Posts By Asher

0 PSYCHOSTICK Posts Spread The Holiday Hate! Promo Video For ‘Santa’s An Asshole Tour’ + FREE Download of XMAS Album ‘The Flesh Eating Rollerskate Holiday Joyride’

November 15, 2012
by Asher
· Psychostick

ALBUM PROMO CAN BE REQUESTED HERE

Buy Links: Psychostick Store | Bandcamp | iTunes

PSYCHOSTICK Posts Spread The Holiday Hate! Promo Video For ‘Santa’s An Asshole Tour’ + FREE Download of XMAS Album ‘The Flesh Eating Rollerskate Holiday Joyride’

(L- R) – Alex “Shmalex” Dontre – Drums | Rob “Rawrb” Kersey – Vocals | Matty J “Moose” – Bass | Josh “The J” Key – Guitar

The originators of humorcore, Phoenix, AZ’s Psychostick, are asking fans to help spread the holiday hate as they have posted a new promo video in support of their upcoming ‘Santa’s An Asshole Tour’, which can be viewed at the following link below.

Santa’s An Asshole Tour 2012: Help Psychostick Spread the Holiday Hate! (please feel free to repost on social media)

Due to the overwhelming demand, they are taking their infamous Christmas album, “The Flesh Eating Rollerskate Holiday Joyride,” back on the road again along with offering it as a FREE download for fans till the end of Thanksgiving at the following link below.

FREE DOWNLOAD – ‘The Flesh Eating Rollerskate Holiday Joyride’ – http://psychostick.myshopify.com/collections/music/products/the-flesh-eating-rollerskate-holiday-joyride-cd

Cynical and humorous throughout – what else did you expect? – the album is meant as an outlet for people who get tired of hearing the same Christmas songs over and over again to the point they begin hating the entire holiday. As the band puts it, “It’s a cynical jab to the overly commercialized holiday season.” It also just so happens to possibly be the band’s heaviest record to date.

Having completed Holiday Hate Tours 1, 2, and 3 and always being asked for more – although they strictly refuse to play any of these songs unless it’s holiday time, so people really should stop asking – Psychostick will be doing it all once again this holiday season, hitting the road in November and December, bringing classics like “Jingle Bell Metal” and “Jolly Old Sadist” back to the stage.

Time to rejoice! But not too much.

Latest release – ‘Space Vampires VS Zombie Dinosaurs in 3-D’ – http://psychostick.bandcamp.com/album/space-vampires-vs-zombie-dinosaurs-in-3-d

Music Videos

Because Boobs! – http://youtu.be/dcYlytyuKsc

Political Bum – http://youtu.be/DNZj2RrrkfI

Beer – http://youtu.be/O-jOEAufDQ4 – over 4 million views

Girl Directions – http://youtu.be/U5_HhqcbF_0

BIO:

Most high school friends can’t even stand to look at each other once school’s out, but in the case of vocalist Rob “Rawrb” Kersey and guitarist Josh “The J” Key, they decided to spend even more time together after graduation.

Harnessing their crazy sense of humor and love of all things metal, they joined forces with drummer Alex “Shmalex” Dontre and bassist Matty J “Moose” to create Pyschostick, a band they’ve coined as humorcore. With hilarious lyrics, heavy riffs, notorious stage antics and high-energy performances, the band has caused millions of laughs around the world and hundreds of mosh pits across the US, often simultaneously, since its birth in Phoenix, AZ in 2000.

Almost 100 percent do-it-yourself, Psychostick never strays from its signature sound, a combination of heavy music Chimaira, Machine Head and Hatebreed would be proud of and wit and humor that would make Tenacious D and Weird Al Yankovic holler with laughter.

With two full-length albums behind them – “We Couldn’t Think of a Title” and “Sandwich” – the band released their latest record, “Space Vampires VS Zombie Dinosaurs in 3D,” in 2011, following it up with a tour with Mushroomhead to add to their total count of 21 nationwide tours that have hit 47 states.

