LOCAL CONCERT ALERT (Dystraction), Haggith's New Song, And Much More!!

We had originally planned for our look at the new Friday the 13th songs from Werehold Records tonight, but due to one more SHORT NOTICE LOCAL CONCERT ALERT, we'll lead off with that, closing a very prolonged spread of hard rock concert previews on this busy weekend! We also have some assorted updates, a new concert video, and a studio track, so here's what you need to know!

Wausau, Wisconsin hard rock trio Dystraction will apparently make their local concert debut TONIGHT at The Merchant's Bar in Sault Michigan! Apologies for the short notice, the show has been announced since January on their own Facebook event page, but it's completely slipped us by. We rarely see a non-Michigan hard rock band playing across the river at a local bar, but Dystraction have an added local tie, as veteran local drummer Paul Burns (formerly of Bent Rollercoaster & Hammerspace) is in their lineup! Nice to see Paul (a.k.a. Dorothy) back in a band after his move from our area, and hopefully his homecoming is a huge hit! I severely apologize again for how late this is, I'd have plugged it in January had I known! I haven't heard a lot from Dystraction beyond some assorted demos, but they have a melodic modern hard rock sound that should fit in at The Merch TONIGHT!

The first hard rock show at The Merchant's Bar that we've heard about since Paul's old band Plastic played there in late 2013 (though I very well may have missed some since), this show has a 10:00 PM start time, no announced cover charge, and a 21+ age limit. For more details, check the above links, and don't miss Paul's homecoming with Dystraction TONIGHT! Apologies again for the short notice, and here's a Dystraction original demo!

Next up, here's a new song from local hard/alternative rock quartet Haggith, as per their YouTube channel last week! To be included on their album "Apocalypse II" (whose recording sessions are still ongoing), the song is called "Immunity", and the band are hyping it as being very different from anything they've ever recorded before. Notably their first released studio recording with new bassist Jordan Leach, the song is more of a straight dramatic ballad with keyboard and orchestration, bearing some similarities with drummer Mike Haggith's recent solo output. I won't critique the song due to Haggith being involved in this month's VM Radio Battle of the Bands still (we'll find out if they're the wild card or not on Wednesday), but check out "Immunity" below, and don't miss 3/4ths of the band on Wednesday with Mike Haggith & The Din and Project 421!



Also today, here's a new video from local goregrind duo Rotopsy, as per label Blood Shed Productions' YouTube channel on Tuesday! This comes from a private gig that they played on March 6th, which served as both a pre-show for the following night's Benighted concert, and a belated birthday party for rapper Jean-Paul "Phat Boii" Archambault, as per this event poster (the event also featured Crucify The Whore, Them, and Mikey Thomas.) Rotopsy's video is of them playing their song "Shovel Packin'", and the lighting isn't that bad given the house party setting, with a nice intimate atmosphere for Tyler and Dylan's grind action! Give it a look below!



Finally for today, here's three assorted shorter items from the last while, and as usual, these are in alphabetical order by artist name:

• Haggith bassist Jordan Leach is looking to form "an all original, inspiring, uplifting, and political band" that would include elements of punk, reggae, and progressive rock that would lift people up. Unique and orchestral instruments would be a plus for this project. Interesting, so message Jordan at this link or via his Musicians Wanted Facebook group post for more info!
• Following a recent set at their Superior Heights alma mater, local alternative hard rock trio The Pixo Control will apparently be featured in an upcoming Shaw TV Sault Ste. Marie special that will feature performance footage and interviews. It will apparently be a half hour, so look for it on TV or online in the near future! Our source is the band's Facebook page in recent days.
• When promoting his "Rust Orchid" CD release show earlier this week, Telephone & Address frontman Chris Shoust revealed on their Facebook page on Monday that he's starting to finish vocal tracks for new songs that he wrote over the winter, while his planned "Early Tapes" compilation "will be delayed for some time", though he didn't elaborate on why. Next for his local music work is his hyped Red & Black/Orange split release, so keep an eye out for updates on that and more!

That's all for today, but stay tuned (at last) for our look at the newest Werehold Records Friday the 13th song uploads tomorrow! Thanks everyone!