It seems like every time you turn around, there’s someone in a band: that bleary-eyed kid sitting next to you in your morning lecture might have played a late gig last night (rather than simply being hungover); many of those posters plastered from St. George to College St. were photocopied at Kinko’s in between copying a friend’s study notes; that indie band you went to see last night at a club or maybe even one of the college cafés could be working as hard at their school assignments as they are at getting a record deal.
Whether they’re playing for fun or for keeps, there are a whole lot of students in bands on a campus the size of ours. We turn the spotlight on several local independent bands that feature U of T students-remember their names, ’cause you never know, they may very well end up being the proverbial Next Big Thing someday.
TOMPHOOLERY
Who: Maya Chilton (vocals), Ryan Farley (bass), Charley Finlay (alto sax), Kevin Howley (drums), KC Roberts (guitar), Vince Spilchuk (keys/trumpet), Jared Welsh (tenor sax)
History: “The concept of the band has been evolving for a few years now,” says sax man Welsh. “The main MC/guitarist and songwriter is KC Roberts. He’s the one who got us all together through attending Humber College and through my connections at U of T. Our sound has further developed with the addition of Vincent, who is one of Canada’s elite funk keyboard players-what’s more, he’s studying jazz trumpet at U of T and his stylings add a nice colour to the music.”U of T connection: Makes sense that they’re in a band, seeing as Spilchuk and Welsh are studying Music at U of T.
The others: Tomphoolery is definitely a student band-the others are all Music majors at Humber College.
Their sound: “I’ve heard a lot of stuff, for example, ‘Yo, you sound like a ghetto Jamiroquai’ and ‘you’re like The Roots meets James Brown and Roy Hargrove,'” Welsh explains. “I would say we’re definitely a funk manipulation relying heavily on the conviction of hip-hop and rapped lyrics to get our message across.”Biggest show to date: Seems the local crowd likes big, funky bands, judging by Tomphoolery’s Tequila Lounge show this past November, which brought out a crowd of over 300.
Claim to fame: Major campus following. Where many indie bands play to a handful of people night after night, a fun live show and a big sound has made Tomphoolery a hit with the kids.
School vs. the band: “It’s hard, a lot of us are still in school and it’s tough trying to keep organized,” admits Welsh. “But you have to make time for what’s important to you, and as important as school is, making music is what most of us are truly passionate about.”Promoting their band on campus: The band has played Frosh Week and other events at Victoria College, but they’d still like to further their relationship with the rest of campus.
“I think a large part of our demographic is the student population,” says Welsh. “We are around their age and share similiar points of view on many social issues. Our music is easily accessible to students who grew up listening to hip-hop and other funky-type music but are getting sick of the superficiality and the commercialism that has infested the music business in general. To them we offer a conscious voice without sacrificing musical integrity.”
What’s next: Working with a desginer to get their website up, and planning possible collaborations with like-minded artists like King Sunshine (live house), Down With Webster (funky hip-hop), Plan C (live electronic latin) and Gym Class Heroes (hip-hop from NYC).
Final words: “We try to involve and be involved with people just like us who are trying to make it in this world doing what they love. Whether that means including graffiti artists, young graphic designers and student sound engineers on our team or playing urban art exhibitions or fashion shows for upcoming designers, Tomphoolery is there supporting what makes this city a happening place. U of T, with all of its prestige as Canada’s number one university, is a flowerbed for budding minds and I think it’s important to be involved with such a place so that we can all build the future together.” – WelshNext gig: Feb. 26 at B-Side and right on campus at Vic’s Cat’s Eye pub on Feb. 27.Website: In the works (check www.tomphoolery.net soon).
E-mail:
[email protected] or [email protected]
THE SHOWROOM
Who: Tyler Dokis (drums), Ben Hutchinson (vocals), Rory Lindsay (guitar), Tristan Samuk (bass)
History: Met at U of T. Hutchinson was the last member to join-the other three had never heard him sing before they asked him to join; they just knew he sang in a choir. They’ve been together as a four-piece since last year.
U of T connection: In short, major. All four members go to U of T: Dokis is in 5th year Religion/Aboriginal Studies, Hutchinson’s in 3rd year Poli-Sci/History, Lindsay takes Philosophy and Religion, and Samuk’s a second-year Anthropology and English student.
Their sound: “I wrote an e-mail today, and I said that we sounded like the Smiths and U2 combined,” Dokis says.
“We’re not like a hardcore band or anything like that-I think our music has a pretty universal appeal. It’s pop music, basically-but not in the trash sense,” Lindsay laughs.
Common influences: Smiths, Police, Radiohead, Sea and Cake
Biggest show to date: This past December at the El Mocambo opening for wacky melodic locals the Golden Dogs, to a crowd of about 120.
Claim to fame: That show garnered them a rave review from NOW mag, which said: “Like the Dogs, their sound is indebted to ’80s and ’90s alt-pop. Any band that can get the groove and feel of the Talking Head’s ‘Psycho Killer’ down cold is doing something right. Shit, even a cover of the Smiths’ ‘This Charming Man’ worked wondrously well, exhibiting a magic that Marr and Morrissey have long since lost.” Nice.
