Wow, Jesse and the rest of the guys know how to put on a hell of a show! And, in the Ottoman, it was a nice, intimate setting. They brought in the bubble machine (1 on either side of the stage), and of course – the wings that Jesse had on. He wore them through the entire sets. Ya think they’re good on CD – they’re even more awesome live! Such an amazing chemistry between Jesse, Wes, Doug and Mike, make the band work.

They got on a little late – about 9:45 or so – but, it gave the people who came time to interact with each other first. Not only that, but i got to talk to all of the members of the band individually for about 5 or 6 minutes each. Jesse was wayyy too busy before the show, so, i only got to talk to Wes first (Walked in the door with him). Asked him a few questions about how they got started and other things i can’t remember (I have a bad memory – damn me!) Then, it came to Doug’s turn with me. Doug’s the Bassist of the band, and the guy that came out of Bif Naked. I asked him a few things, mainly about the experience’s with Bif, and what albums he worked alongside her with. Apparently, he worked with her for 10 or so years, since Purge, and superbeautifulmonster, and also worked with and co-wrote some of her song’s on her new CD.

By the time Doug and I were done talking – he was gonna go find Mike for me. Mike’s the drummer. So, in that time, i was able to talk with some of the people at my table. Awesome guys! And, we’ll get into one of the guys’ at my table in a bit here.

Mike came around, and we basically talked about Medicine Hat. Cause, i had heard him ask somebody about how old this city was, and all that other stuff. He loves how it’s a big city, with a small city feeling. And, the nature here is unbelievable. That there are basically trees and nature everywhere. Also told him some places to check out.

Anyways – let’s get on to the concert itself. I’m drawing some blanks in the chatting, because my dad’s being…dad lol. Nothing really to say about that, but it fluster’s me.

They did 2 sets – about an hour and some apiece. Jesse said something like “We’ll Rock the first half, and then make ya love us in the 2nd set” in the first set, they did 7 and a half songs. They started with “Maria” – prob’ly one of the best songs to start with in that setting – because, it literally set the tone for how the concert was gonna go. It also showed off the band, and what they could do. Mike was givin’ her hell on the drums – and, what was cool was that they had it set up that everytime Mike pounded on the bass part of the drum, Lights would go off. Lights around the drums. White lights lol. I’d have to find them to show ya – but, if ya saw those “LED Strands” that wal-mart sells in Blue, White, Red or Orange, you’d know what i’m talkin about.

Went into “Shut Up” after that – and, i was singing along with the whole “Shut up” thing lol. As loud as i could go, because…there’s just a few people that i wanna tell that to. By this time, the band was fully into it. What the hell am i saying, i was singing the entire time. As best as i could. Cause, I’ve been trying to learn the lyrics since i did the review of their CD. It’s kinda hard, because Jesse has one of those Voices Live that’s just…unique. Not screamo. Not…anything you can try and explain.

During all these numbers, the only movement guitar wise was really Wes. Just getting into the music and jamming hardcore, semi-dancing in his spot. Doug wasn’t really doing much til the 2nd set. Or, at least, not like Wes was.

There was a little audience reaction when they broke into “My Love” – they also did some improvising on the spot – and, did the chorus of “Love Rollercoaster” before they ended with the 3rd verse of their song. This is about the time the audience got full fledged into it, and we all knew where they were goin’ with it when Jesse told Doug to do a “Funky thing” on Guitar. Jesse got the audience singing – holding the mic over spots where the audience were. You could actually hear the audience over the set – so, we were just givin’ her hell too lol.

Well, they wanted us to sing – so, we did.

They did “Donna Don’t Give Up” and something on the set list as “Soothe” – i honestly can’t remember what the hell that was – and, i was drinking water. It was a long night last night lol. I don’t think it was “Take a Look around”, because i don’t think they did that one….they might’ve though. And, then to end the set they did U2′s “Pride (In the name of love)” One of the best cover’s i’ve heard in a long time. It’s not that easy to do U2 better than U2 lol. And, me being Irish, i know what i’m talking about. But, they did it just amazingly well. There was actually not much improv. with this song…it was done just…perfectly. With a little bit of an edge.

After that, they took a short break to come back for “Act 2″ – and, it gave all of us smokers a chance to go fill our lungs lol. Also went for a rip in a 1995 z28 Camaro. Omg…i thought my friend’s 86 was good….this one almost scared the shit outta me lol. It was one of the guys’ car i met at the table. And, wowwww. We only took it up the hill and back down from where the Medicine Hat Inn is.

We got back just in time for the 2nd set. Jesse came out with his wings – did i forget to mention that? Yea, he wore wings in the first set – the wings that are basically on the front cover of the CD. Red, Blue, Purple, Black….AND…this time, he had on a caberet style mask. Wore it for the “Sons and Daughters of the Drums” song – and, then he either ripped it off…or it fell off lol. I can’t remember which. By this time, i was drinking. Someone bought me a beer – so, of course i had a Canadian. And, then Doug gave me a Stella Artois. It was in a green bottle, so i thought it was Heineken for a minute. But, nopers. He bought me 2 on his tab – and, then it was off to Diet Pepsi.

With this song, Jesse also did more audience participation. It’s kind of different, cause not a lot of bands do that. There were a few songs in set 1 and set 2 that did this. He’d basically tell us the words, and he’d want us to sing ‘em back. Orrr….there were a couple times where we had to try to match him and his singing. Now, that’s kinda difficult to do lol. There was also one time where they didn’t give us a beat…and, the booze in all of us shone through. :D

Doug got more into it in the 2nd set. There was one song where he did his Bass solo, and actually “dropped” to the floor because he was playing too hard, and got into it…and, started playing on the floor. It actually reminded me of that scene in Back To The Future, where Michael J Fox was playing the guitar all Chuck Berry like, and started doin a “Funky chicken” type thing on the floor while playing. Like, he got lost in the moment. And, i think that’s what happened with Doug.

All together – they did 13 or 14 songs – and, the electricity in that place was like nothing i’d ever seen before! The band was amazing live! It’s hard to put into words how amazing they were. And, yea – it’s kinda like a theatre act to them. The poster i “Stole” for them to sign had it worded perfectly.

“Amazing Theatrical show! Kind of like ‘Scissor Sisters’ Meets Metallica”

So, that was the 2nd show for them here in less than a month…and, they’re coming back hopefully in October! They’re going to Camrose to play today, then out to Regina and Leduc. So, if you live in ANY of the places they’re going to be playing this month, and into the next wave before summer winds down – you don’t wanna miss out! The electricity of the band is amazing!

Oh yea…and, ya know ya have a kick ass band when ya hold a “Dance Off” – where Jesse shows his skills, and then 2 or 3 people go up there and try to “Show him off” to win something lol. One of the guys’ at my table won…and, wow. This guy was drinking i guess from 2:30pm – and it showed. He went up there, and did an 80′s dance mixed with some break dancing skills – and, totally showed them off! lol. They also had 2 chicks go up there and, they danced like they were doing a “striptease” kind of thing. It was amazing!

I got the chance to meet with all 4 members after the show, when things died down over there. I asked them all about “Why the name Scatterheart” and, “Were you all from Vancouver” – and, went into asking Doug about his experience with Bif Naked, and if he brought any of that into the band.

There’s gonna be an email interview with the band – about the questions that i had asked them all, and each separately. So, that’ll be up ASAP!