The Simcoe Scene

Pulling themselves out from the tunnels running beneath Sewer City, Spades GT deliver their second album that is coated in a well-defined grime that allows them to seamlessly traverse the lines between punk, thrash, and classic heavy rock.  With a window of just six months after releasing their debut, and sharing bills across Ontario, the odds of releasing a fully actualized sophomore album were against them - but odds be damned. When you have so much to say and wield the musical acumen to say it well and loud, there really is no reason to wait.   The Barrie-based quartet released their sophomore album United on July 5, and expanded their arsenal of tones and tempos to include a more polished sound without losing any integrity. Where Sewer City Radio was a rough and hard-hitting introduction, United is a bellowing testament that values precision and power in equal parts.  As the title implies, United is a call for undivided cooperation between all us street-level hu...

The lore of Kempenfelt Kelly is spotty, and in all honesty, pretty damn bland. Since its last sighting in 1967, ol’ Kelly has fallen into watery obscurity - until now. Two stalwart bands of the Barrie and beyond music scene are taking back the Kempenfelt Kelly name for their split LP Come Back, Kelly.   Like the mythical beast itself, tales of Heavy Petter and The Highdives have seeped into the oral history of this fair city. Known for nasty guitar riffs, blasting tempos, and lyrics that both bite and bring a smile to your face, this is a legendary collaboration. Though there are only 2 band names on the cover, each members carries with them copious credits to a myriad of projects that range from doom to solo acoustic and bear the same quality and energy present on this split.  Boasting a Heavy side and a High side, Come Back, Kelly displays both bands doing what they do best - creating aggressively energetic songs that connect to everyone in the community.  While the na...