Two New Local Bands, Plus Much More Recent Updates!!

After our first off day of the year, we're back in swing of things with a packed news post, and yes, this month's Defunct Local Band Profiles are coming either tonight or tomorrow! For now, we have plenty of assorted news items and not one, but two new local bands, so here's what you should know!

One new-ish band to add to our band links are Orange, a post-punk/rockabilly duo featuring Telephone & Address frontman Chris Shoust! Also referred to as Orange: The Band in some instances, this project appears to be a revival of an earlier run at an undisclosed time, with a posting on Chris' other two man band The Red & Black's Facebook page last month implying that they're "now defunct." Orange united Chris on drums with guitarist Matt Zook (now living in Toledo, Ohio), who jammed in a series of "Sunday sessions" that took place in a local church "at the end of East Street" (do they mean St. Andrew's?) Orange's Facebook page was launched on December 29th, where they revealed that they will have an album released this year, though it's not established there whether it will be the split album with The Red & Black that they teased last month, or if Orange's album plans have drifted away from the split concept. In any event, four "Sunday sessions" tracks can now be streamed on Orange's Soundcloud page, so how does everything sound?

Very lo-fi like Chris' other recent bands, this music is reminiscent of some Telephone & Address work, but it's all instrumental. His drumming fits Matt's guitar playing, which has raw qualities and some melody, as well as a punk bite, and while it looks like Orange's revival is mainly to put out old material, at least they're getting more of a profile! I don't have a clue on when they were first together. Give Orange a listen above!

The other new band to add to our links today is Ten Kings, a new Sault Michigan hard rock quartet with some familiar faces! Just launching their Facebook page on Thursday, this new band (whose name is inspired by conspiracy theories involving a "New World Order")  haven't done much publically yet, but Nixxon Dixxon fans may want to pay attention, as their singer Brandon Carr is making his long awaited return to a local band with Ten Kings! We haven't heard much from Brandon since Nixxon Dixxon broke up in 2010, so it's great to see him back in the saddle! Their lineup is rounded out by former Bottom Line bandmates Joe Jenkins (also of Exiled) and Will Storey on guitar and drums respectively, while ex-Scofflaw bassist Barney Gravelle is also on board. Very solid lineup so far, but what will Ten Kings play? All that they've said so far is that they'll play modern & classic rock covers, so if you recall what Nixxon Dixxon & Exiled have played, Ten Kings shouldn't stray too far.

It's obviously too early to comment on how Ten Kings sound, but hopefully they establish a local foothold, as the talent is obviously there! Stay tuned for more as we hear it, and like Orange, they're now in our active band links!

Finally for today, here's six assorted shorter news items from the last little while, and as usual, these are in alphabetical order by artist, show, or company name:

• This is overdue, but I've moved Sault Michigan bar and occasional concert venue The Back Door to our "Other Sault Michigan Links" section due to their recent closure after their final New Year's party. Facebook postings have indicated that The Back Door was bought by new owners, but it's not yet publically known if the venue will remain as a nightclub or not, let alone any other changes.  For now at least, we won't consider it as an active concert venue, but if the new owners keep things going there, we'll let you guys know!
• Frasiers frontman Charlie Derrer is once again looking to start a new band, this time confirming an intended genre of pop punk, as per his Musicians Wanted Facebook group post on Tuesday. It'd be great to have more punk bands in the Soo, so message Charlie above or at this link for more info!
• New local goregrind duo Das Skalpell Kampf posted a new song named "Handing Out Headshots" onto their Bandcamp page on Tuesday! Sludgy and lo-fi, it sounds like it should be a lot longer than it's 52 second runtime, but if you love similar Blood Shed acts, give the song a listen above, especially as it may be on the upcoming 11-way split!
• Sault Ontario cannabis culture store Planetary Pride have put feelers out on their Facebook page regarding a possible new summer music festival (more or less, a spiritual successor to Hempfest, which moved 8 hours away to Moonbeam last year.) If they were to put on such an event, tickets would be $150 for the weekend, though other details are to be confirmed. There's some positive feedback already, but comment on Planetary Pride's Facebook post A.S.A.P. to voice your opinion!
• Local doom/punk band The Revolution have announced the addition of Haggith bassist Jordan Leach to their lineup, replacing the already departed Rainey Vincent. The news was announced on their Facebook page on Tuesday. Slightly surprising given how recently he joined Haggith, but this is great news for Jordan, and hopefully he contributes well with both bands!
• Long running Rock 101 morning show Scott & Brian In The Morning finally has it's own official Facebook page! As you may know, Scott Cook & Brian Davie play rock hits, discuss the news and "infotainment", and keep fans entertained on the morning drive from 6:00-9:00 AM weekdays on 101.3 FM, and it's great to see them get their own Facebook page! Become a fan above, and the show's now in our "Other Sault Michigan Links"!

That's all for today, but stay tuned for more news and notes soon, and this month's Defunct Local Band Profile later today, if all goes well! Thanks everyone!