03-15-2010, 06:20 AM
Capturing Live Feel in Spades
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by: Andrea Houston
PETERBOROUGH, Ont. — When The Spades perform live, its raw energy explodes off the stage, to the point band members have finished the show dripping in their own blood.
And the intensity of the live performance is exactly what the band tried to capture on its new album Subatomic, which was produced by Gord Sinclair, bassist for The Tragically Hip, and is set for releaase March 23.
The album took about one week to make over the course of three recording sessions, Robichaud said.
Sinclair has been involved with all three Spades albums and the two bands have formed a creative connection, McKenty says.
The partnership began about five years ago when The Spades played a small gig in Kingston, Ont., and the legendary bassist just happened to be in the audience.
"It was such a good connection with Gord," McKenty said. "It’s really evolved past a producer and a band. He’s someone we can get together with, bring a guitar and show off tunes."
Robichaud affectionately calls him "Uncle Gordie." Some of the pre-production was also done at Sinclair’s home and he even helped write one of the songs, he said.
"That really happened on the spot, which has never really happened before," McKenty said. "That’s really liberating to think a song can come out of just sitting with the guy and doing it right there."
The Peterborough, Ont.-area trio is excitedly anticipating the release of its third album, gearing up for a coast-to-coast tour, collaborating with other local artists and starting a record label, Pirate Radio Records.
Frontman James McKenty put on a Neil Young record and got comfortable holding Willie P. Bennett’s old guitar while the band looked back at their road so far.
"I remember shows at the Montreal House when we’d literally leave the stage bleeding because we played so hard," McKenty said. "We left blood, sweat and tears on that stage."
The Spades is made up of Perth, Ont., native and guitarist McKenty, 31, Tommy (Winchester) Street, 29, on drums and Josh (Chachi) Robichaud, 28, playing bass, piano and vocals. Street and Robichaud are both from Peterborough.
Known for catchy melodies, clever lyrics and energy on stage, The Spades’ music shows influences from ’60s and ’70s rock as well as country and blues.
The band says the album tries to capture what The Spades do best: an unforgettable rock concert.
McKenty calls it their most "evolved" offering yet.
"I think it’s the best one we’ve done," said Street. "It’s the most true to our live show. We think it captures the intensity of the show."
The first single, The Revenge of Johnny Laundry, is getting frequent radio airplay.
"A lot of people know the tune when we play it live," said McKenty. "That’s always a great perk, when everyone knows the words."
The music video — a first for the band — was shot around Peterborough over the course of two days.
The band has recently done a flurry of mainstream press coverage, including an interview with MTV where they answered each question in song composed on the spot.
"That was James’ idea," Street said with a laugh.
"When we’re on the road in the van we make up songs to kill time. There’s a miniature guitar in there," McKenty said.
"And a mandolin," Robichaud added.
"And a mini drum kit," Street said.
"So we just jam in there and make up songs about anything," McKenty said.
Touring with Gordie Johnson’s band Grady twice led to another partnership.
The former frontman of Big Sugar offered to mix the album at Willie Nelson’s studio in Texas.
Like Sinclair, Johnson’s initial connection came after catching a Spades show and enjoying what he saw.
The Spades have played together since 2004. In that time they’ve toured Canada twice and shared the stage with some of the country’s leading musicians, including The Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, Matthew Good and Sam Roberts.
"We’re all like brothers," Robichaud said. "We love being on the road. It’s our second life."
The next tour kicks off in Toronto on April 10.
‘It was such a good connection with Gord. It’s really evolved past a producer and a band. He’s someone we can get together with, bring a guitar and show off tunes.’
JAMES McKENTYLead vocals, The Spades
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by: Andrea Houston
PETERBOROUGH, Ont. — When The Spades perform live, its raw energy explodes off the stage, to the point band members have finished the show dripping in their own blood.
And the intensity of the live performance is exactly what the band tried to capture on its new album Subatomic, which was produced by Gord Sinclair, bassist for The Tragically Hip, and is set for releaase March 23.
The album took about one week to make over the course of three recording sessions, Robichaud said.
Sinclair has been involved with all three Spades albums and the two bands have formed a creative connection, McKenty says.
The partnership began about five years ago when The Spades played a small gig in Kingston, Ont., and the legendary bassist just happened to be in the audience.
"It was such a good connection with Gord," McKenty said. "It’s really evolved past a producer and a band. He’s someone we can get together with, bring a guitar and show off tunes."
Robichaud affectionately calls him "Uncle Gordie." Some of the pre-production was also done at Sinclair’s home and he even helped write one of the songs, he said.
"That really happened on the spot, which has never really happened before," McKenty said. "That’s really liberating to think a song can come out of just sitting with the guy and doing it right there."
The Peterborough, Ont.-area trio is excitedly anticipating the release of its third album, gearing up for a coast-to-coast tour, collaborating with other local artists and starting a record label, Pirate Radio Records.
Frontman James McKenty put on a Neil Young record and got comfortable holding Willie P. Bennett’s old guitar while the band looked back at their road so far.
"I remember shows at the Montreal House when we’d literally leave the stage bleeding because we played so hard," McKenty said. "We left blood, sweat and tears on that stage."
The Spades is made up of Perth, Ont., native and guitarist McKenty, 31, Tommy (Winchester) Street, 29, on drums and Josh (Chachi) Robichaud, 28, playing bass, piano and vocals. Street and Robichaud are both from Peterborough.
Known for catchy melodies, clever lyrics and energy on stage, The Spades’ music shows influences from ’60s and ’70s rock as well as country and blues.
The band says the album tries to capture what The Spades do best: an unforgettable rock concert.
McKenty calls it their most "evolved" offering yet.
"I think it’s the best one we’ve done," said Street. "It’s the most true to our live show. We think it captures the intensity of the show."
The first single, The Revenge of Johnny Laundry, is getting frequent radio airplay.
"A lot of people know the tune when we play it live," said McKenty. "That’s always a great perk, when everyone knows the words."
The music video — a first for the band — was shot around Peterborough over the course of two days.
The band has recently done a flurry of mainstream press coverage, including an interview with MTV where they answered each question in song composed on the spot.
"That was James’ idea," Street said with a laugh.
"When we’re on the road in the van we make up songs to kill time. There’s a miniature guitar in there," McKenty said.
"And a mandolin," Robichaud added.
"And a mini drum kit," Street said.
"So we just jam in there and make up songs about anything," McKenty said.
Touring with Gordie Johnson’s band Grady twice led to another partnership.
The former frontman of Big Sugar offered to mix the album at Willie Nelson’s studio in Texas.
Like Sinclair, Johnson’s initial connection came after catching a Spades show and enjoying what he saw.
The Spades have played together since 2004. In that time they’ve toured Canada twice and shared the stage with some of the country’s leading musicians, including The Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, Matthew Good and Sam Roberts.
"We’re all like brothers," Robichaud said. "We love being on the road. It’s our second life."
The next tour kicks off in Toronto on April 10.
‘It was such a good connection with Gord. It’s really evolved past a producer and a band. He’s someone we can get together with, bring a guitar and show off tunes.’
JAMES McKENTYLead vocals, The Spades
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