Following his win at an international song writing competition, Michael John took his prize money and got a one-way ticket to Melbourne, Australia.
Shortly afterward, he formed Arcane Saints.
The Australian grunge rockers are coming to tour Canada with a vengeance, making up for their spring tour which had to be cancelled due to an unexpected circumstance. Arcane Saints will be travelling from Down Under to rock Voodoo’s in Penticton on Friday, Sept. 21.
“We were devastated at having to postpone our Canada tour earlier this year but this tour is going to be bigger and better. Having opened for The Trews here in Australia they spoke very highly of the Canadian rock scene and we can’t wait to get over there and experience it for ourselves,” said vocalist/guitarist John.
Following a few early line-up changes, bassist Jim Luxford, guitarist Michael “Sheep” Gooding and drummer Sam Sablinskis joined heavy metal royalty descendant John, a relative of Iron Maiden founding member Steve Harris, solidifying the band as it is known to fans today. Creating music from a place of absolute honesty and integrity, Arcane Saints have become an explosive hard rock force to be reckoned with in their native Australia and across the world.
The band recently completed a tour of China where they were spotted by a local festival promoter and consequently returned to play Midi Festival in Beijing to an audience of 20,000. And now, they are bringing their music across the Pacific to Canada.
Arcane Saints have had the privilege of opening for bands such as Iron Maiden, Grinspoon, The Trews, Butterfly Effect, Sarah McLeod and Thousand Needles in Red. They have two EPs, frequent commercial radio airplay and an appearance on MTV’s Up and Coming Bands documentary behind them in their relatively short career. Also, as a result of winning Firebrand Rock Radio’s International Band of the Month competition, single Never Say Die is currently receiving air play on internet radio stations worldwide.
Opening for Arcane Saints (9:45 p.m.) is Princeton band Jump the Planet (8:30 p.m.).
Penticton rockers Dirty Side Down (11 p.m.) will follow Arcane Saints. Doors to the Sept. 21 show at Voodoo’s open at 8 p.m.
There is a $7 cover charge.