Lazerlips | Shotkickers
@Lazerlips
On October 31st, I made my way down to Thornbury with a few friends to catch Lazerlips’ Halloween show at Shotkickers. It was my first time at this venue, so it was refreshing to experience a new setting. The lineup offered a great blend of punk, indie, and alternative sounds, with acts like Il Bastardo, Handgrenade Hearts, Pet Therapy, and Chloe Booth building up the atmosphere before Lazerlips took the stage.
The vibe was fantastic, with Halloween spirit in full swing—costumes filled the venue (including myself as a pirate), and everyone embraced the spooky festivities. The show felt incredibly intimate, with most of the crowd knowing the bands on a personal level. Il Bastardo and Handgrenade Hearts did a brilliant job opening up the night and getting the crowd settled in.
Pet Therapy was the third act, facing a minor technical issue with the bass. This gave vocalist Salvador (Santa) Peralta the chance to engage in some playful banter, highlighting standout costumes and keeping the energy up. They treated the crowd to popular tracks like "Green Room" and "B.B.L." from their latest album Music For Meditation, along with their single "I Like You (I Don't Like Your Songs)."
Chloe Booth was second-to-last, bringing her sound to life with her support band. The crowd swelled with each act, packing the room with more costumes. Chloe doesn’t have music on Spotify, but I managed to find out the names of her songs. She opened with "Hi," a fitting start as if she was greeting the crowd. Her vocal range suited her alternative indie vibe, and she impressed by switching between guitar and keyboard—a true display of musicianship. She closed with "Runaway," which had the crowd even more engaged. I hope she releases on Spotify soon—she's definitely an artist to watch.
Finally, Lazerlips took the stage. As the lights dimmed, a green hue bathed the band—Luke Pender on guitar and vocals, Mitch Wolski on bass and backing vocals, and Wil Clifford on drums—all dressed in suits. They kicked off with a punk/grunge twist on "Hip To Be Square" by Huey Lewis & The News. Lazerlips describes their sound as a blend of Elvis and My Chemical Romance—a mix you wouldn’t believe works until you hear it live.
Their energy was unmatched. With just three members, they took full advantage of the stage, constantly moving and giving 110%. Their setlist was packed with fan favourites like "Turn Off The Lights" and "Bloody Mary," along with unreleased tracks "Child's Frame" and “Black Book” for their final track.
As "Black Book" ended, the crowd demanded an encore. Wolski asked if they wanted something new or old, and the response was clear—cheers for something new. Lazerlips obliged with an unreleased track, “Lovely Nightshade” giving the crowd a final taste of their energy. When the last note faded, the room erupted in cheers, wrapping up a night of high-energy performances and Halloween vibes. Lazerlips made it clear—if you haven’t heard them live, you haven’t truly heard them.
Overall, it was a night to remember, with unforgettable performances and the perfect Halloween atmosphere. I’m already looking forward to seeing the costumes at next year’s fourth annual show!
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