The Sled Island experience is one you never forget.
And it goes without saying, the first time is a big time, a memorable time. No matter how long you’ve been around.
That includes those performing at it.
Take veteran Taiwanese punk act BB BOMB, who play a Scene-sponsored showcase on Friday, June 20 at Pinbar (on top of two other performances: Saturday at The Palace, and Sunday for the Palomino’s closing night pig roast).
Two decades in, the Taipei threesome will be venturing across the pond for their first-ever gig in the Western world, and it will be at our lil’ old Sled, as one of the picks from this year’s guest curators and Japanese pals Otoboke Beaver.
(For translation purposes, the band — vocalist-guitarist Hsu Pei Hsing, bassist Iven Chang and drummer JiangBow Jiang — responded collectively to an email interview)
Hi from Calgary. Thanks very much for doing this. Will this be your first time in Canada, Calgary?
“Yes, this is BB BOMB’s first time in Canada.”
What do you know about the city?
“When our friends heard that we were going to Canada, they told us that it’s a very safe country and people are friendly. We also read online that Calgary is one of the cleanest cities in the world, and we’re really looking forward to experiencing what it’s like when the sky stays bright even at night.”
You’re playing the Sled Island festival. Are you familiar with it? What do you know about it?
“Inviting a guest curator is a really unique approach, and in 2016, the guest curator was Peaches, an artist we truly admire! In addition to music performances, the festival also features comedy and art, making it an avant-garde and diverse celebration.”
You were picked by guest curators Otoboke Beaver. I know you’re friends with them and have played with them before, including at festivals. Please tell us about your relationship with them. And how grateful are you to them for introducing you to a wider audience, including one in Canada?
“We’re truly grateful to have been given the opportunity to perform in a Western country for the first time.
Through the introduction of Otoboke Beaver, BB BOMB recorded our new album at a studio in Osaka that Otoboke Beaver recommended. During our time recording and [performing] in Osaka, guitarist Yoshie would drive us around, and we’d hang out, share meals, chat, and go to shows together. When they visited Taiwan, we’d also go for walks, eat together, and hang out at our place.
Although we don’t keep in constant contact, we’re the kind of close friends who make sure to meet up whenever we’re in each other’s countries. This will be our first time meeting in Canada, and we’re really looking forward to it.”
For those who haven’t seen you, what can audiences expect from a BB Bomb show?
“Sometimes on stage, we do things even we can’t predict—that’s the fun of a live show. We’re really looking forward to seeing what spontaneous moments might happen during our performance.”
Are there any artists you’re looking forward to playing with at Sled, or are there others attending that you plan on seeing?
“The Mummies, Glockabelle, Oddisee & Good Company, Mary Lattimore, motherhood.
There are already many bands performing, and we’re planning to add even more bands we want to see.”
Sled Island rips up Calgary from June 18 to 22, 2025.
