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Hamilton Music Notes
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by
Ric Taylor
October 7 - 13, 2010 |
The Killin’ Time Band’s Three Day Weekend
The Killin’ Time Band may have had its roots in more seemingly less serious ways to fill up an available schedule, but the band that singer/guitarist Brad Hails formed six years ago has taken on so much more meaning for its members and all of the fans they’ve touched.
They’re the penultimate party band you can find as easily at big outdoor gigs, the neighbourhood pub or a friend’s secret birthday party – playing up party tune covers and injecting a couple of originals for some spice. In the end, people sing along and dance and everyone raises a glass to the band in thanks.
But while they love to party, KTB has also been committed to insuring that their revelry can also have a positive effect on the community. Whether it’s bed races or growing their moustaches for Movember benefiting Prostate Cancer Canada (theta-omega-mo.com) or even lending their services to the Make A Wish Foundation – the Killin’ Time Band’s parties are often charitable fundraisers.
With the official Hamilton release party for Three Day Weekend, the Killin’ Time band celebrate a three day Thanksgiving Weekend by offering what’s expected to be another killer party and again helping out another worthwhile cause.
“We are all very proud of this album, it really brought us back to why it is we have been playing music together and have been family for the
last six years,” smiles Hails. “We never lose site of the fact that we are lucky. We get paid to play music which is what we would all be doing regardless for free in our basements. So you always have to keep the big picture in sight and forget about the petty shit. No matter what went on that day when we get on stage and the engine starts clicking; these are my best friends in the world.
“We all came from an original music background having had successful bands in the past that all brought us together in this group,” he adds. “Killin’ Time has always played original music as well as choice covers that we enjoy playing our way. Then you add a family and a mortgage and those big paycheck gigs start looking really good. Many of our influences come from the school of Jam Bands where we love to reinvent other people songs, medley them with our own and make girls dance. KTB is a party band. We never show up half–assed. If there are two people or 2000 people, we come to empty your fridge and shake your ass. We appreciate so many styles of music; we just turn on the gear open our minds and jam until something clicks. That’s where the most honest music comes from and people’s subconscious picks up on that stuff. I think the best ability we have as a band is the ability to read a crowd. Genre doesn’t matter as long as you are feeling the mood and throw the right jam out.”
With Jaret Koop (guitar and vocals), John Bauld (bass and vocals), and Paul Dickinson (drums), Hails and company have had years to learn how to work a room and that’s probably figured into what makes a good song work but KTB aren’t as calculated to write for any other reason than to feel the moment and have fun.
Recorded by Justin Koop at B–Town Sound in Burlington, Three Day Weekend offers reggae infused rock (“It’s Always 420”, “Lay Your Body Down”), laid back disco (“Late September”), funk (“Hippie Girl”), country (“Rested, Relaxed and Feelin’ Good”) and hard rock (“Shaker Monkeys”) that’s all held together with Hails’ gravelly voiced baritone grin. It’s infectious party music that always seems to be able to draw a crowd.
Even guest musicians flocked to recording sessions – including Ron Elliott on keyboards (Fat Cats, Roadside Attraction), Aaron Goldstein on pedal steel (Lee Harvey Osmond, Huron), Ritch Thoman on sax (Jam Central Station), Troy Dowding on trumpet (Backroom 11), MAC N AWE rapping, Bianca Bernardi on vocals and Tim Park on vocals, guitar. With the CD quietly released this summer, the band documented one makeshift roller disco party for the leadoff single, “Late September” – and recently wrapped up visuals for a video for the title track. The band has never been busier and they show no signs of slowing down – but again whether it be helping out a worthwhile cause or heading out to the cottage – the band knows their abilities and puts them to use every chance they get.
“We all have the sickness,” chuckles Hails. “Playing music is the centre of our universe and the vibe that is created when the four or more of us get together and jam is addictive. People really pick up on the honesty of Killin’ Time. We aren’t fooling anyone; we don’t have a stylist or someone telling us what genre of music to shoot for because it’s the next big hit. We write what we are feeling regardless of style.
