15-12-2007 The Vincent Black Shadow

Date: 15-12-2007; Colos Saal Aschaffenburg (Germany)
By: Nina Mende

Bavaria is definitely not my favorite area in Germany and I rather not go there
that often, so there must be a quite good reason for me to go there.

The Vincent Black Shadow was one. So I went to the Colos Saal in Aschaffenburg to the see this Canadian quintet live, for the first time. I only knew the song “Metro” before and I have ever loved it. By coincidence I just recently found out that this song is by The Vincent Black Shadow and that they are on tour in Germany right now. So this show, eventhough it was in Bavaria, was a must-go for me, no matter what.

The Vincent Black Shadow from Vancouver, Canada was formed out of a friendship between Cassandra Ford and Rob Kirkham. In 2000 the two met at a bar, becoming musical collaborators from then on. Kirkham then recruited his two brothers Chris and Anthony Kirkham. The brothers had extensive musical training from their father, a trumpet player for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. TVBS actually is the marriage of two projects: the Kirkham brothers’ original horror punk trio Mr. Underhill that spawned Nim Vind and a side project of Rob Kirkham and Cassandra Ford produced to highlight her vocals. When Cassandra and Rob started feverishly writing, they called upon the other Kirkham brothers to join in their endeavor. Finally, Mary Ancheta joined the group later on to play keyboard. The band signed to the Bodog record label in 2006. In 2007, The Vincent Black Shadow played on the Vans Warped Tour.

  Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held
  in venues (generally parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other
  structures are erected). The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans has  sponsored the tour among others every year since 1995 and it is often referred to as the
  Vans Warped Tour. As of the mid-2000s, the Warped Tour has featured as many
  as 100 bands per show. The bands play for up to 30 minutes over approximately
  10 different stages, although the biggest bands generally play the two “Main”
  stages. A typical day would have bands starting at 11:00am and end at 9:00 p.m.
  with several bands playing at once. One band, by fan vote, is allowed to play
  ten extra minutes at each show.

  Besides the Warped Tour, the band also played at Myspace Spring Break, The
  Fuse/Fangoria Chainsaw Awards official after party, CMJ and PopKomm. TVBS have
  toured with Joan Jett, Snow Patrol, Halifax, Greeley Estates, Bif Naked, Kosheen
  and have played several radio local live shows in support of their hit radio
  single “Metro,” which received top 5 phone requests nationwide and
  serious airplay.

  But before I get totally off track, this was supposed to be about their show
  in Aschaffenburg. So after I purchased the album “Fears In The Water”
  from the merch stand, I went up front through the thick crowd into the photo
  pit, which I shared only with two security guys and one other photographer who
  seemed to be local. And now it was time, the club music went out and the lights
  in the venue did too. All lights on center stage and welcome The Vincent Black
  Shadow! The five Canadians entered stage and started rocking. Mary, the keyboarder,
  was in the back on the right side of the stage, almost hidden in the shadow,
  while Cassie, Rob, Chris and Anthony were in the spotlights. Cassie seemed quite
  big on stage considering that she actually is about the size of Kylie Minogue.
  Her strong voice and performance made her look so much bigger. Very energetic
  and powerful!!! Rob (guitar) was always jumping around and rocking his side
  of the stage, you could see the sweat running down Rob’s face and dripping off
  his nose tip. While Chris was more calm on the left side. Anthony was rocking
  behind the drums, while Mary, behind her keyboard in the very back, probably
  got forgotten by most of the audience. Chris was singing most of the backing
  vocals, but Rob also sang some of the backings. “Metro” was one of
  their last songs, but they also played almost all of the other songs off the
  album, which are also really great. Cassie has a gorgeous voice and the great
  sound of the Colos Saal was reflecting it very well. A gorgeous show. I was
  so impressed that I had to listen to the CD on my way home in the car right
  away, and I have to admit, I still have it in and listen to it all the time.
  A great band and I really hope I will get to see them live again very soon.