By Mike Beggs, Special to TorontoMoon.ca
\ PORT CREDIT-MISSISSAUGA \
It’s not presumptuous to suggest Freedom Train has taken the cover band to new heights.
Consider that this trio racked up 175 gigs in 2017, was voted No. 1 Musician/Band by readers of both the Hamilton Spectator and View magazine and played for a crowd of 40,000 at the Brantford Canada Day Festival on a bill with West Coast icons, 54-40.
Just ask the cult that crowds into Roc’n Doc’s, in Port Credit every Thursday, where the guys plug in for a night of bombast around 9 p.m.
Together for the past 29 years now, brothers Carl (lead vocals, bass) and Tim Jennings (drums, vocals), and lead guitarist “Big” Ed Mitchell have a vast 1,000-song repertoire, and some super-fans who follow them to virtually every stop on the GTHA circuit.
“We do seem to have a core group of fans that make our music a part of their entertainment regime, as much as they possibly can,” Carl muses, down the line from home in Steeltown. “It really is something. We’re really lucky.”
They resuscitate irresistible oldies like “Anything You Want You Got It”, “I Am Everyday People”, “Got My Mind Set On You:, and “Love Is The Drug” —not only raising them to new heights, but keeping the dance floor full. It’s the power, emotion —and often humour— Carl works into his vocals on difficult Rock gems (Procol Harum’s “Whiter Shade Of Pale”, Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir”), R&B standards (“When A Man Loves A Woman”, “Unchained Melody”), Country (Johnny Cash’s “Jackson”), and Funk (Prince’s “Be My Girl”), along with Tim’s fine drumming (on a two-piece kit!) and background vocals, and Ed’s reliably incendiary lead guitar work.
I just love the story of how the young Tim was plying his trade with ProgRock band Pegasus when Carl was then recruited for bass at age 14 (with legendary rock manager Jake Gold paying a visit to his parents, arranging for him to keep up his studies on the road).
The Jennings brothers then plied their original project, Speck Jennings, for many years, before forming Freedom Train in 1989. They hired the amiable Mitchell on the recommendation of a friend —without hearing him play a note! Meanwhile, at his long-running Westmoreland Studio, Carl has produced and engineered records for Dave Rave (including his new CD), “Daylight For Deadeyes” and “The Redhill Valleys” among others).
But do these three have an album of their own on the horizon?
“You know what? For our 30th anniversary, we’re probably going to record a CD of some of our favourite songs we play as Freedom Train and that we play our own way —and a couple of originals,” he adds.
Admission is free tonight in the club at 105 Lakeshore Rd. E. a little west of Hurontario St. (Highway 10) and within walking distance of the Port Credit GO station.
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SHOW LISTINGS for Thursday, July 12, 2021
For KEY to listings codes and schemata see note at end of shows list.
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ONLINE / ON AIR
9-10am> “The Bill King Show” with host Bill King & guests @ CIUT 89.5 FM ~Blues/Jazz
Noon-2> Blues on Rock Radio UK with Carolyn Fe
1> “Liquid Lunch” with Hugh Reilly @ www.thatchannel.com ~songwriter interviews & performances
8> Ken Wallis show with tracks and interviews @ www.bluesandrootsradio.com
10> “Under The Radar” with Stevie Connor @ www.BluesandRootsRadio.com
416 – TORONTO CENTRAL
Noon-1:30> The Command Sisters @ College Park Courtyard, 444 Yonge St. ~contemporary original; $0
Noon> Boldrioni/Brancati @ Midtown Toronto BIA stage, Yonge at Davisville TTC station ~Jazz; $0
12:30> Laii @ Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W.
12:30-1:30> Moscow Apartment @ David Pecault Square, 215 King St. W. ~contemporary original; $0
12:30-2> Graham Nicholas @ Barbara Hall Park, 519 Church St.; $0
6> Foo Fighters @ Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way ~contemporary original; $
5-7> Kandle @ Roy Thomson Hall (patio), 60 Simcoe St. ~contemporary original; $0
*5-9> open jam @ Steve’s Music, 415 Queen St. W.
