Photo Credit: James Fox

By BD Marie Hughes

Cobourg’s very own Gentlemen Husbands, an indie rock band with an Americana/country edge, debuted some new songs and played some great favourites at the NXNE pre-Festival Kick-off at The Horseshoe Tavern Wednesday night (June 17). It was an electrifying performance! The band – Derrick Ballard (guitar, vocals), Ryan Hutcheson (guitar), Dean Farrell (drums), and Jed Atkinson (bass) – performed:

“Family Economics”
“Tapanga”
“Compaction Girl”
“Burnin’ Gold”
“Cruise Control”
“Plans B & E”
“Danny Regan”.

The floor was packed. Their fans were lined 5 or 6 rows deep, where the black and white checkerboard floor meets the stage’s edge. I brought my colleague, Olivia D’Orazio, as she had become hooked on, “Tapanga” off the bands EP, “Something Along The Lines Of… A Lesson In Unprofessionalism”. She was definitely impressed! The band can count on her as their newest fan.

BD: How did Gentlemen Husbands prepare for this show? Are you rolling out the new tunes through shows to get audience reaction?

GH Ryan: Well, we kinda just practiced as usual. We’ve been really busy lately playing all over so the set has just kinda worked itself out. So, yeah, we’ve been adding in new songs what seems like every couple of weeks and the crowd is remembering them after only hearing them one time… So that’s a really good sign!

BD: What can you tell us about some of the new songs?

GH Derrick: Well, to put it bluntly, they are much better than anything we’ve written or released in the past! Since we became a 4 piece, the direction of the band has changed quite a bit. We’ve become a lot more focused and concise. If we had to categorize it, it’s definitely a lot more rock ‘n’ roll and less folky than before.

BD: What has most surprised you creating your new songs?

GH Jed: Probably how well they all flow together. They all kinda sound, well, not the same, but in the same vein. We’ve finally kinda grown into or found our own sound… Instead of playing like a country song, then a rock song, then a more folk-ish one, they all work really well together. They kinda blend those elements or influences into one cohesive sound.

BD: Do you have summer plans away from music this year?

GH Ryan: (laughs) Not really! I think this whole summer we’re only having one weekend off to go camping. We have had to turn down 3 different shows! But yeah, between playing like 8 shows a month, recording new songs all the time, and just general practicing and meetings every week, there’s really not much time for anything else… But that’s exactly the way we like it!

Gentlemen Husbands recently marked a huge myspace milestone, surpassing 100,000 profile views. The band is booked rock-solid throughout the summer including a show at The Cutting Edge Music Festival in Kitchener, ON, the civic holiday weekend of August 1st.

http://www.myspace.com/GentlemenHusbands

Photographer credit: Fernando Mascetta @ http://www.FernandoMascetta.com

George Dabbagh (“GDash”) – Drums and (reggae) vocals
Noel Dabbagh (“NDash”) – Rhythm guitar, vocals
Jean-Pierre Dabbagh (“JP Diddy”) – Lead guitar, backing vocals
And joined by bassist Chris Campbell for live performances.

These three brothers, along with Chris Campbell, are a definite stand-out at the TIMA showcases. I met them at TIMA Showcase #2 back on May 27.2009, when they were going for “Best Live”. In two months, the band will be releasing its first full length album, much to the delight of their alternative rock/pop loving fans. Like their faithful followers, I wanted to know more about these talented, up and coming musicians.

BD: What memorable moments do you have as a band?

The MacHams George: Our first listen to our debut album on the drive home from the studio. It was remarkable, really. We had feelings of accomplishment and glory go down our spines along with huge smiles on our faces. Our album is solid proof, something tangible, which shows what great music we, as brothers, are capable of creating.

BD: Who do you look up to?

The MacHams JP: I guess we look up to bands that have made it and haven’t turned into total jerks. I mean, like, bands whose fame hasn’t gotten to their heads and have actually used their success to do good in the world.

The MacHams Noel: Classic example is Bono of U2. He’s huge! But he has raised such awareness and done so much good work. Hopefully, we can do that one day.

BD: What does “selling out” mean to you? Can you have your cake and eat it, too?

The MacHams JP: It’s funny, ‘cause we were just talking about how I stop liking bands when they go mainstream. (laughs) But that’s not really selling out. I’d say it’s when a band drops what they believe in for something materialistic. So far, we haven’t done anything against what we stand for… and we intend to keep it that way!

