\ ETOBICOKE \

Toronto —and seemingly, judging by the latest Billboard chart, most of North America— has gone crazy for Heavy Metal Rock in the past week and according to the Toronto Star yesterday tickets for tonight’s “intimate” Daily Bread Food Bank benefit concert with Metallica at Opera House in east TO are being scalped for upwards of $4,000 online.

According to billboard.com, the L.A. based headbangers scored their sixth Number 1 album as the new Hardwired … to Self-Destruct disc sold the equivalent of 291,000 album units in its debut week, of which 282,000 were in sales of traditional physical copies.  It’s the best first-week selling Rock album since June of 2014 when Coldplay launched its Ghost Stories and the third best first-week sales of all albums this year, though trailing Drake’s 1.04 million units for Views and Beyonce’s Lemonade by substantial margins.  So no wonder tickets sold out quickly and scalper prices are soaring.

But Metalheads need not despair.  At Rockpile in Etobicoke singer James Alcock, as we reported previously, now hosts a 8-12 “Heavy Metal Rock Jam” on the club’s superb big show stage at 5555 Dundas St. West the last Tuesday of each month —which fortuitously for those who bleed iron just happens to be tonight.

Co-incidentally, I caught a show by Alcock in a similar vein just this past weekend when he put together an impromptu version of his Cocked and Loaded group to do a fill-in gig at Linsmore Tavern after the booked group had to cancel due to an illness.

Even though the crowd was there to see a Beatles tribute, quite a few stayed for a set and the dance floor was very vibrant as the group delivered driving versions of tunes by iconic Metal/Hard Rock outfits like Iron Maiden, Alice In Chains, Judas Priest, Ronnie James Dio, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Elf and yes, Metallica, to name a few.  I usually find this genre of music somewhat boring after a few numbers, but this band kept me and many others captivated with its sheer energy and musicianship.

In addition to Alcock’s superbly versatile voicings and dynamic stage moves, guitarist Roland Roxx, who is also part of tonight’s host band, is an absolute monster.  He particularly sizzled when he took a turn leading a tune with a scorching version of “Purple Haze” by Hendricks —complete with teeth-strumming.  Bassist Tony Bollywood, in addition to having a theatrical bent and willingness to interact with the crowd, is hugely talented on the bottom-end, a key component in this style of music, obviously.

While Cocked and Loaded’s drummer of record is Steve Kelly, he wasn’t available for the Linsmore gig so sticks-smasher Ebi Wey of Muffin was on the kit and also much impressed me with faultless timing, high energy and style.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Wey might show up to this jam tonight btw —assuming he wasn’t one of the lucky fans who last week originally got Metallica tickets for just $25 or $50.

Ebi told me Saturday that his band —which recently lost its bass player, local legend Rob Tollefson, to cancer, as we reported in September— is still looking for a suitable replacement and now with some sense of urgency.  The group is expecting to do a European tour following the impending release of a new album that just finished being mastered last week.

While Tollefson’s shoes are mighty big ones to fill, someone is going to have to step into them and tonight’s jam might be just the place for the right candidate to emerge!

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Tuesday, November 29, 2021

Listings are organized by area in which the shows occur and within each area field shows are listed chronologically.

Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. (Double asterisk indicates repeating event with different hosts/guest/etc.). Admission prices followed by a slash and minus (/-) after the amount indicates door charge with availability of cheaper rates for some purchases. /+ indicates stated price is minimum.

Names of subscribers appear in bold, are underlined and, where applicable, include a live link to their websites. Advertisers’ listings are in larger highlighted type, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

ON AIR / ONLINE

7-9> “Unsung and On The Side” with Carolyn Fe on Rock-Fm.ca

416 – TORONTO CENTRAL

6> Ariana Gillis @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~Roots-Pop songwriter

6-7:30> Leslie Huyler @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~indie; $10-$20/pwyc

6:30> Ernest Cervini Trio @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*6:30-9:30> Stacie McGregor @ Nawlin’s, 299 King St. W. TO ~Jazz piano

7> Steel Panther @ Rebel, 11 Polson St., TO ~comedic Glam Metal; $35-$70

*7> open mic with Revel York & feature by Mark Villamor @ The Central, 603 Markham St., TO

7> The Sounds; Zipper Club; My Jerusalem @ Mod Club, 722 College St., TO

7:30> Teigan McKnight @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick St., TO ~songwriter

8> Jon Antoniuk; Jen Lane @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~songwriters

8> Toronto Folk Singers Club @ Tranzac Club (Tiki Room), 292 Brunswick St., TO

8-10:30> Stevey Ross @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Beatles covers; $

8-11> Myke Mazzei & Kelly Burrows @ Wolf Like Me, 834 Bloor St. W., TO ~songwriters

8> MØ @ Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne St., TO ~Danish alt-Pop; $24

8-9:30> Annie Bonsignore @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~indie; $10-$20/pwyc

*8> eclectic open mic @ Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO

8> Art Bar poetry & open stage @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~spoken word

*8:45> Tyler Yarema & His Rhythm @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Jazz/Blues; $

9> We Are Scientists; Tart @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~indie; $20

8> Keelie; Frankie & Jimmy; Terrible and The Horribles; Fuckhawk @ Bovine Sex Club, 542 Queen St. W., TO ~original Rock; $

*9> Chris Caddell Blues Band @ Lou Dawgs, 598 King St. W., TO ~Blues

9> Candy Apple Jazz Band presents “Professor Andy Dolgin’s Medicinal Show” @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~art Jazz; 0$

