Exithiside enter new phase

John Goodman jgoodman@nsnews.com

NORTH Vancouver's Exithiside enter a new phase of their career this weekend with two showcase performances scheduled for NewMusicWest 2003.

The band finished first runner-up at XFM's Last Band Standing contest last week with drummer Julian back after a two-month absence. Claim the World's Dave Lewis had been filling in for him while he was recovering from a car accident earlier this year.

Exithiside got a huge response from the crowd at Last Band Standing but were edged out for top honours by Motion Soundtrack. Finishing first runner-up gave the band a slot tonight at Sonar as part of the XFM Showcase at NewMusicWest. They will hit the stage at 9 p.m. with Cellar Door and Motion Soundtrack also on the bill.

Saturday Night the band will play at the Brickyard with Means to An End, Deville, All State Champion and Rice Rocket. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. with Exithiside expected on stage at 11:45 p.m.

"We're really excited about NewMusicWest," says bass player Craig McLaren. "Especially having the two showcases on Friday and Saturday. We've been talking to a few record labels so we're hoping some of their bigger representatives from back east are going to check us out. It's also a good opportunity to schmooze and go to a few conferences and find out what's going on. A great week for Vancouver's music scene."

Exithiside is currently in the process of recording an EP at Greenhouse Studios with Al Levy (40 Foot Echo) producing. "Three songs are done and we're going to be remixing them in about a week with Garth Richardson (Nickelback, Rage Against the Machine)," says McLaren. They expect to record another three or four songs within the next month and release the EP in the summer.

As well as recording, the band have a big all-ages show coming up at the Commodore, Sunday, June 15 with Goldfinger. Doors open at 2 p.m. with the show starting at 2:45 p.m. Go to www.exithiside.com for more information.