When Edmonton-based band Stereos won the MuchMusic hit show disBand in 2009, every young musician in the country envied them.
Now we have another reason to envy them. As we head into winter, the five-piece band just returned from the Caribbean climate of Cuba where they were filming a video for their new single Uncontrollable released in October. “It already hit the Top 10 in the pop charts,” says lead singer Pat Kordyback.
Praised for blending R&B, hip-hop, reggae, rock, metal and punk into their own particular fusion, Stereos sound appears to be shifting course. “This is more of a darker, club sound. It is more of a personable album than our first.”
To bring about this separation from the first album, the band went tropical. “We wanted the setting to be a character in itself, something you couldn’t get anywhere else.”
While taping for the video, they explored the Cuban vibe in various locales from a Havana courtyard and a revolutionary wall to old men sitting outdoors playing dominoes. “You feel like you’re stuck in a time warp, in a 1930s movie,” Kordyback says, describing the vintage cars prevalent across Cuba.
Stereos will next perform in Edmonton during Grey Cup festivities on Thursday, Nov. 25 at 5:15 p.m. on the Sirius Satellite Radio Stage set up in Sir Winston Churchill Square. Other performers sharing the stage will be Brian Melo, The Dudes, Helix and George Canyon.
For more information visit www.wearstereos.com.
Up until a few months ago Noel (Big Cat) Mackenzie was a staple at LB’s Pub and Grill. And then personal matters came into play and he popped out of the jam scene.
But this Tuesday, Mackenzie is back and he’s truckin’ with Free Wheelin’ Frank and Shaun Cooney. “Noel and I had the privilege to hone our skills together as a rhythm section, and not to brag, but we became a solid backing for anyone who came out to play,” says host Mark Ammar.
Mackenzie has a long-standing connection to Free Wheelin’ Frank, a bassist who has recorded and toured across Canada these past 40 years. “His recent air play is with Tango Sierra.”
And Cooney, a guitarist who was off the scene for a while, was urged to return at the urgings of his wife, says Ammar. “Fairly new to the blues, I met Shaun on stage live as we sat in with Johnny Tornado for a gig. Shaun has a very good knack for catching on quickly.”
Ammar’s Moosehead Tuesday Open Stage jam is on Tuesday from 9 p.m. to 1 p.m. at LB’s on 23 Akins Drive. No cover.
Once again, Mission Hill Brass is sounding its horn at the Royal Alberta Museum on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 2:30 p.m.
The 28-piece, British style brass band is showing that they are known for more than just marches. Under the baton of Dan Skepple Jr., the band will perform a diverse repertoire form Everything’s Coming Up Roses and Theme from Jurassic Park to Penny Lane and a medley of James Bond tunes.
Musicians representing St. Albert include Dr. Gordon Russell, Jeremy Moorhouse, Lou Allemano and Graeme Peppink. Gazette columnist David Haas is the evening’s compere.
Admission is by donation.
The Concordia Symphony Orchestra hosts their first concert of the year this Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Concordia campus on 73 Street, south of 112 Avenue.
The special guest is 12-year-old violinist Anni Yu, who will play Mozart’s Violin concerto No. 4 and the orchestra will feature Saint-Saens’ Dance Macabre and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7.
Tickets are $12/adults and $10/students and seniors. Call 780-420-1757 or visit www.tixonthesquare.ca.