*9:30> open mic @ The Paddock, 178 Bathurst St., TO

**9:30> Jazz jam hosted by Chris Gale @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*10-2> The Sattalites @ Orbit Room, 580 College St., TO ~original & cover Reggae/Funk; $

10> Trevor Hogg Trio @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick St., TO ~Jazz

*10> The Hit Pickers @ Cloak & Dagger, 294 College St., TO

10> The Sinners Choir @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~Rockabilly/Country

10-11:30> Chris Birkett @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~indie; $10-$20/pwyc

416 –TORONTO EAST

*6-9> Julian Fauth solo @ Sauce, 1376 Danforth Ave., TO East ~original Blues piano

7> Metallica @ Opera House, 735 Queen St. E., TO East ~Heavy Metal icons; SOLD OUT

7-9> Emma Cava Trio @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Jazz; 0$

7> Peter Hook & The Light perform Substance @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., TO East ~indie recording act; $22-$27

8> The Soul Maître D’s; Heather Hill; Kat Leonard @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~indie; 0$

8:30-10:30> WE-B3 @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East

*9-1> jam with Dan Walek @ The Duke Live, 1225 Queen St. E., TO East

*9> open mic with host Asha Diaz @ Groove Bar, 1952 Danforth Ave., TO East

*9:30> Peter Verity @ Black Swan, 154 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Folk Roots

**9:30-12> open stage hosted by Jay Pennell or Kyle Duffin @ The Old Nick, 123 Danforth Ave., TO East

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

8-12> Heavy Metal Jam hosted by James Alcock & band @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke

*8> Groovestone @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Rock/Soul

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

*9:30> karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ The Fossil & Haggis, 790 Military Trail, Scarborough

416 – TORONTO WEST

5-8> Kyle Windjack Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

8-10:30> Tuesday duos with Peter Hill on keys & guest Marie Goudy on trumpet @ La Rev, 2848 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Jazz/Blues

*8-11> Freeman Dre & The Kitchen Party @ The Inter Steer, 357 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~acoustic Folk-Rock originals & covers

8> Write On Showcase @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W., TO West ~literary; pwyc

*8> Cody McMillan hosts jam @ The Cat, 3513 Dundas St. W., TO West

8:30> Camargo; Blunt Chunks; Country Lunker @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~synthesized music; $10

9> Chad and Cynthia; Jay Pollock; The Sound of Bridges @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W., TO West ~indie; pwyc

9> Tanya Philipovich & Lucas Stagg @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Pop

9> Holy Drips @ Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St. W., TO West ~R&B; pwyc

9> Root Down Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Roots/Blues

519

2-4> jam session at W.G. Johnson Centre, 31 Kribs St., Cambridge

*6-8:30> Ukulele jam & workshop @ Idea Exchange, 1 North Square Queen’s Square, Cambridge

*7-10> open mic with Andy Hughes @ The Joint Café, 43 Cork St. E., Guelph

*7-11> Waterloo Wellington Bluegrass Association holds Bluegrass jam @ Galt Legion RCL #121, 4 Veterans Way, Cambridge

*7-9> Juneyt @ Easy Pour Wine Bar, 1660 Blair Rd., Cambridge ~Flamenco guitarist

8> Songwriters Night with host Conor Gains & guest tba @ Kiwi Gastropub, 47 Dickson St., Cambridge

*10> open jam with host Chris Brown @ Brando’s Beach House, 135 Market St., Brantford

705

7> open mic with Randy Hill @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

9> open mic night @ Red Dog Tavern, 189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

10> Jazz Maniacs @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough ~Jazz

905 - EAST

*6:30-11> The Woodshed jam with Don Niblett & Frank Zochodne @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

*7-11> open acoustic jam with Darren Smith & Shayne Thomas @ The Thirsty Monk, 21 Celina St., Oshawa

8:30-12:30> open mic with host Cheryl Stiles @ The Pearson Pub, 101 Mary St. W., Whitby

9> Brad James Band @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country Rock

*10> L&M Jam with host Emerson Ireland @ The General Pub, 21 Celina St., Oshawa

*10> open mic with Josh Beaven @ The Atria, 59 King St. E., Oshawa

905 – NORTH

7-10> open song circle with Patti McLaughlin @ RCL 385, 105 Industrial Pkwy. N., Aurora

7> open mic with Bernadette Connors @ Lake Simcoe Arms, 21089 Dalton Rd., Jackson’s Point

*8> open mic @ The Tickled Toad, 330 Steeles Ave. W., 905 North

*8-11> jam with Matthew Kane & The Brews Brothers @ The Crown, 9580 Yonge St., Richmond Hill

*8:30-12:30> open mic @ Falcon & Firkin, 10300 Yonge St., Richmond Hill

*9> open mic with Manny D, Andy Earle & Dave Breckels @ Big Chris BBQ, 17380 Yonge St., Newmarket

905 - SOUTH

*8> Blues & Jazz jam hosted by Wayne Janus & The Syncopaths @ Rebel’s Rock, 537 King St. E., Hamilton

*9> open stage @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton

*9:30-1> Traditional Irish jam @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton

905 - WEST

*8> The Phil & John Show @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~acoustic Pop Rock

*8> open stage (signup at 7:30) with host Neil McNaughton @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville; $2

*8> open mic night @ Fionn MacCool’s Burlington, 2331 Appleby Line, Burlington

*8:45> open mic with Matt Zadkovich @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga

9-1> Marshall Dane Duo @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Country/Pop; $

*10> Chuck Coles of The Organ Thieves and Creepshow hosts open mic @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington

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