“The song ‘Three Day Weekend’ is definitely what we are about,” he adds.
“Life is too short to get caught up in all the drama I would rather party myself into the grave with no regrets than to plan every step only to die disappointed. Who knows when this is all going to end so enjoy it while you can. All the planning in the world can’t save you when your time is up. Three Day Weekend just seemed the perfect theme and title for the album. Our friends really dig the Canadian references all the way through the song. Everyone remembers the excitement and anxiety of Friday afternoon of a three–day weekend loading up the car and heading up north to party at the cottage with your friends, some cute girls and no inhibitions.”
Offering some universal truth in the lyrics, some solid riffs and a whack of sing–along choruses, KTB have been getting radio play on CFMU, Y108, CHTZ–FM, Edge 102 and selling CDs briskly. And as half of all sales have been saved for another charitable goal – the band hopes to have raised $5,000 to present to Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation by November.
“I am not a rich man so instead of donating money I donate my time as often as I can,” confides Hails. “We aren’t looking to be the next big thing we are just doing the only thing we know how to do and doing a lot of partying along the way. Like this weekend, there are three of the area’s most kick–ass party bands, one of the city’s best live music venues and a Saturday night. Sleep late Sunday, stay late Saturday and do some things you’re going to regret – well, except missing the party of the year.”
The Killin Time Band plays this Saturday October 9 at This Ain’t Hollywood with Lo-Fi and Downboy. $7 gets you in or $15 with a copy of the new CD. Click on killintimeband.com
Burnin Ethyl’s Pop The Hood
While most music fans might not be familiar with Tetraethyl leaded gasoline, those that know about the muscle cars of the ‘50s that used the high–octane fuel probably relish that simpler time. When Trevor Rogers (vocals, bass), Craig Koshul (guitars) and Deryke Spriggs (drums) came together – they had that idea in mind and as the band Burnin Ethyl they wanted to embody the music of that time or at least take from the same inspirations.
“I’ve never considered us as a traditional rockabilly outfit but we do pull influences from that pool of greats,” offers Koshul. “I like to think of us as a Hamilton rock and roll band. This town is where I first heard live rock and roll and it made an impression deep inside me, something I never want to have removed. That makes us who we are today.
“For me, it’s all about the Hammer sound,” adds Koshul. “The Florida Razors, Teenage Head, and Trouble Boys – I really dig the way those cats write and execute a tune. From Tom Wilson’s deep dark tones, Jason Avery’s amazing ability to pick out a solo that perfectly reflects any song’s soul, Dave Rave’s catchy lyrics and harmonies, Gord Lewis Junior’s growl, Frankie’s unmistakable voice, Tim Gibbons’ bucket of blood guitar slinging licks and laid back, whisky soaked vocals – man, I could go on and on.”
“We’ve always considered our self a rock and roll outfit with a country tinge to it,” interjects Rogers. “We’re not a stay–in–one–genre kind of band, that’s how you can get stale. We enjoy
too many different kinds of music to stifle our selves like that, cool music is cool music and we’re not afraid to write outside the box.”
With the band’s sophomore full length, Pop The Hood, being released this weekend, Burnin Ethyl showcase their latest collection of songs that keep your toes–a–tapping while they sing about those oh so influential gigs, girls and cars.
“The name came from dealing with my ‘95 Monte Carlo,” smiles Koshul on the new album title. “It was a bad month for her, seems like every day she broke down and I kept saying ‘pop the hood’ to my buds who were helping me. I was staring at her components trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with her now and I thought ‘this motor is kind of like a band; you need fuel and spark at the right proportion. You need to maintain it, adjust the valves, and keep the fluids topped up.’”
“Writing for the band is our therapy and social life wrapped into one,” notes Rogers on the new songs. “Inspiration comes from living it and from all facets in our life, dealing with each other talks with each other and most of all observing life. ‘Not Ready to Sleep’ the first song on the album came from countless conversations about getting that 10 O'clock adrenaline rush that all musicians know about. Even when you’re sitting at home, you’re up flipping through the channels and all you want to do is get out.”
