LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS (Double Down & Soundcheck), More Weekend Concert Previews, And New Videos!!

Let's wrap up this weekend's known hard rock concert previews on the site today, along with LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS (two on SHORT NOTICE), and some new live videos from bands discussed therein, so here's what you should know on this Friday evening!

Local classic/hard rock cover quartet Soundcheck will return to Jay's Piston Broke Pub for traditional concerts TONIGHT & TOMORROW NIGHT! Apologies for the short notice, the band only confirmed these dates on their Facebook page yesterday, and yes, they did host their usual (Cameron-less) jam night at Jay's last night as well. Last seen pulling a "triple decker weekend" at Jay's a month ago, TONIGHT & TOMORROW'S shows should be another solid opportunity for fans to enjoy their classic and hard rock cover slate, but there is more afoot than just the music for TOMORROW'S festivities. In honour of the one year anniversary of Jay Scott's purchase of the former Reggie's West (it was actually sold in late October 2022), customers are encouraged to wear Jay's-branded clothing and to enjoy a complimentary lunch spread that day, and a Budweiser barbecue will be given away TOMORROW as well.

Congratulations go out to Jay on a successful first year with the Korah Road venue, and it does sound like things are going well overall, which hopefully extends to TOMORROW'S festivities! That show and TONIGHT'S have 9:30 PM start times, no cover charges, and 19+ age limits. Visit the above links for more details, and for a preview, here's Soundcheck live!

Next up, fellow local classic/hard rock cover quartet Double Down will return to the stage for shows at Reggie's Place on Friday, November 24th & Saturday, November 25th! Announced via their Facebook page on Monday, this will be Double Down's first concert weekend since rocking Jay's in mid-October, and their first shows at Reggie's in over two months. This talented local supergroup doesn't play live as often as some of their rock cover cohorts in town, but they deliver the goods with a nicely stocked setlist, so don't miss out next weekend! Expect 9:00 PM start times, 19+ age limits, and no cover charges next week. Visit the above links for more details, and while we're on the subject, Double Down were filmed in a 43 minutes long live-stream at their show at Jay's on October 14th! This was filmed by Beej Syrette, who has shot prior videos of them for their Facebook page.

This appears to capture almost their entire second set from 10:30 PM onward, and in order, the guys covered The Tragically Hip's "Looking For A Place To Happen" (though broken up midway through on Beej's end), The Stampeders' "Wild Eyes", Deep Purple's "Gettin' Tighter", Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" (extended with band introductions), Free's "All Right Now", Sloan's "Money City Maniacs", Big Wreck's "That Song", and Prince & The Revolution's "Purple Rain". Vocals-wise, Adam King handled The Stampeders, Deep Purple, and Free, while Joel Syrette tackled Daft Punk, Sloan, and Big Wreck, and bassist Brad Stephen sang on the Hip and Prince covers to bookend this set. Brad didn't sing lead at all at their Rotaryfest set in July (their last 40+ minute concert video), so his vocal inclusion here is nice to see! Double Down sounded good on the video from last month, and credit to Beej for the quality on his end!

The table at the beginning and the skip during the opening Hip cover weren't ideal, but everything else was crisp and clean, and it is good seeing Double Down cover so much Canadian content in their sets, with half of the eight songs being from domestic bands. Give this video a watch above & below, and don't miss Double Down at Reggie's next weekend!

Finally, here's the last known hard rock concert preview for this weekend, as local party metal band The Apocalypse Afterparty will headline a rare all-local show for them TOMORROW NIGHT at Soo Blaster! Yes, I am aware of a gig that they're opening at the same venue next month, we await firm public confirmation of the lineup. Speaking of lineups (in-band ones), The Apocalypse Afterparty will reportedly debut Vanity First/Ha!ls guitarist Mikhal Muto as their new second bassist for the first time at a public event, and it'll be interesting to see how he fits the group, but longtime A.A. fans will recall them having a double bass attack in the past! Oddly, they have not publically promoted this show on their Facebook page, but the openers have, including rising young metal trio The BAG and folk punk/extreme metal musician Chase Wigmore, who hinted on his Facebook page that this will "probably be my last" concert.

Chase had teased stepping back from his prolific solo music career to focus on his personal life after the release of his forthcoming album "The Chaotic Rite", and while I hope that he doesn't 100% retire from the local scene, come out to Soo Blaster tomorrow just in case! Doors open at 7:00 PM for this 19+ concert, and $10 tickets are available through performers, with the price jumping to $15 at the door. Should be a fun time for fans of heavier original local music, so visit the above links for more details, and here's a newly discovered video of The Apocalypse Afterparty live at Broers Jansen for The Fishbowl Festival's closing party in April! Apologies for the delay in this making the site. Uploaded to their Facebook page, the 44 seconds-long clip has heavy visual artifacting that makes it hard to watch, but Paul & Amanda give it their enthusiastic all on this apparent original, so check it out for yourselves below!

That's all for not, but stay tuned for more news and notes on the site this weekend! Thanks everyone!