Tour Dates

November 20, 2012 – The Brass Rail – Peoria, IL

November 21, 2012 – Tink’s Rock House – Marion, OH

November 22, 2012 – Phoenix Hill Tavern – Louisville, KY

November 23, 2012 – Victory Sports Bar – Georgetown, OH

November 24, 2012 – McGuffy’s House of Rock – Dayton, OH

November 25, 2012 – Frankies – Toledo, OH

November 27, 2012 – Peabodys – Cleveland, OH

November 28, 2012 – Bada Brew – Crest Hill, IL

November 29, 2012 The Yellow Bird – Fort Wayne, IN

November 30, 2012 – Uli’s Haus of Rock – Lansing, MI

December 1, 2012 – Raks Sportsbar – Jackson, MI

December 2, 2012 – New York New York – Chesterfield, MI (Detroit)

December 3, 2012 – The Frequency – Madison, WI

December 4, 2012 – The Warehouse – La Crosse, WI

December 6, 2012 – Another Hole In the Wall – Steger, IL

December 7, 2012 – Bar 3 – Rockford, IL

December 8, 2012 – House of Bricks – Des Moines, IA

December 9, 2012 – Gabe’s – Iowa City, IA

December 11, 2012 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN

December 12, 2012 – Nestor Tavern – Fargo, ND

December 13, 2012 – O.N.E. – Mandan, ND

December 14, 2012 – Boonies – Sioux Falls, SD

December 15, 2012 – Tremors – St. Joseph, MO

1 TITANS EVE Comments On Success of Blankfest Vancouver Helping City’s Homeless

November 14, 2012
by Asher
· Titans Eve

ALBUM PROMOS CAN BE REQUESTED HERE

TITANS EVE Comments On Success of Blankfest Vancouver Helping City’s Homeless

“The first annual Blankfest blanketed the city of Vancouver on November 10th to help those in need raising awareness, clothing and funds for Covenant House.”

L-R – Jesse Hord – Bass/Backing Vocals | Brian Gamblin – Lead Vocals / Guitar | Casey Ory – Drums | Kyle Gamblin – Vocals/Guitar – (Photo Credit : Shimon Karmel)

When asked to headline the first annual Blankfest Vancouver, there were no second thoughts from Titans Eve as they were honoured to help a worthy cause for the city’s street youth and shelter Covenant House, plus they were excited to play their first show since returning from their European tour with Arch Enemy.

The thrashers shared the stage this past Saturday, on November 10th at The Railway Club alongside 11 other rock and metal bands from across British Columbia and Alberta, which included Matt Blais, Kathy Frank, Mad Young Darlings, The Deadwax Collective, Handsome Distraction, Cry of Silence, The Mighty One, Open Air, The Coalition, Versus The Nothing and Thorntyr. The event was able to raise over $1000 and 200 clothing items for city’s homeless.

“Blankfest was a total success. Every band was totally fantastic and the cause was inspiring! Titans Eve is proud to help Vancouver the greatest city in the world out by helping its homeless stay warm in the coming winter months. Thank you very much for supporting Vancouver!” comments vocalist / guitarist Brian Gamblin.

About: Covenant House, founded in 1997 is a non-profit organization that offers a clear exit from life on the street to youth aged 16 – 24. They make this possible through a carefully designed Continuum of Care including a daily drop-in, a 54 bed crisis shelter, transitional housing, relapse prevention and life-skills training.

Each day young people come to them damaged from the abuses of their past, desperately needing love and guidance. Over the next year more than 1,500 homeless young people will come to Covenant House Vancouver and take the first steps in creating a better life for themselves by reaching out and saying, “Can you help me?”… and together they can.

If you would like to help please call (604) 638-GIFT (4438) or visit www.covenanthousebc.org.

