After a slight delay, here's this month's Defunct Local Band Profile, as we're again taking a look back at a local metal, hard rock, or punk act that was randomly selected from our inactive band links, in order to spotlight them for current readers! This month's selection only just dissolved a little over a month ago, but they packed a lot into their almost three-year run, so here's what you should know on them!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Genre: Hard/Classic Rock
Lineup:
Carson "Red Jettison" Hiltz, vocals/guitar
Raine Rancourt (Raincourt), guitar
Liam Dinsmore, guitar
Claire Jeffrey, bass/vocals
Anthony Boudreau (Stones & Crows, Them), drums/vocals
Audio/Video: HeadFirst released their debut EP "Head Trauma" independently in July 2024, and while the very-DIY CD copies are now out of print, you can still hear it on major streaming services, as well as their full-length May 2025 follow-up "Road Trippin'". That album was was released through Mike Haggith's own MorningStar Records with professional packaging, and even received a few music videos. HeadFirst often limited their own social media videos to teasers and shorter clips, but fan-shot videos (including by us on our Facebook page) can be found relatively easily, even though the HeadFirst name is used by multiple other bands, hence putting a 1 in their name later on. Here they are playing "Little Darling" at Rotaryfest's Second Stage in 2024!
Info/Analysis: Publically launching in July 2023, this union of rising young local musicians brought their 1960s-1980s influenced blend of originals and covers to the stage for the first time at Reggie's Place that November. They quickly became a prominent and well received sight as both headliners and support bands in the mid-2020s, which saw them play at Rotaryfest Stage 2, Pridefest, and Toystock in both 2024 and 2025, as well as 2024's Go Skateboarding Day and ARCH Run and 2025's Northern Vibe Festival. Also seen opening for the likes of Blood Opera, Woodhawk, and Selias, and even travelling to Sudbury for a few gigs, you may also know them as the only band that Shooters Downstairs Lounge was even booking by last year, even getting their own special menu items! Officially altering their name to HeadF1rst in early 2025, band activity slowed down over the winter, and they disbanded following a farewell concert at Beck's Bar last month.
HeadFirst displayed clear talent and range for a band of their relative youth, while honouring the classic eras in their cover choices and original material! Red was an infectious presence as frontman, Raine is a very skilled lead guitarist, and everyone paired well together, though not everyone was universally animated during concerts. I did prefer HeadFirst's heavier songs, but especially on "Road Trippin'", they spread their wings to tackle other sounds and genres, so mind that going into their two releases, but there's a little something for everyone there. Hopefully the guys all turn up in new active projects soon, including Anthony's new band Stones & Crows!
I hope you guys liked this month's Defunct Local Band Profile! This series will return on or around June 10th, and we'll have more news and notes on the SMS this week! Thanks everyone!
No comments:
Post a Comment