Keithmas X announces lineup with a flair for writing that no less than Sir Keef Richards himself would appreciate

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      Sometimes you have to man up, put on your big-boy pants, and accept that someone's done the job every bit as good as you would have done, if not better. Take, for example, the press release for this year's 10th-anniversary installment of the fundraising mega-party known as Keithmas. 

      When organizer John Hewer first sent his lineup announcement to the Straight, it was accompanied by the note "Feel free to polish it up (who's kidding who I'm not a writer)."

      Funnily, no less than Keith Richards himself would probably relate to that missive. How much do you wanna bet that, when he first listened to himself sing on "Before They Make Me Run" from Some Girls, he told Mick Jagger, "Feel free to polish it up. Who's kidding who I'm not a singer."

      Except that everyone knows that "Before They Make Me Run" is one of the Rolling Stones' greatest and most underrated songs ever, and not just because of the line "I wasn't looking too good but I was feeling really well."

      So in the spirit of Keith, here's the unpolished release for this year's Keithmas X, the Richards-themed party where all proceeds go to the Food Bank. This edition—December 14 at the righteous Rickshaw Theatre—is going to sell out as always, so you better walk to your favourite record store for tickets before the fact they're disappearing makes you run. 

      KEITHMAS X LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT

      Thee human riff once said “Some doctor told me I had six months to live and I went to their funeral”. Well that’s how we feel about Keithmas. Somehow 10 years on and here we are still alive and drinking. And raising money for the Vancouver Foodbank.

      For the uninitiated Keithmas began in 2010 as a one-off Christmas party celebrating Keef that has gone on to become the longest running Keith Richards Christmas themed birthday celebration in the world. Albeit possibly the only one but who’s counting.

      In honour of the 10th Anniversary we have put together the wildest, heaviest, swingin'est line-up Vancouver has ever seen all in one place on one special night all washed down with a large belt of Jack Daniels.

      Vancouver loves Rich Hope. Keithmas has Rich Hope. Look forward to some special guest appearances w/Rich and the boys as well on their record setting 10th consecutive appearance!

      Historically La Chinga has held the loudest band award year after year but this year we have a new challenger for the Keithmas decibel crown. Bringing the in your face metal to masses is the mighty Bison. Long time lords of the Vancouver Metal scene will take Keef and the Stones in a new direction and we can’t wait.

      If you were at Keithmas VIII you remember the awe-inspiring performance of Gimme Shelter by The Pack AD. Well we begged them to return for Keithmas X and lucky for us they said yes.

      New to the event this year are the garage rock jangle of Dead Ghosts who will be fresh off their triumphant West Coast tour and in fine form to lay down some 60s inspired raunch and roll for the Keithmas faithful. And Paper Bag Records Recording Artists FRANKIIE are chock full of Reverb drenched guitars and intoxicating harmonies. These four women have coalesced into a dream-rock outfit whose live performance will captivate. Jody Glenham brings her Morphine-dripped, Mazzy Star-styled mood rock to Keithmas for the first time too.

      Did we mention those liquor lovin’ outlaws The Wild North composed of a murder’s row of roots-rock muso’s. They just released “Welcome to...the Wild North” and they are back again to fuel your bourbon intake with their eastvan dirtbag country sound. Don’t sleep on Keithmas regulars the Rentalmen either.They are a heavy crew and they always start the night off with a bang.

      And somewhere in the night’s proceedings thrill to the sounds of an all Chuck Berry/Stones set by the mysterious Keithberries.

                     And as always 100% of the Proceeds to the Vancouver Foodbank

                                                          LET IT ROCK

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