Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2016

Randy Bachman Page 8

Edmonton

M k u c s o i c R estival 2016

August 12 &13 Hawrelak Park

Welcome to the 6th Annual

Edmonton Rock Music Festival A Message from

the President

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e’re living at a time where music has never been more accessible. The ability to download songs and stream music on the Internet allows us to listen to more great tunes from the world’s entire library. Yet with so much variety, it’s often difficult to form meaningful connections to the songs and artists or have time to pick a favourite among dozens of new tunes we can access every day. While recordings may seem less personal, live performances still provide the magic—that link between artist and fan that can’t quite be put into words.

For that reason, The Rock and Roll Society of Edmonton is proud to

welcome you to another year of wonderful live performances. As a a registered charitable organization, our goal is to keep the spirit of classic rock alive by providing you, our fans young and old, with the opportunity to reconnect to your old favorites while also discovering up-and-comers who are sure to grab the spotlight in coming years.

By attending the Edmonton Rock Music Festival, you’re not just keeping rock music alive in your own life, but you’re also helping to give the gift of music to others. All proceeds from our Festival go towards funding the Centre for Arts and Music (CAM), an initiative founded five years ago to provide musical education to vulnerable youth in our city. CAM continues to do amazing work to help kids connect and experience music in new ways to build the skills and confidence they need to succeed later in life.

So a very warm thank you goes to our sponsors, to our volunteers, to our performers, and especially to you, our fans, for doing so much to keep the spirit of rock music alive in Edmonton and in the hearts of so many children.

Sincerely, Donna Semeniuk—President

The Rock and Roll Society of Edmonton

Edmonton Rock Music Festival Crowd.

Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2016

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Thank you to our Sponsors

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Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2016

Map of the Grounds Smoking Area

Volunteer Sign-in

VIP Room Roa

Greenroom Entrance

Portable Washrooms

Washrooms

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Stage

K-97

Back Gate

Beer Gardens

Performers & Volunteers

Sound First Aid

Security Quarters

Bar

Bully Food Truck

Bars n Bands CAM Info Liquor Ticket Table

Drift Food Truck Smokehouse BBQ

RRSE Merchandise Band Merchandise K-97 Road Hogs

Royal Treats

$ ATM Washrooms

Front Gate Public Entrance

Food Vendors Ticket Sales

Ticket Scan

Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2016

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T

Mad Dog’s The

Experience

—A Tribute to Joe Cocker

Friday, August 12 5:15 pm–6:15 pm

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he Mad Dog’s Experience isn’t just a tribute band; it’s a showcase of some of Edmonton’s greatest rock musicians. Led by Dan Shinnan of Boogie Patrol, this 18-piece band formed in late 2015 to honour the memory of one of the great heroes of rock ’n’ roll: the legendary Joe Cocker.

Cocker, a famous tribute artist in his own right, is well known for his 1970 tour of the United States. Cocker had signed a contract to go on tour but had no band to accompany him. At the very last minute, he managed to convince 20 of his friends to lend a hand, and against all odds, this impromptu cover band struck gold.

They named themselves Mad Dogs and Englishmen, and as you might be able to guess, The Mad Dog’s Experience draws its main inspiration from this point in Cocker’s career.

Apart from this famous anecdote, Cocker is remembered for the pure joy he took in playing music and the raw creativity that allowed him to completely reinvent the standards of the genre. Complete with its very own hippie choir, The Mad Dog’s Experience manages to emulate almost every aspect of this legendary artist.

Describing themselves as the ambassadors of music and sound, The Mad Dog’s Experience seeks to connect their audiences with that same sense of joy and wonder that inspired the Woodstock generation. ✪

Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2016

David Wilcox Friday, August 12 6:45 pm–8:00 pm

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t age six, David Wilcox discovered Elvis Presley, picked up his first guitar and has pretty much been rocking ever since. During his teenage years, Wilcox played shows to just about anyone who would listen. In fact, he gave his first live performance—at only 14 years old—to a room full of ex-convicts. Eager as he was, Wilcox had a lot to learn about being a musician, so he spent the next few years playing to small rooms and practicing to be the best. He soon got his big break when he successfully auditioned to replace Amos Garret as one of the main guitarists in Ian and Sylvia Tyson’s band, Great Speckled Bird. Wilcox learned a lot in those early years of touring with the Tysons. So much, in fact, that he was soon able to branch off into a solo career that would eventually lead him to the fame and success he enjoys today.

