COOL DEALS TO MAKE YOUR SPRING & SUMMER AWESOME!
30% OFF
Festival Passes
30% OFF
Alberta Prairie Steam Train
A Day at the Spa
30% OFF
Select Family Excursion
UP TO 30% OFF DINNER
30% OFF
30% OFF Family Pass
Comics & Graphic Novels Deals may be subject to change without notice.
Summercity.ca /summerdeals
Welcome to the 9th Annual EDMONTON ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL W
hen you take on a volunteer position, you shouldn’t be thinking “what will I get out of this?” Most people, like myself, do it because it is something they are passionate about. When I started volunteering with the Rock and Roll Society in 2011, I got involved because I thought they had a really great idea to do after—school rock music programs and I could see how my background in youth and community programs could be an asset to them. When I joined the board in 2012, I did so because I knew there was more I could contribute. Never once, did I imagine how rich my life would become because of the people I would meet, the collaboration I would participate in the students I would get to know and the impact I would see on the student’s lives. I had the pleasure in my early years at the Rock and Roll Society of
Edmonton to get to know some of our Centre for Arts and Music (CAM) students very well. I saw students that were motivated to improve their literacy so they could read the lyrics to songs and write songs with their friends. I saw students going through tough transitions in their family lives come to school only on the days that the CAM program was running. I saw shy and disconnected students find their people. I saw the most outgoing students in the school join bands with the most reclusive students in the school. I saw students with mental health struggles express themselves through song writing and open up about their struggles. I could have never predicted these outcomes, but I knew the Rock and Roll Society had something special going on. Over the years I have worked with several amazing people on the board. I have learned so much from the wealth of employment and life
www.edrocks.ca
experiences they have. One thing we all share is passion for the work of the RRSE. We share that same passion with our volunteers. Again, I never could have never imagined the vast array of people I would meet through our volunteer core and how they would enrich my life. We do good work together – all of us, TOGETHER! That includes our patrons. Without you, we wouldn’t be running the CAM program. This festival is a fundraiser for the CAM program and on behalf of myself and the Board of Directors, we thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for choosing our festival. With such a diverse festival scene in Edmonton, |it is not lost on us, that you have other choices. Choosing us means supporting the CAM students and we think you couldn’t make a better choice! They are pretty special, and we hope you enjoy their performances this weekend. Melanie Strand-Kidder, President
PG 3
Thank you to
OUR SPONSORS Alberta Strong Coatings
Tagar Canada PG 4
Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2019
MAP of the Grounds Smoking Area
Volunteer Sign-in
VIP Room
Roa
Portable Washrooms
Washrooms
dW
Greenroom Entrance
ay &
Tur
nar
oun
d
Stage
K-97
Back Gate
Beer Gardens
Performers & Volunteers
Sound First Aid
Security Quarters
Bar
Bully Food Truck
Bars n Bands CAM Info Liquor Ticket Table
Drift Food Truck Smokehouse BBQ
RRSE Merchandise Band Merchandise K-97 Road Hogs
Royal Treats
$ ATM Washrooms
Front Gate Public Entrance
Food Vendors Ticket Sales
Ticket Scan
www.edrocks.ca
PG 5
RadioActive Friday, August 16 5:00 pm–6:15 pm
W
ith smouldering harmonies and clever musical machinations, this core group of five musicians faithfully cover familiar hit songs and have fused together an entire repertoire of the best known and most popular classic and modern rock songs spanning genres and decades. Emerging in 2013 from the effervescent green glow of the rehearsal bunker, the band known as RadioActive, has vowed to use their fortitude and ethos only for good, travelling from stage to stage across the vast expanse of western Canada. They’ve been entertaining audiences with a fervour befitting a rock cover band of the highest caliber, demonstrating their ability to fill dance floors in the process. From bars and clubs to casinos and corporate events, community stages and fundraising efforts to opening up for festivals, the members of RadioActive have collectively accumulated over 75 years of live music performances. Each band member is accomplished in each of their musical disciplines and they deliver the songs you love with passion and excellence. RadioActive will kick off the festival with a bang on Friday, Aug. 16 at 5 p.m. âœŞ
PG 6
Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2019
The Odds
Friday, August 16 6:45 pm–8:00 pm
T
