Town adopts stranded band

News — 04 August 2010

Toronto-based band Aberdeen performing one of three local shows over the past week.

‘Aberdeen’ pays back local hospitality many times over

A disappointing end to a promising summer tour has become a bit of an unexpected vacation for up-and-coming Toronto band Aberdeen.

Enroute to B.C. to play Kelowna’s Centre of Gravity festival with Faber Drive, the band’s tour vehicle underwent a catastrophic engine failure just west of Dryden.

“All of a sudden we smelled this…burning…from our van,” said bass player Adam Dugas. “They towed us back to Dryden and we didn’t know what to do. The dealership told us we needed to buy a new engine for our van. We couldn’t make any of the dates and we had to cancel the entire tour.”

Down on their luck and stuck in Dryden, the band mysteriously came into contact with 2010 Centennial Committee chair Mary Helie and haven’t looked back.

On July 29, the group were a perfect fit to open for Stereos in a sold-out show full of hundred of screaming tweens at The Centre.

The following day, they spiced up the Dryden Youth Centre Centennial Dance with special performance and had plans to play at the Rockin’ The River event, Aug. 2.

“Mary’s been our angel,” said Dugas. “Lots of cool things are happening. We went sailing and we’ve hung out and met a bunch of people. It’s turned out to be a bit of a vacation.”

Unable to sleep in their van due to the repairs, the band scored the Stereos’ rooms at the Holiday Inn when the band opted to hit the road after the show. They spent a night at the Timberland and have been crashing at Best Western on a three-nights for two deal to promote Disney’s upcoming film Camp Rock 2. Aberdeen were featured in the movie as the band.

Brad Woodworth lent the group his distinctive Blue Moose to use as a set of wheels while they were in town.

“We want to make some t-shirts that say, “Our Van Broke Down In Dryden and We Don’t Want To Go Home,” or something like that,” laughs Dugas. “There’s been no better place that we could possibly have broke down in. Everybody here has been so kind and we’re very grateful for all the support we’ve got.”

- Chris Marchand

Related News

GALLERY: 2010 Centennial Parade

Longtime Dryden area resident Owen Fenwick pilots his classic car in the 2010 Dryden Centennial Parade. Check out the gallery for images from a very successful 2010 Dryden Centennial Parade featuring ...

2010 Centennial Music Events

The following is a detailed listing of live music events over the July 30-Aug. 8 Centennial Homecoming Week in Dryden. Acts may be subject to change Friday July 30 Dryden Youth ...

GALLERY: Dryden Centennial Air show

Check out our gallery of images from the weekend below. Thousands of people crowded the airport over the weekend to see the unique flying styles of the CAF Snowbirds and some ...

Kenora MP Greg Rickford (second from left) and Dryden Mill Manager Jim Blight cut the ribbon on Domtar Dryden's $22.7 million Topping Turbine Generator and Surplus Steam Condensor Project, May 22 at The Centre. They are flanked by Domtar employees Brian Hadley (left) and Luc Petit (right).

Turbine project complete at Domtar

By Chris Marchand Shortly after Prime Minister Stephen Harper's appearance at Dryden's 2010 Centennial Airshow, the PM was spirited off to Domtar for a $22.7 million announcement that would help Domtar's ...

Council to consider Pinewood School rezoning carefully

By Chris Marchand A crowd of approximately 50 people spilled from council chambers into the corridors, May 15 as city officials hosted a public meeting on a controversial application to rezone ...

Beaver Brae Bronco Andrew Marks tries to get a leg up on airborne Eagle Brady Desserre during the Eagles’ 3-1 win over the Broncos, May 16 at Rotary Park.

Second place Eagles soccer teams head into NorWOSSA playoffs, May 23

Dryden High School Eagles girls and boys soccer teams hosted Kenora’s Beaver Brae Broncos and Fort Frances Muskies at North Dryden’s Rotary Park soccer pitches in NorWOSSA ‘AA’ soccer action, ...

Joan Lundstrom

In loving memory of Joan Lundstrom who passed away Tuesday, May 15th in the Dryden Regional Health Centre with family at her side. Joan is survived by her husband Doug, children ...

Kathy Davis – May 11, 1951 – May 12, 2012

In loving memory of Kathy Davis, who passed away on May 12, 2012 after an admirable eight year battle with cancer. Kathy is survived by her husband, Tom, daughter and son-in-law, ...

A sunset swim

Proud parents, pairs of Canada geese swim with their young in tow in the tranquil waters of the Wabigoon River near the Partridge Island Causeway, May 9. A riverside walk ...

Ruby Eileen Matchett

In loving memory of Ruby Eileen Matchett who passed away peacefully at Leisureworld Caregiving Centre, Brantford, ON on May 10, 2012 at the age of 86. Ruby moved to Brantford, ON ...

GALLERY: 2010 Centennial Parade

2010 Centennial Music Events

GALLERY: Dryden Centennial Air show

Turbine project complete at Domtar

Council to consider Pinewood School rezoning carefully

Second place Eagles soccer teams head into NorWOSSA

Joan Lundstrom

Kathy Davis – May 11, 1951 – May

A sunset swim

Ruby Eileen Matchett

About Author

chrismarchand

Chris Marchand is a native of Dryden, Ontario. He served his first newspaper internship at The Dryden Observer in 1998 while attending journalism studies at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops B.C. He's worked desks as both reporter and editor at the Fernie Free Press as well as filled the role of sports editor at the Cranbrook Daily Townsman. Marchand was named editor of the Dryden Observer in Aug. 2009.