Loud Machine
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Loud Machine

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"A winning combination of fundraising and fun"

When Harold Hutchinson asked his band to get together for a spring gig, his thoughts immediately went to how they could give something back to the community.

“I felt it was something important to do,” says the lead guitarist for Loud Machine, formerly the Loud Americans.

Described as a blend of guitar rock and blues with a post-grunge edge and an in-your-face-attitude, the band was nominated for rock group of the year at the 2007 Music P.E.I. awards.

So after talking it over with fellow band members Jeff Smith, bass; John Hashem, vocals; Bob Gagnon, drummer; and Joerg Soltermann, guitar, harp — they decided to turn the event into a fundraiser for the pediatric unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

“Families are important to us. I have two children of my own and you never know when you’re going to need the service, so the pediatric unit was a natural choice for us,” says Hutchinson.

The result is Spring Loud Fest 2008, a rock ’n’ roll show on March 29 at The Guild in Charlottetown, starting at 9 p.m.

The band also asked other rock groups if they’d like to help. One of the first to accept their invitation was Faces.

“It’s definitely a worthwhile cause. I have two children and we have used the hospital a lot and they’ve been really good to us,” says Kim Albert, vocalist/

guitarist for the band that includes Todd Gallant, drummer; Pete Doucette, bass and Mike Arsenault, guitar/vocals.

The group, which plays everything from 1980s rock to new rock, got its start 18 months ago.

“We do a lot of functions around the Island, everything from the Culinary Institute to the community hall in Souris. And we’re really interested in helping the cause,” says Albert.

The third group on the bill that night is Muddy Buddy.

Nominated for weekend warriors and entertainers of the year at the Music P.E.I. awards, the energetic pub band consists of Chris LeClair, lead guitarist/

vocalist; Greg Stapleton, guitarist/vocalist; Kirk MacKinnon, drummer; Chris MacDonald, bass and Barry MacDonald, guitar and vocals.

“After getting the three bands’ support, everything is shaping up to be a great night,” says Hutchinson.

His enthusiasm has also caught the attention of the executive director of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation.

“It sounds like it’s going to be a great time,” says Barb Dunphy-Gotell.

The funds from Spring Loud Fest will support the medical equipment needs of the pediatrics unit at the hospital.

“The QEH Foundation is truly grateful to have the organizers of Spring Loud Fest co-ordinate this new fundraiser for our hospital,” she says.

Mette Ching, chair of the 21-Hour Equipment Drive also expressed appreciation to the organizers.

“We’re pleased to showcase this event during our 21-Hour Equipment Drive being hold on May 24th and 25th on EastLink Television, where representatives from Spring Loud Fest will present the amount that will help purchase equipment for the QEH,” she says.



Sally Cole, a features writer with The Guardian, may be reached at scole@theguardian.pe.ca or by phone at 629-6000, ext. 6054.



Fast facts

At a glance

n What: Spring Loud Fest.

n Featured bands: Loud Machine, Muddy Buddy and Faces.

n When: March 29, 9 p.m.

n Where: The Guild, Charlottetown.

n Information: Tickets are $10. Anyone who wants more information - The Guardian Charlottetown


Discography

2007 Life on the line ( LA Music) Loud Americans
2008 Leaving LA (LA Music) Loud Machine
2009 Spanner (LA Music)
Loud Machine

Photos

Bio

Loud Machine,

The band was formed by Computer Scientist and musician Harold Hutchinson in 2004 shortly after he moved from the West Coast (Vancouver, BC). Originally founded with two ex-patriot Americans as Loud Americans, the band started gigging and playing their own brand of riff rock in and around Charlottetown PEI. Their first album, titled Life on the Line was recorded and released by Harold’s label (L.A.Music) in the spring of 2007. L.A. was the abbreviation for “Loud Americans”. As the band evolved the two original American band members moved on to other interests. With a new all Canadian line up the band decided to rebrand as “Loud Machine” in the spring of 2007.

History

The original Loud Americans line up consisted of Harold Hutchinson (lead guitar), Scott Fletcher (lead singer and blues harp) Bob Gagnon (drums) and various bass players. In 2005 the lineup added Joerg Soltermann (rhythm guitar) and Scott Ferris on bass, later that year Ian Smith joined as percussionist. Eventually, John Hashem (Johnny Hearse) replaced Scott Fletcher as lead vocalist. Joerg Soltermann assumed blues harp duty.

The band released their first CD “Life on the Line” the following spring (2007). That fall the band garnered a nomination for Rock Band of the year for the Music PEI Awards. In early 2008 the band morphed into its current and stable incarnation as Loud Machine with Bob Gagnon rejoining the band on drums and local virtuoso bassist – Jeff Smith on bass.

The band has played many venues in Atlantic Canada and has started to develop an International following through MySpace and iTunes. In 2008 Loud Machine teamed up with legendary Texas producer and engineer Joe Hardy (ZZTop, Tom Cochrane, and Trisha Yearwood) to help produce and master their current album at that time titled - "Leaving LA" - release date August 1, 2008. The album title was really a double entendre meaning “Leaving Loud Americans”. However the title song Leaving LA and only single – Follow Me were about chasing the dream of stardom in Los Angeles.

Leaving LA earned Loud Machine a nomination for Rock Recording of the Year for the 2008 Music PEI Awards.

Future

Loud Machine’s latest work, an EP titled “Spanner” will be released in the spring of 2009. Like Leaving LA, Spanner is co-produced and mastered by Joe Hardy. Spanner was written as an album of six singles with an eclectic collection of riff rock tunes. It is considered by many to be their best work to date.

Loud Machine has matured over the years and the band is actively pursuing North American brand recognition and international radio play.