Afflatus

From the farm fresh bounce of “Forgive Me” onwards, the music of Afflatus comes billowing out of speakers like a summer’s mist. Autumn’s Urgency is their debut album and if the 12 tracks here are any indication, you’ll be hearing a lot more of this Toronto band sooner rather than later—maybe you can pencil in time for ‘em later this week. While the production is crystal clean and the songs radio ready, this is a fun-loving stipend of rock and roll that manages to be playful without being stupid—no easy feat in the year 2004. The songs are rarely spew beyond their mid-tempo grooves and that’s what makes Afflatus click. There is no urgency to this band as they’re more than content to simply pull up a chair and enjoy the ride. Think Maroon 5. Think Ben Harper, Sublime, the Black Crowes and other leading purveyors of the stone alone. Jeff Beadle’s vocals alone are enough to taint the masses, especially on tracks like “Soaked” and the deliciously-titled “Rise and Whine”, tracks that allow Beadle to wrap his vocal chords around the cleverly understated rhythm of his backbeat. While bassist Luke Vajsar and drummer Scott Honsberger anchor the band’s sound, it’s a real group effort that also leans heavily on Rob Pretsell’s bite-sized riffs and Matt Rocca cutesy keyboard fills. You see what I’m getting at? An Afflatus divided simply ceases to be yet if you’ve got two ears and a pulse, I challenge you to listen to hook-filled tracks like “City” and “Rescue Me” and not feel something down below. The perfect antidote to a late season swoon. - Soulshine.ca

Pack your bags for California! We're headed to the land of blue skies, plastic people and smog! Afflatus is a delicious Sublime hybrid with an emphasis on rock and funk flavors.

Each song shows a different side of the band. "Forgive Me" begins the disc with a reggae skatastic tune that brings out the memories of vacations to the beach. Then it breaks down into the funky "City," a perfect party song- full of life and vibrancy. The vocals are outstanding- Jeff Beadle has a clean, powerful voice that carries the melody almost entirely flawlessly. Even when his voice breaks, it feels like a perfectly natural change to the song. And the guitar forces your body into a groove, your head unconsciously beginning to nod with the rhythm. Listening to Afflatus is like floating downstream on a quietly meandering river... your entire body floats away with the melody.

It's hard to believe that a sound this sunny would come from the bleak North in Toronto, the land of brisk, crunching alternative rock.

I love the percussion in "Sundown at Noon" - it holds the song into a tight rhythm, guiding it gently through a song filled with so much soul and passion that it took my breath away.

"Plain and Simple" urges the listener: Lets get farther away. I think it's a perfect feeling for the disc - it makes you want to seek warmer weather and friendlier faces.

The band is much better at rocking than at writing quiet tunes. "Rescue Me" has just the perfect touch of keyboards to enable a solid groove. "Flush the Room" varies between a hard-hitting chorus to sexy, bedroom rock during the verses.

The best of their music makes me want to dance and at its worst, all I can say is that it's not quite flawless. The band works as a beautifully cohesive unit. Every instrument melts together so seamlessly that Afflatus almost gets you to believe that creating music like this is easy. Don't let them fool you. These are five gifted men who were born to make music and were lucky enough to find each other. Afflatus is a word that means "a divine inspiration," and if you ever need a living example, you can find it in this band. Aptly named, boys.

This is a standout album. I had a difficult time choosing three favorite tracks because so many stood out to me. This is a band with endless potential, a band that will be a joy to watch grow and progress. I tried to give this disc less than a 5 but every time I listen to it, I love it a little more. It's entirely too passionate, too beautiful, too melodic, and too heartfelt to not deserve a perfect score. - Phoenix Revolution

AFFLATUS PACKS HORSESHOE FOR CD RELEASE

By KRYS GRANDMOND
Staff Writer

It's a Saturday night in Toronto, and parking isn't the easiest to find. But after missing the last Afflatus show due to rain, I wasn't about to give up, and as I pulled into the little lot a block away from the popular Horseshoe Tavern, I found myself getting somewhat excited for the show ahead.

There's one thing that separates Afflatus from a lot of other bands I've seen. Well, okay, there's a few things, but the one that stands out is their fans. A dedicated lot of people you'd probably never see mingling together outside of the bar. But that night, everyone was there for the same reason, and as the band took the stage, the already crowded dance floor in front took on a few extra bodies.

In a word, the performance was phenomenal. The band's energy was contagious, and the fans danced, jumped and sang along to song after song. A true display of fan support, seeing as how this was their CD release party and there was no other way of knowing the words unless they'd been to countless shows before.

The band performed song after song with a seamless perfection that wowed any newcomers who just happened to walk in the doors of the bar that night. When Beadle announced that he wanted everyone to sing along with the next song, the crowded back room of the Horseshoe erupted into screams as everyone knew what was coming next.

Forgive me.

No, it's the name of the song. The song that got my attention in the first place, the song that makes Afflatus who they are, and the song that 95% of the people in the club that night knew every word to. And it was incredible to see. I didn't even have to watch, as I could hear just how many people were screaming the words in perfect sync with the singer, who seemed pleased to say the least.

