Oh Those Damn Rumours (November 2011)

["The Freq"]

Yes boys and girls, it's time for another stab at local music scene rumours that catch our fancy as this wonderful year of 2011 winds down. Remember, these are rumours and not proven fact until the Associated Press says otherwise.. I'm kidding. ;-)

1. Top Rumour of the week. Yes, my band Wishbone has given bass player Chris Smith the pink slip and new bass play Steven Flint has taken over in the band. The atmosphere was getting a tad down and the band felt it was time to move on. Ironically, we all felt the same way. Our 2nd CD "The Kill" is out now and selling extremely well and we will be promoting gigs soon once Steven is fully worked in with material from Wishbone's 3rd album, which brings me to the 2nd rumour...

2. Yes, Wishbone's 3rd album is written and we did preview a lot of the material at Laird Raceways Cornfest show this past August. We have no title as yet and no idea on when recording will start on it. Wishbone 3 is heavier, that's all I'll say. ;-)

3. I heard a rumour Tony from the thankfully defunct band Cheesie Smurphy broke a nail recently. My condolences. .............HA!

4. Rumour of Thin Ice going global have surfaced, with an album and tour and lots of good things... of course, that's from their drummers mouth and if history shows anything from him it's that he tells a lot of good "stories". ;-)You might even say he tells stories like a compulsive liar but that too is a rumour. haha Did I mention there is no love loss between he and I? As for the other members of the band, all good musicians and I'm glad to see they're still going strong. Most seem to forget I was part of that outfit and helped get them into the bar scene. You always forget the ones you love.. :-( *sniffle*

5. Well, the rumour of a "Turner Up" rebirth has been confirmed by 2 sources, one being their drummer Scott from a post he made and the other Sault Metal Scene so I will only say what i infact know and that is that Krista will be returning as vocalist. My lips are sealed on anything else. Scott's other band Full Circle seems to be continuing on as well with a bit of the country rock flair. I've only seen video of Full Circle as I'm usually practicing yoga on weekends and haven't been able to venture to the bars to check them out. ;-)

6. Basswerx Recording Studio. It's been pretty quiet on news from this new high tech recording studo this past year. The truth is that one of the owners had become extremely ill but is recovering now and doing well. He's a close friend so I know this to be true. Hopefully 2012 will see the opening of Basswerx Studios. They've sunk a ton of cash into the design of the building and judging by photos, it's killer looking. All the best to both owners and their venture.

7. Yes, it's true, my band Flat Stanley is actually a 2 piece featuring Tony Kajnar and I and we have finally finished recording 99 percent of our debut album of 20 songs with a possibility of adding 2 more to the project. Yes, it will be a double CD. We are infact going to have various singers sing lead on some of the songs as Tony and I are not really good lead singers. ;-) Demos have been sent out to a number of vocalist who will sing one or two of the songs each. Tony and I will have final say on what we keep or not keep but each singer will get a copy of their performance for a keepsake none the less. We have some, but not all demos posted on our Reverbnation site for those who want to listen to how a few of our songs sound like. Vocals are by Tony and I on these so don't expect the best. Also, these demos are not mixed at all. They are the raw recorded rough tracks. If you like what you hear, let us know. If you don't, go spread a rumour around town at how much they suck. It's the way the Sault music scene has always done it in the past, so why break tradition.. HA!!!! ;-)
Listen here www.reverbnation.com/flatstanleymusic

7. Yes, Black Sabboth's original line up are going to record again and tour. I just heard that and couldn't be happier. True, it's not a local thing but it does make a lot of us local musicians very happy. ;-)

8. Essar Center is sucking ass for good rock concerts lately.. Oh yeah!!! We've had nothing in ages worth mentioning. We do have the return of Gordon Lightfoot. Yes, I like Gordon and his music but I think I'd rather him at the White Pines Theatre. Yes, we're also getting a Tommy Hunter show here but that won't be at the Essar. Tommy is at least 129 years old and this will be his farewell tour. I joke, but everyone my age use to watch the Tommy Hunter show as a kid. Hell, we only had 2 channels on TV to watch so you watched Tommy or you watch Hee Haw or both. ;-)

