Friday, May 29, 2015

LOCAL CONCERT ALERT (Lucky 13), More Weekend Concert Previews, And More!!

As May winds to a close, here's a new news post for your Friday afternoon, including a SHORT NOTICE LOCAL CONCERT ALERT for TONIGHT, an extra concert preview for tomorrow, a local band's campaign to get on Rotaryfest, and some assorted recent updates, so here's what you need to know!

Following Havadder/Wishbone drummer Scott McLurg's sudden heart attack on Wednesday, a fundraiser headlined by fellow local cover hard rock quartet Lucky 13 will take place TOMORROW NIGHT at The Rockstar Bar! Originally scheduled to be a one-night-only Havadder gig due to tonght's Destroyer concert, what happened to Scott obviously knocked Havadder out of the show, but it's great to see Lucky 13 (featuring Scott's Wishbone/ex-Turner Up bandmate Jeff Gray) come on board on short notice to show their support! As such, this is a fundraiser concert, with proceeds going to Scott during his recovery and time off from work, so while a cover charge isn't stated there, bring money to donate no matter what. This is a 19+ concert, and a 10:30 PM start time is advertised. For more details on tomorrow's fundraiser, visit the official Facebook event page!

While it's unclear what all of this means for Havadder's short-term future, Scott's health is of the greatest concern right now, and at last word, he is currently in Toronto for further treatment. We again send out best wishes and hopes out to Scott and his family at this difficult time, and hopefully he's back better than ever when all is said and done! Consider showing up TOMORROW NIGHT to help Scott out, and for a preview, here's Lucky 13 live!



Meanwhile, there will be another fundraiser going on downstairs from The Rockstar Bar TOMORROW NIGHT, as local punk/metal bands Destroilet & Jack Spades will hit the stage at The Algonquin Pub to raise money for their upcoming split album with Montreal hardcore punk legends The Ripcordz! The third show in Jack Spades frontman J.D. Pearce's Gonqshow concert series at The Algonquin, this joins the local bands' Kickstarter campaign to help fund the split plans, and while it's unclear if donations at the show will result in similar rewards as on Kickstarter, keep both in mind as ways to get this ambitious CD out as planned in the fall! Of extra note, this will be Destroilet's first concert appearance of 2015 and just their second with new co-lead singer Brenton Ellis, so if you haven't seen their new six-piece lineup, here's your chance! Opening tomorrow's show is local alternative hard rock trio The Pixo Control in their Algonquin debut, and their entertaining and skilled originals will set the tone nicely tomorrow night!

There will be a $5 cover charge (and donations accepted) for TOMORROW'S concert, which has a 10:00 PM start time and a 19+ age limit. For more details, visit the official Facebook event page! This should be an excellent concert, and hopefully the guys make a dent in their album funding plans when all is said and done! I will absolutely see everyone there tomorrow, and not just because I'll officially be 26 years old once midnight strikes, so come on down to The Algonquin for all of the action, and here's Destroilet live!



Also today, remember a couple years back when The Bear Hunters openly campaigned to try and get on the lineup on one of Rotaryfest's stages? Well, the local death metal favourites have resumed those plans via this petition on iPetition, where they're seeking 100 signatures to show that they have the support to play on Rotaryfest's Second Stage! Now, this is a bit of a surprise announcement, as we have yet to hear official word from The Rotary Club regarding either a return of the Second Stage (which went on hiatus last year due to sponsorship and funding decreases) or any cover bands for the first stage at Clergue Park, but if The Bear Hunters know something that we don't, the Second Stage's return would mark it's 10th installment in 2015. If it comes back, it remains to be seen if it will still be held on the outdoor Queen Street stage or not, but it'll presumably have new organizers given LopLops Lounge's focus on the second-year Emergency Festival.

We'll of course keep you guys posted when more is said regarding Rotaryfest's stage(s?) this year, but The Bear Hunters have arguably grown in prominence and skill since the last time they tried a fan campaign to get on our annual local summer festival's band lineup, so join me in signing the petition at this link! Only a few more to go!

Finally for today, here's three shorter news items from the last while, and as usual, these are in alphabetical order by band, event, or company name:

  • The Emergency Festival has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to help fund this year's second installment of the annual summer concert festival, to take place downtown on August 15th. They're seeking $10,000 for assorted costs in running the festival and paying bands, so if you're interested in helping out, visit the above links! Note that the page indicates that there will be a "licensed ticketed area" along with free stages this year, but we await details on stage locations and lineups.
  • The Menstrual Munchies-headlined concert in Sault Ontario on June 25th will no longer be hosted at The Oddfellows Hall, as per co-promoter Tyler Gibson on the Facebook event page on Monday. A reason for the move wasn't announced, but it may be for similar reasons to the cancellation of last month's Dank Fest II due to unspecified "contract issues." In any event, a replacement venue is to be announced, and we'll let you know when we do!
  • This doesn't bear directly on the local punk scene, but local independent label Tidal Records have launched their own skateboarding team! Not a bad idea to expand their reach and name, so if you're a skateboarder or fan of the sport, give everything a look at the above links! Also, note that one of their first four sponsored riders is Id Iota frontman Christian Lemay.

That's all for today, but stay tuned for a likely new news post tomorrow! Thanks everyone!

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