An Early Scene - Part 2

 

An Early Scene Part 1

     Rusland's Hall [later became Club 1-2-3] was a popular dance spot that would have the occasional live hard rock show.  I was very young during those Rusland's days.  I wasn't old enough to get into Joker's Niteclub or couldn't drive to Toronto and go see metal / hardcore shows at Larry's Hideaway.  These local all age Peterborough events were my only access to live music.  At the time I really looked up to everyone in that scene like they were these huge rock stars, never realizing until much later everyone involved were all just young kids themselves.

Virgin Angel; Rusland's Hall, 1984/06/08; Credit: Richard Hanes

Virgin Angel

     By the mid 1980's a young band out of Kenner called Virgin Angel appeared on the local scene.  The band members included: Derrick Foley (bass); Kirk Berardi; Dale Kennedy (guitar) and Jamie Berardi.  Virgin Angel played at Rusland's Hall June, 1984.  That was the summer before I started high school.  They mostly did metal and hard rock covers.  Virgin Angel was a project that Dale Kennedy was working on while vocalist Rick Nisbett from his previous band Tyrant was off visiting England.

Kirk Berardi [Virgin Angel]

     "...Yeah, Sabbath, Priest, Van Halen and so on...  Too bad things didn't work out, I loved that band..."  Internet Post, 2014/06/24.

Dale Kennedy [Tryant / Virgin Angel]

     "...Virgin Angel was the first metal band in Peterborough, followed by Bloody Mary and Shylok..."  Correspondence, 2021/05/01.

Bloody Mary

     Bloody Mary was another young local metal band.  If you are old enough to remember watching Bloody Mary play 'The Battle of the Bands' at Crary Park in the summer of 1984, then you can say that you saw a pre- Kid Wikkid / Skid Row Sebastian Bierk perform one of his earliest shows.  Bloody Mary were: Jason Shibley [Jay Blake] (guitar); Chris Vander Schaaf (guitar); Mark McPhail (bass) and George Anagnostu (drums) with Sebastian Bierk on vocals.

Bloody Mary - 1984 'Battle of the Bands'; Credit: Derek Dodds

     Bloody Mary played 'The Battle of the Bands' at Crary Park in the summer of 1984 and won first place.  An audio recording of the band performing Great White 's 'Out of the Night' and Judas Priest 's 'Hell Bent For Leather' exist.  I believe either Dave Brown or Derek Dodds have the original copy.  A video and photographs of a performance at 'The Hastings Howl' are also rumored to exist.

Sebastian Bach [Bloody Mary / Kid Wikkid]

     "...The memories here [Peterborough, Ontario] are limitless.  Just drove into town past the stage in Crary Park where I won the battle of the bands with my band Bloody Mary..."  Internet Post, 2018/11/17.

George Anagnostou [Bloody Mary]

     "...the year we kicked Strobic Ass..."  Internet Post, 2014/10/10.

     Note: I should mention here that back in the late 1970s and early 1980s the tradition of 'The Battle of the Bands' seemed to be more prevalent than it is today.  Often something that local high school's would encourage and present in their gym or auditorium.

Strobic Axe, 1979 PCVS 'Battle Of The Bands'

     Rural music halls and pavilions like 'The Pines' in Bridgenorth or 'The Hastings Howl' [mentioned previously] arose out of the cottage tourist industry of the 1950s and 1960s.  One last family weekend dance before the Toronto folks would drive back to the city.  Over the years these dances had turned into drunken brawls with hard rock bands performing as background accompaniment.  At the end of their run the locations became perfect spots for younger metal bands to perform at.

Mark McPhail [Bloody Mary]

     "...[Jason Wilfrid] Shibley; [Chris] Vander Schaaft and I all went to Kenner and used to Jam in the little out buildings by the old race track on Lansdowne.  Jay Poser used to drum for a while, then Derek Dodds or Dave Brown introduced us to George 'The Greek' [Anagnostou] and Sebastian [Bierk].  We started rehearsing at the Music warehouse off Romaine.  A lot of bands were there like Streettalk, Blusing Brides I think.  We pulled together a set list for the Crary Park 'Battle of the Bands' because it was sponsored by Sebastian's Dad and Artspace..."  Correspondence, 2021/10/02.

Jay Poyser [Bloody Mary]

     "...Yes I do remember!  Hell bent!!  The loudness coming from Crary Park in those days was awesome..."  Internet Post, 2013/01/13

Bobby Marino [Tyrant]

     "...Sebastian even sounded great at that age too.  I remember the band somewhat, but I don't remember this gig..."  Internet Post, 2013/01/13

Doug Gardner

     "...I was there!..."  Internet Post, 2013/01/22

     The Peterborough bands during this period seem to somewhat overlap with each other so I hope I have things in the right order.  Rick Nisbett [Tyrant / Stryder] and Sebastian Bierk [Bloody Mary] would later both move to Toronto with dreams of becoming big rock stars.

