The Trews @ Bowery Electric NYC

While the New York Rangers battled to stay alive in the Stanley Cup Finals taking place a little north of Bowery Electric, a group of musicians from Canada, who this year had no team in the last round of the hockey playoffs, plugged in and turned it up to max vol.

The Trews were back in town.

While north of the border, the Trews continue to top the charts, win awards, and play to ever growing crowds, here in the States they are working hard to reach the same level. If achieving that success was only based on talent and hard work, the Trews would be a household name. So until luck and timing fall in line, the band will continue to drop into select markets around the U.S., and blow away new audiences, and probably a few amps.

For the entire review, please click on The Trews @ Bowery Electric NYC at OnstageMagazine.com

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Twisted MixTape: End of Decades and a Story To Tell

I was crazy busy last week and I missed the Twisted MixTape Tuesday which knocked off the 2000 decade. I wanted to finish off the years based theme mixtape, so I'll jump into the pool this week with a little something different. But first, I'm finally able to talk about the project I've been working on, and just why I've been so damn busy.

It starts with a guy... doesn't it always.

A few months ago, I saw a message on one of the group boards I follow on Linked-In. It was someone who was looking for a music blogger so I gave it a glance. Checked out his profile to see if it was the type of music I would be interested in writing about or be involved with. Well, he saw I checked out his profile, he checked out mine and got in touch. Long story short... he had a plan to do something very cool and I was offered an opportunity to be involved in it. Now I don't know about you, but these types of opportunities don't get offered to me very often.

His name is Robert Xeno and he has started a record company out of Nashville called Earth Hertz Records. But beyond the record company, he and his wife Eloa, have created a music streaming site which will offer downloads at various formats, from basic MP3s to top of the line audio. They also had they idea that artists should be fairly compensated for their music, without string attached or selling their souls. So they started the first Musician's Cooperative. This is really something special and it's just getting started.

The streaming site www.streambeam.us went live last week with a soft launch. The tech end of all of this is insanely complicated, so we are working out all the bugs and adding layers as we go. My part in this... well, a lot of writing, interviewing, liner notes and basically building the copy for everyone and everything involved. Needless to say it's been a little like cramming for a final exam. A whole lot needed to be done in a little time, and a whole lot still needs to be done. For me, this is a dream. To be involved with the music from start to finish, and be able to write about it... unbelievably fun. And not only do I have a title, I get to work with some very cool and interesting people.

So for the foreseeable future, I will continue to write in a hit or miss fashion as I get the other stuff under control. Thanks for hanging in guys, we will be having some good music to hear, so I'll let you know about that. Or check out our first few selections now. www.streambeam.us

Soooo, that's my story. Anyway onto Jen's party. Even though I really wanted back in this week, I didn't have a lot of time to spend on, well thinking long and hard about my choices for 2010-2013. I'm cheating just a bit. My list is not based on popularity of a song, or what it meant to the early part of this decade. This list is based on just some good music I found and wrote about either on my music blog, or Ourvinyl.com or MusicStarUniverse.com. So here we go.

There were a few good albums I reviewed, and some I've even had the pleasure of seeing the artist live. One of them is the latest album by Boz Scaggs, Memphis. This album is mostly covers of southern R&B from the 70s. The album is smooth and really well done. One of two songs on the album originally done by Mink Deville, this is just wonderful.

"Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl"

Second song is from Beth Hart's Bang Bang Boom Boom album. Beth Hart is hotter than hell right now and deservedly so. This album and the two she has done with guitar great Joe Bonamassa show that you can go home again. There aren't many blues voices like hers out there. Close your eyes and feel the raw emotion of this. If you can see her live, don't miss her.

"Caught Out In The Rain"

Eric Burdon released one hell of a record at the age of 71. Til Your River Runs Dry is as strong as it gets for a comeback album. And live, he still commands the stage. This is the opening track to the album.