100 Words on Covenant House.pdf – http://fburls.com/65-4zO15vwj

Covenant House Overview.pdf – http://fburls.com/35-Cwkrfugw

Covenant House Poster – Love Hope.pdf – http://fburls.com/51-NXBi8dmj

In additional news, the band posted live video from their tour date in Paris at the following links.

Road To Ruin (Live – Paris, France) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08ivf7hrb78

Divided We Fall (Live – Paris, France) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOgRQ3lXb-U

For more info on Titans Eve please visit their official website www.TitansEve.com or follow them on their Facebook fanpage and Twitter @titanseve.

About: Titans Eve released sophomore album ‘Life Apocalypse’ earlier this summer. It was recorded by Sacha Laskow of Divinity at Perfect Fifth Studios in Calgary, AB and produced by Titans Eve to follow up to last year’s debut album ‘The Divine Equal’ that was named ‘Album of the Month’ (Sept 2011) by Metal Hammer Germany and conquered the #7 on the Top 20 of 2011 Canadian Loud Charts.

Earlier this summer, the band opened for KORN and toured Canada with Anvil and Kill Devil Hill, the new band that features legendary drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, DIO, Heaven & Hell) and bassist Rex Brown (Pantera, Down) in support of ‘Life Apocalypse’.

A FREE download of their single ‘Destined To Die’ is available at the following link:

http://puregrainaudio.com/audio/titans-eve-destined-to-die-free-download

Album Stream Links:

http://titanseve.bandcamp.com/album/life-apocalypse

http://soundcloud.com/titanseve/sets/life-apocalypse/

Track Listing

1. Overcast (1:08)
2. Destined To Die (3:09)
3. Road To Ruin (4:17)
4. The Abyss (4:22)
5. Descension (Instrumental) (0:29)
6. Life Apocalypse (4:47)
7. A Wound That Never Heals (Instrumental) (3:28)
8. Hollow Gods (4:43)
9. Divided We Fall (2:41)
10. Frozen In Time (5:05)
11. The Void (3:54)

0 STONE IRIS (rock,reggae, blues and soul band) Announce Show Dates in Edmonton (Nov 23) & Calgary (Dec 15)

November 14, 2012
by Asher
· Stone Iris

STONE IRIS (rock,reggae, blues and soul band) Announce Show Dates in Edmonton (Nov 23) & Calgary (Dec 15)

Live Line Up – from left to right – Juice E Jensen (Percussion) | Ryan Ast (Bass) | Jeff Burwash (Drums) | El Niven (Vocals/ Guitar)| Garrett Niven (Vocals/ Guitar) – Photo Credit – Brad Shaw – Roadeyes Photography

Stone Iris, the rock, reggae, blues and soul band that say may be the long lost love children of James Brown, are proud to announce their upcoming shows in their hometown of Edmonton on November 23 and Calgary on December 15.

The groove masters recently released their latest EP ‘Illuminations’, (their seventh in four years) and recently returned from their cross Canada and USA tour in promotion of the release.

With song writing that is laid-back but has propulsive grooves, Stone Iris are able to create a mood that feels nostalgic and promising to let you know that the best times are on their way. Their new EP builds off their previous releases, 2011 twin-EPs The Boo Box and Serene Machine, the 2010 Silhouettes EP and 2008 debut Ezperanza, by revealing a band that is at once more assured and more expansive than it’s ever been.

