There is a place where rockers go. It is a state of perpetual transcendence and when they are within it, the music flows from them and out into the audience and grabs hold and smacks them around. Drunk and Pretending reached that pinnacle last night and after being to about twenty shows I can honestly say that this was the most amazing performance these men have ever given.

What made it so good you ask? Well good reader I shall tell you. It wasn't any one thing they were doing but a handful of little differences from the last show.

The acoustics at Doc Willoughby's are on a whole different level of status compared to the smaller venues that the guys have played at before. I also have to say this was the best customer service at a pub with a concert I have ever had. Polite and courteous. Two separate levels of seating and large open skylights allow the sound to travel and open up creating a depth of music usually lost at other pubs.

Mike started a reverberating drum line that started with the song but somehow felt like it stayed within the wood. It echoed up through Docs and held the air... and the audience in thrall. It was exactly the right tone, depth and soul. Although there wasn't a lot of space in the drum area, the audience was able to hear Mike's voice coming through his drums.

Now it might just have been where I've been sitting in the past, or perhaps a new found addiction to Guitar Hero, but I had never really paid too much attention to the guys actually playing their instruments. Dan's fingers danced along the strings of his guitar. It was hypnotic as they moved. It had become an extension of himself and it showed.

Dean did something different this show. He had a big cheese eating grin on his face... Now that's nothing new, but this time it seemed to be the catalyst for the band's new sense of confidence. He wasn't smiling at any one person that I was able to see, but it looked like he was in that zone of music where every note is absolutely dead on, where nothing matters but the song. Dean seemed to exude a confidence that played amazingly with his two cohorts up front.

Now Chris had an interesting night I think. I could see a man owning his music 100% completely during this show. It had seemed in the past that perhaps the song was just a song and although it was sung well, it seemed like it was lacking depth. This show however seemed to bring out the very best in Chris' vocal talent. It was like he was experiencing again every emotion that he went through writing the songs and he was going to make everyone else feel them too.

I brought along a friend who had never heard DNP's sound before, and during an interview with her afterwards she loved the audience interaction and that although she liked the music, it was the normality of the band and fun of Drunk and Pretending that will make sure she sees more shows. DNP Veterans know that Dean is usually out in the audience as part of the show, however, all the guys were moving around this time. Chris came out to sit with the audience at the bar and sang back to the band while Dean moved up into the rafters and Dan stood up on his speakers.

Looking back over my notes from the performance of the evening, I want to address a complaint I usually have at the shows, regardless of the venues. Dean's vocals finally came through. When Dean had done back up vocals in the past it was like it was taking 3rd seat and as an audience member it felt like I was missing out on the sound that they were trying to add. This time they shone and the harmony counterpoint that these guys excel at came through.

So what sets these guys apart and above other bands, including the ones who followed their set, is that this is FUN for them. There was something lacking for the last several shows and it seems like whatever it was has been found. There were layers upon layers why this was the best Drunk and Pretending show so far, but it was too short of a show. I can't wait to see what they are going to do at their next full performance and encourage people to go with high expectations, because these guys always deliver.

First Drunk and Pretending show of 2008. Lets address the first thing first. What was the big difference? Shaun G was gone, moved onto Victoria and alternate musical projects, and there was a definite apprehension coming from both the band and the audience. Would the sound change? Would this be the same band that has dominated the Okanagan music scene for the last few years?

I have to admit it. There was a definite difference. Not a lacking of anything. But the best way I can describe it is, when you remove a backbone from a fish, it either has to adapt and evolve or flop and die. Although Shaun G was a founding father of this band, I think that DNP has evolved their sound to accommodate the lack of a fifth member and seems tighter because of it.

Now before we discuss the Drunk and Pretending portion of the show, I would like to speak a little bit about the venue and Opening acts. The Grateful fed was an oven. It gives credence to the saying 'I smell like good music sounds' I must have sweated off several pounds in the first hour while the boys were setting up equipment. The wait staff was friendly, and efficient, and I highly recommend eating there.

