1996:
The very first jam took place sometime in the summer of 1996, in Paul's garage, with only Paul, Frank and Julio, butchering a handful of covers. At this point, Frank and Julio know only a handful of chords; in due time, things start happening... Frank takes some guitar lessons, and Julio buys song books. Paul had a slight advantage over the rest with his instrument, but overall they were absolute beginners.
That same summer, at a record show, Julio finds himself struggling to get to the Marillion section at a vendor's table, bumping into Jay Mandel, who not only turned out to be a Marillion fan as well, but also played bass guitar.
Soon after Jay joins up. Julio writes his first ever cohesive piece of music around this time, a song called "Waste", and introduces it to the rest of the guys. They like it!
Jay Mandel (right) and Julio at Rising Star Studios
In the winter of 1996, Michael John Idzerda (a good friend of Julio's) comes down to jam with the group in Paul's garage. It was so cold, he had to play keyboards with gloves on! They play ELP's "Tiger in the Spotlight" for 30 minutes straight.
They move their headquarters from the garage to Rising Star rehearsal studios... By now they have a handful of original songs, and more in the making.
1997:
Around this time, Neil McGrath (Paul and Neil have been buddies for a long time) comes and jams with the bunch for the first time. They also decide on a name for the group, Kilgore Trout, after the Kurt Vonnegut character. But things start to go awry between them; it seems that Jay's bass style, despite his ability, is not quite going in the direction that the rest of the group wants to go. Jay played the bass guitar as a lead instrument, and it was somewhat distracting and failed to give the rythm section the solid foundation that the songs called for. It was not a nice split, but Jay took it all in a very dignified way. A hiatus of sorts followed.1998:
After some time jamming as a trio, with long intervals between sessions, they decide to place an ad with the intent of finding a bass player. By the third guy, they find their man, Don Merrifield.
(L to R)Frank Caré, Paul Wheeler, Julio Razquin, and Don Merrifield
Don not only provided the solidity and consistency they had been seeking, but technique, stage experience, and two more strings than your average bass player.
Kilgore Trout is getting better, more comfortable with their instruments, and with themselves. They begin to entertain the idea of hammering into shape what songs they have, and play them live sometime in the future. Don was very much a catalyst in their getting on a stage for the first time. His confidence in the group and the songs helped out a great deal. Their first gig was at the El Mocambo, early 1998. The only cover they play, as the goodnight song, is Matthew Sweet's "Dinosaur Act".
Debut gig: At Toronto's legendary El Mocambo Club
They were smitten! Bitten by the bug! Nothing equaled the rush and excitement of playing live. They slowly progress in their individual roles and as a group, writing more songs. They drop the name Kilgore Trout; they found through a search on the net that there were at least six bands on this continent with the same name. Sitting at a donut shop one night, pretty tired of throwing names at the wall and none sticking, Julio reaches out for a newspaper on a nearby table; it's open to the TV listings, and scanning through the schedule they find a Twilight Zone episode titled "Shatterday". Everyone nods.
Somewhat self-indulgently, and tongue in cheek, they print up a limited amount of band T-shirts to distribute to friends and people attending the gigs. They actually sold a few!!!
(L)First logo, found art. (R) Frank Caré's design
They headline Lee's Palace, and then a couple of more opening slot gigs at the El Mocambo, Clinton's, warming the stage for the J.P. Wasson Band (for whom Neil McGrath continues to play drums) and The Cellar Dwellers. At some point during the end of 1998, they invite Michael again to play keys, and the idea is born that they can play at least one gig with him onboard.
1999:
They play their first and only gig with M.J. Idzerda on keyboards, on March 20th, at the Big Bop. By now, they got it down pat; not as many butterflies, and able to have fun onstage without having to worry too much about what they're actually doing.
(L to R) M.J. Idzerda, Frank Caré, Julio Razquin
Unfortunately, Michael feels he can't live up to expectations on a long term basis, so he decides to leave. Don soon afterwards announces that he too will be leaving, to pursue his career as real estate agent in his hometown of Windsor, Ontario.
2000:
Shatterday records what will be their last rehearsal with Don, live and off the floor.It isn't long before they get Neil to come down and play bass, and fiddle on some occasions, bringing along overwhelming and contagious enthusiasm.
By fall, they have new and stronger songs. Frank has been penning outstanding songs, and Neil just keeps getting better and better on bass. As a whole, they start rising to a whole new level.
It isn't long before Neil is put through the test... Sometime in September they are called at the last minute to play a gig out in Oshawa, opening up for The Cellar Dwellers, and Neil passes with flying colours.
Their next gig would be on December 15th, at Clinton's. They play live two of Neil's compositions ('Crosswords'and 'Wicked Spell') which go over very well. But as promising as it seemed, this association was not to have the consistency necessary for it to last. Neil McGrath's other musical commitments made it very hard for him to fulfill the role of permanent bass player. In spite of the obstacles preventing Neil and the boys from a more permanent collaboration, Neil still remains an honorary member of Shatterday and a dear friend; he can be expected to jump onstage at any given future gig.
Shatterday, at Clinton's, Dec. 15, 2000
September, 2001:
Julio's departure (for strictly personal reasons) was a bitter pill being chewed on by Frank and Paul during the summer. Other issues, such as careers, and family, pushed music aside for most of the summer, with only an occasional jamming session taking place. The band needs to complete the rhythm section in order to carry on...At the beginning of September, Dev Britto responds to Shatterday's ad in NOW magazine, and after just a couple of phone calls, the band is quite sure of having found the man they were looking for.
Around the same time, Julio comes back, having dealt with his personal problems (removal of alien implants, or something like that), and ready to play...
Three rehearsals later, and Shatterday is back on track again. Dev brings with him an ecclectic and interesting musical background, as well as experience; Dev plays both guitar and bass, and sings. It's business as usual, re-working old material, and working out new songs.
July, 2003:
Julio announces he's leaving Shatterday in pursuit of more personal avenues of musical expression, and re-locating permanently to the United States.
Julio thanks...
The J.P. Wasson BandNeil McGrath
The Cellar Dwellers
Jamie Browning
Abel (Shatterday rocked even more with you!)
Vihren and Ivo Paunov
Ritta Koleva
Everyone and anyone whoever played or jammed with us
Last, but certainly not least...
Joanne (a bottomless well of love, support, and inspiration)
Influences
Their influences include, amongst many others:
Cracker, Neil Young, Matthew Sweet, Crowded House.
As Paul Wheeler once said, "we are a 'rawk' band". Unpretentious, jangly, crunchy, groovy, and LOUD! Straight forward Power Pop with some very interesting layers of varying influences. Shatterday is a true rarity... A garage band with no lofty ambitions, other than to have fun doing what they love, making music.
Photo Credits:
Live shows photography, and relentless support: Dawa Fruitman
Studio and other locations: Aline Michaud, Michael Idzerda, Shatterday
Videography courtesy of: Don Merrifield, J.P. Wasson, The Grundfos Crew