6> Corin Raymond @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W. ~songwriter
6-8> Robert Scott @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. ~solo piano Jazz; $
6-8> Kevin Barrett & Susanna Macdonald @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St. ~Jazz; $10-20/pwyc
6:30> Kevin Quain @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~moody Blues; $
7-10> open mic @ Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St. E.
7-9> Eliana Cuevas @ St. James Park, 120 King St. E.
7> La Croiseée d’Antan @ Toronto Music Garden, 475 Queen’s Quay
7-8> La Croisee d’Antan @ Harbourfront Centre, 231 Queen’s Quay W. ~traditional Quebecois Roots; $0
7> New Design; Warpark; River Groves; Blem @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St. ~indie; $10
7> Gabriella and Matias @ Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, 518 St. Clair Ave. W. ~acoustic Pop covers & originals; $0
*7:30-9:30> Bluegrass Thursdays with Houndstooth @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave.
7:30> Escher Quartet @ Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor St. W.~Classical; $
7:30> Instanbul Trio @ Art Square Gallery & Café, 334 Dundas St. W. ~Turkish music; $35 (includes meal)
*8-12> Joe Bowden’s Nothin’ But The Blues @ N’awlin’s, 299 King St. W. ~Blues
8> open mic @ 1 Tonamara Smokers Lounge, 202 Spadina Ave.; $10/free for performers
8> Vaerisa; Stereo Division; Basement City; Ruby’s Kiss @ Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W. ~indie; $
8> Fin Furey @ B-side Lounge, 669 College St. ~Irish Roots/Rock
8> Benefit for educational access with Andres Sierra, Avery Florence, Dave Borins @ Revival, 783 College St. ~eclectic; $30
8> Anemone; Johnny De Courcy; Nikki Fierce; The Mooks @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W. ~Punk/Thrash; $
8> John Aaron Cockburn; Sean Dineley @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. ~songwriters; $
8> The Marwills (recording release for A Mother’s Worry) @ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W. ~indie; $
8:30> Abigail Lapell; Drama Queen Martyr @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E. ~contemporary original; $
9> Pat LePoidevin; Dog is Blue @ Cameron House (rear), 408 Queen St. W. ~indie; $
9> Tara Kannangara @ Poetry Jazz Café, 224 Augusta Ave. ~Jazz; $10
9> Side Hustle; Dinosaur Island; Weak Hands; Becca Howes @ Handlebar, 159 Augusta Ave. ~indie; $
9> Frankie & Jimmy (recording release for vinyl/cd); Killroy; The Jack Daniel Band @ Bovine Sex Club, 542 Queen St. W. ~indie; $
9-11:30> Rita De Ghent @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. ~Jazz; $
*9-1> Blackburn @ Jo Mamas, 317 King St. W. ~Blues
9> open mic with Brad Cooper @ Originals, 1660 Bayview Ave.
*9:30> jam with host band The Regulators @ College St. Bar, 574 College St.
9:30> Rich Perry with Kirk MacDonald @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $
*9:45> Stacey Kaniuk @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E. ~Jazz/Pop; $
10> The Moving Violations @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave. ~Blues-Rock; $0
10-2> Marc Joseph Band @ Grace O’Malley’s 14 Duncan St. ~Rock/Top 40 covers; $5
10-2> The Undercovers @ The Hideout, 423 College St. ~contemporary Rock
10> Collette Savard and The Savants @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave.
*10:30> Mike Barnes @ Pauper’s Pub, 539 Bloor St. W. ~acoustic Pop
10:30> The Responsables @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. ~Blues/R&B; $
416 – TORONTO EAST
7-9:30> John Wayne Swingtet featuring Abbey Sholzman on bass @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. ~Gypsy Swing Jazz; 0$
8-12> open mic with Amber Durette & Gary Edward Allen @ Legends, 774 Danforth Ave.
8-10> open mic (signup at 7:30) @ The Dock on Queen, 916 Queen St. E.
8> Justin Golan @ The Beach House, 1953 Queen St. E. ~Pop Jazz/requests; $0
8-10> Jazz open stage with Artie Roth & Steve Koven @ Sauce, 1376 Danforth Ave.
*8:30-10:30> The DelFis @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E.
9> Square Boys; Octorock @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave. ~videogame soundtracks live
*9:30> open jam with host Kar Wong @ Sportsters, 1430 Danforth Ave.