Rick Nisbett [Tyrant / Stryder]

     "...I also seem to recall the last version of Tyrant had one or two members of Stryder in it.  I think we had Dean Bond (drums) and Derrick Foley (bass).  We never never played live and that's when I decided to call it quits and went to Europe.  I came back to Canada [from London] about 9 or 10 months later and that's when I was contacted by Sebastian and urged to move up to Toronto where he was..."  Correspondence, 2021/10/04.

     While in Toronto Rick Nisbet [Ricky Blade] and Dale [Dirty Dale] Kennedy [Tryant / Virgin Angel] would form a Toronto glam metal act called Daggers n Dolls together playing covers by bands like Faster Pussycat and Kiss.  Sebastian would perform in Herrenvolk / Kid Wikkid as mentioned in previous writings.

Rick Nisbett [Tyrant / Stryder]

     "...the [Daggers n Dolls] guitar player kept showing up without an amplifier so I fired him and called Dale [Kennedy]..."  Correspondence, 2021/09/26.

Sebastian Bierk [Kid Wikkid] with Dale Kenney [Virgin Angel / Daggers n Dolls]; Photo: Ron Boudreau; Credit: Harper Collins

Rick Nisbett [Tyrant / Stryder]

     "...Our days in Peterborough when we were 15, 16 and 17 were not a whole lot different than when we were in Toronto.  A lot of debauchery, heavy field parties and lots of girls.  Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Rainbow, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Kiss were all part of the soundtrack of the mid 70s to mid 80s.  Heavy metal at it's best..."  Correspondence, 2021/09/26.

Lans Nahrgang [Ripper]

     "...I sang for Bloody Mary after Sebastian moved to Toronto and joined V05.  We jammed in my basement on Hillard Street..."  Correspondence, 2021/04/17.

Ripper

     I'm about 95 percent sure that I was at that previous June, 1984 Virgin Angel show.  I vaguely recall them playing some Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin songs.  One of the earliest metal shows that I can definitely remember seeing in Peterborough at Rusland's Hall was two local bands Ripper and Shylock.

     I knew Ripper 's vocalist Lans Nahrgang previously from my days at Lady Eaton public school in Omemee.  Lans was a few grades older than myself, however I can still remember that he would wear rectangular new wave glasses and rock out to Devo at recess.

     A new wave character called Johnny 'Slash' Ulasewicz [played by Merritt Butrick] on the 1982-83 'Square Pegs' television sit-com that was very popular at the time.

Ripper - June, 1985, Rusland's Hall; Credit: Lans Nahrgang

     There were a few different versions of Ripper.  The final one being: Las Nahrgang (vocals); Kevin Clark (bass); Rob McIlwain (guitar) and Matt McIlmoyle (drums).  I remember the band being mostly a metal cover band that totally loved Judas Priest.  Other members included: Jason Shibley [Bloody Mary]; Chris Vandershaft; Andy Koshowski [Shylok / I Mother Earth] and Paul Heath.

Ripper; Credit: Lans Nahrgang

Lans Nahrgang [Ripper]

     "...Andy Koshowski [Shylok] did a gig with Ripper.  I think only once..., Jason Shibley [Bloody Mary] and Paul Heath were the original guitar players for Ripper..."  Correspondence, 2021/04/17.

Ripper; Andrew Koshowski [I Mother Earth]; Credit: Lans Nahrgang

Mike Heffernan

     "...The singer in the band Ripper was like 6 foot 6, looked like Joey Ramone with elevator shoes..."  Correspondence, 2021/04/03.

Lans Nahrgang [Ripper / Mama's Worry]; Credit: Crestwood Yearbook

     I recall Ripper staying together for a while in the 1980s.  During my high school years I would go and see them play at the old Morrow Park Lounge 'The Teen Centre' on the corner of Park and Lansdowne.

Ripper; Morrow Park Lounge, Jan 1985: Credit: Lans Nahrgang

     In the early 1990s Ripper vocalist Lans Nahrgang and guitarist Rob McIlwain would go on form a band called Mama's Worry with John Miller on bass and another guy named Gord?

Shylok

     Seeing Shylok only the week previous open up for Sebastian's glam metal band Kid Wikkid had everyone in town very excited to do it all over again.  We were all addicted and just couldn't get enough live metal.

Shylok / Ripper; Ruslands, 1985/06/14: Credit: Stephen Mills

     Shylok were: Rob Syvret (vocals); Stephen Mills (bass) [later Death Militia]; Nolan Dewdney (guitar); Andrew Koshowski (guitar); Christian Koshowski (drums) [aka: Christian & Jagori Tanna [later I Mother Earth].

Al Pammett

     "...I do remember going to some concert with you downtown Peterborough at the Orange Hall [Rusland's] on Brock Street..."  Correspondence, 2021/04/04.

Stephen Mills [Shylok / Death Militia]

     "...Shylok was my second band ever, after Aggravated Assault.  [The first band] Aggravated Assault was me on bass; Paul McNaney - R.I.P. (vocals); Mark DeBoer (guitar) and I think Martin Pell on drums..."  Correspondence, 2022/06/09.

