LOCAL CONCERT ALERT (Jack Spades), Bon Soo Marquee Updates, And Much More!!

We're back with some more news today, including a new jam session video, recent news coverage for a recent concert debut, and some big updates for Bon Soo's music lineup, but first, here's a LOCAL CONCERT ALERT for this coming weekend!

Joining the performer lineup for The Marquee at this year's Bon Soo Winter Carnival, local metal/punk quintet Jack Spades will be rocking out at The Roberta Bondar Pavilion THIS FRIDAY! As confirmed via frontman J.D. Pearce on a comment thread at this link, this rising local band (featuring members of T-Rex Manning, The Bear Hunters, and The Elements) will be on at 7:30 PM on Friday, which I also now know is the headlining slot for the Marquee, as the live bands wrap up at 8:00 PM (coinciding with the Winter Playground hours.) Sounds like a big showcase for Jack Spades, so if you can't make the second Heavy Thursday at The Rosie, head downtown the next day to make it up! No word on other performers though, but the full schedule isn't being publicized mainly due to possible lineup shuffling. As with other days of The Marquee, admission is free with the purchase of a Bon Soo button (upon entry or at locations here), and it's definitely ALL AGES, so check the above links for more, and don't miss Jack Spades at Bon Soo!

Next up (and also relating to The Marquee), we now know more on the performer lineup for THIS SATURDAY, as local horror punk/metal quintet Frightlight will make their long awaited return to the local stage that night as the Saturday headliners at 7:30 PM, as per their Facebook page yesterday! Last seen at The Rosie in August (which was coincidentally fellow Saturday performers Redundant's last show too), it's about time we get our horror fix from this entertaining and very heavy band after a 6 month wait, so don't miss their return at Bon Soo this coming weekend! No word though on who their bassist will be on Saturday, but for what it's worth, bassist Eddie Fright said he was "back in the Soo" last month on his personal Facebook page. Frightlight join the previously announced Bad Back, Redundant, and Northern Tragedy on the stacked Saturday lineup, and through the comment thread mentioned above, I can confirm that Bad Back are indeed in the 7:00 PM slot, not Redundant, whose return set will be at 5:30 PM that day (The Northern Tragedy are still on at 4:30 PM.) Great lineup for metal & punk fans, so stay tuned for more as we get closer to showtime at The Marquee!

Speaking of shows featuring J.D. Pearce (a.k.a. Johnny Pints), the first installment of his Heavy Thursday series at The Roosevelt Hotel was covered by SooToday's Donna Hopper in an article posted yesterday, which features photos of each band and some interview excerpts! Entitled "Get your weekly dose of heavy", the article includes 22 photos (albeit all in black & white), including 9 from Punch's set, 7 of The Elements, and 6 of The Bear Hunters, so be sure to give those a look for some great shots! In the actual article, quotes from J.D. are included where he cited wanting a regular slot for local & touring bands to play live in the Soo, especially to fit with tour routes, while the article also mentions that Southern Ontario punk bands Die Mannequin & The Bumpin' Tacos will headline two upcoming Thursday nighters (though the dates weren't announced there.) J.D. also said that while he hopes to put on shows most Thursdays, that will depend on continued interest from bands and fans alike.

I'm a bit surprised that no mention was given to either the original Rosie metal nights or J.D.'s nine Thursday shows in 2012 & 2013 before the new series' launch, but the focus was rightfully on Heavy Thursdays, and it's a solid spotlight that will hopefully give some needed media coverage! Remember to go to the second installment with Jack Spades, Project 421, and (maybe) Pillory THIS THURSDAY, and stay tuned for more updates and show announcements as they roll in!

We'll close today with a band I'd assume we'll see in an upcoming Heavy Thursday, that being local hardcore punk quintet Destroilet! The band's Facebook page shared a Facebook video from drummer Matt Waples on Thursday of the guys working on a new original (they've been taking a break from shows to write material for a new CD), and it's promising on the level of their existing work! The video features the band in the round facing each other, which is interesting, but you don't see most of the band well as a result. Despite some roughness, it sounds intense, and hopefully we'll hear it live soon, so give it a look below!



That's all for today, but stay tuned for this month's Defunct Local Band Profiles TOMORROW! Thanks everyone!