Throwback Thursday! Trickbag 35th Anniversary Edition

This is part of our recurring series of 'Throwback Thursday' posts where we celebrate the wonderful past of the local music scene (specifically pre-2000). If you know of any videos, old posters, trivia bites, etc that would be perfect for this, please email us at blueshamilton@gmail.com

Local Blues legends, Trickbag will be turning 35 this year so we're celebrating along with them. Their official 35th anniversary celebration will be Sunday, February 26, 3-6pm at Stonewalls. They'll be joined by Smoke Wagon Blues Band.

Pictures courtesy of Trickbag

Biographical Bits

• Started as the backing band for King Biscuit Boy
• Drummer Paul Panchezak and late singer Shawn O'Halloran were part of Crowbar before joining the band.
• Guitarist Larry Feudo, singer Donna Panchezak and drummer Paul Panchezak have been with the band since the beginning.
• Former singer and frequent guest member Lester Smith is currently with Crowbar.
• The great Steve Beach is their current lead singer/keyboard player
• Other former members include Michael Hickey, Rick Miles, Pendulum Pete and Lindsay Harnett
• Opened up for Downchild, Colin James and Big Sugar
• Trickbag songs have been used in the TV shows: Community, Swamp Thing, Heart of Dixie, One Tree Hill, New Girl and more.

Links: King Biscuit Boy, More KBB Stories, Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Video above courtesy of Michael Hickey, More Footage from this show

Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

More Throwback Thursday Posts

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Previous (Trickbag and Smoke Wagon Blues Band Videos) - - - Next (Reverend John C Holland Awards)

Happy National Drumming Day! Videos of Paul Panchezak

Picture courtesy of Ivan Sorensen

Links: Michael Birthelmer, More Michael Birthelmer Stories, Video above courtesy of Michael J Birthelmer - Topic

Links: Simply Saucer, More Simply Saucer Stories, Video above courtesy of Dan Zen

Links: Shawn O'Halloran, More Shawn O'Halloran Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Video above courtesy of Clive Baugh

More Drummer Day Stories

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Hamilton's Shawn O'Halloran Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of the talented Hamilton musician, Shawn O'Halloran. He passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2019 . Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Click here for his obituary.

Shawn was a veteran of the area music scene and had played with Crowbar, King Biscuit Boy, Trickbag, the Stingrays, Neon Moon, and was a celebrated solo act as well.

A word from Lou, our blogger

I was lucky enough to meet Shawn on a number of occasions and considered him a good friend. He was extremely friendly and humble plus had immense musical talent. I will miss him terribly.

There was lots of social media reaction to his passing. Here are a few examples. We will add more as we discover them.

Michael Hickey

I was glad to have played with him in Trickbag all those years ago...the original Trickbag. Paul and Donna...Larry and Lindsey Shawn and me....The last show I played with Shawn was a CD release show for his last recording...included in that band our friend Carl Horton....also not with us any more. So sad. My pal Michael J. Birthelmer had been working on a new CD of Shawn's...he was a good songwriter...that CD is almost done...so I'm told...you know something? sometimes life seems so unfair...mostly we font get a chance to say goodbye...but we do get to remember the music....rest Shawn...God Bless....

Bill Dillon

We'd just finished an album that he sang some backgrounds for, he did a beautiful job, what a gorgeous voice, such a lovely guy,, and I was to play on a track for Shawn's yet to be finished and mixed record.

A lifelong member of Hamilton's music community and dear close friend to so many left in shock today, we just turn around and they're gone. 

Thank you Shawn for your friendship, your fine example, and your gift to all.

There's a special place for you now, our hearts.

George Bakhuis (Neon Moon)

A sad day for NEON MOONERS. Shawn O'Halloran who was our bass player for a few years in NEON MOON passed away. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Our condolences to Shawn's family and friends.

 James Anthony

He was the bass player in my Father in law Ernie Vargas band years ago and I played with him a few times also. Great guy. I wish I knew him better. I took him up to Gravenhurst once for a weeks gig.

Links: Shawn O'Halloran, More Shawn O'Halloran Stories, Videos above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Blast from the Past: Shawn's Jumpin' the Gun on Mardis Grad Album Review

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Footage from Trickbag's First Live Performance on YouTube!

Former Trickbag bassist Michael Hickey recently posted footage of the band's first ever live performance on his YouTube page. The gig took place on February 3, 1990 at the Leander Boat Club (it would eventually become the Bay City Music Hall).

At the time, the band featured Hickey with Shawn O'Halloran on vocals/acoustic guitar and Lindsay Harnett on guitar along with current members Donna Panchezak (vocals), Paul Panchezak (drums) and Larry Feudo (guitar/harmonica).







Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Videos above courtesy of Michael Hickey

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Celebrating Hamilton Legend, King Biscuit Boy

In honor of this weekend's Blues With a Feeling shows (in honour of the late, great Blues legend King Biscuit Boy) here are a few of his amazing videos!



Video above courtesy of Mike Papas



Links: Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

Blast From the Past: More King Biscuit Boy Videos

Links: King Biscuit Boy, More KBB Stories

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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

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The Stingrays with Lance Kiernan@Coach and Lantern (January 14, 2012)

The Stingrays singer/harp player Willie Leigh was under the weather that night so Lance Kiernan ably filled in (guitar, left)





More Bob Dylan Covers/Stories





Links: Stingrays, More Stingrays Stories
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The Stingrays Debut CD: Hoodoo Man

Good rockin' Blues with no muss, no fuss is the best way to describe Hoodoo Man, the debut CD from local boys, the Stingrays.

The band tear into such timeless classics as My Babe, I Can't Be Satisfied, Key to the Highway, Dust My Broom, and many more. They have the energy and skills to do justice to these tantalizing tunes.

It's no wonder the guys can do an amazing job - members of the group have played with Crowbar, King Biscuit Boy, Trickbag, and the Platters. You can hear all that experience throughout the disc (which is expertly produced by local veteran Michael J. Birthelmer)

You can pick up a copy at their live shows (they play the Coach and Lantern every Saturday afternoon).

Below is a video of one of the tracks from the CD. Check this blog for some live footage later on.



Links: Stingrays, More Stingrays Stories