Show Dates

November 23, 2012 -The Pawn Shop – Edmonton, AB w/ Heaviside, Big City Supreme, Thompson Highway – Show Details

December 15, 2012 – Studio 37 – Calgary, AB – w/ Open Air + more – Show Details

Single Stream – Hide & Seek

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_8iIGj737I

http://soundcloud.com/stoneiris/hide-and-seek

EP – Stream – Illuminations

http://soundcloud.com/stoneiris/sets/illuminations-ep/

Recorded with Stew Kirkwood at Sound Extractor Studio, Illuminations captures Stone Iris as they’re starting to truly come into their own. It all began as Monzmeg, a basement project in the Calgary home of brothers, songwriters and guitarists Garret and El Niven. Stone Iris didn’t fully begin to take shape until they recruited drummer Jeff Burwash, who had been banging the skins with blues outfit Straight Jacket before he was even legally allowed in bars. It was the move to Edmonton to attend Grant MacEwan’s music program that solidified the group, though, first with the addition of Regina-born and Grant Mac-trained bassist Ryan Ast (ex-Without an End), and then adding Trail, BC-bred percussionist Juice Jensen in early 2010. in 2011, keyboard player Stephen Robinson and vocalist Kari James joined the ranks of the band, completing what is the current roster of Stone Iris.

Blending their disparate musical backgrounds–everything from hooky pop music to sun bleached reggae to hip-hop and rap–the influence of seven minds has created a mature sound that isn’t easy to pin down, but is very easy to love.

EP Details:

Illuminations – EP (2012)

1. Hide and Seek
2. Blood Clot Sunrise
3. Wicked Start
4. Palm Bay Blues
5. New End

Album Credits:
All Songs by Stone Iris
Label: Kamelcorn
Distribution: Kamelcorn
UPC Code: 885767448520
Mixed by: Stew Kirkwood
Mastered by: Stew Kirkwood
Single Released: Hide and Seek
Available on: iTunes

Videos

Stone Iris – Live In The RV – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkVfp_iR-Rs

Balcony TV Performance – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtM1yOQbUAk

Stone Iris – I Am Autumn – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7MnwU8o-7E

0 Noizzweb – ADRENECHROME – Titans Fall (Music Video)

November 14, 2012
by Asher
· Adrenechrome

http://noizzwebzine.blogspot.com.es/2012/11/adrenechrome-titans-fall.html

0 Olbliveon – Review – Scythia – For The Bear

November 14, 2012
by Asher
· Scythia

http://www.obliveon.de/pn-om/modules.php?op=modload&name=tplcdimport&file=index&req=showcontent&id=18561

0 MusicLegends – Interview – Odium

November 14, 2012
by Asher
· Odium

http://musiclegends.ca/interviews/odium-interview/

0 The Province – Review – Scythia – For The Bear

November 13, 2012
by Asher
· Scythia

http://www.theprovince.com/Quick+Spins/7396054/story.html

0 Out Today! World Songstress AURESIA’s New EP ‘So In Love With You’

November 13, 2012
by Asher
· Auresia

EP PROMOS CAN BE REQUESTED HERE

CBC 3 | Soundcloud | Bandcamp | iTunes | CD Baby

Out Today! World Songstress AURESIA’s New EP ‘So In Love With You’

With musical roots as diverse as the world’s music lovers, Montreal, QC’s Auresia, whom has been nominated for Favorite World Artist at the 2010 Independent Music Awards and for four awards at the Canadian Reggae Music Awards for her self-titled debut album, is proud release her new EP ‘So In Love With You’ out today, November 13th via Moonsplash Records and now available at the following location here.

“I’m so thrilled to be releasing my new EP ‘So In Love With You’ as it truly captures the experiences I’ve come across during my travels. Plus working with such a variety of amazing producers out of Toronto, Montreal, Jamaica and Cuba, I couldn’t ask for better!” comments Auresia.

Listening to the Edmonton raised and now Montreal based singer / songwriter’s eclectic mix of Caribbean, soul, R&B and pop flavors, you can definitely hear her perfectly blended and empowering eco-conscious lyrics that make her so diverse and internationally demanding. With the release of her new EP, the songstress will be preparing for later to be announced tour stops in Central and South America followed by Canadian dates.

The first single off the EP ‘Rising’ is now available for FREE DOWNLOAD and supported by the following music video.