9. This just in.. The Canadian Nightclub is no longer booking bands.
Don't know how true this is but really, has any local band packed that place in the past few years? Not even our local flower girls Gsis Smurphy have done that, in fact I blame them for the softening of local rock music with tunes like Rasputin' .. Yuck! Does anyone care about the Canadian anymore? So many local bands have been given the bum steer by this place, including myself that let's face it.... "The Love Is Gone". Some of us local musicians have made them a shitload of cash back in the day and we all seemed to have been pooped on in return. Ah yes, The Freq never forgets. So, no love loss here. They can book bands or not book bands. I don't really care anymore. The best show every was the flooding they recently experienced. Now that was entertainment!!! You have to remember the people you step on in life and they did a lot of stepping.. :-)

10. There seems to be a negative vibe about the new ownership of our local music store "Music Depot". Yes, it has changed ownership and to some, they're not liking the changes. This rumour you will have to enlighten me on as this is a new rumour to me. I so rarely shop locally anymore just because I have what I need at this stage of the game. I did ask about getitng a few mics a while back in the store but got no response so I bought them online from the UK. :-) 2 grand in someone elses pocket..tsk tsk. Anyways, let me know what you hear about this local establishment. Seems to be an odd rumour.

11. Rumour that Musicians Central on Soonet is dead. Of course it's dead. Local musicians killed it. They seem to enjoy killing things that promote music for some odd reason.
Remember how popular that site was back 10 years ago? That's when local musicians "tried" to get along for
a short time. I actually went to that old site the other day, which I started if you don't remember, and it's DEAD. It was once a thriving little gossip forum but now it's a dried up fart. This is our local music scene though. Musicians here would rather slam and stab others in the back, ridicule, curse, swear, belittle and bullshit behind false identities on that site than actually use it for creative promotion and education. Well, they got what they wanted in spades and killed a good thing. Too bad eh? I actually remember when local musicians checked that site out at least once a day. I actually felt good that I had created something to help local musicians until local musicians turned it into a shitfest. Now it's a ghost town. It's always nice when local musicians show their true colours isn't it.. ;-)

12. Runway Park is under new management/ ownership. Not sure. Someone tell me. That's the rumour I heard. If so, this might lead to some rock concerts there if we're lucky. Cross your fingers.

13. Yuppers, there's a rumour going around that I am ill. This is in fact true. I am dealing with an illness but it's personal so that's all you're gettin'. If I die, you'll be the first to know. ;-) If I live, the cheering will stop I'm sure. |O| No, my music gear won't be up for sale. It's all "willed" out so don't get your panties in a bunch thinking you'll ever own a piece of Freq's music emporium. I'm not ready to go just yet though. I have some music to record yet and some "fish" to fry as the saying goes. HA!

14. Yes, I keep getting requests to continue hosting this Freq's Music Planet forum. The hits per day have increased so much since I said I was gong to shut it down that it's really a puzzling ordeal. This site actually gets more visits than my old Musicians Central site ever did. I still get asked at why I'm not taking anymore members. It's quite simple. I want full control of this site without having to worry about evil pricks posting stupid sick comments about nothing. That's what sunk that other forum but it won't happen here. The few that are members are allowed to post, but I am no longer accepting any new members unless you tell me flat out your true identity. If you don't, you won't get in. It appears that by doing so, my words seem to hit a clearer and a little harder and most of all, when people can't respond like on the old forum, they feel helpless. That's a good thing because it teaches a lesson to respect your elders. |O|. WINK WINK!
I don't have to deal with idiots anymore yet they can't stop me from my own opinion. Isn't it great??? Local musicians helped create this system because a few out there are pricks. You know who you are. So they still read here fighting to get in and believe me, they do. I get new member requests daily but they aren't getting in and it drives them "batty". Poor babies. So as it stands, I'm still not sure if I'm going to pass the site onto someone else or continue on in a parttime basis or close it down altogether. Depends on so many personal factors. I will let you know.

15. The Local Music Scene is Dead. TRUE! Yup and no one is to blame but local musicians, bars and radio stations. You think I'm wrong don't you? Try and do your own homework on this one. I already know, but you try for once. Think about what factors have sunk the local music scene. It's a big list but it all stems from the local musician and attitude and funnels down from there. Send me some of your responses and I will throw them on here for shits and giggles.

16. Anyone hear of a local pirate radio station firing up??? I heard that. Now that would be damn cool. I hope that's true.

17. Yes, the rumour is true that I buy old, beat up drumsets, restore them, then give these drumsets away for Christmas Cheer. Don't ask for a kit as I have my own system for giving these kits out to kids in need. I'm just clearing the air with this so people don't ask me anymore. If you have old parts or drums you want to part with, message me on here or Facebook. They will go to a great cause and make some kids very happy at Christmas.

