KEITHMAS V

Rich Hope and partner have been Keithmass staples

This Rock n Roll fundrager turns five

So, what does Rich Hope and His Blue Rich Rangers, The Jolts, Sh-Shakes, Strange Things, Johnny De Courcy, The Highway Kind, La Chinga, The Midnight Ramblers and The Rentalmen all have in common? Well, this handpicked crew of nine bands are gonna deliver nine takes on Keith Richards and 100% of the proceeds go the Vancouver Foodbank. Rocking into their fifth year event organizer John Hewer fills us in, on how they roll.

Tiina: This is becoming quite the tradition, how did this event get started?

John Hewer: We started out with about 150 people and five bands the first year and last year we sold out the Electric Owl! Back in 2009 myself and James Hayden (DOA, Greenback High)started this promotions company for fun and to put on shows we wanted to see ourselves. We called it Hidden Charms Presents and started doing a bunch of shows at the Fairview mostly. After a year or so we decided we wanted to throw a party for the bands to thank them and well just to throw a party basically. We tossed around a couple of ideas. My personal favourite was Seger De Mayo, in honour of Bob Seger. Because it was near Christmas we started looking for another idea and after a long night of drinking we decided to honour the patron saint of rock n’ roll, Keith Richards aka the human riff. Since his birthday was on Dec 18, we felt it should be kinda of a ‘Christmasy’ thing and we eventually started calling it Keithmas as kind of a joke. It magically stuck and it’s been called that ever since. We also wanted to give something back because we felt fortunate that we were able to do what we were doing so we decided that it would be not just a party but also a fundraiser or as we call it a fundrager. This year there are two new bands that I have never seen live before, Strange Things and Sh-Shakes.

T: Any other new surprises this year?

JH: If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise, so you never know who will show up. We’ve had everyone from Joey Shithead to Colin James play Keithmas so you know that there is something for everyone, who digs rock n’ roll!

One of my favourite funniest moments of Keithmas (it seemed very Keith like) was either year one or two when the Jolts were the second to last band and time was getting tight. They were on stage waiting to start but couldn’t find their bass player. Turns out he had passed out at home and someone had to go and wake him up. He showed up with about a minute to spare, walked on stage plugged in and they blew the roof off.

Well one surprise is union tube and transistor has donated a very special jack white limited (and I mean limited) edition guitar pedal for the raffle. This thing has to be seen to be believed.

T: For all the wise folks bearing gifts, what should they remember to bring?

JH: The Foodbank loves good old cash but any non-perishable food items are also greatly appreciated!

Keithmas takes place Dec 19 at Electric Owl with doors at 8 pm.

-By tiina.l