Past Series - Musicfest Series – Musicfest 1997

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Musicfest Series – Musicfest 1997

January - December 1997

MusicFest began as an idea to give indie bands the ultimate experience – opening for a major Canadian headliner. This idea turned into a series of live shows in Southern Ontario. Bands gained valuable experience playing with headliners and playing in front of industry reps. In its inaugural year, MusicFest featured headliners such as The Killjoys, Rusty, and Treble Charger. Indie bands played alongside these Canadian stars in reputable venues in cities like Toronto, Thornhill, Vaughan, Hamilton, London, Oshawa, and Barrie.

HEADLINERS

The Killjoys

City: Hamilton, ON

Members: Mike, Gene, Shelley

Top Songs: Today I hate everyone, Rave + Drool

Genre: Alternative, Rock

Mike and Gene grew up in Stoney Creek, and have been playing in bands together since they were kids. In the summer of ’92 they formed the Killjoys, and in the fall found their bassist, Shelley Woods through a former band member, Mike Daley.

Source: http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Lounge/8763/index2.html

Rusty

City: Toronto, ON

Members: Ken MacNeil, Jim Moore, Scott McCullough, Mitch Perkins

Top Songs: Groovy Dead, Misogyny, California

Genre: Alternative, Rock

Following the breakup of One Free Fall, vocalist Ken MacNeil and bassist Jim Moore continued working together, hooking up with former Doughboys member Scott McCullough (guitar) and Mitch Perkins (drums) to record the EP Wake Me in 1994. Released on Handsome Boy Records, the EP was popular on Canadian campus radio, and led to a major label distribution deal with BMG Records for their full length album Fluke in 1995.

Source: Wikipedia

Treble Charger

City: Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Members: Greg Nori, Rosie Martin, Trevor McGregor, Bill Priddle

Top Songs: Red, Friend of Mine, American Psycho

Genre: Alternative, Rock

Begun as nc-17, this Canadian alternative pop/rock group changed its name after an American band with the same moniker threatened to sue. Greig Nori (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Bill Priddle (guitar, vocals), and Rosie Martin (bass, keyboards) met in high school in Sault St. Marie, Ontario, and paid the 5,000-dollar cost of releasing nc-17 on its own Smokin' Worm label as the band's full-length debut in 1994. After partnering with indie label Sonic Unyon and re-releasing nc-17, the album became Canada's best-selling indie record and the ballad "Red" received heavy play on college radio and Much Music.

Source: Ron DePasquale, allmusic.com