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Dwindling local pub scene inspires inadvertent concert series Titled "The Magnificent Seven," the show will be hostâ€" ed by G. Brown and DJ Marâ€" malade and features performâ€" ances by Paul MacLeod, Shanâ€" non Lyon, The Jolly Liamas, Kâ€" Pet, Glenna, The Droops, and HajahBug & Mantis., e latest concert in an ’F\adver(enl series will take place Friday at the Button Factory in Waterloo. "The Stone Prophets, my band at the time, wanted to play more shows and we were kind of tired of dealing with bar owners ard bars; they just seemed like way more of a hassle than they were worth," Downing explains. "Also there was this group of high school students who would just conâ€" stantly try to sneak into Stone Prophets shows even though they were underaged. They were the best because they were always the most enthusiâ€" astic, always out front jumpâ€" ing around and just way more into it than anyone else was. Actually, The Droops, who are on this bill, are some of those kids that used to sneak into The concert is the brainâ€" child of area resident Mike Downing, a musician whose frustration with aspects of the local club scene has inspired him to independently proâ€" mote shows in Kâ€"W for the past six months. By VisH KHanna For The Chronicle Pressure Treated Decking 1154 Grade 1/2 PRIGE (=45¢ ft.) 8‘ + 16‘ lengths available those shows!" In lieu of bars, Downing was forced to find alternative venues to host these events. With the exception of an allâ€" ages show at the Wax Nightâ€" club, all of the shows leading up to this one at the Button Factory have taken place at Zero to One Studios, an artâ€" space run by artist Ian Newâ€" ton. The use of unconventionâ€" al venues lends a liberating atmosphere to the proceedâ€" ings which is quite in line with (Material Sold As Is) Shannon Lyon Downing‘s initial vision of the "Our whole idea from the getâ€"go was to create an event that was more than just bands and more than just one type of music; it‘s a happening, someâ€" thing where you want to get there and stay and watch the whole thing." Subsequently, artists such as DJ Marmalade can spin hipâ€"hop alongside an oldâ€" school rock ‘n‘ roll band like The Droops with both revelâ€" ling in the appreciation of the same audience. If the concerts have a manâ€" date, Downing believes that diversity and variety are defiâ€" nitely key, as the shows cater to divergent musical tastes. "We‘ve kind of entered a new realm in getting people like Shannon Lyon and Paul MacLeod to join in with us," Downing explains. "We‘re exposing people who might be coming just to see Shannon or Paul to G. Brown, DJ Marâ€" malade and vice versa." Lyon‘s inclusion on the bill comes during an exciting time for the young songwriter and he‘s thrilled to be a part of this event. "I‘ve known Mike for quite some time now," Lyon says. "He approached me a few months back and told me about the songwriter series he‘d been promoting. It sounded perfect and 1 defiâ€" nitely wanted to be a part of i" After years of hard work, including reâ€"locating to Holâ€" land to try and further his music career, Lyon recently became the first Canadian to sign with respected indie label, V2 Recordsâ€"home to The White Stripes and Moby among othersâ€"who just released his new album, "Wandered" last month. Iyon has recently moved back to Canada and has played a few acoustic shows in the Kâ€"W area over the past few months, catching up with old friends and supporters before he flies off to Australia next month for aâ€"string of dates down under. Lyon credits his time spent playing in Waterloo region as shaping his current approach to music and is excited to play for a hometown audience susanâ€"macdonald@coldwellbanker. Coldwell Banker is please to provide you with a complementary market evaluation of your home by Howard and Susan MacDonald at no cost or obligation to you. They will provide you with the Coldwell Banker Ultimate Service Guarantee, statimg, We keep our promises or you don‘t keep us". With over 40 years of combined real estate sales experience, Howard and Susan are truly "The team that sells ..." ssssss _ HOME _ _ ssssss EVALUATION CERTIFICATE "Back in the ‘90s I held down a weekly show in a few different bars in Kitchener," Lyon recalls. "For about six years 1 played in front of an audience, week after week. Those were the important years for me, learning how to perform, sing and strum, tryâ€" ing out new songs and basicalâ€" ly just getting comfortable with myself on stage. So aside from the influence Europe had on me the past three years, playing a weekly show in Kitchener certainly was my preparation. " The generosity of audience members in this area has also made the allâ€"ages concerts a great success and Downing is clearly inspired enough to take what he initially planned as a oneâ€"off show, and turn it into a semiâ€"regular outlet for local musicians. & "I‘ve always thought that JE this ever gets boring or I don‘t 5 feel that it‘s worth it after one s of them, then I‘m not going to is do another one," he explains. § "But I‘m still doing them! I & think the success of it has 2 been based on the enthusiasm & of those kids, who inspired S this in the first place. We get o people whose music we love g and who we like as people, z and we tell them to tell their 2 friends, tell the people who & enjoy their music to come out. That‘s been the formula for success thus far." The Magnificent Seven will take place Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. at The Button Factory, 25 Regina St. S. Advance tickets are $15 at Orange Monkey and Encore Records. Tickets are $20 at the door.