Tuesday, December 27, 2016

YouTube Channel Profile Series: Robert Ross

It's time to end another year for our YouTube Channel Profile Series, which remains our monthly look at 1-3 randomly selected YouTube channels featuring at least 50% local metal, hard rock, and/or punk-relevant videos, in order to spotlight them and encourage readers to watch and subscribe! This month's random choice is the channel from a veteran local guitarist who will be familiar to many readers from a few years back in particular, so read on below for what you should know!
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Robert Ross (http://www.youtube.com/megegegon1)

Owner: Ex-Nikkfitt/WFO guitarist Robert Ross

Channel Timeline: Launched on December 10th, 2007; Videos posted from May-July 2012

Channel Summary: A personal use channel, Robert posted two archival videos of his from shows he played with what appear to be WFO, as well as one solo performance clip.

Why You Should Watch: This channel is worth watching for fans of Robert's local band work, which is sadly under-represented online, though the lack of information on the videos may not appeal to casual viewers. Note that Robert hasn't used this channel since 2012, and did not include any footage from his work with Nikkfitt here either, in case that changes your mind about subscribing.

Our Recommended Videos To Check Out

rock n roll all night: One of Robert's two live videos is WFO (I believe) & two guest backing singers covering Kiss' "Rock & Roll All Nite" at a circa 2000 installment of Hempfest during it's original run in nearby Ophir, Ontario. I can't 100% identify the singer, but their lineup included Robert alongside guitarist Brian Turco, ex-J.A.B. bassist Dan Jones, and ex-Sneaky Pete drummer Mike Oakley. Robert noted in the description that they were playing to 2,000 people during this set, which is totally believable during the former local marijuana culture festival's peak years. Solidly done cover with enthusiasm, and the singer has a nice command of the stage!



Blue Oyster Cult cover of Godzilla: Robert's other apparent WFO video is of them covering the Blue Oyster Cult classic "Godzilla" at the Harmony Beach Lakeview Resort in 2000. Unlike on the Hempfest cover, this used multiple cameras, non-stationary cameras, color changes, transitions, and other post-effects to make this have a little more visual pop. The original cameras weren't high quality compared to what we have now, but they have a good handle on this B.O.C. cover, and fans of WFO should take to this video! Note that the woman in the thumbnail image for the video is not in the band, she just entered the frame mid-way through and was left in during editing.



G-Minor Improv.mov: Robert's most popular and oldest video is also his only solo performance video,in which he improvises in G-minor, apologizing for any potential mistakes in the description. Well performed, it has a bluesy drama to it, and seems like it has some emotional heft, whether implied or not. If the bright glare through the window isn't distracting, this is well worth watching, and hopefully we see Robert in a new band at some point!


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I hope you guys liked this month's YouTube Channel Profile! Next month (and year) in this series, our random selection has taken us to Gates of Winter/ex-Woods of Ypres guitarist Bryan Belleau's YouTube channel, which should be a very cool channel to explore to start 2017, so look for that on or around January 26th, and we'll see you guys TONIGHT at the Guy Thiffault tribute show! Thanks everyone!

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