LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS (The Bear Hunters & Monkey's Uncle) Plus Weekend Concert Previews And Updates!!

Well guys, this is a packed post if there ever was one, and it's coming to you from Detroit while I'm away for family Christmas stuff. The bulk of today's post is previews of this weekend's local metal and hard rock concerts, but kicking things off are three LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS, two of the short notice variety! Let's begin!

The lineup for the third metal night at The Roosevelt Hotel on December 23rd (THIS THURSDAY) has been announced, featuring four rising young local metal bands! Nice to see a return so soon, I wasn't expecting two of these in December! Promoter Rich Moreland confirmed the lineup on the show's Facebook event page last night, so here's who to watch out for! Firstly, in their long awaited live concert debut, it's The Bear Hunters! Featuring members of Stillbroke, D.O.T.H., and Dark Salvation in their lineup, be prepared for their death metal attack on Thursday! Also scheduled are local grimecore trio Shit Liver, in just their second live concert appearance following their debut at last month's Total Chaos show. Nice to see them back on stage, hopefully their unique brand of music will attract fans at this metal night! The third listed band are the only returnees from a prior metal night, new local death metal quartet State of Misery! I've heard good things coming out of their debut show, so look for more of that same quality stuff on Thursday! Rounding out the lineup is Sativa Rose, in their first actual concert appearance since September's headlining show at GLOW Nightclub! Look for a hard hitting cover attack from these guys, who continue to impress on the local scene! Check out all of the above links for more info on the scheduled bands!

As was the case for the last two metal nights, there is a 9:00 PM start time, no announced cover charge, and a 19+ age limit. It's always good to see local metal converge like this, and in a way, this is great exposure to new local talent! All of the scheduled bands only made their debuts this year, so this could be a great way to see what could be the future of the local scene, and get some moshing and horn raising in to boot! The above links will have more on this show and the bands, so check them out!

While we're on the subject of new concerts, let's segue into the metal and hard rock concert previews for this weekend with the other two new shows, but first, I want to note that these are VERY SHORT NOTICE. I only just heard about these shows yesterday before I left for Detroit on a commercial on Rock 101, so bear with me. The shows in question are TONIGHT AND SATURDAY NIGHT at Dondee Lanes in Sault Michigan, and will feature local hard rock trio Monkey's Uncle as the featured band! They'll apparently be on at 8:00 PM tonight and tomorrow, there was no announced cover charge, and I'd expect a 21+ age limit. Why didn't I hear about these shows until yesterday? I think it's a combination of the Dondee's Facebook page not announcing the shows, and Monkey's Uncle not listing upcoming concerts on their own MySpace page. Regardless, word on these shows didn't reach me until the last minute, and for that, I apologize. But if you want to enjoy some local hard rock originals and covers, the Dondee is the place to be this weekend! Check the above links for more on Monkey's Uncle, and for a video preview, here's a Jager-era clip of Monkey's Uncle covering Jet's "Cold Hard Bitch"!



Now, to the previously announced weekend concerts, but first, we have a cancellation. Saskatoon metalcore band Palms To The Sky and Ottawa breakcore rockers The Breathing Apparatus were supposed to play their next show on their "WinTour Sucks!" tour tonight, but it has been cancelled due to inclement weather. Promoter Mike Gaetano confirmed the news on the official Facebook event page. That really sucks to hear, but the power of metal can't control weather yet, sadly. Hopefully they'll come back down the road, both are very solid hardcore bands! That being said, original openers The Fury will bring their double bass attack and always present energy to the stage in a headlining set tonight instead, with planned "surprise guests" opening. I don't know who they are, but note that local hardcore rockers As It Stands had previously announced their participation on their Facebook page. Their Facebook event page they launched for this show was deleted, and the promoters have never announced As It Stands' participation in the first place, so either they dropped out or they're the surprise openers. Time will tell! Regardless, head to Foggy's tonight if you're a Fury fan, cause they'll deliver no matter what!

