LOCAL CONCERT ALERT (Toystock), Plus Revolution & Bear Hunters Updates!!

As expected, we have been in a post-Halloween slowdown for news on the site, but we have some notable stuff to touch on today, including updates on an upcoming CD release and a band's surprise member departure, but first, here's a LOCAL CONCERT ALERT for a returning charity concert!

The official lineup for the third annual Toystock fundraiser concert has officially been announced! As per a SooToday news release by promoters Maxx Entertainment, the event will return to The Canadian Nightclub once again on Sunday, November 30th, and will once again see 10 bands playing all day for Christmas Cheer, so who all is playing this year? Surprisingly featuring only three returning bands from past Toystocks (but still maintaining it's Rotaryfest-esque veteran cover band focus), an official band order hasn't been confirmed, but we'll treat the SooToday band listing as chronological for now. If true, local country quartet Bone Yard (who rocked Toystock in 2012) will be headlining this year, as preceded by three Toystock newcomers, including local blues outfit The Stumpy Coldwater Trio, newer local alternative/jazz rock quartet Mannapool, and local country/rock trio Mourning Wood, all of whom should give a varied shot of energy to the proceedings!

The lineup also includes local alternative/hard rock veterans Lucky 13 (who will become the only band to play at all three Toystocks), all-female classic rock band Domina (featuring alumni of bands like Obsession & Mid Life Crysis), local country favourites Thin Ice (surprisingly making their Toystock debut), young local alternative/grunge trio The Pixo Control, and local country solo musician Lorrie Bolduc, with Mike Case's Junior All-Stars (in their second straight Toystock appearance) rounding out the lineup. As usual, this year's Toystock is ALL AGES, will start at noon on November 30th, and admission is via a donation of a new (or slightly used) toy, a non-perishable food item, or a cash donation. All proceeds go to Christmas Cheer to help families in need over the holidays, the Stuff-A-Bus returns to transport donations to the Christmas Cheer depot, Santa & Mrs. Claus will be on site to meet the kids, and there will be prize draws too, so everything's sounding great for this year for Toystock's third installment!

Sounds like another great installment of Toystock, and after missing last year's event due to family commitments, hopefully I can make it out to see some bands I don't get chances to see a whole lot! That said, White Cowbell Oklahoma's the same night... we'll see how things fall into place! It's a little odd not seeing Boxcar Junction, Obsession, or Stiffler's Mom back for a third go-around, but there's plenty of newer and established talent for every taste, including The Pixo Control and Lucky 13 for hard rock fans, and I'd expect bands like Domina and Mourning Wood to have some heavier covers too! Stay tuned for updates on Toystock 2014 as they happen!

Next up, here's some surprising news from newer local doom/punk trio The Revolution, as the band has parted ways with bassist Rainey Vincent, less than a week after their Devil's Night set at The Oddfellows Hall. The news was revealed on the band's Facebook page yesterday, and while a reason wasn't announced for Rainey's departure, a post indicated that "the band's going through a rough patch." For what it's worth, recent personal Facebook posts by Rainey have hinted that he may move from the area, so that could be related. Rainey was a solid bassist for the former Brutaly Fatal since joining the band in the spring, and hopefully everything's alright for him in the future, no matter what! Oddly, the news came just a day after the band revealed that they would be opening for AlgomA at their yet-announced CD release party at The Moose Lodge on Friday, November 14th, but they've since confirmed that they won't be playing it now. This is the first I've heard of AlgomA hosting a local release show, but we'll keep you posted on official public word!

With that said, The Revolution still plan to play at Sault Band-O-Rama at The Primavera Banquet Hall on November 21st "with or without a bass guitarist", but they are looking for a replacement. If you're interested in trying out, message The Revolution at this link or surviving members Austin McCrae or Brandan Glew on Facebook, and stay tuned for more on them (and AlgomA's CD release show) when it comes in!

Finally for today, here's some more concrete info on local death metal standouts The Bear Hunters' upcoming CD plans, specifically their hyped "Collapse The Sun" single release! On October 26th, the band revealed on their Facebook page that the single would feature the fully mastered studio version of the song in question, plus a high quality live version of the song and a 2011 instrumental demo that guitarist Mitch Sirie recorded, as a way to see how the song has grown over the years. This is the artwork (done by Chronic Demonic guitarist Kevin Powe) in a small resolution copy, originally from the cover photo on the band's Facebook page, as they have yet to post the full large version. The single was delayed from it's originally announced release on October 25th due to "printing issues", but as of the next day, Mitch was impressed with how it was turning out, which is a good sign! When released, the single will cost $2 and will be available in limited quantities of 100 copies, while an official YouTube lyric video is planned for the coming weeks as well.

Given the obvious delays, I wonder if The Bear Hunters will delay the release of the "Collapse The Sun" single until November 29th's release party at The Canadian for their full length album "Eternal Hibernation", but either way, there wasn't a show to time the planned October 25th release with either. For the curious, an SMS review of "Collapse The Sun" isn't a priority given the imminent release of "Eternal Hibernation", and for locally released singles, we generally wait until after we cover that band's existing full length discography in our reviews. Either way, keep an eye out for more!

That's all for today, but stay tuned for weekend concert previews and more shortly! Thanks everyone!