Hot Snakes / CPC Gangbangs

Montreal's CPC Gangbangs lit up the evening with a superb shot of wild rock'n'roll, dancing up a storm, knocking down microphones and leaping through the air. Afterwards, Hot Snakes casually walked on stage and delivered a set forceful enough to unearth trees. The group opened with "This Mystic Decade" and blasted through one commanding song after another. Rick Froberg's robust and jagged voice filled the P.A. and the band played with consummate vigour, racing through songs such as "Braintrust," "Who Died," "Unlisted," "10th Planet" and "Automatic Midnight." Bassist Gar Wood and newest member drummer Mario Rubalcaba provided an expert low-end that could anchor an oil tanker, while Froberg and John Reis's guitar playing created intricate and muscular melodies. With their previous involvement in Pitchfork, Drive Like Jehu and now Hot Snakes, Reis and Froberg have been playing together in bands for close to two decades. The unparalleled musical chemistry between the two is transparent. As the band's show progressed, the gaps between songs became increasingly shorter and the Hot Snakes' music became more anxious and riveting. After ending their regular set with a hectic version of "Think About Carbs," the group returned to the stage for encores and tore into "Plenty For All." This was rock'n'roll at its fiercest.