Auresia’s music video and first single ‘Rising’

EP Stream – http://auresia.bandcamp.com

Free Download Links – http://soundcloud.com/auresia/01-rising – http://auresia.bandcamp.com/track/rising –

1. Rising (2:49)
2. So In Love With You (3:36)
3. High (3:34)
4. Quiero Bailar (Solita) (5:48)

For more info on Auresia, tour dates and music, please visit Auresia.com, her facebook fanpage or Twitter @auresiamusic.

0 ADRENECHROME Added to Green Jelly Toronto Show, Opening For Corrosion of Conformity; Music Video Featured On Blank TV

November 12, 2012
by Asher
· Adrenechrome

PROMOS CAN BE REQUESTED HERE

EPK | Press Photo | PDF Media Kit

Tour Dates | Adrenechrome.com | Facebook | Youtube | Reverbnation

ADRENECHROME Added to Green Jelly Toronto Show, Opening For Corrosion of Conformity; Music Video Featured On Blank TV

L-R – (floor) Tim Kehoe – Guitar | Chris Friesen – Guitar /Vocals | Mike Van Dyk – Bass | Matt Copeland – Drums (photo credit William Smart)

Orillia, ON’s thrash progressive metallers ADRENECHROME are proud to announce they’ve been added to Green Jelly‘s Toronto show on November 29th at The Hard Luck Bar by local concert promoter Blacktooth Entertainment along with sharing the stage with party thrashers Fatality. Adrenechrome will also be opening this week for Corrosion of Conformity on November 13th in Barrie, ON just a week prior to the official release of their debut EP ‘Hideous Appetites’ on Tuesday, November 20, 2012.

The EP features seven explosive tracks produced by Darius Szcespaniak whom has engineered on albums by SACRIFICE, SUM 41, BLACK CROWES to a name a few. With its blend of innovative guitar shredding, furious operatic vocals, thundering drums and rumbling, gut-busting bass, this beast stands out from the herd. The first single off the the EP is ‘Titans Fall’, which is available for FREE download at the following link below along with its supporting music video, which is now being featured on Blank TV.

Show Dates:

November 13, 2012 – Fitzy’s – Barrie, ON – w/ Corrosion of Conformity, Biblical, (U) – Show Details

November 24, 2012 – Richmond Tavern – London, ON w/ Mutual Execution, Vimana, Anathematized, Nihility

November 29, 2012 – Hard Luck Bar – Toronto, ON w/ Green Jelly, Fatality – Show Details

Free Download – http://adrenechrome.bandcamp.com/track/titans-fall or http://soundcloud.com/adrenechrome/titans-fall

1. Titans Fall (3:18)
2. Six Guns (6:17)
3. The Horror (5:26)
4. Hymn For The Heathens (4:17)
5. Winds of The Void (5:01)
6. Locust Wings (4:26)
7. Hobbled (4:58)

Music Video – Titans Fall

Live Video – Locust Wings

About:

Like zombies with a taste for flesh, Adrenechrome are heavy metal monsters that have been unleashed upon the world with a mission to bring back good ol’ fashioned in-your-face rock n’ roll.

It was the spring of 2010 when the quartet behind Adrenechrome first came together in their hometown of Orillia, ON. The four horsemen included Chris “Chutty” Friesen – ripping guitar and furious lead vocals – Timmay Kehoe – stinging guitar and haunting backing vocals – Matt Copeland – God of thundering drums and operatic background vocals – and Mike Van Dyke – dark lord of the rumbling, gut-busting bass. With the members sharing a love of heavy metal greats, as well as of new fresh sounds, it wasn’t long before they were tearing up the jam space, followed by stages around Ontario, showcasing their blistering set.

But Ontario alone couldn’t handle the roaring beast as Adrenechrome had to unleash its fury. The band’s first tour was a smelly success and now these harried road warriors are ready to continue unleashing sonic mayhem, liquifying the guts and minds of anyone within earshot nationwide with their new EP ‘Hideous Appetites’.

