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

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

Taken By: Crystal Morris

After a few “practice” gigs in LA, the UK and an EP release,  Spinnerette’s album finally hit stores on Tues. June 23rd in the US on Canadian indie label Anthem Records. The new CD is the first long-awaited full-length album that we’ve heard from frontwoman Brody Dalle in about 6 years. You can see it on the “new release” shelves at HMV in Canada and the UK, and hopefully at Best Buy stores in the US. I say hopefully, because prior to Spinnerette’s first performance after the CD release at the Troubadour, it was difficult enough to find the CD in Best Buy stores surrounding LA and the Inland. Prior to playing at the Troubadour, Spinnerette played a few gigs in Ontario, including Call the Office in London and a nearly Sold Out gig at the Mod Club for NXNE.

The crowd at the Troubadour was an odd array of age ranges . I assume that it was possibly  due to Har Mar Superstar opening, whom Tony Bevilacqua, guitarist for Spinnerette, has played with for several years. At the past few Spinnerette shows I’ve seen people I haven’t in five years; it was surprising to me to have seen them at all in some cases. Lime green mohawks have been reduced to slightly tamer brown ones, homemade zebra print purses replaced by LAMB bags and I saw old Distillers fans who were visiting, and in some cases migrating to LA from UK, Canada and even Alaska.  Everyone is grown up, five years older, slightly wiser, but are still some of the baddest motherfuckers that I know. If you walk through the room of Spinnerette fans it encapsulate the feel on the album. Spinnerette is refined but will still kick you in the face. The album is mature but still has that same underlying feeling of Dalle’s killer song writing and lyricism.

Spinnerette isn’t that much of a massive departure from The Distillers, but more of a  natural progression. On songs like  “All Babes are Wolves”, “A Spectral Suspension” and “A Prescription for Mankind” it’s hard to decide what’s more explosive, the arena riffs or Dalle’s signature razor-like vocals. This shit rocks hard like the best out of the 90s, with an old psychedelic soul in the vein of The Pixies, Roky Erickson and The Coral. You’ll hear the remnants of Dalle’s signature punk 4 chord melodies in “Bury My Heart”  and “Cupid”, coupled with a haunting resonance.

The album is audibly interesting and you’re going to be surprised by a lot of the songs. Crowd favorite and one of the catchiest tracks is “Sex Bomb”, it’s pure sweet pop beats over filthy rough vocals. The song has been released three times, my favourite being the Adam Freeland remix. Each release is different and they are all worth a listen. “Geeking” and “Rebellious Palpitations” reveal a new, fun and playful side.

“Impaler” is the perfect song for a Canadian audience, it’s awesome juxtaposition of spectre-like melodies and roots acoustic folk courtesy of  producer Alain Johannes. If you’re sick of Puddle of NickleCreed, crave pop music that’ll get you fuck you up worse than Lady Gaga or miss what music was, you‘ll probably think that Spinnerette is a saving grace.

Have you been attending the TIMA “Best Live” showcases the last two Wednesdays of every month at The Central in Toronto, Ontario?

If not, check out some video footage of the Wed. May 20th performances by Lucid Forge and see what you’re missing!

http://www.lucidforge.com/component/hwdvideoshare/?task=viewvideo&video_id=33

NEXT PERFORMANCES:

Wed. June 17th, 2009 – TIMAs Mixed Showcase (Funk, Rock, Pop)
The Central, Doors @ 7:30pm, 19+, $7 or FREE with a TIMA Season 1 Pass.

Steph Dunn
Big Blue X
Atlantis Blueprint
KC Roberts TIMA 2007 winner of “Best Live” – Electric
Marianne Turner
Zopiclone

Wed. June 24th, 2009 – TIMAs Folk and Adult Contemporary Showcase
The Central, Doors @ 7:30pm, 19+, $7 or FREE with a TIMA Season 1 Pass.

Janine Farragher
Elyse Simpson
Lizzy Clarke and the Pretty Boys
The Strip
Beth Moore
Japhy
The Al Lukas Band

Check out the listings in Toronto Star ,NOW, BlogTO + More!

Toronto Star “What’s On”: http://www.thestar.com/article/648774

Now “Critic’s Pick”: http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/listings/listing.cfm?listingid=8103&subsection=

BlogTO Listing: http://www.blogto.com/events/11154

BUY A SEASONS PASS HERE FOR $20!

By BD Marie Hughes

It’s not the size of the bar (or club or venue), it’s the music that’s in it…..
It was another spectacular night at The Central in Toronto on Wednesday, May 27. Standing room only!

Performances:
Hallowed Be
Sinister Trailerpark Magic
The MacHams
Pyramid Theorem
The Johnnys.

