LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS (Swampstravaganza & OK Vancouver OK), And More!!

Today's post at the SMS is mostly devoted to LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS, but we also have a preview of a recent weekly event's next installment TOMORROW, but first, here's some new show announcements, one for an annual concert that many are anticipating, and another TONIGHT!

VM Radio Battle of the Bands winners Gnaeus will hit the stage for the first time since their victory TONIGHT at LopLops Lounge! Apologies for the short notice, the show was only announced on the official Facebook event page on Sunday. The fast-rising local post punk/garage rock quartet will be the local openers tonight for two Vancouver-based punk bands, including experimental pop/punk trio OK Vancouver OK and the lo-fi garage punk outfit KMVP, who both add their own unique genre hybrids to the mix for a show that should appeal to both LopLops regulars and punk fans TONIGHT! Of course, Gnaeus' first post-battle set is noteworthy as well, especially given their talent and chemistry, but keep posted for a second show at LopLops from them that we'll preview in the coming days. Tonight's show has a likely 10:00 PM start time and 19+ age limits, but have cash on hand just in case, as there hasn't been an announced cover. For more details, visit the above links, and for a preview, here's OK Vancouver OK live in 2013!

Speaking of Gnaeus, you can also see them as part of the final lineup for the fifth annual Swampstravaganza on May 9th at The Canadian Nightclub! Yesterday, promoter Steve Mozarowski revealed the final nine-band lineup (one more than previously hinted) on the Facebook event page, so who all is scheduled for this annual all ages concert marathon? Though a performance order hasn't been announced yet, the lineup will include all of the VM Radio Battle finalists (Gnaeus, death metal quartet The Bear Hunters, progressive rock quartet Mannapool, and rap/metal quartet The Apocalypse Afterparty) gathering at The Canadian once again, so if you loved the finals, here's the unofficial reunion! Notably, this will also continue The Bear Hunters' perfect run of playing at each Swampfest, the only band to maintain that distinction, so keep that in mind as well as they enter year #5!

Also returning from the past two years are local hard rock/grunge quartet Haggith (in their first show with Caleb Cachagee on guitar) and alternative/blues rock quartet Sykotyk Rampage (in their first set of the year), so they'll fit in well again at this annual event! This year's lineup will be rounded out by indie/punk quintet Northwest (more on their next show in the coming days), death metal duo Brutally Fatal (the band of that name last year became The Revolution), and new local alternative hard rock duo Infinity Grinder (featuring Northern Tragedy & No Arrow alumni), so be sure not to miss any of them either! For reference, last year's open mic block does not appear to be returning, but some performers from it are playing this year. Also, if you're wondering why a band that announced that they wanted to play isn't on the lineup, remember that there was a lot of interest, hence why promoters had formal applications.

While the Swampstravaganza has moved from The Oddfellows Hall to The Canadian for this year, it's still an ALL AGES event, there's a $10 cover charge, and a special later start time of 5:00 PM is advertised. For more details, visit the above links! It's great to finally hear the full lineup, and this year's shaping up to be great once again, so stay tuned as more rolls in!

Finally for today, here's our preview of TOMORROW NIGHT's likely Mourning Wood-hosted jam night at The Rednecks Saloon! Fresh off of their late notice gig at Reggie's West on Saturday (apologies again for missing it), this newer classic/hard rock trio will presumably host their fifth weekly jam night at the former Nicolet Tavern, where they'll play alongside anyone who wants to jump on stage with their gear and join in with their hard hitting covers, similarly to other jam night events in the area, and if all goes well, there should be great entertainment in store tomorrow night with Mourning Wood and company! For reference, I don't know if they're playing a regular concert this weekend yet or not, but many of their recent gigs have only recieved minimal advance word, so keep that in mind just in case something's announced.

Note also that there has been at least one personal Facebook post linking them to this weekend's Rock 'N Roar Battle of the Bands  in Spanish, though the full lineup hasn't been announced for that event that I've seen. If they're playing, good luck to them for sure, as the top 3 bands are playing the festival this August! Mourning Wood's jam night TOMORROW has a 9:30 PM start time, no announced cover, and a 19+ age limit. For more details, visit the above links, and here's Mourning Wood live last fall!



That's all for today, but stay tuned for this weekend's concert previews next, in all likelihood! Thanks everyone!