Happenings on the Scene: Local players comment on Brandon’s music scene

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/01/2016 (3751 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Since this is my first opportunity to do so, allow me to start this week’s column off with, Happy New Year! May your 2016 be filled with many memorable music filled moments which will become special memories for many years to come.

Now that the curtain has closed on yet another year, I’d like to take account of what helped make our local scene happen last year and what’s in store for next 2016. Who better to get that info from than the local players who make it all happen?

In this special series of 20 questions with a select group of local musicians, we offer up a glimpse of what these players were up to in 2015 and what their resolutions are for 2016. So let’s kick off this fresh New Year with a “Happenings” exclusive which also serves as an opportunity to get acquainted with some of this region’s most dedicated musicians.

In this, the first of a four part series we showcase some of the hardest working local players I know, as they share some of their thoughts on the local music scene and more.

Please support local music whenever you get the chance.

TREMENDOUS DYNAMITE:

Name:

Nick Piche

Instruments:

Guitar, vocals

Years you’ve been playing:

13 years

Years active in music scene:

10 years

Other groups:

Neelin Choir, Glass House, The Heavy Souls

Favorite music genre:

Blues Rock

Favorite Band:

Queens of the Stone Age

Favorite local band:

Take with Audio/ Basement Revival/ Sebastian Owl

Favorite cover song to play:

No One Knows – QOTSA

Cover song with best response:

I Got Mine – Black Keys

What type of band do you prefer to catch live? (Cover band, Original act or a band that plays a good mix of both):

I prefer to catch a band with a good mix of covers and originals.

Last local gig you took in:

Sebastian Owl

Most memorable gig:

The Firehouse on Dec. 18

Last concert you checked out here in Brandon:

Big Sugar at The 40

How many gigs you played in 2015:

Eight.

How many gigs do you hope to play in 2016:

As many epic shows as we can put together.

Biggest accomplishment for you band thus far:

Finishing our second album

Major plans for your band this year:

To release our second album with a tremendous show! To play a few shows in Winnipeg and reach into that city’s music scene. Keep writing music.

Your thoughts on Brandon’s local music scene, what’s good, what needs improvement:

It’s not as strong as it used to be but its making its way in the right direction. Haven’t seen any new bands come out of their caves. I’m thinking the venues need to be more inviting to new musical acts coming through. Keeping the musical community strong affects so much in our small city. Taking the easy route and throwing on an iPod is a step in the wrong direction. Nothing exciting and new comes from that move.

 

18 RABBIT

Name:

Troy McKenzie

Instrument(s) you play:

Drums and Mixing Boards

Years you’ve been playing:

Is this an age test LOL, I started performing for money when I was 14 so it has been a while!

Current Band name:

18 Rabbit

Type of music your band plays:

We are an eclectic, random noise generator that has its roots in rock and roll and it’s head in the clouds! We are very selfish and play music for ourselves and just hope that when we share it with the masses there is a response of some sort!! To us any reaction to our particular brand good or bad is positive.

Years active in Westman’s music scene:

I have been in and out of the Westman scene all of my life. This latest stint has been around six years.

Other groups you’ve been in:

The list is pretty long. Here are some of the highlights 1st paying band — Antics out of Minnedosa, 1st Road Band — Johnny Rebel and the Shackshakers, I have played with so many fabulously talented musicians over the years it is hard to remember all of the bands. The line-up that started with a local bud country talent winner and continued as a unit backing up different singers for 15 years eventually known as Tineta and Electric Avenue was probably the most successful.

Favorite Music Genre:

I love playing straight up rock and roll, but have always subscribed to this "There are only two types of music in the world good and bad and this is determined by mood, level of intoxication, and the environment I am situated in!"

Favorite band/artist (International):

Louie Bellson, Muse, Zac Brown Band, Chris Stapleton is interesting me at the moment, and Imogen Heap cause she is a musical trip!

Favorite local group to see in concert:

Right now it’s a toss up between Man Alive and the Middle Coast for young original bands. On the cover band side it’s FUGR, Clubbing Fraggles or Tremendous Dynamite. Brandon has a lot of great talent and I have barely scratched the surface of what is happening here these are just a few of the standout performances I have been lucky enough to see recently!

Favorite cover song to play:

Not sure if these qualify but I have been lucky enough to share the stage with a couple of talented country artists as a fill in drummer. Ryan Keown and his single Guilty as Charged is a blast to play. I also recently did a one off with Samara Yung and her track “Better Than I Have Ever Been” is a monster.

