Matt Bergman is hopeful that the Friday the 13th party his band G.F.U. is playing with Xero Tolerance and Dad Sabbath at Newmarket's Lion Pub and Grill will bring attention to the punk and metal scene in York Region.
Friday’s show is going to be a covers gig with G.F.U. doing a '70s/'80s punk tribute, Xero Tolerance playing Type O Negative covers, and Dad Sabbath doing their best Ozzy Osbourne impressions playing Black Sabbath tunes.
“It’s basically just a fun party for Friday the 13th,” Bergman said. “Normally we do original shows there, not cover shows, but because it’s Friday the 13th, we figured people would be interested. And it’s got people learning about the other stuff going on because they think this cover show looks interesting.”
Bergman, whose band plays an original show at the Lion in Newmarket once a month or so, said there’s plenty of great punk and metal coming from York Region bands, but not a lot of places to play.
“Newmarket has become a hub for it,” he said. “The Lion has been really good to us and a lot of places don’t want that loud music. So we usually play there frequently with other local original bands and we get a good turnout with 100 or more people coming.”
The scene in Newmarket has always been there, said Bergman, even 20 years ago when there were shows as the youth centre.
“We would have punk shows there every weekend,” he said. “Newmarket has always been a hotbed for music, especially punk rock. And the metal scene in northern York Region has been flourishing, too.”
Newmarket has always been a good stop for Bergman and the various bands and acts he has been a part of over the years and he credits the community for being supportive of music.
“We’ve always pulled for Newmarket because it may not be Toronto, but for an outside, more off the beaten path music scene, it’s always been good,” he said.
A lot of bands have been coming out of York Region and surrounding areas, and many end up playing in Newmarket because of its prime location.
“It’s a good spot because people from Barrie are willing to come down to Newmarket for a good show and people from Richmond Hill and Aurora are willing to drive up there,” said Bergman. “I also think Newmarket is far enough from Toronto that you sort of have to make it your own way. It’s a very do-it-yourself type of place in Newmarket with its history of punk rock.”
Bergman wants to put on more shows and events in York Region because so many musicians come out of the area and they need opportunities.
“There’s really not enough support for original bands and they have to go to Toronto,” he said. “We want to create more for those local bands because there can be opportunities. We (G.F.U.) have played 35 gigs since April and we’ve been around Ontario and have a pile of gigs coming up. But realistically there’s not a lot of local support for this stuff and it’s a shame because there’s a lot of bands kicking around York Region that are amazing."
A seasoned promoter, Bergman worked at Cherry Cola’s in Toronto for seven years as the house booker and worked at the Cadillac Lounge in Toronto. He’s not new to this and has been putting concerts together in Ontario for over a decade with his company Drive Events.
“I’ve thrown a lot of shows in Newmarket and they’ve all been successful,” he said. “I want to showcase these York Region bands. We’re trying to build something there (in Newmarket) and with the help of the venue, it’s been going well. I’m proud to be from York Region and we just really want to showcase that we have good talent here. Why don’t we have a better music scene here?”
Bergman calls it a “labour of love” trying to continue to grow the music scene in York Region and part of it is because he credits punk rock with saving his life as an Indigenous Canadian whose father was a Sixties Scoop survivor.
“For 30 years of my life, I didn’t know who I was,” he said. “My life was trying to figure out who I am and punk rock really saved me. It gave me a community. It means something to me and you’re creating a positive experience. For the kid who is an outcast or has nothing, they’re all invited. That’s what makes this important, this stuff is community building.”
Staying true to punk rock tradition of DIY shows, Bergman said that they don’t charge at events at the Lion and ask that attendees pay what they can.
“We’re basically saying that you can come for free and if you think it’s any good, you can give us money,” he said. “But if you don’t feel like we earned your money tonight, then don’t give us anything.”
On Nov. 18, G.F.U. will be playing the Lion with legendary Toronto punk band Random Killing, as well as Newmarket’s Cadillac Blood and Barrie’s Spades GT. Bergman is also planning another show in Newmarket for December that will double as a canned food drive.
The Friday the 13th party starts at 9 p.m. at the Lion, 1091 Gorham St., and is a 19+ event.