Hallowed Be, a raw and heavy rock-alt-metal band, is a masterpiece of juxtaposition – off-the-charts skill vs the riot of metal sound. Vedran Burdzovic has to be one of the best, most technically skilled guitarists I’ve heard I’ve heard in a long time. He, Peter McMaster (bass), Daniel Plague (guitar) laid down all the tricks. It was not only a real show but a performance of utter technical precision. One that die-hard metal fans clamour to catch “live”. Christian Pietrasiak on drums, a pure technician himself, seals the deal.

Many of Hallowed Be’s lyrics are “in your face” and shamelessly push back “the establishment” (“And now you do what they told ya”). This is a metal band that I, personally, live for. Songs on their cd “Calculating Madness” tell a story. One is about a WWII soldier out on a one-night pass. He has one night. To do everything he’s always wanted to do because he might not survive the next day’s battle. Another juxtaposition. About living. All in one night. Facing a possible end. This cd, recorded at FatLabs, will be out this year.

“We try to put on the best live show we can. I think that encapsulates what a band should be. When you’re on stage, you should give it your all,” says Vedran. All the guys told me how much they appreciated The Central as the TIMAs showcases venue.

Heros cited –
Christian – Led Zeppelin, My Chemical Romance
Peter – John Bonham
Daniel – Kurt Cobain, Led Zep
Vedran – guitar player from Synyster Gates, Dimebag Darrell, and singer from Holly Springs Disaster.
Seizing on the opportunity of their WWII soldier lyrics, I ask them –
BD: If today was the last day you were a musician, past this moment, right here, right now, what would you do?
Christian: I’d try my best to give my all. Everything is tight – no mistakes.
Peter: I’d play. Somewhere. I don’t know where, but I’d play.
BD: In the Alps with Heidi? (deadpan, then everyone laughs)
Peter: No! (laughing) Probably on the roof of my house. I’m up there a lot – it’s my personal spot. That’s actually where I write sometimes.
Daniel: I would play until somebody said, “Alright, that’s it – you’re done!” (laughing)
Vedran: Considering how strong of a message, I would probably collaborate with a bunch of other artists, you know. Hold a concert. And spread the message: You shouldn’t stop music! Of course! What else?! (everyone laughs)

http://www.myspace.com/hallowedxbe
http://www.hallob.com

Sinister Trailerpark Magic –
Jeremy Cavan (lead vocals/guitar)
Toby Cavan (lead vocals/drums/cd artwork designer)
Dustin Braiden (back up vocals/bass)
and Tavis Baird (back up vocals/guitar) –

is a very intense, technically polished rock band with crazy mad skills. They have been together for 12 years but only formally became a band in October 2005. Each member brought an unparalleled depth of experience with him. Tavis sat down with me so that I could find out more about their “magic” which seemingly includes blowing circuit breakers (clever and surprisingly relaxed on-stage banter ensued while matters were rectified…).

Tavis tells me that finishing their first self-titled album was a monumental moment for the band. STPM recently had a chance to play a big music festival in New Orleans, LA, for 120,000 people. “We got to play with Raise Against the Machine and Smashing Pumpkins,” a still-elated Tavis told me. “The weekend before this TIMA showcase, one of my favourite punk rock bands growing up – we playing with them in Barrie. About 800 people showed up. It was a pretty good show!”
I asked Tavis about their overseas tour in November 2008. “Going to Europe was awesome! We did 29 shows in 31 days through 14 countries. They were very, very well-received shows. We had a blast!”

Highlights? “Some were the most unexpected shows. We played a high school in Lithuania. We went back a week and a half later and played a different high school for similar kids. All these kids – they saved up money and had fundraisers so that we could have an authentic Lithuanian meal. Stuff like that was pretty awesome.”

Lowlights? “We got a ticket in Germany on our vehicle for being overweight. We were slowing down traffic going up a hill. (laughing) Because of the delay (with the police), we ended up missing one show.”

European fans vs Canadian fans? “My gut feeling – Montreal is a lot like Europe. It’s got that crowd of people that’ll go out to a show and they don’t even know what it is. Definitely the European promoters were all so professional.. They had a meal waiting for you when you got there. They never screwed around on your pay. They treated you like…” I jumped in, “Like rock stars!” “Yes! (laughing) Canada is half and half. Some (promoters) try to ‘shave off’ like, your gas money!” (we both laugh)
STPM is busy at work right now with a distribution company to re-release their cd.. Check them out!

http://www.myspace.com/sinistertrailerparkmagic
http://www.sinistertrailerparkmagic.com

The MacHams
It is, at once, apparent that The MacHams have a legion of fans. They were screaming, “Encore!” at the end of the guys’ set. Midway through, loyalty was rewarded with a generous toss of tshirts. Three multi-instrumental brothers – Jean-Pierre Dabbagh (“JP diddy”), Noel Dabbagh (“N Dash”), and George Dabbagh (“G Dash”) and joined by bassist Chris Campbell for live performances – deliver pop-rock music loaded with lyrics about the joys, uncertainties, and pitfalls of relationships (“Vulnerable”, “Ways to Go”, “If You Only Knew”).