Marty Menard

     "...I was at that Shylok / Ripper show at Orange Hall..."  Correspondence, 2021/05/17.

Shylok - Stephen Mills (bass); Credit: Stephen Mills

Shylok - Stephen Mills (bass); Credit: Stephen Mills

Shylok - Stephen Mills (bass); Credit: Stephen Mills

Stepehn Mills [Shylok / Death Militia]

     "...Shylok only played two shows.  Two Saturdays in a row.  The first one was opening for Kid Wikkid at Artspace.  A week later we played that basement Orange Hall with Ripper opening.  I was so stoked, I ripped one of my bass strings off in the first song and had to use the Ripper bassist's bass for the rest of the show..."  Correspondence, 2021/04/27.

Shylok - Chris Koshowski (drums); Credit: Stephen Mills

Shylok - Stephen Mills (bass); Andrew Koshowski (guitar); Credit: Stephen Mills

Jim Godby

     "...Shylok was a good band.  I still see Andy and Chris [Koshowski] on occasion.  Chris played drums and Andy lead guitar in Shylok..."  Correspondence, 2021/04/07.

     I had gone to other Rusland's shows previous to this night however this Shylok gig sticks out in my memories for being the one where so many people from all the different schools would meet for the first time.  This was a very well advertised event.  It seemed like everyone in town who like hard rock and heavy metal was there.

     In true music tradition the organizers made us wait outside for quite some time.  Us younger, newer kids on the scene were all impatiently wanting to get inside.  Screaming and yelling loudly we were trying to put on our best heavy metal pose for each other.  Inside we could hear the sound of the musicians warming up.  They were the generation who smoked hash listening to Kiss and Black Sabbath, while outside the hall we were the kids who spent weekends tripping on acid listening to Exodus and Slayer.  It was a crazy time as the doors opened and the two tribes merged.  I can still feel the energy of what evolved from that night.

Gary R. Hill [Oblivion]

     "...Front door got ripped off it's hinges.  ...the door was open and it got reefed on..."  Correspondence, 2021/04/06.

     It was at this Shylok / Ripper show where I would have first met Gary Hill.  A few months later I was introduced to his friend Mike Begin and I became the singer for their thrash metal band Oblivion.  Also standing outside waiting to get in was Robert Stanley [Sewage Shit].  At the time everyone called Gary 'Spaz' and Rob Stanley was introduced to me as just 'Morbid Shit'.  Rob and I would later go on to do one of the longest running shows on Trent Radio called 'The Mellow Contemporary Hour For Senior Citizens'.

Mike Begin and Gary Hill [Oblivion]; Robert Stanley; Credit: PCVS Yearbook, 1985-86

     For this event local metal head Ed Bos designed a wicked logo for Shylok and had made up a bunch of T-shirts.  High schools throughout town would be littered with them come the Monday after the show.  Ed Bos later went on to design the album cover for the trash metal release of the 1987 'Custom Killing' by the Guelph, Ontario band Razor.

Tom Ellis [wearing Ed Bos / Shylok T-shirt] ; Credit: Crestwood Yearbook

Scott Thompson [wearing Ed Bos / Shylok T-shirt]; Credit: Crestwood Yearbook

Tony Crosgrey [wearing Ed Bos / Shylok T-shirt]; Credit: Anthony Crosgrey

Razor artwork by Peterborough's Ed Bos

     Many thanks to everyone that helped brick together the bits and pieces of this history, and a big Cheers to all those that helped shape the Peterborough hard rock music scene before us younger folks came along.  You truly were inspirational and a hard act to follow.

 

Kid Gets Wikkid

     1985, June 8th. - Kid Wikkid / Shylock 

     I couldn't count how many times over the years I have heard: "...Oh you're from Peterborough, did you ever hang out with that guy from Skid Row ?..."

     The short answer is No!  However I'm not sure if it's at all possible to write about growing up a metalhead in Peterborough and NOT mention Sebastian Bierk.  So here it goes...

     Sebastian Bierk had left Peterborough sometime around 1983 / 1984.  Although I'm only a bit younger, this was before my time hanging out downtown.  By this time his dad had allowed him to go and move in with his aunt in Toronto while he lived out his dream of singing in a band.

     At a very young age, he auditioned for the older members of the Toronto band Herrenvolk and he got the gig.  Before he knew it, he would soon be playing Larry's Hideaway underage.  'The club owner couldn't tell how old he was because of all the makeup that he wore'.

Herrenvolk, Photo: Mike Zimmerman; Credit: Sabastian Bach, Twitter.

     Sebastian Bach [Herrenvolk / Kid Wikkid]

     "...I was six foot seven with my hair teased to the roof, and had on more makeup than Tammy Faye Baker.  So nobody was the wiser...".  - '18 And Life On Skid Row, Harper Collins'

     After seeing some Toronto graffiti signed by someone named 'Kid Wicked' while riding the subway, Sebastian thought it would be a cool name for a band.  The band decided to change the German sounding Herrenvolk name to Kid Wikkid.

