Nanaimo metalcore band the Innocent Truth is wrapping up its latest tour at Malaspina Theatre on Saturday, March 26 and some special guests are sharing the bill.
During the group’s Pride of the Hated tour, the Innocent Truth – bassist/vocalist Selena Porta, guitarist Nick Dykema and guitarist and drummer Kaeden and Maitlin Garraway – is featuring a different lineup of guest bands from across the Island and Vancouver.
When the tour concludes at VIU, the Innocent Truth will be joined by fellow Nanaimo group Tama Hills and Vancouver bands Chief State and Youth Fountain. The show is open to all ages to be more inclusive and draw a bigger crowd.
“Being underage, I know when I was quite a bit younger, going to shows was a big thing. Especially, like, not everyone can afford a $120 ticket to go see Slayer in Vancouver,” Kaeden said.
“So 10, 15 bucks to go see a local band is always a good thing, especially when you’re 13, 14, kind of building those musical interests. So you kind of want to include everyone on that.”
The band has been working on the “show” aspect of their performances. Kaeden said he ends up in the crowd half the time, while Maitlin has been venturing from behind his kit to play drum solos in the audience. Kaeden said one of their songs is known for its use of the “Wall of Death.”
“Basically, you split the crowd in half, completely in half, leave a space in the middle and then when breakdown hits they all run at each other,” he said.
Dykema said that’s when the fans “just smash into each other and start moshing.”
Once the tour ends the musicians will be swapping their instruments for pens as they get to work on their debut record. The group, which formed in 2015 and has been performing for about a year and a half, has so far released a pair of singles. The members describe their new material as going in a heavier direction, while reflecting their diverse musical tastes.
“Our major focus this summer is going to be trying to write an album and finishing it up for sure,” Porta said.
“I think variety is the biggest thing,” Maitlin added.
“We don’t want to have songs that sound similar or repeated or anything, so we just want to, for the album, have a journey that goes like a roller-coaster of music, basically.”
The next challenge for the group will be finding a place to record, but they’re not in a hurry. They want to get it just right.
“Different producers and recording studios have different sounds, so it’s just how to find the one that matches what we’re looking for…” Kaeden said.
“We don’t want to rush something and then put something out that’s just not quite where it should be.”
WHAT’S ON … The Innocent Truth perform at Malaspina Theatre on Saturday, May 26. Doors at 6:30, show at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. All ages.
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