When I was a kid, growing up in a house with Cat Stevens,
Neil Diamond, and Simon and Garfunkel, the first time I ever heard Kiss's
"Detroit Rock City,"
it was a moment of musical epiphany. It was just so vicious, aggressive and
mean. It changed the way I listened to music. I've had a few minor epiphany's
since then, when you come across a band that just brings something new and
revolutionary to your ears.
What have been your musical epiphany moments?
The Monkees and Banana Splits on TV, getting Raw Power for
my 16th birthday from my one of my sisters, seeing ELP live (my 1st show), 1st time plugging into a
killer amp.
Talk to us about the song-writing process for you. What
comes first, the idea? A riff? The lyrics? How does it all fall into place?
Doesn't seem to happen the same way every time so the
inspiration can start with a guitar riff, drum pattern, a vocal idea or silence.
Who has influenced you the most?
Jimi Hendrix
Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new
motivation?
I look back to the masters and continue to search out New
Horizons. I find music easily inspires me to make music but also get off on art, design and long walks in the snow.
We're all a product of our environment. Tell us about the
band's hometown and how that reflects in the music?
From Toronto,
on a lake surrounded by concrete, cranes in the sky and skyscrapers blocking
out sunlight. Frozen half the year and for sale. Our music reflects in the
lake.
Where'd the band name come from?
The MC5
You have one chance, what movie are you going to write the
soundtrack for?
2001
You now write for a music publication (The Ripple
Effect?). You're going to write a 1,000
word essay on one song. Which would it be and why?
Machine Gun/Jimi Hendrix. There is so much to say about the
song because there is so much unsaid.
For me it's one of the greatest guitar performances of all
time.
Come on, share with us a couple of your great, Spinal Tap,
rock and roll moments?
There are many, been playing,live since '82. A gig bag going
up in flames when a candle fell into it
right after the singer turned his 5 foot home made fluorescent
cross upside down onto the stage comes to mind.
Tell us about playing live and the live experience for you
and for your fans?
Live music is the best, it only lasts as long as it's
happening and then is gone. There is a freedom in that I love. The experience of being there, watching a band and taking in
the vibrations rules. You are either in the moment or you are out.
What makes a great song?
Perfect timing and a perfect storm. The best ones just
happen and no one knows how so people make up songwriting rules so they think they know.
Tell us about the first song you ever wrote?
It involved a MXR microchorus, a right handed guitar played
upside down and a Musicman amp in the basement of a hippie house of high school friends who had
painted Helter Skelter on the awning of the front porch. Song was called Lullabies, sort of a post punk
Love Like Anthrax flomp that utilized the clock strikes twelve harmonic part ripped directly from Cheap
Trick. Not very good.
What piece of your music are particularly proud of?
I've been very fortunate to work with and learn from
incredible musicians and am equally proud of
most of the work I've done because of it. Recently I got to play guitar
on a new Twink record and it was a gas!!
Who today, writes great songs? Who just kicks your ass? Why?
I'd say Motorpsycho are probably my favourite current band
in that they have great songs, are willing to try almost anything and they just
rip.
Vinyl, CD, or digital? What's your format of choice?
Honestly I love music in all forms and although I grew up on
vinyl and collect to a certain degree I'm good with any format.
Whiskey or beer? And
defend your choice
Apple juice. Straight from the can. Chilled in a snowbank.
We, at the Ripple Effect, are constantly looking for new
music. What's your home town, and when we get there, what's the best record
store to lose ourselves in?
We have great record stores here so it's hard to choose one
but I love Stained Class, Rotate This and Grasshopper Records.
What's next for the band?
Just recorded our first full band song for a 7" and are
demoing our next record.
Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our
readers, the waveriders
Wave on waveriders, wave on.
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