by Pam Whisenhunt
Canadian rock bands are about the hottest thing right now and the New Rock Mafia (NRM) is right smack in the middle of it. Original New Rock Mafia members Cleopatrick, Ready the Prince and Zig Mentality have embarked on an 8-month tour starting in Chicago, IL and culminating in Cologne, Germany. The Bummer Tour extensively covers the United States, Canada and Europe throughout 2021 and 2022.
On September 28th, Cleopatrick arrived at the Record Bar in Kansas City. This show was the closest for me and despite the three plus hour drive, I wasn’t going to miss it.
With only five shows under their belt, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I hadn’t seen many tour photos, videos or reviews. Just a few posts on Cleopatrick’s Facebook page. I was excited none the less. Cleopatrick’s music, born out of a basement, was meant to be played in small, intimate, sweaty venues just like the Record Bar.
There were only a few people in line when I arrived. If that was to be an indicator, it was going to be a small turn out. Not to fear, once the show started the venue was packed.
Zig Mentality was originally on the bill but earlier in September Cleopatrick announced they couldn’t make the tour. Ready the Prince, consisting of Stephen DeCiantis, Daniel Prada and filling in on drums Jeff Cox, dove right in. They opened the show slow and smooth with “Egyptian”. The band had a great alternative, funky, groove-rock sound. By the time they hit “Cliff Diver”, seven songs in, the crowd was fully into it. Ready the Prince wrapped up their set with their newest releases, “Pray” and “Lightning”.
Ready the Prince set list:
Egyptian
PB&J
Torn up
All the Love (I Have to Give)
Teena
Note to Self
Cliff Diver
Pray
Lightning
When Luke Gruntz and Ian Fraser of Cleopatrick came out on stage, I knew the crowd was there for this rock duo, as they sang right along with all the songs. It was great to see they were fully engaged, singing, jumping, throwing horns and headbanging.
The first calm in the set came with “Why July” and “Ya”. It slowed down quite a bit but the crowd seemed to enjoy the slow jam. Gruntz checked in with everyone asking “Are you still with us?” and received a welcome confirmation that everyone was still into the show. The beat picked back up with “No Sweat”.
The highlight came midway through their set with “Hometown” where Gruntz let the crowd sing solo on the chorus. You know it’s a hit when the crowd belts it out and their voices consumed the room. “Hometown” received the biggest hoots and screams which was incredible.
The second slowdown came with “2008” and “Peppers Ghost” and the crowd was feeling it. I saw many in the crowd with their eyes closed, swaying and singing along.
Overall, the show was electric, grungy and raw. This was Cleopatrick and Ready the Prince’s first show in Kansas City. With the welcome they received, they are sure to be back. I highly recommend catching at least one, if not more shows on this tour. Take advantage of the small venues while you can. It’s only a matter of time before the New Rock Mafia takes over the world.
Cleopatrick set list:
Victoria Park
Sanjake
Good Grief
The Drake
The Depths
Family Van
Why July
Ya
No Sweat
Hometown
Bernard Trigger
2008
Peppers Ghost
Youth
Great Lakes
Check out the live shots from the night. All shots by Pam Whisenhunt.