     A paper headline later read '...Peterborough Kid Gets Wikkid...'.   Underneath was a second article, entitled: '...Sebastian's Heavy Metal Career Concerns Dad...'.

     Kid Wikkid recorded a very limited [pink colored?] demo with the tracks: 'Fire in Her Eyes'; 'Reckless and Free'; 'Lady Squeeze'; 'Money in a Hurry' and 'Take a Look at me'.  They would sell the cassette at the Record Peddler on Queen Street.  The song 'Take a Look at Me' was later included on the 'Maple Metal' compilation record released by Attic / Viper Records in 1985.  Other Canadian artists who appeared alongside them on the vinyl included: Apple Viper; Galleon; Harlott; Havoc; Jade; Titan; Tzar; Rue Morgue and Vigilants.

     Note: There was a  1990s band in the United States also called Kid Wikkid who are often confused for the Toronto act.

     For a short time, Kid Wikkid played around Ontario and Quebec in an old station wagon.  Sudbury; Brockville; St. Anselme; Sherbrooke etc.  By June of 1985 Sebastian Bierk would return back to Peterborough to showcase Kid Wikkid to Peterborough friends and family.  

     Kid Wikkid were: Sebastian Bach (Lead Vocals); Bill Sax (Guitars, Backing Vocals); Dave Aplin (Guitar) (1984-1985); Ande Rytch (Guitar) (1983); Kenny Fox (Bass) and Brian Williams (Drums).

     Al Perry

     "...My first [concert] in Peterborough was Shylock and Kid Wikkid at Artspace.  I recall the guitarist from Lee Aaron's 'Metal Queen' video was in Sebastian's band...".  Correspondence, 2021/10/06

Kid Wikkid; Photo: Mark Weiss; Credit: Harper Collins  

     Dave Aplin [Kid Wikkid / Lee Aaron]

     "...I think we played there over two nights and two different venues; Joker's the first night and Artspace the second night.  The gigs themselves are a big blur, but I think we went over pretty well, it was a kind of homecoming for Bas....".  Correspondence, 2022/06/06

     Jim Godby

     "...sitting on the floor against the back wall and being suitably drunk.  I overdid it that night unfortunately...".  Correspondence, 2021/05/04

     Dave Aplin [Kid Wikkid / Lee Aaron]

     "...Here is what I wrote in my datebook: 'Friday June 7th Joker's Great gig, we drank until we stopped.  Saturday June 8th - Artspace - Good gig, a bit trifle useless tho' Whatever that means...".  Correspondence, 2022/06/06

     Norma Haggart

     "...I was friends with Sebastian's sister [Heather].  We lied to her Mother and said we were going to see her brother play, but instead went downtown bought acid and tripped out all night.  We were laughing so hard at the thought of her brother thinking they were rock stars... who knew...".  Correspondence, 2021/03/29

     With connections through Steve Mills [later Death Militia] who played bass in the opening band Shylock, I remember getting inside Artspace [aka: Market Hall] a little early before the doors had opened up.

Shylock - Artspace, Peterborough, 1985/06/08
L-R: Rob Syvret (vocals); Andrew Koshowski (guitar); Stephen Mills (bass);
Christian Koshowski (drums); Nolan Dewdney (guitar); Credit: Stephen Mills

     Stephen Mills [Shylok / Death Militia]

     "...Bas and I had a mutual friend also from Peterborough, photographer Ron Boudreau, and I guess Bas enlisted Ron to find a good opening band for their show.  So Ron came and checked out my band Shylok at our rehearsal and that sealed the deal...

     "...We were a cover band, doing Iron Maiden; Metallica; Trouble etc... and we were pretty tight as we had been jamming for over a year...".  Correspondence, 2022/06/07\

 

Shylok - Nolan Dewdney (guitar), Artspace 1985/06/08; Credit: Stephen Mills

 

Shylok - Stephen Mills (bass), Artspace 1985/06/08; Credit: Stephen Mills

     I think this might have been the first time I was in Artspace [#3] when it was at the under the clock location.

     One of Canada's oldest artist-run art centers, it was founded by poet Dennis Tourbin and Sebastian Bach's father David Bierk.  His father was a local realist painter who helped open Artspace in 1974 in the old Boy Scouts office on the corner of Brock and Water Street.  In 1977 Artspace later moved upstairs at 188-190 Hunter Street West [above where the Necropolis Café and Union Theatre were later located] in the old 'Bellegham Building' before moving to Market Hall under the town clock.

     Note: Sebastian's Bierk's father later was commissioned by Atlantic Records to create and paint the cover art for Skid Row (1991) Slave to the Grind.  Many members of the Union Theatre in Peterborough posed for the photo that would be used as characters in the painting.

Union Theater posing for 'Slave To The Grind' album; Credit Kerri Niemi

     This new Artspace under the clock was very impressive.  The hall had recently gone through million dollar renovations turning the old Market place and 1970s gymnasium into a national performing arts center.