he Odds were formed in 1987 in Vancouver, consisting of vocalistguitarists Craig Northey and Steven Drake, bassist Doug Elliott and drummer Paul Brennan. Taking their name from a conversation between bandmates about the chances of escaping the province’s small-town B-circuit, fortune shone on them in 1991, when their self-produced debut “Neapolitan” generated some radio chart rotation. They had legit hits in “Love Is the Subject” and “King of the Heap,” but while “Wendy Under the Stars” was too explicit for airplay, it did receive a nod of approval from noted music critic Greil Marcus, who wrote about the piece in his book “Dead Elvis.” After the release of “Neopolitan,” the band was picked up by Warren Zevon to be his touring band for his album
“Mr. Bad Example.” In 1993, Zevon returned the favor by guesting on the band’s “Bedbugs” album, which unleashed arguably its most outrageous single “Heterosexual Man.” The accompanying video was a satirical poke at drag shows that included the group cross-dressing for the occasion with members of the comedy troupe Kids in the Hall, themselves no strangers to donning women’s wardrobe. Their next outing “Good Weird Feeling” featured the top 10 hit singles “Truth Untold,” and “Eat My Brain,” which found a place on the Craig Northey-produced soundtrack to The Kids in the Hall movie “Brain Candy.” But their first No. 1 single, “Someone Who’s Cool,” created a stir when it was revealed the song was originally intended for a sequel www.edrocks.ca
to the “Friends” soundtrack. By 2008, The Odds put out their third album, “Cheerleader,” as well as a 2009 EP called “Noise Trade,” which featured selections from that third outing as well as covers of Vancouver acts like The Pointed Sticks and Art Bergmann. Besides their music, The Odds have garnered a few headlines like an appearance on the CTV sitcom “Corner Gas” and earning the title of House Band at Canada Hockey House during the 2010 Winter Olympics. When the Vancouver Canucks were a formidable NHL team, The Odds also became the team’s official house band during their 2010 and 2011 playoff runs. The Odds take the stage at 6:45 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16. ✪
PG 7
Sloan
Friday, August 16 8:30 pm–10:00 pm
I
n 1991 bassist and vocalist Chris Murphy and drummer Andrew Scott met while studying at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, and with the addition of Patrick Pentland on guitar and vocals and Jay Ferguson on guitar, formed Sloan. A year later the band made their recording debut on the Halifax CD compilation “Hear & Now” before releasing their debut EP “Peppermint” on their own Murderecords label in 1991. The following year, Sloan signed with Geffen Records and released their full-length debut “Smeared,” which was a hit. But their 1994 follow up “Twice Removed” didn’t fare so well in the U.S. despite a positive reception in Canada. Much of that had to do with Geffen’s reluctance to support the act, which eschewed the grunge direction fostered by label mates Nirvana and Sonic Youth. Astonishingly, the recording topped Chart Magazine’s list of best Canadian
PG 8
records of all time. Undeterred by the Geffen experience, Sloan still pushed forward, putting out the single “Same Old Flame,” followed by their third release “One Chord To Another” in 1996, which wowed both Canadian and American audiences when the album was picked up by EMI subsidiary Enclave. Sloan subsequently released “Navy Blues” in 1998, the double live album “4 Nights at the Palais Royale” and “Between the Bridges” in 1999, “Pretty Together” in 2001 and “Action Pact” in 2003. But the crowning touch has since been the 30-track “Never Hear the End of It” in 2006, which saw all members of the band contributing a section of songs to the record, which became Sloan’s highest charting album in the U.S. Sloan closes the first night’s festivities, at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16. ✪
Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2019
O
One Nite Stan Saturday, August 17 11:45 am–12:30 pm
www.edrocks.ca
ne Nite Stan started out back in 1989 as your typical garage band playing the rock ’n’ roll cover tunes of the era. Formed by a couple of friends Trevor Mullen and Jeff Brock Myrfield with Dennis Ward joining later, the band quickly became a popular trio around Edmonton and were invited to open for iconic classic rock acts like Northern Pikes, David Wilcox, Honeymoon Suite, Blue Oyster Cult, Nazareth and April Wine. Eventually Sean Murray took over the kit with Mullen moving to rhythm guitar, which expanded One Nite Stan to a foursome, as Myrfield remained on bass while Ward continued on lead guitar. The key to playing together for so many years was and still is based on a glass of ice and spiced rum. One Nite Stan opens the show on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 11:45 a.m. ✪
PG 9
The most comprehensive
online tool
for planning your
Summer!
Sign up for our
Newsletter
SUMMERCITY.CA is your online guide for the summer!
SUMMERCITY.CA follow us on social media for the chance to WIN tons of great prizes!
Great prizes, including
1 free wee k on a
houseboat, tickets to Summer Festivals,
Dinners Out & More!
TAKE YOUR ONLINE GUIDE
ON THE GO!
