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SCENEfest 09!

      Starting in rain, then sun, then potential tornado warning, and finishing in a little sprinkle, my first Scenefest in the crowded streets of St. Catherines was definitely one to remember. Sadly, I was hoping for a lot more free promotional items but, hey you can't really expect much, other than awesome shows in the most random of venues.

     Myself along with a few friends offered to hand out some promotional stickers and such for a few bands and companies [The Red October, Everlea, Permanent Bastards, Sanity Amber, Touch Me Airborne Plague, along with 103.7FM and D-TOX clothing]..People were kind of intimidated by us walking up with stacks of promotional goods but, they weren't complaining. I mean who could, when confronted with CD's, stickers, and leaflets...all for just smiling or looking good.

    So whilst handing out the goods, the subs began to explode with The Red October...they were FANTASTIC. We got a chance to catch up with them, I guess the buffalo band won a battle of the bands on the border and, ended up getting set up with main stage, first show! Some luck eh? Well anyways, if you’re into the scream scene, definitely check them out.

    After refilling on energy drinks, gum, and smokes, we made our way to the market again, just talking to the bands that had arrived. Buying merch, [well they were,] and slid past a few venues, buying time until the local hero's, the Snips, took the stage. I took the time to fashion myself a 'Touch me Airborne Plague' sign that fit conveniently on my belt straps, and as we made our way in, there was far too many people. We had hit the mother load of stages, and it happened to be outside. DOSE.CA at Mansion House Carries its name on as the best stage to catch rising stars, including three amazing performances, [The Snips, Everlea, and STEREOS with the potential of more [We only saw the three]. Other than overpriced drinks, and cramped bathrooms, I have to say this was the best Experience of the day, venue wise.

    Blended in with Mansion House, which we ran to and from each place, trying to soak in as much as we could, with Casey Baker and The Buffalo Sinners and Lifestory: Monologue at Big Bucks, I have Commited a Sin, in 73, it was a rough two hours. Then the rain began to pour. We attempted to wait in line for Marianas Trench, and sadly ended up missing it because of a false cancellation, so we ran from hiding spot to spot, trying to stay out of the rain and find a show worth seeing.

    We winded down the night with some Vagina Management, which was basically the work FUCK and PUSSY repeated, between two girls and KAC himself.. And then Johnstones, which was an awesome performance, which we sadly had to use the beginning of to wring out all of our stuff from the rain which drenched through bags, clothes, and cell phones. I have to point out that Johnstones are like a less drugged out version of how MCR was in the very very beginning. Just freaking out and having a blast on stage. Not the music sense at all, just the mentality. A whole lot of fun.

    Finally before we left, We snuck in and seat hopped our way to decent seats at Merchant Ale House for the 10:30 showing of These Silhouettes. The performance was interesting enough, with Stuart Aiken bashing his head off of the ‘Fresh off the Tab’ sign, and falling with his, super-quick recovery, along with encouraging the crowd outside to sing along through the windows. I found they had a lot of different types of people watching their show. It was a sight, for the variety was far different from most of the shows caught earlier in the day. Especially for a band that had the style of music that they had, it was just a pleasant shock to me.

    All in all, the day was a great experience. I would refer this to anyone that wants to experience a years worth of missed band shows, group hang outs, and potential sauce fests with bands rising out of the streets of the Niagara region. Great friendships are created, band addictions are formed, and one can come alone and find a group of people to fit into. Scenefest 09, thanks for treating us all well.

I do have to give a shout out to the group that my tri-entendre had obtained; Caleb Cashmore, Alicia Gilliam, Carolyn Smith, Jalene Johnstone, Lauren Adele Greenway Jacob Olesiuk, Megadeath kid, and many others. You guys/girls are awesome.

Band shoutouts and respect go out to;
[In Alphabetical order]

Casey Baker & the Buffalo Sinners:
  http://www.myspace.com/caseybakermusic
Everlea:
  http://www.everlea.com
I Am Commiting A Sin:
  http://www.iamcommittingasin.com/
Lifestory: Monologue:
  http://www.cuteoverload.com
Marianas Trench:
  http://www.marianastrench.net/
Stereos:
  http://www.wearestereos.com/
The Johnstones:
  http://www.johnstonessex.com/
The Snips:
  http://www.thesnips.com/
These Silhouettes
  http://www.myspace.com/thesesilhouettes
Touch me Airborne Plague:
  http://www.myspace.com/touchmeairborneplague

Sites provided by http://www.scenemusicfestival.com/

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