In two months, The MacHams will be releasing their first full length album. “All the writing in the band is done by me and JP,” explains George. “You can tell which songs I write and what songs he writes,” he continues. “Sometimes we get inspiration from the weirdest places. If we’re watching a tv show like, ‘Boy Meets World’, we’re like, ‘You know what? This would be a good idea for a song’. One time, one of JP’s friends said, ‘Write a song based on one word.’ I said, ‘Give me a word.’ He goes, ‘Vaudeville’. So based on that one word, I wrote a whole song.” (laughing) George sums up the band’s writing process, “Really, we come up with something we’re both happy with”.
JP tells me, “The deepest thing is that we’re all brothers. Music is our entire life.” George adds, “It’s the relationship that we have with each other.” Both agree that the idea of forming a band ignited in 2002 with YouTube. The brothers were involved in the Catholic church and they first played for their church choir.

BD: What can you tell me about all your fans that were here tonight and making their presence known? (laughing)
George: They’re good people (also laughing)
BD: Are they friends of yours?
George: It started like 5 years ago when we started playing shows. We brought our friends. And, the next show, our friends brought their friends. It just kept getting bigger and bigger! Now, there’s a big group following us wherever we play. We really appreciate that. We take time to go out and say, “Hi” to them!

http://www.myspace.com/themachams
www.themachams.com

Pyramid Theorem, a progressive/metal/rock band from Richmond Hill, ON, opened with an epic song that featured an intricately stunning guitar solo that commanded all attention. From the back of The Central, I witnessed a crowd of many slowly and steadily, one by one, pulled to the edge of their seats, ultimately becoming a collective “one” while the band’s futuristic sound incrementally expanded outwards as though on a never-ending journey. The experience was astounding. “The Agency” was followed by “Forever in Chains”. It, too, was a big ass song that had the ability to take you on, what felt like, a blind rollercoaster ride. The entire place was hooked.
The band continued to build on that phenomenal opening platform. Near the end of the last song, the drummer delivered a massive piece (at one point he literally stood up playing from his kit) that nearly brought me to my knees – it was that fucking awesome. Pass me the nitro…..

Christian Di Mambro – bass
Stephan Di Mambro – guitar, keys, vocals
Sam Ermilini – guitar, vocals
and Vito De Francesco – drums
are the Canadian talent to watch. These guys came to their TIMA showcase with their band manager, Anthony Positano, a slick epk professionally printed in colour on glossy finish, packaged cd’s to spare, and their logo and branding firmly in place. They are as serious in the business aspect as they are in their music.

BD: Pyramid Theorem received a high rating on review of your cd “Voyage to the Star” (released in the summer of 2008) by Brutalism.com. How important was that rating to you?
Vito: It makes a big difference on our confidence level. And, it just goes to show we can do something with our music. It does reach out to people. It means a lot to us.
BD: What fuels your passion for your music?
Vito: Definitely, for me, on the musical side, would be my influences. It definitely plays into how I play and how we write music. But playing live, I love seeing the crowd getting into our music. Like I’m the furthest back (on stage). When I look out from behind the kit, if I see people looking at each other and talking and like rocking out, I feel great!
Stephan: To do something with my life.. People listening to our music. They can interpret it how it affects their life. And to just get out in the working world.
Sam: Listening to all other kinds of music, stuff that I like. It makes me happy and I’m sure it makes other people happy when they hear somebody they really like. It really gets me going. I like to have that reaction like what Vito said. Like seeing everyone, they’ve got smiles on their faces, and they’re rockin’ out. It’s a great feeling.
Christian: When I hear new music and I don’t know the songs. I listen to them more and more. I like to get to know them. I just want people to do that with our music.
BD: How do you want the audience to remember you? When they leave your show?
Sam: When you close your eyes, you can picture something. I really don’t want to say, “Oh, we sound like Rush or Dream Theater or Yes.” I want to get the crowd’s reaction saying we sound like Pyramid Theorem. I want them to come out of the show, “Oh, did you see that drummer? Keyboards? Bass? The guitar?”
Vito: I don’t want to be remembered, “Oh, these guys sound like them”. I want, “You know what? These guys are Pyramid Theorem and they’re…”
Sam: “… a distinct sound.”
Vito: You can listen to our cd and it will take you somewhere. And, to see us live, it just brings you somewhere else. Like, we’re a live band. The cd does us justice but seeing us live is the real thing.
Sam: Our music is supposed to be up on stage, live. Making the music and presenting it to someone.
Christian: And even if people don’t appreciate it and they’re not into the whole, long, complicated parts or different arrangements, at least they’ll be like, “Oh, that guitar player really shreds out.”
Sam: We just want to get that image, “We’re Pyramid Theorem. We’re not like anyone else.” That’s who we are. That’s what we sound like. We have our own sound.

http://www.myspace.com/thejohnnysrock