Parks, Pools, Activities Sign up for our E-newsletter, receive great new information weekly
Dextress
Saturday, August 17 1:00 pm–1:45 pm
D
extress will make you want your ’80s hair back. The local glam foursome’s primal in-your-face sound will make you move no matter what they’re playing. The young studs use heavy-hitting power chords, slick solos, and attention-grabbing
vocals to get their point across. Their point, you ask? It’s that sometimes letting loose means getting a little rowdy and messy and that the hangover the next day will be worth it. Inspirations from their recent album come from the likes of
Darby Mills
Saturday, August 17 2:15 pm–3:15 pm
D
arby Mills is taking a leap of faith as she heads on a path to find herself and rekindle her passion. After signing on with the Headpins in 1981, the group began a three-album run to the top of the Canadian charts. Their debut album “Turn It Loud” quickly went platinum and topped the charts for six weeks. The Headpins spawned such hit singles as “Don’t It Make Ya Feel,” “Line of Fire,” “Celebration” and “Just One More Time” and toured Europe and North America
PG 12
Van Halen, Guns N’ Roses, and Mötley Crüe and other ’80s sensations that you shamelessly sing along to in the shower. The band’s sound has grown and changed along its lineup rotation, but if their enthusiasm isn’t already prevalent in their recorded songs, their performances will leave you with no doubt that Dextress is passionate about what they do and that they know how to put on a show. The atmosphere shifts when the band gets on stage and doesn’t let up until the lights go on again. Rock Review said “If they keep up the good work they might just be the next Van Halen of Def Leppard,” while Frontline Reviews praises their “10 tracks of in your face guitar and vocals with a swagger worthy of days gone by.” It’s refreshing to hear a band that gives a nod to this legendary era of rock. Dextress is performing at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. ✪
while opening for such bands as KISS, Whitesnake, ZZ Top, and Aerosmith. In August of 2016, Darby performed her last show with the Headpins and The Darby Mills Project was born. With the re-mastered release of “Never Look Back” since called “Flying Solo,” the moniker was a perfect way to showcase her new endeavors. Mills has also released a live CD recorded at the Russian Hall with award—winning producer and recording engineer Ron Obvious and is geared towards fans who loved the energy, vibe, and passion of Mills and her steadfast team of rock ’n’ roll veterans. Personnel included guitarist-vocalist Randy Gabel, bassist-vocalist Dave Hopia, keyboardist-vocalist Doug Rasmussen and drummer-vocalist Chris Murray Driver. That same year, Mills was the subject of “The Queen of Scream,” a Spotlight produced documentary for Telus TV, which revealed an intimate peak into the trials and tribulations, lifestyle and homestyle of a rock ’n’ roll pioneer, woman, mom, wife, friend and performer who has spent over forty years in the male dominated music industry. Today, like a glass of finely matured red wine, Mills has become a true vintage venturing back to her passion. Gear up to hear her story, and journey through the years along with some classics that will take you back in time. Mills takes to the stage at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 17. ✪
Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2019
Wide Mouth Mason Saturday, August 17 3:45 pm–4:45 pm
W
ide Mouth Mason is a soul power trio comprised of guitarist-lead vocalist Shaun Verreault, drummer-vocalist Safwan Javed and bassist-vocalist Gordie Johnson. From their origins in Saskatoon in 1985, the trio has seen its fan base grow across the country, the U.S. and Europe. They also became one of the first North American bands to tour China in the 21st century. While Wide Mouth Mason’s studio catalogue provide musical snapshots of a band’s journey and growth, their live show is an experience that have caught the attention of acts AC/DC, The Rolling Stones and The Guess Who, all of them marveling
at their onstage prowess worthy of being added to their respective touring lineups. They’ve also hit the global festival circuit including a stopover at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. But whether their setting is a stadium or a nightclub, Wide Mouth Mason has an innate ability to tailor their performance to whatever environment awaits them. Not one to forget their roots, they’ve called their most recent record “No Bad Days” as it suitably describes the experience they had on the road to making it big. Wide Mouth Mason will rock your socks off at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. ✪
www.edrocks.ca
PG 13
The Pursuit of Happiness Saturday, August 17 5:15 pm–6:15 pm
T
he Pursuit of Happiness might be recognized as a Toronto rock vanguard act, but its roots originally sprouted in Edmonton. That’s where guitarist-vocalist Moe Berg and drummer Dave Gilby lived and played as part of such groups as Trock ’59 and facecrime, before deciding to move to the Ontario capital. They soon met bassist Johnny Sinclair and formed the band, adding sisters Tamara and Natasha Amabile as backing vocalists. Their debut single, “I’m an Adult Now,” quickly became a smash hit across Canada in 1986, sparked by a low-budget video which made it onto music video channel Much Music. In 1988, they signed to Chrysalis Records, which released PG 14
