Killer Dwarfs Concert Preview & Lots Of Updates From The Northwest!!

Here's a new news post to check out on this Monday evening, which is mostly devoted to one fast rising local band in particular, but leading off, let's start with a mid-week concert preview for you old school metal fans!

Oshawa glam metal legends The Killer Dwarfs will make their long awaited return to Sault Ste. Marie TOMORROW NIGHT with another headlining concert at Soo Blaster! The Dwarfs previously rocked Soo Blaster in April 2019 in their first modern-era local stop, and that show was very well received at the time by classic and new fans alike, so don't miss their brand of 1980s metal originals with songs like "Dirty Weapons" & "Doesn't Matter" tomorrow! While not reflected on public advertising, local acoustic hard rock singer/guitarist Tym Morrison has confirmed on his personal account that he is opening tomorrow, a strong fit considering his past work in plugged-in metal bands, so don't be late for his set! No word on if he'll be at The Trading Post on Wednesday though, stay tuned if we hear anything with reasonable notice. Presented once again by Ernest Skinner of Border City Rock Talk, this show was originally scheduled for tonight before being bumped due to a concurrent booking in White River.

Tickets run for $20 in advance at this link and at Soo Blaster, and a meet & greet is also attached to ticket purchases on some advertising. Be advised that some involved with the show are selling individual tickets for a discount on Facebook, inquire within for details, but the public advertised price is $20 (higher on Eventbrite for processing fees). This is a 19+ show, and a 7:00 PM start time is advertised. Should be a great show for period hard rock and glam metal fans, especially after how well The Killer Dwarfs went over three years ago, so visit the official Facebook event page for more details, and here are The Dwarfs live!

Next up, here's the latest from local indie/punk quintet The Northwest, starting with the big reveal that they will be opening for Marianas Trench and The Trews at GFL Memorial Gardens on Thursday, September 22nd! The band announced this on their Facebook page yesterday, but band members had mentioned it on personal accounts previously. Definitely the biggest local concert in scope and seating that (The) Northwest have ever played, so don't be late for their set next Thursday, and discounted tickets for next week's Mocha Concert Series shows (save for Kim Mitchell & 54-40 next Tuesday, oddly) are now on sale online! Save 25% using the coupon code SHRINERS at this link, and stay tuned for previews of those two gigs next week! Note that SooToday's advertising for both Marianas Trench and Kim Mitchell notes that they have "special guests" on the bill, and while The Northwest are presumably that for the former, I have not heard of a potential local opening band for Kim Mitchell. We'll keep you guys posted!

The Northwest may have been waiting to mention the Marianas Trench news until it broke on CTV News Northern Ontario yesterday, as they got a brief piece on the evening news! Wish they'd have plugged this in advance, even without spilling the beans, so we could watch it on channel 11 (or 2 over the air). Photojournalist Mike McDonald conducted the interview with Northwest frontman Wayne Watkins & guitarist Greg Callaghan (Mike Yak is shown on camera but isn't interviewed), where they discuss their feelings about opening for this show, how pandemic downtime allowed them to write their new EP, and their influences. Mike McDonald noted that The Northwest will also be playing a show in North Bay next month (the band proper has not confirmed this publically on Facebook) and hope to release new singles next year. Good, if brief promotion, especially for how little of their music you hear for the duration, though video clips are shown.

If you missed the former MCTV News yesterday, you can watch the video & read the similar article at this link!  We'll close today's Northwest updates with their newest music video, which went online on their YouTube channel on Friday! This is for their song "Walls" from their "All In" EP, leaving only "Lights" without a music or lyric video this year. Directed, produced, and edited by Jeff King, the video was shot in Toronto by Pie In The Sky Studios with external actors (the band is only seen in a framed photograph). This video is basically reflective of the lyrics of "Walls" (repressing hostile feelings towards a negative workplace environment), with an office worker slowly losing his patience while on the clock and ultimately destroying his office and announcing his resignation in no uncertain terms. Well shot and it gets the point across, but it is kinda odd to see a local band's music video without seeing them live and on camera.

Lots to take in from this busy and very prominent local heartland rock/punk band, with a steadily rising profile on the local scene and from afar, so give their "Walls" music video a watch below, and see the links above for much more on The Northwest's recent activity!

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