We have some big updates from local/Barrie crossover thrash quintet Spades GT today, so what have they been up to in the last two weeks? On May 22nd, they announced another new concert in Toronto on Friday, June 27th, where they will be the headline act (with four Southern Ontario support bands) at See-Scape, a science fiction-themed bar & cafe. I know See-Scape isn't local, but I'd be remiss if I didn't compliment its concept and design! To promote that gig (their last one before their album release, more on that in a bit), new bassist Sean MacNab starred in the video embedded below on May 26th where he was plugging both that show and the May 30th concert at See-Scape featuring his and guitarist Matthew Voros' psychobilly band The House Of Haunt, where they opened for past local headliners The Fixer. Good to see Sean taking the lead in some new Spades social media content, so give this video a watch for yourselves below!
In a "Reel" shared to their Facebook page on Thursday, guitarist Daniel Horton hyped their next concert (opening for Selias in Barrie next Wednesday), noting there that it will be their "last one (in Barrie) for a little bit", though readers down there are only a 40 minute drive from their Windsor show next Friday, traffic permitting. Dan also alluded to their big impending album announcements, noting that June will be "a Spades GT month". I can't embed "Reels" on the SMS, so click here to give it a watch! As for the big announcements, those began dropping on Friday, where Spades confirmed that their new album (named "United" will be released on Saturday, July 5th, confirming earlier teasers, and that there will be a formal release party concert that night at The Bovine Sex Club in Toronto! The guys had opened for Random Killing there in September 2023, and many local-infused bands have played there over the years.
At press time, the former Jack Spades have not elaborated on the release party (7 hours away or not), but stay tuned to their social media accounts for details when they are made public! Aside from their three Southern Ontario gigs, the guys will unveil the cover artwork (heavily implied to have a jigsaw puzzle motif) on Saturday, while all eight track names will be unveiled on Monday the 16th. The studio version of the title track (as seen in their recent live concerts) will be posted online on Saturday the 21st, and one week later, the second advance single will be released, entitled "Deamons". Whether that spelling is intentional or if they meant to type "Daemons" is to be confirmed. There are other blanks to fill in about "United", like who's guesting on what song, whether Dan is handling bass on every track, if CD copies are being printed, and if they'll be playing in Sault Ste. Marie any time soon in support of the album.
When "Sewer City Radio" came out in June 2023, Spades returned home two months later to open for Josey Scott, but could "United" spur things along similarly? We'll let you know! In their first concert after the album drops, the guys will return to Hamilton to open a crust punk show at Vertagogo on Wednesday, July 9th, where they will open for Mexico's Coaccion and Brazil's Kaos Attack. Just on where those bands are from, this will be a very intriguing concert if you're in the area, so keep that in mind for next month if you'll be in Southern Ontario! Lastly, we now know more about Rye Fest 5, the outdoor multi-band festival being held by Rye Field Studios in Brantford on August 9th. Spades are either second or third billed, depending on how you read the band logo order, and a couple of bands will be familiar from our coverage, like Devilz By Definition, who Spades GT are opening for in Windsor next Friday.
The other name that you may recognize in a local context is Peterborough "beatdown/core" quartet Seagrave, who were scheduled to play at the cancelled Crucifest in Leeburn in July of last year. Far from a local booking, but good to see Seagrave sharing the stage with some Saultites later this summer! Big things are definitely afoot for Spades GT, so follow their social media as June progresses for more reveals and teasers for "United", and stay tuned for more news and notes on the site soon! Thanks everyone!
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