Open 2 Closure had an interesting sound, and I would like to see these Lethbridge boys again. They had a tired Drummer (17 hours of playing), and a brand new Bassist who had just learned the songs 2 hours prior to the show, and that would take a toll on any band. I am not sure if they all were sweating too much, but I do have a dare for this band, 'Make eye contact with your audience.' Then song 2, titled "Penny's House" Wow... this song had sphincter opening bass lines and received head bobbing approval, as did their song titled "Gallery". I am looking forward to seeing these guys again.

Now at this point, I would like to interject a quick random observation, I am pretty sure the Lord of the Rings guy from Clerks 2 was at the show last night right before DNP began to set up. I think that sound check is the best way to view a band. You feel the soul coming from Mike's drums, Dan makes his guitar sing and Dean's Bass reverberates you deep inside. It is like these instruments are extensions of their bodies.

Then the show began... How do I begin to explain this? It is like the entire audience sucked in their breath in apprehension waiting for that first note. "State of the world," a DNP classic, barrelled out of the speakers and Chris owned the audience with his vocals from the get go. Chris and Dan's vocals seemed clearer than previous shows, and it could be that I haven't had primo seats like I did for this venue. Again the only complaint for the shows that I find, is Dean's microphone seems really quiet. And as per DNP shows, always some room for improvisation as we in the audience found with the dead baby joke. I laughed, I will admit it.

"Short Lived" and "Uniform" are two of my favourite DNP classics mainly because you can watch these guys own the audience. Dean is easily the 'Ham' of the group and between him gyrating his bass and sitting in the laps of the prettier ladies of the audience, He creates a perfect interaction with the fans, making them part of the show, not just viewers. Mike pounds out the beats while Dan harmonizes absolutely beautifully with Chris. It just brings out why this band is out there to have FUN and enjoy what they are doing.

The Band debuted new songs tonight and I think the one that echoed to all there was the ballad "Shut Eyes" that Chris dedicated and sang to his girlfriend. It was an interesting approach that DNP had not attempted in previous shows and it takes you from the beginnings of a relationship to the culmination. I was not expecting this type of music and I have to say, it is easily one of my favourite DNP pieces of work.

That being said, after the ballad, Dan took control of vocals with the mosh styled songs "If N When" (sp?) and "Early Morning"... This is where I would want to see these guys in a bigger venue, I think just a little more booze and few more people, you could have yourself a pretty killer pit. Especially when you end the show with the powerful "Invincible."

I keep going back to this in my reviews. There is no leader of DNP, This is not a 'theory of a defaulted nickel' band where one person outshines the rest. These are 4 brothers in arms and soon these Kelowna rockin' beer punks are on their way to a venue near you. Get tickets, Get them Now.

Hey Guys, Another fantastic DNP show last night.

DNP took the stage and this was what I had been waiting for all week, I had 2 of my best friends with me, and I was half cut and I have to say to anyone who has never experienced it, Nothing shocks an audience who is expecting rockin beer punk quite like singing the national anthem prior to the beginning of the show. This was a stroke of sheer brilliance on the part of the band. Not only was the best Canadian Hockey Team playing at the time, BUT also it introduced a quick splash of silliness into an audience somewhat sobered due to the 1-1 tie of the game. Canucks WON... perhaps due to the National Anthem singing?

Now I am trying to make out my drunken scrawl on the napkins as I was trying to take notes and well honestly I was drunk. So I shall recap what I remember. Surfin USA c'mon who doesn't know this song and love to sing it to themselves?

Ernie's Pub had recently undergone a bit of a remodel and that fact made it easier for the pub to take in the show but that's not all, the show actually can now come to the audience as Dean showed during his tour de force of the table area.

The songs off the myspace page, were all played and I personally sang along with gusto. Invincible again an awesome track but I found myself totally involved and slammin my head along with Uniform. This song alone showcases the incredible vocal talents of all the members of the band. There is a definite lacking in mainstream rockin punk music of point/counterpoint harmony and Drunk and Pretending excels at it and that alone, if nothing else, will skyrocket this group to stardom.

After my last review of DNP; I have had many requests from friends and family to let them know when they are playing again, this time I brought my buddy from Kamloops. He said that he was "blown away by the audience interaction, the obvious talent, the general good nature of the guys and the fact that they drank and weren't like the pretentious 'holier than thou' bands that have played Kamloops in the past." I tend to agree with this summary and also feel that had there been a mosh area and a larger crowd I would have had a blast as well. Although it didn't stop my friend from dancing anyways.