BD: When people come to see you play, there is always the perception that your performance is great, seamless, effortless. How do you view this perception versus the reality of what you do? I mean, there’s a lot of hard work behind-the-scenes, rehearsals, keeping websites updated, booking shows, and so on.

The MacHams George: Definitely, especially since we see our performances as a show and not just a recital. I mean, the people come to see a show not just listen to some music. They could do that at home! We try to create a lot of energy on stage and have fun with it. Noel always says that the only bad thing about shows is having to lug our equipment on and off the stage. Hmm… We’re thinking of putting an ad in the paper for roadies. (everyone laughs)

BD: How do you mentally prepare for a show?

The MacHams Noel: Well, you’ve heard the expression “never go to bed angry”. We say “never go on stage angry”. If ever we get into a fight or something, we always hug and make up before the show. The point is to have a good time out there. We put on a happy face, say a prayer, and then we’re ready to rock n’ roll!

BD: What has been your most memorable show and why?

The MacHams George: Probably last year at The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern. Everything seemed to be going wrong. The day of the show, our amp and guitar stopped working, our bassist said he couldn’t make it, and JP had the flu. We re-arranged our songs so that we can do them as a 3-piece band. Noel had to buy a new amp and play the bass and JP toughed it out. Oh man, we put on an awesome show! It just showed us that we’re ready to take on anything and we don’t let obstacles get in our way.

BD: How do you keep positive? And handle setbacks?

The MacHams George: This one’s gonna be a sappy one. (clearing his throat) Here I go… Friends may come and go but family is there through thick and thin. The comfort and support between us brothers, along with wisdom and encouragement from Mom and Dad, and bodyguards Tigran and Raffi – really our cousins (laughing) – keep the dreams and ambitions alive.

BD: What crazy music shit have you heard of? Did you know The Vatican has its own radio station?? (laughing)

The MacHams JP: Hey, they have some good stuff on that station! (laughing) I’m sure the Pope has an awesome singing voice, too! Okay, one of the coolest things around is the YouTube Symphony Orchestra which is a collaboration of musicians from all over the world. Check it out. It’s a surreal experience. Oh, and if you didn’t know, there was a study in the UK that concluded that cows that listen to music produce more milk! Seriously!

BD: What do you do away from music? Do you have summer plans?

The MacHams Noel: George keeps busy with his vegetable and herb garden, and making home-made cleaning products. JP likes biking and watching 2 dvds EVERYDAY! And me – well, I like to kick it back and chill with family and friends on the patio over some mouth-watering barbecue.

BD: What’s next for The MacHams?

The MacHams George: Well, we can’t say when or where yet because we’re ironing out some details. BUT – it’ll definitely be the BIGGEST step for The MacHams… CD Release Party!

http://www.myspace.com/TheMacHams
http://www.TheMacHams.com

Toronto Independent Music Awards “Best Live” Showcase

VENUE: The Central http://www.thecentral.ca

DATE: Wed. July 22nd, 2009

SHOW TYPE: Doors 7:00pm/19+/$7 or FREE with a TIMA SEASONS PASS!

SET TIMES:

7:30pm – 8:00pm Hayley Stark

8:00 – 8:30PM Metheus Bound

8:40PM – 9:10PM Ill of Day

9:25PM – 9:55PM Saving Fiction

10:10PM – 10:40PM Bella Clava

10:50 – 11:20PM FOTY

11:30 – 12pm Corduroy

come listen to some great food, great music and support these awesome bands!

Booking Schedule and Seasons Pass info under “Showcase” tab

By BD Marie Hughes

Goodbye Beatdown, a rock/hip hop/reggae band from Vancouver, BC, is climbing the ladder of success, one rung at a time. On top of many show bookings, the band is preparing to release a full-length studio album this summer.

BD: What can you tell us about your Top 3 finish in the Fox Seeds competition?

GB Mark: It’s a huge relief. It’s a major foot in the door. We should probably explain the competition a bit. Fox Seeds (of cFox Radio – 99.3 The Fox) has been going on for 30 years and has helped springboard the careers of bands like Matt Good, Nickelback, and Default. Apparently they get an average of 400 entries a year from throughout BC which are then pared down to a Top 20 by DJ’s and executives at the station. From there, fans get to check out the bands’ websites and vote, both online and by phone or text, for their favorites. Then the bands are seeded into a Top 10. These bands then have to play a showcase for a panel of industry judges, are graded, and typically filtered down to a Top 5. This year, being the 30th anniversary, they chose to make a Top 3 instead. We’re lucky enough to be one of these 3. It has been a long process and more than a little stressful. We started recording in early April and only got our submission in on May 15, the deadline, during the last possible hour.

