Andres Duchesne Updates And This Weekend's Sault Ontario Concert Previews!!

This post was originally slated to be 100% devoted to weekend concert previews, but due to yesterday's tragic loss in the local metal scene, I've bumped our previews of Peril's Sault Michigan concerts to tomorrow's post so we can lead off with the latest news on yesterday's developments. After that though, we have previews of this weekend's heavier concerts in Sault Ontario, so read on below for what you need to know!

We should start this post with updates relating to the sudden passing of Pillory guitarist Andres Duchesne, and if you're a metalhead on the Sault Ontario side of the border, you'll have seen tons of condolences pouring in from band members and friends alike. There has been rumours going around about how he died, but unless something official comes out through his family, Pillory, or local news, I won't go into any detail on here. This isn't TMZ, after all. Andres' obituary was posted onto SooToday this evening, so you can read it at this location. Through there, I can confirm that his memorial service will take place at The O'Sullivan Donnelly Funeral Home (less than a mile from The Nicolet Tavern) at 215 St. James Street on Sunday at 4:00 PM. Visitation is from from 2:00-4:00 PM that day, and condolences may be given by phone or online at this location. Donations to The John Howard Society would be appreciated by his family. I personally can't make the funeral (like with David Gold's, this Detroit tripped was planned too far in advance), but I'll be there in spirit, and hopefully lots of his friends, bandmates, and family are there to pay tribute to him and his life!

When any further information on Andres' arrangements, Pillory's future, any more tributes, and anything else related to yesterday's sad news comes in, I'll be sure to have them here, but if you can make it to his services on Sunday, please do so. R.I.P. Andres, you are not forgotten!

Now, let's get to some slightly happier news, starting with a big multi-band metal/punk show at The Algonquin Pub TOMORROW NIGHT! Entitled "Survivors at the End of the World!" (an obvious connection to Mayan doomsday theories), this is the second concert of this type to take place at The Algonquin Hotel's downstairs bar this year, and it will see the long awaited returns of two prominent local bands and two other recently seen acts (all but one of which are making their Algonquin Pub debut), so who's on tap? According to what I've heard and the listed band order, the headlining band will be local blue Chinese metal crash punk quartet Sykotyk Rampage, fresh off their most recent appearance at The Locals Attack last month, and they should have a lot of fun alternative hard rock and bluesy originals for their growing fan base tomorrow, helping close out a busy year for them! I believe guitarist Dirk Becker will be providing sound with the Sykotyk Sound Company again, similarly to promoter J.D. Pearce's other recent shows. Prior to them is local punk/classical trio RedD Monkey, in their first local show since The Jamestown Massacre in August!

Planning to record a new album over the holidays, RedD Monkey have been busy through late 2012 with Canadian tour dates, and after a longer than usual wait between shows, hopefully many of their fans and friends are at The Algonquin tomorrow to rock out with their cello infused punk favourites! Also returning after a long absence is local deathcore quartet The Valentine's Day Massacre, who will be playing their first show in almost 5 months tomorrow following their collective move to London for college. Look for an explosive set of death metal and hardcore originals and covers in their return, and hopefully Steve, Andrew, Adam, and Kyle set off some big stuff with their return tomorrow! The lineup is rounded out by local rock cover quintet Lazer Queen in just their second concert, and after a successful debut last month, look for an entertaining set of their diverse covers from all over the rock spectrum! Notably, V.D.M. bassist Adam Veale revealed on Facebook last night that tonight's show is dedicated in Andres' memory, and given all of the recent links to him, it's extremely fitting.

With his Pillory bandmates Jon Tiberi & Bret Shuttleworth in Lazer Queen, plus both them and Sykotyk Rampage sharing the stage with Pillory at their debut last month, I'd expect a lot of heavy hearts tomorrow night, but from what I knew of Andres, a metal tribute would be the way to go, so hopefully this show's a huge hit! Admission is $5 for this 19+ show, and a 10:00 PM start time is advertised. For more details, click here! This should be an awesome concert, so go rock out, remember Andres, and enjoy the returns and metal/punk action! For a preview, here's Sykotyk Rampage playing their song "Sicked" at The Algonquin in October!



Finally for this post, we have one more heavier concert going down, and it involves local hard rock band The Suicide Kings! The newer quartet are continuing with their surprisingly busy stretch of concerts on Saturday night at The Nicolet Tavern for what they are calling a "Survival Party" following the supposed Mayan apocalypse. Note that they are only playing on Saturday due to bassist Mitch Sirie's show with The Bear Hunters in Sudbury tomorrow night, but guitarist Steven Flint told me in a recent Facebook conversation that all of the band's currently announced 2013 dates are the full weekend (not just Saturday as was originally posted.) The original plugs weren't clear, but my apologies for any confusion! Their Saturday show this weekend is largely the same as their others for content and format, with a 10:00 PM start time, no cover charge, and a 19+ age limit, but as revealed on their Facebook page last night, this concert will also be in Andres' memory (especially as he played in The Bear Hunters' original lineup with Mitch), so hopefully he's there somehow in spirit! For more details, visit the official Facebook event page!

This should also be an entertaining concert of hard and alternative rock covers and originals, so head to The Nic on Saturday night for The Suicide Kings' latest show, and for a preview, here they are playing three songs at Toystock last month!



That's all for today, but stay tuned for a new news post tomorrow, along with this month's YouTube Channel Profile on Saturday! Thanks everyone!