School vs. the band: The band tries to play shows once a month, because “it’s the only reasonable amount we can do while maintaining good marks,” explains Hutchinson, who also sings in a choir. “The day of our ElMo show, I was doing a research project, and handed it in, so it was a good day for me. It was like I went to a shrink and got all this stuff off my chest,” he laughs.
“But usually the band takes priority-you just work around the shows,” Samuk adds.
Promoting their band on campus: Most of their shows have been at the Cat’s Eye pub at Vic-in fact, they were the band asked to play the grand re-opening this month following the big renovations.
What’s next: The band is wrapping up their debut album with producer Michael Chambers of the Golden Dogs.
Final words: “It’s almost as if you’re in a relationship, and if you’re desperate to be with someone, you’re just going to push them away. That same kind of thing can be applied on a bigger scale. If you’re desperate to go somewhere, it may not work. But if you are enjoying it and putting work into it, I think your chances are good.” – Samuk
Next gig: They play the Cat’s Eye a lot, so keep your eyes open for an upcoming date.
Website: ww.showroommusic.com
E-mail: [email protected]
HEAD DOWN
Who: Anthony (guitar), Andrew (vocals/bass), Mike (drums) [they’re one name-only kinda guys]
History: The guys grew up together in Mississauga, have been playing together in various bands since they were kids. This current trio has been together for the past seven months. They were just throwing around possible band names in a bar one night, and tired of not being able to come up with one, they finally decided on Head Down.
U of T connection: Anthony is a second-year History and Philosophy student.
The others: Andrew’s a full-time musician, and Mike is an electrician apprentice.
Their sound: “We’re a rock band,” Anthony insists, while Mike suggests, “But if you can describe your sound, then you’re nothing like your sound.” Andrew gives it a shot anyway: “As long as it sounds good to each of our ears, we play it-it could be a hip-hop tune, it could be a rock tune, whatever. We just don’t see the point of playing music if it doesn’t come out of us.”
Common influences: Not a lot of crossover with these guys, but they say that’s the beauty of it-each brings something different to the band. Anthony comes from a metal background then graduated into alt-rock; Andrew favours blues and grunge; and Mike is the most eclectic of the bunch, citing his faves as The Beatles, grunge, and recently hip-hop and R&B.
Biggest show to date: Their CD release earlier this month at Sneaky Dee’s brought out about 70 people.
Claim to fame: Last week the band played a local showcase to try to win a trip to Germany to play at the Emergenza Festival, the largest independent music festival in Europe. The audience at the gig got to vote on which band to send onto the next round of shows, and if Head Down makes it to the final stage (where they perform in front of a panel of judges), they might be chosen to be the only Canadian act selected to play at Emergenza.
tSchool vs. the band: “We practice twice a week,” Anthony explains (echoing most of the bands in this feature). “For the guys that are working, it’s really hard to play a gig and then wake up at the crack of dawn… It just means that we have to schedule things ahead of time. But if you’re doing it with your friends, it’s a bit easier-we help each other, maybe pick up someone’s gear if they can’t do it or whatever. It’s not a matter of who does it, it just gets done.”
Promoting their band on campus: “So many of the venues we play are so close to campuses,” says Andrew. “I’ve noticed that students are more open-minded when it comes to music. They seem to be not as obsessed with the mainstream-they’re more embracing of independent acts. Which is good for us-our promotions don’t go to waste.”
What’s next: The band is concentrating on expanding their fanbase and dreams of playing shows to 500 people. “I’d just like to wake up in the morning and know that I can make money as a musician ,” Andrew says (Mike cuts in, scoffing, “Money as a musician!”) “As long as I can make a half-decent living playing and singing, I’d be the happiest guy on the planet.”
Final words: “If you get discouraged, you’re never going to make it.” – Andrew
Next gig: Feb. 11 at the Horseshoe.
Website: www.headdown.ca
E-mail:
FRANKLIN’S FAULT
Who: Kris Braun (vocals), Frank Cipolla (drums & percussion) Rob Daleman (piano and trombone), Don Duval (guitars), Dan MacKay (bass), Adam Sneyd (trumpets), Kate Ann Vandermeer (vocals)
History: Founded at Queen’s University in 1996, the band has gone through a series of changes as people graduated. “As people came and left, the sound has shifted a bit. It’s been a natural evolution,” says guitarist Duval. After they all graduated from Queen’s, the band took a 2.5-year hiatus until they all ended up in Toronto. “It was like the Blues Brothers: ‘Let’s get the band back together!'” Duval explains.
The name ‘Franklin’s Fault’ comes from a tale from drummer Francesco’s family in Southern Italy, where the name ‘Francesco’ is common. The region had been through a severe earthquake, and the long-running joke was that since a fault line ran through that area, it was ‘Francesco’s fault.’ “We heard that story and thought, ‘true or not, it’s a great name for a band,'” laughs Duval.
U of T connection: Duval’s a grad student in civil engineering (and a Varsity science writer to boot).