That's all for now folks. Stay tuned for more adventures and gossip from the local dead music scene. :-)

Have a Freq'ish day boys and girls

["The Freq"]

As I figured, the "Rumours" threads are quite popular with readers. This is the way of the world. It's puzzling and sad that the "jerry springer show" flavour of forum threads seem the most popular. BUT, I will continue to feed the fish as the saying goes. ;-)


MORE RUMOURS

The new bar "Feedback" continues to have odd things happen there from the police being called for noise problems, fake money being passed by customers (apparently arrested) and now a toilet paper theft ring. :-) Don't ask,,, that's just what I heard. I also heard the crowds are still sparse. Hopefully, the bar catches on and we musicians have a place to play and everyone will be happy. ;-)

I've had a few responses to my original Rumours thread posted a few days ago for November so I will respond to those right now.

First, yes, I am ill and no it's not a mental issue. Some may argue that. |O| My illness is not a rumour and "NO" you won't get anymore info on that. ;-)

Second, it has brought to my attention Tony from Cheesie Smurphy did not break a nail but did infact break his ego. |O| Thanks for that update. :-) I didn't think that was actually possible. HA!

Third, the local music scene does in fact suck. When bands are still getting paid the same rates for the past decade, that is one of the reasons. Small audiences, no pay, and no recognition don't make for a thriving music scene. Maybe your favourite bands have a lot of friends come to certain shows which ups the audience numbers but for the most part, the scene stinks. I wish I could say different but when you've lived the local scene for 3 decades, you do notice a few things. WINK WINK.;-)

So onto a few more rumours just in

It appears that the only true supporter of local music and their CD's is the Rad Zone in the Wellington Square Mall. They have a nicely laid out section so there's no excuse not to buy local artists CDs. I did see one Big Wheel and the Spokes CD at HMV or whatever that overpriced shithole is in the Station Mall but the CD was not in any local section as they don't have one. Enlighten me if I missed it but none the less, the Spokes were in with the rest of the heap. That place is sooooo overpriced.

Rumour... The CD format as we know it may be gone in a years. This is the talk on the internet. Piracy downloading and price gouging from major music labels on CD prices have screwed up a good thing. Way ta go dickheads!!! Music will eventually only be in download form and to me that absolutely sucks ass. MP3 quality sucks and I'd rather have the CD with all the graphic booklets, the CD hardcopy and most of all, the extremely great sound quality. Downloading may make it easier to get music but you lose in quality. How can that be a benefit? It's just a sad state. The new generation seems to want quantity over quality.

It has come to my attention that my band Wishbone's 2nd album "The Kill" is being sold by someone locally burning fake copies or should I say "none official release versions" of our album. If you buy our 2nd album make sure you have the one displayed on our official website here
www.myspace.com/wishbonemuzic
The album is a graphic filled CD pocket with a slide in card along with heavy graphics on the CD itself in full blown colour. Any other version is a bootleg and if you have one, contact me on here or Facebook and I will exchange if for a good copy. The one hitch is, you have to tell me who you bought the bootleg off. ;-) Of course, we all know this is illegal and I will press charges if you are found. ;-) The offical release of this album is available through the RAd Zone, Me, or Dennis lead singer for the band or through our official website noted above. ;-) No one else.

Well, it appears that a lot of people agreed with my Catherine Taddo review posted earlier on my site, which doesn't surprise me at all. Too much blues. ;-) Sorry Cat but the audience has spoken.

I was asked a few things about Flat Stanley recently since my last "Rumours" thread and why it's now a 2 piece band. It's quite simple. Our lead singer chose booze over music and the bass player had things to deal with in his life. Guitarist Tony and I just aren't lazy so we wrote and finished all the material for our 20 song CD ourselves. Our singer and bassist get writing credit but all the work was done by Tony and I except for 4 songs that our old bassist played on. Our singer is not on the album at all except for one rhythm guitar track. The other songs, Tony and I sing on are for demo purposes only and I play bass and drums on most of the tunes and Tony bass on 3 if memory serves me correctly.
Our ex singer felt the original music project for Flat Stanley and a CD weren't important enough, so we parted ways. Band divorces are never pretty. The album is done musically and once we have the pro singers lay down their tracks, we will mix it and send it off to get printed. All graphics are done also. To answer a question about what our old singer is doing, I have no idea, nor do I care. Last I heard he was doing solo shows but I've not seen his name advertised anywhere. I've not heard from our old bass player in a year. Will they be replaced? Yup, working on that now but the replacements will not be on the CD.

