Band History

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Band History

If you really want to get to the birth or starting point of the band, I guess you would have to look at Jim and Debbie Grainger. They were the common thread that brought together the initial players. It might even have started from all of our kids attending the same school; St. Brigids. Debbie’s husband Jim had decided to start playing guitar again after an extended absence. Debbie soon learned that a few other husbands played guitar.

A dinner party was arranged and Jim, Lorne MacDonald and Attila Jagodits discovered that they all liked the same music and got along pretty good. Soon, semi regular living room acoustic jams were being scheduled, and by sometime early in 2001, Rob Downton had started joining the informal gatherings. Any time a social gathering was arranged, these 4 would always have their guitars close at hand and a sing song would usually break out. In the summer of 2001, Kelly (Attila’s wife) was part of a committee looking to raise money for St. Brigids’ Church. Another member of the committee had recently attended a gathering at Debbie’s house, heard the guys playing, and suggested that they might be appropriate entertainment for the outdoor festival they were planning . The event was only a few weeks away, and some of them had not performed in a band for many years. None the less, they all agreed and their first gig was booked.

That first gig turned out to be a very successful event, and the starting point of more to come. They had also engaged the help of one other player. Rob had been playing in various projects with Troy for about 5 years up to that point, and asked if he would be interested in sitting in. Troy was in the process of putting together his own project at the time, but agreed to do the show, and actually ended up playing with the band for about 6 months before he decided to get back on track with his own project. That first show consisted of Rob on electric guitar, Lorne on acoustic guitar, Jim on acoustic guitar and Attila playing keys. No drums.

The reaction from that first gig was so positive, that they we’re asked if they’d be interested in playing at a fund raising event for a local community centre. They agreed and the hunt was on for a drummer. Coincidentally, it turned out that Attila’s brother in law , Brian Waywell was a drummer and he was actually interested. Even more important, he liked the same music as the rest of the gang and was interested in doing the gig.

Over the last couple of years they’ve been lucky enough to play fairly regularly. As much as they wanted, without burning themselves out. There have been a couple of line up changes along the way. After about a year they convinced an old friend of Rob’s to join the group. Elsa Gravitis brought a great diversity to the band adding an incredible lead vocal and support on harmony and background vocals. Recently changes have occurred with Attila’s and Elsa’s decision to step aside and the addition of Nic on guitar and Marcie Alderson on vocals. Nic and Rob have played together in previous projects and it was a natural fit. Attila’s departure and the addition of Nic’s guitar necessitated Rob to take on more keyboards.

It’s amazing how playing together for a few years can have such an impact on the quality of their performances. The band keeps getting better and better with every show. Always adding new material to keep things fresh and the energy level high.

 

I was alone, I took a ride, I didn’t know what I would find there. Another road where maybe I could see another kind of mind there.

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