Rock on The Rock
By Bobbie Smith 
Despite the solid roots of traditional music on The Rock, Newfoundlanders still know how to rock. For 22 years now, George Street -- arguably Canada's best party street -- has also become one of the coolest outdoor music festival venues.
For five to six days, leading up to the St. John's Regatta -- the oldest sporting event in North America -- rock 'n roll, traditional and other independent groups take to the concrete stage in an ongoing lineup where backstage is practically a huddle in front of the Fat Cat.
When George Street takes on this 'new' look, you can buy beer in the bars and go anywhere on the street and drink it. The feeling of freedom this set-up establishes is indescribable; throw in the most charismatic and hospitable people this side of the Atlantic and you've got a party station all the way down the street until all hours in the morning.
Unlike pyramid-style newspaper writing, most music shows and festivals aim to save the best for last. This peak night, Monday Aug.1, at the George Street Festival lived up to that unwritten code despite all the great music that opened for this mutiple Juno-winning rocker. Seasoned headliner Sam Roberts flooded the stage with his unique rock-solid sound to magnify a full night of local talent.
The people of St. John's are a pretty easy crowd to get going but even Roberts could see this sea of concert goers was with him for every beat. Amazingly, tons of fans' lips moved in time with Roberts on every line of lyrics, even the lesser-knowns. His band Dave Nugent (guitar), Eric Fares (guitar), James Hall (bass) and Corey Zadarozny (drums) leaned into the music supporting their hip frontman without overstating his starpower. They still manage to work as a team onstage, more like the Sam Roberts' Band, not Sam Roberts and a band, a common grove to fall into for individually-named groups.
Laying the groundwork for this stellar show was The Firewires, a gutsy, off-the-cuff, funky rock group led by gal-rocker Lindsay Barr (lead vocals, guitar), Phil Pennell (lead guitar), Dwayne Vey (bass guitar), Will Hapgood (percussion, drums) and Paul Lawlor (trumpet). With Barr at the front surrounded by this tight line-up of musicians, they will start shaking things up.
The Firewires have a couple of demos available for download on their website: www.thefirewires.net
Next were The Novaks, a team of rockers putting an old-new face on rock 'n roll: Mick Davis (vocals, guitar), Chuck Tucker (vocals, guitar), Mark Neary (vocals, bass) and Elliot Dicks (drums, shakers and tambourine). This bluesy-school-rock group kept the crowd roaring for more tunes, every one of them originals. Their sound is their own yet they strike a chord with fans, re-familiarizing listeners through hints from the past and bursting with excitement towards a definite musical future.
The Novaks' debut CD was released Aug.9th. www.thenovaksband.com
ISSN 1710-6788
Published by: be smith designs
Copyright © 2005 Bobbie Smith