After parting ways with the Tysons, Wilcox began styling himself in oversized suits and grew a giant moustache that only the 70s would allow. Armed with this cool new look, he began to tour his own material with the help of his new band, The Teddy Bears. Wilcox found moderate success in those early days but needed to hone his skills as a songwriter in order to match his talent on the guitar. That hard work and experimentation soon paid off, and in the early 80s, Wilcox hit it big. The amount of radio play his songs were getting was matched only by the demand for his live performances. During his busiest years, Wilcox was playing over 300 shows a year.

Wilcox has eight solo albums to his name, along with many more collaborative projects. His earlier work covers many of the classic topics of the genre—namely sex, drugs Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2016

and rock ’n’ roll. But as he grew as a musician and gained a wider perspective of the world, Wilcox wasn’t afraid to delve into more serious topics, writing songs about war, loss and the darker side of fame.

His repertoire has grown extremely varied over his career, and there is now a David Wilcox song to match any mood.

Over the years, his music has won him widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike. With numerous gold and platinum albums to his name, as well as many awards, Wilcox has secured himself a spot in the rock ’n’ roll history books.

But that doesn’t mean he’s slowing down. Wilcox continues to write and record new tracks, ensuring that his fans can expect a mix of new material and old favourites at his live performances. ✪ PG 7

coming out in his live performances, as well. “There has been a lot more energy and improvisation,” he says, “Even some of my classics are reinvented in a heavier blues and less pop-music style.”

Randy

Bachman Friday, August 12 8:30 pm–10:00 pm

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In addition to his songs being staples of the airwaves, Bachman himself is heard every week across the country on CBC Radio. His popular show, Vinyl Tap, is known for bringing the classics of rock and pop music to Canadians, along with Bachman’s own commentary—musical wisdom gained from years in the industry.

album Heavy Blues is, as one might expect, an experimental venture into the blues. It came about through a conversation with close friend and fellow musician, Neil Young, who told Bachman to get far away from what his fans would expect and to try something new. The album has a bit of a darker tone than long-time fans might expect, but Bachman says it’s one of his most honest albums yet. “I listened to the old blues records while I was writing, and I came up with “reverse” idioms on standard blues phrases like, ‘Let the Bad Times Roll.’ As one goes through life, we all experience many downs, heartbreaks and bad times, so putting that into song form was cathartic and easy. I’ve never been that open or deep into lyrics before as on Heavy Blues.”

Despite his long history in the classic rock scene, Bachman’s latest

Bachman feels that the new blues-inspired recording finds itself

hen it comes to Canadian rock icons, Randy Bachman is at the top of the list. Well known as the founder and songwriter of not one—but two—world-famous bands, The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Bachman has written and recorded hits such as “American Woman,” “Taking Care of Business” and “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” all of which still get played on radio stations around the world.

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Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2016

But even though Bachman has been experimenting with a new style, those hoping to hear their old favourites have nothing to fear.

“The old favourites are the reason I’ve been invited to play. I’m fortunate to have been part of The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive—two of Canada’s greatest bands that rocked the world and hit the #1 spot with albums and singles. The hits have their place alongside Heavy Blues.”

Many fans in Edmonton will have last seen Bachman perform at Fire Aid back in June of this year, playing to raise money for the rebuilding of Fort McMurray. Though not from Alberta himself, it was an event he felt drawn to. “Being a prairie boy, one can’t help but love Alberta. It’s where the prairies end and the Rockies begin. It’s the most beautiful scenery in the world, and the people here are all like family to me. Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Grand Prairie and many more cities have always embraced my appearances, no matter what band or musical context I play in.”

As a rock superstar, most of Bachman’s career has been made up of shows where he was the main attraction, but events like Fire Aid or the Edmonton Rock Music Festival have always held a special place in his heart. “People come not only for the great music, but for the other people as well. There’s an amazing thing that happens when a crowd assembles and their thoughts and emotions are all focused on the same thing. Festivals are a celebration of life, love, music and harmony. No matter rain or shine, we’re all there together for the musical ride!” ✪

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his four-piece, alt-rock outfit has been making waves in the Edmonton music scene for a few years now. Since starting out in 2010, Rend has been recognised numerous times at the Edmonton Music Awards as the next face of rock music in the city, and in 2014 they won Rawlco Radio’s Breakout Artist of the Year Award.

