Charlottetown bands rock high school
Hey this is Matt. I just wanted to take a break from the slagging and unslagging of Sonic Youth...my two cents, they totally rawk. I will talk to you about a BATTLE OF THE BANDS that took place at Colonel Gray Senior High School. It was the third year they held it but for the first time the event, created by the entrepeneur class at school, made it so all the bands were original ones...ie no COVER BANDS. It started off with my band Chase...our second real gig and we won over some fans with our so close to sloan but not sound. We even impressed ourselves, I hope that doesn't sound too conceded. It was loads of fun. Next came Chinese CHeckers who welded Sonic Youth and NOFX together with surprisingly good results. It was their first gig ever and they actually only had two rehearsals beforehand...although I was told it was for nine hours each. After them came a crowd favourite, Smokin'Cinnamon. This was the first time I heard them play and I was very impressed. The lead singer Damion, has quite a pair of lungs on him...he almost singlehandedly blew John Boland's PA system. The forth band was Watchmaker who will be opening for Bad Luck #13 on Saturday here in Charlottetown. Despite the fact that they did not like their performance, being the only true punk band added some personality and some pizzazz. I really like these guys. Of course I'm a sucker for punk bands. T42, the eventual winners, played their set with enthusiasm and a very playfull spirit. They recruited Strawberry's bass player Brian Arsenault and he played real good...plus he is the coolest bass player on the face of the planet (besides Chris Murphy teehee). Unfortunately their replacement bass player is just that: a replacement (NO HE IS NOT PAUL WESTERBERG). ed who, came up next and rawked the joint with their Nirvanaesque songs. BUt it was their rap song that blew the crowd away. Nathan the lead singer needs to go to a therapist...he really has the thing called teen angst. The Raw Overtones, GREAT BAND, played last and left everyone far from high and dry...Robbie spit water on the mosh pit which was a large one. This incredible power trio made Colonel Gray's pricipal's ears to bleed...maybe I'm going a little too far. I have reported on these guys before on my reviews of Charlottetown bands and I forgot to tell you to bring earplugs to their shows. That does it for tonight, thanx for reading, those other bands should prove to a lot of people not only around here but also around the Maritimes that Charlottetown does have a thriving scene despite our small size. As usual any questions, comments, info on how to contact the bands just type. Matt p.s. Bob your tape is coming.
Strawberry shortcake
Hey folks, this is Matt from Charlottetown. It's been about a week since I have written about a Charlie town band, but you're in for a treat as far as I'm concerned. Strawberry, the Island's best band started off three years ago with an interesting mix of players. Pat and Deirdre, guitarist and vocalist respectively, along with Craig (percussion) who is I believe Chris Murphy's cousin, and Mike who played the typical drumset. Pat and Deirdre are the only founding members left. Anyhoo, their first gig ever was in front of hundreds of people at our annual Canada Day festival in Victoria park, most thought they really sucked because they didn't jam out any Guns and Roses (though Pat is a huge G'n'R fan). And the fact that they played all their own songs had a very divisive effect. I thought it was cool what they were doing but also saw the room for improvement. Contrary to popular belief, Strawberry didn't really become an overnight success here in Charlottetown. Of course all the cover bands and Haywire wannabes were still around, actually they still are around. Still, Strawberry along with Stil and Down formed the underground scene, more or less. Strawberry then got the chance to record a 7 split single with Plumtree. It wasn't exactly the way they planned on recording but they were happy nonetheless. The next time someone sees Pat tease him about his bass playing but don't tell him I said so. Scott (guitar) and Brian (bass) joined after Craig left the band and finally their sound was shaping up into a strong rythym oriented band in which they wanted. They released a demo by themselves in May or June of this year and is utterly amazing considering it is done on 8 track. They actually relaesed a tape before that but it is not quite as musically strong. Simon then replaced Mike as the drummer to form the present group of Strawberry. They have finished recording their CD I think but I don''t know when they plan to release it. One piece of advice, pick it up, they are incredible. \ Some people may have saw them previous to this past Halifax Pop Explosion and may not have liked them very much, or so I've heard, but let me assure you, they are a totally changed band with all the ingredients that holds Strawberry together still present. Now here are some helpful little tidbits to break the ice to the guys/gal if you ever see them. Pat - bowls 250, loves movies, especially Clerks and Dazed and Confused, he is nice as hell and will jam with anyone who knows a few Motley Crue tunes. Deirdre - is obsessed with Bob Wiseman, hates Dynasty and jocks, plus is an avid indie advocate and anti christ to any cover band, she's real smart and a pleasant lady to talk to. Simon - what can I say, the guys got a clock in his head and a smile on his face the whole time, friendly and helpful, he lives on Harley street and is a self professed preppy, plus the oldes member at 25. Scott - loves to make posters, they are infamous around the Island, and stickers and what not, used to play clarinet in high school (as did I) and shines while singing and playing his Gibson SG for the guys from Strawberry's alter ego side band Good Guy Eddie Featuring Former Members Of Chilliwack (Pat's the only member to actually play for Chilliwack...just kidding). Brian - that groovin' bass player is one of the funniest guys I know, loves crack (inside joke) and telling people that he was not the bass player for the Me 7 single, yet another joke poking fun at Pat. So there you go folks, as usual any questions just let your fingers do the talking. Matt