Now onto our first actual metal/hard rock previews for the weekend, and we have an adjustment to make as well to the venue of one of these two dates. Local classic hard rock cover band Turner Up are back for two concerts this weekend, one TONIGHT and one TOMORROW NIGHT! Unlike most of their concerts, they're playing two different bars for the weekend rather than just one on both nights, and tonight's show actually moved as well. It was originally scheduled for The Vibe Lounge (according to guitarist Robert Brown on their Facebook group), but according to it's Facebook event page, the show has since been moved to The Canadian Nightclub. A reason for the move wasn't publicized, but regardless of where they are, they'll entertain! Tomorrow's show will take place at The Roosevelt Hotel, as they end their weekend on a high note! Note that the Rosie show has a "band pick special", likely related to alcohol prices, in case you guys are interested! Get full details on tomorrow's show at it's Facebook event page! Both shows have 10:30 PM start times and 19+ age limits, though I would expect The Canadian's show tonight to have a cover charge, so bring cash!

Check the above links for more details! Turner Up always impress with their brand of classic hard rock, and the new lineup are getting positive reviews, so make it on out if you can! When I find audio or video of Turner Up's current lineup in action, I'll have it here!

Our next local concerts this weekend are at Docks Riverfront Grill, a previously unfamiliar venue for us to cover on the SMS, but we have great reason to do so now! Why? Because local classic hard rockers That's Chester are a frequent sight there, and they'll be back at Docks TONIGHT and TOMORROW NIGHT! Featuring five local music veterans, including notables like Ric Datson and Stiffler's Mom's own Greg Simpson, look out for some great covers from That's Chester this weekend, as they'll have loads of songs in store for their fans! My source for these shows is their Facebook page, which is reliable, though note that there's no event page to hype the concerts. Both shows should start at 10:00 PM, there's no announced cover charge, and I'd expect a 19+ age limit. That's Chester always entertain with their hard rocking covers, so make sure to see them this weekend if you can! For a video preview, here's a classic video of That's Chester covering AC/DC's "Let There Be Rock"!



Next on the concert schedule for the weekend is a show that, though announced short notice, promises to be one heavy and memorable show! Tomorrow night, two of the brightest local metal bands around, Garden of Bedlam and WinkStinger, will hit the stage to celebrate the first year anniversary of the re-opening of Foggy Notions! Yes, tomorrow will mark one year after Sense of Truth and The Scary Uncles rocked Foggy's grand return, and things are even heavier this time around! Garden of Bedlam are getting ever closer to the eventual release of their album "Everything Will Die", and will lay down some heavy and melodic originals for their fans, while WinkStinger will be sure to melt faces with their extreme hardcore metal sound! Also, Crank Sound Distribution will be on hand to make sure everything sounds awesome! Because of the special nature of this show, there will be a $5 cover charge, with everything starting at 10:30 PM tomorrow night. You must be 19 to enter. For full details, visit the official Facebook event page! If I was in town this weekend, you could guarantee that I would be at this concert! Both bands are awesome, and what better way is there to mark Foggy's first year anniversary? I hope to hear that there was a great turnout! Check the above links for more on both bands, and for a video preview, here's Garden of Bedlam playing one of their newest originals, "With A Spark"!


Our final concert this weekend on the heavier end of the spectrum is also at Foggy Notions, as Tym Morrison brings his acoustic solo show back there on his continuing weekend engagement there! While we wait for Caveman Morrison's return following recent lineup changes, you can see Tym play similar tunes in a more intimate setting on Sunday night! Sure, if you miss him this weekend, you can see him again next weekend (or on Thursday at The Bottoms Up Lounge), but why not warm up with some great hard rock and metal covers this weekend from a very talented local musician? There is no cover, everything starts at 10:00 PM, and you must be 19 to enter. Why not go to Foggy's on Sunday to enjoy some live hard rock music? Acoustic or not, it's still heavy, so make it out if you can! For more details, check the above links or the Facebook event page, and check out material from Tym and Caveman Morrison at his official website!

That's all for today, but I will have TWO new posts tomorrow, both of the special variety! First, I'll have our next Defunct Local Band Profile on Life's Eclipse from Eckerman, Michigan, and then we'll have the results from our last poll and the launch of our brand new poll tomorrow night! Regular news will return on Sunday, and I may have a surprise for you guys as well, so keep an eye out! Thanks everyone, and my apologies for the delay on our weekend previews and these concerts!