LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS (Soundcheck & Tym Morrison) And More Updates!!

Rock The Border in Sault Michigan aside, we haven't had any true public concerts to preview and cover on the SMS in over four months, but today, not only do we have LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS for Sault Ontario, they're largely on SHORT NOTICE too! If you're up for some live hard rock this weekend, you do have options, including a show TONIGHT, so read on below for those and some more assorted updates! To space things out given it's size, our Squatfest preview will hit the site tomorrow.

Local hard rock singer/guitarist Tym Morrison will return to the live concert stage TONIGHT and every Thursday this month when he plays special matinee sets at Motley Market at 132 Gore Street! Apologies for the short notice (it feels good to say that again) on TONIGHT's show, Tym only announced it and the rest of these dates via his Facebook event page this morning. If you're not familiar with the Motley Market, you're certainly not alone, as this business is a new addition downtown, located in the former Soo North Fly Shop/Eagle Golf building (just down the road from the old Princess Theater). As best as I can gather, Motley Market will be operating as a canteen selling various refreshments and offering casual activities, while also hosting live events, and they are looking for people interested in hosting or putting on live entertainment there, or renting space for their own businesses. Click here for more details on the Motley Market.

Sort of sounds like a smaller, more whimsical take on Mill Market, especially with the carnival imagery they're using, and I am curious to see how things go at the Motley Market in the months ahead! Tym has clearly taken them up on their offer to host live entertainment, as you can see him there TONIGHT and then on August 13th, 20th, and 27th! All are 6:00 PM shows with no age limits or announced cover charges, though I don't know how active the Motley Market proper will be at this early juncture, especially given their teaser photos. Nothing is stated re: social distancing measures, but if you go TONIGHT and beyond, please use common sense. This all said, what will happen to Tym's live-streamed concerts, which typically happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays? Well, Tym indicated on the event page that "the show will be online as well", implying that episode #35 will be live-streamed from the Motley Market TONIGHT to watch at home, so how's that for a change?

Fingers crossed the apparent live-stream goes well without any technical issues, but does this mean this live-stream will go beyond two hours? In any event, tune into Tym's YouTube's channel at 6:00 PM if you can't make it in person! Get more details on all four of these new concerts at the above links, and for a preview, here's Tym live last year!

Next up, we have more new concerts to take note of, as local classic/hard rock cover quartet Soundcheck will end their pandemic hiatus by returning to Reggie's West for concerts TOMORROW & SATURDAY NIGHT! Again, apologies for the short notice, these shows were only announced via their Facebook event page on Tuesday. After a month of kitchen/patio operations only, the former Roosevelt Hotel re-opened indoor services on July 17th, and they didn't wait too long to try having live bands again, with country rockers Bone Yard ending the dry spell there last week. Soundcheck are second up at the Reggievelt, and their hard rocking covers should be welcomed by assembled fans TOMORROW & SATURDAY! That all said, social distancing measures are very much in effect, so there will be a limit of 50 people inside the Korah Road nightclub. Face masks are mandatory unless you are seated or outside, and the pool tables and bar seating are unavailable.

Of course, please use common sense if you come out and are able to get in this weekend. Bone Yard's shows last weekend clearly went well if Reggie's West is pushing forward with a live music schedule, and hopefully things don't regress this weekend, as I know how much Cameron, Terry, Paul, and Glen have missed being on stage! Visit the above links for full details on TOMORROW & SATURDAY'S shows, and here's Soundcheck live!



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

• New local hard rock band The Isolation Sessions have officially added Frightlight/Bridge Heads drummer Chris Thompson to their lineup, making them a trio (for now), as per their Facebook page on Monday. Chris was already a bandmate of Jordan and Arthur's in Half Past, most notably in early-mid 2011, so he is a perfect fit once again! The band is still looking for a bassist and/or guitarist to help round out their lineup, so if you are interested in trying out, message them above for more details.
• I have restored local hard rock solo artist Shane "The Shaner" Solomon back to our active band links, as he has been working on and uploading new music to his Reverbnation page in recent weeks! One of my pet peeves about Reverbnation is how uploaded music isn't visibly dated, but Shane confirmed on his personal Facebook page that two new songs ("Silks and Dangling" & "Exit Cryosleep") are up, and they showcase distinct styles with strong production, and the former will satiate heavier appetites! Give both songs a listen above, and it's good to see Shane back after 8 years away!
• SooToday contributor Chris Belsito posted this article on July 25th where he asked local musicians about their most memorable gigs, and among others, it includes remarks from Soundcheck bassist Paul Belair, ex-Gates of Winter keyboardist Brian Holmes (though the show he referenced was in 2008, not 2009), Inner City Surfers bassist Brad "Example" LaSalle Lacell, and Frightlight/Jack Spades frontman J.D. Pearce, who gives a rare elaboration on the famed "secret show" at Coch's Corner. Really good article with nice insights from a wide array of local musicians, so do check it out above!

That's all for today, but stay tuned for our Squatfest preview and more on the site tomorrow! Thanks everyone!