With the occasional fan getting the chance to grace the crowd through Beadle's microphone, the show could have easily turned into nothing more than a karoke party, but the band kept it in check with just enough fan interaction to have fun, without going overboard. Not an easy feat, especially when everyone in the crowd wants a turn.

All in all, a great night and a perfect portrayal of the band's true talent. Something I'd want to see again, and again and again and again ... now if only they'd hurry up and get their butts back into the Niagara Region! - Soundline.ca

Homecoming for band


Kathryn Dunmore, Backbeat

12/12/03 00:00:00
After moving to Toronto a year ago to strike up connections in the music industry, Burlington band Afflatus is returning for a Boxing Day performance to thank its local fans.
"We've been playing a lot of Toronto shows," said Scott Honsberger, drummer. "Everybody has been at school and haven't been able to come out to see us. However, many have still been able to make it out to our shows and for that we're thanking them by playing at home.

"We wanted to come home and play in Burlington when we knew people would be home for the holidays. It's our way of saying thank you and having a good time."

Afflatus, consisting of Honsberger, Jeff Beadle as vocalist, Rob Pretsell as guitarist, Matt Rocca as keyboardist and Luke Vajsar as bassist, will be performing at Moe's Tavern along with breathe and Rhonda Stakich.

Although Afflatus formed in Burlington a couple years ago, the band's lineups continually changed until the current members were settled on last summer.

Group members, who are in their early 20s, made the move to Toronto to get further into the music scene. "We love Burlington but Toronto is where the scene is at," explained Honsberger. "It was a business decision to be where the action is."

It's a decision the band has not regretted, as they currently perform a few times a month and practise consistently around their full-time jobs.

They are still a rock band incorporating various musical elements into their music. The result is a fusion of styles, including jazz, funk and reggae.

"When we write a song, whatever comes out, comes out," said Honsberger. "We're not looking to write one particular style. We're not looking to change the world, we're just looking to write songs that people enjoy."

Writing songs is a collective effort, noted Honsberger. Each member contributes in some manner, either with an idea or helping form an idea with their musical input.

"With five members it can lead to some arguments, but we all have the same idea of where we're going and what we want to accomplish," said Honsberger. "We all like to write songs with a solid groove so we're all pretty much on the same line."

Once new material is written, Afflatus tests it out on their live audience to garner a response. "We'll write as we go and test out our songs on our audiences," said Honsberger. "We can get a feel of how the audience responds to the music."

Arsenal of new songs

With an arsenal of new material all ready, Affatus plans to record its debut full-length album in the new year, with the CD ready for late spring or early summer.

"We've been pushing our demo to get a foot in the door but now we want a full-length recording to get further," said Honsberger. "Our ultimate goal is to get our music out to as many people as possible and if we need to get signed to do that, then that's what we'll try for.

"Nowadays, the push seems to be on releasing music independently but we want to be able to make a decent living at what we love doing."

As for their live performances, Honsberger said the band likes to think of it as an experience.

"We try not to go up there, play some songs then leave the stage," he said. "We try to connect with the audience and give them something different each show, whether that be different songs, playing acoustically or jamming longer. If we're bored, then they will be too, so we try to keep it interesting for everybody."

For those who can't make the Boxing Day performance, Afflatus is also playing at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on Jan. 15.

For more information, visit the Web site at afflatusband.com.

- Burlington Post

There were so many cool kids hanging out at The Horseshoe Tavern last Thursday I thought surely I was in for an hour or two of pop music. My fears were amplified when the five Afflatus members took to the stage; they were just too clean cut for rock.
They shuffled around looking mildly nervous during sound check and panic started to set in. Too many cool kids, too much Gap clothing, the rockers in the bar were getting nervous. But then the lights went out…

Singer Jeff Beadle transformed suddenly into Sublime's Brad Nowell, belting out the first few lines of "Forgive Me" in a near carbon-copy of the late singer's voice. Afflatus transported the entire bar to somewhere in sunny Southern California and a Pina Colada suddenly seemed like a really good idea. Yep, something about the lights going down that makes it a little safer for all of us to unleash the wild beast within.

Three songs into their set and no one was left standing at the back of the bar; they were all up front shakin' their tail-feathers. Luke Vajsar on bass delivered the funk and soul, drummer Scott Honsberger kept a virginally tight groove and Rob Pretsell can play his guitar like a mother f***in RIOT. Usually when a band has keys, they stick out like a sore thumb, announcing their presence over and above all the other instruments. Well, poor Matt Rocca sat off to the side, and had such a subtle keyboard sound; he was a little hard to notice. Until his solo; where he shone like a beacon.

The cool girls were giddy, the cool guys wished it was them onstage and Afflatus continued along. Songs hinted of Red Hot Chili Peppers here and there, maybe a little Matt Good, then dove into long, drone-y space-jams resurfacing once again with the SoCal summer. It's obvious that these guys have been playing their instruments since they were fetuses…so friggin talented, all of them…and they're probably humble too. The only thing that'll keep Afflatus from making major waves in Canada will be their desire to do so. Surely that many cool kids (and one music geek) can't all be wrong.

Writer: Erica Basnicki - Soulshine.ca