After a slight delay, it's now time for the results of last month's poll and the launch of our newest poll, but be sure to check out new concert announcements and weekend previews in the post below this one! As you may remember, last month's poll posed this question: What is your opinion on the recent influx of two man metal bands in the Sault area? Only 17 votes, which isn't a high amount, but thanks to everyone for voting, and the results are interesting! (For full disclosure, someone voted late for "It depends on the band", so it's not included in the tally.) Now, here are your final results!
What do you guys think? Well, aside from "It depends on the band", voting was very close between the other four choices, so it's sort of hard to draw any conclusions. If you wanted to generalize things, only 4 voters gave a firm thumbs up to two-man bands, but given the spread out responses otherwise, it seems clear that people are divided on their thoughts of bands of this size. I can see why having no preference would tie for the lead though, as I don't judge my enjoyment of bands by how many members they have, but an equal amount of people don't seem to fancy them. I'll back up the two man bands and Blood Shed Productions though, as they're having fun and if the intent is to only have two members, they're doing what they want with no apologies! Unless they play as a duo strictly due to low interest in member searches, I encourage the freedom of expression, but hopefully there's a healthy amount of local bands of any genre for years and years to come!
Thanks to everyone for voting! As for this month's poll, we're revisiting a topic that we've asked about on the site each of the last three Septembers, so we're again posing this question to you guys:
Which of these defunct or recently inactive bands would you most want to see hit the stage again? As is the case in any year, there are bands who aren't sights on the local concert scene anymore (or not for a long while) that you guys would want to see again, and that's the spirit of this poll, which is expanded to 25 bands this year (plus "Other") due to our punk band expansion, so there's even more choice than before! Including two bands from Sault Michigan, this poll once again only covers bands who have recently split up (i.e. in the last 5 years) and active/on-hiatus bands that haven't played a public concert in 6 months (not counting bands with scheduled future concerts, hence why
Frightlight aren't among the choices.) Also, we're not including
Woods of Ypres, as without David around, there's no chance whatsoever they could come back.
Most of this poll's choices are new, but 7 return from last year that got at least one vote in 2013, with the exception of
Fitswitch (whose breakup is now outside our 5 year window) and
Pillory (who returned to the stage this year.) With all of that said, here are 25 (plus "Other") choices in this month's poll on the inactive bands you want back!
As It Stands: Last seen opening for Dead & Divine at The Canadian in August 2012, this prominent local hardcore band's decline was slow and quiet, despite an attempted resurrection in late 2013, with drummer John Mignacca confirming their demise earlier this year. I know many fans would love to see A.I.S. return to the stage, especially given their intense and well attended live concerts and solid originals, but do you want As It Stands back more than other local bands?
The Billy Bastards: This popular local punk/country quintet are definitely not defunct, but they made this year's poll due to their sporadic concert schedule, as they have not played a local concert since a headlining gig at The Rockstar Bar in December. With three CDs and a great reputation under their belts, The Billys are fan favourites for a reason with their hard hitting hybrid sound, but do you want them back on stage A.S.A.P.?
Bring The Fallen: With most members working or living out of town in recent years, a full reunion for this popular death metal quintet is not in the immediate cards, but the three-time battle of the bands winners did give fans a proper sendoff at last July's Oddzfest 2013 Metal Mash-Up, helping make up for their slow rumour-filled demise in 2011. That said, are you hoping to mosh out at a B.T.F. show once again more than any of the rest?
Caveman Morrison: Though not officially defunct, the Tym Morrison-led metal cover trio have been on hiatus from the stage throughout 2014 due to a lack of available venues, and Tym's own regular weekend series at The Harp. As long as his solo shows there go well, there might not be room for a Caveman Morrison show for a while, but fans are still bound to miss their classic metal & hard rock covers! Are you among them?
Crimson Crusade: Officially on hiatus since November 2013, this Death-inspired death metal quartet attracted positive notices throughout their early 2010s local resurgence, including via their EP "Upon The Eve Of War", though a brief breakup last summer seemed to preclude their future activity cessation. You can see members Robert Sartini & Devon Lucier now in the current Pillory lineup, but do you want Crimosn Crusade back even more?
For All That Is Lost: Another band with roots in the CASS Cafe concert series, F.A.T.I.L. were among the most popular area death metal bands in the early 2010s before their own breakup in early 2013 (and last show the previous year), though there have been teases of a reunion in recent months. Masks or no masks, For All That Is Lost improved steadily and melted many faces, but do you want to see them back the most of this poll's choices?
Free Beer: Ska punk fans surely took to Free Beer during their late 2000s heyday, where they played a number of high profile headlining sets and opened for a number of big out of town bands as well! Later runs under the M.O.B. and Sarah's Valley names didn't garner the same success, and the band hasn't been active since last summer, but 3/4ths of the classic lineup are currently active in the alt-rock band Habitat Shuffle. Still, do you want the ska back?
