'The Independent Music Show Magazine' January 2025 | Page 8

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Meet Victoria's eclectic alt-rock group, "The Poubelles." Fronted by Amber Banman, who provides lead vocals while drumming, Kent Bendall who lays down rhythmic foundations on bass, and Stephen Horak, whose guitar riffs give a rebellious edge to their sonic palette. Together since 2018, they craft a sound where shimmer meets distortion in the vibrant backdrop of Victoria, BC Canada

Amber says I was 11. I was raised fairly conservative Mennonite, and my family had just started going to a new church and it had this spunky drummer who played the first time we went. It was the first time I had heard drums live and I couldn't take my eyes off of him playing. Fast forward to later that year I had come home early and one of my dads' friends was playing P.O.D's Testify album in the CD player downstairs and my mind exploded! As soon as I was exposed to hard rock I knew I wanted to be a drummer like that.

The Poubelles like a hook. Formed in 2018, their

original Pop-Rock (heavy on the 'rock') draws on

influences from 80's New Wave and 90's Alternative

sound but with a twist all it's own.Songs of

heartbreak and hopefulness, with plenty of fuzz

guitar. Releasing their first self titled EP in Feb 2020

just as the world shut down, Amber, Kent, and Steve

did not hesitate to jump back into the scene full force

once the pandemic rules had lifted in 2022. Along with

being The Zone's Band of The Month in hometown

Victoria for July, they also had the honour of opening

up the weekend at Laketown Rock; a festival with

a rocking line up including Wide Mouth

Mason and Tom Cochrane.

"Exaspirator" is their latest EP released in

July 2022, and there are plans for fresh

releases in 2024. Catch The Poubelles live,

and experience an energetic and kinetic

show!

Audio Video