February 15, 2011
Posted by iwArtist in Canada Performer Archive, Indie Week Canada 2009, Indie Week Canada 2010
The North
Formed in 2007, THE NORTH have spent the time since trying to remind audiences just what a rock'n'roll show is all about: Lots of energy, volume, booze and giving people something to talk about.
Combining country, rockabilly, blues and a shit-load of Canadian influences into their sound, THE NORTH is fronted by one of the best, little known singers in the GTA. Not only is Bernadette brash, vocally gifted and gorgeous, but she also has blessed bloodlines, being the daughter of Status Quo's Francis Rossi.
http://www.wearethenorth.com
100%
Fri. Apr. 16 - The Twisted Pepper (Dublin) - 1:30am
Sat. Apr. 17 - Baker's Place (Limerick) - 11:15pm
Paul DJs on Tues. Apr. 13 - Auntie Annie's (Belfast)
Paul McIver sings and plays guitar
Grace McMacken sings and plays synths
Ryan Simpson hits drums
Check out the blogs they wrote for the BBC about their experiences in Toronto:
Tues. Apr. 13 - Auntie Annie's (Belfast) - 11:15pm
Thurs. Apr. 15 - Cellar Bar (Galway) - 9:00pm
Fri. Apr. 16 - The Twisted Pepper (Dublin) - 9:45pm
Sat. Apr. 17 - Baker's Place (Limerick) - 9:45pm
MAK - guitar & lead vocals
JAck D - bass, percussion & vocals
Stealth - drums, percussion & back-up vocals
Instinct. It drives humans to the edges of sanity and pushes boundaries as we fight our animalistic urges; our habitual nature in an effort to evolve. After all, it is predisposition that urges us to drink, revel, fight and fornicate. Without instinct, we would be nothing.
Still, it takes a bold will to temper impulse with intuition, fortifying need with the will to progress. Such is the case with brassy power trio Brazen Angelz. Compelled by the primal essence of rock ‘n’ roll yet discerningly discreet, the band amalgamates guttural feel with intellectual and sentimental subject matter, yielding one of the most intrinsically-rockin’ yet socially aware collection of songs on debut independent full-length Fear Is Not Respect (Brazen Angelz Productions).
“In this band, there are no macho chest beating lyrics,” laughs guitarist/lead vocalist MAK. “We’re a modern rock band.”
Hammering away at rock ‘n’ roll for well over a decade first with Capitol Records recording artists Deserters and later as a solo musician and in revered quartet Watson—now re-branded Brazen Angelz—MAK would know the essentials of true rock ‘n’ roll.
Such is the reason he, bassist/percussionist/vocalist JAck D and drummer/percussionist/back-up vocalist Stealth have redefined the parameters of current outfit Brazen Angelz to ensure that the dichotomy of being brazen but necessarily an angel is pushed to its limits.
Relocating to Toronto after 12 years of pillaging Ireland and the U.K., Brazen Angelz have set their sights on North America as the target for their uncompromising rock relayed via Fear Is Not Respect. Influenced by the primal drive and gritty substance of essential classic rock heroes such as Thin Lizzy, The Police, Deep Purple and Queen, this trinity updates the genre and kicks it into the 21st Century.
“This band is about living, observing and writing about life,” MAK continues. “That was the influence: the organic nature of rock. There never was any discussion on direction. With us it was instinctive. As an independent band, we do whatever we feel like, so every song on Fear Is Not Respect is unique. Still, there is an identifiable sound that gels it all together. Back in the ‘70s that’s how bands were, before the big labels made everything generic.”
At that, Brazen Angelz attribute their determined outlook and raucous-yet-original style to hard lives and harder playing. Notes Jack D about the band’s inner-workings,
“Fear Is Not Respect is a return to great musicianship and quality songs. It comes from various parts of us such as Stealth’s upbringing in Belfast, Ireland where you have to be tough to survive while MAK’s cautious but friendly personality is offset by his old school lead guitar playing. His roots are deeply planted in classic rock. On this album, he sounds like he’s thrown Jeff Beck, Paul Kossoff and Ritchie Blackmore in a blender and come up with something all his own.”
“JAck D is the charismatic fast talker who gets along with everyone fully utilizing his Irish charm,” counters Stealth.
“I guess he must have kissed the Blarney Stone. His bass playing is basic and strong like his hero Philip Lynott. It’s an incredible balance of chemistry in this band.”
Nowhere is that alchemy more obvious than on Fear Is Not Respect. Self-produced and mastered by Phil Demetro at Toronto’s infamous Lacquer Channel, the album is both brazen and angelic as well as refreshingly concise and cerebral. From the personal epiphany of parenthood on “Erin” and “3:01” to revealing lecherous, selfish people on “Learn," realizing ambition via “Two Worlds” and the pro-peace statement of “Where We Started From,” Fear Is Not Respect is direct, ambitious and universal.
Still, despite the well-rounded commentary on all aspects of existence, MAK pares Brazen Angelz down to its core.
“We’re a rock band,” he declares. “The sound is aggressive but melodic and there are strong hooks to the songs. The lyrics are both personal and social political. That’s what gives us more of a modern edge. Everything with us is high energy. We put out 100%.
Jordan Carriere - vocals
JMZ Goodon - guitar
Cam Thomas - guitar & vocals
Jeff Pedora - bass & vocals
Jason Ritchie - drums
Static in the Stars is a five-piece rock and roll band based out of Calgary, AB. Combining 80's cock rock with modern influences like Anberlin and the Foo Fighters they have created a new brand of straight ahead rock and roll that sets no boundaries and takes no prisoners. The band has one goal and that is to deliver rock and roll back to the masses.
