"Oh Christ!" responds Mikey Heppner, lead singer and guitarist of Montreal band Priestess, when told that they are being billed as the "stars of Guitar Hero III" on posters advertising their latest Halifax shows.
"I think it's cool that we're on the game and I think it's cool that it's brought us to the attention of a lot of younger people," says Heppner, while acknowledging the perils that come with being known as simply "that band with the song in Guitar Hero."
Fortunately for Priestess, they're not one-trick ponies and there's more to the band than just "Lay Down." They're also touring material from their upcoming album---a heavier offering than previous discs. The album should only disappoint Priestess fans because of its current lack of availability. They announced a release date of March 2009, but the month went out like a lamb and there was no album. Heppner says that the album will be released in Canada on Indica Records, Quebec's largest alternative record label, which previously released Priestess' Hello Master. Unfortunately for Priestess, the album doesn't have an US home right now and that's holding up the Canadian release.
Those looking for new Priestess material will have to satisfy themselves with shows at The Pavilion and Coconut Grove. Priestess plays here this weekend before heading off on tour with gore-grind vegetarians Cattle Decapitation and comedy metal legends Gwar. After that, they head to China to play to one of the world's fastest growing entertainment markets. The current Atlantic tour is a continuation of Priestess' previous Canadian tour with Bison, B.C. (ex S.T.R.E.E.T.S.) and Barnburner (featuring members of Black Ships). This incarnation of the tour sees them playing with Black Moor and ECMA winners Iron Giant.
Tickets for both shows $12adv/$15door, ticketpro.ca.
