Local Perth band reform for Haiti benefit gig

Jan 29 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

LIVE music fans will get a rare chance to see legendary Perth act Lateshift play at forthcoming benefit gig Rocking for Haiti.

Event organiser Helen MacDonald, from the Rotary Club of Perth Kinnoull, said the band had been extremely popular in the ‘80s and ‘90s before splitting up about six years ago.

“This will be a rare opportunity to see them play, so we’re hoping the gig will be a sell-out,” she said.

She added that up to two more bands would be confirmed and the Salutation Hotel had generously agreed to provide the 220-person venue, and free stovies, with all funds raised going directly to Haiti aid relief.

Guitarist Pete Caban, who originally founded Lateshift with singer Dave Amos in the 1980s, said the band had decided to call it a day, not due to artistic differences but after “20 years of hard slog”.

“We still do sporadic wee gigs like this one, maybe two or three times a year,” he said.

“Everyone feels very strongly about the situation in Haiti and benefit gigs are a great way to raise funds.

“As a pub/dance band we used to play everything from Frank Sinatra to Deep Purple, but for this gig we’ll be playing a classic ‘70s rock selection, mainly because we’re all old enough to remember the era.”

l Rocking for Haiti is at the Salutation Hotel, 7.30pm, Saturday, February 20.

Tickets at £12 are available from Bandwagon Music, Innovations and Hine Opticians, or by calling 07799 722519.