In the past year Static in the Stars have drastically increased their profile. They shared the stage with acts such as Pearl Jam, Wintersleep, K-OS and Billy Talent at Virgin Festival Alberta 2009. They are set to showcase at Indie Music Week 2009 in Toronto, completed a cross Canada tour, showcased at Junofest 2008, opened for Twisted Sister during the Calgary Stampede, won the semi-finals of the Fuel 90.3 Big Rock Star Competition and the Ceilis Canada Day Rock Fest, received radio play on X92.9, 100.3 The Bear, and Fuel 90.3, licensed their song "Lost Vegas" for the film "The Service" and caught the attention of Tommy Mac from Hedley.
Their new album "No Grace in Goodbyes" was produced by Tommy Mac from multi-platinum recording artists Hedley, engineered by Juno nominated Dean Maher (Elton John, AC/DC, Slayer, Rise Against, Chevelle, Atreyu) and mastered by Chris Potter (Sarah MacLachlan, Run DMC, The Cranberries, Rufus Wainright, Delirium). Set for a September 2009 release it will showcase Static in the Stars unique brand of rock and roll.
Cumulatively, the members of Static in the Stars have well over 30 years of experience in the music industry, so upon formation in November of 2006 they set out to make music with no limits, preconceptions nor boundaries of any scene. They feel as at home with intimate acoustic sessions as they do with full on bombastic rock and roll. Recently the band underwent a line up change as guitarist Joe McLeod and Harvey J. Warren were replaced with Cam Thomas on guitar and Jason Ritchie on drums. The addition of the two new members and the fact that Harvey and Joe are still involved with the band only serves to enhance the strength of the band.
With the release of their new album and subsequent touring and promotional plans Static in the Stars are poised to continue their momentum and deliver their rock and roll to even more fans.
STATIC IN THE STARS Highlights 2009:
Born in 1985 Keisha & Leisha were brought into this world to sing.
Being Taurus they had the innate trait of musical artistry. First discovering this trait at a young age,they knew that this was something they not only wanted to do, but had to do. Being inspired by the sounds of Soul ( Neo and old Skool), they set out to make a name for themselves.
Along their musical journey they were exposed to different and unique genres, which now shapes KeishaLeisha’s sound.
Now as individuals;
Keisha
- The Eldest of the duo (by two minutes), sees herself as a singer 1st and a songwriter 2nd.
Writing came to her at the age of 13. Keisha would write about the world and experiences that she saw and lived.
Being bashful about her work, Keisha wrote but never shared her talent with anyone until the age 20.
When she finally did, the reaction of her songwriting abilities were well received.
"I just want to make good music. Music that makes you think, feel, and get inspired. That’s all I really want to do."
David Rankine - mountain dulcimer & keyboards
Fernando Villalobos - percussion
Daniela Godina - vox & percussion
Improvisational playing and a dedication to "open space" creativity has allowed Dulcimerhead to create a seemingly endless string of original songs laden with beautiful melodies and infectious rythmns. The synthesis of numerous folk traditions with classic rock began with the experimental/progressive project "East by West" (Dave Rankine and Billy Fairley) on their "Trancemhor" CD release (Arathusa Records 2006). Dave went on to form Dulcimerhead in 2007 with the addition of Fernando Villalobos (and initially) Gillian Thomas and Tara Hillyer. The EP, ALL THAT IS was released in March 2007 followed by GNOSIS in June and REVEALED STRUCTURE in October 2007. Each member of Dulcimerhead has brought their own influences into the mix. Dave's love of Indian music, classic rock and progressive rock combined with his years of experience as a bagpiper to create a songwriting and playing style that is hard to define. Fernando adds a totally unique and original hand percussion style that is based upon his years of experience as a drummer in a number of metal bands (Heavily Medicated, Krakatoa and presently, Skorched). "Innovative and progressive" are words that are often used to describe Dulcimerhead's fusion of folk, medieval, indo -persian, rock, metal and jazz.
Alexandre Pépin: bass & vocals
David Groover: vocals & guitars
François-Michel Beauchamp: drums
The latest rock'n'roll fury coming out of Montreal is none other than The IN & OUTS, headed by Dave, Frank, and Alex. This trio has been creeping into the local scene over the last few years with live shows throughout town, gaining momentum with each show. Due to their high-voltage gritty performances, they have amassed a loyal following, sitting in the front row, moshing it up on the floor, or merely seated at a table to slam their beer down and holler for more. Whether it is to hit the crowd with a wall of guitars, bass, and a flurry of drums, or to come onto the set dressed in painting gear, one can always expect spontaneity, a little humour, well-funnelled rage, and good ole rock'n'roll.
Hailing classic influences such as The Doors, Jon Spencer, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, The IN & OUTS are like a sponge that absorbs all strains of rock and churn it out into their own fibre. A blend of blues, classic rock'n'roll, punk, as well as a sample of the post-punk rockabilly vibe, are cooked up and served hot. As can be heard at www.myspace.com/theinnouts, the tunes "Boo My God", "Me Myself and My Guitar" and "Often on the Moon" exemplify the band's melting pot of influences.
Lyrically the band delves into personal issues, drawing from their life experiences with relationships, a love for music, and the hard luck life has a tendency to doll out. The IN & OUTS have managed to give their lyrics a poetic twist that compliments the fast-paced energy they sustain so well. This gives their music a sense of venting frustration while maintaining depth and substance.