BD: How important is it for you to place Top 3 with a chance to be the overall winner?

GB Mark: Top 3 is enough of a victory in that we get guaranteed radio play and a chance to perform at The Commodore. That’s been a huge dream of ours from the beginning. There’s a pride thing, too. If you enter a competition, you obviously want to win or come as close as possible. We take our music very seriously. To be eliminated in the Top 20 or even the Top 10, considering that we cancelled Ontario dates and flew home from Toronto just to play the showcase, would have hurt. We’re already looking past this at the next steps in the industry. It’s just nice to move on with some credibility and a leg up in our home market.

BD: Where and how do you write music?

GB Dustin: Well, we’ve got a “bandhaus” where Mark and Sean live that acts as our jam space. A lot of the time things come together there. Sean never leaves the house so all of his writing happens there! (laughs) Mark doesn’t have to practice because he actually taught God how to play bass. (everyone laughs) For serious though, he’s pretty new to the band. So far, he has mainly contributed bass lines and arrangement and production changes to what was there already. However, he’s notorious for being a master of the “noodle” and will tend to write something whenever there’s a guitar or piano around.

GB Mark: Dustin is a vocalist and so his instrument is always with him. (laughs) Coming from a rap and freestyle background, he’s very off-the-cuff and can come up with something pretty well anywhere, at any time. It’s kinda like guerrilla-style songwriting. Sometimes he writes at home where he’s got a keyboard in his room.

BD: What has been a pivotal moment for the band? The place where you rounded the corner and finally felt you were going somewhere?

GB Mark: Going to Toronto in mid-June. This re-defined the band and expanded our horizon like crazy. It was our first real tour, marked our first dates outside of BC, and brought the band together in ways nothing else ever could. We’re on the same wavelength for the first time and ready to move forward.

BD: What have been some of your highlights since coming together as a band?

GB Mark: Spending every weekend in April recording our new album sometimes sleeping at the studio. Playing Richard’s on Richards twice. Advancing through Seeds – every new success was a reason to celebrate. Being Top 3 at Seeds – we just found out on Monday so we’re still on a high. Toronto and all the new experiences from playing Barrie to NXNE. And The Artist Sanctuary showcases. Oh, and getting free stuff from Osiris shoes, Skull Candy and PKG! Represent!

BD: What’s one of your favourite places to play? And why?

GB Dustin: The Commodore! (laughs) Even though only Mark has played there so far. We’ve all seen great shows from the audience and pretty much all of our living idols have been on that stage. Richard’s on Richards was special. It’s so prestigious and also has a great legacy. The fact that it’s slated to close and be demolished in less than a month just makes this more special.

BD: What’s on the horizon for Goodbye Beatdown?

GB Mark: Total. World. Domination! The end! We’re going to start by taking over Western Canada – Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Kamloops, Kelowna, Penticton, Edmonton, Calgary, and Saskatoon. That’s right people, Saskatoon! After that, we’ll move to Toronto in the spring, set up shop, and start playing all of Southern Ontario and parts of Quebec… maybe even the Maritimes. After that, we really want to dip into the US, West Coast mostly but parts of the South East. Then, who knows? Europe, Australia, Japan… pick a place, any place! We just want to make music for a living, be it on a stage, in a studio or at someone’s backyard bbq. Everything about the job appeals to us. Well, other than long drives and load in and out! (laughs)

GB Dustin: We’re also hoping to make lots of fat cash for our managers – they need it! (everyone laughs)

http://www.myspace.com/goodbyebeatdown

By BD Marie Hughes and Olivia D’Orazio

My colleague, Olivia D’Orazio, and I had a chance to talk with the talent that Mitch Masters at Track Avenue Records lined up for this memorable charity event on Saturday, June 27.2000.

Performing:
Miasmata
Dave Borins
Parklane
Shobha
Basia Lyjak.

Miasmata, a rock/blues/progressive band from Hamilton, ON (Josh Belliveau, Antonio Changanaqui, and Ryan Perry), offers up a definite jam-band kind of feel.  What they lack in onstage presence and image they more than make up for musically, playing a very tight set with a high level of musicianship.

“Miasmata” was actually the band’s album name.  When they were offered a spot at Roger’s Summer Fest in Hamilton in 2008, they needed a band name so they used Miasmata.

