"The Hot Streak"

Montreal vs. Quebec
Bands from both cities face off
By Jennifer Aoud

Already midway through the competition, the hype around the Omnium du Rock is gaining momentum. The annual battle of the bands awards the winner a spot on Quebec's own music channel, Musique Plus.

This year, a total of 32 bands from Quebec's two biggest cities are up against each other—half from Montreal, the other from Quebec City.

Over the course of 15 weeks, bands from the same city go head to head. After four rounds, the top band from each city makes it to the final televised round.

Now one round into the competition, eight Montreal bands remain. Last Wednesday night, Jan. 23, marked the beginning of the second round.

For the past two years, Quebec City's top band has won the competition. This year we have yet to see what sort of a fight Montreal will put up. Next Wednesday, Jan. 31, Montreal's four remaining face-off. Play the Angel takes on Zero Hertz, while The Hot Streak, featuring Concordia's own Andrew Jackson on guitar, battles Face First.

All Montreal shows take place at Café Campus, 57 Prince Arthur. For more information, visit omniumdurock.com.

- Concordia Link

By Jennifer Aouad

It all started with one band among 32 hoping to make it big. Now, Montreal rockers The Hot Streak are among the top from their city at the annual Omnium du rock battle of the bands.

The five-piece band delivered once more on Wednesday, Feb. 13 and won their third consecutive round at a packed Café Campus.

Almost fifteen weeks ago, bassist Gil Roy registered the band last minute for what they hoped to be a chance at some more exposure. They didn't know then that signing up for the Omnium du rock would take them all the way to the final round with more exposure than ever. Roy says the hits on their Myspace page double in the days a show. And each show leaves them with more CDs sold and more email addresses on the mailing list.

“It's not very often you get to play in front of that many people who wouldn't necessarily be listening to your music if they weren't there,” said guitarist Andrew Jackson, who studies electroacoustics at Concordia.

This round saw them on the larger stage of the venue facing the likes of rock band Pornstar to win a spot in the Montreal final. Second in the lineup, The Hot Streak performed to a booming audience with a stage presence they're known for, winning over the chanting public's vote once more. But it didn't stop there, the chants continued throughout the packed room and balcony past the end of their set. Jackson, delighted by the win, said“there's nothing more rewarding than seeing people really digging something that you've created.”

The Montreal finals of the Omnium du rock are Feb. 27 at Café Campus. October Sky, The Furlongs, Play the Angel and The Hot Streak will compete to be crowned top Montreal band in this competition. The winning group will face off in a televised final on Musiqueplus against the top Quebec City band, which is to be determined this week as well. The televised date has yet to be announced.
- Concordia Link

At the moment, Melissa and Lucas are busy planning the 2008 Montreal World Vegan Day Fashion Show. Billed as an event "to promote a cruelty-free lifestyle, through fashion, vegan cuisine, entertainment and a silent auction" it will feature musical performances by Montreal's "The Hot Streak", catering by hot Thai vegetarian restaurant Chu Chai and will showcase some of the hottest cruelty free fashion out there (Macbeth Footwear, Mat & Nat, American Apparel, Healing Heart Designs, etc.)

The promotional pics for the event have been taken and let me tell you… they are sizzling hot! Black and white, tastefully semi-nude shots of some beautiful Montreal vegans are on display at Concordia, on Facebook (search for the show's name and the event will pop up) and all around town. In a world obsessed with sex to sell pretty much everything, these bright activists figured why not use the same approach to their advantage and bring attention to this worthwhile cause? Oh, did I forget to mention what the fundraiser is for? 100% of all the proceeds (tickets are $25) will go towards their puppy mill campaign here in Quebec. - West Island Chronicle

C’est The Hot Streak qui a brisé la glace en offrant une performance énergique à ses nombreux fans qui s’étaient tous procurés des lightsticks bleus pour l’occasion. Le chanteur de la formation s’est avéré être une véritable bête de scène bougeant son corps aux rythmes de ses musiciens et se promenant dans le peu d’espace qu’il avait pour s’amuser avec eux. Même si leur son, plutôt dynamique prenant souvent des allures de ska, le chanteur nous a offert une balade intitulée « Hey Sister » qui a changé le tempo des lightsticks en fin de performance...

- Soundbeat Radio - Mireille Gascon

On Saturday, August 23rd, 2008, at Club Soda in Montreal, Quebec, a collaboration of Canadian musicians joined forces with Confront Magazine to help create awareness for the charity ((( MAPMUSIC ))) - Musicians Against Parkinson’s founded by diagnosed Parkinson musician Robbie Tucker.

The event included performances by upcoming Canadian artists Arthur Kall, Monday Rose, Polar Eyes, The Hot Streak, La Confrerie and The New Cities as well as presentations by MapMusic founder, Robbie Tucker, Craig Buntin (currently the Canadian Pairs bronze medalist ranked 6th in the world) and MusiquePlus VJ Mathieu Marcotte.

The benefit’s main goal was to create strong awareness to all those in attendance and to educate that Parkinson’s disease doesn’t just affect the elderly but young adults and children.

The involvement of the music community and grateful work by the band The Hot Streak behind the scenes in aiding MAPMUSIC & Confront Magazine is highly appreciated.

“I was really pleased with the turn out and the generosity shown by all. It was a great cause and it was a privilege for our event as producers to be an Awareness Concert for MapMusic. We can’t wait to do it again.” Says Confront Editor Angel Karmazenuk.

Many music fans walked into the event uneducated of the disease and the common notion that Parkinson’s is a disease that causes shaking in the elderly. But as the night proceeded, the over 300 music fans of all ages walked away with a better understanding of Parkinson’s symptoms and effects as they were informed throughout the night by the many members of MAPMUSIC.

ABOUT: Canadian musician, Robbie Tucker, began 2008 with a promise. He pledged to create an organization to aid in his fight against Parkinson’s disease; and through this organization, to raise $1,000,000.00 to help others who are living with the illness.

MapMusic (((Musicians Against Parkinson’s))) aims to accomplish the following:

- Educate and change the way people think about Parkinson’s
- Help in Finding a cure
- Assist and motivate individuals living with Parkinson’s

MapMusic founder, Robbie Tucker, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 28. Now 31 years old, the musician is fully aware that there might come a time when his disease will permanently prevent him from performing live music. So now, with his medicated 2nd chance, he is pushing himself and his re?established abilities to the limit to avoid any future musical loss.

Craig Buntin, currently the Canadian Pairs bronze medalist, ranked 6th in the world has joined forces with MapMusic ((( Musicians Against Parkinson’s ))) to aide in the fight against Parkinson’s. Craig represented Canada at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games and, in addition to winning three Canadian National Pairs titles, has been an international competitor for ten years. His mom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease two years ago. This is not only his way of helping his mom, but all those affected with Parkinson’s.

Contact: Jon Asher - Music Publicist
514-581-5780 - ashermedia@gmail.com
- GuestMusicBlogger

The first-ever Montreal World Vegan Day Fashion Show took to the stage last Saturday. Organized by the Concordia Animal Rights Association, the event was held to draw attention to puppy mills in Montreal.

Taking a stance against the 1,500-plus active puppy mills on the island of Montreal, hosts Adam Reid and Rachelle Segal urged guests to get involved before and after the shows by either signing a petition against animal cruelty or bidding at the silent auction.

A variety of items, from clothing featured on the catwalk to an assortment of gift certificates, were auctioned off at the show and all proceeds went to the prevention and eradication of puppy mills in Montreal.

The event also featured musical performances by Montreal-based band The Hot Streak and an acoustic performance by Andree Sophia. - Concordia Link