their debut, “Love Junk,” produced by Berg’s idolTodd Rundgren. The album featured a remake of “Adult,” which became a global hit, peaking at at No. 6 on Billboard’s alternative songs chart in 1989. Spawning additional singles “She’s So Young” and “Hard To Laugh,” the album sold over 100,000 copies in Canada and was certified platinum. Stanwyck and Sinclair left, going on to form Universal Honey, after completing the band’s follow-up with Rundgren, 1990’s “One Sided Story.” They recorded a third album, “The Downward Road” on Mercury Records, as well as a couple indie outings, and stopped recording by 1996. Although the group never officially disbanded, TPOH returned to the Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2019
studio in 2005 to record two new tracks for a greatest hits compilation. By then, renewed interest in the band lured them back onto the stage including one at a New Year’s Eve concert in London, Ont., as well as induction into the Canadian Indies Hall of Fame in 2006. After another lengthy hiatus, the band reunited for the Q107 Jingle Ball in 2014, at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto, and at the venerable Horseshoe Tavern as part of the club’s anniversary series of shows in 2017. The following year, TPOH hit the road again to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their award-winning debut album. The Pursuit of Happiness plays at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. ✪
Haywire
Saturday, August 17 6:45 pm–7:45 pm
H
aywire has been on quite the journey since their humble beginnings in Charlottetown, P.E.I. back in 1981. The rockers have since gone on to sell more than half a million records, spawned a dozen hit songs, won international awards and played with some of the biggest names in Canadian music. In 2006, Haywire received the Music P.E.I. Lifetime Achievement Award and was the recipient of an ECMA Lifetime Achievement Award. It’s a far cry from the Q104 Homegrown award they won during the ‘80s, after becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Atlantic region. Coffers from a 1985 victory at the Labatt’s Battle of the Bands competition in Saint John, N.B. went towards financing a self-titled five-track EP that sold its original pressing of 5,000 copies and piqued the interest of record companies. Music Express Magazine dubbed them “Canada’s Best Group” in 1986. Attic Records took noticed and signed the band to a five album record contract that year.
Momentum developed when their first album, “Bad Boys,” was released months later, generating hits like “Bad Bad Boy,” “Standin’ In Line” and “Shot in the Dark.” Airplay helped sell more than 200,000 copies of the record in Canada resulting in the release quickly getting certified double platinum. Their sophomore outing “Don’t Just Stand There” duplicated that feat and yielded hits like “Dance Desire,” “Black and Blue” and “Thinkin’ About the Years,” the latter becoming an instant classic with graduating classes and recognized in 1988 as Canada’s most played song. Later that year, Haywire had the honor of representing Canada at the World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo, performing its hit “Dance Desire,” which won them the Golden Award at the event. Those accolades and constant touring with Kim Mitchell, Helix, Corey Hart and Honeymoon Suite further solidified their rocking reputation. Haywire hits the stage at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. ✪
www.edrocks.ca
PG 15
T
ommy Tutone is a power pop band, best known for its 1981 hit “867- 5309/Jenny,” which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Although it is usually referred to as a San Francisco band, it was actually based in Willits, California, at the time that “Jenny” was released. The song became so popular that people in the United States still dial this telephone number and ask for Jenny as a prank. One situation spawned threats of a lawsuit, when it turned out a New York phone number with the same digits belonged to the daughter of Buffalo’s Chief of Police. The band’s often mistaken for being the backup for a singer named Tommy Tutone when in reality the outfit is fronted by singer Tommy Heath. That confusion is easily sorted out when tracing the band’s origins when it started under the moniker Tommy and the Tu-tones. Not one to rest on the laurels of an ‘80s hit, the group released an album in 2019 called Beautiful Ending. Tommy Tutone takes the stage with Greg Kihn and Rick Springfield at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. ✪
Tommy Tutone Saturday, August 17 8:15 pm–10:30 pm
G
Greg Kihn
Saturday, August 17 8:15 pm–10:30 pm PG 16
reg Kihn has a score of titles to his name from “Rock’s True Renaissance Man” according to NBC, and “A Rock Band of Genuine Consequence,” an accolade attributed to Apple iTunes. A pioneer with the legendary Beserkley Records, Kihn helped write the book on revolutionary west coast rock with a blend of melancholy and sun-soaked grittiness. He’s toured the world and has won several awards for such hits as “Jeopardy,” “Break Up Song” and “Lucky.” After recently obtaining the rights to all his old recordings, Kihn re-mastered and re-released his entire catalogue along with a 2018 album “ReKihndled.” The San Francisco Bay area rocker, radio personality and author has been splitting his itinerary with his own tour as well as being part of Rick Springfield’s “Best In Show” tour since 2018. Besides Kihn on guitar and vocals, his outfit includes son Ry on guitar, bassist Robert Berry and drummer David Lauser. Kihn takes the stage with Tommy Tutone and Rick Springfield at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. ✪
Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2019
R
Rick Springfield Saturday, August 17 8:15 pm–10:30 pm
ick Springfield’s first love has always been music, a lifelong passion ignited after picking up his first guitar at the age of 12 in his native Australia. Mastering the craft of songwriting far preceded his accomplishments as an actor and best-selling author. With 25 million records sold, a Grammy award for his No. 1 smash-hit “Jessie’s Girl,” and a whopping 17 Top-40 hits including “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “An Affair of the Heart,” “I’ve Done Everything for You,” “Love Somebody” and “Human Touch,” Springfield has no intention of taking his foot off the accelerator. Never one to be confined to the recording studio, Springfield has toured for over 30 years, hand-delivering the hits to millions of fans worldwide during his legendary, high-energy live shows. Lauded as “one of the best live entertainers of his generation” by The Tampa Bay Times, very few of his fans would argue the point. Springfield was best known as a soap actor on “General Hospital” at the time of his 1981 breakthrough album “Working Class Dog,” and it wasn’t long before he had two high-profile careers. He certainly had time to record, when follow-up albums like “Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet,” “Living in Oz,” the “Hard to Hold” soundtrack and “Tao” helped establish Springfield as a multi-platinum superstar. That status has also debunked his detractors from dismissing him as a daytime TV star with a fleeting music career. But four decades in the studio and onstage has since set the record straight. But he still has time to flex his acting muscles, thanks to appearances on “Californication,” “Hawaii Five-O,” “Drop Dead Diva” and “Hot In Cleveland.” And in recent years, Springfield still has a large audience for releases like 2004’s”Shock/Denial/ Anger/Acceptance” and 2008’s “Venus in Overdrive,” the latter having entered the Billboard sales charts at No. 28, his highest debut in 20 years. In 2005, Sony Legacy released the retrospective double CD “Written in Rock: The Rick Springfield Anthology.” Springfield takes to the stage with Tommy Tutone and Greg Kihn at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. ✪
THIS GUIDE IS PROUDLY PRODUCED BY Copyright of T8N Publishing Inc. Reproduction of copyright material, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.
PUBLISHER
Rob Lightfoot 780 940 6212 rob@t8nmagazine.com
PUBLISHING INC.
www.edrocks.ca
T8Nmagazine.com
PG 17
T
he Centre for Art and Music (CAM) is a program for youth run by The Rock and Roll Society of Edmonton. CAM provides youth - many with very few opportunities for music education - with a no-cost after-school program; our mentors teach students to write songs, learn instruments, play in a band, and ultimately produce their own concerts. Through the CAM journey, kids develop valuable skills in confidence, teamwork and self-respect, and possibilities once unthinkable become within reach - including playing to a crowd of thousands at the Rock Fest. More than 380 students have gone through CAM since its inception in 2011. A CD is produced each year, which includes original tunes written by the kids as well as some of their favourite cover songs. CAM gives students opportunities to make strides in musical ability, overcome personal challenges, and work as a team with their new friends.
Parents and school counselors are extremely pleased in the positive influence the program has had on the students enrolled: “…..Watching the CAM students at our last concert, I saw them demonstrating the confidence and the joy in performing music that they created, and it definitely warmed my heart. Proud parents and performers can rightfully celebrate and be proud of the work they have done. The older students at St. Alphonsus have taken their mentorship role seriously and take as much pride in the accomplish-
ments of the younger students as they do in their own performance. This group of young ladies and gentlemen have found life and purpose through music. My heartfelt thanks to (the CAM instructors) for their dedication and commitment to the students and to music……” –John Groten, Principal, St. Alphonsus School “We are so privileged to have the CAM program at our school.….. (The Instructors) bring out the best in our students and give them the tools and support necessary to grow as musicians.
We see such tremendous growth in our students, and what a confidence booster! Kids are proud and excited to share their talent and musical gifts. One of our kindergarten teachers expressed that one of the students was a non-talker”….and now she’s singing lead vocals…… Thank you so much to Melanie Kidder for making a connection with the CAM program and (our school).” –Mark Sylvestre, Principal, St. Francis of Assisi.
CAM gives opportunities for students to make strides in musical ability, to learn to overcome personal challenges, and to work as a team with new friends. ✪ PG 18
Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2019