LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS (The Bear Hunters & Havadder) And Much More!!

Before we reveal last month's poll results and post info on this month's poll (which is up now, so VOTE A.S.A.P.!), here's a new news post for your Saturday morning! This includes some assorted recent notes, a surprise re-recording, and first, LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS, including for a new show TONIGHT, so here;s what you should know! (Updated at 12:33 PM)

Local classic/hard rock cover quartet Havadder will play a rare set at The Moose Lodge TONIGHT, but there's a charitable air to the proceedings! Apologies for the short notice, the band only announced the event yesterday via it's official Facebook event page, though they had teased it beforehand. Tomorrow's event is a fundraiser for Valerie Belsito, a friend of the band who suffers from multiple sclerosis and can't walk, but it hoping to raise money tonight to travel to California for a stem cell treatment that may help her walk again. I won't get into any ethical debates here about stem cell treatments (this is a music site), but hopefully there's a great turnout tonight so Valerie can try this out and see if the stem cells can do what they're hoping! Admission is $30 (remember the cause behind it), and it's presumably all ages, and it kicks off today at 5:00 PM, while there will be dinner served and numerous prize draws.

Considering the intent and theme of the event, this might not be ideal for Havadder fans in general, but they're just donating their time to help Valerie out, and if she can walk again when all is said and done, everyone at The Moose Lodge will have helped the cause! Keep it in mind if you want to help Valerie, and for a preview, here's Havadder live last year!



Next up, here's another new concert taking place at The Rednecks Saloon, as death metal favourites The Bear Hunters are hosting a special Tuesday night concert on April 28th called "The Windshield Benefit"! The show is to help drummer Johnny Belanger replace his car's windshield, which was recently smashed, and while the show is free, you can donate to the cause! Almost like a live Kickstarter, there are incentives to donate, as $1 donations get you a "Thank you" acknowledgement in the booklet for the band's upcoming album "The Dead Testament" and $5 donations will get you entered in a draw for a free copy of said album upon release, and apparently a personalized letter and mini-comic from Johnny! As for the performer lineup, the newly announced headliners are local/St. Catharine's death/grime trio Shit Liver, in their Rednecks debut and first local concert since last summer! This is a bit of a surprise considering that the guys were aiming for their local tour date to be next week, but it's great to have them back any time, so don't miss them at 1:00 AM! The Bear Hunters will co-headline at midnight in their first set since their VM Radio Battle of the Bands second place run.

Local punk/metal quintet Jack Spades are on at 11:00 PM, and local alternative hard rock trio Mike Haggith & The Din making their Rednecks debut at 10:00 PM. The opening sets will be acoustic, with Johnny & his Jack Spades bandmate Jesse Cook reprising their Sleigher turn from X-Mess 2 for a half-set, while Bear Hunters guitarist Mitch Sirie is slated to play a rare acoustic set as well, apparently named "Alan Strings" with a set of... Alicia Keys covers?! I assume that's a joke, but maybe we'll be surprised? This is a 19+ concert, and hopefully there's a good turnout to fund Johnny's new windshield, so click here for more details, and stay tuned as updates roll in!

Also today, here's a slight surprise from local grunge/hard rock quartet Haggith, as they've revealed one final song for their upcoming EP "XIV"! Originally announced to have just the three songs recorded before Daniel Horton left the band, they've recently added a re-recording of "Rage Train" (originally on their 2012 debut "Dragon Joy Ride") to the track listing! You can hear it via their YouTube channel on Wednesday, and while we won't review the song here yet pending a likely review of "XIV", I will note that it is longer than the original version. For reference, this version features frontman Curtis McKenzie on all guitar parts (the returning Caleb Cachagee isn't featured), while Jordan Leach plays bass on the track. Check it out below, and stay tuned for more on Haggith's album release plans!



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

• The teased Dank Fest 2 all ages concert event at The Oddfellows Hall (presumably intended for this weekend) has been cancelled due to "current contract issues" with the venue, as per promoters Heavy North Entertainment's Facebook page yesterday. It's a rented hall, did the price go up recently? H.N.E. haven't shut the door on holding a second Dank Fest next year, and hopefully they don't stop putting on shows there!
• Frasiers drummer Devin Williamson is looking for a 16-24 year old guitar player with harmony vocal ability for his new local band, who would play originals and covers, and are influenced by everyone from Van Halen & Motley Crue to The Arctic Monkeys and Band of Skulls. Wide range there, but if you're interested in more details, message Devin at this link or via his Musicians Wanted Facebook group post from Wednesday!
• The presumed cover artwork for local doom/punk trio The Revolution's upcoming EP "Roll Call" can now be viewed at their official Facebook page! It might just be a teaser, but it leaves an impact, so give it a look above! Note that recent postings concerning a search for a full time lead singer have recently been taken down.

That's all for now, but stay tuned for last month's poll results and this month's poll info next, and VOTE TODAY! Thanks everyone!