AFTER performing countless high-energy shows across the South East to hundreds of music lovers, Mount Gambier band Stitches is calling it quits.
With five years of excitement, growth and creativity on the board, the unique ensemble provided the city’s music scene with an edgy cover band sure to be missed by many.
From performing hard rocking Motorhead covers to reviving Green Day classics, Stitches has gained plenty of fans over the years.
Due to frontman Kane Stuckey leaving the area, the band has decided to go out with a bang.
The group will perform its final show on Saturday night at the Mount Gambier Returned and Services League with all ages welcome and free entry.
Kane has been a prominent member of the city’s music scene for many years, performing solo, in bands, crossing many genres and continuously encouraging others to support live music.
He said Stitches came together after he and some friends recognised a gap in the local scene.
“We wanted to stray from the usual cover songs heard at pubs and venues in the area,” he said.
“As a group we still wanted to play songs people know and love, but instead performing edgier tracks and focusing more on what our generation wanted to hear.”
With crowd favourites including Silverchair, Fall Out Boy, Blink 182, Good Charlotte, Foo Fighters, Wolfmother, Placebo, Linkin Park and Pennywise on the setlist, it is no wonder Stitches shows have audience members dancing.
After five years of performing, Kane said the band had experienced immense growth.
“We have all come so far, our playing, sound, stage presence and overall presentation has improved so much over the years,” he said.
“Our first show was at the Bellum Hotel and if we compare that show with our latest we are almost unrecognisable.”
He said some of the band’s most successful shows were held in Naracoorte and Portland.
“We would always have an amazing reception in Portland – I am talking more than 200 people dancing from start to finish, just incredible,” Kane said.
“We definitely built a small following over the years which was really cool to see, especially when we performed outside of Mount Gambier.”
With Cheryl Bass providing the bassline, Darrien Smith on drums and Kane’s striking vocals and guitar, Stitches had a quality line-up to provide a show-stopping final performance.
Following the final show, Kane will pack up his guitar and hit the road to perform across the country in the company of his young family.
Starting in Tasmania, Kane will revisit his acoustic roots for the first time in years.
After living and performing in Mount Gambier since day one, Kane’s new venture is expected to broaden his musical horizons and create new opportunities for him as a solo artist.
“I was born and raised in Mount Gambier and will miss it very dearly – this is both scary and exciting, but I look forward to all of it,” he said.
As an advocate for supporting the local music scene, Kane said there were a number of young musicians in the area with plenty of talent and potential.
“I am definitely leaving on a high-note, I have always been super passionate about live music and supporting upcoming young artists and bands,” he said.
“There are some incredible acts kicking around with huge potential and I am excited for their futures and the future of the Mount Gambier scene.”