Artspace [#3] (1984 - 1994); Credit: kawarthanow.com

     I hadn't met Sebastian until the night of the Kid Wikkid show, and I had never heard any of his music.  He came over to say hello to mutual friend Ed Bos, and I was introduced.  I can't recall what we all chatted about, however I will never forget that the entire time Bas was talking he was spraying and teasing his hair upwards all while chatting to us.  This continued until the can was empty of all it's contents.  Ed began to make fun of his makeup, hairdo and his glam look...  I think he just ignored us both and said something along the lines of '...shit, I got to get another can of hairspray...'.  Another can!!!, What the fuck!!!, I thought to myself.

Kid Wikkid - Gasworks, Toronto - Circa 1985; Photo: Jim Prue?; Credit: UXB Press

     Kid Wikkid were a glam / hair metal band.  It was a style of music that evolved from bands like T.Rex; The New York Dolls and David Bowie.  The theatrics of bands like Alice Cooper and Kiss melted with that style and you later got groups like: Mötley Crüe; Ratt and Poison.

     When I finally heard Sebastian perform, I must admit that he could really belt out the high notes.  Not only could he sing, more importantly one could tell that he really enjoyed it.  I wasn't really a fan of Kid Wikkid 's music.  I did like his passion and I was happy to be there enjoying that.  Sebastian had this overbearing larger than life charisma.  Both on and off stage.  The band with all the scarfs; bandannas; leather pants; make-up and bracelets just seemed like the real deal.

Kid Wikkid - Circa 1985; Photo: Ron Boudreau; Credit: HarperCollins

     Robert Stanley ['Mellow Contemporary Hour For Seniors' / Trent Radio]

     "...I remember that night very clearly.  Someone handed Baz a joint and he was nervously looking around for his dad's friends to see if they saw him grab it...".  Correspondence, 2021/06/26

     After the Kid Wikkid show, I recall that there was a bit of an after party that I was invited to at 'Ordinary Studios'.  It was really late so we didn't stay long.  I did really like the energy of that place.  It was an artist-run group founded by Trent cultural studies professor Ian MacLachlan.  In was later very involved with The Union Theatre.  I recall meeting local artist Hartley for the first time at this event.  'Ordinary Studios' would do a lot of silkscreen posters for local cultural events as well as other artists and pranksters such as 'The Rhinoceros Party of Canada'.

     Kim Vose Jones

     "...Bands would often rent performance space [at Ordinary Studios] as well, so it had a multi-tiered income which supported the arts scene.  It was an amazing place to do art until it wasn't.  We used to have art performances there in the early days.  When it transitioned to a hang out space then it all kind of fell apart...".  Correspondence, 2021/05/20

     Ken McAuley

     "...The few bands were white reggae bands and a David Bowie cover act.  Couple of theatre groups used it for rehearsal space...".  Correspondence, 2021/06/14

     Kid Wikkid might have returned to Peterborough to play Jokers Nightclub one more time before later disbanding.  Sebastian would go on to join the Michigan band Madam X (1984 - 1986).

     After breaking loose from Madam X, Sebastian returned to Toronto for a short time and performed in a hair metal band called V05.  It wouldn't be long before our local Peterborough boy would make the right connections and shoot to heavy metal stardom in the late 80's as the lead singer for the band Skid Row.

     Nikki Sixx [Mötley Crüe]

     "...after we spoke for a bit he went on stage with his band V05.  You should have seen these guy's hair!  It was to the ceiling!  But the little fucker could sing his balls off.  He told me, You just watch, I'm gonna be a star someday...  I told him, Be careful what you wish for..."  - Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star - Simon & Schuster

     Sebastian Bach would again return to town in 1992, June 10th when his heavy metal band Skid Row performed at The Peterborough Memorial Centre with Pantera and the Killer Dwarfs opening up the show.

Skid Row - Peterborough Memorial Centre; 1992/06/10
Photo: Pat Marchen, The Peterborough Examiner
Credit: Peterborough Archives

     The only notable thing I remember about this show as that there was a minor 'controversy' that had occurred at the event.  Some members of the community were upset that Sebastian had tossed free condoms from the stage with underage members being in attendance.

     A big meeting was held afterwards at the local Library to discus the 'controversy'.  Tammy and myself attended.  It was a very boring day.  Sebastian sent a video from his home in New Jersey.

Photo: Pat Marchen, Peterborough Examiner; Credit: Jenn Caley

     "...Peterborough Public Library was packed last night with teenagers, willing to listen and give their side of the AIDS issue.  A video by ...Sebastian Bach was also shown..." - The Peterborough Examiner.

     Lots of young people came out in support of 'PARN - Peterborough Aids Resource Network' who had asked Sebastian if he would throw the condoms out into the audience.

