Cadence Weapon

Roland Pemberton (aka Cadence Weapon) has a rock band now. Really. Our man's man of hip-hop and poetry has decided to dabble in rock, and you know what? It's good. Pemberton seemed ecstatic of this new opportunity, as did his new band-mates. "Welcome to Canada raps!" he yelled, poking fun at a recent competition he's been in, Canada Reads. Pemberton and his band (made up of Gordon Lightfoot's son Eric on drums, guitarist Paul Prince of the Cansecos, Ian Koiter on bass and Jered Stuffco of DVAS on keyboards) played a slew of new material from Pemberton's upcoming album, Roquentin, that ranged from jazz and soul to hard rock and punk. When they played the old rap material as rock, it was a little awkward, but the show was too much of a spectacle to be bothered by it.