Take the DeLorean out this weekend if you are heading to the core. We are going forward to
the past with some chart-busting Cancon icons and a couple of tribute acts. Downtown is hitting up all
the pre-millennium years, when, with the 21st century breathing down our necks, we knew we were
here for a short time, so have a good time, yeah?
A band that has been having a good time, yeah, but for a long time, a very long time is the Oshawa
Lincolnaires. They formed in 1958 and still feature original member Frank Surette on bass. That is 65
years of playing to Oshawa crowds, and the group is playing once again this Friday, February 24, at
Simcoe Blues and Jazz. This crew started out playing the rock ‘n’ rollers they heard on the radio but
over the years, of course, have added some other hits and now cover Linda Ronstadt, ZZ Top,
Martha Reeves, Johnny Cash and Josh Turner, among others, and the Killer and the King.
Also February 24, the mighty Trooper, who no longer includes any OG players but can still crank it up like boys in a bright white sports car, plays at the Biltmore Theatre. The look back continues Saturday,
February 25 at the Biltmore with Neon Nostalgia, a live 80s/90s tribute band with a video background and an emphasis on the Brit chart toppers. The opening is Message in a Bottle, a tribute to the Police (obviously!)
On Sunday, Feb 26, at the Biltmore, Kenny takes another run at Spenny in the 20-year anniversary of
their adversarial relationship.
The Regent Theatre has the slinky synth sounds of 80’s hitmakers Saga Saturday, February 25.
In some ways, worlds apart, yet just across the street is the Atria; there’s more minty fresh synthy prog
with Permanent Waves, a Rush tribute band landing February 24, as Rush themselves sang on their
debut, ‘Take a Friend.’
For those seeking something akin to more today-ish tunes, one can take in local metalheads Valyear.
Their influences, they say, are everything from Hank Williams to Meshuggah; they are Chad
Valyear on vocals, Geoff Wilson on guitar, Joe Petralia on bass, and Nick Mavroukas on drums. They
are on the bill with Superchucker, and Bridan, at the Atria on Saturday.
Before this weekend’s big hair happenings, one can enjoy the wonderful sounds of local
singer/songwriter Cheryl Ireland at the Bulldog Pub on Bloor and Grandview on Thursday, February 23.
Cheryl is a member of The Emerson Ireland Band, The Autumn Smoke, and Electric Hemlock and
is a vital spark for our local music scene. She has a monthly Thursday residency at the
Bulldog, mark it in for March if you can’t make this one.
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