Forgotten Rebels at Brantford's Alex: Mickey De Sadist Punk Rock

by Jordon Chiarelli | March 22, 2010 at 12:01 pm

307 views | 0 Recommendations | 0 comments

Named after hometown hero, Alexander Grand Bell, Brantford Ontario’s “the Alex” has morphed into the city’s counterculture hub, showcasing Canadian punk rock. Saturday night they hosted the Forgotten Rebels and didn't disappoint.

The Alex’s low ceilings blanket a few hundred wily veterans who easily find a spot around a tiny stage in a dingy bar, ready to see the most popular bands of the not-so-popular musical genres.

The Forgotten Rebels Live

The Forgotten Rebels, Hamilton punk rock icons, formed in 1977 and are lead by singer Mickey De Sadist, the only remaining original member and a legend in his own right.

The Rebels play material from 2000’s, Nobody’s Hero’s. But it is the classics that garner the most enthusiasm like their first number – the anthem-like “Bomb the Boats," “Tell Me You Love Me,” “The Me Generation” and “In Love with the System.”

No Forgotten Rebels show would be complete without alcohol-induced fighting. So was the case as the Rebels finished their set with “Hello, I’m Back Again,” ending the night with “F**k Me Dead” and most notable Rebels song, “Surfing on Heroin.”

Forgotten Rebels' Mickey De Sadist

Tonight, De Sadist sats solemnly at the merchandise table signing the occasional autograph and nursing injuries suffered from a cycling accident leaving him gripping a cane with his ankle in a brace.

This affliction doesn’t hinder De Sadist’s ability to take the stage, drink in hand. De Sadist bobs his dyed red-ish long hair and although the cane does affect his normal stage swagger, De Sadist never misses a note.

During the final number, De Sadist invited the crowd to come up and sing with him. As the crowd sang the final verse, De Sadist limped off stage signalling the end of an energetic and entertaining evening.