Bret Michaels Concert Videos, Toystock VI Fallout, And More!!

Before we begin this post, I wanted to send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jason Michaud, who passed away on Sunday at just 23 years old after a tough battle with cancer over the past five years (read his obituary at this link.) Though not a local musician to my knowledge, Jason will be familiar to many readers from a benefit concert in his name two years ago at The Marconi Hall towards his ongoing medical expenses, which featured Redundant, Project 421, The Din, and Eclipse alongside DJ Seith as part of it's musical entertainment. A pot-luck dinner/celebration of life will take place at the Bridge View Banquet Hall (formerly The Verdi Hall) on Sunday at 6:00 PM, with arrangements entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home, while The Din encouraged donations to the Canadian Cancer Society in their own Facebook post from Sunday. I didn't know Jason personally, but I've heard great things about his character and courage, and our best thoughts go out to everyone affected by his loss. R.I.P. Jason!

Now, today's post otherwise relates to recent concert fallout on both sides of the border, and we'll start with some new video uploads surrounding the Bret Michaels concert at the Sault Michigan Kewadin Casino this past Saturday! Surprisingly, I've only came across one YouTube channel at press time with footage from the actual concert, that being of attendee Annette Chandler, who had previously uploaded videos from the Lita Ford and Fleetwood Mania concerts this year. Though untitled, Annette's videos are of Bret covering three Poison classics at The Dreammaker's Theater on Saturday, including "Nothin' But A Good Time",  "Unskinny Bop" (complete with pre-song cover medley), and as embedded below, "Talk Dirty To Me" to kick off his set. Good angle of the stage for these videos, and while the audio can be a little staticy at times, everyone has good energy and Bret's great at engaging with fans and keeping up the party atmosphere! Check out Annette's videos above & below!



Also, here's a pre-concert hype video from Bret himself that was shared to the Kewadin Concerts Facebook page on Saturday evening, wherein Bret gives a final push to the concert, which was "almost sold out" as of filming. Given that it went online only an hour before the show's advertised start time, we didn't have much of a window to post it here before the show took place, so apologies for it being late, but it's nice to see more direct promotion from the artist like this, and give this video a belated look below!

Finally for today, here's some fallout from the sixth annual Toystock charity concert this past Sunday at The Northern Grand Gardens! By the vast majority of accounts, Toystock VI was another successful event for music fans and charitable locals alike, and while I couldn't make it this year due to Christmas decoration/tree setup conflicts, I'm sure it was a great time! SooToday's Donna Hopper was in attendance for part of the day, posting this article mid-concert, so what lies within? The article includes interview remarks from promoter/performer Greg Simpson on the high early attendance and Christmas Cheer donation levels, a call to keep donations coming for those in need, and how Toystock has evolved. Solid overall, nice to hear that things are continuing to grow for Toystock, and here's to even more in 2018! The article also confirms a late band change, as Superior Heights Collegiate rock trio The Voyageurs (pictured) replaced pop rock cover quartet Cherry Crush on the bill for unannounced reasons.

Hopefully nothing too serious came up in the Cherry Crush camp, but good on The Voyageurs for stepping in! Other than being comprised of high schoolers, I know nothing on them or their sound, but hopefully some Toystock media turns up. In any event, there appears to have been some shuffling to the lineup order too, as the article went up before Cherry Crush's 7:00 PM set would have taken place. Two photos of The Voyageurs can be seen in Donna's high quality photos linked above, though no other bands are featured. See above for more on Toystock VI, and that's all for today, but stay tuned for weekend concert previews next! Thanks everyone!

LOCAL CONCERT ALERT (Dustin Jones & The Rising Tide), And Much More!!

In our last post of July 2015, we're tackling a SHORT NOTICE LOCAL CONCERT ALERT for TOMORROW and a related news article, but we also have a band's returning singer to note (and just in time for their next show, also tomorrow), with a new music video with punk ties to wrap things up. Now, here's what you should know, and check out our review of SweetKenny's new CD in the post below this one!

