A.K.A
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A.K.A

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The best kept secret in music

Press


"Local bands going own musical way"

Thursday, July 25, 2005

It's a growing trend, and from many Timmins and area musicians are doing it.
Doing what, you may ask. Well, these players and bands are digging down deep and revealing their own original songcraft.
I believe whether your own music is your hobby or a career choice, it's a great form of self-expression and shows innovation that can (although not always) bring out your own distinctive style and attitude.
Timmins' alternate rockers AKA, who now work out of Vancouver, just finished three new, band-written originals that I think only emphasize their growing musicality.
In fact, the four piece art even brought in symphony string players on a track titled Jason's Song, in addition to new rockers Trigger Happy and Get It On.
The Rock Report has always stressed and supported local artists to write and record their own material. In fact, you may have noticed that bands like Trikl-Tshyn, The Shaftmen, Hurtin' Blues Band, and Drivyn depending on the gig include anywhere from 6 to 10 original songs in a 35-song night. However, is this original music idea really catching on with the youth?
You bet it is! - John Emms Rock Report


"Timmins' AKA poised to explode on rock scene"

July 8, 2004

If A.K.A is not signed and distributed by a major label by Christmas, some A & R reps (the guys who listen to and develop new artists) are not doing their jobs.
Along with other reviewers across Canada, I listen to at least four or five new artists every month from every major label in Canada - Sony, EMI, Universal, Warner, etc. About 80 per cent of the acts do not stick with you or leave a lasting impression.
After many years as a musician and 15 years of absorbing these new artists, I know an artist or band with creditbility and potential when I hear it.
Without any doubt, A.K.A is one of those rare finds. In fact, the best song and sure-fire, rock radio-ready hit Pearl Jam has never recorded is called Rigadon (We Are Here, We Are Now). They haven't recorded it because it's written and recorded by a Timmins band.
It's a hit song ready to explode and is just one of six songs from a new recording I have sitting in my stereo in regular rotation. In all honesty, over the last three weeks, everyone who listened to the disc - not having a clue who the band is - was blown away.
Shania Twain went south, the Sons of Maxwell went east and A.K.A has gone west.
The four Timmins musicians - vocalist James Devins, guitarist Dan Demers, and brothers bassist Charles and drummer Alex Morin - decided a year ago it was time to take their musical vision to another level.
In a gusty move, they left family and friends behind and moved out to Vancouver.
"We knew we had to get out of our comfort zone and push ourselves, otherwise we would always have that nagging 'what if?' question in the back of our minds," said Devins in a telephone interview from Vancouver.
A.K.A had done numerous gigs in Timmins but lacked any solid referral when it came to marketing its music and image.
"We had done an 11-song album at VCOMM Pro Audio with Greg Vintar and Shawn Fournier and we enjoyed the experience," said Devins.
"However, many people - including you - told us we had to develop our focus as artists, trim the fat on some of our material and move to a city that could offer us resources that could benefit our career directly."
Fro the last year, the band has honed its writing skills, played a couple of live dates per month in the Burnaby and New Westminster, B. C., areas and finished six songs with noted producer/musician Todd Kerns (Static In Stereo, Age of Electric) at the world-class Greenhouse Studios, 10 minutes outside of Vancouver.
"It was a mind-blowing experience," said Devins. "We walked in and there are platinum records everywhere from artists like Queensryche, kd lang, Nickelback - it really motivates you.
"In fact, on our six-day recording and mixing stay, Hollywood and Vancouver native actress Neve Campbell was outside the main studio and chatted briefly with our bassist, Charles, and members of multi-platinum rockers 3 Doors Down came into the studio and introduced themselves," Devins recalled.
"But, to be honest we were into concentrating on our work," said the former Music Box employee.
The material from A.K.A mixes crunching and melodic alternative four-minute tracks that just beg for airplay.
With the six songs in the can, A.K.A is currently set to record another six tracks with Kerns for the final album list.
"We should be finished by the first week of August," said Devins. "After that, we want to approach 604 Records (Nickelback, Theory of A Deadman, Thornley) with the recording. The feedback we get everywhere is so encouraging we must move forward."
With a little luck and continued focus on careeer, A.K.A could very well be the first Timmins band to hit rock pay-dirt on a national level.
- John Emms - THE DAILY PRESS


"A.K.A. : A Rock Band Destined to Impact the Canadian Music Industry"