Rumour that our city has banned "busking" or what is known as street performing. That's what I hear but don't know if it's true. It use to be that you just needed to purchase a license to busk but from what I hear, they killed that deal altogether. This is again locally. Not anywhere else. Let me know if this is true. We continue to have Buskerfest so it seems like this might be a fib but we shall see.

Yes, it's true, Scott from Full Circle has a new Tama Drumset. ;-) The only reason why I mention this is because his old kit (which is for sale) was actually on TV a long time ago during the Christmas season when our local station use to have bands on for it's yearly Christmas show. I was lucky to have played one and I believe it was the same year Scott played. This kit is for sale so if you're interested in his old kit, find him on Facebook. I think he want a couple of mill for it.. :-) Kidding.

Whatever happened to Bob McCleod owner and engineer for the old Satelite Sound recording studio? Well, he's still in the Sault but his recording studio is long gone. I've seen him a few times in the mall and where I work. He sold his gear after his job at the local TV station went bust and he went back to school. Many who recorded there will remember his wife who use to make tea and coffee for the bands. Bob and her have parted ways. She was kinda grouchy. haha As for what Bob is doing now, I'll have to ask him when I see him again and I will relay it here for those interested. Bob recorded many local artists over the decades including my band Rainhorses, The Wailing Aztecs and numerous other bands. He also recorded many radio and TV commercials and TV specials on our local TV station.

Rumour has it we're going to have a green Christmas... Wouldn't that be cool? :-)

There is a rumour going around that my old band Route 69 has reformed under the new name Route 66. This is NOT true. Route 66 is a band fronted by the excellent singer Colin Lilley who also plays guitar. His band does 60s music and a great job of it. Collin is excellent with the British Invasion music like Gerry and the Pacemakers. View here.


As for my band Route 69, yes, I am currently regrouping that band with a possible female vocalist. This lineup won't be ready for a while yet. I will be on bass in this band. Stay tuned on that.

Whatever happened to shredder Paul Tikkanen? Local guitarist Paul Tikkanen returns with his new band Azriahl. Most don't remember one of the few all original local bands from the Sault in the early 1980's but Paul was the founding member of that group, which also had yours truly on drums ;-). No one was doing all original material at that time so let's just say, gigs were few and far between. HA! Years later Paul left the Soo and did other music projects. He took a break for a short while but has returned to doing original material in this new project. Check out their sounds here. www.reverbnation.com/azriahl

There's a rumour going around that Rob Figures from the Sault Metal Scene is taller than the Freq..That is a vicious rumour I tell ya...!! :-)

Rumour that Sense of Truth have broken up. This appears to be true. With no places to play, it's only a matter of time before more bands follow this path. Sense of Truth were a very good band and I'm sure their fans are very disappointed.

For those who don't know, we have a local soup kitchen that a lot of veteran musicians support and help raise money for. Yes, this is true! One band is Route 66, mentioned earlier, but also local power house singer Valerie Powley and her band. Here is one of many performances by Val at the soup kitchen.


Rumour that this is my day off. true ;-)

Peace for now.

The Freq

[robfrules]

I can neither confirm nor deny rumours about my height! Official documents imply I'm 5'10'', though word is I may extend that into the 6' range. Suspense!!!

Informative rumours and news though, keep up the great work! I will say that lack of venues isn't the primary reason for Sense of Truth breaking up, as I know that work commitments and such for members certainly didn't help matters for them, and I had heard my own rumours about them playing a return show last fall, but hey, what can you do? The guys will pop up again soon in new bands, as Steve Myers already has done with his new band Woody Sims.

[robfrules]

Also, here's a couple notes to extend on some of the rumours:

Turner Up's new lineup includes Krista, Rob Brown, and Scott McLurg from the pre-Full Circle lineup, along with Havadder's Jason Roy on guitar and former Carbon Black singer Travis Sharpe on bass. Jason has since enlisted everyone but Krista to join him and Jason Nisbet in the new Havadder lineup.

Rumours of The Canadian no longer booking bands are likely false, as they just hosted Who Made Who (an AC/DC tribute band) yesterday, and there's some big metal shows already lined up there for the spring.

Also, adding to the topic of local albums at HMV, I believe they have Woods of Ypres CDs, or I've seen them there at least once before. Not exactly booming for local support, but there's another example!