It will be a homecoming of sorts for the members of Vinyl Flux, the classic rock cover band that will be headlining the final day night of Thorold’s Canada Day celebrations.
“The bass player [Phil Saglimbeni] and I grew up on the same street in Thorold,” guitarist Joseph Minicucci said. “We’ve played together since we were kids basically practicing out of my dad's garage.”
And it was that way for 35 years, with other members of Vinyl Flux — vocalist Rob Cave, Guitarist Jamie Payne and drummer Max Turavani — coming aboard at various times.
“I went to high school with Rob, so we were quite familiar with each other,” Minicucci said.
The band has shared the stage with some notable musicians, having performed at festivals with the likes of former Triumph guitarist Rik Emmett.
The band is popular in Niagara, currently playing upward of 70 shows a year bringing audiences classic rock from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
“We all grew up with Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd Bad Company, so we all have a passion for that music,” Minicucci said.
While they are no longer kids in their teens bashing out the tunes in Minicucci’s dad’s garage, the five men of Vinyl Flux remain young at heart playing the music they grew up on.
“Now most of us are into that retirement zone and we're back to doing what we did when we were kids, which is a real magical spot to be in,” Minicucci said.
That magical spot for Vinyl Flux will cap three days at Beaverdams Park to celebrate Canada’s 157th birthday on July 1. The band will take to the bandshell stage from 8 to 10 p.m. followed by fireworks.
And Minicucci promises there will be a slice of Canadiana in Vinyl Flux’s setlist for the show, featuring songs by Bryan Adams, the Tragically Hip, Trouper and A Foot in Cold Water.
“There’s a name from the past,” Minicucci said of the latter.
Day 1 on June 29 will feature an afternoon and evening of jazz presented on two stages by the TD Niagara Jazz Festival starting at 1 p.m. while Day 2 on June 30 will feature rock and blues music for Rock & Blues on the Battlefield starting at 2 p.m.
A full listing of performers and set times is available at thorold.ca.
In addition, there will be activities for kids in the Kid’s Zone on June 30 and July 1, including balloon twisting, face painting, a bubble dance party, magic shows, and an inflatable obstacle course.
Costumed characters will also be on hand to meet with kids attending the festivities on the final two days.