 

Malhavoc

     Malhavoc was originally supposed to headline the Union Theatre in Sept of 1990 with Overthrow opening.  There was some scheduling problems and they had to drop off that bill.  Overthrow ended up headling with Domestic Violence from Ajax / Pickering opening up.

     I was determined to still make the Malhavoc thing happen.

     A Halloween show was planned for 1990, late October.

Deadbolt; 1990/10/26; Credit: Dianna DiNoble

     Opening the Malhavoc show in Peterborough was an industrial group from Lindsay called Deadbolt.  They had introduced themselves to me at one of Elizabeth 'Libs' Humfries 'Boys & Girls' shows earlier that year.  I wish my memory could recall who was in the band.

1990/10/26; Credit: Dianna DiNoble

     Libs Elliot [Crawl / Child]

     "...Deadbolt were Kyle Sim; Jason Budd and Brayden Campbell [pictured] (I think that's all the members)..."     

     The one thing I sort of remember is that Deadbolt had a porno playing on the screen behind them when they performed.  Or perhaps it was another long forgotten opening act that was never listed on the flyer.  

     Libs Elliot [Crawl / Child]

     "...I don't remember if there was porn playing in the background...  It doesn't sound like something they'd [Deadbolt] do, but I could be wrong..."

     Kyle Sim [Deadbolt]

     "...Ha, ha yeah we thought we could be edgy and that's all we had!..."

     The porno video seemed to be some sort of mash up of Traci Lords footage.  For those who don't know:  Traci Lords was the number one porn star in the world until it was exposed that she was a minor during the filming of all but the very last of her many films.  I was working the door that night and was barely paying much attention to what was going on.

     I didn't get much of a chance to see the sex video or the opening band as I had just stepped outside the Union Theatre to deal with the local Peterborough police who had just shown up.

     It seemed these monthly metal and punk shows of mine were becoming somewhat of a nuisance for the local business in the area.  The police had come by and were harassing me hard that night.  It seems that they had been receiving complaints that the parking lot was full of smashed glass from beer bottles every time bands would play in the space.  The conversation went something like this...

     Police: "...There are empty beer bottles all over the parking lot, and we can charge you for that..."

     Me: "...I think they might have been here when we all arrived...  If you look you will see that there is absolutely no alcohol inside the space or on The Union property so I don't think they would have come from us..."

     Police: "...Well, if it wasn't for your event the bottles wouldn't be here in the parking lot..."

     Me: "...No!  If it wasn't for the liquor & beer store selling to underage kids those bottles wouldn't be here.  Go down to the L.C.B.O. and fucking charge them..."

     The argument between me and the cops went on for quite some time.  Once they realized that the event was alcohol free and they couldn't lay any charges they then switched the topic.  Basically the cops told me that if I wanted to do any further events in Peterborough without any more police harassment that I would have to hire them as off-duty security.  I remember thinking that it felt like some sort of extortion thing that they were trying out on me.  I told them that they wouldn't see a fucking penny from me.  I called them out on the corruption of their goals to obtain revenue.  Our voices were getting louder and louder as the conversation started to get somewhat uncomfortable and confrontational.

     It was at this point that some of the latecomers to the show started to stand around us.  "...The cops are here, the cops are here..."  I could hear people just inside the door yell out.  A crowd of people ended up coming outside and surrounded the cops as we were verbally sparring.  Some people were tripping on acid and were giggling and making jokes.  They started saying things like, "...Why don't we just take their guns and kill them!..."  and "...Yeah, Yeah.  Let's fucking do that..."  The one cop had a radio on his shoulder and quickly called in for some back-up.  A couple of vans and a bunch of cruisers showed up.  It was getting heated very fast.

     The police told me that I had to shut down the event.  I stood my ground with them and said "...No fuckin' way that is going to happen..."  Truth was I didn't have the heart to tell the guys in Malhavoc that there would be no show.  "...If you want to shut it down then you go inside and you grab the microphone and you shut it down..."

     I basically stated my case that we were just a bunch of young folks trying to have some fun in a dead city with nothing ever to do.  I told them that at this moment they know exactly where all the kids are.  "...Let 'em just listen to the bands and then go home all tired and sweaty from slam dancing.  Or go in and shut it down and that crowd will be all pissed off and spread out all over town..."

     The police ended up going in the space, looked around a bit then left.  The cops would often come by my shows and threaten but they never, ever shut them down.  They knew if they did, that they would just have a bunch of kids throwing crap at them!  And a pissed off crowd in the parking lot.  There were always noise complaints.  Hell if I had a show and someone didn't complain then I felt I wasn't doing my job.  It was always too loud and that's the way we liked it.  After a short time the police would leave.  The show always went on...

