I have something that has been nagging at my conscious that I have to get off my chest.
In March of this year, I got an email from Brent, the bass player from Halifax rockers the Cuban Assassins asking if I would review the split 7 inch single they had released with Halifax compatriots Myles Deck and The Fuzz. I obliged but never got around to getting the damn thing reviewed. A combination of factors lead to this happening but I’m not here to make excuses.
What sucks even more is that the band called it a day with a final blowout show that was held in their hometown of Halifax on Canada Day (July 1 for those who might not be aware…). So posting a review of their 7 inch single at this point would probably be a slap in the face to the boys.
So here goes my eulogy to the Cuban Assassins…
Frankly, the Cuban Assassins were one of Halifax’s finest bands. Coming from a city that is mostly recognized for pop or indie rock (no disrespect intended to anyone!), the Assassins were like AC/DC meets The Stooges and get drunk together and birth children that would become the Cuban Assassins.
They didn’t care about trends in music. They made music on their terms and whether there was 10 people in the crowd or 300 people, they rocked with the same attitude and put countless bands to shame without even trying.
For only being three guys in the band, they sure could rock and sound a helluva lot louder than some four or five piece bands. The fact that they were awesome guys to hang out with and were friendly as all hell was just a bonus.
The last time I saw the band was around the holidays of 2009 when the Assassins played in Moncton. They played to a small but appreciative crowd and while they were on, I found myself thinking “Thank God these guys are still kickin’ around.”
Alas, nothing lasts forever.
Cuban Assassins, this guy right here is really going to miss you.
Here is a video of the band performing at Gus’ Pub in Halifax from May 2009:
[youtube YHsx-4SoUKw]