Squamish doom metal power trio Hoopsnake are doubling as tour guides on their current trek through B.C. and Alberta.
That’s because the band – bassist Shane Carmichael, guitarist Dave Hardy and drummer Oli Gagnon – have an opening act that’s never set foot on North American soil.
About four years ago, Hoopsnake were invited to perform at a metal festival in Copenhagen. Also on the bill was Tokyo sludge metal foursome Guevnna. The two bands from opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean had their merchandise tables next to each other and they got to talking.
“They were in the booth right next door to us so we saw their band and we liked their band and they saw our band and they liked our band,” Carmichael said. “So we sort of just became friends on-site.”
The musicians kept in touch and a couple years later Guevnna invited Hoopsnake to join them for a tour of Japan. Carmichael said their hosts have a sound all their own.
“They’re sort of typical fuzzy, real low, slow sound, but then they sort of have some more upbeat, almost techno-y parts thrown in there … so definitely a cool band that’s real heavy but at the same time gets a lot of people dancing and moving around on the floor at the gigs when we played with them in Japan,” he said.
Now Hoopsnake is returning the favour by bringing their Asian acquaintances along for the album release tour for their latest record, Snowmanmoth. From Aug. 30 to Sept. 15 Guevnna will open for their Canadian counterparts and get a chance to see Canada from Ucluelet to Edmonton for the first time. Carmichael said Hoopsnake had to retrofit their van and installed a new bench in order to fit all seven travelling musicians.
On Sunday, Sept. 2 the two bands will perform in an evening of doom metal at the Queen’s. Also present at the show will be Island metal groups Mendozza and Six Brew Bantha. This will be Hoopsnake’s first show in Nanaimo, who have played the Island on many occasions but never had the Harbour City on their itinerary.
“Nanaimo’s been on our list of places to play but we just haven’t actually played a gig. We played up-island before … but we never had the opportunity to play in Nanaimo so we’re pretty excited,” Carmichael said.
On that night both bands will be aiming to make new fans in a new place.
WHAT’S ON … Hoopsnake, Guevnna, Mendozza and Six Brew Bantha perform at the Queen’s on Sunday, Sept. 2. Doors at 8:30 p.m., show starts at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at door.
arts@nanaimobulletin.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
