As so the story goes…It’s been almost 10 years since the “Big Money Shot”, which was appropriately named since I feel it was just that, “Blowing Me Load!” After which, I lived in my bath robe for sometime contemplating the ruins of my tower sinking ever so fast into the muddy depths. This was to be a great gift, a chance to reset and adjust the course of my life, but at the time this ego blow left me depressed and directionless. In my heart of hearts, I knew that music would always be pivotal in my life, so I turned to the unseen force which I call I.T. for Invisible Teacher and asked for guidance. I.T. said, “Take care of your children;)” with a cosmic wink. And that I did.
Some time passed and I told IT that if music was truly my heart path then I needed a sign because I was still wounded and needed some reassurance. The next day, a guy walked up to me on Sherbrooke street and told me he had heard me play a few times and if I ever needed a drummer he would be happy to play with me. This was Mark Charbonneau, now my brother in arms, who I feel will be my musical partner for the rest of my days. Not long after that, my dear cousin Richard Clarke asked me if I would be up for a weekly spot at the old Crossroads in Westmount. He preposed that we form a little band to host and support an open mic and he asked me if I knew a drummer.
The three of us got together every Sunday night in the dead of winter and hosted an empty bar. It was funny and we got drunk every time, but what an opportunity to share my new songs. We became the The 444S. Deciding it would be fun to record an album, we made arrangements later that fall to turn a cottage on Lake Simon into a studio. The band needed a guitar player and Rick suggested the amazing Nic Power. With the help of more friends, we made a good album, something I listen too with fond memories. In the course of all this renewed rock n roll, I met my wonder woman, Caitlin Power, the sister of Nic, which definitely caused a classic ripple effect.
The band was hot and we could have moved onto radio and touring, but I knew that I was re-creating the same mis-alignment that I had experienced in Tim’s Myth and subsequently, half the band broke away leaving Mark and I wondering if we could be like the Black Keys:)
By this time, I had restored semi balance in my life. I had a great new apt on Sherbrooke in NDG and was in a fun new relationship. I had my kids 50/50 and I felt things were on the up swing. Mark and I were game to do something with my new songs, but I didn’t know to what capacity. It was at this point that I got to know my new neighbours and started hanging out with them every Friday night in the basement where they had put together a great studio. We had fun with covers, but being the artist that I am, I couldn’t help share my new songs. My neighbours who were becoming fast friends were semi-retired and music was a new trip for them. It attracted other friends and we had really fun parties down there and still do! Cue Will Davidson, the bass player. This 6f7” wizard from another mother kept trying to encourage me to set up a jam with Mark. I was really reluctant, but he kept poking at the idea. I talked to IT and IT said, “There you go boy, that’s your new band;)”
So was to begin a new chapter with a quintessential family band that kinda scares the shit out of people. We worked on the songs. I shared what I know about music with Eric Foot (Lead Guitar), Pierre Lapointe (Backing Vocal) and Diane Chiddenton a.k.a. the Black Mamba (Conga) and Mark and Will found their rhythm together. That summer we cut our teeth on stage with a handful of shows and I made plans to record the second 444S album in a church in Masonville, Qc.
That was two years ago. It wasn’t easy, but I got the fucker done.
p.s. I have no aspirations to make a mark in the conniving music industry, but I am inspired to make merry in the face of so much darkness that we meet on a daily basis and music is truly a weapon that can push back against such a force. This album, “Alchemical Wedding” celebrates life, death and rebirth and we invite you to participate in the merry making!
