Nick Gilder & Sweeney Todd

While strains of Rated X blasted out over the crowd at the Sooke Flats last Thursday night, organizers feel the Sooke Canada Day celebration was certainly a successful, fun-filled day for all ages.
The major draw of the July 1 event was a performance by Canadian rock band Sweeney Todd featuring Nick Gilder blasting classic tunes, including their No. 1 hit Roxy Roller, Gilder's solo smash Hot Child in the City and Rated X, which Gilder penned and Pat Benatar scored with. Bringing in a "name band" seemed to work as the event drew more than 4,400 people, according to Canada Day Society vice-president Rick Armour. Last year the event drew between 2,500 and 3,000.
While Gilder and the boys seemed to please the crowd, the event also left an impression on the veteran rocker. "We all had an amazing time on Canada Day," Gilder jotted in an e-mail to the News Mirror. "Everyone involved worked very hard to make it as much fun as possible. It's a very nice setting for the event."
While Sweeney Todd, along with local bands Phoenix and Big Saviour, rocked the night, the afternoon was reserved for a variety of games - from the Otter Point Fire Department's hoseball to bingo, free birthday cake, and such activities as agility and flyball dog demonstrations.
"They saw a lot and they liked it," president Judithe Ann Gatto said of the crowd that came.
The festivities were capped off by an impressive fireworks display put on by the Sooke Fire Department. The department received a grant for $2,000 from the Department of Canadian Heritage for the demonstration and the society topped it up to $3,000.
"The people were oohing and ahing," Gatto said.
The veteran organizer of the event, which has been held since 1996, was shocked by the number of people, especially those who seemed to stay all day.
"Everybody was happy," she said. "It was full."
Two other successful parts of the day was the supper hour, with people staying around, and the shuttle bus system. It picked up riders at the Edward Milne Community School and the Evergreen Centre and took them to the Sooke Flats. This helped alleviate some of the traffic congestion.

- Robin Wark,Sooke News Mirror, July 7, 2004

While strains of Rated X blasted out over the crowd at the Sooke Flats last Thursday night, organizers feel the Sooke Canada Day celebration was certainly a successful, fun-filled day for all ages.
The major draw of the July 1 event was a performance by Canadian rock band Sweeney Todd featuring Nick Gilder blasting classic tunes, including their No. 1 hit Roxy Roller, Gilder's solo smash Hot Child in the City and Rated X, which Gilder penned and Pat Benatar scored with. Bringing in a "name band" seemed to work as the event drew more than 4,400 people, according to Canada Day Society vice-president Rick Armour. Last year the event drew between 2,500 and 3,000.
While Gilder and the boys seemed to please the crowd, the event also left an impression on the veteran rocker. "We all had an amazing time on Canada Day," Gilder jotted in an e-mail to the News Mirror. "Everyone involved worked very hard to make it as much fun as possible. It's a very nice setting for the event."
While Sweeney Todd, along with local bands Phoenix and Big Saviour, rocked the night, the afternoon was reserved for a variety of games - from the Otter Point Fire Department's hoseball to bingo, free birthday cake, and such activities as agility and flyball dog demonstrations.
"They saw a lot and they liked it," president Judithe Ann Gatto said of the crowd that came.
The festivities were capped off by an impressive fireworks display put on by the Sooke Fire Department. The department received a grant for $2,000 from the Department of Canadian Heritage for the demonstration and the society topped it up to $3,000.
"The people were oohing and ahing," Gatto said.
The veteran organizer of the event, which has been held since 1996, was shocked by the number of people, especially those who seemed to stay all day.
"Everybody was happy," she said. "It was full."
Two other successful parts of the day was the supper hour, with people staying around, and the shuttle bus system. It picked up riders at the Edward Milne Community School and the Evergreen Centre and took them to the Sooke Flats. This helped alleviate some of the traffic congestion.

- Robin Wark,Sooke News Mirror, July 7, 2004

, Wednesday August 04

Nick Gilder and his band still have what it takes to get the Airdrie crowd going.
Anne Beaty, Echo Editor

Airdrie Echo — In front of an enthusiastic crowd at Twister’z Friday night, classic rocker Nick Gilder and his band proved electric.
Finishing off a two-week non-stop tour of the Prairies – which took the band from such large venues as Saskatchewan Place in Saskatoon to smaller, more intimate clubs – the musicians demonstrated their expertise, much to the delight of the mostly 40-something crowd. Playing new music interspersed with such hits as Roxy Roller and Hot Child in the City, the band proved the epitome of rock ‘n’roll.
Although the touring schedule can be grueling, the exuberance of the shows makes up for the demands and Gilder thoroughly enjoys connecting with his audiences. "It’s a magical kind of thing – chemistry," he said.
Building on his stellar success in the 70s and 80s, Gilder devoted much of his time to songwriting, creating hits for such stars as Pat Benetar, Bette Midler, Patti Smith, Joe Cocker and Counting Crows. Heading out again on the touring circuit in 1997, he and his band continue to impress the crowds – both long-time aficionados and new fans – with a great mixture of music new and old.
Looking back, Gilder – who said that his own music has been influenced by a wide range of musicians, from Benny Goodman to Otis Redding to James Taylor – has fond memories of the early years, wild clothes and all.
"It was a fun fashion time," he said. "We did the whole glitter thing and I was in my mom’s closet."
Although the attire has been toned down somewhat in the past couple of decades, Gilder and his fellow musicians have left a lasting legacy and continue to play an important role in the music industry.
"A lot of the new guys are using the 70s as an influence to shape their music," he said. - Anne Beaty,Airdrie Echo

, Wednesday August 04

Nick Gilder and his band still have what it takes to get the Airdrie crowd going.
Anne Beaty, Echo Editor

Airdrie Echo — In front of an enthusiastic crowd at Twister’z Friday night, classic rocker Nick Gilder and his band proved electric.
Finishing off a two-week non-stop tour of the Prairies – which took the band from such large venues as Saskatchewan Place in Saskatoon to smaller, more intimate clubs – the musicians demonstrated their expertise, much to the delight of the mostly 40-something crowd. Playing new music interspersed with such hits as Roxy Roller and Hot Child in the City, the band proved the epitome of rock ‘n’roll.
Although the touring schedule can be grueling, the exuberance of the shows makes up for the demands and Gilder thoroughly enjoys connecting with his audiences. "It’s a magical kind of thing – chemistry," he said.
Building on his stellar success in the 70s and 80s, Gilder devoted much of his time to songwriting, creating hits for such stars as Pat Benetar, Bette Midler, Patti Smith, Joe Cocker and Counting Crows. Heading out again on the touring circuit in 1997, he and his band continue to impress the crowds – both long-time aficionados and new fans – with a great mixture of music new and old.
Looking back, Gilder – who said that his own music has been influenced by a wide range of musicians, from Benny Goodman to Otis Redding to James Taylor – has fond memories of the early years, wild clothes and all.
"It was a fun fashion time," he said. "We did the whole glitter thing and I was in my mom’s closet."
Although the attire has been toned down somewhat in the past couple of decades, Gilder and his fellow musicians have left a lasting legacy and continue to play an important role in the music industry.
"A lot of the new guys are using the 70s as an influence to shape their music," he said. - Anne Beaty,Airdrie Echo