A Sault legacy lives on...and on (photos)

So, the other day while wandering aimlessly around the more-addictive-than-heroin vortex better known as Facebook, I stumbled across a Sault Ste. Marie group called Koolies n Kues....I miss the old school punk shows!, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

Can eight years ago really be considered old school?

Sault Ste. Marie has had a long, talented and somewhat turbulent punk rock history.

Paul Gott from the Ripcordz told me less than a year ago that the Sault is one of the best punk rock towns in Canada.

Let's flash back about 20 years and go to Centennial Lanes and the Zombie-A-Go-Go, located on Gore St. where Glow is now.

Now we're talkin' old school.

Bands like Forgotten Rebels, Grapes of Wrath and Deja Voodoo played there as well as countless locals.

This tradition of hosting all-ages shows and bringing in out of town acts while offering local talent the opening spot is currently being upheld by a few promoters about town at various venues.

The latest in this long list was presented at Glow last night (Thursday) and featured Ten Second Epic and the Imports with locals, White Chapel District and the Crossed.

While the music may not be considered punk, the attitude, spirit and intentions are just as they were 20 years ago.

An opportunity for kids to socialize, energize and hear some killer music.

I was instantly warmed and a bit nostalgic as I watched the 125 attendees hang on every emo/pop/rock note the band played and every word that came out of Ten Second Epic's singer, Andrew Usenik's mouth.

"We're in a pretty good mood today. We just found out yesterday that we're nominated for a Much Music Video Award," he announced amid screams of delight and praise from the audience.

The nominated video is for the title track from Count Yourself In, Ten Second Epic's latest endeavor, produced by Garth Richardson (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, Hedley).

Joining them as nominees in the Best Independent Video category are Cancer Bats, Classified, In-Flight Safety and Tokyo Police Club.

As the evening passed and the band's set was nearing it's end, the crowd was not about to let them off the hook by simply announcing they were done.

"This is our first headlining tour and we're not used to being asked for an encore," laughed bass player Sandy MacKinnon.

They obliged and afterward, got swarmed on stage and at the merch table for conversation and autographs by their adoring fans.

20 years from now, the kids at that and other shows will talk about Glow the way my friends and I talk, reminisce and laugh about our experiences at Centennial Lanes now.

The legacy will continue and this makes me very happy.

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