I'd like to thank the bands, the guest speakers, the volenteers, the sound persons Dave and Adam, and my co-organizer Elaine MacDonald. Thank you to the 300+ people that showed up through out the day (including a few people from Montreal and Ottawa who came to see the show). A lot of us working the show were there at 9am and didn't leave till after 11pm, but we're already talking about Rock the Vote 3 for next year. Thanks to the local radio station Rock 101.1, local newspapers the Standard Freeholder, and Seaway News, and Cogeco Cable 11 for covering this event. 

From what I saw last night it is pretty safe to say that Cornwall punkers love The Riptides, and they are an amazing headline band. They are super cool dudes, and what I think I respect most about them is that they are so humble and really nice. Here is a little plug for the Riptides: The Riptides new music video "Change Gonna Come" is debuting on the Punk Show @ Much Music in two weeks, and they'll be heading on a U.K/Ireland tour of Europe with The Queers in October. 

Here is a recap of some of the guestspeakers: 1) Huguette Burroughs a Cornwall city councilor who started the first francophone newspaper in Cornwall, a woman who over comes the challenges of being blind and in a wheel chair to be a community leader. 2) Judy Dancause of the Agape Food Bank in Cornwall who talked about poverty issues. 3) Trans Cappuccino, son of Fred, talking about what his father is doing to help a man in Sanctuary. 4) David Lipton of the United Steel Workers of America, and 5) Diane Besner of the Workers Health and Safety Center, talked about work safety and workers rights to refuse unsafe work. 6) Liam Lynch, vice-president at Carleton U, and 7) Maggie MacDonald of the Hidden Cameras, and 8) Kim Fry of the Ontario Coalition of Social Justice were also guest speakers too.

The Riptides who were the headline band for Rock the Vote 2 in Cornwall on Aug 7th are Ottawa-Punk legends! "Good rock n roll punk, catchy and angry...similar to Screeching Weasel but more melodic, with lots of f**k yous."– says Maximum Rock n' Roll! They started playing in the mid-90's, and by 1999-2001 opening up for bands like Bunchofuckingoofs, L.E.S. Stiches, The Donnas, Vaginal Croutons, Chixdiggit, Frenzal Rhomb, The Mr. T Experience, Men o' Steel, Belvedere, Mad Caddies, Groovie Ghoulies, Grade, All Systems Go, Riff Randells, The Ripcordz, and more. Then in 2001 they went on tour across Canada with Moral Crux, and the Riptides really started to make a name for themselves across Canada. MTV tried to sign them, but they ripped up the contract in disgust at a live gig. Then in 2002 they toured the U.S. and Canada with Lookout/Hopeless band The Queers. Joe liked them so much that he recorded their album that fall. "The credits speak for themselves: Produced by Joe Queer who also handles guitar, back-ups, and some lead vocal duties, Mixed & Mastered by Mass Giorgini (Screeching Weasel) & Phillip Hill (Teen Idols), even Wimpy (original Queer singer) lends vocals for a track" (Source Exclaim Magazine). Goblin Records was born and The Riptides label released albums by The Creeps and Uninspired Empire, and they released two Ottawa based comps. Kick'em While They're Down Vol.2 featured The Riptides, Dwarves, Queers, Dayglo Abortions, Ripcordz, Moral Crux, and even The Nads were on it. The Riptides continued to play with big bands opening up for the Circle Jerks, and touring Canada with the Dwarves, and touring Canada again with The Queers. The Riptides released a split C.D. with the Vapids and have made a new music video called Change Gonna Come that will be playing on the Punk Show on Much Music Sat Aug 21st. After Rock the Vote 2 in Cornwall on Aug 7th, The Riptides will open up for the The Casualties and The Ripcordz in Ottawa, and soon will be off to Europe in the fall for another Queers tour.

Happy Fifth Anniversary to the Cornwall Underground. Remember if you speak out and get involved you can make a difference ;)
Thank you and Adio Amigos.
-Jason Ramone