Prisoner, Passing Pluto & Audiosmith Take Me To Sunset Blvd.

Are you one of those metalheads that wishes they were in attendance at that first Slaughter show in Los Angeles? Or could have been there when Mötley Crüe was playing the Whisky? I was around and listening to these bands during their rise, but never had the chance to catch many of them live. I feel like I got a tiny glimpse into what it would have been like this past weekend.

Audiosmith, Openers With Flair

Sometimes a band’s appeal isn’t their music or vocal style, it’s their look. Performers like KISS, Alice Cooper, or even the late David Bowie had more than just music to showcase their talents; they had a look. That’s not to say their sound wasn’t entertaining. They kicked things off with an energetic, impressive set. They were lively, animated, and full of energy. It wasn’t all just for show either. Each member of this group had chops. Lead vocalist Shamus Scott is a true showman with a vocal range more than suitable for their musical style.

The band played a great set with some original songs, as well as an Ozzy mashup featuring a bit of Crazy Train and the more recent Patient Number Nine. While they were missing some low end due to the lack of a bass player, it wasn’t all that noticeable in their sound.

The standout here was their lead guitarist, Jarhan Firstcharger. This kid can shred, and not just stand-on-stage-and-play shred. He played with energy and knew how to entertain a crowd, even jumping off the stage to perform a floor split solo.

While their stage presence was a little amateurish and rigid at times, I’m sure this was mostly nerves. Opening for bands like Passing Pluto and Prisoner is no small feat. Watching some of their earlier shows online, all within the last 11 months, I can see improvements in their sound and stage presence. They’ll only get more comfortable over time. If you’re a fan of ’80s and ’90s hair metal, this is an up-and-coming band you’re going to want to keep an eye on.

Now Exiting The Solar System

Passing Pluto was up next, and did they ever impress. I always make sure to have a listen to a band prior to seeing them live when they’re not one I listen to regularly. The studio-recorded content I found was a great intro to their sound. It’s not something I would normally seek out, but for reference, I’d say they have a vibe similar to Faster Pussycat, Warrant, Slaughter, and other ’90s hard rock bands. A lot of which I own on vinyl, so it’s not that far off from what I dig. They combine elements of hair metal, hard rock, and a slight move into mid-’90s Metallica. You know, the “radio friendly” version. Speaking of Slaughter, Passing Pluto’s lead singer, Jon Dickinson, bears a striking resemblance to a young Mark Slaughter.

Their performance was energetic and fun from start to finish, even though the crowd was less than ample on this night. This is a true sign of a band that’s in it for the love of music and performing, not just the attention. When you can play to a room of 40 people and still give it everything like you’re on stage at a sold-out Red Rocks Amphitheatre, that says something.

I can’t wait to see these guys perform again. Now that I know what to expect, I feel like I’ll be able to just sit back and enjoy the journey back in time. Like I’ve just walked out of the Troubadour onto Sunset after seeing my favorite hard rock band.

On Parole For Good Behaviour

Last up for the night, and the band I came to see, was Prisoner. Another band I’ve only just discovered in the past couple of months, but now am so damn glad to have found. Prisoner falls into what I’m coining the “’90s hard rock revival.” It fits the entire night perfectly.

You know those rock stars of the late ’90s: Bret Michaels (before Rock of Love), Axl Rose, Slash, Jani Lane (RIP). They had a certain element to them. Something about their personality screamed “I’m meant to be here and this is what I was put on this earth to do.” That’s exactly how I’d describe Prisoner frontman and founder, Murray Emery.

Anyway, back to the show. It was everything you’d expect from what I’ve described above. The entire band had incredible stage presence. They understood that it takes charisma combined with musical ability, strong songwriting, and real interaction with the crowd to put on a great show. Again, not the biggest crowd on this night at the Owl Acoustic Lounge. But with two of the three bands from Calgary and playing Lethbridge for the first time, it’s expected. They’ll build that reputation.

Their sound is a mix of hard rock, glam, and metal, with a thrash influence, all rolled up and spit out into one of the more unique-sounding bands I’ve heard in a while. And they pull it off without weird instruments, backing tracks, or other tricks of the trade we see too often these days. Their live mix was incredible. Full, balanced, and crystal clear. Huge shoutout to their sound guy, Cody Anstey. They also had a killer light show, especially for a small venue. Nothing too flashy, just the right amount for the stage size.

They performed like a well-oiled machine. Interacting with each other, feeding off each other’s energy, while still being completely present with the crowd. Their set included tracks off their upcoming album Kill the King, dropping June 20, 2025. If you want to learn more or check out their music, hit the links below or keep an eye on the MikeOnMetal YouTube channel for my upcoming chat with Murray.

Final Thoughts

It might have been a smaller crowd, but the energy was big. These three bands showed up hungry. No ego, no bullshit, just passion, talent, and a love for loud guitars and gritty vocals. If this is what the next wave of Alberta’s hard rock and metal revival looks like, I’m all in.