*10-2> karaoke with Shane Taylor @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave.
*10-1> open jam with host Michael Villamor @ Breakwall, 1910 Queen St. E.
416 - TORONTO ETOBICOKE
*4-6> Jacques Russell Trio featuring Michel Neray @ Tartistry, 1252 The Queensway ~acoustic Pop covers & originals
*6-10> Danny Mann @ @ The Irish Shebeen, 5555 Eglinton Ave. ~acoustic Pop covers & originals
6:30-8:30> James Victor @ Grappa Restaurant, 690 The Queensway ~acoustic Pop covers & originals
7-11> open mic @ Fair Grounds Café & Roastery, 3785 Lakeshore Blvd. W.
8> Kimberley Wetmore Band @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line ~Pop Rock/Blues
8:15> Engage The Threat; Acid Bash; Bloodless Child; Black9; Vinyl Ambushh @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W. ~Metal/Grunge/Hard-core; $
9:30> Bryan Tyrell @ The Old Sod, 2936 Bloor St. W. ~Pop
*10-2> Skip Tracer @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. ~Rock/Pop
416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH
7> Michael Massaro @ Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave. E. ~Jazz; $0
*8-12> jam with Copy Machine @ Muckish Irish Pub, 74 Hymus Ave.
9:30> The Two Fours @ Black Dog Pub, 87 Island Rd. ~Pop Rock
416 – TORONTO WEST
6> Astral Swans; Cindy Lee @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W. ~contemporary original; $10
7> Liniker e os Caramelows; Bruno Capinan @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. ~Brazilian; $33.50
7:30> Blue Standard @ Alchemy, 890 College St. ~Jazz/Blues; $
7:30-11> Spicy Music Jam @ Yauca’s Lounge, 755 Dovercourt Rd.
8> Daedelus; Holly; Wyle Cable; THOOK @ The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W. ~indie; $
*8-12> open mic @ Bloor Bar Café, 1050 Bloor St. W.
8> Healy; Elujay @ Drake Hotel Lounge, 1150 Queen St. W. ~contemporary original; $
8> Donna; Confessions @ Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W. ~indie; $?
*8> Jean Baptiste De Collier & Donn Dixon @ The Station, 2457 Bloor St. West ~acoustic Pop covers & originals
8:30> Alex Purcell; Evie Wilder @ T.O. Lounge, 1384 Queen St. W. ~songwriters
8:30> Twelfth Day (recording release for Cracks in the Room) @ Hugh’s Room Live, 2261 Dundas St. W. ~original Roots; $
9> Ed Vokura @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St. ~violin Jazz virtuoso; pwyc
9> The Lesters @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W. ~Roots-Rock; $
*9-12> open mic night with Anthony Abbatangeli @ DeSoto’s, 1079 St. Clair Ave. W.
*9-1:30> open stage with Jay Pennell @ Dave’s On St. Clair, 730 St. Clair West ~eclectic
9> Crystal Light Collective; Tigerwing; Soft Honey; Shaemara; Kosa & Kyara @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave. ~eclectic indie; $
9> Ali McCormick @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave. ~songwriter
9> Crimson Cay @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W.
