From the mid to late 1990s, The Smokers — known for their hybrid of ska and swing with splashes of rocksteady and R&B — was arguably the most popular band in Sudbury.
They were mainstays of The Townehouse, opened for major acts coming through town and even scored a few local TV spots.
Sudburians might even remember an old Gagnon Opticians commercial featuring the band wearing clip-on sunglasses.
Given it's the 30th anniversary of The Townehouse's current iteration, the local live music venue's operations manager, Paul Loewenberg, has been looking for ways to celebrate.
He decided reuniting The Smokers, who parted ways with the end of the last millennium, was just the ticket.
They take the stage at the kickoff to the 2017 Elgin Street Craft Beer Fest at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 11.
Sudbury musician Matt Foy, who played guitar and vocals with the group, said he's “super pumped” for the band reunion, which will also bring together members Josh Fuhrman, Blair McNally, Brian McNally and Andrew McMullen.
“The stuff is way more difficult than I remember and a lot faster than I remember,” he said. “I've been playing a lot of reggae and slower music in the last little while, so I'm going to get a good sweat on. I'll be tired by the end of it.”
The band's unreleased second album will be sold — fittingly — on cassette tape at the event (Foy said he'll also probably put it up on Bandcamp later on for download).
The fifth edition of the Elgin Street Craft Beer Festival's main event opens at 12 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, and runs to midnight.
As usual, the festival shuts down Grey Street. The sidewalk and one lane of Elgin Street in front of The Townehouse and the Laughing Buddha will also be taken over this year, increasing the event's footprint.
There will be 22 Ontario craft brewers represented — the most ever in the festival's history — as well as hard cider producers. There will be live music throughout the event.
“It's always a great day of music and premium beverage sampling,” Loewenberg said.
The festival has had lineups every year it's operated except in 2016, and that's because of rainy weather, he said.
In previous years, a small souvenir sampling glass was included with admission. However, this year's souvenir glass is much larger so people can buy a full glass of beer if they like a particular brew.
The craft brewing industry in Ontario has exploded in recent years. When the Elgin Street Craft Beer Fest started in 2013, there were 40 craft brewers in the province, and now there's 400.
In fact, some have become victims of their own success.
“One brewery came last year and really wanted to come back this year, but just couldn't,” Loewenberg said. “They're literally working 24 hours a day to try and keep up with the demand of some of their beers in Southern Ontario.”
An advance weekend pass costs $35 and an advance pass to just The Smokers Reunion Night costs $15.
Tickets are available online through Event Brite or at the door (where prices go up slightly).