The band also enjoyed a muchdeserved boost in exposure as Sonic’s Band of the Month back in April of 2013, giving them the chance to perform at Sonic Boom later that year. After sharing the stage with some of Canada’s biggest names in rock, the group shows no sign of slowing down.

Rend is not only the band’s name but also a description of their goals.

“To rend” is to tear something apart so that it’s never the same again.

That’s just what the group hopes

Rend Saturday, August 13 noon–1:00 pm

to accomplish with their work. They want to stand apart and redefine the way people experience music.

The group is lead by vocalist/ keyboardist Carol-Lynne Quinn and features Jordan Dempster on the drums, Jeff Quinn on Bass and Steve Roe on guitar. Together, they have written and recorded one full album,

The Kirby Sewell Band Saturday, August 13 1:20 pm–2:20 pm

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eeing a performance by The Kirby Sewell Band is an experience you aren’t likely to forget. Frontman Kirby Sewell regularly leaves audiences awestruck with his commanding vocals, belting out his own original versions of blues and rock classics. Sewell’s

performances have been described by the Calgary Herald as “being like an R&B bat out of hell.” Expect to break a sweat alongside the band as you both rock out to some incredible, high-energy performances.

Sewell is joined by guitarists Morgan Turk and Neil Gunhold, bassist Jae Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2016

an EP, as well as their latest single, “Skin and Bones.” The recordings are phenomenal, but to get the full Rend experience, you have to see them live. Rend brings a passion and energy to their live performances that is hard to ignore. Make sure to show up early to catch this band in action. You won’t regret it. ✪ Cho and drummer Jim Johnston.

The band has recorded three albums since its debut in 2010, with each one being better than the last.

But it’s really in their live performances that The Kirby Sewell Band leaves its mark. The band has toured extensively throughout North America, sharing the stage with many of the industry greats and quickly making a name for themselves as festival favourites.

The band is currently in the middle of touring their latest album, Girl With a New Tattoo, where Sewell’s powerhouse vocals are equally matched by the incredible instrumental range of his band. The album expertly balances country twangs, jazz grooves and, of course, the swinging blues and classic rock base fans have come to expect.

This cutting-edge mix of different sounds and styles is catching the attention of many as it breathes new musical life into a variety of different genres. ✪ PG 9

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Nick Gilder and Sweeney Todd Saturday, August 13 2:40 pm–3:50 pm

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weeney Todd formed in the mid 70s with Nick Gilder front and centre as the lead vocalist. The group only played local shows around Vancouver when they started out, but upon releasing their first album in 1975, they were thrust into the big leagues.

The single “Roxy Roller” hit the #1 spot on the Canadian charts and stayed there for three weeks straight. It even won a Juno Award for Single of the Year. Not a bad reception for a band’s first single. Sweeney Todd then went on an exhaustive tour, playing at every venue they could manage to fit into their schedule.

Despite their success, however, Gilder and guitarist James McCulloch soon chose to leave the band to pursue solo careers. Both were able to replicate the

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fame they’d achieved with Sweeney Todd, producing hits such as “Hot Child in the City,” which still finds itself played regularly on radio stations around the world.

Sweeney Todd managed to find some success on its own as well, recruiting the then-unknown Bryan Adams to replace Gilder as lead vocalist. However, after releasing a second recording and playing for a few more years, the band dissolved in 1977.

Many years later in 2000, the band reunited, complete with Gilder on main vocals. The band released a new album and began touring again, rekindling that live energy that fans had been craving since that original tour came to a close back in the 70s. ✪

Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2016

Gramm —The Voice of Foreigner Saturday, August 13 4:20 pm–5:40 pm Gramm was used to receiving as a member of Foreigner. Despite proving his potential as a solo artist, Gramm remained with Foreigner, recording another album with them later that year.

Two years later, Gramm released a follow-up solo album, Long Hard Look, and its warm reception proved to him (and the world at large) that his initial success had not been a fluke. Filled with well-earned confidence, Gramm formally departed from Foreigner in 1990.

