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Monday, April 26, 2010

Performer of the Week: Kevin Maclean Band

Local musician, Kevin Maclean has been rocking with his group the Kevin Maclean Band for a number of years now but they've recently added another success story to their impressive history.

After recording the impressive song, Gotta Be Dundas, for the town's bid to become this year's Hockeyville, Dundas won the competition! Way to go!

Kevin and the gang mix it up with straight ahead hard rocking, some modern flourishes, pop elements, and much more.

You can check out the band's great sound on 2 of their CD's: All the Good People and Second Chance. The latter has collaborations with Steve Strongman, Harrison Kennedy, and Tom Wilson.

If live music is more your thing, you can see them rock the Pheasant Plucker every Sunday night or check them out at many of their local gigs.



Links - Main Site - My Space - More Kevin Maclean Stories

New Steve Strongman Band DVD: Live at the Barn

It's not too often that you see a local musician with a live DVD. It's even rarer to experience an amazing intimate show that rocks as hard as any big arena spectacle. Luckily, the Steve Strongman Band recorded such an incredible performance with Live at the Barn.

The DVD features Strongman at his best. He kicks off the show with some sweet solo acoustic songs (Keep It To Yourself, River, Birthday Song, etc) and then brings in the band to rock the joint!

He is joined by Hamiltonians Dave King (drums) and Colin Lapsley (bass) on some barn-shakin' rockers (Lie to You, Honey, Mean to Me, etc), a few superb slower moments (Take My Arms, Soul Searching) and all points in between.

To top it all off, there are some wonderful bonus features where Strongman talks about the creative process for a short bit and then we're treated to some more great music (That's What She Does, Emily)

The DVD is available at his shows and online as well. Plans are underway for an audio version of the concert.

Below are two videos taken directly from the DVD. Click here if you can't see them.





Below are videos from the DVD release party @ the Studio at Hamilton Place. Click here if you can't see them.









Click here for more from this show.

Click here for more Steve Strongman stories.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Perfomer of the Week: Sarah Harmer

Burlington's Sarah Harmer is a singer/songwriter of great renown. She's been nominated for a number of Junos, made Time Magazine's best of year list, and achieved platinum sales. On top of that, Harmer's recorded vocals for Blue Rodeo, Great Big Sea, Rheostatics, Bruce Cockburn, and many others. Quite a big list of accomplishments!

In the 80's and 90's she was a member of the Saddletramps and Weeping Tile. Her solo career began in 1998 and she's never looked back.

Harmer's incredible sound is alternative, poppy, folk-rock. Many of her songs also have wonderful touches of country, roots, and more.

Her newest CD, Oh Little Fire, will be unleashed on June 22, 2010 and it will surely be another great addition to her numerous achievements.

Links - Main Site - MySpace - Facebook Fan Page - More Sarah Harmer Stories

Local Performers Bring Home the Junos


Jack deKeyzer, the Arkells, Jacksoul, and other local musicians made their hometown proud as they brought home a Juno.

DeKeyzer's recorded in Hamilton Live CD, The Corktown Sessions beat out albums from Downchild, Carlos Del Junco, and Colin Linden for Blues Album of the Year. In a Spectator interview, the singer/guitarist said it was only after attending his son's classical guitar performance that he read the news on web.

Links: Jack de KeyzerMore Jack De Keyzer Stories

Rock band the Arkells won for New Group of the Year and the late Haydain Neale's band, Jacksoul, took R&B/Soul recording of the year. Other local winners include Hamilton's Marjan Mozetich (Classical Composition) and Burlington's Adrianne Pieczonka (Vocal and Choral Performance).

Also of interest to our readers:

ROOTS & TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: SOLO
Amelia Curran

ROOTS & TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: GROUP
Good Lovelies


Click here for a complete list of the winners.

New Mary Simon CD + Release Party@This Ain't Hollywood (April 15, 2010)

In recent interviews, Hamilton singer/songwriter Mary Simon declared that her new sound is fun and upbeat. This is definitely evident in her new disc, No More Maybes.

While there are superb somber moments on the CD to balance things out (Curse, See You Fight, Goodbye), the overall vibe is energetic. Many songs are incredibly catchy (Come Love, Big Sore Heart) and rocking (All Night, the title track, Juliana). Mary and her gang find the perfect mix of pop, rock, and some folk.

There were many hands involved in the making of this cool album (her first in six years). Mary's joined by Andrew Aldrdige, David Gillis, Rob Lamothe, Greg Brisco, Mark McIntyre, Lisa Winn, Shelley Adams, and more.

Of course the new CD is available at her shows and website but it can also be downloaded through iTunes.

Check out the videos from her CD Release Party at This Ain't Hollywood on April 15, 2010.