     Inside the space Deadbolt had just finished showing the Traci Lords porno.  It ended just as the cops had walked in.  I remember Malhavoc was being helped out by Toronto area punk promoter Jill Heath.  Jill was managing tours.  At the time I believe she was also helping Henry Rollins formerly of Black Flag with some dates.  I remember Jill coming up to me and saying, "...Tony, you are so damn lucky.  Do you know what the charge  would have been for that..."  At first I didn't really comprehend what she was talking about.  It didn't take long before it hit me.  I quickly imagined the very large biker guy in the prison cell next to me.  "...Hey, what are you in for?..."  My nervous response:  "...Oh nothing really..., just showing some child pornography to some underage kids..."  For some reason I don't think that whole situation would have gone over all that well.  Jill was correct.  I was very lucky.

     Kyle Sim [Deadbolt]

     "...I totally remember the cops showing up and I thought it was because of the video and was a bit worried.  But I think they were there just because of a noise complaint or whatever..."

     For a few weeks after the Malhavoc show legal artist contracts were discussed at Union collective meetings.  In the end Ian McLachlan and I had a good talk about the whole situation and how charges could have been laid.  Many of the punks and metalheads at the time didn't know it, but behind the scenes at the Union there were many older, more established artists that were helping to keep the space alive.  Ian McLachlan being one of the those prominent figures in the arts and culture of Peterborough.  I remember Ian strongly opposing the idea of contracts saying, "...don't worry about it, at the end of the day it's my name on the lease..."  He seemed pretty cool about the whole situation.  I think he secretly liked that this new generation of artists were out causing some shit in town.

     I'm pretty sure it was Dianna DiNoble who booked the second act Masochistic Religion.  Her and I were working on this show together as we were dating at the time.  I think the date of the 26th was chosen as it was somewhat close to Dianna's birthday?  She was a big help with the logistics to making this event such a huge success.  She and Kristan Mackintosh even took Malhavoc down to Trent Radio that night and took over my 'Mellow Hour' radio show while I was busy at the Union.  Might have even done the radio show for some time after that if I recall correctly.

     Kristan Mackintosh

     "...that whole night at the radio station was just awesome to me.  I felt cooler than I was, just tagging along..."

Malhavoc - Trent Radio; 1990/10/26; Credit: Dianna DiNoble

     Dianna DiNoble

     "...They [Masochistic Religion] are still my favourite band ever.  I saw their last show in '99 (?).  Mitch moved to Montreal.  I see Martine [Mathews] around Toronto sometimes..."

Masochistic Religion; 1990/10/26; Credit: Dianna DiNoble

Masochistic Religion; 1990/10/26; Credit: Dianna DiNoble

Masochistic Religion; 1990/10/26; Credit: Dianna DiNoble

Masochistic Religion; 1990/10/26; Credit: Dianna DiNoble

     Masochistic Religion was more of a goth group than industrial or metal.  Over the years the band has had many members with the only consistent member being its founder, Mitchell D. Krol.  In the early 1990s Krol "...was doing a lot of drugs, getting heavily into the S&M scene and spending a lot of time with... friend Malissa X...  this concept of Masochistic Religion, a sort of dark S&M theatre done to music.  All the lyrics were about sex, death, religion, pleasure and pain, and the show was heavy, real and probably illegal..."

          Gregory Snutch Knowles

          "...Masochist Religion was a killer show.  I still have their cassette I bought from that show..."

           Candice Mitchell Krol [Masochistic Religion]

     "...that was a fun night, our truck died and at the last minute I got my Dad to drive us lol.  It was hilarious, my dad is cool, but it was funny to see my dad's reaction to seeing kids stage dive lol..."

1990/10/26; Credit: Dianna DiNoble

 

     At the time of this show Masochistic Religion was shopping around a demo for their later 'Sonic Revolution Evolve' CD.  It contained an amazing slow goth version of Neil Young's heroin inspired 'Needle & The Damage Done'.  I loved that song and would give it lots of airplay on the radio show.

     Mitchell D. Krol later moved to Montreal.  Now known as Candace Kroll.  "...Candi is an interdisciplinary trans feminine artist.  Her work combines performance, music, photography and spoken word with experimental film and video..." [artist bio]

     The early 1990s was an exciting time for experimental and industrial metal crossover in Canada.  Malhavoc was one of the acts leading that charge.  Malhavoc is the brainchild of James Cavalluzo (aka: Jimi LaMort) with various other musicians added for recording and touring.  In its early incarnation the music had an extreme death metal sound similar to the avantgarde work of Celtic Frost.  As the years went on James included more industrial; ambient and electronics to the music.  It was always exciting to see how far the label of heavy metal was going to be pushed by him.

     Malhavoc began perfectly blending heavy metal with the noise and influences of groups like Throbbing Gristle as well as adding their controversial topics to the metal scene.  It was a trip that I thoroughly enjoyed.

     Much of this world was explored in-depth by Malhavoc.

     "...Cavalluzzo and co. first drew attention to themselves because of their penchant for shocking on stage antics, whereupon band members and associated guests would infamously indulge in everything from theatrical displays of S&M and nudity, to role-playing violence and real self-mutilation..." [ Eduardo Rivadavia].