In November 2007, Josh put together a conceptual album all on his own.  This, ultimately, became the band’s EP.  Josh had been in other bands but nothing clicked for him.  When his EP was recorded at Mastermind Studios in Hamilton, it was Antonio’s brother, Enrique, who recorded the drums.  From that connection, Antonio came into the picture and Enrique had recommended Ryan as a drummer.

The band is now in the process of recording their LP at Grant Avenue Studios.  They chose this place because they appreciated the studio’s knowledge of analog – old school – and this appealed to them.  The LP will have some re-recorded songs from the EP as well as new ones.

Josh, Antonio, and Ryan have played at a variety of venues but their most memorable place is The Horseshoe Tavern.  “Every time you go, there’s always a really good crowd, lots of energy, and a great atmosphere that really allows you to connect with the audience,” explains Antonio.  He continues, “We played one of our best performances there.”  “We had played there one Thursday night.  We were prepared but I don’t think we were ready.  It can be a very intimidating space, what with the black and white checkerboard floor and all,” says Josh laughing.  “But when we went back we were a million times better than that time!”

While Miasmata agree that they don’t specifically write for radio, Josh explains, “We write for the feeling – we’re more of a jam band”.

They want the audience to remember them with a feeling of high energy and musically devoted.

www.myspace.com/miasmataband

Here was a golden opportunity for me to clear up Dave Borins’ catchy, foot-tapping song, “Whiskey Women”. I didn’t get it quite right at his TIMA Showcase back in May.  It is not (!) an anti-drinking song.  But rather a “put on” to girls, and the idea that “whiskey” and “women” just don’t “go” together.  On the night of the TIMA Showcase, Angie Hilts performed Dave’s back up vocals.  Angie is also in a band called “Rock Sock Willies”.  Here, at 6 Degrees nightclub, he’s joined by Robyn Dell’unto.

One of Dave’s songs that clearly stood out during the night was Dylan’s “Lay, Lady, Lay”.  Dave tells us he’s only performed this song 4 or 5 times yet it sounds polished and played from his heart.  Performing that song, he managed to completely pull the audience in.  It is not an easy thing to connect with a crowd that intimately.  Dave definitely brings his own magic to the piece.  “It’s a Dylan song that’s accessible and a song that he (Dave) can bring something to”, Dave explains.

We find out that Dave often has different people, instruments, and band members for different shows.  He says his sound is always different and changing.

Of particular note is Dave’s incredibly confident stage presence.  There is good banter with the audience.  He plays for the music and the audience, even through a broken guitar string, and, has the professional sense of mind to bring a back up guitar.  Olivia and I were both impressed.

In early July, Dave is giving some “Campfire Concerts” in Palmer Rapids, ON.  Then, he will be spending some time up north and “off the grid” the rest of July.  His east coast tour begins Sep. 5, followed by a west coast tour in November.

http://www.myspace.com/daveborins

Parklane, a band hailing from South Africa, has just begun its Canadian tour with its 5-track EP and planning to branch out from there.  Sweden is waiting for them.  A radio station in that country offered to book a tour for them if one of their songs got downloaded 20,000 times.  In the span of 2 weeks, it was downloaded over 200,000 times.  Parklane is:  Ryan Morse, Daniel Fuchs, Darin Collins, and Damien (“Damo”) Staz.

They had originally hoped to record a cd in London, ON, but the studio couldn’t commit, so they moved to Voodoo Records in Toronto.  While they tell me that they will have this cd mastered by the same person who has worked with Nickelback, it’s unclear if it’s Joao Carvalho of Joao Carvalho Mastering (as I had suggested to them) or someone at Sterling Silver Studios.  Both studios have worked with Nickelback and many other well-known and up-and-coming Canadian artists.  Either way, they’re in good hands.  Parklane hopes to complete a full 12-track album

While I suggest to them that touring without a cd promo’d ahead of time in advance of an international tour is equivalent to professional suicide, Parklane backs up their decision to tour.  They tell us that it took them so long to save up to record a cd so they are working and touring to continue to fund that cd project.

Two exciting projects for the band right now include scouting record labels and, in the works, they have a reality TV show for FOX and HBO.

Their songwriting formula consists of creating the melody first then nailing down the rhythm.  Parklane take what they do very seriously, “Sometimes too seriously,” adds Ryan.  Although they do joke around, they live and breathe their music.  They hold down no other jobs.  Ryan explains, “If you take a week off, that’s a week lost.”

