Trapt/Hinder Fallout, New Videos, And More Recent Updates!!

The news keeps coming in, and our streak of consecutive days with new posts will run until at least the end of the month, as tomorrow (day 34) will see our review of SweetKenny's new album, so keep an eye out for that! Today though, we have some more recent news and notes, including a few new videos, but first, here's some fallout from a major concert that took place last weekend!

Waiting for any videos or news articles from this past Sunday's Trapt/Hinder concert at The Dreammaker's Theatre at the Sault Michigan Kewadin Casino? I've finally got some to share, including a rare Kewadin Casino hard rock concert review on SooToday! Oddly not from usual concert reviewer/photographer Donna Hopper, the review heaps praise on the three bands (including fan-friendly openers Acidic), though it mostly focuses on Hinder's headlining set and how well recieved it was by attendees, especially during "Lips of an Angel" and "Get Stoned". I've never been high on Hinder myself, but it shows that their sound has a large appeal, and if fans left happy, that's what matters! 11 photos were also included in the article linked above, mostly of Hinder, but there are three from Trapt's set and one of Acidic frontman Mike Gossard as well. As for videos, I've only found two YouTube channels with any, including two Hinder videos from YouTube user suffacation2 (who had previously posted videos from local Papa Roach, Buckcherry, and Billy Talent shows), so click here to check out two videos of Hinder's biggest hits mentioned above!

The other new videos are courtesy of YouTube user Autumn Beard, in what are her first local concert videos, and including videos of the same Hinder songs above (plus "Better Than Me" and "Get Me Away From You"), and two Trapt videos of their songs "Headstrong" and "Sound Off"! These videos are alright too, and centered well, though the videos have an odd blur effect when the camera moves, and people's heads do sometimes get in the way. Check out Trapt playing "Sound Off" below, and see more from the show at the above links!



Next up, here's a new video from new stoner/sludge metal trio AlgomA! This is of their set-opening original song "Fell Down A Well", complete with the projected video that was synched up with it at 180 Projects last weekend. Uploaded to their YouTube channel this morning, the video footage used is from the 1926 German silent movie "Faust", and the sample intro comes from a Charles Manson interview. Featuring Kevin "Marty Chase" Campbell on lead vocals, this recording (which is from a jam session and not their concert last Sunday) sounds pretty good, and it captures the vocals and individual performances clearer, which is good to have! I'd be curious to see their other songs with the videos synched up too, but for now, this works, so check out AlgomA's quality doom metal sounds below!



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

• Sault Ontario music store Colosimo's Music has started a brand new Facebook page, so become a fan of it at this location for updates! Remember, this store opened last summer, and is located at 173 Spring Street (the original location of Case's Music before they moved.)
• Remember when a band named K.I.C.K. was scheduled for Toystock at The Canadian Nightclub in November, but later dropped out? As it turns out, they're an acoustic rock trio featuring Cowboys & Indians/Shore drummer Aaron Dunn that have been active since last summer, and they've been seen at a number of recent unplugged gigs. I know they're not metal, but I wanted to acknowledge the answer to a lingering question from our Toystock coverage, so now we know!
• Toast guitarist Mike Libertoski has uploaded a new 7 minute original instrumental named "Information" to his SoundCloud page on Tuesday, and it's an awesome sounding technical compositon with plenty of time changes and brutal solos and riffs, so check it out at the above links, and stay tuned for more from his solo work (and perhaps his most recent bands?)

That's all for today, but stay tuned for this month's CD review tomorrow in our likely last post of the month! Thanks everyone!

Trapt & Soul Killing Female Concert Previews, Plus A New Concert Promoter!!

Now, we'll finally close up this weekend's concert previews with the two notable hard rock-featured shows going down in the Sault Ste. Marie area tomorrow! Not generally a hopping day for shows, this Sunday promises to be different for at least one weekend, including a new venue's debut (with a possible new metal band in tow), and I've added some additional notes on a performer's upcoming concert booking plans as well! We'll start however with a big preview for a major concert going down across the river tomorrow, and tickets are still waiting, so here's what you need to know!

