On Saturday morning, June 19, Pam, Carine and I went to Montreal on a mission to get out of Ottawa and see some bands. That night we went to "Le Vissage", one of the local sleazy discos to see SCUM and ALLERGIC. Le Visage is one of the few clubs were the local, original bands have been able to play. In the last few weeks, there've been quite a few things happening there, and before the concert everyone was talking optimistically about running a three-night-a-week club there. Unfortunately, that night some asshole broke pipes in one of the washrooms (sound familiar?) so the fate of Le Visage is undetermined, or was, last I heard. So much for getting something going, huh? The sentiments I heard there were exactly the same as after "Easter Beaver". We work to get something accomplished and then a few assholes wreck it for everyone. They're probably the same people who bitch about the "dead" scene.

Anyway, on to the music. Scum had been described to me as "Monteal's best" or as a bunch of losers who should give up and die, so I was interest to see for myself. The show didn't get underway until 11:30 when Scum came on for their first set. Although they played well, and had some good, original music, their first set left me unimpressed. They seemed to have very little energy, and no feeling or emotion came for them to the audience. In Scum's break, the the back-up band, Allergic, played a fast, tight, very original set. I enjoyed this band a lot, in fact I'd go back to Montreal just to see them again. They're definitely not one of your stereotypical hardcore bands. They have a style all their own and I'd recommend them to anyone going to Montreal. After Allergic had finished, Scum came back on for their second set. This left me with a much better impression of the band. They seemed much more powerful and energetic.

Scum played a total of 13 original songs, and a few covers, including "Gimmie Gimmie" and "Rise Above" by Black Flag and "Jesus Entering from the Rear" by the Feederz, and did a good job with most of them. All in all it was a good night and I'm glad I had the opportunity to see some new bands and meet a lot of new people. Although Scum may be moving to L.A. in July, both bands are very interested in coming to Ottawa so maybe we'll see them here soon. I would especially like to see Allergic again, maybe at the new Pigs (?) next fall?