     To this day James Cavalluzzo is a dark electronic, cyber punk, musical genius.  Spending countless hours in his studio surrounded by computers and other electronic music equipment that I'll never understand in ten lifetimes.  A vast collection of horror and music CD's surrounding for inspiration.  Hopefully this post pandemic world will bring about great things in the Malhavoc universe..

Malhavoc - James Cavalluzzo; 1990/10/26; Credit: Dianna DiNoble

     Patricia Jones

     "...I remember standing beside the sound guy for this concert watching Malhavoc.  I must have looked young and innocent, because the guy leaned over to me and said 'Just to let you know, he's gonna cut himself'.  I smiled and said that I had already seen him do it at the concert in Lindsay.  After he cut himself, I leaned over and said 'He didn't bleed nearly as much as he did the last time I saw them..."

     Marty Mosh

     "...Me, I got covered in blood from James carving the pentagram into his chest.  Epic night at the Union..."

Malhavoc - James Cavalluzzo; 1990/10/26; Credit: Dianna DiNoble

     Jimi LaMort [Malhavoc]

     "...that show was the first day we got those crazy ugly nautical shorts and shirts made.  Trying to make a fashion statement with designer matching shirts and shorts.  I never liked the way they turned out and that's why we made the joke about nautical wear..."

Malhavoc - James Cavalluzzo; 1990/10/26; Credit: Dianna DiNoble

     Christopher Park

     "...I ended up getting really mad at James for dicing himself that night.  I was really self righteous towards him.  I told him that some idiot is probably gonna go home and do it in front of their parents or at school.  ...and then he said, 'I'm not responsible for Idiots!  People can take the symbolism for what it's meant to be or go and be stupid'.  Which I thought was kinda smart, and made me feel like a heel.  I ended up working with James at the head office of HMV for 3 years, and doing a bunch of shows with Malhavoc and Thrive [me] and D.H.I. [Death and Horror Inc.]

Malhavoc - James Cavalluzzo; 1990/10/26; Credit: Dianna DiNoble

     Jimi LaMort [Malhavoc]

     "...I just remember really enjoying the show because when we started we went out of our way to play all ages shows.  It was very important to us.  Especially when we started playing we couldn't get shows because we were under age..."

     This Malhavoc show at the Union Theatre in Peterborough I would say would have to be the climax to the bands that I had been booking into that space.  This influential act formed in the mid 80s, and have released four full length albums and two EP's.  Every album released for the most part changed in style.  What better soundtrack to that plateau of chaos at the Union Theatre than the band's 1990 debut 'The Release'.

     I don't recall who the other bandmates were playing that night.  The album did have Dave Kiner; Rob Wright and Steve Jelliman credited.  At the time of this show James would have also been working on the 1991 Punishments EP that collected several songs left over from the album as well as some remix tracks.

     It was a crazy night that I don't think has been topped yet in this town.  Illegal porn screenings; LSD induced death threats to cops and to top it off Malhavoc completely obliterating the eyes and ears of anyone who happened to wander into that world for the first time.  James carving a bleeding pentagram into his chest, while never before heard metal industrial beats infected our minds like a Romero film.  The place was hot, steamy and overcrowded.  Illegal fire regulations... kind of packed.

1990/10/26; Credit: Dianna DiNoble

     Unfortunately I spent a good majority of the evening watching the door and missed much of Malhavoc's set that night.  I was turning so many people away that a large party in the parking lot was also beginning to take place outside the venue.  I prayed the cops didn't return.  There was utter insane confusion going on both inside and out.

     Jimi LaMort [Malhavoc]

     "...I also have a rare recollection of the chaos before we went on stage and people thinking the cops were going to shut it down..."

     There was so much money in the cashbox I was getting nervous that someone was going to rob us, so I started just shoving money in all my pockets.  Later when I went to pay Jill Heath I had almost forgotten that I had done that.  For a moment it looked like I was trying to rip them off as I was embarrassingly finding another ten dollar bill.  Then another.  Not sure if she believed me but that was never my intention.

     Never once did I ever make money off a show.  Half of the money always went to paying for the space and then Bud's Music or Ian Osborn for the sound equipment.  Whatever was left after that always went to the headlining band.

     Ian Osborn

     "...I did sound for Malhavoc at the Union once.  Guess it might be this show.  I had Laura Sturm and Alexis Gordon working with me..."

     There was so much behind the scenes stuff that went into putting together these shows that people never realized.  Most nights I would be breaking up fights, or arguing with people at the door.  The Union also had a 'Pay What You Can' policy that I refused to honor.  Them:  "...But I only have two dollars, and the sign says I can pay what I want..."  Me: "...Then I guess you shouldn't have bought that mickey of rum in your pocket..."  Begrudgingly I would let them in and then a few minutes later a long time regular would show up and I would have to turn them away.  They would be pissed off at me for weeks after.

     Flicked cigarette butts in the urinal, clogging it all up... or that time someone puked in the washroom.  I was cleaning that up until the early hours of the morning then going to work elsewhere the next day.

     Would I do it all over again?...  Fuckin' right I would.  Best years of my life...