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Left to Right: Andrew Aldrdige (guitar), Mary Simon (guitar, vocals, keys on Goodbye), Joel Anderson (drums), Nick Czarnogorski (bass), Lisa Winn (backing/harmony vocals), Greg Brisco (keys)











Click here for more Mary Simon stories

The opening act was Kirsten Jones. Click here for that performance.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

New Wizened Old Men Live CD: Wild Night

The new live CD from Burlington's Wizened Old Men, Wild Night, has a very apt title.

Recorded at Squirrel Tooth Alice performance in Guelph - the show was definitely a wild night as the band added their own spin to many amazing classic tunes.

These included two Van Morrison numbers (Wild Night & Domino), CCR's Down on the Corner, China Grove, Knock On Wood, and a few more. The group even brought out 80's superhit Footloose.

If you're interesting in some party-rockin' favourites, pick up this disc at any of the band's shows. Click here to listen to samples.

Links - Wizened Old Men Site - More Wizened Old Men Stories

Monday, April 12, 2010

Performer of the Week: The Overplayers

Local folk rock group, the Overplayers are all about having a good time. Their songs are peppy, catchy and downright fun.

With an acoustic mix of pop, rock and folk, the Overplayers' music is a perfect alternative to the usual navel-gazing drudge out there. This is not a "joke band" though - the group's musicianship is superb. They perform both originals and covers with zeal.

You'll soon be able to check 'em out in the summer of 2010 as they'll be visiting the Whistling Walrus on a pretty much monthly basis starting on June 11. Check their MySpace page for exact dates.

Links: Main Site - MySpace - YouTube - Facebook

Sunday, April 11, 2010

New Stumbleweed CD: 7 Favourites

Alt-country band, Stumbleweed have released their dazzling debut CD, 7 Favourites.

This supergroup consists of pedal steel guitarist Aaron Goldstein (Huron, Lee Harvey Osmond), guitarist Craig Gatchme from the Fat Cats, Steven Elmo Murphy (vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar) & Shelby Kerr (vocals) from the Steven Elmo Murphy Band, and the Diesel Dog rhythm section of Ricky Neu (drums) and Ike Richardson (bass)

On the new disc, the band does an amazing job of balancing a traditional old-school country sound with a good-time, party rocking flavour. They've even called it "southern-fried, whiskey-soaked hippie country." That's definitely an apt description of their unique music.

Currently, the album is available at their shows.

Check out some footage from their CD Release Party at This Ain't Hollywood on April 10, 2010. Aaron couldn't make it so he was ably replaced by Dan Walsh. The first video is a song from the new CD.

Click here if you can't see the videos









More Stories: Aaron Goldstein - Fat Cats

Monday, April 5, 2010

Performer of the Week: Crawlin' Kingsnakes

Legendary local roots rock group, The Crawlin' Kingsnakes, have been around since the mid 80s. The band released two classic studio CDs: Loaded 'N' Rollin and Go All Night.

Their music is good old fashioned hard rock & roll with a southern fried, roots base.

After playing and touring for almost a decade, the boys went their separate ways in 1995.

Luckily for Hamilton music fans, the band got back together in 2004 and recorded a live album: Rockin' the Casbah. The re-energized group now has a new bass player: Duke Foster and are currently recording a new disc entitled The Lost Years.

Links: Main Site - My Space - More Crawlin' Kingsnakes Stories

Local Musicians in Playgirl's "Canadian Rocker" Special

You probably know that Hamilton has the most talented musicians but did you also know we have the sexiest as well?

An upcoming special issue of Playgirl will feature tasteful nude shots of popular Canadian musicians such as Randy Bachman, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young, and many others. The best part is three of the studliest models are from right here in the Hammer.

It all started when a Playgirl photographer visited Lou, our illustrious blogger, webmaster and CEO of Hamilton Blues Lovers Inc.

We'll let him tell the story:

"Once again, Playgirl sent a photographer to my house to beg and bribe me with tons of cash to get me to pose for the magazine," he said, "As always, I refused, but this time I told her to check out the local musicians and see if they're interested."

In a special deal with Playgirl Magazine, we've been given permission to post the pictures from our local performers. Since this is a family blog, we've had to censor them. Don't worry, the special issue comes out soon and all you ladies (and men too - we don't discriminate here at HBL) will be able to see them in all their glory.

Photos by April Fulcilli

Andre Bisson's soulful voice isn't his only asset. Check out his band, Andre and the J-Tones around Southern Ontario.

Voodoo Chicken singer and journeyman drummer, Spider Costello can make both drums and hearts beat fast!

When Rick Prinsthal is not rockin' out with his band Rick and the Krickets, he likes to just kick back and relax.

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