The Fury: This bass-doubling (and genre-hating) trio attracted many positive notices from their explosive and original sound with punk audiences from 2009-2011, including two battle of the bands runner-up finishes, but aside from a barely-launched reunion this year, they've been defunct for over three years. You can hear frontman Paul Stanghetta's current band The Apocalypse Afterparty cover Fury songs live, but would rather see the original band?
Garden of Bedlam: Believe it or not, this prominent metal quartet haven't played a public concert in the entirety of 2014 yet, not counting their stag & doe appearance with Papa Fogals Chair in May. Whether you want to read into that or not is your call, but fans of Buzz, Josh, Evan, and Derek are bound to be eagerly awaiting Garden of Bedlam's next explosive set of modern metal! Do you miss Garden of Bedlam the most of all in the poll?
Gates of Winter: We're nearing
six years since their last concert, but local progressive death metal mainstays Gates of Winter were (as of May) still working on their new album "Perihelion", which was apparently in it's final stretch at the time, but things have been publically quiet since. The band does hope to return to the stage at some point in the future, and hopefully their new EP comes soon too, but do you want Gates back the most of all?
Giwakwa: After a lengthy wait for their debut, local sludge/death metal quartet Giwakwa began making waves last year by opening for the likes of West of Hell and The Rabid Whole, and playing at the Rockstar Bar Battle of the Bands, but members Josh Stephney & Nolan Rainville's out of town commitments put the brakes on the band's progress in July, and we haven't heard much since the fall. Are you craving a new Giwakwa set enough to vote for them?
Half A Man: One of the more prominent original metal bands of recent years in the Sault Michigan area, Brimley metal trio Half A Man quietly fell inactive after their set at last year's LemmaFest, with no sign or a reunion since. Half A Man's gritty Black Label Society-influenced sound was a welcome change of pace in the E.U.P., and it'd be great to see Erik and company back together, but do you agree?
The Inner City Surfers: These local/Toronto punk standouts were among the most prominent Soo bands of any genre throughout the 2000s, and their fun and energetic punk originals carried them to three well recieved CDs and a number of succesful tour dates! Though you can still see Dustin & Mikey with The Rising Tide, and Brad & Dave with The Role Models, has the wait since 2012 been far too long for a new Surfers show?
Late & Loud: The winners of this poll last year, local classic metal quartet Late & Loud broke up for good last spring, but have since headlined two reunion shows at The Rockstar Bar, with the second in August billed as their "last concert ever" in advance of Brendan Christie's move overseas. We haven't heard much from the other three guys since in terms of new bands, but are you an eager Loudmouth hoping for a return?
Lion Ride: Now over 3 years removed from their last show, local/Toronto punk/metal quintet Lion Ride still retain a strong fanbase since their 2012 demise, and while the door was never closed on a formal farewell show, fans are still waiting. We can still see members in bands like The Fairmounts, Cross Dog, and The Wing-Its, but do you wish Lion Ride could come back and reignite the flames of their successful late 2000s peak?
Nebraska Arms: Though only active from 2008-2010, this indie punk/alternative quartet achieved some notable success during their run, including releasing an album, opening for bands like SNFU, and even finishing second at the 2010 Sault College Battle of the Bands! Guitarist Wayne Watkins' current band Northwest play a similar style of music, but are you hoping that a Nebraska Arms reunion will take place down the road?
Nixxon Dixxon: The winners of this poll in 2012, this Sault Michigan hard rock quartet attained success and talent beyond their age during their late-2000s heyday, before suddenly breaking up in 2010 in advance of half the band's move to California. Eveyone's closer now, and you can catch Kyle Beaumont & Jake LaLonde together again in The London Gentlemen (and Chris Hubbard in 415E), but would a Nixxon Dixxon reunion be tops to you?
RedD Monkey: Though technically on hiatus, this popular cello-infused hardcore punk trio have not been seen on stage since their Heavy Winter set at The Rosie in December, so fans here and in Southern Ontario will surely be anticipating a potential return to the stage for the Mozarowski brothers and Joe. With plenty of concert success and two CDs, their claim is staked, but are you hoping the most for a RedD Monkey comeback?
Sailor's Tongue: It's not clear yet whether they're inactive again or missed their window for a concert return due to the Rotaryfest Second Stage hiatus this year, but local hard rock quintet Sailor's Tongue have not been seen in concert since last year's (final?) Second Stage. Recent album plans and their expanded lineup seemed to be serving them well, but some members have been working out of town too. Are you hoping Sailor's Tongue comes back?
The Scary Uncles: One of the more prominent new punk bands of the late 2000s in the area, The Scary Uncles found quick success during their run, including finishing second in the Skid Row battle of the bands, and opening for bands like Reel Big Fish. Frontman Justin Langlois continues to play similar music with his current band Redundant (who share some songs too), but would you prefer a formal Scary Uncles return more?