Cover song that always gets the best crowd response at a gig:

Pick one that the audience knows and can sing too, unfortunately I have grown to hate all of the old standards as to me they are stale and boring! You should hear the mess I make of Brown Eye Girl LOL.

What type of band do you prefer to catch live? (Cover band, original act or a band that plays a good mix of both):

I don’t care if it’s covers or originals as long as the band is well rehearsed, the vocals are tight and the sound doesn’t suck. If it sounds bad I am out the door!

Last local gig you were a spectator at:

Eks Noise at the City Center perfect blend of punk and what not, just wished they sounded better!

Most memorable gig you played this year:

The obvious answer would be opening for Platinum Blonde with 18 Rabbit. But to be honest it was a one off with no rehearsal in Regina with Samara Yung I haven’t been that terrified in years!

Last concert you attended in Brandon:

I guess that would be Platinum Blonde

How many gigs you played last year:

More than I should have, saying NO is a New Year’s resolution I am gonna experiment with! I would like to spend more of my time on stage with 18 Rabbit if possible.

How many gigs do you hope to play in 2016?

As many as I can afford to. In order to present a decent sounding product to the audience it usually winds up costing us more than the gig pays. It is incredibly tough for independent acts these days and in this market it is ridiculous, the support we get from fans and clubs is awesome but the reality is we are funding this project ourselves.

Biggest accomplishment for you band thus far?

Day Zero by 18 Rabbit a full length CD produced entirely by the band!

Major plans for your band this year:

Record and release some new material. Play a lot of live dates, and try not to grow up!

Your thoughts on Brandon’s local music scene, what’s good, what needs improvement?

The Brandon music scene is interesting, there seems to be a wide range of bands here from really great to WOW how did they get this gig! With some of the bands and musicians I can see and hear the hard work they have put into their projects and I respect them for it. The rest of you buy a click track, see other bands, record yourself and actually listen to it with open ears, fix the problems it should be a goal that every show is better on all levels than the last one. This is how a band grows and gets better.

All musicians are responsible to each other and the clients you work for. You are hired to entertain. Give a club owner, bartender, waitress, promoter, agent, radio host or any other person related to the event you are playing at or wanna play at ATTITUDE and you have not only ruined it for yourselves but every other musician in the market.

Band leaders, agents and musicians in this area need to understand that there is value in what we do. The time and effort it takes to perform well is unknown to the buyer and general public. It is important that you do not ever devalue your worth.

Musicians and bands need to understand that the purchaser/artist relationship needs to be symbiotic and profitable for both parties. Think about that sentence!

DOUBLE NICKEL BAND

Name:

Linda Marie Wright

Instrument(s) you play:

I play guitar piano and harmonica.

Years you’ve been playing:

Played for 39 years now.

Current Band name:

Current band is Double Nickel

Type of music your band plays:

We play classic rock blues country and pop.

Years active in Westman’s music scene:

About 39 years.

Other groups you’ve been in:

Prairie Fire, Sentennal, The Toys, Sitting Pretty, Girls Night Out, Sisters and Double Nickel.

Favourite Music Genre:

Classic Rock (70s abd 80s)

Favourite band/artist (International):

Whitesnake (with David Coverdale)

Favourite local group to see in concert:

Rude Mood

Favourite cover song to play:

Sound of Silence from Simon and Garfunkle

Cover song that always gets the best crowd response at a gig:

Here For A Good Time by Trooper always gets the crowd going

What type of band do you prefer to catch live? (Cover band, original act or a band that plays a good mix of both):

I like a band that’s plays a good mix of songs.

Last local gig you were a spectator at:

Rude Mood at Sand Hills Casino

Most memorable gig you played this year:

Opening up for Trooper and the Arrows at the Keystone Centre many years ago.

Last concert you attended in Brandon:

Took in a show at The 40 a couple months back.

How many gigs you played last year:

We played about dozen shows in 2015.

How many gigs do you hope to play in 2016?

Hope to play a lot more in 2016. Over 20 shows I hope!

Biggest accomplishment for you band thus far?

Biggest accomplishment for our band so far is trying to keep musicians due to work priorities. We finally have a band that can stay together now.

Major plans for your band this year:

Major plans for this band that I hope for is to do and play original tunes.

Your thoughts on Brandon’s local music scene, what’s good, what needs improvement?

Brandon’s music scene needs a lot more places and events to play for. Outside concerts would be great and live music I am sure needs to return. Our young listeners would love this just like back in the 70s and 80s.

Frank McGwire is a veteran of the local radio industry, a musician and booster of the music scene in Brandon and Westman.

» opinion@brandonsun.com