"Water"

Steve Lukather is best known as the guitarist for Toto, but his solo work stands on its own very nicely. Especially his latest album Transition. Gone is the over-playing just because you can tendencies. Transition is down to basics and it one of the best of the year.

"Judgement Day"

Chances are if you're not Canadian, you haven't heard of The Trews. That's a shame because they are one hell of a rockin band. They've been around for like ten years, have opened for oh let's see, The Rolling Stones, Robert Plant and Bruce Springsteen, as well as headlining across the world. Last year they released Hope and Ruin, which is filled with catchy rock songs and sweet ballads. Again, if you get the chance, see them live.

"Misery Loves Company"

So that's it for the decades in the Twisted MixTape, and that's the deal with what I've been doing. Stay tuned guys, the fun is just starting.

A Canadian Exchange: An Interview with The Trews' Colin MacDonald

The Trews (L-R) Jack Syperek (bass), John-Angus MacDonald (lead guitar), Sean Dalton (drums), Colin MacDonald (lead vocals,guitar) Photo by David Bastedo

The Plan seems to be working.

• Form a band with family and friends. Check.
• Win a radio station battle of the bands. Check.
• Release an album, have it certified gold. Check.
• Watch a single reach #1. Check.
• Do it again. Check.

The Trews have done all of the above… and much more. Originally from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, brothers Colin and John-Angus MacDonald, cousin Sean Dalton and long-time friend Jack Syperek, have moved up the ranks from a small town band to a must-see act north of the border... as well as Australia and Europe. Along with non-stop touring in their own country, The Trews are now working their way through the United States in support of their 2011 release Hope and Ruin. Slowly but surely, they are building a loyal fan base by delivering high energy performances and lots of media work.

With 12 singles in the Canadian Top 10, including two #1 songs, The Trews have enjoyed a successful career, spanning four studio and two live albums. Over the years, The Trews have shared the stage with Guns N’ Roses, Kiss, Cheap Trick, The Tragically Hip, Kid Rock, Southside Johnny, Robert Plant and oh yes, The Rolling Stones.

Awards? They’ve had a few. Canadian honors include being five time nominees of the Juno Award, and being four time winners of the East Coast Music Award. The Trews are also two-time winners of the U.S. Independent Music Award.

At the tail end of their latest trek through the lower forty-eight, Trews lead vocalist Colin MacDonald graciously spent some time answering a few questions about music, influences and life on the road.

Kat’s Theory (KT): The Trews have made inroads in Europe and Australia, and are now stepping into the American music scene. Given the present state of commercial radio in the States, do you feel college radio or classic rock stations offer the greatest opportunity to get airplay?
Colin MacDonald (CM): Radio is still important but there are many ways for bands to break these days. We like getting radio play but we also connect to our fans through social media and an INSANE amount of touring

KT: Social networking has definitely changed the face of PR in the music business. The band seems to have a knack for it and is using it in some interesting ways. Thoughts on internet promotion?
CM: Social networking is only useful if you are making great music otherwise it's a waste of time. I happen to think we make great music, so it is helpful to spread the word about our band. But I get sick and tired of celebs that tweet their every meaningless whim and thought, that's just silly

KT: The Trews are doing a couple of more weeks in the U.S. then heading back to Canada. Bouncing in and out of the states and traveling by van is a slow, hard way to build a new fan base. It also shows your determination to make that fan base a solid one. What have you learned from your approach?
CM: Touring this much makes you weird and insane but we love to play and we love the people who support our band.

Photo by David Bastedo

KT: In 2009, The Trews released a second acoustic album called Friends & Total Strangers, and you did a 30 city tour in support of it. How hard was it after being on stage for a week or so, not to kick it up and go full out rock?
CM: The acoustic shows were a welcome change for us. It gave us a chance to focus on different aspects of our sound and explore our musicality, and not just rely on high energy rawk. It was also a welcome break on our tender ears that have all been damaged from INSANE amounts of touring.