Sloan joke
Hi this is Matt from P.E.I. Umm...I know you guys will probably hate me but I have to bring up that Sloan hoax thing up just so I can tell you a story that happened to me today. One of my friends from Summerside (1 hour away from Charlottetown) skipped school to come and visit for a little while. Anyway, the first question that popped out of his mouth was Where can I find the new sloan album shaken by...I dunno something. Imagine my surprise to hear those words come out of his mouth. I then asked him where he heard that and he said it was all over Charlottetown. This proves how quickly rumours get started, yes I was one of those suckers who believed it (hey I'm from a small city sitting in an Island) and I did tell one of my friends. The fact is there is only, correct me if I'm wrong, five sloan netters here on p.e.i. And I know Melissa and Karen caught on right away, I'm not sure of Mark from Summerside, and Deryl has no friends to tell...just kidding Deryl. So that left me...by telling one person this little thing it spread like wildfire. Brenden, this has been real fun during exam time, but now look what you have done to me. I'll have to walk all over Charlottetown putting up posters or something saying THERE IS NO NEW SLOAN ALBUM. That's the price of being a sucker I guess. And oh yeah, I think RADIOBLASTER rawk and I hear no similarities with the Hermits. Thanx for reading this otherwise useless post. Matt.
Three times a charm
Hello y'all. This is Matt from Charlottetown doing my thing and proud of it. Due to popular demand ( well actually nobody demanded this or anymore of them ) but I will go out on a linb and tell you about another Charlottetown band. The grunge craze effected everyone to some degree or another I'm sure, although there are a few who do not admit to this. But this band T.4.2. ( get it ) totally relish in it. Even though they may be young... MEMBERS - ...Danny (guitar, vox - 16 years old ) - ...Andrew (guitar, vox - 15 years old ) - ...Jon ( drums - 16 years old ) ... they are quite mature in their songwriting. They used to have a bass player but while he was in the band he made too many girlfriends/groupies that he had to quit because of his lack of commitment to the band and his total commitment to...uhum...getting laid. Alllrightyythen. They play power pop to the extreme, rarely taking that fuzz/distortion pedal off, and thus their sonic layering have caused many around here to compare them to...well...Sloan ( in pampers ). They actually opened for Rebecca West when they were here this summer and did play at Myron's unfortunately. No they didn't sell out, for any of you who know the deal with Myron's. Anyhoo, they have no release yet ( not even a demo? c'mon guys, ) but are planning to lay something down on four track this month. Two more notes, they were not *FORTUNATE* enough for them to be on the compilation here, and also, a fellow Sloan Netter - Deryl Gallant ( you love him, I know you guys do ) fills in as the replacement bass player. Thanx for the time and space. As usual, you can e-mail me if you wish further details on these guys or any other Island bands that you amy have heard of/like to hear more of. B-bye.
COOL NEW BAND ANYONE?
Hello this is Matt from spudville giving my fellow sloannetters another bit of info on another Charlottetown band. Their names Overtones...Raw Overtones. ( I just saw the new James Bond flick ). They hail from downtown Charlottetown, my neck of the woods as well and they are amazing to see live ( both in their basement and on stage ). MEMBERS - Robbie ( guitar and vox ) - Eliot ( bass and headbang leader ) - Chris ( wicked drummer, he beats John from SUPERCAR only in the drumming department not in the name dept - got that yan. ) They started playing one year ago and have struggled ( like most original bands around here ) to play places. So no you did not see them on Much East last week simply because, with the exception of Supercar and Strawberry, all the other bands on the new comp are cover bands. Fuck I hate cover bands, sorry. Their influences...many including Nirvana, the Hip, Ozzy and also Sloan ( automatically they have made some fans on this net. ) Straight outta grade 11 and into grade 12 they have made plans to conquer the world after high school. No releases except for true *basement tapes*, although they, along with my band CHASE ( plug ) are getting an eight track, we hope, with our combined savings. So far we have ten dollars ( I spent five tonight on the flick ). SO that's them, any more info required just pick up your little fingers and type. p.s. - despite what you saw on Much East, Charlottetown does have cool bands it's just that places like MYRONS won't let us/them play. I understand that this story is echoed through the Maritimes and the rest of Canada so I'm not telling you guys/gals things you do not already know. Thanx for the time and space. I hope this fits in to the type of messages that that guy who hated sucky messages ( forgot your name ) wants. something like that.
