Slopefest/Strange Coyotes Updates, The Return Of Swampfest, And More!!

Well, March sure has came in like a lion, huh? For our first post of the month, we have some assorted recent news and notes, a new live video, and the return of an annual all ages concert event, but first, some clarification to a concert this weekend and what looks like a band exit, so read on below for what you need to know!

We were originally going to lead off this post with a preview of the Slopefest 2014 snowboarding competition/outdoor concert festival going down TODAY at Searchmont Resort, but now, I can't confirm if there's any hard rock acts playing it. We did know of local funk metal trio The Strange Coyotes beforehand, but on Thursday, it was announced that drummer Mike Haggith had left the band, apparently due to "inadequate group rehearsal time", as per the PaperClip Productions Facebook page. A replacement has yet to be named, and while surviving members Chase Wigmore & James Watterworth have played a number of solo shows over the past year and don't need a live drummer for them, The Strange Coyotes' Facebook page never plugged Slopefest, and Mike's post on the Slopefest event page about them playing has been deleted. I don't have enough firm evidence that they or their members are still playing to call the show now, and even still, there's no public schedule or band lineup besides local indie/punk band Northwest as the advertised headliners (is this deja vu from Bon Soo's Marquee all over again?)

If you are planning to go, there's a 10:00 AM start time at Searchmont, it is ALL AGES, and the snowboarding & skiing competitions are open with your entry fee, and Northwest should entertain with their indie/punk sound, but without any further detail on the lineup (or 100% confirmed hard rock bands), I can't call it on here as a hard rock show now. If I hear that The Strange Coyotes are still playing though, I'll gladly edit this, so best of luck to Mike with his remaining local projects, and stay tuned for updates!

Next up, the Sewer Swampstravaganza returns to The Oddfellows Hall on Saturday, May 3rd, but with a new name. The annual RedD Monkey-promoted all ages concert marathon reverts to the spring this year for the first time since it's 2011 inception, but it's name has been changed to Swampfest for unannounced reasons, though it may be in response to this easier shortform name that some people had used for the event in prior years. If you've attended past Swampfests, you may recall that each featured 9-11 bands (almost all local, mostly heavy) in an all day concert event, and while the band lineup has yet to be announced, it's safe to assume that the aforementioned RedD Monkey will make their first local concert appearance of 2014 as the highest slotted local band, but the rest of the lineup is wide open. For reference, last year's other local performers were The Bear Hunters, Sykotyk Rampage, The Northern Tragedy, James Watterworth, Guy Smith, the on-hiatus Crimson Crusade, and the now-defunct Haggith, while Montreal thrashers Warsenal became the event's only out of town headlining act to date.

If Swampfest IV gets 10+ bands like it had before last year, this will be the second all ages concert with a performer amount in double figures in a two week span at The Oddfellows Hall (following Dank Fest 2014 from Heavy North Entertainment), and it will be really interesting to see how each show does! Admission prices and times are to be announced, and stay tuned for updates as bands and more information roll in!

Also today, here's a new video from last week's Late & Loud reunion show at The Rockstar Bar! Uploaded to singer/guitarist Jonathan Tiberi's new YouTube channel on Tuesday, this is of the guys' lengthy first song "Trouble" complete with part of the dramatic opening, and while the filmer's camera has solid audio and a nice side-stage angle, the video is very blurry for most of the first half, but it does get corrected. It's great to get some more video from this show (especially if it ends up to be Late & Loud's last), so check it out below!



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

• Local hard rock quartet The Danger Cats are giving away two tickets for the Anvil concert at The Canadian on March 15th at their show TONIGHT at Docks Riverfront Grill! They will go to the fan who spends the most time on the dance floor, so if you want a chance to win some tickets, be at Docks tonight! It's a little odd that they're giving away tickets to a show they're not playing, but keep the offer in mind, and check the above links for more info!
• A new Heavy Thursday at The Roosevelt Hotel has been announced for April 3rd (tentatively making it 8th in the series if no March weeks are skipped), and it will be headlined by Victoria, B.C. punk band Babysitter! The aforementioned Strange Coyotes are tentatively listed as a local opening band (perhaps their Heavy Thursdays debut), but with Mike Haggith's departure, who knows if they'll indeed be finalized. When/if hard rock bands are 100% confirmed, we'll let you guys know!
• Local punk/metal quintet Jack Spades are fielding fan suggestions for the name of their forthcoming debut EP on their Facebook page! No word on if there's an attached incentive for the winner, but if you have a fitting name for the EP, share it above, and who knows, it might be selected!

That's all for today, but stay tuned for more news soon, plus this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post tomorrow! Thanks everyone!