KT: The Trews have shared the stage with The Stones, Guns ‘N Roses and Kiss, among others. Opening for Robert Plant across Canada had to be a thrill. Can you tell me a behind the scenes story.
CM: It was a dream come true, and of course a thrill. Robert Plant got mad at us for covering "Bohemian Rhapsody" in Edmonton Alberta. He reprimanded our drummer Sean in Calgary, and Sean's quote about the incident was "If you told me ten years ago that'd I'd be on tour with Robert Plant and he'd be reprimanding me backstage for covering "Bohemian Rhapsody", I would have said not in a billion years”.

KT: There have been descriptions of your sound being influenced by everyone from the obvious Canadian choices: The Guess Who and BTO, to Bob Seger, and my own thoughts of some REM and early Springsteen. Who were your early musical influences
CM: All of those guys, I am very flattered by these comparisons. We also like a lot of newer bands like 'The Shins' and 'Cadillac Black' . We are all big 'Tragically Hip' fans as well.

KT: Diverse is a word I would use to describe both your musical style and career. From hard rocking tunes like “Hold Me in Your Arms” to releasing a couple of acoustic albums, to easy rockers such as “If You Want To Start Again”, The Trews have produced quite an interesting mix of music. Has your sound come about from each member bringing in a different influence or is it a natural progression on the band?
CM: It’s a bit of both. Hope & Ruin was definitely a more collaborative effort so it was a combination of influences, whereas in the past, I have been a little more dominant in the songwriting process.

                       "take me away from all of this,
                        take me away with just one kiss."


KT: I recently saw an interview with the band where you mentioned your writing does not usually come from personal experiences. But hearing the lyrics and haunting vocal of a song like “Stay With Me”, it’s hard to think it wasn’t inspired by real life. Tell me a bit about how that song came together.
CM: “Stay With Me” was a melodic idea developed by Sean and John-Angus. The song is about love and obsession and not wanting to ever let go.

KT: In April, I saw The Trews open for Southside Johnny in my home state of New Jersey. It was the week of Levon Helm’s passing and both acts paid tribute to The Band’s drummer. The Trews joined Johnny at the end of the show for “The Weight.” With the 2 bands on stage and the entire audience standing and singing, it became one of those moments at a show where the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. What was it like for the band?
CM: You described it perfectly, what else can I add, the hairs in our beards stood up.

KT: Working with your brother, cousin and good friend has both an up side and a down side. When you’re not touring, are you all able run away from each other for a while, or do you just go back to writing and hanging out together?
CM: Every time we get off the road we stay away from each other for about a week, but we end up hanging out again after that. When I get home, I don't want to look at a guitar for about a week, I need to get away and clear my head.

"tonight I'll drink until the sun comes up,

             cause I don't care no more,  I'm  gonna fill my cup.

              Life isn't fair for sure, it's clear I've had enough

              and I can't stop laughing"

KT: A good drinking song is hard to find these days.  “I Can’t Stop Laughing” is a great one. 
CM: We wrote that tune about a bar in our hometown of Antigonish called Pipers Pub. We used to get drunk there all the time and I like that we commemorated it in a song.

KT: This tour has been in support of Hope and Ruin, which has had four singles released, that’s a pretty good shelf life in today’s age of the download. Are there plans for another single to be released?
CM: Personally, I would like to release one of the ballads, but we'll see….

KT: Multiple Choice: Taking the stage, watching the crowd sing your songs back to you, or the standing ovation at the end of the show…which one of the three gets your heart pumping the hardest?
CM: All of the above, nothing tops the energy of a great crowd.

KT: Finally, Speaking to an American audience, give me your best PR push for the music of The Trews.
CM: As said by an American seeing our band live for the first time: “Y'all are pretty good for a bunch of Canadians”.

Indeed they are. 


