This is the first of three pieces I am reprinting from local media that dove into a strange incident that shook the foundations of Listowel, Ontario. When this issue flared into a fervour of debate among the town council and local authorities, my father told me, “You are ahead of your time; this town is not ready for you yet.” It seems that this is still the case. Yet, I’m still here.  

Originally printed in the edition of the Listowel Banner on Wednesday, September 20, 1995, this story had no byline attributed to it.  Although the newspaper has gone through several ownership changes since then, it has been printed continuously since 1866, and back issues can be found at the archives housed in the Stratford Perth Museum.

On a personal note, I was at the heart of this “lewd behaviour,” it marked the beginning of my relationship with my wife, my loving partner in this life, and we have been together for almost 30 years. We were married four years after this event on the same holiday weekend. It’s easy to keep those landmark dates straight.

As far as I recall, I had nothing to do with the flyers for this event and have no idea what flyers the town council was referring to. I am not a visual artist. That’s not my department. However, I do question a tepid phrase like “almost obscene.” Something is either obscene or it is not, correct?

Somehow all three pieces manage to omit the words “Caesar salad.” If you know why this phrase is historically significant, tell the world in the comments.

‘Battle of the Bands’ outrages councillors

By the accounts of town councillors, complaints to town police and at least one letter to town council, a well-intentioned “Bandfest ‘95” went beyond the scope of what could be considered acceptable behaviour for this community.

The event at the bandstand in Memorial Park was an event sponsored by the newly organized Youth Support Group, formed to provide activities and assistance for all youth, including those who are having trouble coping at home and at school.

Over 125 youths and adults attended what was dubbed “the Battle of the Bands.” They contributed non-perishable food items to the Salvation Army’s food band. (LINK)

Taking part were seven bands, the Viciously Rotten Band, Shi-t, Noof, Candy Spark, Superball Head, Insect Inside and Chachi On Acid. (LINK) They performed a variety of original songs and cover tunes, playing from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

While the entertainment might have met with the approval of those in attendance, this wasn’t the case with the people living in the area – or with Coun. Daniel McIntosh, who advised council he had the “displeasure” of observing the event for about 10 minutes.

Town police received approximately 15 complaints during the event.

Letter to Town

Council’s lengthy discussion of the event at its Sept. 6 session was prompted by a letter to town councillors, written by Janice Rae of 615 Maple Ave.

Ms. Rae stated she was disgusted with the volume and language from the bandstand.

“It echoed from the houses,” she stated. “All doors and windows had to be closed in order to carry on a conversation. This involved warm conditions because of the closed windows.

“Who gave this group permission to pollute our environment with their loud noise, which was not music, and the foul language …? What happened to the rights of other citizens? Are our rights to be violated for the freedom of speech and noise of a small group with no respect for neighbours?”

“Were all the councillors out of town that it went on for so many hours?”

As critical as Ms. Ra’s letter was, it was mild compared to what Coun. McIntosh had to say about the event.

As he began his comments, some councillors appeared amused; however, as Coun. McIntosh continued and later was supported in his remarks by Coun.  Greg Marles, and Mayor Brian Wretham, the grins of amusement quickly disappeared.

Profanity, Nudity

Coun. McIntosh said if the event was one of the activities intended to foster healthy outlets for youth, then the two bands he saw were a disservice to other young people and bands who were there.

Coun. McIntosh said he didn’t know the names of the bands, but the two he saw, the first one might well have been named “Profanity” and the second one, the “Nudity Band.”

In retrospect, Coun. McIntosh said the venue was inappropriate.

“This event might better have been located at the landfill site or, at best, at the arena,” he said.

He said if such an event is ever held again, the groups ought to be censored.

“I was embarrassed as an adult of this town to witness such profanity and behaviour in a public park, Coun. McIntosh said, adding the behaviour was almost akin to a performance of Oh Calcutta in Kitchener-Waterloo, “although not so professionally performed.”

Nodding his head in agreement with Coun. McIntosh’s observations, Mayor Wretham said that, unfortunately, the behaviour witnessed by Coun. McIntosh was not limited to the first two bands.

“It is my understanding it occurred most of the evening … and was not appreciated by families having reunions at the pavilion or by a wedding party at the Legion Hall.”

Not Unlawful

Coun. Greg Marles said he had received calls about the event and had called some people about it.

While it was commendable the youths ended the event by 11 p.m., Coun. Marles said the people he talked to reported “foul language, lewd behaviour and drinking underage.”

Noting Ms. Rae had questioned the whereabouts of councillors, both Coun. McIntosh and Coun. Marles asked whether anyone could have stopped the event.

Police Chief Douglas Ashbourne, who attends all open sessions of council, responded he was out of town at the time of the event. However, Sgt. Steven Worboys was in town and had investigated the matter.

A number of complaints were received, Chief Ashbourne said. While people might have found the behaviour disturbing, it wasn’t unlawful.

The activity could not have been stopped unless it reached a “riotous condition,” Chief Ashbourne said. However, if anyone were caught drinking underage, they would be charged accordingly.

Coun. Marles advised council he also was disturbed with advertising for the event, which had been placed on poles around town about a week and a half before the event.

Indicating a number of advertisements which he had taken off poles, Coun. Marles said he found them “almost obscene” and recommended those in charge of the youth group, as well as council, ought to look at their advertising approach.

“It disgusted me,” he said.

The event had been approved by the Parks, Arena, Recreation and Community Centre Board. Both Coun. Robert Nicholson and Dep. Reeve Edwin Hollinger, council’s representatives on the board, said the board had not investigated the event adequately.

However, they noted it was the first such event held by the Youth Support Group, and the results ought not to discourage future action by the group.

Reeve Vincent Judge said he wouldn’t want to see the Youth Support Group discouraged because of one unfortunate happening.

Town administrator Les Tervit clarified the event had not been sanctioned by the town’s recreation department, headed by Colleen Lichti.

Mr. Tervit noted Ms. Lichti is also a member of the Youth Support Committee and was acting on behalf of the committee regarding the event.

Coun. Jaqueline Espensen said she did not want to appear to be condoning what had happened but that this “genre of music” existed in today’s music world.

“The venue should not have been such a public one,” Coun. Epsensen said. “Freedom of expression is one thing…”

“I hope the parents of these young people are aware of what happened, and if they are, will have a frank discussion about what to do about it.” Interrupted Mayor Wretham.

Coun. Espensen agreed, adding that she had found the advertising brought to council by Coun. Marles to be “quite rude and very inappropriate.”

“On behalf of myself, council, the town staff and the PARRC Board, I apologize to people who were disturbed by the noise and behaviour, Mayor Wretham said. “I hope they never have to put up with this again.”

Dep. Reeve Hollinger agreed.  “We didn’t screen it properly,” he said, “and I think a letter of apology should be sent to Janice Rea.

The misspelling of Janice’s name is in keeping with the original publication.

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