2025 GREAT BAR BAND BATTLE EPIC BANDS & BIOS
ALARMING HER MAJESTY
Alarming Her Majesty returns as the reigning, defending, and undisputed champions of the great bar battle scene.
Lead singer Greg von Euw commands the spotlight with his emotive vocals and captivating stage presence, drawing listeners into his band's mesmerizing world. George Wong, on bass, provides the rhythmic foundation, anchoring the band's sound with his solid grooves and unwavering presence. Nicholas Lo on Guitar 1, delivers blistering riffs and melodic hooks that ignite the audience, while Mike Thiem on Guitar 2, adds layers of complexity and intensity with his versatile playing style. Vamsi Suresh-Mills, handling keyboards and backup vocals, brings lush harmonies and atmospheric textures to the mix, enhancing the band's sonic landscape. Austin Paladeau, behind the drum kit, drives the band forward with his powerhouse beats and mostly-on-beat timing, ensuring that Alarming Her Majesty's music hits with maximum impact.
It’s not sedition, it’s Alarming Her Majesty.
THE ADVO-CATS
Hot on the tails of Electric Avenue, Glenn Solomon (drums/ vocals), then a recently-called-to- the-Bar lawyer, was hellbent on continuing the party. He would spend the few free hours he had when he wasn’t doing document review perfecting his drum chops and fantasizing about the day he would embark on a worldwide tour. One day, while using enough wax on his slickback ponytail to make Madame Tussauds blush, he met two likeminded souls who shared in his vision of the rockstar lifestyle - Oliver Ho (keyboard/vocals) and Vincent Light (guitar/vocals) - forming the band we know today as The Advo-Cats.
THE TURBINES
It’s all about energy!
The Turbines have performed at dozens of venues in Calgary including the King Eddy, they’ve played for a Prime Minister, and they’ve toured as far as the Crow’s Nest Pass. They are ready to play any event with their 5 hour repertoire.
The Turbines generate powerful energy with bench strength from Glen Poelman (guitar), combined with the talents of mediator and arbitrator Andy Robertson (keys, guitar, and vocals), Lois May (vocals), lawyer Geoff Poelman (bass and vocals), and Fosterchild alumnus - now lawyer - Bob Matthews (drums and vocals).
Buckle up and get ready for some time travel!
THE HABEAS CORPSES
Convinced that adding a “the” before “Habeas Corpses” makes the name sound less metal and more punk rock, The Habeas Corpses have risen from the grave of their deceased law show band, Banana Hammök, to bring some anarchy to this year’s Great Bar Band Battle. With ghoulishly pale members including three dead-tired junior associates, The Habeas Corpses are ready to show off their body of work for the Calgary Bar Association’s judgment. With Alex Dingman, whose soul forever haunts the Palomino basement, pummeling the drums it would be a crime (or at a least a regulatory offence) if you didn’t shake your hips and move your feet. Jordan Eeles on guitar #1 has locked-down (in high-security detention) every blazing riff you can imagine. Matthew Eeles’ hypnotic basslines will have you moshing (not recklessly, and with due care) before you can even plead automatism. And, with Scott MacKenzie on guitar #2, prepare for solos that will have you screaming bloody murder. There is no doubt that after seeing The Habeas Corpses you will testify they are one act(us) you won’t want to miss.
DOLLY’S PARDON
A faint hope no more! Dolly’s Pardon are ready for some ol’ country good times, great down-home tunes, and boot-stompin’ fun. Katrina Sole-Kahler (vocals) and Graham Richardson (vocals/trumpet) provide the melody that will expunge any record of your cares. James Thomas (guitars) and Nathan Schmidt (keys) roam free as the buffalo. But don’t worry: Doug Taylor, KC (drums) and Elisa Frank (bass) keep the rhythm under lock and key. Yahoo!
THE DISSENT
The Dissent has been the official rock band of the University Saskatchewan College of Law since the late 80s, with the longest standing member being current Dean Martin Phillipson on drums.
John and Loni joined the Dissent in 2009, Micah in 2010, and finally cute little Paul in 2011. The band prided itself on playing over 30 songs for a charity gig with minimal practice until Micah Chartrand, winner of “Most Stressed Out First Year Law Student”, whipped them into shape with regular practice times, strict diets, sleep schedules, and heavy cardio. That lasted for about five minutes until everyone just told Micah to shut up, and the band went back to being cool again. Since that time, there have been many versions of the Dissent at the U of S College of Law, but few have been as eclectic and well-rounded as the legendary 2009-2011 group:
Vocals - Loni da Costa, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP - Retired pro softball player turned big shot litigation partner. Has committed to paying the band’s bar tab after the show.
Bass - John Sanche, Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP - The Zen master and chill guru of the group, he seems to know a lot of strange and mysterious things. No one knows if this unusual knowledge comes from experience ranging from server rooms, to rainforests, to board rooms—or, if he just made it all up.
Lead Guitar - Paul Wood, Intact Insurance - Once played an entire gig while choking on a chicken bone. Posed in a shirtless law school fundraising calendar which sold two copies.
Air guitar - Micah Chartrand, Soby Boyden Lenz LLP - Has made it this far without actually knowing how to play guitar, but still thinks he’s Jimmy Page on stage.
Drums - Some lender from JSS Barristers