Ontario Community Newspapers

Canadian Champion (Milton, ON), 20 Jun 1997, p. 19

The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

rThe CanaUWin Champion, Frlday June 20, 1997 - 19 IHard driving rock, is fueled by ambition By BRAD _REAUME The Champion Alabaster is defined as bard, polisbed rock. Alabaster, a local band, is boping to bit bard with an independently produced CD, the culmination of their efforts since 1994. Tbeir sound wbile nos to, aIl tastes, is loud, aggressive and edgy witb strong basa lines, wbicb are used to drive the melody. Transition seems to be the operative concept in the band, origi- nally forrned in 199 1. After a few years of personnel and accom- panying name cbanges, a new professionalism bas driven the four-man group aince tbey adopted their current name. "We've aIl invested a lot into the concept and the name Alabaster. We are very, very committed to it," said bassist Tryg Smith. "Alabaster will be together for a very long time." The band bas bad some successes. Tbey get air play on vanious college radio stations, and emerged from among 30 groups to reacb the finals of a 1996 McMaster University band contest. "We are realistic. We want to be successful but understand that you bave to be in the rigbt place at tbe right time. Some very suc- ces sful bands are not very talented," Mr. Smnitb said. "And some very talented musicians neyer make it." In the end band members are doing wbat tbey enjoy. Leamning the recording process opened some creative conduits in the band and Mr. Smitb said the group is comrnitted to producing anotber CD in tbe next few years, even if it bas to be donc independently. The 23-ycar-old Milton rcsident said be bas put most of bis efforts into writing music and promoting tbe group. Live shows are taking a bit of a back seat rigbt now unlesa the gig can be turned into an event with sometbing outside the bounds of the standard rock show involved. "We want to bave sometbing extra because that is the difference between a band that is going somewbere and one that is not," be said. "We bave an annual trip to Wasaga Beach where aIl our fans are invited to corne up and bear us play." Promotion key for tour Alabaster bas put together an impressive promotional package including tbe CD, bios, a web site and tbcir own fanzine. According to Mr. Smith they are looking to move up to the next level in tbeir musical direction and name recognition. Tbey are in Photo by TANYA SMITH Alternative rock band Alabaster, with (Ilo leit) Derek Clark, Tryg Smith, Tim Reesor and Chrlstoph Roy, wiIl be part of the Moonlight Magic feiliis tonight (Friday) in downtown Milton. They'Il perform at 7:30 and 10 p.m. the procesa of cbanging from a cover band to one tbat plays origi- nal material. That transition can be difficult Mr. Smith agreed, saying small venues want familiar music for patrons wbile the band wants to pursue its own direction. He said Alabaster's appearance at Milton's Moonlight Madness on June 20 will fea- ture a combination of cover tunes and original work. One of tbe bandas advantages is its wide range of influences. That trait allows thern to cover a buge variety of material and bas gotten tbem gigs in a number of different places. Tbey have played lrom Brampton tbfrougb to Hamnilton. Mr. Smith said Alabaster's différent influences Il create a hybrid and bopefully unique sound. He is a longtime fan of KISS, a band tbat inspired a very devout following, and likes Canadian banda 1 Mother Eartb and Tea Party. Guitarist Tirn Reesor likes classic rock and vocalist Cbristopb Roy will listen to anytbing, according to Mr. Smith. Sound still evolving Alabaster's sound is still evolving, said Mr. Smnith, but ita name is "carved in atone. no pun intended.' Formerly known as Functional Disparity, Killing Time, Creep and Mother May t, esele BAND on page 21 Hard bail launches blues fest By BRAD REAUME The Champion The Hardball Southside is hosting a four day blues/roots music festival June 26-29. According to Joe Pinto, booking manager for the club, headlining performers ait the festival often play much larger venues. "We will have no trouble selling it out," he said. "'The club bas become a destination location for this type of music. People corne from aIl over: Toronto, Buffalo, Kitchener, Guelph, Hamilton." The festival will kick off Thursday and Friday nights with bands indoors at the club, located juat north of Highway 401 on Highway 25. Saturday aftemoon the festival is trying to get [ami- lies involved, with shuttle buses to Kelso Conservation Area for a picnic and beach party wbich starts ait Il ar. The last bus back will corne at 4 p.rn. with music starting in the club's parking lot at about 3 p.m. Buses, Kelso admission and babysitting are included in the $6 ticket price. The Saturday evening show bas a separate ticket which costs $17.50 in advance and includes a New Orleans style buffet. The indoor show features co-headliners Little Charlie and the Nightcats from California, and Louisiana's Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas. Mr. Pinto said zydeco music bas a Motown feel but uses accordion, and other odd instruments and rhythms. It comes from Cajun influences brought to the soutb by displaced French Canadians. He described it as "the bappiest music alive. It just makes you want to dance fast." "Some of these Sets play rnuch larger festivals like the Montreal Jazz Festival and the San Francisco Blues and Root Festival," Mr. Pinto said. The festival lis an opportunity to promote the 350 e ee BLUES on page 21 aZI ir ÉQE CA SPEI i M fi9Uc&lo,*Pl4 twt - -........ . $11,99 $316.1948a.' 1% pt" ES Grec g , -.M ..........4 .sls ..... $201,9%6 *StIl48a. W ~ gv i CtttDMCUý&g . .. 10luhM td, 4~ dr.,a6*1. ..... $15,995 11N q» X , tw .......m ..... i19'0ymoulIBtbn 4 r, rd »...... - .. ....»_...... $224.»31t0 W 1995 tmo fow LamdOF Uk *25995 $M11 W 1amWIhr. vaeSE, w9, ees 195chqW Wd, 4dr.,e0 ....1.......... $338âI36 Wmo' M how F u .. .... 19O00D* SLT SP5I44, PP r $1 9 $404MIIIo M-* yavwi~u 190* SLT 299Pimp, re ..... *19,995 S375.42136 mo.* l99ltsD*Caasa n, t ...... 19M 0D* CuvaSIOyI Anfl LE, wp de $14999 $314.8I24m0W 19M Chqysr Itm l, 4 d., 9t ........... TRUCKS Plymouth, Chrysier, Jeep & Eagle CHRYLER500 BRONTE SI. MILTON EA5E PRR E WT1$ DO YE. PLS T AXES 876-2.580 EASING M $ALES SERVICE PARTSN IIIATON COn« IM Sig yur id kMEMBERSHIPS Signyourkids r-W NOW AVAILABLE il for aFOR summrrer of golf. $ 3 INCLUDES UNILIMITE GOLF MON - FR1. - CHILDREN MUST SE 14 YRS AND UNDER. 2ridl Airiual Saturday, June 28th f"'s etaete at 7:00 pmit AI\~ Sko- 6#1-y $10.OO per pro FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT OR OUR SUMMER MEMBER- SHIP PLEASE CALL 876m3018 3 ---A PROUD SUPPORTER OF LOCAL SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS...

Powered by / Alimenté par VITA Toolkit
Privacy Policy