0 BLANKFEST VANCOUVER Raises Over $1,000 and Over 200 Clothing Items For Homeless

November 12, 2012
by Asher
· Blankfest Vancouver

BLANKFEST VANCOUVER Raises Over $1,000 and Over 200 Clothing Items For Homeless

“The first annual Blankfest blanketed the city of Vancouver on November 10th to help those in need raising awareness, clothing and funds for Covenant House.”

The first annual Blankfest Vancouver, which has joined the rankings of Montreal, Calgary, NYC and many others around the globe to help the homeless is proud to announce it has raised over $1,000 and over 200 clothing items for the city’s less fortunate with proceeds being donated to Covenant House, the non-profit shelter that helps cities street youth from age 16-24 who have fled physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse, along with those who have been forced from their homes or those who have aged out of foster care.

“It makes us very happy to say that for the 1st Annual Blank-Fest event held in Vancouver, was a resounding success! The caliber of talent that crossed the stage and brought their fans out made us very proud to be a part of the independent music scene. HUGE thanks going out to all those involved including but not exclusive to The Railway Club, 12 incredible bands and artists, SIN Agency staff, Asher Media Relations, Schwappy.com, Long & McQuade, Rory Alan Watson Photography and Covenant House Vancouver. We can’t wait for next year! Thank you for bringing it out Vancouver!” comments organizer and SIN Agency rep Leanne Harrison.

Taking place from 2pm to 2am this past Saturday on November 10th at The Railway Club, 12 rock and metal bands from across British Columbia and Alberta, which included Matt Blais, Kathy Frank, Mad Young Darlings, The Deadwax Collective, Handsome Distraction, Cry of Silence, The Mighty One, Open Air, The Coalition, Versus The Nothing, Thorntyr and Titans Eve offered their musical support to help raise awareness and the following funds and blankets for the homeless.

Collections Totals

$1,245 in cash donations

23 Blankets

16 Coats

166 Various Clothing Items ex. Tuques Gloves, Sweat Shirts etc.

If you would like to help please call (604) 638-GIFT (4438) or visit www.covenanthousebc.org.

100 Words on Covenant House.pdf – http://fburls.com/65-4zO15vwj

Covenant House Overview.pdf – http://fburls.com/35-Cwkrfugw

Covenant House Poster – Love Hope.pdf – http://fburls.com/51-NXBi8dmj

2012 BANDS AND ARTISTS

Free Download – Blank-Fest Vancouver – Comp – Vol 1. – http://blankfest.bandcamp.com/album/blank-fest-vancouver-comp-vol1-its-about-the-homeless-nothing-less-nothing-more

Matt Blais – http://www.mattblaismusic.com/
Kathy Frank (Blues/ Rock) Coquitlam, BC
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kathy-Frank/7335873897
Mad Young Darlings (Rock/ Alt Rock) Winnipeg MB
https://www.facebook.com/MadYoungDarlings – http://youtu.be/E4de2zTkl-4
The Deadwax Collective (Rock) Vancouver, BC
https://www.facebook.com/thedeadwaxcollective – http://youtu.be/fZfyIYidWOA
Handsome Distraction (Pop Rock) Victoria, BC
https://www.facebook.com/handsomedistraction – http://youtu.be/ywvFMnjvHNo
Cry of Silence (Punk/ Grunge) Vancouver, BC
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cry-of-Silence/7041804347
TheMightyOne (Rock) Vancouver, BC
https://www.facebook.com/themightyonemusic
Open Air (Rock) Calgary, AB
https://www.facebook.com/openairrock – http://youtu.be/VeBvStCIK-A – http://youtu.be/9ViQzQNxIbA
The Coalition (Rock) Vancouver, BC

https://www.facebook.com/coalitionsound
Versus the Nothing (Alternative Hard Rock) Vancouver, BC
https://www.facebook.com/versusthenothing
Thorntyr Vancouver (Metal/ Hard Core) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thorntyr/120583114683688

Titans Eve (Metal) Vancouver, BC
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Titans-Eve/53568260495Make sure you check out each of the artists who donated their time and show them support!

