Sleepy Labeef live in Toronto, July 10th, 2010

with Ronnie Hayward, Tennessee Voodoo Coupe, DJ Rockin' Dave Faris

Next weekend, the Dominion on Queen in Toronto will be hosting a show by legendary rockabilly musician Sleepy Labeef. This will be Labeef's first Toronto appearance in almost a decade, very exciting news for fans of rockabilly, first generation rock 'n' roll, and great live music in general. The word "legendary" certainly gets thrown about too freely in the music world, but Labeef most definitely fits the description. An original '50s rockabilly artist, he has recorded and toured steadily for over half a century, including a decade-long association with the Sun Records label, and he is still going strong as his 75th birthday approaches on July 20th. His current CD, Roots, is a testament to Labeef's enduring strength as an interpreter of song, and was recorded in a fashion reminiscent of Johnny Cash's acclaimed American Recordings series of albums, using stripped-down arrangements that highlight Labeef's voice and guitar.

Joining Sleepy Labeef on the bill will be Ronnie Hayward, a notable Canadian musician who, like Sleepy Labeef, has done extensive touring and recording work. Hayward is a standup bass player, vocalist, and songwriter, and his music is a distilled, road-tested mix of rockabilly, country, and roots. Tennessee Voodoo Coupe, the host band of the East End Rockabilly Riot, will be kicking off the evening with their "100 Proof Reckless Hillbilly Jive".

I will be joining the fun as well, spinning some rockabilly tunes from my collection throughout the evening. I'm thrilled to be a part of this event, and I'm hoping to see lots of people out in support of Sleepy Labeef on his return to Toronto. The "Human Jukebox" has a long-standing reputation for his energetic, freewheeling live show, so I'm sure he won't disappoint! Here are the finer details...

East End Rockabilly Riot presents:

Sun Records Rockabilly legend

Sleepy Labeef

with Canadian Rockabilly Hall of Famer

Ronnie Hayward

and special guests

Tennessee Voodoo Coupe

with DJ Rockin' Dave Faris

spinning red hot rockabilly wax

live at The Dominion on Queen

one night only!

Saturday, July 10th, 2010

Doors open at 8:30pm, show at 9:30pm

500 Queen St. E., Toronto

Tickets $20, advance tickets available at Sunrise (336 Yonge St. & 784 Yonge St. locations only), Soundscapes, and the Dominion on Queen, or online through Ticketweb at www.dominiononqueen.com

Sponsored by Mill St. Brewery

East End Rockabilly Riot is proud to present the legendary Sleepy Labeef, in his first Toronto live appearance in almost a decade. Labeef, known as “the Human Jukebox” in reference to his vast repetoire of songs, is an acclaimed original ‘50s rockabilly artist who has recorded for labels such as Sun Records, Starday, and Rounder (with retrospectives on labels including Charly and Bear Family), and is considered one of the top performers in the genre. The Arkansas native launched his career after relocating to Texas in 1953, with early appearances on the Louisiana Hayride and the Houston Jamboree, and has had a prolific career spanning over 6 decades both as a recording artist and a spirited live performer. Recently acclaimed in Oxford American as “the greatest rockabilly singer of all time, bar none, and that includes Elvis” and “raw rebellion stacked to a height of six-foot-seven with a side of bitters”, Labeef is a seasoned musician and performer, and a regular festival attraction in the U.S. and Europe, keeping the original flame of rockabilly burning bright.

Joining Sleepy Labeef on this landmark triple-header is the formidable Canadian talent Ronnie Hayward, a well-respected and widely travelled figure in the rockabilly and roots scene. Hayward is listed in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and has travelled with his doghouse bass across the country, across the continent, and across the ocean to bring his unique roots sound far and wide. Hayward has numerous releases both under his own name and with groups such as the Bughouse Five, Jimmy Roy's 5 Star Hillbillies, and Herald Nix. Opening the evening will be Toronto's Tennessee Voodoo Coupe, serving up a dose of their potent "100 proof hillbilly jive" to get the joint jumpin'. DJ Rockin' Dave Faris will deliver his own blend of red hot rockabilly sides to set the stage for the live action. Don't miss Toronto's hottest rockabilly event of the summer, Saturday, July 10th at the Dominion on Queen!

For more information, contact: eastendrockabillyriot@gmail.com

www.myspace.com/eastendrockabillyriot

www.sleepylabeef.com

www.myspace.com/ronniehayward

www.myspace.com/tennesseevoodoo

www.myspace.com/djdavidfaris

www.dominiononqueen.com

www.millstreetbrewery.com

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=133480716666394

East End Rockabilly Riot – second anniversary show!

It’s June, and it’s time for another East End Rockabilly Riot! I’ll be spinning rockabilly tunes at the second anniversary edition of the Riot, at the Dominion on Queen, Saturday, June 19th. The Riot needs no introduction in The Mysterious Vault (coincidentally, the EERR and the MV both started around the same time!), but I wanted to post the latest poster artwork and the press release for the show. This should be a great night of live rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll with an extra dose of swing, so come out and jump, jive an’ wail!

