LOCAL CONCERT ALERT (Lucky 13), Weekend Concert Previews, And New Banned Videos!!

Now into day #46 of our posting streak at the SMS, today's post is almost completely dedicated to previews of this weekend's metal/hard rock concerts in the Twin Saults & area tonight & tomorrow, including a Eastern U.P. band's return after an off weekend (plus new videos of theirs), and a major upcoming punk/metal concert, but first, here's a LOCAL CONCERT ALERT for TONIGHT, so here's what you need to know for this weekend!

Sault Ontario alternative/hard rock cover quartet Lucky 13 will return to the stage TONIGHT at The Nicolet Tavern! Apologies for the short notice, but the show was only just announced on Wednesday, so I saved it for tonight's concert preview-centric post. Almost a month removed from their St. Patrick's Day Weekend gig at The Rockstar Bar, this talented veteran quartet featuring Route 69, Bangers & Mash, and Gully Yodelers are sure to be amped up for their second Nicolet gig, and they're promising rock n' roll good times, so why not come out to see Lucky 13 live tonight? Most of the action's tomorrow, but this could suit your Friday hard rock needs! Admission is likely free for TONIGHT'S one night only gig, you must be 19 to attend, and there's a 10:30 PM-ish start time. For more details, visit the official Facebook event page! This should be an entertaining night of 1990s-leaning alternative & hard rock covers, so don't miss this quality newer local band later this evening at The Nic! For a preview, here's Lucky 13 covering The Stone Temple Pilots' "Interestate Love Song" last fall!



Now to the previews of previously announced Saturday hard rock shows, starting with the hugely anticipated return of Montreal punk legends The Ripcordz to Sault Ste. Marie TOMORROW NIGHT! Last seen at The Speak Easy in August 2007, this hard touring veteran trio are certainly no strangers to the region dating back many years, and I know there's many local punk fans that are extremely eager for another chance to see these true Canadian punk icons in the Soo! Like the 2007 show, there will be local metal opening bands, including another long awaited local stage return courtesy of local old school hardcore quintet Destroilet! After over two years away from local shows (for reasons still not publically clear), this band of local hardcore, metal, and punk mainstays should have a chaotic set of originals and covers in store for their return, including many cuts from their new full length album! The other opening band is local punk/metal quartet T-Rex Manning (in their first show under their usual name since November), and their covers & originals should entertain fans as the set the tone for this show tomorrow night! Note that their inclusion is extra fitting, given that frontman/show promoter J.D. Pearce & drummer Rick White previously opened for The Ripcordz with a late-era Fitswitch lineup at the 2007 show.

This concert WILL be taking place downstairs at The Algonquin Pub & Sports Bar, after being briefly moved upstairs to The Rockstar Bar, but as far as I know, scheduling conflicts forced the move back downstairs, so the advertising is all still correct! Tickets can be purchased for $10 in advance at The Algonquin Hotel,  The Rad Zone, and Case's Music, along with from select opening band members, and the show has a 9:00 PM door opening time & a 19+ age limit. For more details, visit the official Facebook event page! This should be a huge concert for both punk & metal fans, and hopefully The Ripcordz tear up the Soo once again tomorrow! I'll 100% see you guys there, and for a preview, here's Destroilet playing two covers at the old Coch's Corner in 2010!

Finally for heavier weekend concerts, Kinross classic/hard rock quintet Banned are scheduled to return to The Sundown Lounge in Pickford, Michigan TOMORROW NIGHT as they return to their recently torrid pace of weekend concerts following a weekend off! This one night only gig will be Banned's first show in Pickford (a half hour south of the Soo) in 8 months, unless I missed one there in the interim, and their evolving mix of covers and originals should be fun to hear as they play their first Sundown Lounge gig with their current lineup! There's no announced cover charge for this 21+ concert, and there's a 9:00 PM start time. For more details, visit Banned's Facebook page! This should be an another entertainingly diverse night of music from Banned, so make the trip down to Pickford TOMORROW if you can, and if it doesn't work out, they'll be back in Moran next weekend! For a preview, we have some brand new videos of Banned to share on here, so what should you know on them?

Uploaded to their official YouTube channel over the past week, these are from their first ever show at The Rapids Lounge at the Sault Michigan Kewadin Casino on March 30th, and both capture very different songs. One is a cover of Sugarland's "Stay" featuring just new singer Tara Starr & guitarist Alex Traynor, and it's a fairly intimate and reserved cover, which continues to show the increased country elements of their set since introducing a permanent singer. The video embedded below though is of the full band covering The Black Keys' "Lonely Boy", and Alex handles lead vocals with Tara & most other members on backing chorus vocals, which does indicate that Alex haven't completely given up singing lead at Banned shows. It's definitely a fuller and more rock-leaning song, but I find "Lonely Boy" to be badly overplayed, and I'm curious to hear their new lineup tackling a bit heavier songs like they did at earlier concerts. Check out their "Stay" cover above (and more), give their Black Keys cover a look below, and don't miss Banned at The Sundown Lounge in Pickford tomorrow night!



That's all for today, but stay tuned for more news tomorrow including updates on a major benefit for a recently passed local musician! Thanks everyone!