LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS (Vanity First), Plus Updates From Heavy Lies The Crown & Handsome Sandwich!!

Let's get some more recent news and notes on the site on this Saturday morning, and they include some new videos and recent updates from bands on both sides of the border, but leading off, here are some LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS for you punk fans to check out next month!

While Shooters Downstairs Lounge recently addressed April concerts in their Facebook concert schedule poster (the already-occurred Eugene Gassi show on the 1st aside), we do know of a pair of SMS-relevant gigs next month, as local punk trio Vanity First will make their Shooters debuts on May 19th & 20th, preceded by their Reggie's Place debut on Saturday, April 29th! Announced via posters on their Facebook page (neither venue has confirmed these dates yet), I believe these will be Vanity First's.... first true solo concerts at nightclubs, where they'd be doing the four sets/covers-heavy thing not unlike Soundcheck at Shooters this weekend. Hopefully Andrew, Mikhal, and Keeghan make a strong impression at these two downtown nightclubs with their modern punk attack! No word on why they're not playing at Reggie's on Friday the 28th, we'll let you know if someone else is confirmed for that night or not.

All three of Vanity First's newly announced shows have 9:00 PM start times, no announced cover charges, and 19+ age limits. Should be a good time for punk fans and bar patrons looking for something newer compared to their usual roster, so visit the above links for more details!

Next up, here's the latest from St. Ignace, Michigan metalcore band Heavy Lies The Crown, who do have an interview that we'll address in an upcoming post, but they have been busy for posting enough new Facebook content in the last few weeks as it is! On March 25th, the guys hit the road for another downstate gig, this time at Skelletones in Grand Rapids for a headlining concert, if you can believe that, featuring openers Ruin , I Decide I, and Minus Two. Skelletones' Facebook page even posted (black & white) pictures of H.L.T.C.'s set, so you know it went well for bands and venue alike! Singer Brandon West recorded this video while en route to Grand Rapids to hype the event, where he apologized for the impromptu promotion given their recent behind the scenes work to better themselves, and their set apparently had all but three of four of their existing originals.

A "new/old instrument" was brought back for this gig as well, and he encouraged attendees to meet the band at the merchandise table. The day of the concert, Brandon starred in another video (well, a "Reel") featuring him punching at a speed bag in preparation for the show. Not sure that there's a direct correlation, but his technique is good! During the event, Brandon and guitarist Ted Olson starred in this 9 second video (not a "Reel", believe it or not) that basically has them mugging for the camera when they realized they didn't switch back to camera mode, which is amusing! On March 27th, Brandon posted a video to announce that the "new/old instrument" is the turntable, while also talking about how the Grand Rapids concert went, which included a couple of songs where he and drummer Jaxon Massaway traded roles. Apparently, Brandon played drums on their debut EP, not Cale Krist, which is news to me!

Brandon said that the band is taking a break to work on new studio material, with added backing vocals from band members planned going forward, but he did hype up how things went in Grand Rapids, and bassist Christian Bailey (referred to as Christian Cook in the video) apparently cut himself by accident mid-set. Hope he's alright, of course, but with how Brandon described it, the incident would at least look metal! Give this one a watch below, and stay tuned for much more (including that interview) from Heavy Lies The Crown in due course!

Finally for today, here's some updates from Sault Ontario alternative/hard rock band Handsome Sandwich! First off, you may know that bassist Rafael Medina (full name Rafael Medina Cruz) came to the Soo from his native Colombia to take part in Algoma University's music program, and he was recently spotlighted in this SooToday article by Chris Belsito, where he and classmate Brandon Ruch were feted for their recent graduation. The two performed at Algoma's Jazz Ensemble concert on Thursday at The Loft (the site of Handsome Sandwich's album release show next month), while their proper graduation concert for the music program takes place at The Loft on April 12th (click here for tickets if you are so inclined). Rafael's bandmate Johnny (credited as John) Belanger will be among the guest backing musicians. Good article to learn about both Rafael and Brandon, but also the Algoma music program, so check it out above!

In terms of Handsome Sandwich directly, the band revealed on their Facebook page on March 28th that former Shit Liver frontman Josh Penno filmed their upcoming music video for "No Entry" at Spacebag Productions, and the video is slated to be released on Wednesday, April 19th, so stay tuned for that! Lastly, a new Facebook video was posted on Thursday of the band "being lame" (their words), with singer Taylor Emlaw hyping the release concert on May 6th and the band proper clearly having fun in the moment, assuming Jesse didn't hurt himself in his tumble off the chair. A clip of an unidentified new song can also be heard throughout the 33 second clip. Good stuff, so see more from the Sandwich above & below!

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