Rock Ramblings: Support rock acts passing through the Hat, and more are sure to follow

By Medicine Hat News on September 14, 2017.

What’s the opposite of a “vicious circle?” A virtuous circle. That’s what we want to get happening in Medicine Hat this fall with live music. The bigger the crowds we get out of their homes at night to support live rock musicians, the more shows that will stop in our town as they pass through on the Trans-Canada Highway. Simple show promotion economics. A positive feedback loop.

I know, it’s always so easy to not do something — stay at home, maybe have a beer or a rye and watch some TV, surf the net, or play video games. But making that effort to get off the couch and get out can create some life-long memories that’ll stick with you for longer than another same-old same-old night at home.

Guns n’ Roses’ recent show in Regina is a prime example for me. I was looking forward to it, but honestly, in a kind of lukewarm fashion. We had nosebleed seats and it was on a Sunday night. Fast forward to the end of the festivities — it was quite likely the best big concert I’ve ever seen and my appreciation of it has only grown ever since.

Same goes for smaller club shows. I had tickets to see The Dandy Warhols when I was in Toronto for a conference this year. But I was watching an intense game of playoff hockey until past midnight and couldn’t find anyone to head out to the gig with me (it was in a different area of that massive city, to boot). It would’ve been too easy to skip it and hit the hay. But I decided, no, I’ve always wanted to see this band. I went across downtown T.O. alone and had a fantastic time! A couple of strangers there even pulled me through the packed house to the front of the stage and bought me a beer! Concert-going karma, I guess.

That being laid out for you to ponder, here are some potentially great shows in southern Alberta coming up soon:

If you can still get tickets to The Glorious Sons, Nov. 7 at the Esplanade, do it. They’re a young but soulful band and their live performance is excellent. Same goes for Headstones the next week at the same venue. These 1990s mayhem masters are rejuvenated with their new LP, Little Army, and ready to kick rear end. Plus, Bif Naked’s new project (Snake and the Chain) is even opening up and it’s their first tour!

Dallas Smith used to sing for Default and is now a country guy — he’s at Canalta Centre Nov. 9. And keeping with country, although a rebellious rocker who covered lots of rock, a very authentic Johnny Cash tribute is at the Esplanade on Oct. 21 with David James and Big River.

On the more up-and-coming end of the spectrum, Vancouver band The Vidos hit the Silver Buckle with Aviator Shades on Sept. 20 and Ottawa funk-rockers the Lionyls invade The Corona Tavern on Sept. 23.

Rise Against, Kings of Leon, and Roger Waters are all headed to Alberta soon and road-trip-worthy. Concert info under Events at http://www.1053rock.ca.

Support live music — you simply cannot go wrong in making the effort. Plus, Netflix or your pirated videos will still be there for you tomorrow.

Trapper John is on air afternoons, Monday through Saturday on 105.3 ROCK, 1053rock.ca, and the new Radioplayer Canada app.