9:30> The Media Jeweler; The Brain; Rogue Tenant; Slurry @ The Owls Club, 847 Dovercourt Rd. ~indie; $10
519
6> Dave Menard @ Strykerz Kitchen, 120 Ottawa St. N., Kitchener
*6> acoustic jam with Dave Pike @ TWB Co-operative Brewing, 300 Mill St., Kitchener
6> Jesse Parent; Lynn Jackson @ Lana’s Lounge, 220 King St. N., Waterloo ~acoustic Pop covers & originals
7> Carmen Spada @ Manhattan’s, 941 Gordon St., Guelph
*7-10> Lucas Stagg @ Argyle Arms, 210 King St. E., Cambridge ~Roots-Rock
*7-9> jam nite @ The Edge Wine Bar, 205467 County Rd. 109, Orangeville
*7:30-12> open mic with K.M. Smith @ Molly Bloom’s Guelph, 91 Wyndham St. N., Guelph
7:30-10> jam night @ RCL #126 Preston Legion, 334 Westminster Dr. N., Cambridge
*8:30> acoustic jam hosted by Mike Meacher & Vic Freitas @ Kiwi Gastropub, 47 Dickson St., Cambridge
*8:30-12:30> acoustic jam with Dennis Napper & Joe Lopez @ Fiddle & Firkin, 707 King St. E., Cambridge
9> Steinbecks; BUCKnife @ Dstrct, 10 Wyndham St., N., Guelph ~indie; $
9> jam with Miss Jaye Baxter Band @ Black Wolf Smokehouse, 139 Broadway Ave., Orangeville
9:30> Jeff Holdridge @ McCabe’s Irish Pub, 9 Wyndham St. N., Guelph ~acoustic Pop covers & originals
9:30> Mackenzi Meyer @ The Stampede Ranch, 226 Woodlawn Rd. W., Guelph ~Country
*10-2> Mike Something @ Royal Electric, 52 Macdonell St., Guelph ~acoustic Pop
705
*7:30> Rob Phillips Jazz/Blues Trio and Marsala Lukianchuk @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough
7:30> Steven K Henry Band @ Harbour Street Fish Bar, 10 Keith Ave., Collingwood ~Blues; $5
8> Texas King @ Foxx Lounge, 16 Dunlop Street East, Barrie
*8> The Quickshifters @ Hot Belly Mama’s, 378 George St., Peterborough ~pwyc
9-1> Shawn Steinhart @ Donaleigh’s Irish Public House, 28 Dunlop St. E., Barrie
9> Mimi O’Bonsawin @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough ~songwriter
*10> Tony Silvestri @ McThirsty’s Pint, 166 Charlotte St., Peterborough
10> open mic with Gerald Vanhalteren @ The Coach & Horses, 16 York St., Lindsay
905 EAST
*5-8> Nelson Denis @ Frank’s Pasta, 42 King Street E., Cobourg ~eclectic mix (Folk, Jazz, soft Rock, Latin)
*6-10> Sticks & Tones @ Fionn MacCool’s Oshawa, 214 Ritson Rd., Oshawa ~Rock/Top 40 covers
*7> open mic with Colin Campbell @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa
7-10> open mic @ Cocoa & Joe Café, 44 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa
*7-10> eclectic open mic with host Kristen Hare @ The Birch Bistro, 84 King St. W., Bowmanville
*8-11> Rocky Dean Records’ open mic with hosts Brian Pisani & Matt Meraw @ Manantler Craft Brewing Co., 182 Wellington St., Bowmanville
*8-11> open mic night @ George & Orange Taproom, 67 Orange St., Cobourg
8:30> Mellow Dee @ Rum Diaries, 368 Bayly St. W., Ajax ~soft groove Pop/R&B
*?> jam with Darren Smith & Shayne Thomas @ The Corner Pocket, 45 Prince St., Oshawa
*9-12> open jam night @ Brooklin Pub, 15 Baldwin St., Whitby,
*9-2> open mic with Rich With Sin @ Gravity Lounge, 45 Prince St., Oshawa
*9-1> open jam with host Courtney Bowles @ Down Omer, 522 Ritson Rd., Oshawa
9> Deuce @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~acoustic Pop covers & originals duo
*9:30> jam with hosts Dan Walek & Steve Madden Band @ Harp & Crown, 300 Kingston Rd., Pickering
9:30> Live Bullet @ The Edge, 250 Bayly St. W., Ajax ~tribute to Bob Seger; $
*10> Karaoke with Rob MacArthur @ St. Louis Ajax, 11 Harwood Ave., Ajax
905 NORTH-EAST
*6-10> Sol de Cuba @ London Pub, 9724 Yonge St., Richmond Hill ~Latin
*7-10> acoustic open mic/showcase with Steffi Postol Goodfield @ La Siciliana Gelato, 10255 Yonge St., Richmond Hill
*7-10> Dino Stakos @ Father’s Moustache Grill, 15570 Yonge St., Aurora ~acoustic Pop covers & originals
7-9> Keep The Faith @ Newmarket Riverwalk Common, 200 Doug Duncan Dr., Newmarket ~tribute to Bon Jovi; $0