Many thanks to Colin MacDonald for taking the time.
Eternal gratitude... or something like that to Jeff Kilgour of the Tijuana Gift Shop and John Porter of Mood Indigo Entertainment for the heavy lifting.

For more information on The Trews:
The Trews Website 
The Trews on Facebook
The Trews on MySpace
On Twitter @thetrews

Article first published as A Canadian Exchange: An Interview with The Trews' Colin MacDonald on Technorati.
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Back In Jersey: Rockin' With Southside Johnny

The world of music lost a man of importance this week, with the passing of Levon Helm. It seems so many artist performing this week have remembered both the man and his musical legacy. Last night was no different.

The show was Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, with opening act The Trews.

I love opening acts. It's the best way to hear music you haven't heard before, without putting out cash and feeling pissed if they are not exactly what you hoped they would be. You always have the headliner waiting in the wings posed to give you your money's worth...so the opening act is like a little gift. Nice.

The Trews are out of Canada, have been around a while and they rock. The Trews ripped through their set, featuring songs like "Poor Brokenhearted Me", "Hope and Ruin" and "30 Days In The Hole." Giving a nod to Levon with a small lick of  "Up On Cripple Creek," it was a moment which really rang true with the audience of older rockers, who grew up on The Band and their musical influences. As a side note, Guitarist John-Angus MacDonald offers the story of his meeting Levon Helm on their website. A very nice tribute.

For this rocker, The Trews were thoroughly enjoyable. Definitely worth a look-see.

Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes. It's been a while old friends, thank god you haven't changed.

"To a true musician" so said Johnny as he and the Jukes opened up the night respecting Levon Helm. "The Night They Dove Old Dixie Down" made the crowd realize this night would indeed be special. As the song ended, the house lights went on and Johnny had the crowd singing "na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na" till it was barely a whisper. One remarkable moment to remember.

Now time to rock, the Jukes went into "Brokedown Piece of Man".  Always the showman, Johnny kept the evening interesting, rockin' and a lot of fun. The joy he has in performing was evident throughout the night.

The Jukes, well they are as tight as ever. Mixing rock rhythms, add in some blues, it sometimes feels like a dixieland band. Great keys and vocals by Jeff Kazee gave depth to Johnny's singing. Pulling out a cover of the old Left Banke song "Walk Away Renee," we then got the story. Seems these Jersey shore boys always have a story to tell. As Johnny lamented that he didn't have a "pink cadillac like that other guy..he did have a harmonica in his glove compartment." Pulling out the world's smallest one, the sound he created on it could bring tears to your eyes.

A few of the highlights: "Love on the Wrong Side of Town," "Talk to Me," "I'll Play the Fool" and a sweet version of "Without Love" featuring five of the Jukes singing a wonderfully harmonic backup. The mellow sound of the horns and Johnny's interaction with each member of the band made this song special.  A Jersey favorite, everyone was happy to hear "The Fever" and the Jukes pulled out all the stops in playing it.

As Johnny talked again about Levon Helm, comparing him to the likes of Billy Holiday as a "real musician," the Jukes went into "The Weight." They were joined onstage by The Trews for what was one of those spellbinding moments you never want to end.


Leading the encore was "I Don't Want to Go Home"  followed by the song everyone wanted to hear "We're Having A Party", yeah we sure were. In another great surprise, The Jukes kicked it up even more by covering The Band's and Levon's "Ophelia"...very nice.

Last song of the night, a stripped down version of "Hearts of Stone" with only Johnny, Jeff Kazee and guitarist Glenn Alexander taking the stage. The vocals on this felt like they were ripped out of his soul. Spot on perfect.

Toward the end of the show, Johnny talked about being from Jersey and how nice it was to perform for a Jersey crowd.

Well Johnny, it sure as hell was nice having you play.

For the story of the early part of the evening, check out "A Night Of Music, But Wait...A Girl's Gotta Eat" on today's Kat's Theory of  Life blog.

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