Gerhard and the Missing Links are looking forward to their Nov. 28 concert (postponed from Oct. 24) at the Sasquatch as they present a familiar and eclectic mix of music spanning several decades and a few countries. Well known around the Creston Valley, the upbeat and entertaining group is made up of Gerhard Link, Neil Ostafichuk, Mike Mitchell and Keith Brookfield, who are delighted that the Sasquatch has again opened its doors as one of Creston’s best entertainment venues to performance artists from all over.
Link got his first guitar at age seven, formed a three-man band at 18 and by the time he was 20, had graduated to a four-piece group. Three years later he was playing popular music all over Germany with his seven-piece group. He has spent the last 20 years playing in the Creston Valley and is recognized for his solo gigs, as well as combining talent with various local musicians. Putting the Link in the Missing Links, he plays acoustic and electric guitars along with lead vocals.
Ostafichuk brings his many years of experience from the local trio Kings of Kitchener and lays a solid foundation on bass guitar and backing vocals. Ostafichuk began his career as a banjoist at a young age until relocating to the Creston Valley to pick up the bass guitar and cover the lower register for the Missing Links.
Mitchell picked up his first harmonica to pass the time away while backpacking through Europe over 30 years ago. Keen on travelling and adventure, he always makes sure a few harmonicas are packed for a trip. Name a city or a country and chances are he has traded notes with the locals playing blues or country, and even tender Cuban ballads or some lively Mexican rock. For many years, Mitchell was part of the trio that made up the Kings of Kitchener, playing percussion on suitcases, wavedrum and bongo cajon and brings those diverse skills, along with vocals, to the Missing Links.
Brookfield grew up in a musical family and was recruited as the drummer for his brother’s bands. Landing his first professional drumming job at the tender age of 15, a year later he was playing six nights a week at a nightclub while attending high school. His past opportunities included playing with many Okanagan bands, including recording in various studios, but his renewed interest in music in the Creston Valley landed him behind the drum kit with many groups, including the Buddies, Full Circle and, most recently, Gerhard and the Missing Links, where he lays some steady beats on the drum kit for the group to follow along with backup vocals.
Tickets are $12 in advance at Buffalo Trails Coffee House, Kingfisher Used Books and Black Bear Books, and $15 at the door, which opens at 6 p.m.; the Nov. 28 show starts at 7. Teens receive a special $8 rate only at the door.
