Sled Island presents: Uranium Club

DOWNSTAIRS

Uranium Club

Informed by the aesthetics of nefarious chemical companies and paranoia, Uranium Club draws on outsider post-punk and garage-rock immediacy for tunes that rip with neurotic furor. Part-spoken, part-yelped vocals are undercut by intricate, dueling guitars and a jittery rhythm section to dizzying effect.

Chairman

Wonderfully nasty, relentless and snarly, this E-Town ensemble has an almost confrontational sound — so unapologetically in-your-face, the band keeps coming at you until you can’t help but submit to the tuneful noise barrage. The band claims to be time travellers from the year 2077, in which rock ‘n roll is a thing of the past! Nah. Just been beaten to a pulp.

Debate Club

After two EPs and one album, Montreal trio Debate Club has moved away from its garage-rock roots into a sound more influenced by shoegaze and dream pop. You can still hear the pep in the band’s step but an extra layer of fuzz and reverb has added extra depth to the Debate Club experience.

Grimelda

Formerly known as The Faps, Saskatoon’s Grimelda is made up of lifelong oddballs Skyler Cafferata and Blair Colwell. The new name is taken from the band’s last album, but new listeners ought to start with last year’s New Daft Punk EP. Despite the name, it’s mostly a collection of art-punk that veers jazzy and mathy without warning.

 

MAIN FLOOR

Motorists

Calgary expats Craig Fahner and Matt Learoyd (of Feel Alright and We Knew, respectively) formed this newer project in Toronto. 2021 debut full-length Surrounded is an exceptional soundtrack for any road trip — from Toronto to Calgary or back, for example. Equipped with jangly guitar arpeggios, power-pop hooks and angular lilts, Motorists are punks who go.

Hairnet

Hairnet is no stranger to Calgary's punk scene, with members having honed skills in local bands Janitor Scum and Glitter. With a raw, fuzzy production throughout, the Anarchy is a Comin' EP features razor-sharp hooks, jutting riffs and a rigorous rhythm section. Known for their funky instrumentals and wisecracking lyrics, Hairnet live sets are bold, brash and enthralling.

Yankee Cowboy

Featuring members of punk bands Glitter, Janitor Scum and Vacuum Rebuilders, indie/art-rock act Yankee Cowboy was meant to make its Sled Island debut in 2020 as The CFB. Armed with a new name, the band is back, and although its sound ventures outside of the realm of previous projects, this new, more pop-friendly project is hardly toothless. The demos for “Bus Driver” and “Critters” show the band can bounce and play while retaining a snarl.

 

About Sled Island

The Sled Island Music & Arts Festival is a five-day, multi-venue festival taking place June 22 - 26, 2022. The full lineup and schedule is available at SledIsland.com. 

Everyone has the right to feel safe and included at Sled Island. All festival attendees agree to abide by Sled Island's safer spaces and inclusion policy, which can be found here.

Sled Island acknowledges Calgary as the traditional territory of the Blackfoot and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Ĩyãħé Nakoda First Nations, including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Wesley First Nations. Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III.