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You’ve already missed the hall gig portion of Trooper Fest 4—which had turned into a Celebration of Life for storied “punk cat king” Trooper, who passed in March. And for by “punk cat”, we’re talking an actual cat, Trooper, diabetic and so legendary that he wasn’t the “pet” of local punk mainstay Noelle Chaos, but instead Chaos was his “person”.
Trooper Fest 4 was initially supposed to be a fundraiser for Trooper’s diabetes treatment to cover medical bills. With Trooper no longer with us, proceeds for the event—which had already been organized before Trooper died—have been re-allocated to creating a fund for the cats and dogs of low-income Vancouverites, a worthy re-purposing of the event; but it will be the final Trooper Fest.
Maybe folks were bummed that Trooper had succumbed to diabetes, but punks did not descend in number on the Russian Hall last night, despite raffle prizes, multiple vendors (we finally bought some of Betty Bathory’s soap!) and touring punks Quit It! (from Calgary) and Kids on Fire (Seattle).
Low attendance aside, the night was not a bummer at all, so note: there is still a chance to catch the Red Gate portion of the festival, tonight and Sunday, with headliners Die Job (tonight) and Emma Goldman (newly returned from a European tour) on Sunday. The full lineup (and organizer Chaos’ notes about Trooper) can be read here.
In addition to the two evenings of music, there will be a free screening this afternoon at Red Gate of Trooper’s favourite film, John Carpenter’s 1978 classic Halloween, with popcorn and comfy couches. Once the film ends, the musical portion of the night will cost $20.
A note on last night is in order: besides the visting headliners, the evening included performances by Alex Mo of Alien Boys, doing comedic folk that suggested a less-raunchy, more-politicized Shirley Gnome. This included songs about not wanting to break up with a guy because you like his Mom, about wanting more smut in classic literature, and not being a feminist but a misandrist (which got dudes in the audience laughing as well, despite the lyrical man-bashing).
There was also a typically blistering set by the Fomites (who had the best merch) and (Trooper’s human’s band) Chaos Disorder and Panic, now with drummer Jackson, underscoring Noelle Chaos’ roars with a furious pummel.
In fact, the high point of the night by far was Chaos Disorder and Panic’s “Bring Catnip”, about how much Trooper hated going on rides in the car to the vet; the lyrics (as delivered by Chaos) were almost entirely furious feline yowls, interspersed with a chorus of, well, “bring catnip”.
Chaos’ humour is usually pretty dry, so it was a treat to see her do something so overtly funny.
With apologies to tight-and-fast touring act Kids on Fire, in second place for high point was Quit It!’s “Don’t Be a Jerk”, a fast-and-furious rant that equated white fragility with white supremacy. The song saw frontperson Spencer Jo leave the stage and pace the floor of the hall (actually everyone but the drummer took turns being the frontperson for the band, but Spencer Jo was the only one to throw down his instrument and get into the pit).
Quit It! is an evolution of River Jacks, and it was particularly fitting to see that the bassist had sizeable framed portraits of two of his (past?) feline friends tattooed on both his shins.
Besides headliners Die Job, Saturday’s lineup at Red Gate will include Vancouver folk-punker’s Skellytune, Nanaimo’s Danger Box, and Matt Earle of Dead End Drive In. Doors are at 8 p.m., music at 8:30 p.m., and don’t forget the free screening at 3 p.m. of Halloween!
Where: Red Gate
When: tonight (July 25)
More info: here