Another explosive production graced the famed Toronto live music hot spot as the Rockpile showcased the originating voice of AC/DC. Finely calibrated local talent set the tone for the magical evening allowing Hells Bells Canada to set the stage ablaze, where I got to capture a fan-favorite moment as frontman Jamie Bath sang and played bagpipes to It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock and Roll), congratulations HBC on your monumental 25th anniversary. I was truly spellbound by the legendary 1st voice of AC/DC, Dave Evans, as he victoriously fueled the up-close and personal performance which featured 3/4 of the members of Canada's longest-running AC/DC Tribute-Hells Bells Canada with Chris Tomchak on lead guitar, Sean Taylor on rhythm guitar, drummer Franklin Wyles and 2nd bassist Mark Smalczewski. Ripping right into the 1st 2 debuts AC/DC songs ever recorded with Dave Evans back in 74' Can I Sit Next to You Girl and Rockin in the Parlour into Dave Evans's invigorating originals Take Me Down Again, Sold My Soul to Rock N Roll and Rock n Roll or Bust, into Dave Evans/Barbed Wire’s Go Wild, with Evans favorite cover House of The Rising Sun into a blues-rock infused cover Baby Please Don't Go (by Joe Williams/Muddy Waters). The audience went crazy singing along with Evans and Hells Bells Canada to AC/DC staples TNT, Highway to Hell, Let There Be Rock, and the intoxicating ENCORE Whole Lotta Rosie. www.facebook.com/daveevansrocks Opening Hamilton's Studio Theatre show was non-other than Juno nominated Canadian heavy metal genius, Killer Dwarfs. Pumping us with their typically empowering set in a Hard Luck Town, telling us it Doesn't Matter and for us to Stand Tall and Keep The Spirit Alive while Drifting Back showing us their Dirty Weapons expressing a Union of pride as they were Coming Through for their impressive up close and intimate crowd, even engaging a toddler named Ruby who sported earphones while playing along with drum sticks in hand, so adorable even drummer Darrell Millar and guitarist Gerry Finn left their post during the set to mingle with their newest generation of fans. Just a great night of memories with new experiences which turned into a unique never-before-seen Killer Dwarf time capsule. They surely revved the sea of fans leaving us with a perma grin leading into the awe-inspiring headliner Darby Mills Project. FLYIN SOLO at 59 and a half, music veteran Darby Mills (former voice of Juno-nominated Canadian rock band the Headpins) continues to soar high well into her 4th decade on the music scene with her act the Darby Mills Project, touching down in Hamilton as part of 3 Ontario 2019 tour dates which included Guelph and Kingston) via Jasa Entertainment. The Queen of Scream is in phenomenal shape, and totally undaunted by the grueling tour dates back to back. One of the most recognizable vocals in Canada, Darby still possesses that raspy lyrical mezzo/contralto combination ramping from mid-low range to those beautifully strong and mighty powerful high notes reaching stratospheric proportions sporting both her traditional hard rock into some spicy blues-infused sounds with heavy rhythmic thrust! Darby put together a strong lineup of musicians who have worked their tails off for years and years featuring a new rhythm section with bassist Dave Hopia and drummer Chris Murray Driver who blended perfectly with guitarist Randy Gabel, and keyboardist Doug Rasmussen. As if it were YESTERYEAR with the pause button released taking you back in time. Her most compelling expression to date, is rich in complexity, tranquility, and sincerity, with cerebral melodies that sink into your brain. Conveying hit after hit from her FLYIN SOLO album, Darby dove into her finest with Want it; Run; Hot Water; Cry To Me; Monkey; Bad Bay Boy; Don't Stop Keepin' On, as well, Feel My Body from her LIVE album, Headpins vibrant hard rock classic hits Staying All Night; Just One More Time; Don't It Make You Feel, injecting a smooth cover version of Stories' Brother Louie and perfecting covers by 3 pioneering women in music history that she admires, who were instrumental in creating her voice like Janis Joplin's Piece of My Heart; Kiki Dee's I Got The Music In Me and Carol King’s song that Aretha Franklin made famous (You Make Me Feel Like a) ‘Natural Woman’ thus proving Darby is an extremely versatile performer that has different arrows within her quiver to work with. The crowd roared with anticipation for her return to the stage and she proudly accommodated nailing Head Pins Turn It Loud and the impressive version of Nazareth's Hair of The Dog to close out her one-of-a-kind showcase. What a majestic roller coaster ride! When music is your soul, your breath, and your life, there is no way anyone can stop you from following your heart’s passion, thanks for the music
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