Out Back Shack's first New Music Night brings audience back to 70s rock
Walking backstage for the first new music night of the year was like walking into a bit of a sausagefest — save for a band member's girlfriend.
But the night brought back a little rock and roll of old reminiscent of the 70s, along with some talented alumni, some “Songs from a Room,” and a band who believes in girl power.
Decade of Sleep
Local boys Phil Laffin and Eric Walker returned to their roots — the Out Back Shack — with their bandmates, drummer Mat Pataki and guitarist Lance Schibler to deliver a high-energy rock show, coupled with fans who seemed to know every word.
Despite easily being categorized as just another rock band, Laffin believes they have an extra little something extra that sets them apart.
“The fact that we enjoy it a lot more than everyone else,” said Laffin. “Right from the outset, every time I get off the stage, people say, ‘You look like you're having so much fun.'”
For Walker, who was originally a guitarist asked to play bass, the band's electricity is exactly why he wanted to be a part of it. When they asked him to join, his response was easy. “I don't care if I have to play bass if I can have that much fun.”
The band started from a bunch of friends jamming and playing in each other's bands, and grew from that. They released their debut EP Morning Sun earlier this year and have been gigging ever since.
Their music which covers everything from relationships, complete fiction and nuggets of truth expanded into stories, is exciting and makes you want to move. Their sound is a bit more heavier and current, than the other new music bands' more vintage sound — but it's no less rock ‘n' roll.
This is evident in their obvious fans, which they humbly say are just “friends and girlfriends,” who danced to the beat and even sang along. As Laffin brought a fan onstage to sing with him, you can see it — they really do seem to be having more fun.
Flash Lightnin'
Frontman, Darren Glover, is rock and roll's Spice Girl.
“Tell me what you want, what you really really want,” he sings, throwing in a “zig-a-zig-ha” at the end.
The segue into Spiceworld territory relates, in a way, to how Flash Lightnin' describe their music:
“We write about what rock ‘n' roll's all about — wheels goin' ‘round, girls taking charge,” said Glover, citing song-worthy stories about wanting girls that are way out of your league.
The band avoids the typical “misogynistic” rock ‘n' roll. “It's not intelligent,” said Glover. “(People) don't care how a guy feels.”
Flash Lightnin', with Glover on lead and guitar, Chris Henry on drums and Darcy Yates on bass, have just finished touring their seemingly pro-female music with Eagles of Death Metal and are preparing for the release of their full album. They've worked with Canadian music's heavy-hitters like producer Jimmy Shaw of Metric and Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene.
“The new album is an exciting collaborative album,” said Glover, who added that they've just been talking to as many artists as they can, gathering advice as they go.
For the “rock ‘n' roll boogie band,” they're beginning to establish themselves on the Canadian music scene. Their love of ladies and the inspiration gathered from the female form will certainly help grab fans' attention.
“Girls will always be able to save rock ‘n' roll,” said Glover.
Songs from a Room
Sitting down to a beer with Songs from a Room, and listening to them perform are two completely different experiences — a contradiction.
For one thing — band members Nick Bechard and Brayden Jones completely switch personalities. In person, Bechard is energetic whereas Jones lets Bechard take the lead. But once onstage, it's Jones who's demanding the crowd get drunk and have a great time.
The band's sound, which has hints of 70s vintage with a little present-day hipster mixed in, fit well with the musical theme of the night. They compare their sounds to Sabbath or, ambitiously, the Stones. Yet their dream collaboration? Bill Clinton and his saxophone, said Bechard. Not surprising, another contradiction.
Having played music since childhood — Bechard picked up the guitar at five years old - and throughout adolescence, it's been ingrained into who they are.
Their aim, of course, is to make their music into a career — they recently released a six song EP, but they acknowledge the rise to fame isn't easy.
But even if worldwide fame isn't completely achieved — there's a definite benefit to taking the road of a rock band.
“We wanted to use the band to see the world and meet as many people as we can,” said Bechard.
But the night brought back a little rock and roll of old reminiscent of the 70s, along with some talented alumni, some “Songs from a Room,” and a band who believes in girl power.
Decade of Sleep
Local boys Phil Laffin and Eric Walker returned to their roots — the Out Back Shack — with their bandmates, drummer Mat Pataki and guitarist Lance Schibler to deliver a high-energy rock show, coupled with fans who seemed to know every word.
Despite easily being categorized as just another rock band, Laffin believes they have an extra little something extra that sets them apart.
“The fact that we enjoy it a lot more than everyone else,” said Laffin. “Right from the outset, every time I get off the stage, people say, ‘You look like you're having so much fun.'”
For Walker, who was originally a guitarist asked to play bass, the band's electricity is exactly why he wanted to be a part of it. When they asked him to join, his response was easy. “I don't care if I have to play bass if I can have that much fun.”
The band started from a bunch of friends jamming and playing in each other's bands, and grew from that. They released their debut EP Morning Sun earlier this year and have been gigging ever since.
Their music which covers everything from relationships, complete fiction and nuggets of truth expanded into stories, is exciting and makes you want to move. Their sound is a bit more heavier and current, than the other new music bands' more vintage sound — but it's no less rock ‘n' roll.
This is evident in their obvious fans, which they humbly say are just “friends and girlfriends,” who danced to the beat and even sang along. As Laffin brought a fan onstage to sing with him, you can see it — they really do seem to be having more fun.
Flash Lightnin'
Frontman, Darren Glover, is rock and roll's Spice Girl.
“Tell me what you want, what you really really want,” he sings, throwing in a “zig-a-zig-ha” at the end.
The segue into Spiceworld territory relates, in a way, to how Flash Lightnin' describe their music:
“We write about what rock ‘n' roll's all about — wheels goin' ‘round, girls taking charge,” said Glover, citing song-worthy stories about wanting girls that are way out of your league.
The band avoids the typical “misogynistic” rock ‘n' roll. “It's not intelligent,” said Glover. “(People) don't care how a guy feels.”
Flash Lightnin', with Glover on lead and guitar, Chris Henry on drums and Darcy Yates on bass, have just finished touring their seemingly pro-female music with Eagles of Death Metal and are preparing for the release of their full album. They've worked with Canadian music's heavy-hitters like producer Jimmy Shaw of Metric and Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene.
“The new album is an exciting collaborative album,” said Glover, who added that they've just been talking to as many artists as they can, gathering advice as they go.
For the “rock ‘n' roll boogie band,” they're beginning to establish themselves on the Canadian music scene. Their love of ladies and the inspiration gathered from the female form will certainly help grab fans' attention.
“Girls will always be able to save rock ‘n' roll,” said Glover.
Songs from a Room
Sitting down to a beer with Songs from a Room, and listening to them perform are two completely different experiences — a contradiction.
For one thing — band members Nick Bechard and Brayden Jones completely switch personalities. In person, Bechard is energetic whereas Jones lets Bechard take the lead. But once onstage, it's Jones who's demanding the crowd get drunk and have a great time.
The band's sound, which has hints of 70s vintage with a little present-day hipster mixed in, fit well with the musical theme of the night. They compare their sounds to Sabbath or, ambitiously, the Stones. Yet their dream collaboration? Bill Clinton and his saxophone, said Bechard. Not surprising, another contradiction.
Having played music since childhood — Bechard picked up the guitar at five years old - and throughout adolescence, it's been ingrained into who they are.
Their aim, of course, is to make their music into a career — they recently released a six song EP, but they acknowledge the rise to fame isn't easy.
But even if worldwide fame isn't completely achieved — there's a definite benefit to taking the road of a rock band.
“We wanted to use the band to see the world and meet as many people as we can,” said Bechard.
