Last Month's Poll Results, And This Month's Newest Poll!!

It's now time to close down last month's poll on the SMS and launch our newest poll, and today also marks the final closure of our "favourite _____ of 2015" polls!  This month, we're posing this question to you guys: "What was your favourite local metal, hard rock, or punk concert of 2015?" Sadly, we only received 12 votes in this culmination of our half-year 2015 polls, but the turnout is actually up from the month prior, so thanks to everyone who did vote, and here are the final tallies!

SNFU & Jack Spades at The Rockstar Bar on July 24th (5 votes, 42%)
Anvil & Jack Spades at The Rockstar Bar on April 1st  (3 votes, 25%)
Benighted & Bookakee at The Oddfellows Hall on March 7th (2 votes, 17%)
The VM Radio Battle Of The Bands from March 4th-25th (1 vote, 8%)
Project 421 & Haggith at The Rockstar Bar on January 23rd (1 vote, 8%)
Swampstravaganza V at The Canadian on May 9th (0 votes)
Caym & Jack Spades at The Algonquin Pub on May 15th (0 votes)
The Archaics at The New American Pub on June 1st (0 votes)
The Rockstar Bar's Summer Bash on June 26th (0 votes)
 The Golers & Shit Liver at The New A on August 9th (0 votes)
Diemonds at The Rednecks Saloon on August 21st (0 votes)
Fuck The Facts at The Oddfellows Hall on Sept. 20th (0 votes)
Other (0 votes)

What do you guys think? The vote turnout is disappointing, especially considering that these shows are the only ones to get votes in our half year polls on your favourite concerts of 2015, and the Fuck the Facts is most disappoitning of all given that it won the late 2015 poll that concluded last month. It's all in who votes! In an upset, last July's SNFU-headlined concert at The Rockstar Bar came in first place for the end-year poll, after finishing in second place last month, more than doubling it's vote total from then, so kudos to all bands involved in that well-recieved concert in terms of winning the ultimate poll! The remaining vote-getters were all from early-2015 concerts, with Rockstar Bar shows picking up half of the total votes. Interesting results all around, and with three of the top 4 choices going to J.D. Pearce-promoted concerts, it's a good sign for the popularity and success of his local concerts! Thanks to everyone who voted!

As for this month's poll, let's transition back into some more general topics, starting with one that reflects a recent trend from a few local albums and concerts. The question we are posing this month is: "What is your opinion on local concerts & albums that are offered on "pay what you can/want" models?" This is by no means the norm, but in recent years, the idea of offering albums or concert admission via donation or a fluid, consumer-determined amount has been gaining traction with some artists. The Gore Street Cafe hosts many of their concerts (and even some of their food menus) on a "pay what you can" model, while a handful of other events have followed suit, like the recent Metal Massacre house shows. The idea has persisted longer locally with album releases, as a bunch of local bands have released albums through Bandcamp on "name your price" models, with bands like Jack Spades, Haggith, Downshift, RedD Monkey, and The Northern Tragedy among the roster giving this option, which allows for free downloads if the consumer chooses.

Is the "name your price/pay what you want" model something you support? It has it's pluses and minuses, so we've picked five choices that you can pick from regarding your opinions on this model, so read on below for details!

They're a great option that's accessible to everyone!: Do you wholeheartedly support bands and/or concerts that allow fans to pick their payment amount? Do you find that it allows more fans to attend shows or buy albums, or at least open the door to a wider audience with such options available? If you 100% support shows and albums of this kind, this is your choice!

It depends on the album or show: Maybe you find that a "pay what you can" scenario fits certain bands, promoters, and/or venues more than others, as not all of them are equal or cater to the same clientele. Maybe you'd be more apt to pay a variable amount for one band over another, or if you find that it'll be more beneficial to that venue? If your opinion's as fluid as the concept, vote here!

They should only be for special occasions or deals: Locally speaking, a "name your price" model for albums or shows is a regular occurrence when it comes to local acts on Bandcamp, or the promoters that put on said shows. That said, there may be some of you who find the concept to be best utilized in small doses, perhaps for special events, venue deals and campaigns, or perhaps tied into existing charity events where a donation is expected. If you'd want such shows to be more of a special attraction, pick this option!

I don't like them, they should have a flat fee: On the flip side, there is a reason why most local concerts have a flat admission fee. A "pay what you can" model is unpredictable, as you can't predict how generous and/or stingy customers will be, while a flat admission can be easier to manage, and more reliable for paying bands and covering costs of putting a show on or recording/releasing a CD. Customers may prefer paying a set price, knowing they're supporting the artists' full work, but do you agree with the above?

Indifferent/no opinion: Do you have no real view on the benefits and/or drawbacks of "pay what you want" albums and concerts? Do you just attend shows and buy albums, without regard to the admission fee? When a variable, consumer-set price comes up, do you just pay the general amount for a comparable event and not think about it again? Do you just avert this model of admission or purchasing altogether? If you have no side otherwise on this topic, here's the choice for you!

VOTE TODAY!! You have until June 18th to cast your votes, so do so A.S.A.P., and while the vote turnout is to be established, it'll be interesting to see what most people have to say! See above for more details, and stay tuned for weekend concert previews and more to come! Thanks everyone!

LOCAL CONCERT ALERT (Turner Up), Bret Michaels Health Updates, Jason Taillefer's Return, And More!

Greetings everyone! Got some assorted news to share this afternoon, including a new local band, a prominent local musician's one night return, updates on the health of Bret Michaels, and a little surprise in honour of the SMS hitting 500 fans on Facebook! But first, here's a LOCAL CONCERT ALERT!!!

