Showing posts with label Banned From Heaven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Banned From Heaven. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Local Musician Mike Northcott Passes


It is with sadness that we announce that singer, songwriter, bassist, producer Mike Northcott passed away on November 6, 2018. We will update the information as we get it. He was a member of a number of groups including Banned From Heaven, WJRM and others.  He also worked as a producer for various TV shows and other media. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Click here for his obituary.

About his Celebration of Life (from the obituary)
 "The Mike Northcott After Party" will be held on Sunday, November 18th from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Boston Manor in Burlington. We welcome all who loved him to gather on this special day to share music, stories, and friendship in Mike's honour. Donations, in memory, can be made to An Instrument For Every Child at http://hamiltonmusiccollective.ca/

Here's a bio from the Dundas Cactus Festival:
Mike Northcott -­ lead vocals, bass-­Mick (as his rock’n’roll friends call him) has been singing and playing music professionally since he was 18. Originally a drummer, he moved out front where his passionate vocal wailing’s could be better heard above the din of his mediocre drumming. Mick’s day job producing music for children’s cartoons only reinforces his inability to grow up.
A word from Lou, our blogger:
I got to meet Mike a number of times over the years. It was great to see his immense talent on stage and then see his warm, friendly smile as we talked during the breaks. I will miss him.
Social media reaction:

Wayne Krawchuck (ex-Banned From Heaven)
It is with great sadness we say goodbye to our friend and musical brother Mike Northcott, who passed away today after a brave fight against pancreatic cancer. Love and condolences to Shelly , Bailey and Will and extended family. Going to miss you a lot my friend.
Cindy Dell
Mike produced our CD The Baladins in 1995 and played bass with us. I loved the production on that record. He was a good friend and a wonderful guy. Sad news.
Mark McNeil
It was only a few months ago when he came out to Bandcamp and made such a positive contribution. Such a kind, talented soul who loved playing music.




Links: Banned From Heaven, More Banned From Heaven Stories, Videos above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

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Wednesday, April 11, 2018

GOOD LUCK! 2018 Hamilton Arts Award Nominees


Over 75 artists have been nominated in the 2018 City of Hamilton Arts Awards, including a number in the Music category.

From the arts award site:
The Awards Presentation will take place on Wednesday June 6, 2018 at Theatre Aquarius Dofasco Centre for the Arts as part of Hamilton Arts Week. The catered presentation event will feature great performers, art demonstrations, and the awarding of $35,000 in cash prizes to artists.
Below are the music nominees:

Click here for the complete list

Established
Emerging
A few musicians were also nominated in other categories as well

Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Kosha Braun (Vioinist)
  • Dr. David Gerry (Professor of Music)
Arts Innovation Award

Arts Education and Community Arts Awards
  • Dave Gould (Musician, Educator)
  • Becky Katz (Musician, Visual Artist)
Writing Award 
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Tickets to the ceremony are free but you must reserve them.

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners


Previous (Terra Lightfoot and Arkells Receive SOCAN No. 1 Song Awards) - - - Next (Friday the 13th Videos)

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

New Album from Ancaster's Caroline Wiles is Awe-Inspiring!


Caroline Wiles' vocals will blow you away as soon as you hear them on her latest album, Lover's Lane.  The Ancaster singer/songwriter has a rich, awe-inspiring voice with incredible range.

The lady weaves incredible, sometimes inspirational stories with a pop-folk feel.  You'll hear everything from country, folk, pop, rock and more.  There's everything from touching ballads to infectious, catchy numbers done with gusto.

There's some phenomenal talent helping her out with this incredible music: Bob Doidge, Mike McCurlie (Banned from Heaven),  Danny Lockwood, Vince Rinaldo, Brenda Chisholm, Amy King, Larry Aul and Wendell Ferguson.

If you want a copy of this magnificent album (and why wouldn't you?) it can be picked up at her live shows or purchased through cdbaby or iTunes.



Blast from the Past: Caroline Wiles on Barber Shop Podcast

Links: Caroline Wiles, More Caroline Wiles Stories, Video above courtesy of VcardTV, More Releases

Previous (Spencer MacKenzie Wins Toronto Blues Society Talent Search) - - - Next (Vote for Harrison Kennedy in Downbeat Readers Poll)

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

New Shawn O'Halloran CD: Jumpin' the Gun on Mardi Gras

The Hammer meets New Orleans is the best way to describe the latest wonderful disc from local bluesman, Shawn O'Halloran.