I will also be dropping by the Catwoman Radio show on CIUT 89.5 FM in Toronto on Wednesday, June 16th (5-6pm) to spin some tunes in advance of the show, so tune in, or you can listen online. The show will be available as a podcast on the CIUT site for a week after broadcast.

East End Rockabilly Riot #6!
Second anniversary show

Live at The Dominion on Queen
One night only!
Saturday, June 19th, 2010

featuring knockout performances by:
Buzz Deluxe
and
Tennessee Voodoo Coupe
with special guests
The Hi-Tones (from London, ON)
and spinning red hot rockabilly platters
DJ Rockin’ Dave Faris and DJ Evilpainclown

$10 cover, doors 9 pm, showtime 10 pm
500 Queen St. E., (416) 368-6893
Sponsored by Mill St. Brewery

There’s a riot goin’ on at the Dominion on Queen on Saturday, June 19th, as the East End Rockabilly Riot returns to celebrate its second anniversary with a knockout triple-header! The 6th installment of the wildly popular rockabilly event will be headlined by hi-octane rock ‘n’ roll sensations Buzz Deluxe, joined on the bill by EERR host band Tennessee Voodoo Coupe, and in town from London, ON, The Hi-Tones. Keeping the joint jumpin’ between live acts will be EERR resident DJ Rockin’ Dave Faris and guest DJ Evilpainclown, spinning red hot rockabilly and ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll throughout the evening. EERR kicks it into overdrive for this special anniversary edition, so don’t miss the action!

Buzz Deluxe heat up the stage at EERR#3 (June 2009)

Headlining the second anniversary Riot are T.O. “hot rod death swing” combo Buzz Deluxe. Powered by the restless driving beats of standup drummer Kerry Dale, and the intense Gretsch twang of Jesse James Dale, Buzz Deluxe embrace the raw power of rock ‘n’ roll in its most direct form. Buzz Deluxe are 100% blood, sweat and rhythm, merging a variety of edgy roots influences, from rockabilly, surf and garage to gypsy swing, arriving at their own powerful sound. Since their last EERR appearance (the 1st anniversary show in June, ’09), Buzz Deluxe have successfully toured in the U.S. and Australia/New Zealand, released a smokin’ new album, Songs for the Hanged Man, and most recently have augmented their close-knit 2-piece guitar/drums/vocals lineup with the addition of bass player Patty Quake. Buzz Deluxe blew the roof off the Dominion at EERR#3 last June, so be prepared for a blast of road-tested and refined rauch ‘n’ roll.

Tennessee Voodoo Coupe host the East End Rockabilly Riot

Tennessee Voodoo Coupe are set to rock the joint with their “100 proof reckless hillbilly jive.” With special guest Alistair Christl on vocals and guitar (filling in for frontman Big Rude Jake), and Steve Good on doghouse bass, TVC round out their lineup with Colonel Gary Edwards on a standup drum setup, and Stevie “Six String” Abrams on the twangy Gretsch guitar. With this classic rockabilly arrangement, TVC tackle a mix of early rockabilly, country, and ’40s jump blues, along with some originals and a few unexpected surprises. TVC launched the EERR in 2008, and are the host band of the series. Joining the Riot for the first time are London, Ontario-based combo The Hi-Tones. The Hi-Tones formed in late 2007 as Duke Sedan and the Hi-Tones, gaining success with their amped-up rockabilly sound. When Duke Sedan moved on, the group reshuffled their lineup and incorporated more swing material into their set, resulting in the current sensational jumpin’ and jivin’ sound of The Hi-Tones. The night is guaranteed to kick off on a high note!

DJ Rockin’ Dave Faris and DJ Evilpainclown will be spinning revved-up rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll tunes to set the stage for the live action. Rockin’ Dave Faris hosted his monthly “Rock and Roll Riot” night at The Cameron House for over 7 years, and he is the resident DJ at the “East End Rockabilly Riot” nights. DJ Evilpainclown (aka DJ Johnny for you veterans of the scene!) has been stirring up trouble behind the turntables for a number of years, and was a DJ and live music promoter as part of John and Jenny’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Party for almost a decade. Expect some floor stompin’ rockabilly boogie and hillbilly rock all night long!

The East End Rockabilly Riot was launched in June of 2008, in an effort to create a unique event in a historic venue east of the great dividing line of Yonge St., showcasing rockabilly and vintage rock ‘n’ roll (with a nod to related sounds such as hillbilly, country, psychobilly, and instrumental twang). In a brief two years, EERR has already established itself as one of Toronto’s top rockabilly events, hosting top-notch acts such as Three Blue Teardrops, The Royal Crowns, Lori Yates, The Greasemarks, Burnin’ Ethyl, and Ancient Chinese Secret. Following the successful East End Rockabilly Weekend in September of 2009, EERR continues in high gear for 2010, and the second anniversary show is primed to be a memorable night of loud, fast, out of control rock ‘n’ roll. This is no nostalgia trip, it’s a vital injection of the music here and now, while channeling the excitement and energy found in the music’s infancy.

