Crashing the music fest

CRASH HERE: The Beach Crashers are one of the local bands playing Lang Bay at this year’s Sunshine Music Fest September 3 & 4 (sunshinemusicfest.ca). You can also catch songwriter and guitarist Roger Langmaid, plus Transience, with Ben Bouchard, Lukah Bouchard, Walter Martella, Hugh Prichard, and Andreas David. Many more bands and musicians are coming for the annual Labour Day weekend fest.

Beach Crashers met in Tofino when they were all caught in the same riptide. They worked together to make it back to shore alive, using some pigtails, a rotisserie chicken motor, and one pocket sized surfboard.

They sang as they swam ashore and the force of their harmonies called upon a group of porpoise passing by. Altogether, bonded with their true love of Nature, they arrived near Mackenzie Beach where they manifested an audition for their first show. They used an old guitar and a cardboard box and a bit of magic led them onto the stage.

The energy of the people dancing on tables was too much to ignore so they went picking for mirror balls and attached one to their rotisserie chicken motor. The magic was completed. Ever since they’ve been on a roll in their minivan, riding on the pop pop music.

The band is currently made up of four members. Max Paquette plays drums, guitar, and sings. He is a dad and teacher who refurbishes old school busses and has a soft spot for disco balls. Cam Twyford plays keys, bass, guitar, and sings. He is also a father who spends his time playing music, skateboarding, swimming in the river, writing poetry, and occasionally shaving. Davis Steele plays guitar, bass, and sings. He is a music teacher who spends his down time thrifting for cool hats. Paia Guimond, the band’s lead singer and player of the ukulele, is a full time mom with a cleaning business called Pixie Dust At Your Service. She is also an aerialist and a circus performer. A recent circus injury has led Paia to put down her Ukulele until she can make a full recovery.