State of Misery: Though only active for short bursts, young local death metal quartet State of Misery achieved a good following during their early 2011 peak, which saw them become regulars at the old Roosevelt Hotel metal nights, before suddenly breaking up prior to one lukewarm return show in the spring of 2012. Frontman Steve Rhodes sings similar material with his London metal band D3athcharg3r, but do you want S.O.M. back still?
T-Rex Manning: Somewhat surprisingly, this local punk/metal quartet haven't been seen on stage since one of the Heavy Thursdays at The Rosie in February, though members J.D. Pearce & Tiffany Stocco have stayed busy since with their similar, more original-focused band Jack Spades. With plenty of fun covers (and "She Banged The Mayor") since their 2011 debut, are you hoping for the return of T-Rex Manning?
Treble Charger: Certainly not defunct, this long running indie/punk band has played some notable Southern Ontario gigs this year, but have not graced a local stage since headlining a Searchmont fundraiser last January. Greig, Bill, and company have attained tons of success over the last two decades, and surely known as one of the Sault's most succesful imports, but are you hoping they return home soon?
The Valentine's Day Massacre: Successors of sorts to both State of Misery and Sativa Rose, The V.D.M. (formerly View To A Kill) attained similar success in their 2011-2013 run, playing at a number of big metal shows here before moving to London and ceding way to the recently inactive Saints & Serpents, with Steve Rhodes & Andrew Angelic now members of D3athcharg3r. The V.D.M. were solid, but do you want them back?
Winkstinger: This extreme metal quintet were among the most fun and intense sights at local metal concerts from 2010-2013, which saw them play at numerous local concerts, and win the 2012 Battle For The Blood to open for 3 Inches of Blood! The band quietly faded into inactivity last year, and though Jesse Cook's still busy with Jack Spades & The Elements, are you hoping that the guys reunite down the road?
Other: Is the band you miss most not among the above choices? Maybe a band that wasn't voted in the last poll deserved a second chance, like Sense of Truth, Half Past, or Clownsack? Maybe you miss an older band like Fitswitch or Fistmagnet, or maybe even a non-metal/punk band? If your most desired band return isn't in the choices, vote for "Other"!
VOTE TODAY!! You guys have until October 18th to cast your votes, so make your voices heard A.S.A.P., as this poll is always interesting, and with punk bands in now, all bets are off! That's all for today, but stay tuned for more news in the coming days! Thanks everyone!
Featuring 15 songs at about 37 minutes in length, let's begin this review with the first song, fittingly named "Opener"! Kicking off with laughter and light coughing, this song is a straightforward alt-rock number with spoken word lyrics referencing the government and nasally sung chorus vocals. It's one of 8 songs on the album that hover around 2 minutes in length, so there's not a lot of room to experiment, but Chris makes his point lyrically, and he gets good tone out of his bass! However, the song does still feel unfinished, and it could use more of a varied bridge or chorus to shake it up. Second on this CD is "Coming Down", which is the album's shortest song, but it captures more of a melodic punk tone that makes use of it's length better, with Chris singing at a more consistent tone, and his bass playing capturing more of the song's spirit. Strong lyrics, and it's an overall better song than "Opener", but it does feel like it could use guitars too, a recurring trend on this disc.
Fifth is the only song to surpass 4 minutes on this CD, that being "Anthem" (unrelated to the non-album track "Anthem To The Queen"), which survives a shaky start to take on a folksy vibe with well written lryics, consistent bass riffing, and stop & start verses with nice emotion! However, this song gets repetitive after a while, with no distinct chorus to break up the verses, which seem to go on too long without a change in tempo or energy. This song would play better if it was either slashed in half or given choruses to break it up, but it's reliable otherwise! Next is "Army of Losers", which returns to a more straightforward punk essence with more of a defined structure and good intensity, and his singing is controlled well on this song, but the chorus lyrics (that just repeat the title) could stand to be added to. Abrupt ending also, but it's an improvement on "Anthem", and has more of the punk & grunge sensibility from earlier tracks!
The CD closes with three songs in the 2 minute vicinity, including "The Way It Goes", a more energetic punk original with solid bass riffing and some of Chris' highest singing on the album so far, but some of his lyrics are mixed quietly, and the structure doesn't vary much from the norm. Solidly done, but not too groundbreaking from what came before it. That's followed by "Untitled", which has more of a laid back pleasant sound, mixing a mid-paced bass riff and a catchy drum beat on this second and final instrumental on this album. Also featuring some minimal guitar work, this is more of a change of pace, but fans hoping for an aggressive punk or grunge song will be disappointed. The song flows right into the album capper "ww3" though, which is laid back, largely rides the drum beat for it's melody, and is a nice upbeat closer, despite lyrics alluding to World War 3, a'la the title. Nice easy closer to this album!
