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HEDKS and Cleft team up for show

Loud Vancouver duo play first local show with Powell River heavies
HEDKS
Two-piece, Vancouver-based metal/punk band HEDKS play at McKinney’s Pub Saturday night with local death metal band Cleft and guests.

When Vancouver two-piece metal/punk band HEDKS come to town this weekend to play at McKinney’s Pub, it will be the latest in a long line of underground bands that have been embraced by Powell River’s heavy music scene.

Started in late 2014 by drummer Taya Fraser and vocalist/bassist Claire Carreras, HEDKS has been described as playing the heavy metal sub-genres of sludge, stoner and thrash and are known for their high-octane live performances.

“A HEDKS show typically leads to sticky floors, bruises in weird places and any expectations you had being blown right out of the water,” says Fraser. “‘Well, that’s not what I expected’ is something we hear on the regular.”

Carreras says touring is the band’s number-one priority and the opportunity to play in smaller cities such as Powell River, and in their home province of BC, is always an exciting prospect for them.

“New faces and new places is the goal,” says Carreras.

Underground music has seen a growing following over the past couple of years, with McKinney’s being one of the main venues to support and promote punk and metal.

One of the bands that has led the charge in representing the local loud music scene is Cleft, a four-piece death metal band that has played a number of shows with bands touring through Powell River.

“Playing with out-of-town bands is an amazing experience,” says Cleft vocalist/guitarist Jesse Bevans. “It is so neat to hear talent from neighbouring cities, but it’s also a great way to connect. I have made many friends in the music scene, even all the way to Ontario, from networking with bands we've played shows with.”

According to Bevans, the whole reason Cleft began was to bring different people in the underground music scene together, which is why the band includes elements of funk, melody and comedy in their live sets.

“We fully understand that people who come to our shows come from different backgrounds and have different interests and tastes in music,” says Bevans. “That's what I love about the local music scene in Powell River. Many people who come to shows are just there to support local talent and be part of the scene.”

HEDKS with Cleft
When: 9 pm, Saturday, January 20
Where: McKinney’s Pub
Price: $10
Info: facebook.com/mckinneyspowellriver