LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS (Soundcheck) & Weekend Concert Previews!!

Before we get into this weekend's concert previews, just a heads up that former Startlefish bassist and Taxi Passenger Revue host Mike Robillard's obituary is now up on SooToday at this link. There, it confirms that he passed away at Sault Area Hospital on Monday at just 51 years of age, and he survived by his mother, three siblings, and numerous nephews and nieces, among other extended family. His funeral services will take place at the Arthur Funeral Home's Barton & Kiteley Chapel at 492 Wellington Street East on Friday, May 6th at 1:00 PM, with visitation preceding from 10:30 AM on, and interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by his family. Just a shame all around, but hopefully his family & friends keep the good memories close at this difficult time. R.I.P. Mike!

Now, today's post is otherwise devoted to hard rock & punk concert previews on this relatively quieter weekend in the Twin Saults, and we'll start with a SHORT NOTICE LOCAL CONCERT ALERT, as local classic/hard rock cover quartet Soundcheck will return to Reggie's West for traditional concerts TOMORROW & SATURDAY NIGHT! Apologies for the short notice, these shows were only announced via the official Facebook event page yesterday, though note that while Soundcheck themselves only listed the Friday nighter, the venue's Facebook page confirms they're be there both nights. Technically three, as their usual weekly jam night at the Reggievelt also goes down tonight, but historically, we don't cover jam nights as "concerts" on the SMS due to their unpredictable nature. Thursday jamming aside, these will be Soundcheck's first normal concerts at this venue in over a month, but fans have seen them elsewhere since.

Hopefully Terry, Cameron, Paul and/or Rob, and Glen have a strong weekend of fan friendly and often heavy covers once again, so don't miss out TOMORROW or SATURDAY despite the late notice! These shows and tonight's jam night will have 8:00 PM start times, no cover charges, and 19+ age limits, as recently usual. Visit the above links for more details, and here's Soundcheck live a few weeks back!

Today's other previews are of shows that had ample advance notice, and we'll next head south to Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula, where Traverse City hard rock trio Scarkazm will return to The Northern Pines Lounge at the St. Ignace Kewadin Casino TOMORROW & SATURDAY NIGHT! Despite saying "it's been WAY too long" when promoting these shows on Facebook, St. Ignace fans will have just seen Scarkazm at that Kewadin Casino branch in early March, with a weekend at the Kewadin branch in the Soo in between, so it may just seem like it's been too long. Regardless, this fan favourite touring act should deliver more hard rocking originals and covers to Mackinac County fans this weekend, so don't miss out! For the record, Scarkazm are not advertised to return to either Kewadin branch through June, but we will address hard rock bands that are soon.

Scarkazm are on at 9:00 PM tomorrow & Saturday night as usual for their Kewadin jaunts, and these shows are 21+ affairs with no cover charge. Visit the official Facebook event pages linked here & here for more details, and here's Scarkazm live!

Finally, let's head north to Sault Ontario for the local concert debut of Vancouver alternative punk band The Midnight Echo, who will be rocking out at The Rockstar Bar THIS SATURDAY NIGHT! Fans of upbeat indie-tinged pop punk will take to The Midnight Echo's distinct original sound, complete with some sweeping synth elements and a good ear for catchy melodies, so definitely consider a trip to The Algonquin Hotel's upstairs venue on Saturday to see what they have in store! Remember, touring bands from out of town is still something of a novelty as we're (hopefully) coming out of the pandemic, so try and make this show worth the band's and the venue's while by coming out if they pique your musical interest! This stop on The Midnight Echo's Whatever Happens, Happens Tour was originally scheduled for Soo Blaster's spring 2022 concert series before being moved to The Rockstar Bar for unannounced reasons.

No word on an opening band, for the record. Everything goes down on Saturday night at 8:30 PM with a 19+ age limit, and while a cover charge was not announced on the Facebook event page, bring money just in case, especially given the trek that The Midnight Echo are on for this tour. Visit the above links for more details, and here are the headliners live!

That's all for today, but stay tuned for either a new news post or this month's CD review tomorrow! Both will hit the site by week's end, for the record. Thanks everyone!