Allstar Promotions' second major 2013 concert at The Dreammaker's Theater at the Sault Michigan Kewadin Casino goes down TOMORROW NIGHT, and it includes California alternative metal quartet Trapt on the lineup! In this platinum selling band's local debut, be prepared for a set full of rock chart hits like "Still Frame", and (of course) "Headstrong", and with their new album "Reborn" released just two months ago, expect some singles from that album as well! Their alternative-leaning hard rock songs are often very catchy, and they have a lot more to say than just "Headstrong", so hopefully they deliver a quality set tomorrow night! They're the middle act in tomorrow's concert, with the headliners being Oklahoma post-grunge notables Hinder, in their second local appearance following a Kewadin Casino date in September 2010! I wouldn't say they quite cross the metal line, but they were among the biggest new American rock bands in the 2000s with hits like "Lips Of An Angel" & "Get Stoned", and they should attract a solid response tomorrow night! As well, Los Angeles indie rock trio Acidic will be tomorrow's opening band , and though their more minimal and softer music is a jump from the rock-based headliners, they have a lot of talent and should make some new fans tomorrow!

Tickets are still available in the fifth row & back for $29.50 (center section aside), and you can buy them at the Kewadin box office in person, at 1-800-KEWADIN, or online at this location! A 7:00 PM start time is advertised, there's no age limits, and call ahead to see if there's a meet & greet. Check the above links for more details! This should be an interesting concert, and though I'm not high on Hinder, the fans in attendance should have a great time, and don't miss the opening bands, including Trapt! For a preview, here's Trapt's video for their new song "Bring It"!



The other Sunday night concert with heavier bands goes down tomorrow evening at the new 180 Projects venue at 180 Gore Street, where Winnipeg cyber-sludge metal trio Soul Killing Female will rock the Sault for the second time! Last seen at The Oddfellows Hall opening for Weak Ends last summer, their mix of doom, alternative, and techno styles should add a unique element to the concert calendar tomorrow! I know their first local stop last year didn't have an immense crowd, but maybe this headlining set at a new venue will help? They'll be joined by two local opening bands, including debuting "Eeyore core" trio AlgomA, who feature BeeFMouTH alumni Kevin Campbell & Boyd Rendell alongside drummer/concert promoter Jamie Vincent (more on him in a bit.) Though we have no pages, media samples, or clear public word on their sound yet thanks to their intentionally-low profile since their 2012 inception, it will be very interesting to see how AlgomA shapes out in their live debut! The other scheduled band is newer local garage/folk rock outfit Honest Job, who I know a bit more on than AlgomA (though still not much), and they have an original hard-to-describe sound that should appeal to folk and acoustic fans!

As mentioned, this show will take place at 180 Projects, the new concert venue/art gallery host that's located at the former MJ's location near the former Club Princess. With past concerts there being indie rock-leaning, this is the first metal-featured show at this venue, and the first metal concert to hit Gore Street since Sativa Rose played at the former GLOW in September 2010, so it's great to finally see a new metal show on Gore after 2½ years! Tomorrow's show has an announced start time of 6:00 PM, there's a $5 cover charge, and this is an ALL AGES event, so for more details, visit the official Facebook event page! I definitely want to be at this show, so hopefully I'll see you guys there tomorrow for all of the action! I'm very curious to hear the local openers & to see 180 Projects for myself (and to figure out what exactly AlgomA sounds like), and Soul Killing Female have an awesome sludgy original sound from what I've heard, so hopefully you guys don't miss this ALL AGES show either! For a preview, here's Soul Killing Female playing their song "Hometown" in Saskatchewan last year!



