Platinum Blonde. All photos by Amber Grooms.
By: Amber Grooms, Reporter
Whether you’ve been rocking out for one decade or four, the Grizfest Music Festival was the place to be this past long weekend.
Celebrating its tenth year, Grizfest kicked off celebrations last Friday (July 29) with a free Battle of the Bands show held behind Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. The vocalist competition winner and Battle of the Bands winner were then asked to open for the rest of the Canadian performers on the weekend.
Along the right hand side of the high school field vendors crowded side-by-side offering everything from jewelry to food to clothing and even henna tattoos. Even a train the size of a small car toured kids around the Grizfest grounds. Tim Horton’s coffee and hot chocolate were a favourite as it got later and colder into the night.
Also happening all weekend, Ridge Rotors flew 76 people down the Murray River to Quantum Falls and back again for a minimal fee of $75.
Saturday morning locals and visitors to Tumbler Ridge were treated to a parade featuring local businesses and groups. First prize went to the Tumbler Ridge Community Garden and Composting Society, with a float set up by Joanne Liebelt and well-groomed and decorated horses courtesy of Gary Doonan and friends.
Second prize went to the Tumbler Ridge Public Library Summer Reading Club. The parade toured around the centre of town, beginning and ending at the Royal Canadian Legion.
In the afternoon, Sharon and Bram entertained the younger crowd. Hailing from Toronto, the two are especially well known for their song “Skinnamarink” and their life-sized elephant accompaniment.
Kim Mitchell and These Kids Wear Crowns were next up. Appealing to any age group, Mitchell played his classic rock songs while These Kids Wear Crowns bounced around stage to their version of Whitney Houston’s 1987 hit “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”
These Kids Wear Crowns came together as a power-pop group out of Chilliwack, British Columbia. Lead vocalist Alexander Johnson said that even though they’re from this beautiful province, Grizfest is only their second concert performance here.
Despite the weather being anything but beautiful, Tumbler Ridge gave a warm welcome to rock-veterans April Wine. With 63-year-old Myles Goodwyn rocking a Fender, Brian Greenway on a Stratocaster, and 2011 newcomer Richard Lanthier on the Guild bass, their performance was as tight and precise as it was in their heyday.
People of all ages could be seen cheering, whistling, clapping and screaming for these rockers who have been around for the past 40 years.
As hard as it seemed to beat April Wine’s performance, Platinum Blonde managed to get the crowd just as fired up. Also from Toronto, they brought the 1980s back to Tumbler Ridge – but the only the good stuff.
Even without their glam-rock appearance and pastel coloured clothes, they still managed to pack the front of the stage with hundreds of Grizfest attendees while they played their classic new wave music. Gravity-defying blonde hair, flashing stage lights and the glam-rock attitude are obviously here to stay for the band.
Battle of the Bands winner What the Moon Brings started the festivities Sunday morning bringing a shinning sun and warm weather with them.
As with Saturday morning, the younger crowd was entertained by the likes of Safari Jeff. Living Wild with Safari Jeff educates and entertains children by using real reptiles for up close encounters. He uses frogs, lizards, snakes and even giant tortoises and featured a few of the animals in the Grizfest parade that took place Saturday morning.
The McKillip sisters, also known as the band One More Girl, performed songs from their 2008 debut album Big Sky. Songs like “I Can Love Anyone” and “Misery Loves Company” put a country charge in the air.
Kenny Shields and the Streetheart took us rock and rolling back to the 1980s once again. After going through several different band members over the years, they definitely found the right fit and play, not for a pay cheque, but to seriously entertain the audience.
The next two bands – in no other words – wrapped up the weekend perfectly.
fefe Dobson, singer song-writer from Scarborough, Ontario, didn’t disappoint all those who were ready to rock – and hard – with this Canadian female. Her energy on stage could hardly be duplicated but the fans managed to keep up, singing along with songs like “Stuttering,” “Ghost,” and “Take Me Away.”
Shortly after 9 p.m., all of Tumbler Ridge could probably hear the chanting of the crowd, getting anxious to see the last band of the weekend, Down With Webster.
Having to cut the show early because of previous commitments, Down With Webster still managed to pull people away from whatever they were doing – eating, drinking and the like – and pulled them up to the concert tent.
This six-piece progressive rock band managed to pull in the biggest crowd all weekend, and it’s not hard to see why. With catchy upbeat songs you can’t help but sing along to, Cameron Hunter and Martin Seja rapped to the crowd – not at. Patrick Gillett can play a mean riff on his guitar while singing, and this is something the audience can respect and appreciate.
If a rap group can make a popular cover of the Hall and Oats song “Rich Girl,” it’s something you don’t want to miss.
Down With Webster played all their most addictive songs, including “Whoa is Me” and “She’s Dope,” even playing songs from their not-yet-released album,
Time to Win, Vol. 2.
All-in-all, the crowd – and bands – seemed to have enjoyed another successful Grizfest Music Festival in Tumbler Ridge, and many will probably be back next year for the food, fun and entertainment.
April Wine's new bassist, Richard Lathier.