For more information, contact: eastendrockabillyriot@gmail.com

www.myspace.com/eastendrockabillyriot
www.buzzdeluxe.com
www.myspace.com/tennesseevoodoo
www.myspace.com/rockabillyball
www.myspace.com/djdavidfaris
www.dominiononqueen.com
www.millstreetbrewery.com

DJ David Faris now on MySpace

I recently started up a MySpace site for my DJ activities, so I wanted to post the link here for any readers of The Mysterious Vault that might be interested.

You can find my DJ site at: www.myspace.com/djdavidfaris

I've been posting information on my DJ nights, and some playlists, on the blog over the past few years, and I may or may not continue to do so. The MySpace page will be updated regularly with all my upcoming DJ nights and playlists, so drop by and say hi!

In related news, The Cameron House will be changing ownership this spring, so it looks like my monthly DJ night, Rock and Roll Riot, will be coming to an end. It's been a great 7+ years spinning at the Cameron, one of Toronto's best venues, and I'll definitely miss it. Thanks to everyone who has come out to my night, and to the great staff at the Cameron. It is the end of an era in more ways than one. I will post information on the final Rock and Roll Riot night if I can book one before the venue closes.

Surf and Turf 2 – January 22nd at the Cadillac Lounge

Following in the footsteps of 2009, my first DJ set of 2010 will be at The Cadillac Lounge, as part of the second Surf and Turf night. Surf and Turf was launched in January, 2009, as an effort to present some great surf and rockabilly music on one bill, and it was a blast (see my Jan. 25, '09 post with some photos from the event). This year will feature a similar approach, one surf band, one rockabilly band, and myself as the resident DJ. Tennessee Voodoo Coupe provide the hopped-up rockabilly set, and local instrumental hotshots The Calrizians will deliver the sizzling surf sounds to kick off the night (see my Dec. 14, '08 post on The Calrizians). Hope to see you there! Here is the press release with all the details:

Surf and Turf 2
The second annual surf and rockabilly rumble!
Live at The Cadillac Lounge
Friday, January 22nd, 2010

featuring performances by:
Tennessee Voodoo Coupe
and The Calrizians
with DJ “Surfin” Dave Faris

$10 cover, doors 9 pm, showtime 10 pm
1296 Queen St. W.
For more information, contact: bluemercurycoupe@yahoo.com

Rev up your engines, wax your surfboards, and make The Cadillac Lounge your destination on Friday, January 22nd, for Surf and Turf 2, the first hot ticket of 2010! Returning for a second lively installment, Surf and Turf is a raucous surf and rockabilly showdown, bringing together top-notch live entertainment along with a well-stocked DJ for an evening of musical thrills. Hosted by Toronto’s Tennessee Voodoo Coupe, Surf and Turf 2 welcomes contenders The Calrizians, offering up the instrumental portion of the evening. DJ “Surfin” Dave Faris rounds out the bill, spinning wild rockabilly and wave-riding surf tunes throughout the night.

Tennesee Voodoo Coupe live at the first Surf and Turf, January, 2009

Tennessee Voodoo Coupe are an offshoot of Toronto’s garage punk rockers Blue Mercury Coupe, although they have been making a name for themselves with their “100 proof reckless hillbilly jive.” With BMC’s Big Rude Jake on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, and Steve Good on the doghouse bass, TVC round out their lineup with Stevie “Six String” Abrams on the twangy Gretsch guitar, and Colonel Gary Edwards on a minimal standup drum setup. With this classic rockabilly arrangement, TVC tackle a broad mix of music, leaning heavily on early rockabilly, country, and some ’40s jump blues, along with some originals and a few unexpected surprises. TVC have been rocking stages across town for a couple of years, and in 2008 launched the East End Rockabilly Riot series at The Dominion on Queen, most recently expanded to a successful weekend event in September, 2009.

The Calrizians onstage at The Cadillac Lounge, June, 2009

The Calrizians are a Toronto-based instrumental trio, one of the top names on the local surf scene. Featuring the formidable talents of Ben Jewer on death-defying guitar, deft bass wrangler Oscar Laguan, and Jason Sproule pounding out the surf beat, The Calrizians are a force to be reckoned with. Cutting a stylish figure onstage, the group have an impressive repertoire, covering a wide range of classic instrumental rock and surf material and offering up some unexpected surprises throughout their set. The group are regulars at venues around town, such as The Dakota Tavern and The Cadillac Lounge, and were participants in the annual Great Lakes Surf Battle surf music festival in June, 2009.

DJ “Surfin” Dave Faris joins the excitement, spinning red hot rockabilly and surf tunes to set the stage for the live action. Faris has hosted his monthly Rock and Roll Riot night at The Cameron House for 7 years, spinning a wide variety of music from rockabilly to punk, garage, surf, country, blues and much more. In recent years he has spun at BMC/TVC’s Greezefest and Surf and Turf events, John and Jenny’s 2008 Rock’n It Up III rockabilly weekend, and he is the resident DJ at the East End Rockabilly Riot nights. Expect some sizzling surf and rockabilly boogie all night long!

www.myspace.com/bluemercurycoupe
www.myspace.com/thecalrizians
www.myspace.com/djdavidfaris
www.cadillaclounge.com