Liane Penny was filling in on the Morning Rush for Jenn on Friday. She thought any “Glee Kids” would be interested in this: Kingston Meistersingers Auditions for “The King and I”:
Saturday, August 28 1-5 pm
Sunday, August 28 6-9 pm
Princess Street United Church, 484 Albert Street, Kingston, ON.
Parts for all ages! Please come with a prepared song.
See www.meistersingers.ca for more details.

We did it, we made it happen.  Last Fall when I noticed Metric was playing in Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto but NOT Kingston, I thought…Why Not?  Eight months later, April 5th, 98.9 THE DRIVE presents Metric with The Arkells at The KRC.  Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10am at The KRC Box Office.

How did it happen?  Well, eight months ago it started with a Bring Metric To Kingston facebook page.  Then an e-mail and phone call to their radio rep.  He put me in touch with Metric’s manager who eventually agreed to an on air interview to explain WHY NOT Kingston.

Interview with Metric Manager

Several more e-mails to the Metric management finally got me an interview with lead singer Emily Haines in December where she said they would come to Kingston in 2010.

Emily Haines Interview #1

Last week word came down it would happen.  Once again, Emily would join me on air to announce that Metric kept their promise. 

Emily Haines Interview #3

I was a bit of a pain in the ass, but it was worth it.  And, it could not have happened without the help of every single fantastic 98.9 The Drive listener.  I am so happy about the show!  Thank you Kingston, thank you to the entire Metric team.

UPDATE: METRIC every hour, live broadcast from the KRC, FREE tickets, Meet & Greet…98.9 THE DRIVE declares Monday April 5th, 2010 – METRIC Monday!

I Love METRIC,

REID

A hard rocking alternative band that has sold 10 million albums blasted the Limestone City last night. Who would have thought? My ears are still ringing and there were times last night that I thought the KRC was going to come tumbling down. It was put to the test and passed. It might have been too loud or I might be getting old. I was getting the feeling the volume was at the same level that would be used for larger outdoor venues, not the 6 000 seat KRC. Regardless, it was awesome. Not sold out? You couldn’t tell. The crowd was fantastic and no one left disappointed.

Maynard James Keenan is weird, unique, and enigmatic and that’s why we love him. For the most part he remained at the back of the stage by the drum kit, speaking very seldom to the crowd. “Oh Canada” were some of the first words out of his mouth. Videos of images so bizarre, I can’t even begin to describe (mostly coming from the mind of guitarist Adam Jones – they were kinda sick, in a good way)…a fantastic laser show (at one point the Asteroids video game was being played on the big screen – very retro), and lights so cool I was wishing I could bring them home for when I DJ weddings…now that would be a party!!

The boys hit the stage at 9:25pm and played until 11:15…they gave us Stinkist, 46 & 2, Schism, Anema, but surprisingly no Sober. In fact in total we probably only got about 10 songs. One of the highlights was when they brought out another drummer to add percussions to Lateralus.

The band is very strict on a “no picture” policy, so sorry…no pix from the show. However, congrats to our winners of tickets from 98.9 THE DRIVE, including this guy.

Tell us, what did YOU think of TOOL in Kingston?

 My favourite Kingston rap/funk band Slaves of Spanky headline a great night at The Grad Club on Friday June 13th. They’re joined by Music Maul (who I think qualify as a super group, with members of Weeping Tile, The Hellbillys, and Ass Machine) and Montreal’s The World Provider. Tickets at the door. Music tends to start late, but allegedly the concert begins at 10 pm.

On Saturday, options are wide and varied. Raise some cash for Queen’s prof Bob Lovelace and enjoy performances by Bruch Cockburn, Susan Agluklark, Jenny Whitely and many more while you’re at it. It’s at Sydenham Street United Church. Tickets starts at $30 and are available at The Grand Box Office.

Meanwhile at the Merchant, get your modern rock on with BC’s Sleddogs, or head to the KRC for Charley Pride, a country music icon who just got done rockin’ the Grand Ole Opry.