It’s not too often that small Ontario-based indie rock bands come flexing their musical muscle to St. Albert. Travelling 3,300 kilometres just takes too big a chunk out of the gas budget.
However, the Niagara-based Waxbills, as part of a three-week western Canadian tour, are returning to St. Albert’s Taphouse on Sunday night for a second time in eight months and they’re determined to kick up a storm.
This three-piece alternative rock/pop band is comprised of singer/songwriter Nathan Warriner, bass player John Albers and drummer Brandon Ainsley. The trio released their sophomore album Hard to Lose in October 2009 to some acclaim.
With influences ranging from Pink Floyd and the Surreals to The Kinks and Beatles, their sound is hard to define. “Our songs can be really different. Some have edgier guitars tweaked with reverb and delay. Others are acoustic ballads,” says Warriner.
Show time is 9 p.m. The Taphouse is a 9020 McKenney Ave. Cover is $5. For more details visit www.thewaxbills.com.
This coming Tuesday, Ammar’s Open Stage features a couple of Edmonton-based musical veterans. Tommy Roschkov is familiar face on the Western Canadian roots music scene. He started his career fronting a number of rockabilly ensembles such as The Screaming Roosters and Charlie Don’t Surf. “Over the years he has moved on to explore a variety of styles such as rhythm and blues, soul, folk-rock, country and experimental jazz,” says co-host Mark Ammar.
And Johnny Quazar a.k.a. John Armstrong has 30 years of playing under his belt. But it’s only in the last five years he’s specialized in electronic music operating the theremin player using a loop station and a variety of effects. “Watching him perform is similar to witnessing a simultaneous recording session, dance performance and musical recital.”
The jam starts at 9 p.m. at LB’s Pub, 23 Akins Drive. No cover.
Are you an accomplished performer with the pizzazz it takes to win a major provincial talent competition? Do you love to sing, dance, play an instrument or put on a variety show to display your star power? Are you between the ages of five and 21?
If so, Northern Star Talent Search would like to hear from you. They are hosting a major cattle call for amateur performers at West Edmonton Mall on May 15 and 16 and May 22 and 23.
Advancing semi-finalists move on to a more intense competition held at Capital EX in July. The grand prize winner receives $2,000, a trophy, a gift package and a chance to compete at the 2010 Canadian Youth Talent Competition. There are also runner-up prizes and two scholarships — the $1,000 Colin Forbes Memorial Scholarship and the $500 Marcella Merrigan Memorial Scholarship.
Performers must register before 9 a.m. on their audition day. Video entries posted on YouTube or VHS and DVD format are also permitted. To obtain a complete list of regulations and to download entry forms, visit www.capitalex.ca.
