The Edmonton Muse May 2019 | Page 52

No, we're not done yet. With the legalization of marijuana last year, the guys in the band decided that the first April 20th, 420, should be a party. While on a Facebook thread, Whelan got hooked up with a few bands and after discussing it with his roommate, decided to have a bit of a party in the back yard. You know, just a few friends, beers, and buds. As this thread grew, so did the interest in playing. This got to the point of four, then nine, eleven and finally seventeen bands. Obviously this was more than one backyard could handle. Now, what to do? Whelan approached Goetz at Moonshiners and proposed an idea. Saturday, April 20th. Seventeen bands playing from noon till close on the Moonshiners stage. Whelan would take care of it all. The only thing Goetz had to do was open the doors... and maybe hire an extra server or two. In order to pull this off, you have to have sponsors, so, Whelan did what he does best. He sold his event.

Sponsors jumped on board, eleven in all, counting the host venue. The bands were already in place so now it was bring the people. When the venue opened at noon, I had talked to Whelan on the phone. RockEFlatt was getting ready to start the event, the first of three sets and it was going to be to the staff and an empty house. That of course changed through the day as an estimated 175 people came through the doors. Wristbands allowed you to come and go all day so you could catch the bands that you wanted to see. Hot dogs were sold, faces were painted and fun was had by all, some more than others.

Will this be an annual event? If Brain Whelan has his way, you can mark your calendar now. The question would be, how big can this thing get. The future for all artists is open for debate. Streaming and writers issues plague the industry. It matters not to the 5 guys of Flatt. Write the originals, record the music, grace the stage and sell the merchandise. Most importantly, create that brand.

RockEFlatt's next show is May 11th at the Leaf bar and Grill. It will also feature Last Call Promises. May 18th, they will be in Lamont at the LA Sportsbar for a live interview and concert at a local fundraiser. Its a bit out but you can also catch them on stage at this years Dragonfly Festival in Wabamun.

List of bands and sponsors was accurate at the time of this writing.

Sponsors; Three Monkeys Tattoo & Lifestyle Apparel, Edge Liquor, Music Center Canada, World Famous Sideshow Tattoo, Wicked Stitches, Young Guns Paintball, Eddy's Smoke Shop 420, IDFA Clothing, Leaves With Ink and the Beach Corner Restaurant.

Bands; RockEFlatt, Sugarwash, Against The Rule, Jash and the Winos, Numericana, Leo Martinez Project, BoonDawgz, Soul Fight, Nebular Wave, James Outlaw, Olly Wood and B.D.G., Gregos and the Smokeshow, Swillcity, Alex Nikolaychuk, Shalisa, Last Call Promises, Ryan Richards.

-- Jazz Matthews