A Chill House Friday: In the Flesh, Chronic Fatigue, and Morse Code Literature Take the Friday Stage

Friday night at the Chill House was another high-energy night to remember, with a constant stream of mixed hardcore bringing the heat to the venue to start off a rare three-night spectacle running Friday through Sunday.

Three bands made up the show for Friday, with Morse Code Literature, Chronic Fatigue, and In the Flesh made for a night to remember for rock fans of all kinds, with a blend of melodic punk/emo, nu metal/rap rock, and hardcore punk creating layers of mosh pits, energy, and rocking sounds that shook the Chill House from top to bottom. Punks, emos, and metalheads alike were all brought together for this memorable night, and the turnout was excellent.

The crowd for the night was well-sized and incredibly lively, with rowdy mosh pits and high energy dancing making up the night and giving warm welcomes to each and every band on the bill. People grouped, mingled, and made a bustling atmosphere that was full of bright socializing. The crowd was respectful while still bringing a heavy energy to the venue. Plenty of people flowed in as the showtime grew closer and closer, and it was another great turnout for the venue that brought people of all kinds together. 

As the venue always ensures, the atmosphere for the night was incredibly fun and social, with the staff making it a safe and vibrant experience for everyone involved. The show was exceptionally well managed and cleaned up well, with an organized set schedule and bands coming and going in a timely and pleasant manner. The sets were not rushed and each performer had their time to shine while performing extras and giving surprises to the crowd, and the result made for one of the best shows that the Chill House has ever seen. 

Every band put on their absolute best, and their efforts were seen throughout all of the walls of the venue, and the march booth was well-stacked with a striking display of unique merchandise that made the bands stand out from other performers, with early punk roots being shown with zines and hand-crafted physical media showing just how truly talented each band is.

The sound quality of the night was incredible, and the mixing was absolutely stunning to hear in person. The performances were all made perfect by atmosphere and true stage presence from each of the bands, and it was without a doubt another night to remember and keep in the books for the Chill House.

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Morse Code Literature made the night special, with their Christmas light display on the drum kit creating an ambience that was passed over by all of the bands for the rest of the night. Their singer and other members are all truly kindhearted people, and I was blown away by the sound that they presented throughout their entire set. 

The band's sound blends progressive punk rock with alternative and emo soundscapes to create a style that is packed full of depth and beauty through truly captivating music, with their set being immediately immersive and a great showcase of their sound for both fans and newcomers.

To open the night off right, there was a steady buildup of energy presented by the band, with the crowd that they pulled being very excited and genuinely interested in their music. It's clear that many of the people in the crowd had been fans of the band prior to their performance, and it was something that made the night even more electrifying. 

A distinctive mix of genres and elements of various subgenres make the band stand out from any crowd, with their deeply emotional and hard-hitting sound being something truly, immensely captivating; it's something that you can rarely find in a band, but it's what Morse Code Literature do best. The deeply emotional and serene atmosphere of their music is something striking to see live, and they were the best opening act imaginable for such a massively mixed and high-energy show.

Their set included both new and well-known material, creating a great blend that mixed surprises and familiarity to create something moving and awe-inspiring. Their sound breaks boundaries, and they're a must within the BC music scene if you get a chance to catch them live. 

The songs that were played were clear and of a great length, meaning that they are a highly palatable band that you will be incredibly fond of by the end of the night. They blended life stories and relatable lyrics with fantasy themes and politics, and they manage to be everything that a punk band needs to be while being much more in-tune with depth and atmosphere to create songs that are symbolic and sonically stunning.

One of the most gorgeous atmospheres I have seen live was present within their set, and some of their songs were enough to make me feel almost choked up with how emotional and potent their music is both lyrically and sonically. Their setup was both stunning and well-managed, meaning that they hit every mark and then some when it comes to performing live. The band is highly focused and sharp in what they do, and their precision was mixed with comedy and crowd work that made for a truly unforgettable set. 

The band's vocalist is incredibly talented with a great range and clean vocals that blend various different influences to create something truly unique and stunning to listen to alongside the band's incredible teamwork and instrumental performances. Their sound is full of depth and energy despite some slower tone shifts, and as their set progressed, the band made sure to go heavier in their sound to make way for the rest of the night to open up even more cans of energy throughout various performances.