On Twitter? Please RT and Hashtag #BlankFestYVR

About Blankfest:

BlankFest Documentary 1 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_nZr7wZhjc

Blankfest Documentary II – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtUy2Oms2Cw

BlankFest Documentary III – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QNKJIPP21Y

Blank-Fest is an annual benefit concert, usually held one-to-two weeks before Christmas, which raises blankets for the homeless. It was founded in 1997 in Nyack, NY (a suburb approximately 20 miles outside ofNew York City) by Kenn Rowell who is the frontman for the NYC-based band, The Baghdaddios.

Over the years Blank-Fest has collected over 5,900 total donations for the homeless. With the exception of one year (2001) donations in every year has increased. Much of this growth can be attributed to increased exposure through local radio, the internet and the press, including featured articles in the New York Daily News and mentions in the New York Post.^[1] In addition there have been satellite shows that have been formed in other states, cities and countries. So numerous have donations been in recent years that volunteers have had to split the distribution/delivery of blankets to the less fortunate on multiple nights, starting on Christmas Eve. Often excess donations are distributed to homeless shelters as well.

Efforts to duplicate the successes of the early Nyack shows proved elusive at best until New Jersey-based independent artist activist, Richard Kubicz read about Blank-Fest’s efforts in the Daily News and proposed a “sister show” at a local club in Garwood, NJ. The first Blank-Fest-NJ, promoted extensively through Kubicz’s D.I.Y. music website Let’s Rock America [1] was a resounding success, netting 200 blankets which were donated directly to a neighboring homeless shelter in Cranford and garnered notice in the Bergen County press in 2006. Last year’s second annual Jersey show produced similar results. Similarly, Blank-Fest UK [2]was founded in Nottingham, England after a local recording studio owner heard an interview with The Baghdaddios on the British Armed Forces Radio Network, BFBS Radio One during the group’s Summer 2007 tour of England. Upon hearing about both the American and UK efforts Ontario-based photographer Gaynor Fletcher approached Rowell regarding the formation of a Blank-Fest Canada show. Also, debuting in 2007, in Guelph, ON, the inauguaral Canadian event featured popular Canadian folk artist James Gordon and was covered extensively by the Canadian media ^[2], raising well over 100 blankets.

In addition to these shows former Baghdaddios bassist, John Sidoti joined forces with local internet radio personality Ron Purtee to develop the first-ever Blank-Fest Wisconsin, ^[3], also in 2007, in the Milwaukee-area suburb of Racine.

Currently, there are 8 Blank-Fest shows serving 7 major metropolitan areas in three countries. In addition to those mentioned previously, 2008 has seen the addition of three additional shows: Blank-Fest Florida, which is hosted in Northern Florida (Lake City, near Gainesville, FL) and Blank-Fest VA, which is hosted in Richmond, VA (see links below).

In addition, promoters in Bridgeport, CT as well as Ottawa, Canada have begun work for premiere Blank-Fest shows in December 2009. The first Blank-Fest Quebec (which was also the first “post-Holiday Season” Blank-Fest show) which took place on Saturday evening, February 21, 2009, garnered approximately 503 total donations ^[4].

Currently plans are in development to expand Blank-Fest even further. There has been talk of shows in Texas, Northeast Pennsylvania, Ohio and Atlanta, GA. Several additional popular artists have been approached regarding future such shows. Quoted in a newspaper interview in 2000, Rowell maintained that “as long as there is the issue of homelessness we will continue to have a Blank-Fest”, further adding that he wishes “we didn’t have to hold these shows” but that, until the situation dramatically improves, everyone involved understands that they really have no other choice.

– 30 –