Usually seen playing great straight-ahead blues with the Stingrays, Shawn has stepped into the spotlight with some great Cajun-infused, jazzy tunes.  There's a lotta fun, a lotta soul, and a lotta funk!

Joining this party are Paul Panchezak of Trickbag (drums), Lindsay Harnett (guitar and uke), Neil Nickafor (bass), Ed Roth (accordion, keyboards), Leo Sullivan (sax), and Wayne Krawchuck (harmony vocals).  The whole package is ably produced by Michael J. Birthelmer.

You can catch this CD at the Stingrays shows or contact Shawn through the Stingrays site.

Below is the title track from the album.



Blast from the Past: Videos-Stingrays@Coach and Lantern

Links: Stingrays, More Stingrays Stories, More CD Releases

Previous (Videos: Chuck Jackson and Blues Approved@Private Show) - - Next (Videos: Lionel Lodge@Brantford Station Gallery)

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

New Paul Langille CD: Pine and Locke

It's been a long while (over 10 years) since we've heard a new CD from  hometown boy Paul Langille.  Pine and Locke breaks that silence with great style.

On this impressive release, Paul uses his trademark growl but also goes beyond . You can experience the singer's range in the emotion of songs like Broken and Just a Broken Soul.  Then there's the blues power of Kind of Girl, the country style of Honky Tonk, the ragtime sounds of Home Sweet Home and more.  He can do it all!

The CD's title isn't the only nod to the singer/songwriter's steeltown roots.  Michael J. Birthelmer produced the disc at his Hamilton studio.  A bevy of area talent was also brought in to support Paul.  Members of Trickbag (Les Smith, Mike Hickey, Paul & Donna Panchezak) , Lily Sazz (Groove Corporation), Ed Roth, Brian Griffith, Lisa Winn, Jude Johnson, and others make wonderful contributions.  Paul also covers Playing to Win, a song by local musician Wayne Krawchuk (Banned From Heaven)

The marvellous CD is available at his live shows and as a download on iTunes.

Below is a track from the disc.



Blast from the Past: Paul Langille@Brantford Station Gallery

Links: Paul Langille, More Paul Langille Stories, More CD Releases

Previous (Videos: Trickbag w/James Anthony@Fool and Flagon) - - - Next (News Roundup w/Jesse O'Brien, Steve Dall and a new Canadian Blues book)

Monday, April 1, 2013

Ex-Pope to Rock the Hammer


When Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement, reports came out that he wanted to concentrate on music.  Everyone probably assumed it would be writing church hymns.  Boy were they wrong! The ex-pontiff has decided to start playing some good ol' rockin' blues. In a wonderful turn of events, he'll be using local musicians to back him up and will be touring the hammer as well.

Since beloved Hamilton Blues Lovers Inc. C.E.O. and blogger, Lou is also the music consultant for the Vatican, Benedict approached him for help.

"Benny, as I call him, told me he wanted to use only the most wholesome and virtuous musicians available " Lou explained, "That's not too hard to find in our little home town so I managed to finagle quite a respectable band for him."

Pope Benedict himself will be handling the lead singing and rhythm guitar duties. The rest of the band includes Brian Griffith (lead guitar), Jack Pedler of Teenage Head (drums), Matty Buzanko of the Rest/Overplayers (bass) and Corey Lueck of the Smoke Wagon Blues Band (harmonica/backing vocals).

The gang worked hard before his holiness's retirement to unleash his debut blues CD, Abstinence Blues (through Luigi Records). They recorded such amazing hard-rockin' songs as Soul Man, No Nookie Tonight and a reworked version of a Teenage Head classic entitled Teenage Rosary Praying Party.

Lucky for Hamilton, Benedict has decided to start the tour in our fair city.  It kicks off with a CD release party at Our Lady of Muddy Waters parish on Calloway Drive .  Opening the show will be the amazing Banned From Heaven. Festivities start at 5pm and as the ex-pope said, "If we're feeling frisky we'll be playing really late, maybe even 'til 9pm. It's OK - After all, we're on a mission from God!"

Other stops of the tour include St. Jake's, St. Elwood's, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Banjo. Please contact the band's manager April Fulcilli at afulcilli@luigirecords.com for tickets.

Previous (Paul O'Toole@Brantford Station Gallery) - - - Next (New Whitehorse Covers EP)

Monday, November 28, 2011

Monday, January 10, 2011

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Banned From Heaven @ Coach and Lantern (November 13, 2010) Part 2

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Carol Greene (vocals) on Son of a Preacher Man and Motorcycle Mama













Click here for Part 1

Links: Banned From Heaven - More Banned From Heaven Stories

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