Finally for today, here's some notes on AlgomA drummer Jamie Vincent's recent concert booking plans! As you may remember, Jamie's a veteran local musician, often on guitar, from bands like Fuller & Kidshit (both with prolific Sault native Mark Ranᶁ), along with a four year stint with the Edmonton hardcore band Flint when he lived out west, though he moved back home last year. Along with his recent AlgomA work, Jamie's apparently enterting the concert booking world, as he launched a Facebook group named "Sault Ste. Marie All Ages" this past Sunday. Ostensibly a group to promote concerts that he's booking, the description promotes "live music in Sault Ste. Marie for everyone", starting with tomorrow's Soul Killing Female gig, with another show (likely punk-centric) scheduled for May 10th at The Oddfellows Hall featuring out of town punk bands The Royal Red Brigade (who also played at last year's Weak Ends show) and The Rhubarbs, with openers to be announced. Initial response to the group's aim and Jamie's bookings sound very positive, and with good reason, as all ages shows haven't been nearly as plentiful in the last few years, and it'd be great to have more shows open to everyone, and to encourage younger fans to attend shows, play in bands, and follow local music!

Even beyond ages, we've had less active concert promoters lately as well, with some more frequent recent bookers either moving out of town, focusing on their bands, or just not promoting all together, so hopefully Jamie takes off locally in concert promotion, as we could use the extra shows, especially all ages ones! That's all for today, but stay tuned hopefully for a new news post tomorrow! Can we extend our posting streak to it's 27th day? We'll soon find out! Thanks everyone!

LOCAL CONCERT ALERT (Trapt), Sault Ontario's Next Battle Of The Bands (And How You Can Apply), And More!!

With no metal/hard rock concerts on the horizon for this weekend yet, we'll focus on some big new stories on this last day of the month, including news on a huge new battle of the bands in Sault Ontario and all of it's current information, along with some other assorted stories, but first, here's a LOCAL CONCERT ALERT for a major modern rock show across the river this spring!

Less than two weeks out from the next big hard rock show at The Dreammaker's Theater at the Sault Michigan Kewadin Casino, another big package of bands is coming there on March 24th, including one hard rock leaning band, that being platinum-selling California alternative metal quartet Trapt! Best known for their songs "Headstrong", "Still Frame", and "Stand Up", Trapt are definitely a catchy favourite dating back to their early 2000s heyday, and they should put in a solid set of hard rock originals in what I think is their first ever local concert appearance! They'll actually be one of two bands opening for multi-platinum Oklahoma post-grunge quintet Hinder at this concert, in their second stop in the area! Last seen headlining at Kewadin Casino in September 2010, this band remain popular thanks to their hit singles "Lips of an Angel" and "Get Stoned", and while they aren't quite metal, they do have a solid fanbase here that's sure to remember their 2010 date here well! The other opening band will be Los Angeles indie rock trio Acidic, who I'm not overly familiar with, but they appear to be on the rise with their more minimalistic but well performed material, and hopefully they make some new local fans on March 24th! Also, there's been no announcements yet concerning possible local openers.

This show is being presented by Allstar Promotions in their second Dreammaker's Theater show of 2013, and tickets will go on sale TOMORROW MORNING for $29.50 at this location, at 1-800-KEWADIN, or in person at their box office, and I'd expect a 7:00 PM start time and no age limits. This show should attract a lot of fans, and even though I don't really dig Hinder or Acidic, I know they'll impress in March (as will Trapt), so check the above links for more details, and get your tickets starting tomorrow!