Rarely does a band have such an immaculate ability to blend genres, but Morse Code Literature make it their specialty while having their sound packed down incredibly well. The band works refreshingly well together as a team effort, and their sound made the night start off exceptionally well.

Blending heavier material with great alternative and progressive song structures made for a set that was truly unforgettable, and the night was still just getting started.

You can find the footage I captured HERE, as well as a standalone video for their rock-steady single, Lead House HERE

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Chronic Fatigue were without a doubt one of my favorite bands that I have ever seen live - and this is coming from someone who has been to so many shows that it's nearly impossible to tally them all up. Their sound was a complete surprise to me, and seeing them live is an absolute must. They will completely rock the roof off of any venue that they grace, and their energy was unlike anything else I have ever seen.

The Vancouver band brought their big-city energy to the Chill House, and their set blended punk, hip-hop, and metal into a nu-metal fusion that was entirely infectious and completely electrifying. Their set was something that would glue any patron to the band for their entire runtime, and they used their set time wisely to play hit after hit with potent political statements making for an important performance. 

Their set was something you had to see to believe, and being there was something truly memorable that will be another Chill House memory I can never forget. Their influences from hip-hop blended with metal and punk made for a set that was completely wild - and the crowd knew it. Some of the most wild mosh pits that have happened at a Chill House show could be found throughout the fires of Chronic Fatigue, and they made sure that they would be remembered. 

Some of the best crowd engagement I have ever seen was present during their set. Their lead singer was constantly immersed in mosh pits and various other crowd settings, and the audience reciprocated their energy better than ever. The energy had hit its peak through the band, and their stage presence is something that you won't find elsewhere.

The band's set was wildly fun and truly engaging, and their loud, energetic sound was something that had the patrons of the venue hooked immediately. 

You can find my footage of the band's wild set HERE, HERE, and HERE

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In the Flesh closed off the night with another exceptional set - and this is the most focused they have ever been. Each and every time I have seen them they have shown steady improvements that are incredible to see live and up close. 

This show marked their first set at the Chill House since the release of their EP THIS JUST IN, which they also spoke about between songs. Being able to hear songs from the EP live within the context of the release made each track even more special, and their blend of various different influences made the night end with a bang.

Their set was a nonstop showcase of heavy hardcore punk, with a great selection of metal/nu-metal and punk covers bumping their set while they also performed new music and familiar material; making it the best mix imaginable for the band. 

As the band grows, so does their energy.

Never have I ever seen In the Flesh provide as much energy as they did during this Friday show. It was a nonstop display of exceptional energy while reigning in their sound as potently and sharply as possible. The band was focused and completely on fire, and Magnus' vocal range was truly showcased and tested throughout various moments of the band's set. 

It's always great to see In the Flesh, and they are without a doubt one of the most important bands for the Chilliwack scene; as they are one of the pieces of the puzzle that ensures it shines the brightest and continues to thrive. 

An expansion of the band's stage presence as well as a focused and razor-sharp sound while catering a perfect selection of songs made sure that the night would end on an unforgettable note, and it's clear to see that this is one of the most iconic weekends that the Chill House will ever see. 

You can find my footage HERE and HERE

Their covers of Bulls on Parade and Suburban Home can be found HERE and HERE, and for their performance of Graduated, you can look HERE

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A massive thank you to Jen and Tyler (Ferguson) for running the doors and making sure that everyone is able to get in for such incredible shows while being safe and protected, to Tyler (Ollenberger) for keeping the venue alive and under ownership, and to Norm for mixing the sound and making sure every set sounds rich and invigorating at each and every show. The continued support from the staff while they do such exceptional work for the local scene and community makes every person involved a true saint in the community, and it's wonderful to see in person. 

Many thanks to Morse Code Literature, Chronic Fatigue, and In the Flesh for making it out to perform at the venue and for giving your all. I appreciate the kindness from each of the bands and the interactions we shared more than I can express - and thank you to every member for always making for a good night no matter the time. Your continued efforts and triumphs in your music continue to stun the local BC music scene, and it's a truly important aspect of the Fraser Valley that no person in the area should ever miss out on.