Just the mention of Canadian gloom-rockers The Tea Party seems to conjure up images of broomsticks, bats and broody black-outfitted Jim Morrison look-alikes. These days the band seem to be known as much for their somber persona as they are for their intricate Middle Eastern-influenced gothic beats.

Speaking to drummer Jeff Burrows over the phone, it becomes apparent the boys are really just happy to be given the chance to live what he calls "a beautiful life" and all that mystique surrounding the group isn't as big a part of their actual lives as people may think.

As they embark on their cross-country tour with uber-evil rock icon Ozzy Osbourne this week, Burrows can't help but poke a little fun at the outlandish dark image his own band has brought to the black mass.

"[Jeff] Martin needs new stage clothes bad. It's been a while since he had anything floral on, but I'd love it if he went a little flowery again," he quips teasingly. "He needs a good makeover. We need to get him on Oprah."

Suddenly realizing what he's said, Burrows repents "Wait, don't write that. He'll kill me!" Sorry, Jeff.

After a countless string of tours, the band is still finding ways to have fun on the road and with one another. Although Burrows denies any plans for biting any heads off any bats, he does confess to having tormented a few other bands with practical jokes in the past.

"I've done some things where it's the last show, for bands that have opened for us and I'll walk on stage with a bottle of vodka while the crowd's going nuts in the middle of their song," he laughs. "I'll just start dumping it down their throat and they have to drink it. Then they'll try to do the same thing to us and our crew just tackles them."

For the most part, life certainly isn't a music video of heartache and remorse for The Tea Party these days. The success of their seven studio albums has afforded them the opportunity to travel the world in a way few ever do.

"I've been to the Louvre five times, I've been snorkeling in the Great Barrier reef in Northern Western Australia, I've swam in every ocean, I've been to 42 different countries, I've eaten in the market square in Istanbul, Turkey. I've hung out with Jimmy Page and Robert Plant and that's just the beginning," Burrows explains.

Following their stint with the Ozzman, The Tea Party will again be criss-crossing the country on their own tour with plans to begin writing for the new album come June. Burrows hints the next release is planned to be even heavier and have more electronics than previous albums, but describes it as going in the direction of "Transmission meets the Edges Of Twilight."

Don't expect all their good fortune to change the tune of their melancholy-ridden music though.

"Just look at Ozzy. He still sings about witches and goblins, and, you know, 'Mama I'm Coming Home,' so whatever. We don't want to be singing music to little blue-haired old ladies any time soon."

But try not to take them too seriously, even the darkest among us have their lighter side.

—Heather Adler


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