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ou Gramm is best known as the lead vocalist of Foreigner, rock sensation of the 70s and 80s. But while he was still recording and touring the world with his chart-topping band, Gramm started a solo project that continues to grow and find success to this day.

Gramm began his career as a performer right out of high school, writing and recording songs with a variety of different bands. The last of these early bands, Black Sheep, met with some success, but a string of bad luck meant they were never quite able to break into the mainstream. Gramm’s fortunes soon turned around, however, when he

successfully auditioned for the part of lead vocalist in a new band called Foreigner. Right from the release of first album, Foreigner was a sensation, and Gramm’s voice rang out from radios around the globe.

Foreigner dominated the charts for well over a decade, and as one of the minds behind hits such as “I Want to Know What Love Is” and “Hot Blooded,” it’s safe to say that Gramm had become a musical icon.

At the height of Foreigner’s fame, Gramm took some time to explore his potential as a solo act and released his first album in 1987.

The album, Ready or Not, was met with the same critical acclaim that Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2016

The 1990s were a time of transition for Gramm. He experimented with various projects, reconnected with Foreigner for a few years and even took a bit of time away from the industry. But by 2003, Gramm had again hit his stride and began touring as The Lou Gramm Band with the help of his brothers, Ben and Richard Gramm, as well as Don Mancuso and Andy Knoll. The band’s lineup has changed a bit over the years, but Gramm continues to tour actively. His shows are a healthy mix of classic hits from the high days of Foreigner and his more recent solo material. No matter which period of Gramm’s storied career you’re drawn to, you’re sure to hear your favourite hits live onstage. ✪ PG 13

54-40

Saturday, August 13 6:25 pm–7:45 pm

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ancouver-based rock group 54-40 formed in 1981, growing out of the popular post-punk scene of the day. In those days, you could find the band practicing under bridges or playing shows in tiny bars to a small but loyal fan base.

Needless to say, they moved up in the world and 35 years later are still going strong.

releasing their major hits under the Warner Brothers label and later under Columbia Records. 54-40 ruled the Canadian airwaves during the 80s and 90s with hit songs like “Baby Ran,” “I Go Blind” and “Ocean Pearl.”

During that time, the band played shows all around the world, won numerous awards and had many of their records reach gold and platinum The young band worked hard to status. get noticed when first starting out. After two decades of success and After settling on the name 54-40 having become veterans of the music (a fairly obscure reference to 1800s industry, the new millennium saw American Expansionist policy), they 54-40 opening up their own recording got to work making their own studio in downtown Vancouver. merchandise and self-promoting Band members Neil Osborne and their work. They even recorded and Dave Genn began expanding released all of their music themselves. their industry talents by becoming In true 80s underground fashion, producers and helping to shape this meant cassette tape recordings, up-and-coming musicians—including which would later be pressed onto the now famous bands Hedley and vinyl. But this underground image Marianas Trench. But despite their wouldn’t last, as the band soon hit successes as producers, the memit big, attracting the attention of bers of 54-40 haven’t forgotten their major record labels. The band began roots. The band continues to play Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2016

shows together and still writes and records new material of their own.

It’s rare for a band to remain active for as long as 35 years, but the longterm success of 54-40 is no accident.

The band prides themselves on their ability to continually grow as musicians, bringing new sounds to each album. Likewise, each of their live performances is a unique experience, too, as they introduce new material and play reimagined versions of their classic hits. Their ability to remain current means that their shows are well attended by fans, both new and old. The latest album from 54-40, La Difference—A History Unplugged, is a perfect example of this. The album is an acoustic journey though the greatest hits of the band’s career, but by no means is it a simple compilation album. The acoustic tracks will have a touch of familiarity to long-time fans, but the sound is entirely new. ✪ PG 15

allowing them to experience music from the perspective of a rock legend.

Kim held this position for 11 years, leaving in 2015 to return to his own music full time.

Kim

Mitchell

Saturday, August 13

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im Mitchell got his start in the 1970s, and music has been his life ever since. Like many young Canadian musicians,he began his career jamming with friends in his hometown of Sarnia before finding his way to the Toronto music scene. There he helped form the band Max Webster, which would give him his first brush with fame. Max Webster toured the country, gaining fans everywhere they went, but Kim eventually decided to try his luck as a solo artist and has been playing under his own name ever since.

