HEAVY MTL BULKS UP
Marky Ramone among acts
Korn, Iggy Pop, Marky Ramone and Alexisonfire are among the names added to the lineup of Heavy Montreal, Aug. 7 to 9 at Jean- Drapeau Park.
California nu metal act Korn will revive its ’ 90s heyday by performing the songs from its self- titled 1994 debut in order, as well as a selection of greatest hits.
Consummate performer Iggy Pop brings his feral stage presence and decades of experience to the seventh edition of the festival, as does fellow veteran Marky Ramone. The drummer and last living member of ’ 70s punk rock band The Ramones presents his Blitzkrieg project, performing gems from his old group’s back catalogue with the vocals of Andrew W. K.
“We saw videos ( of Blitzkrieg ), and it’s great — just great songs, and great energy,” said Daniel Glick, director of concerts and events at festival promoter Evenko.
The reunited original lineup of Canadian post- hardcore act Alexisonfire will drop in, as part of a series of festival performances this summer.
And while the Vans Warped Tour may no longer stop here, Heavy Montreal is picking up the slack with an increasing range of punk acts. The Fat Wreck Tour will merge with the festival, bringing American punk mainstays NOFX and several other bands along with it.
“We’ve been working on that for a while,” Glick said.
“Some of these punk rock bands, we never had when ( Heavy Montreal) started — we didn’t want to compete with Warped.”
Previously announced headliners include Slipknot and Faith No More, the latter performing in support of its first album in 17 years, Sol Invictus, due in May.
“We’ve been talking to them since the second year of the festival,” Glick said. “I don’t think they’ve been ( to Montreal) since the ’ 90s, and they only played once. It’s a big deal, and it’s big for Heavy Montreal.”
Other names on the bill include Canadian punk band Billy Talent; Georgia heavy metal group Mastodon; Virginia’s Lamb of God; Wales’s Bullet for My Valentine; and Sweden’s Meshuggah. Among the Quebec acts on the bill are Slaves on Dope ( featuring CHOM/ CJAD DJ Jason Rockman), Anonymus, B. A. R. F. and Gorguts.
Heavy Montreal occupies the same site as Osheaga, the indie music festival which takes place the weekend before to sellout crowds. And though Heavy Montreal isn’t as big as Osheaga, it’s getting bigger all the time.
This year marks the first time Heavy Montreal will feature three full days of music outside. Evenko is hoping to improve its numbers from the 75,000 fans who attended last year’s edition, and Glick believes the eclectic lineup will help with that.
“It feels like a much more comparative festival to what they do in Europe with Download ( in the U. K.) and Hellfest ( in France),” he said, of this year’s edition. “One of our goals is to be an international destination hard rock festival, attracting people from all over.”
Heavy Montreal takes place Aug. 7 to 9 at Jean- Drapeau Park. Festival passes cost $ 230 ( Gold and Platinum passes are available for $ 550 and $ 850, respectively) and go on sale Friday at 1 p. m. Call 514790- 2525 or visit heavymontreal.com for more information.