Saturday, February 18, 2012

The End Of Lion Ride, Fundraiser Concert Updates, And More!!

Hey guys, here's one more post for this Saturday, and in case you missed it, check out our post from this afternoon below this post featuring last month's poll results and details on our newest poll! Today, we have some assorted shorter news items, updates on two upcoming fundraiser concerts with local metal talent, and leading things off, some very surprising news on a local band's demise, so here's what you need to know! Local/Toronto metal quintet Lion Ride have officially broken up. The news was revealed this afternoon in a post on Lion Ride's Facebook page by guitarist Mark "Marky Lion" Rand, which is lengthy but well detailed. In the post, Mark said that the reasons for the slowed band activity since the summer (and now the band's end) included personal commitments, creative differences, and band tensions, and that they've prevented Lion Ride from operating as it once had. Mark admitted that the biggest factor holding them back in recent years from themselves, but he clearly outlined his appreciation of Lion Ride fans for the support as they grew from a "joke" band to their recent successes. He also addressed the band's unreleased material from their now-cancelled full length debut, and said that they may be available to download in the future, along with suggesting that a farewell concert could take place in the future as well. He also took the time to thank all of their fans for the support over their run and their ex-band members in nicely detailed post, which you can read at this location, as it's hard for me to sum it up. This is extremely surprising news, despite their recent inactivity, as they'd been one of the most successful and highest profile local bands of recent years! From their July 2007 debut to their last concerts in July 2011, they've delivered lots of high energy and very cool shows, along with lots of lasting memories and a very solid EP in the process! I knew that distance was a problem for them to have more frequent activity, but some things are hard to correct or fix, and if a breakup had to be, at least it was amicable and after they'd achieved some great heights in both the local and Toronto areas! I (and other fans, I'm sure) had hoped that they're return with a vengeance in 2012, but hopefully we can say goodbye to Lion Ride properly with an actual farewell concert at some point, and we'll surely see at least some members in the area again down the road in newer bands. Until then, I wish Mikey, Marco, Mark, Carmine, and Mike all the best in whatever happens next for them musically, and hopefully this won't be the absolute last we'll hear from Lion Ride! Check the above links for more, and if updates roll in, I'll keep you guys posted! Now to some more positive local news, as more details are now out for Frightlight's "Dead In The Van: The Locals Attack" all ages fundraiser concert on March 4th, so here's what else you need to know! According to the new Facebook event page, two more bands have been confirmed for this now 7-band concert, those being local deathcore quartet The Valentine's Day Massacre and local punk trio Redundant (featuring Frightlight guitarist Rick White), and there's still more to be announced, so keep an eye out for news on potential new bands! They've also confirmed a 5:00 PM start time for this show (which is appropriate given the band numbers) and a $10 ticket price, which works for the size and fundraising nature of this concert! More details are forthcoming, so stay tuned to the above links and the SMS for updates! This is shaping up to be an awesome concert with lots of quality local and Algoma District talent, and hopefully lots of cash is made to help Frightlight's touring goals, so hopefully you guys have this concert circled on your calendars! I'll keep you guys posted as more updates roll in! Speaking of upcoming fundraiser concerts featuring classic metal quartet Late & Loud, here's some more updates on their next show, which is the Sault College Campus Watch Pub at Coch's Corner on Saturday! Despite hopes to secure a band to join them at this event, it's been confirmed that Red Carpet DJ Entertainment will fill that second band slot with a DJ set to dance the night away with. It may seem out of place to have a DJ performing with Late & Loud, but hey, DJs pull in fans of their own, so hopefully this attracts more fans! Advance tickets are also now on sale through band members and those attached to the event, so click here or call (705) 987-3912 to inquire about advance tickets for $10 (they cost $2 more at the door.) There will also be door prizes, appetizers, and maybe some games to partake in at this event, so check the above links for all of the current details! Sounds good to me, and it's definitely a high profile way for Late & Loud to rock Coch's Corner for the first time, so stay tuned for more details, and if I'm in town this weekend, I'll be there! And finally for today, here's two assorted shorter stories from the last little while, and as always, these are in alphabetical order by band name:
  • This may seem badly overdue, but only now do we have the official Hempfest Facebook group in our Other Local Metal Links section! Give it a look, as it'll have continued updates on this year's Hempfest as the year progresses, and I apologize for the late addition!
  • I've edited our YouTube Channel Profile on Lion Ride's old YouTube channel to reflect today's news on their breakup. Nothing major was changed to the info, but I like things to remain current for readers, so check it out to see some great Lion Ride videos from their earlier years!
That's all for tonight, but stay tuned for more news later this weekend! Thanks everyone!

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