Turner Up will be the first local hard rock/metal band to play at the newly opened Vibe Lounge on Goulais Avenue when they take the stage there for two nights this weekend! Look out for them on Friday and Saturday at 10:30 PM both nights! I again apologize for this being short notice, but look at it like this: At least it was announced with a few days notice! There is no announced cover charge either, and seeing as this is a bar, expect a 19+ limit. Checking out Turner Up this weekend could have a double purpose: Entertaining live music AND to get a glimpse of this new local venue from the gang who brought you Nite-Life Dance Club! Check out more from Turner Up at this location, and confirm your attendance for one/both of these shows by clicking here! Also, nice work on the poster!

Next up, I have lots more updates on the health of Bret Michaels, which as we know, could affect his headlining spot on night one of the Kewadin Casino 25th Anniversary Summer Festival. The most recent update I've heard on his current state is that he's still in critical condition in the ICU of an undisclosed Arizona hospital. He's heavily sedated under 24 hour doctor's care and supervision, and doctors still haven't located the exact location of the bleeding in his brain that caused the hemorrhage. The most recent update to his website said that he currently has "slurred speech, blurred vision and dizziness." According to a source close to him, the headache that led him to call 911 felt like like getting "hit in the head with a baseball bat over and over again."

So how does the prognosis look for Bret Michaels? Well, we won't definitively know until his doctors say something, but some sources have their own theories. Some are theorizing that what happened to Bret could be emerging complications from his accident at last June's Tony Awards, when stage props dropped on his head. However, doctors have said that this could be a diabetes related issue, and seeing as it's almost a year since his Tonys accident, it seems unlikely to me. Other news reports have said that what happened to Bret has essentially become a stroke. According to a report on ABC's "Good Morning America", what happened to Bret has a 75% survival rate after one week, so if he makes it through that, we'll hopefully be in the clear. A troubling news article I found (link here) has some less than encouraging theories, with appropriate medical backup, about what may be in store for Bret health-wise. But I don't want you guys to even THINK about a negative possibility in this. I'm pulling for Bret, I never want to see anything like this happen to anyone, and hopefully he will get better! It's honestly not looking like he'll be here in July, but as long as he pulls through this, I wouldn't care about that. Hopefully you guys feel similarly. I'll keep you posted with updates on his condition, and expect a doctor's statement at some point this week too (Source here), and check the links below for more sources for the above information.

BRET MICHAELS Remains In Critical Condition
Report: BRET MICHAELS Felt Like He'd Been 'Hit with a Baseball Bat'
TRUMP Thinks TONY AWARDS Mishap May Have Contributed To BRET MICHAELS' Condition

Bret Michaels condition caused by Tony awards head injury?
Bret Michaels Brain Hemorrhage Update: ICU, Prognosis Unclear

Alright, now here's an intriguing little tidbit of news! Now I don't usually discuss acoustic shows from local hard rock/metal musicians because, with the exception of Tym Morrison, they tend to be lighter non-metal stuff, and usually more of an informal performance compared to what we're used to. That being said, the show I'm about to discuss is like that, but with an intriguing twist. Jason Taillefer, Sault native and frontman of the St. Catharines metal band Phatstick, will be in town TOMORROW for an acoustic set at Foggy Notions! Also known from his work in Human Disorder, and from assorted local bands like Alyster and Scrooge, this has got to be Jason's first local set (Phatstick or solo) in at least a couple of years! Now his acoustic solo material (which is sometimes marketed under the name "Jason Taylor") is definitely a far cry from his heavier Phatstick/Human Disorder back catalog, but it's still very well performed! Nice voice and a very good guitarist to boot! Sure, it's not a Phatstick return, but it's the next best thing until we see them again! Maybe not metal, but I figure there's some people out there who wanna see Jason live in the Sault after so long! Get more details at this location, the above links will bring you to Jason's MySpace and his assorted bands!

Next up, we have a new local band! I don't know a ton about them, but thanks to band member Jason Ladouceur, I can show you how they sound! It looks like this band is named WinkStinger, and they play a fast pace hardcore kind-of style! Not bad on first listen, it has that raw underground intensity going for it! It seems tailor made for a mosh-filled Oddfellows Hall kind of show! The song has audible bass, but according to Jason, they are looking for a bassist, and the need for one is the only thing keeping them from gigging. I like what I hear so far, I'd love to see them live, but they need a bassist first. So if you, or someone you know, would like to try out as bassist for WinkStinger, contact Jason through Facebook! If you need extra proof as to how they sound, here's a video featuring a demo of their song "From Bullshit to Buzz (Lies=Weed)", thanks to YouTube user (and likely band member) joeyvelcro for the upload!



And finally, I'm proud to announce that The Sault Metal Scene's Facebook page gained it's 500th fan yesterday! And yes, I know that you now "like" fan pages, not "become a fan", but I like the old method better. You guys are awesome, thank you all so very much for following us on Facebook! I appreciate every fan, every visit, and every moment you guys take to visit anything SMS-related, you guys are the reason I've kept this going for so long! Hard to believe that it took just 9 months and 3 weeks for the SMS Facebook page to hit 500 fans! In honour of this milestone, I'm rewarding you guys with this: An actual SMS domain name! saultmetalscene.blogspot.com still works, it always will, but I thought that a domain name would help to shorten typing time and make it look a touch more official! If you wanna use it, here's our new secondary domain name! Thanks again everyone, more news to come!

www.saultmetalscene.co.nr