Decked out in bright red uniforms with white detailing, The Wet Secrets look the part of a high school marching band.
While the look harkens to a youthful age, the music shows maturity and passion.
The outfits became part of the band’s signature style when the drummer, Trevor Anderson, discovered his old high school was getting rid of the Red Deer Royals’ band outfits.
“We decided early on we wanted to do something theatrical,” said lead singer Lyle Bell. “The first couple of times we performed we had outfits that were garish with fur hats. We wanted something unifying.”
Once they donned the uniforms it became part of the band’s culture.
“That’s part of the full Wet Secrets experience,” said Bell. “It fits in well with our collective sense of humour. At this point it’s part of the DNA of the band.”
The Wet Secrets performs at the Cambie Wednesday (Feb. 3) at 7:30 p.m. with special guests Kendall Patrick and the Headless Bettys and Ah, Venice.
“It’s a great show. Everyone is a sweaty mess by the end. Everyone is dancing, going berserk,” said Bell. “It will be a vessel for people to unwind and have a blast.”
The band’s latest album, The Tyranny of Objects, due to be released this spring, grapples with consumerism in the western world.
Bell said he notices that he is “encumbered by items.”
“They kind of have too much sway over my life,” he said, adding he feels “trapped by the excess.”
The message is layered into the lyrics.
The Wet Secrets’ previous album, Free Candy, won Album of the Year at the Edmonton Music Awards.
The band embraces a diverse range of sounds.
“At the very core of it this is still a garage punk band,” said Bell.
Tickets are $8 in advance from the Cambie, Fascinating Rhythm, Arbutus Music or www.ticketweb.ca, or $12 at the door.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com