Again, this show just goes to prove again that DNP is quickly becoming what Kelowna needs to put it on the map as far as real people playing real music goes. I can't state how much I enjoy seeing these guys now because they are going to be famous very quickly and when they do, shows will be hard to get tickets for.

So the DNP boys are at it again. With the addition to their Myspace of the track "Invincible".

Now why am I reviewing a single song instead of a show or album? Well kids I will tell you why. Have you ever played 6 degrees of Myspace? Its a game where you click on someone on your friends list, then on a friend of theirs then a friend of theirs and so on and so forth. I was playing this and 'lo and behold Invincible played on more and more people's Myspace.

The beginning of this song is a solo that reaches out and grabs you and pulls you in fast and hard. The drums flow in and rather than take control of the song like most of Punk music they accompany and enhance the other instruments rather than dominating them.

Then Mr. Barkers voice cuts in and well its rare to hear a song that sounds like that it was written specifically for someone to sing. This song displays Chris's range as a singer and his voice adds additional depth to an already deep song. The accompanying vocals harmonize with Chris' to the point of being amazing. The "point-counterpoint" of the harmony reflects a professional product that is usually only seen these days with the help of computers.

The guitar solo at 2:40 (ish) is just ridiculously good. The thing I really enjoy about the arrangement of DNP songs is that the band seems really comfortable with sharing the song. This solo is not obnoxious or aggressive. It fits into the song and draws you back to the first moments of the song and reminds you why you like it and why you are becoming a die hard DNP fan.

It is songs like this that make listeners want to hear more of DNP and I for one am waiting for an album that I can then pirate and p2p to friends all over the world. Keep up the good work guys.

Review time. Bear with me folks, I got right into the show last night and more or less had a glass of beer for every song, so I am not feeling so hot at the moment.

Drunk and Pretending. 3 words. 'Drunk' meaning to intoxicate oneself with fermented grains and fruits. 'Pretending' meaning to make believe or imagine something that isn't quite there. 3rd meaning... a kick-ass Kelowna band!

My buddy and I went to Ernie's Place Pub last night, knowing that DNP would be performing. This was my 2nd show of theirs and this time I wanted to make sure that I wasnt getting neck strain by sitting in the boonies of the pub.

Prior to the band performing they came down and I got to meet them all individually and I was impressed with how easily they were able to make themselves comfortable in every conversation. Rather than be one of those "pretentious" bands that does not have the courtesy to chat with people and watch their opening acts; DNP not only watched, but sang along, and shouted encouragement.

DNP then did their first set. Now before I go blowin' smoke up your ass about how good they were, I do have 1 complaint about the show. Lead vocals were too quiet. I mean, I could hear him, but it felt like they were definately taking backseat.

Great, now like I was saying... at first glance this band seems to be attempting a cookie cutter boy band look, (eg. all wearing black and there being 5 guys.) But after the first 3 notes not only is that an offense to say BUT is just plain wrong. Now take "Theory-of-a-Default-Dead-Nickleback-Man" - those bands have one lead singer and the rest of the band begins to fade into obscurity once the song starts. DNP however, although they have one lead singer, its difficult to tell where he ends and back up begins. At one point the bassist was leading the songs, then the guitarist, then the other guitarist. It showed that these guys were friends first and foremost.

Next thing about this group I liked was their audience interaction. It doesnt take much to get booed offstage and in Kelowna there are a whole bunch of assholes who love to heckle... DNP however addresses that issue immediately by talking with the audience, trying new songs on the fly and allowing themselves to screw up and then laughing at it to welcome and ease everyone into the show.

The second set was better than the first and honestly it looked like the guys could've easily done a 3rd. You know how when you go to a concert and the lead singers voice starts to crack and go weak, kinda like a 12 year old boy whose left ball just dropped? Well if anything, with DNP their voices got stronger. I'm sure it had nothing at all to do with the booze...

But folks all in all, I had a fan-fucking-tastic time! Between hangin' out with my homie, gettin' to hear some normal guys playin' some kick ass music, and drinkin' like a fish, I had an amazing time. I totally reccommend that EVERYONE to see these guys soon while their venues are still small, because with the right marketing team behind them, they are going to become huge.