DeSousa Drive celebrate new CD

If there’s one band that’s seen the dark side of show biz, it’s definitely DeSousa Drive.

Back in April 2006, before DeSousa Drive existed, Victor De Sousa, a St. Albert resident, answered an advertisement in See Magazine about a band looking for a singer.

The nameless band had just kicked out its last singer. It seems this delusional wannabe claimed to have written many songs for 80s rock stars and was masking his inability to sing with throat problems. When his fraud was discovered, he was jettisoned like space garbage.

When De Sousa answered the ad, he faced a suspicious band. To establish his credibility, he brought with him Rockstar College, a five-track CD he recorded with freelance musicians — Tim Boetzkes and Steve Vincent and Greg Williamson of Tupelo Honey.

The band needed a singer and De Sousa needed a band to help promote the CD. It was an instant marriage. This coming Friday DeSousa Drive releases Rockstar College at The Brixx Bar & Grill with special guests Radio Let Down and Short of Able.

In addition to De Sousa’s solo recording, the four-piece band is also promoting the more integrated sound that’s developed since they’ve been jamming. “It’s gotten a little bit edgier and it shows a more riff-rock type of feel,” says De Sousa.

De Sousa got his first real taste of fame as competitor for Popstars, the precursor to the Idol series. One of the videographers suggested De Sousa wouldn’t make the final round and he was cut. “I went home. I was a little angry and My Own Way was born.”

My Own Way along with Blind, Break the Fear, Truth and My Addiction are the five gems on Rockstar College. One track, Blind, a relationship song about showing responsibility, is having moderate success in Quebec and Ontario. “It’s on commercial radio on medium rotation.”

In addition to De Sousa, the band’s line-up includes Jordan Gill (drums), Chris Dunlop (guitar) and Kirk Gagne (bass). They combine a broad palette of influences from Elvis and Ozzy Osborne to AC/DC and Vertical Horizon.

“We sing about life experiences, anything that caters to the emotions. We’re trying to bring some positivity. If you’re down there’s a way out. There’s hope and inspiration in our music.

Several tracks are available for listening at www.desousadrive.com.