Recorded at Blue Tilt Studio with Danny Z, Pop The Hood embodies the live show that has come to define Burnin Ethyl – Sprigg’s sweaty stand up drumming, Koshul’s sly guitar attack and Rogers smooth crooning that sends the ladies swooning.
“Definitely the live show always has a way of whipping the songs into shape,” says Rogers. “You can’t create the energy, aggression and state of mind that you have when you’re playing the songs on stage. We’ve matured since [their debut CD] Rock And Roll Combustion and we wanted songs that weren’t all rock and roll or all country sounding – just a nice blend of what we’re about.”
With a more noticeably streamlined look for the band showcased on the new video by Aardvark Video Productions’ George Blahitka for “Won’t Take Long” – Burnin Ethyl seems to be shifting gears and ready to race to the finish line.
“Getting hits on youtube.com and creating a buzz about the band was more a motivator then getting on MuchMusic,” reasons Rogers. “Youtube is a great way to get different people to listen to your band. But the
biggest thing we changed is we just decided to have a sharper look, but not really genre based but more of a matching cleaner style to match what we think is a good look for us. We’ve never really worried too much about fitting in with anything, this is who we are. There’s no other way to look at it for us. My hair’s been pomped since I was 16 so im pretty comfortable with myself.
“All we want to do is to write some great songs that people can dance to,” he adds. “We’re not a complex band, we just take pride on people enjoying us and dancing to our tunes.”
Burnin Ethyl play this Saturday October 10 at the Corktown Pub with Rick and the Krickets and Mz Kitty Demure. Show starts at 9pm and $5 gets you in. Click on myspace.com/burninethylband
Christopher Clause’s Imagine Peace 7
For seven years, Christopher Clause organized a near quarterly tribute focusing on the music of the Beatles to raise nearly $25,000 in helping Hamilton’s homeless. With all the time involved, Clause’s own original endeavors had taken a back seat but over the last year, he finally released his own collection of songs finishing up years of work. This week though, Clause felt compelled to make at least a brief return to his altruistic Beatles concerts.
“I am still returning to my own music and that will be a focus for me in the coming months but we also need to raise money so that we can run Out of the Cold at James Street Baptist Church,” reasons Clause. “As a kid I always dreamed about performing on the Jerry Lewis Telethon. I thought it was a wonderful thing to do: to raise money for people in need and I loved the idea of making music to help. There will always be need, and part of my calling is to be able to help in any way I can. This is the way I know best.”
This is Beatles’ show number 24 for Clause, the seventh Imagine Peace tribute – but the first ever in Hamilton Place Studio Theatre and the first time in five years since he’s done an October show.
“Yoko wanted to encourage people to celebrate John on the day of his birth rather than the day of his death,” explains Clause. “This is a very important celebration as October 9 would have been John’s 70th birthday. I also wanted to hold the event in a new venue and one that was worthy of a 70th birthday party, so the Studio Theatre was the
right choice. December marks 30 years that John has not been with us – another milestone – but in this case, I would rather celebrate life than celebrate tragedy.”
With the Design Hope recording project and auction happening this December (that Clause is set to co-produce with Grant Avenue Studio’s
Amy King), this weekend a slew of musicians help to celebrate some of the music and some of the philosophy John Lennon hoped to at least offer some small change in the world.
“I think there are a lot of people who remember where they were when Lennon was killed, and that is part of their life experience, and attending this concert is a positive way to remember John and his music,” says Clause. “The other aspect was John’s social activism: raising money for those in need, promoting peace and doing good works in a non–violent world. Our mores are in sync with where John and Yoko were at in 1969 and it had only taken us 40 years to catch up. They were both always ahead of their time. Maybe that is why people love John: he was a visionary and he was a man doing things that no one else thought was possible, or cared about.” V
Imagine Peace 7 happens this Friday October 8 at Hamilton Place Studio Theatre including Mike Trebilcock, Bob Bryden, Kim and Frank Koren, Kori Pop, Lena Montecalvo, Lianne Cranfield, Matthew de Zoete, Bill Majoros, Fred D. Smith, Chris Jamieson, Michael Scott and more.
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