LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS (Soundcheck & Handsome Sandwich), Plus The Black Label Society Concert Preview!!

A busy concert weekend is ahead in the Twin Saults, so much so that we'll have to break up this weekend's hard rock concert previews! As such, previews of the previously announced concerts from Fyrbird, Fort Creek, and Obsession will be in tomorrow's post, with today's reflecting SHORT NOTICE LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS and a huge headlining show over two years in the making, so here's what you shouuld know!

Local alternative hard rock quartet Handsome Sandwich will play their first concert set of 2022 when they open for indie rockers Man Feelings in their belated CD release party at Soo Blaster TOMORROW NIGHT! Apologies for the short notice, this concert was only announced one week ago today (oddly late for a CD release show), and Handsome Sandwich themselves only confirmed the date on their own Facebook page last night. Last seen in November at The Rockstar Bar, this could be a prime opportunity for Handsome Sandwich fans to see this genre-hating quartet play new original material from their still-forthcoming album "Lettuce", and hopefully Taylor, Jesse, Mitch, and Johnny leave a solid impression to kick off the evening! Of course, Man Feelings (featuring Bizotic alum B.J. Swire) have been gaining a steady profile as of late, though their CD in question has already been released!

Their debut EP "City Friends" came out last year, but presumably due to the pandemic, a release concert is only feasible now, which will also double as the formal launch for their new music video for their single "Modest Spouse". While not a hard rock band, Man Feelings are a talented and distinct alt-rock group, so don't bypass their set TOMORROW NIGHT! An 8:30 PM start time is advertised for this 19+ concert, which has a $10 cover charge, though tickets are also available online at this link. See above for more details on what should be an entertaining night of live music, and here's Handsome Sandwich playing one of their newer originals last year!

Next up, local classic/hard rock cover quartet Soundcheck will return to Reggie's Place on Queen Street East for concerts TOMORROW & SATURDAY NIGHT! Again, apologies for the short notice, these shows have not been publically acknowledged at press time by the band or venue on Facebook, but drummer Glen Thomas did announce the dates on his personal Facebook page (alas, there have been weekends where that's all their shows got). While fans will have seen Soundcheck at Reggie's West last week and/or tonight for their weekly jam night there, TOMORROW & SATURDAY's shows will be their first at the original downtown Reggie's in just over a month. Despite the slim notice, Soundcheck should deliver a solid weekend of classic & hard covers, plus select country favourites given the locale, so don't miss out TOMORROW and/or SATURDAY!

As usual for their Reggie's Place gigs, expect 9:30 PM start times, no cover charges, and 19+ age limits this weekend once again. Visit the above links for more details when/if they roll in, and here's Soundcheck live!

Now let's head to Michigan for a preview of a show with lots of advance notice, namely this weekend's main event, as Los Angeles groove metal quartet Black Label Society will finally headline at The Dreammakers Theatre at the Sault Ste. Marie Kewadin Casino TOMORROW NIGHT! As you may recall, B.L.S. (led by long-time Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde) were originally supposed to play here in March 2020, with that show being cancelled due to the newly announced pandemic lockdown while they were at Kewadin setting up for it, with reschedulings for that August and last November also called off due to pandemic restrictions. With mandates and such at a much less worrisome state in May 2022, it looks like the fourth time will finally be the charm, but if you are at all concerned, keep tabs on Black Label Society and Kewadin pages for any pandemic-related updates.

Touring in support of their new album "Doom Crew Inc.", Zakk and crew have carved a very strong following with songs like "Suicide Messiah", "Parade of the Dead", and "Stillborn", and their hard hitting brand of metal should attract a strong turnout at long last tomorrow! The ravages of three prior postponements mean that prior announced openers Obituary, Prong, and Lord of Dying are not returning from any of the old dates. The top opener now is metal guitar virtuoso Nita Strauss in her second local concert appearance, having played here with Alice Cooper in June 2014 (her second show in his band!), and it will be awesome to see Nita deliver some skilled and very heavy guitar wizardry tomorrow night! Wisconsin blues rock musician Jared James Nichols will open the proceedings, and while not a metal artist, he fits in well for Zakk's own blues side, and he's a very capable artist, so don't bypass him!

Admission for this standing-room-only (re: no seating) show is $27.50 USD, and it's not sold out, so get yours at this link, at 1-800-KEWADIN, or at the in-person box office. Print-at-home and mobile ticket options are available as well, and click here for the nitty-gritty on any updated ticket procedures. Tickets from the prior three dates that were held on to will be honoured tomorrow night. The show proper is all ages with a 7:30 PM start time. As best as I can tell, this is the first major Dreammakers Theater concert of any genre since the pandemic began (other shows have been announced but cancelled outright or rescheduled afterward), so there are extra precautions to take note of. Notably, Kewadin recommends arriving a little early and to prepare to go through metal detectors before entering the theater (and do not bring backpacks or large purses).

As for Canadians hoping to go over, while the US/Canada border is open to fully vaccinated travellers without having to show a negative PCR test result upon re-entry, you will still have to enter your return trip into the ArriveCAN mobile application before returning to customs, and you may be given a random COVID-19 test, and/or may have to show paper proof of vaccination. Full information on current border rules can be found at this link. Fingers crossed everything goes smooth for the bands, casino, and fans tomorrow night, and hopefully Black Label Society deliver a great night of grim metal action for Saultite fans at long last! See above for more details, and here are the headliners live!

That's all for today, but stay tuned for more weekend concert previews on the site tomorrow! Thanks everyone!