On August 14th Toronto was rocked by the second annual Sausage Fest, presented by 102.1 The Edge and hosted by resident shock-jock Dean Blundell.  Fans of the radio station vied for weeks for coveted tickets to this listener appreciation event held at the Sound Academy.  The Edge provided food for the ears, mind and mouth, in the form of awesome music, a live interview with the legendary Kevin Smith and of course, the event’s palatable namesake: sausages!  The very impressive lineup of The Salads, Moneen, USS and a surprise SUPER SECRET guest made this event one of the most memorable shows of the summer.

Sausage Fest started up in the early evening with sausages served up hot off the grill, and a live edition of the popular edge morning show from the picturesque Sound Academy patio.  Radio personalities Dean, Jason and Todd, kept listeners entertained as they chowed down on the classic BBQ treat. 

Music for the night began at 8pm with Newmarket natives The Salads performing in disguise as “The Sausages”.  The band even dressed the part; resplendent in mustard and hot dog costumes.  If that weren’t enough, the bulky outfits appeared to not hold them back from putting on a rowdy set, getting the crowd ready and moshing for the next band!

Moneen took to the stage next and although we failed to catch their set, we are told that they were awesome.

Electro-rock duo Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS) were next.  While sci-fi nerd love ballad “Pornostartrek” was not on the set list (much to this writer’s dismay), USS truly BROUGHT IT.  The duo, that consists of singer/guitarist Ash Bucholz and turntabalist/hypeman the Human Kebab, put on a dynamic and at times acrobatic set, with HK hoisting Ash up on his shoulders during a particularly exhilarating guitar solo.  The set was defined by pulsating rhythms, wrenching vocals and melodic guitar.  Fans bopped to the beat of “Laces out”, and swayed to the strains of “2:15:16″.  Lovestruck female fans could be heard saying “a tack in a paper clip factory?  THIS SONG IS SO ABOUT ME!” (alright fine, I said that, what of it?).  There’s a reason why the Edge is pumping these guys as they are definitely the next act to watch. 

The night ended with an appearance by SUPER SECRET SPECIAL GUEST…THORNLEY!  Surprised fans jumped, thrashed and danced as the former Big Wreck frontman launched into his set.  Looking every inch the rock star, Thornley’s powerhouse vocals and heart thumping guitar riffs mesmerized and energized the crowd, who rocked out to old standby tracks such as “So Far So Good” off their first record Come Again, and new tracks such as “Conscious Consequence” off Tiny Pictures which was released this year. The night of many revelers was made even more apparent when Thornley busted out a classic Canadian hit, namely Big Wreck’s “The Oaf (My Luck is Wasted)”  off the now defunct band’s 1997 record In Loving Memory of… Thornley’s live performance was amazing, and more than made up for the hype and suspense.

All in all, Sausage Fest’s sophomore year was a rousing success, and has definitely raised the bar for the future of this carnivorous musical celebration.  

Written by Nadia Elkharadly