Local band Myztery brings theatrical rock to Shadbolt

By Dan Hilborn
Published Nov. 26, 2005


A concert featuring a theatrical rock band from Burnaby playing the Shadbolt Centre next month comes with a warning that the show may not be suitable for small children.

Pete Mason, leader and founder of the band Myztery and a student of religious history, said the Dec. 3 show will include staged sword fights and a mock beheading, fair amounts of blood and lots of high energy rock music.

"We call our style mysterious theatrical rock," said Mason. "It describes the struggle that everyone has between feelings of being isolated, alone or in a spiritual place of darkness, and wanting to be loved. Ultimately, it's about love."

"We want people to experience a special evening of mystery that will intrigue them and entertain them and help them to reflect on what they've seen."

Myztery has being playing at church halls across the Lower Mainland since the band released its first self-titled CD last spring. While the band's music touches on religious themes, Mason does not describe the style as Christian rock.

"Our music deals with what we see as the full reality of, as far as we can know it, in terms of morality," he said. "We deal with darkness and light at the same time. We have the reality of demons in our show - it's freaky for some people."

The band has changed slightly since it released its first self- titled CD last spring. Gone is lead guitarist Vic Gagnon, who used to play with Bryan Adams, to be replaced by Pat Nevraumont, whose influences are The Scorpions, Dream Theater and Eddie Van Halen.

The keyboard, bass player and dancer is Cyndie Grozell, an experienced Christian rocker whose solo album is titled Lifted Up, while drummer Rob Queen has played with local groups Vertical Addiction, 24 Unity and Vicious Circle.

The band also hopes to to release a DVD of its live show in time for Christmas, and had its promotional pictures taken by one of the best-known rock photographers on the continent, New Westminster's own Dee Lippingwell.

During a Halloween show in North Vancouver, Mason was wounded slightly in the middle of the performance. "During the show we asked somebody to come up from the audience to whip me. We thought he'd do it in a casual or theatrical way, but he really whipped me," Mason said. "We had to cut the song short. I guess I'm going to have to be a little more selective about who I choose to do that in the future."

Myztery, with special guest Shawna Beesley, will play in the Shadbolt Centre's studio theatre at 8 p.m., Dec. 3. Tickets are $15 in advance from 604-205-3000 or $17 at the door.