The others: Several of the band members are involved in the local theatre community, others are also students.
Their sound: “It’s like Sly and the Family Stone meets Cake meets James Brown,” encapsulates Duval. “Something a lot of bands might not be able to relate to is that we’re a seven-person band, we have eight or nine instruments that we bring to the stage. There’s added layers, such as the piano that we added recently, and we have two vocalists.”
Common influences: With so many members, their influences are all over the map, but Duval makes it clear that despite their size and funk-rock leanings, they’re not a ‘jam band’. Rather, everyone brings their various influences to the democratic songwriting process.
Biggest show to date: Having enjoyed success as one of the most popular college bands in Kingston’s fertile music scene, it seems their upbeat sound has translated to T.O. as well. They’ve had crowds as big as 400 at some of their recent shows. “We even have groupies!” exclaims Duval.
Claim to fame: During their heyday in Kingston, they had some talks with a record label rep from EMI, who got in touch after seeing their high-energy live show. More recently, 3 members of the band did the score for the cult musical Evil Dead.
School vs. the band: “It was very hard when we were at Queen’s, because everyone had their full-time student schedule, so it was difficult to practice,” notes Duval. “When we got to Toronto, we practiced like gangbusters, and it all came together.”
Promoting their band on campus: Having sprung from university friendships and been a college favourite, Franklin’s Fault is a band that knows a thing or two about attracting a student crowd. “We’re pretty new to Toronto, and haven’t even really advertised, but the word of mouth has been amazing,” Duval says. “We’ve played at Clinton’s (near campus, just down Bloor W.), and lots of students came out. We’re in a totally new city, the energy is just crazy, and we’re having an amazing time.”
What’s next: The band is in the studio recording their second album, which they hope to release in the spring.
Final words: “We play because we love to play-if something works out, great. If not, we’ll still continue to make music.” – Duval
Next gig: Look for their next show in late February, and a “really, really big” CD release party in April.
Website: www.franklinsfault.com
E-mail: There’s an e-mail list you can join through the website.
THE CARPS
Who: Luiz Furtado-Castro (drums), Jahmal (“Jay”) Tonge (guitar, soulful vocals),Neil White (bass, baritone vocals)History: Started by longtime pals Tonge and White when they were in a church band inFlemingdon Park as teenagers. The name comes from “Carpe Diem.” or “Seize the day” (they thought it sounded too high-and-mighty for a rock band, so shortened it to ‘The Carps’).
U of T connection:. White is a student of Evolutionary Biology at Trinity College, working as a Research Assistant to Dr. Spencer Barrett, the world authority on the evolution of plant mating systems.The others: Furtado-Castro (apparently a nephew of the Cuban dictator?!) is “a Brazilian immigrant hoping the Canadian government will let [him] stay,” while Tonge is a “frustrated” Journalism student at York U.
Their sound: “I’d say our roots are in the classic greats, but our present sound is more like a cross between the Strokes and the Neptunes,” Tonge explains. “We love real rock’n’roll as well as booty-shaking hip-hop beats. We keep it a bit raw being from Scarborough and all,” he quips.Common influences: Inspired by their fathers’ vinyl collections, the guys like the old greats like the Beatles, Al Green, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, and (“of course”) Stevie Wonder.Biggest show to date: The Carps have had the ups and downs of any indie group, but the high so far was a show at a summer camp in Cobourg, Ontario to 300 people.
Claim to fame: Will be recording their demo in the Jack 92.5 FM studios. (Then there’s that matter of the Castro connection…)
School vs. the band: “Last term I thought that adopting a nocturnal schedule would be the answer,” says White sheepishly,” But I ended having a maximum of 4 hours of sleep per night (the guy’s insane-he does Varsity fencing, coaches soccer, runs a biology club, teaches Taekwon-Do at Hart House, is an avid rock climber, and works in the lab). I just let Jay handle the business side of things as it were.”
“I work, so I’m usually too tired to play, but it’s a good break from the daily stress, and I love playing music,” Furtado-Castro offers, “So I make time.”Promoting their band on campus: Aside from the upcoming show at the Buttery (see below), the band feels that college newspapers like this one and other indie-friendly outlets on campus are a crucial way of spreading the word about bands like themselves.
What’s next: “We think that when an opportunity for your music to be distributedaround the world knocks, you better take it,” Tonge says. “The money and fame is notpromised, nor is it a desire of ours. But there is no sense to writing songs and sitting in your tiny dorm playing them for the guy across the hall. The music will always be our first priority. But I’m tired of making promotion and showcases my priority, so we’re looking to get a manager.” They’ll also be re-recording the single “Father’s Day” from their album for radio play.Final words: “Music can do more than David Miller and his broom, Fantino and his brethren. Music affects us all in a very real way, and that’s what we want to do for every listener. Black, white, Asian, poor, filthy rich, whatever. We just want to do music justice, and do it real.” – TongeNext gig: Jan. 28, The Buttery in the Gerald Larkin Building (Trinity College)
E-mail: [email protected]
