What was the beginning pint for your music career? How did it all start?
I was exposed to live music early on, as my uncle played in bands and was a drum instructor. From there, I roadied for his various bands, while learning to play drums.
Were there any bumps on the road? What kind of challenges did you have to deal with?
My family lived in a rural area, so this presented a challenge. Not living in a big city, made it hard to connect with other musicians. Once I finally moved to Edmonton, I planned on joining an established band. But, I never found one I really felt comfortable with, so I started my own project. The seemingly endless revolving door of band members has been a constant challenge throughout the years that followed.
What was the most fulfilling and satisfying moment so far?
It is always immensely satisfying to see your album released. So far, I have played on five albums: 2 with Septimus, 2 with The Benders and this, the Boneyard debut. As far as performing, I toured across most of Canada with an Iron Maiden/ Judas Priest tribute band called Tyrant. At the height of that band, we once drew more fans at an Edmonton venue than WASP did that same year.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Traditional hard rock/ metal with great, clean vocals and guitar solos. The music can vary from lighter songs with clean guitars to balls out metal with lots of double bass.
What is your creative process like?
Usually, our bassist Dennis brings riffs into rehearsal. From there, we all are involved with matching up other complimentary parts we’ve written and arranging them into songs. When creating drum parts, I try to balance what the song requires, with playing something that is not so predictable, and is a bit different.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
The first thing we’ve noticed with releasing an album in 2020 is the brutally low pay rates artists receive for online plays. I would also like to see more live music venues, at least here in Canada. Many of them stopped hosting bands in favor of karaoke. The other thing that needs to change, immediately, is for our governments to support live music venues get through this Covid pandemic!
If you were asked to give a piece of advice to upcoming bands, what would that be?
Write great songs, and get a really good recording that you can promote. It’s amazing how much you can promote your music via online resources, so do your homework and find them.
What has been the best performance of your career so far?
Playing on the Monsters of Rock Cruiser Jam a couple years ago. I got to play with members of the Killer Dwarfs and Black n’ Blue.
If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing now?
Probably what I’m doing now as a dayjob, I’m a carpenter/ renovation contractor. For fun, I may have continued to race go karts, or maybe got into sprint cars.
What is new with the band at the moment? What are you currently working on and would like to share
with the world?
We are busy promoting our debut album Oathbreaker and video for the first single Fates Warning.In the new year, we will begin working on a second music video. As far as touring, we are limited to some local shows due to the Covid restrictions.