Next up, another battle of the bands is on the horizon in Sault Ontario (the first since the Battle for the Blood last June), and there's some big prizes on the line! The Rockstar Bar (in cooperation with Case's Music, The Rad Zone, and local singer/concert promoter J.D. Pearce) are hosting a four week long battle of the bands over each Wednesday in April, but how's this going to work? Competing bands will play 25 minute sets on April 3rd, 10th, and 17th at The Rockstar Bar, with the winners (and likely some wild cards) returning on the 24th for the finals, and first place prizes will include $1,000, recording time at Case's Music, and a guaranteed opening slot at one of J.D.'s concerts this year! Other prize details will likely be announced in the next couple of months. There are no genre restrictions (trust me, growling and yelling is A-OK!), and as best as I can tell, registration forms will be available starting TODAY at The Rockstar Bar/Algonquin Hotel, The Rad Zone, and Case's Music. To apply, there will be a $150 registration fee, but you'll also be given 10 ticket packages for all 4 nights of the battle that you can sell, which means that the registration fee will essentially be cancelled out if you sell all of your tickets! Click here for more information!

Judges for the battle will include James Case from Case's Music, Len Ward from The Rad Zone, and myself (so our coverage of the battle on the site will aim to be fair & impartial with no major critiquing of the competing bands), and judging criteria will be available at all ticket locations. As for admission costs for fans, a full 4 night package will cost $15 (or $3 for each of the 3 qualifiying rounds & $10 for the finals only), so consider the full ticket package, as you'll save $4 across the whole month! I don't know if tickets will be on sale today, but I'll confirm the news as I hear it! I would expect 19+ age limits though, and start times will likely depend on the amount of bands each night, but slots are limited, so apply A.S.A.P.!! I'm very excited for this latest battle of the bands, and of course, to volunteer and contribute to the process, and I really hope there's a huge response from bands interested in applying to compete! This could be a huge opportunity to further yourselves locally and make a larger name (and entertain your fans), so apply at any of the above locations as soon as possible, and come April, may the best band win! Click here and check the above links for more details!

Just for fun, I thought I'd throw in some random local battle of the bands trivia and facts to tie in to April's battle! As far as I know, this will be the first ever battle held at The Rockstar Bar and the first local battle to take place over multiple nights since the Kiss Battle of the Bands in late 2009, but it's staggered rounds format could call to mind some of the old Bon Soo or Eastgate Hotel battles as well! Much of the crew on board for this battle have recent experience with them, as all of the judges have judged battles recently (James at the Case's Music battles, Len at Downtown Showdown, and me at the Humane Society battle), while James competed at the Kiss Battle with Huckster. Plus, the aforementioned J.D. Pearce promoted last year's Battle for the Blood and competed at the Humane Society battle with T-Rex Manning, so there's no shortage of people on board with first hand battle experience in recent years! Again, there's no sound restrictions, so who could sign up? Recent battle winners? Newer talent? Reunited favourites? Anything's possible, so stay tuned to the SMS and the links above for details on confirmed bands, updated information, and more!

Finally, here's three more assorted shorter stories from the last little while, and as always, these are in alphabetical order by band or series name:

• Local death metal quartet Crimson Crusade will apparently begin recording sessions next month! No word on if these are linked to an album of some kind, but this is somewhat surprising given Crimson Crusade's minimal concerts in recent months. If the improvement they shown last year continues though, this could be very cool, so click here for more information!
• Speaking of recording plans for local metal bands featuring Robert Sartini, his local thrash band Pillory have recently had some prospective EP artwork designs posted on their Facebook page by bassist Jonathan Tiberi, partly including imagery & credits for late guitarist Andres Duchesne (which is awesome of them!) Nothing's 100% yet on the final product, but check the above links to give the artwork prototypes a look!
• The Facebook page for the Roosevelt Hotel metal nights was updated yesterday to credit the February 21st Annex Theory-headlined concert, even saying that they're returning that day, but is that entirely true? While the series' most recent promoter Mitch Sirie is playing at this show, J.D. Pearce is booking it, and his other recent Thursday shows at The Rosie weren't part of the series, so I hesitate to say it's a full return (at least right now.) If that changes though, I'll correct myself, but no matter what, don't miss this onslaught of death metal!

That's all for now, but stay tuned tonight for our review of Destroilet's new CD to cap off January 2013! Thanks everyone!