Cadillac Junkies are doing just fine, thank you very much, especially since the CD release party of their debut album Drinkin’ Down Dinner is tonight at St. Albert’s Bourbon Room.
With pop-rock vocalist Shalisa Liesch and country-rock drummer Dennis Boisvert as the band’s main songwriters, the Junkies have forged a sound that mixes rock’s energy, country’s storytelling and the blues’ soul.
“It’s not in your face, but everyone can get into it,” said Liesch. Rounding out the tight foursome is Chris Tabbert on guitar and Steve Farrell on electric bass.
Cadillac Junkies was formed two years ago after Boisvert and Liesch, both members of Randy Martin’s party rock dance band Sweet Tequila, set out to develop their own brand.
As a band, the Junkies are still relative newcomers. As individuals, they are seasoned performers. Several years ago, Liesch, who grew up listening to Backstreet Boys, was one-half of the Bourbon Room’s Duelling Pianos.
On the other hand Boisvert holds on to precious childhood memories of listening to classic country. His grandfather Danny Boisvert, a former St. Albert mechanic/businessman, led an old country band affectionately dubbed Danny and the Starlights.
Liesch expanded saying, “It’s weird. We have different backgrounds, but we put all of what we knew together and it worked. Every song is different, but they all work together.”
The duo’s long-term goal was to develop a distinct sound, and with Drinkin’ Down Dinner, Boisvert believes the objective was reached.
He explains that although the CD title suggests they’ve written a boozing album, the 11 tracks are actually about somebody that has lost a great deal from living an alcohol-fuelled life.
Liesch adds, “If you look at the songs from top to bottom, it tells the story of someone’s life. It’s a summary of their life.”
Using past experiences from their life, the duo worked long and hard in spinning their yarns.
Recorded under the guiding hand of sound engineer Stew Kirkwood from Sound Extractor, the album took a year to complete – much of it due to scheduling, mixing and mastering.
“Stew even got flooded at one point. Somebody left the taps on upstairs and it flooded his studio,” Boisvert said.
The album varies from Save Me A Seat, a slow country waltz to Oh, Darling, an old rock and roll number with an ’80s country vibe.
In May, they’ll be releasing a video of their epic powerhouse ballad Don’t Walk Away shot by St. Albert video music producer Barrett Klesko.
Tonight’s Bourbon Room gig starts off with a dynamic set of originals followed by familiar high-energy rock covers.
“We’re going to turn this into a party,” said Boisvert.
Liesch concludes by saying, “ We have a lot of energy. When we’re on stage, we don’t just sing. We like to involve people.”
Cadillac Junkies start their show at 9 p.m. No cover. Bourbon Room is at 2015 Carnegie Dr.