Local/Toronto Celtic punk quartet Dustin Jones & The Rising Tide will return to the local stage TOMORROW NIGHT when they head to The Voyageurs Lodge in Batchewana Bay (Highway 17 North, 45 minutes from the Soo) for their annual Musicfest! Apologies for the short notice, we only just heard about this show yesterday via this Sault Star article, more on that in a second. The second of two shows from Dustin and The Tide (with Late Shift's Clint Wilson on drums) this weekend, TOMORROW'S show will follow a Thessalon gig tonight, and will see the talented local band open for Waterloo folk sextet The Royal Streets, a talented and easy-going band that should get a good reception up in Batchewana tomorrow! As best as I can tell, this will be The Rising Tide's first regional show since The Boot Hill Crooners' CD release party in the spring, and they should be in great spirits to rock this show for their return,so keep a trip north in mind if you've missed them!

TOMORROW'S show starts at The Voyageurs Lodge at 7:30 PM, admission is $20 or $15 in advance, ans ask ahead if there will be an age limit in effect. For more details, check the above links, and as for the Sault Star article (entitled "No Rush for Rising Tide") is courtesy of the paper's own Brian Kelly, who talked to Dustin Jones about his recent Tidal Records focus and dialed down Tide tour schedule, how the guys will tackle planned covers tomorrow night, and plans for their fourth album, which will apparently begin writing sessions this fall, but Dustin emphasized that they hope to relax and take their time for it. Solid, if brief, article and interview that gives some good insights into Dustin Jones & The Rising Tide's recent activity, but note that the included photo features former drummer Mikey Hawdon, rather than Clint or another recent skinsman.

Check out the article above, don't miss The Rising Tide's return in Batchewana Bay TOMORROW (or in Thessalon tonight), and here's the guys live!

Next up, here's a late notice lineup addition/return for TOMORROW'S Elements-headlined concert at The Rockstar Bar, as local openers Project 421 have welcomed former singer Curtis McKenzie back to the band, once again making them a quintet. The news was quietly revealed on the classic metal quartet's Facebook page in recent days, with Curt confirming his return yesterday on his personal Facebook page. Curtis (also well known from The Din & Haggith) sang for Project 421 in early 2014 before departing the band due to personal commitments, but with Haggith reportedly breaking up next month, there appears to be renewed time in his schedule! Of course, Blair Burch remains with the band on guitar and backing vocals, like during Curtis' first stint with the band, while his return reunites him with former Haggith guitarist Daniel Horton.

This is great news, especially given Curt's vocal talents, so be sure to welcome Curt back to Project 421 TOMORROW NIGHT (and remember, this is new drummer Chris Thompson's second show with ther band as well!) Check the above links for more on this Gonqshow event!

Finally for today, I wanted to give special mention to the new music video from local/Ottawa folk/indie artist Kalle Mattson, who doesn't normally cross into the SMS' genre range, but is a talented and extremely accomplished musician whose new music video definitely is worth a look! Yesterday, Kalle's new music video for his song "Avalanche" (off of the EP of the same name) went online on YouTube, and it's already attracting a lot of attention based on the creative theme, which sees him and bandmates recreating 35 of his favourite album covers in-studio, with most clumped for quick costume, prop, and effect changes. Though his music doesn't skew to this genre, punk fans will enjoy the Clash, Ramones, and Sex Pistols recreations within, plus many more classic & alternative rock covers, and overall, it's very well done and deserves the attention it's recieved!

Musically, I'm not the right person to judge this song, as folk and indie rock isn't in my wheelhouse, but it's well performed for the genre, and Kalle is a creative talent! Give the "Avalanche" video a look below,and keep an eye out for many familiar covers (I won't spoil them further!)



That's all for today, but stay tuned for much more as we enter the month of August! Thanks everyone!