7-10> open mic jam with house band Mr. Mad Trio @ Lake Simcoe Arms, 21089 Dalton Rd., Jacksons Point
*8> open mic with host Kevin Kerr @ The Duchess of Markham, 53 Main St. N., Markham
*8-11> Jam with Jayme Lynn Reed @ Offsides Sports Bar, 200 Simcoe Ave., Keswick
905 NORTH-WEST
*6:30-10:30> jam with Faces for Radio @ Coasters, 55 Rutherford Rd. S., Brampton
7> Steve Royall @ Uncorked On Main, 72 Main St. S., Georgetown ~acoustic Pop covers & originals
*7> The Hannah Brothers @ The Cellar, 78 Main St. S., Georgetown ~Jazz guitar
*7:30-11:30> jam with house band @ 52nd St. Tap & Grill, 30 Kennedy Rd., S., Brampton
9> open mic (signup starts at 8:30) @ The Barrel, 2180 Steeles Ave. W. Vaughan
*9> open mic with The Almost Cool Band @ St. George Pub, 7 Main St. N., Georgetown
*10:30> jam with Gary White & Friends @ Bryden’s, 270 Main St. E., Milton
905 SOUTH
Noon-2> Big Rude Jake @ Jackson Square, Hamilton, 2 King St. W. ~original Blues; $0
Noon-2> Take Cover @ Gore Park, King St. E. at John St. S., Hamilton
7> Rae Billings @ Mississippi Queen Foods, 635 King St. E., Hamilton ~Blues/R&B
7:30-10> Brott Music Festival presents “Pop Opera” @ FirstOntario Concert Hall, 10 MacNab St. S., Hamilton ~musical theatere; $
*7:30> open mic @ Station 1 Coffee House, 28 Main St. E., Grimsby
*8-1> Sterlin Colvin, Bruce Tournay & Loralee McGuirl @ 33 Bowen, 33 Bowen St., Hamilton ~dueling pianos
*8-10> Josh Coulter @ Judge and Jester, 17 Main St. E., Grimsby
8:30> Chris Chambers @ Lou Dawg’s Hamilton, 116 George St., Hamilton
9> Buck Gooter; Pucumber; Reaches; Human Nun @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton ~indie; $
9> open jam with Tim Ninehouse and Mr. Jay @ George Hamilton Restaurant, 152 King St. W., Hamilton,
*9> open mic night with rotating hosts @ Coach & Lantern, 384 Wilson St E., Ancaster
9:30> The Dunlop Brothers @ Cat N Fiddle Hamilton, 174 John St., S., Hamilton
10> Mark Gunn @ The Pheasant Plucker, 20 Augusta St., Hamilton ~acoustic Pop covers & originals
905 WEST
*7> Fraser/Daley @ Anchor Bar Burlington, 2000 Appleby Line, Burlington ~original Rootsy Blues
*7> Dos Guapos (Killin’ Time Band) @ Maracaz, 386 John St., Burlington ~Rock/Top 40 covers
7> Rob Reed@ Max Resto Lounge, 2180 Itabashi Way, Burlington
*7-11> jam with James Anthony Band @ 5 West Brewpub, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington
8> Mike Ferfolia & Friends @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit-Mississauga ~Rock/Top 40 covers & originals
8> Kent MacMillan @ Bronte Sports Kitchen, 2544 Speers Rd., Oakville
8> The Flamborough Boys @ Black Swan Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington
*8-12> jam hosted by The Personics @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington
*8> Celtic Night @ Fionn MacCool’s Burlington, 2331 Appleby Line
9-1> Freedom Train @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit-Mississauga ~Rock/Pop
*9:30> jam with Jack B Nimble @ Abbey Road Pub, 3200 Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga
9:30> Chris Partland @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga ~Pop Rock
LISTINGS KEY
Listings are organized by area in which the shows occur and within each area field shows are listed chronologically.
Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. (Double asterisk indicates repeating event with different hosts/guest/etc.). Events preceded by question mark (?) usually take place but have not been confirmed. Admission prices followed by a slash and minus (/-) after the amount indicates door charge with availability of cheaper rates for some purchaser (eg. seniors, students, members, etc.) /+ indicates stated price is minimum.
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