LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS (Obsession), Their Belated Addition To Our Band Links, And More!!

Every so often, I'll re-evaluate what bands do/don't fit our criteria for full coverage on the SMS, hence why bands like Stiffler's Mom, Havadder, The Crossed, and RedD Monkey weren't instantly covered upon our/their inception. Today's post is devoted to one such instance on the classic/hard rock cover spectrum that I've been thinking about adding for a while now, and with concerts starting to ramp up in bookings, let's finally give them more of the coverage they deserve (and expect LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS!) To cap things off, we have a new video of a familiar local guitarist in a somewhat unlikely setting, so here's what you should know!

Today's belated addition is veteran local classic/hard rock quartet Obsession, who have been a mainstay of the live circuit since debuting back in 2005! Their current lineup has been intact since 2017, and it features ex-Patches/Domina singer Valerie Powley, former That's Chester/Agave Blue guitarist Gabe Tessaro, ex-Shades of Blue/Rumours bassist/vocalist Jim Michaud (the only remaining original member), and ex-Whiskey River/Redline drummer Steve Porco. Surviving public details on the band's first decade are in short supply nowadays, partly due to their long-time Facebook group being taken down, but former band members at least include singer Lorrie Bolduc (Lorrie Lynn & The Sinners), guitarist Alex Trecroce, and drummer Rich Trevisanut (Bud Shamble). Readers may primarily be familiar from Obsession's ample appearances at nightclubs on weekends, but they have played at multiple major festivals and community events as well!

Notably, Obsession have played at Rotaryfest eleven times, a mark that only three other bands have topped since 2001, with Obsession rocking the main stage each year since 2008 except 2012, 2018, and (obviously) 2020. Their website features lots of band photos, individual member biographies, links to many videos of them live (even a Facebook video interview with SaultOnline's Andy Martens), and an extensive setlist of their covers, which include many heavier cuts from the likes of AC/DC, Joan Jett, Poison, Trooper, The Black Crowes, and numerous other bands (expect Janis Joplin covers too, which goes without saying given Valerie's vocal talents!) In a change of pace from some of their classic rock cover cohorts, Obsession list concert dates on their website's schedule through June.... of 2023, so when can you see Valerie, Gabe, Jim, and Steve live next?

Their next advertised gig is at Shooters Downstairs Lounge on Saturday, May 7th at 8:00 PM, followed by appearances in The Esquire Club's Saturday matinee series on May 28th & June 11th, both being 3:00 PM affairs (they just played there yesterday too, FYI). Their next scheduled non-private gigs after that are way ahead in the timeline, as Obsession are booked at The Esquire Club almost monthly from October through next summer, notably all currently scheduled as full weekend sets with 9:30 PM start times, pandemic willing, of course. While I'll hold on listing 2023 gigs in our calendar for now, Obsession are booked at the Second Line East nightclub on October 28th & 29th and then on December 16th & 17th. All of the above shows have no announced cover charges, and all are 19+, but keep an eye out for all ages festival appearances this summer.

While I can't speak for Lorrie-era Obsession, their work with Valerie has consistently been entertaining and impressive, with strong musicianship, an easy rapport with live audiences, and diverse setlist that will appeal to hard rock fans! Plus, having a female lead singer helps them stand out, let alone with Valerie's impressive singing abilities, so don't bypass them for quality live music if you get the chance! See and hear much more from Obsession above, including via their Facebook page & YouTube channel, where this video comes from, featuring them and frequent Rotaryfest guest guitarist Dan Belanger covering Chuck Berry's "Maybellene" last July!

Finally for today, here's a surprise video of a familiar local guitarist in action in a more professional setting than you may expect! As you may know, former Jack Spades/Stegadeth guitarist Tiffany Stocco moved to the Sudbury area in 2019, and while I don't normally discuss musicians' day jobs unless it directly comes up in their interviews or musical career, it does in this case. Tiffany currently works at the Long & McQuade music store in Sudbury, who had the chain before the Northland/Thomas Walls merger ever happened in the Soo, and the Sudbury branch recently began a "Staff Licks" video series on their Facebook page, featuring short clips of employees playing music in the store proper to show off in-stock gear and their own talents,. This video has Tiffany covering the riff for Black Sabbath's "Sweet Leaf" on (fittingly) a Tony Iommi Signature "Monkey" SG Special guitar, before busting out a much faster original riff of her own.

It's a short clip, and not framed ideally for the sake of her performance, but you get a nice sampling of Tiffany's guitar skill and the tone of this guitar, so the video serves a dual purpose! Give it a watch below, and hopefully we hear more music from Tiffany soon!

That's all for today, but stay tuned for more news and notes on the site this week! Thanks everyone!