Vacuity: hard to say, easy to listen to; even easier to look at
A car wash attendant, a photo-lab technician and two record store clerks walked into a bar…. No, this is not a joke and the hard working foursome did not walk into the bar for a drink. They came to rock.
What started as four best friends in grade school wanting to be in a band, Vacuity has morphed into finely tuned, well-oiled machine of music making. With guitar player Greg Osborn, who moonlights as a car wash attendant, drummer Emeri Schweigert, who works in a photo-lab, and lead vocalist Rob McFee and bass player Paul McGough toiling away the day light hours at a record store, it's hard for the band to find the hours to practice.
“When we all work 25 to 30 hours a week, we come home and don't have a lot of time to play,” McGough said, who lives in Kitchener in a house the band bought together. “We don't sleep much.”
Recently, Vacuity played at a nooner in Forwell Hall and instantly their music resonated as something refreshing and different then the traditional Canadian rock sound. It's hard to compare Vacuity other bands because their music is a mixture of many great current alternative rock groups. McFee's vocals are similar to Chris Martin's of Coldplay and in the background Radiohead, The Doves and The Manic Street Preachers are all prominent influences.
Released in 2003, Vacuity's first album The Middle Ground was written, recorded, mixed and produced in the McFee family basement. No one in the band as any professional musical training and they literally taught themselves how to do everything. Amazingly and to Vacuity's credit, the disc is well organized and sounds very professional.
“We didn't know the theory behind the music,” McFee said about how the band created their first CD, which is why it took over a year to make.
“Technical people hate us. We have our own language,” Osborn added.
Vacuity's sophomore album is still a work in progress, but the band said their inspiration has changed from adolescent-type love ballads to a more mature political and social inspired sound.
“Everyone is so God-damned apathetic these days,” Osborn said about the bands frustration over society's current “glazed-over” persona. Both McFee and McGough agreed that after working in a mall you start to see the world in a different light.
Although making thier own CD completely independent from outside influences was rewarding for the band, Vacuity recruited the mixing techniques of Tod Cutler, who has engineered and mixed for 25 different bands, for their new album.
“We are anal about handing responsibility over,” McGough said, which is understandable considering Vacuity is comfortable producing their music independently. Between their full-time employment commitments and practicing, the band admitted without the extra production help it would take over a year to finish their second album.
Vacuity is a regular on the Toronto band circuit, playing venues like the Horseshoe, the Mod Club and El Mocambo. They have also played in London at Call the Office, but the band is still familiar with some of the more seedy establishments throughout southwestern Ontario.
“We've played a lot of shit-holes… the kind where you need new soles on your shoes when you're done,” Osborn said.
As for making it big, Vacuity believes success is defined as being about to quit their day jobs and sustain solely off their music.
For venues and dates check Vacuity's website at www.vacuity.net. Their album can be bought at maplemusic.com or HMV stores.
What started as four best friends in grade school wanting to be in a band, Vacuity has morphed into finely tuned, well-oiled machine of music making. With guitar player Greg Osborn, who moonlights as a car wash attendant, drummer Emeri Schweigert, who works in a photo-lab, and lead vocalist Rob McFee and bass player Paul McGough toiling away the day light hours at a record store, it's hard for the band to find the hours to practice.
“When we all work 25 to 30 hours a week, we come home and don't have a lot of time to play,” McGough said, who lives in Kitchener in a house the band bought together. “We don't sleep much.”
Recently, Vacuity played at a nooner in Forwell Hall and instantly their music resonated as something refreshing and different then the traditional Canadian rock sound. It's hard to compare Vacuity other bands because their music is a mixture of many great current alternative rock groups. McFee's vocals are similar to Chris Martin's of Coldplay and in the background Radiohead, The Doves and The Manic Street Preachers are all prominent influences.
Released in 2003, Vacuity's first album The Middle Ground was written, recorded, mixed and produced in the McFee family basement. No one in the band as any professional musical training and they literally taught themselves how to do everything. Amazingly and to Vacuity's credit, the disc is well organized and sounds very professional.
“We didn't know the theory behind the music,” McFee said about how the band created their first CD, which is why it took over a year to make.
“Technical people hate us. We have our own language,” Osborn added.
Vacuity's sophomore album is still a work in progress, but the band said their inspiration has changed from adolescent-type love ballads to a more mature political and social inspired sound.
“Everyone is so God-damned apathetic these days,” Osborn said about the bands frustration over society's current “glazed-over” persona. Both McFee and McGough agreed that after working in a mall you start to see the world in a different light.
Although making thier own CD completely independent from outside influences was rewarding for the band, Vacuity recruited the mixing techniques of Tod Cutler, who has engineered and mixed for 25 different bands, for their new album.
“We are anal about handing responsibility over,” McGough said, which is understandable considering Vacuity is comfortable producing their music independently. Between their full-time employment commitments and practicing, the band admitted without the extra production help it would take over a year to finish their second album.
Vacuity is a regular on the Toronto band circuit, playing venues like the Horseshoe, the Mod Club and El Mocambo. They have also played in London at Call the Office, but the band is still familiar with some of the more seedy establishments throughout southwestern Ontario.
“We've played a lot of shit-holes… the kind where you need new soles on your shoes when you're done,” Osborn said.
As for making it big, Vacuity believes success is defined as being about to quit their day jobs and sustain solely off their music.
For venues and dates check Vacuity's website at www.vacuity.net. Their album can be bought at maplemusic.com or HMV stores.
