All Them Witches & King Buffalo Bring Montreal to its Knees [Photos]

I’ve been sitting at the keyboard, looking at a blank page, trying to think of the right words to write. I could try to pretend to be something I’m not, or I can be honest. Honesty is the best policy. Being a rock photographer for V13 Media allows me the opportunity to check out some shows by my favourite artists. It also allows me the opportunity to stretch out my wings a little bit and check out some bands that I don’t know.

This past week, I took advantage of the opportunity given to me to check out a band that I knew very little about. I was obviously in the minority at Montreal’s Théâtre Beanfield as the place was packed. They were there to take in the show by Nashville’s own All Them Witches.

Getting the show started was some heavy psych rock royalty from Rochester, New York, with King Buffalo. Right from the opening notes of “Grifter,” I could tell we were in for something special. My spies in the back tell me that even the lights over the bar were shaking. That’s how heavy the band was playing.

The onslaught continued with “Mammoth” and “The Knocks.” All of the heads in the crowd were banging by this point. As was mine was I exited the pit after that third song and settled in for the rest of the show along my trusty stage right wall. As an added treat, All Them Witches’ Ben McLeod joined the band on stage for “Morning Song” to bring their performance to an end. What a great set!

Afterwards, the minutes to catch our collective breath were much needed and appreciated. Especially since our headliners were out to batter us as well. All Them Witches left the comfort of Nashville for a cold December night in Montreal. There was a storm coming in the forecast, but nothing like the rumble that they were about to create inside.

Opening with “Bulls,” All The Witches became those bulls as they charged through the China shop that was the crowd. The attack continued with the heavy one-two punch of “Satine & Iron Jaw” and “Enemy Of My Enemy.” Both songs come from their most recent album, Nothing As The Ideal. The show came to an end with the epic “The Death Of Coyote Woman.”

After a short break for the holidays, All Them Witches and King Buffalo will be getting back together to continue the tour. Honesty truly is the best policy. I didn’t know what I was walking into when the evening began. However, I honestly had one heck of a great night.

As a matter of fact, I was really glad to have taken the chance to go out and cover this show. If you’re a fan of either band or someone who is late to the party, this is a show that you do not want to miss.