ever winner of the contest on stage (trophy and all) to judge, along with Kim from The Muffs. The two scoured the crowd for dancers during "She Ain't No Egyptian" and one overzealous fan even jumped on stage to dance, then dove into the crowd... who were not quite receptive when it came to catching him. And to add insult to injury, he didn't even win!
As they brought the set to a close, they broke out the smash hit "Especially You" and the very aptly named "Rock And Roll Was Never This Fun", but after all these years they weren't going to just leave it at that; they returned for a couple more songs, finishing the night with a timely song for the night before Mother's Day, "Your Mom's The Devil".
The packed Commodore was full of a variety of groups; old Smugglers fans, CBC Radio 3 listeners, hockey teammates (and rivals), local musicians, and more, from all over the country and even overseas. And I think most of them left with a newfound respect and awe for the band -- well, except the Smugglers superfans.
They knew.