While the band seems very image-oriented, they lack a cohesive look.  No doubt this will develop as they continue gigging and touring.  We’re not the fashion police.  On stage, there were some serious sound problems and Ryan was visibly angry.  This made everyone uncomfortable.  What they will learn, again with gigging and touring, along with getting to know other bands, is how to bridge the gap in these types of glitches with positive banter with the audience.  When these types of issues arise, you need roll with it.  Olivia and I have observed this, time and time again, with independent artists and bands, so we speak from experience.  There’s not much you can do except your best to fix what’s not right and do it with a smile.  Otherwise the audience gets “turned off” in a hurry.  We witnessed earlier Miasmata with sound problems with the bassist, and Dave Borins, a percussive style guitarist, bust a guitar string.  It’s experience + attitude towards setbacks that will elevate Parklane to the next level of showmanship.  Good showmanship never goes out of style.

www.myspace.com/bandparklane

Shobha, a singer/songwriter, came to perform at the “Make a Wish” charity event with a full band. Her amazing skills were unassuming (while watching the band set up) but, at once, crystal clear apparent.  She has a very confident command of the stage.  She sounds like a mix between Jully Black and India Arie.  Her drummer has a soulful, jazzy edge.  Born in Halifax (she’s second generation), Shobha is influenced by the folky, singer/songwriter popularity in Halifax.  As such, lyrics are important to her.  But her sound is definitely “her own”.

Shobha knows how to expand her skills and diversify.  A while back she was invited to perform for a charity called, “Literacy in Pakistan” in New York.  Her myspace has a video clip of her learning some choreography.  The charity could not fly out her band so they hired dancers for her for her performance.

Up and coming for Shobha, a performance on opening day at the CNE.  She entered the Toronto Song Contest and placed top 10 of over 500 entries.  This performance will be judged by Mayor David Miller, Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, and other community leaders.  She is most excited to play in front of the Mayor.  “It’s going to be nerve-racking as it’s not just a performance but a competition.”

< a href =”http://www.msypace.com/shobhamusic”>www.msypace.com/shobhamusic

They don’t make ‘em any more authentic than this.  Basia Lyjak is a pure rock ‘n’ roll artist. Olivia and I were astounded at the performance she was able to belt out at her start time of 1 a.m. and having been at two weddings earlier in the day.  Despite the hectic day she had, Basia knows how to deliver a hard-core, in-the-moment performance – taking off her high heels shoes and singing barefoot, writhing in her lyrics while kneeling on the stage, and hitting unfathomable high notes.  Very rocker chick (“I’m bringing it back.”)  On stage banter is polished.

Her band (guitarist Ron Bechard, bassist Dave Carreiro, and drummer
Glenn Nash) clearly has a high level of musicianship with the ability to anticipate one another while performing.  This only comes with putting in a lot of time.

“What it Feels Like” is Basia’s new single.  It was recorded at Rattlebox Studios in Toronto with Brian Moncarz.  She debuted it on June 27.2009.  This song and “Don’t Talk” were both self-funded.  She feels it’s more difficult and there’s more pressure with self-funded work because people are waiting to see if you re-coup what you put in.

Not too long ago, Basia entered the TV competition “Rockstar:  INXS”.  She was called back for a second audition.  “It was hard but I had fun.  It was an honour to be recognized.”

Basia’s songs are about any sort of relationship (with your parents, with drugs, etc.)  Her songs are “real” and “honest”.  She will be doing the score for the first user-designed video game.  This is a different type of project for Basia.  She has to wait for the story line to come from the public and receive the gaming company’s approval.   Ultimately she has to see if the ideas she has for the music fit the story and theme.

http://www.myspace.com/basialyjak

Two members of the band called Tiger Bomb attended the charity fundraiser. Olivia and I were happy to talk with them as they are a band Mitch at Track Avenue is currently promoting.  Lee Baillie – vocals and Jay 17 – guitar describe their music as “playful and humourous”.  Their songs poke fun at pop culture.  Both feel their genre is “pop rock meets awesome.”  The band’s single, “Nothing to Prove” is now on sale at iTunes.

Tiger Bomb came together about a year ago and immediately clicked.  They’ve done a few gigs in Toronto.  Their approach is to focus on the songs themselves and recording them in a studio before booking anymore shows.

The band entered the Virgin Radio Songwriting Competition.  While the band didn’t win, they got, and continue to get, radio play on Virgin 99.9 across Canada.  We all agreed that this is a tremendous opportunity as far as exposure to the song-listening public during their recording time.  Both Lee and Jay are very thankful for their luck with media exposure for the band.  Olivia and I enjoy meeting these kind of appreciative, you-make-it-happen people.

http://www.myspace.com/tigerbombtunes
http://www.tigerbomb.ca