Go big or go home, right?
The guys of Coast to Coast are aiming big with a debut concert at Surrey Arts Centre’s 402-seat Main Stage on Feb. 24.
Veteran musicians of the band pay tribute to the music of UFO, Scorpions and Michael Schenker Group.
“This is a theatrical production, and the concert will be a real throwback to the ‘80s (with) big amps, big drums, big sound and lighting,” explained Larry Anschell, producer and manager of Coast To Coast. “I’m hoping that walking into the theatre will feel like a time-warp. We’ll be encouraging our audience to dress the era as well, if they like.”
The quartet features Shawn Klatt on vocals, Dave Groves and Ken Scheller on guitars, Tobias Haas on bass and Ed Johnson on drums. They first got together in 2020, but COVID delayed takeoff.
Now, they’re jetting off the runway with a concert that doubles as a fundraiser. Net proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Surrey Food Bank, non-perishables collected at the Bear Creek Park venue that Saturday night.
“This project started off with a different strategy than a typical tribute act,” added Anschell, notable for building Turtle Recording Studios in South Surrey and now launching Mountain Entertainment promotion company.
“A lot of effort was put into creating awareness online with the band’s YouTube channel and Facebook, and the response has been beyond expectation. Our channel has received over 350K views since the first video release on Jan. 1 of this year. The comments on YouTube and Facebook have also really encouraged this project.”
Tickets for Coast to Coast’s concert are $45 on tickets.surrey.ca, or call 604-501-5566.
BARNSIDE IS BACK
Delta city council has approved dates for the second edition of Barnside Harvest Festival, which will return to Paterson Park (great location!) for three days late next summer, Sept. 13-15.
The inaugural beer company-branded fest was a Delta highlight in 2023 with headlining concerts by 54-40 and The Sheepdogs. Long lines for beverages/bathrooms and sketchy cellphone service were the only problems, as far as I could see.
“In 2024, we will be adding more bars, food trucks, washrooms and increasing the size of our entry gates and staff,” Barnside planners promise in a newsletter. “We’re also planning to start the festival wristband distribution earlier to reduce line-ups at the gate.
“Sunday night’s concerts will be extended to end at 9 p.m., so watch for our festival announcement to include a full lineup for Sunday as well, offering even better value for our three-day passes.”
Barnside tickets will go on sale in April, with a talent announcement “coming soon.” In the meantime, applications are now welcomed for local artists to get involved as performers (plus vendors and others), on barnsideharvestfest.com.
RIP, BURKE EHMIG
I want to salute a bandmate of mine, Burke Ehmig, who collapsed and died suddenly last week. I’m not sure what killed Burke, but I do know that he was a great guy and guitar player/singer with a fine ear for musical details and determination to get the sound right. He sure knew his way around a fretboard and, quick with a joke, a smile and kind words, he was a delight to be around.
A painter by trade, Burke grew up in Kamloops and played the B.C. rock-bar circuit starting in the 1980s, with Abandoned Youth, Chrissy Steele and many other bands over the decades.
In Reckless, the Bryan Adams tribute fronted by Sherman Friesen, Burke and I shared many concert stages in recent years, including outdoor festivals, casinos and also more cozy places like White Rock’s Blue Frog Studio, located not far from where he lived with his beloved little dog, Eddie. His next gig was supposed to be at Sawbucks Pub on New Year’s Eve.
My heart goes out to Val, Burke’s lovely partner, along with his family and other friends. Burke was taken from us far too soon, and I suspect he’s now strumming chords in a better place.