Writing national hits like “Patio Lanterns,” “Go for a Soda,” and “Rock ’n’ Roll Duty,” Kim built on the successes he enjoyed while touring as the lead vocalist of Max Webster.

He continued to record hit after hit, all while maintaining an almost continuous tour schedule. The hard work did not go unrewarded. Many of his albums went on to receive PG 16

8:30 pm–10:00 pm

gold and platinum status, but to Kim, that’s never been important.

“It’s never been about the end result for me,” he says, “never about platinum records or numbers in a bank account. It’s always been about the journey. A lot of musicians get into this business to ‘make it,’ and you really have to take those two words right out of your vocabulary to be happy. Find your thing. Enjoy it. That’s what’s important. You can be jamming in a basement with a couple of buds, and when you connect musically, it’s the same feeling as someone like Bryan Adams gets from performing in front of 17,000 people.”

In 2004, at 52 years old, Kim started his first ever full-time job, hosting his own radio show on Toronto’s Q107 station. As a radio host, Kim was able to bring his musical expertise to listeners all around the city, Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2016

Kim isn’t rusty from his time away from touring, however, because he never actually stopped. “Radio was kind of a priority for me at the time,” he says, “But I never actually left the road. Playing gigs has always been very important to me, even while I had my show. My love of playing live has never left me.”

“What I like about touring is that it gets you out of your house. It’s like a big fishing trip, just hanging out with some dudes that you really get along with. The only difference is that instead of catching fish, we’re strapping on musical instruments for a couple of hours a day.”

Although Kim does plan to get into the recording studio at some point, he isn’t in any rush. “Anything to do with music breathes life into me, but I enjoy the live performances a bit more than working out of a studio. I’ve got some stuff written, but recording isn’t really a priority. I’ve always looked at records as more of a promotional tool for my live performances than an end unto themselves.”

The Rock Festival marks the fifth time that Kim has played in the Edmonton region in the last three years. “You know, I should just move to Edmonton,” he jokes, “I still love coming to this city, even after 40 years.”

Kim is as excited to play the Rock Festival as the Rock Festival is to have him, “I’ll play a show anywhere, but there is nothing better than being outside at nighttime during the summer.”

Sounds like Kim would make an excellent Edmontonian. ✪

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Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2016

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The Centre for Arts and Music (CAM) is a division of the Rock and Roll Society of Edmonton. CAM provides at-risk youth with an afterschool music education program; our mentors teach students to write songs, learn instruments, play in a band, and ultimately produce their own concerts. Through the CAM journey, kids develop valuable skills in confidence,

Parents & school counselors are extremely pleased in the positive influence the program has had on the students enrolled: “…..Watching the CAM students at our last concert, I saw them demonstrating the confidence and the joy in performing music that they created and it definitely warmed my heart. Proud parents and performers can rightfully celebrate and be proud of the work they have done. The older students at St. Alphonsus have taken their mentorship role seriously and take as much pride in the accomplish-

ments of the younger students as they do in their own performance.

This group of young ladies and gentlemen have found life and purpose through music. My heartfelt thanks to (the CAM instructors) for their dedication and commitment to the students and to music……”

–John Groten, Principal, St. Alphonsus School “We are so privileged to have the CAM program at our school.…..

(The Instructors) bring out the best in our students and give them the tools and support necessary to grow as musicians.

teamwork and self-respect, and possibilities once unthinkable become within reach – including playing to a crowd of thousands at the Festival. More than 250 students have gone through CAM since its inception in 2011.

A CD is produced each year which includes original tunes written by the kids as well as some of their favorite cover songs. CAM give students opportunities to make strides in musical ability, and overcoming personal challenges, as well as working as a team with their new friends.

We see such tremendous growth in our students and what a confidence booster!

Kids are proud and excited to share their talent and musical gifts. One of our kindergarten teachers expressed that one of the students was a non-talker”….and now she’s singing lead vocals……

Thank you so much to Melanie Kidder for making a connection with the CAM program and (our school).”

–Mark Sylvestre, Principal, St. Francis of Assisi.

CAM gives opportunities for students to make strides in musical ability, to learn to overcome personal challenges, and to work as a team with new friends.

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Edmonton Rock Music Festival 2016