While many wring their hands in despair at the state of Shwarawk and the closing of some key clubs recently, our friends across the townline in the Whitbeat seem to be managing quite well.
There are some genuine superstars with roots in the Town of the Marigold. Protest The Hero and K-Os are two best-selling artists. The Mark Inside may be next on that list. They're are poised for that "overnight" success that actually entails 10 years of hard graft.
The band, which grew up in the Durham scene that also spawned Anagram, Another Blue Door, Carnations, Cuff The Duke, Diableros, Postage Stamps, Proof Of Ghosts and Small Sins, has spent a good part of this year in England recording with Arctic Monkeys producer Jim Abbiss at his home studio. The band may be the first signing to his marquee label Metal Box. Abbiss has also worked with Kasabian, Ladytron and the Editors.
One can hear why Abbiss was interested in the MI, their danceable garage sound is kissing cousin to the nu-rave of the Klaxons and Crystal Castles. They have the modern rage of the Who and the Jam and front man Chris Levoir is every bit the thrashing rawkstar, equal parts Morrison, Curtis, Bowie and Pop.
The Mark Inside will play the Shwaltz fundraiser on Saturday. This will be this area's first taste of the new post-Carnaby Street M.I. Also on the bill is Dave Schoonderbech of Thee Diet Pillz. The Robots and The Side Project are advertised but had to drop out.
Another Whitbeat kat, Niki Andre will be making a special guest appearance at the FitzAllsorts this evening at JP Fitzpatricks. Her soulful singing and spoken word raps are a welcome addition to the lineup that includes Sean MacLean of the Champion Heartache, the Hokum Runners and the Robots.
The lack of rawk halls in Whitby as noted by Protest The Hero means many of the town's buzz acts make a beeline for Hogtown asap. Their proximity to the business can speed up the process of getting signed or finding a regular night gig. Niki too has headed West but has begun taking note of what is East of the city. This is a rare gig for her but, if all goes well, we may see her around more often which I think will be wonderful.
William McGuirk is a freelance writer and longtime Oshawa resident. He can be contacted at wmacg@yahoo.com.
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