I'm starting to wonder what is happening to me. Back when I
used to write wrestling columns on the Lords of Pain Columns Forum, I was a
pretty lively dude. There were lots of pop culture jokes, Pizza Pringles
references, a variety of gifs and memes, and frequent professions of love for
the female wrestler Paige. Twelve posts into this venture, and the best I can
do is post a gif of the Wayne's World guys bowing down over and over again.
That's good, but it's not good enough. You deserve better reader. And just like
Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, I'm going to give it to you. Which starts with
me once again professing my love for Paige. Call me woman!
But enough about me and my love interests, there is writing to be done. I want to try something here that I used to do often when writing wrestling columns. One of my most popular pieces was a series called the Cult Tribute, where I would take a wrestler who wasn't as popular as some of the big names and do a write up on his career. Simple, but effective, like the EA's NHL series. What I'd like to do here is the same format, but for a non wrestling entity. Instead, I'd like to write about one of my favorite bands, a melodic hardcore punk band stationed out of Calgary (dramatic pause), Alberta, Canada. They're not nearly as big as musical acts such as Nickelback (yuck) or Pink Floyd ("we're not worthy!"), but they're an awesome group that people should know more about. So let's stop copping "Z"s in the bush (you're welcome Tom Berenger), it's time to get started. This is Cult Tribute for the best non Flames, non Hitmen, non Hart Family thing about Calgary, Belvedere.
Cult Tribute: Belvedere
What You Already Know
If you are in America and are reading about this, you
probably know next to nothing about Belvedere. And seeing as the USA has made up
approximately...hold on, doing the math...96% of my audience thus far, that
appears to be almost everyone. Apologies to you, my lone Canadian reader. Here's
a gif of Angelico jumping of a roof to make you feel better.
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| This will never get old |
What You Didn't Know
In the words of that guy who sounded like Ahnuld in a video
I watched years ago, here comes the good part. Belvedere was formed in Calgary
all the way back in 1995 by guitarist/lead singer Steve Rawles, bassist Brock
(evidently he joins the likes of Teller, Cher, and every Brazilian soccer
player in having no last name) and drummer Dan Hrynuik. The band's name comes from the 1980's sitcom Mr. Belvedere, which if you're keeping score at home is about as punk rock as Orlando Bloom is good. The goal was to create
a skate/melodic hardcore punk band in the same vein as Bad Religion and NOFX,
two of the best California punk bands ever. The band got off to a rocky first
few years, including a couple lineup changes and no major releases. By 1998
however, the band solidified their lineup, replacing Brock and Hrynuik with
Jason Sinclair and Jay Hollywood (who would later be replaced with Graham
Churchill) and adding guitarist Scott Marshall. They also released their first
full length album, Because No One Stopped Us, a decent first effort that was
notable for being shorter than the average Community episode and featuring a
song with sound bites of Stone Cold Steve Austin. The song title in question
was...The Bottom Line. Shocking, I know.
For the next few years, Belvedere built up a decent level of
success, and became known throughout their hometown for their fast paced,
energetic live shows. They remained productive, releasing two more full length
albums (Angels Live in My Town, 'Twas Hell Said Former Child), a split EP with
fellow Calgary band Downaway (Hometown Advantage) and toured with the Warped
Tour and idols Bad Religion. Their big break however, didn't come till 2004,
when the band released their fourth and thus far final album Fast Forward Eats
the Tape. The record served as their biggest release to date, receiving high
marks from critics, three music videos and a major tour with Death By Stereo, Tsunami
Bomb and Misconduct. For all intents and purposes, Belvedere looked as if they
were going to blow up, Jeff Winger's ego in Community Season 3 style. Alas, it
wasn't to be. After the tour, Belvedere pulled a Jawbreaker and called it
quits, disbanding after one last show in their hometown in 2005. Rawles and
Churchill continued to perform, forming the band This Is a Standoff and releasing
three albums between 2007 and 2011.
Like any band however, breakups don't last forever (thank
goodness). In 2012, Rawles got the band back together, and Belvedere returned
for a reunion tour throughout their home country. They're not done either; more
tours have been planned, and Rawles and Sinclair have separately confirmed that
material is being written for their first album since Fast Forward Eats the
Tape. When it will be released is unknown, but rest assured, much like the
opening of Mad Max: Fury Road, I will be there. And yes, it'll be a lovely day.
Best Song
This was a tough one, as I quite enjoy songs like Brandy
Wine, Slaves to the Pavement, Paradise and 2nd Column (then again, that may
just be because I enjoy sound bites from the film Falling Down). In the end,
the best song in Belvedere's catalog has to be the one with their best title;
Two Minutes for Looking So Good. Appearing on 'Twas Hell Said Former Children
and playing as one of their more melodic tracks, Two Minutes was written in
tribute to both hockey and Calgary Flames great Joel Otto. It's fast, it's
energetic, it'll make you want to pump your fist and go out and buy one of
those awesome Flames sweaters. The song was so good, Belvedere re-recorded the
song for Fast Forward Eats the Tape. Personally, I still prefer the rawer, less
polished original. I know, I know, I'm a hipster. Send all your hate mail here!
Also check out:
Conclusion
The best way I can sum up Belvedere is one word; awesome. As
a punk rock devotee, you don't get much better than this group right here. If
you like more melodic sounding hardcore, these are you guys. If you like fast
paced skate punk, these are you guys. If you like songs with sound bites or
references to hockey and Don Cherry, these are your guys. I unfortunately
haven't gotten to see Belvedere perform, as I discovered them after they had broken
up. Rest assured, like Stephen A. Smith every time someone rightfully insults
Floyd Mayweather Jr., I will be there when they do. Till then, join me in
jamming to this underrated band, and the best modern day Canadian punk rock
band. Sorry Flatliners, High Five Drive and Daggermouth. I still love you!
That'll do it. Yup, starting to feel more like me already.
I'll be back tomorrow, probably with another Daredevil review. Feels about time
I got back to that right? Till then, thanks Wikipedia, send all your advanced
free tickets of Mad Max: Fury Road directly to me, save that can of Pizza
Pringles, tell whoever is showing that Game of War commercial with Kate Upton
to get it off my screen, go Cubs, go Flames, down with the Ducks, drink Pepsi,
and make sure you don't come down with a raging case of DUCHOVNY!
Please change disks to continue...
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