February 11, 2004

Incubated in the surging music scene of Timmins, Ontario, A.K.A made an immediate local impact and soon earned the reputation of local music heroes as noted by the local press. There was no question that this band's essence had to be felt on a national scale. With music influences as far ranging and timeless as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana, and Live, James Devins, Charles Morin, Daniel Demers, and Alex Morin combine traditional rock and roll with sounds of metal, folk, funk and contempory pop to create their own unique and captivating musical style - pure A.K.A. The band has spent the past year in Vancovuer, British Columbia, galvanizing their careers and recording their new EP called IN THE BEGINNING... In a relatively short period of time, A.K.A's fired up live perfomances have built a loyal fanbase in the region that is continuing to proliferate and spill into the national music scene. The band has already performed at some of the finest, most notable venues in Vancouver, and is planning more live shows across Canada and in some US cities to support their new album. A.K.A continues to garner favorable attention and press and is now breaking into the commercial and college radio markets. The band maintains an intimate and interactive relationship with their fans via an active web presence ( www.aka-band.com ) full worldwide digital distribution via CD BAby.com and its affliliates, and additonal presences on GarageBand.com and NewMusicCanada.com. A.K.A is an unstoppable force ready to make a musical impact that will be impossible to ignore and echoed throughout the industry. - Farhang


"An Evening of Rock"

Fall 1999

An evening of live rock'n'roll at the G.V. Hotel, with proceeds going to the South Porcupine Food Bank, gave local rockers A.K.A a chance to promote their new CD being released this summer. A.K.A members, clockwise from bottom are, Alex Morin, Dan Demers, James Devins and Charles Morin.
- Ron Grech


"Five local acts answer Food for Thought call"

Summer 1998

Going to bed hungry, lacking nutrition, feeling abandoned and lost are things that most people have never experienced.

Yet there are many residents in Timmins and area that have to deal with this as an everyday experience. I've always thanked God for all the volunteer people that help out in our community.

At Northern College, the South Porcupine foodbank was the deserving benifactor of the 6th annual Food for Thought rock showcase. On this particular night 5 artists let the music do the talking.

Without a doubt, A.K.A, Timmins newest alternative rock-pop outfit delivered the most appealing and convincing set of original music. The talented 5 piece wove together a diverse pop, rock and roll, and funk based groove that was appealing in it's own stuctures and has loads of commercial radio potential.
- John Emms


Discography

2005 -2006
3 Singles- JASON'S SONG, TRIGGER HAPPY,
GET IT ON

2004 (released)
HYLOMANIA (12 SONG ALBUM)

2003
IN THE BEGINNING (9 SONG ALBUM)

2001
A.K.A EP CD

1999
FIRST A.K.A EP

Hylomania has received radio airplay in the UK

Radio air play:
CJSF 90.1 FM (Vancouver)

**The first single and our video will be released in October to radio and video stations across the nation!!

Photos

Bio

A band whose origin is shrouded in mystery, born in 1998, Vancouver based A.K.A has been driven to achieve no matter what the obstacles. Since the bands inception they have put it all on the line for the passion of music.

A.K.A have garnered interest from some of the music industry's major labels, as well as many independent labels and production companies.
But most important to the band, is the music and connecting with thier audience.

LIVE PERFORMANCE

A.K.A's repertoire boasts an uncommon diversity but may be loosely defined as modern rock.

With the assistance of Clyde Hill and Magnetized Productions, A.K.A has reached a number of fans in Vancouver, BC area, playing the area circuit.

During live performances, A.K.A rides the edge with extreme intensity, immense attitude, and so much heart and soul that all in attendance can feel them as much as they can hear them.

A.K.A prides themselves on live performance excellence. Their philsophy is "If the fans have enjoyed the show, we've done our job." and based on crowd response, this is being accomplished.

RELEASES

A.K.A is once again launching another collection of singles. The three songs, recorded at Green House Studios by JMP Productions and mastered by "guru" Ron Boustead at Precision Mastering.

The new tracks "Trigger Happy", "Get It On", and "Jason's Song" introduce a new level of aggression, dynamics, and emotion to A.K.A's music, and promise to surpass the success of their 2004 sophomore album "HyLoMania".

This is a difficult task considering 4 songs of "HyLoMania" have hit #1 in various catergories on Broadjam.com, and have received outstanding awards by Garageband.com. "Rigadon" was also chosen by Adrenaline Junkies for an Extreme Sports video.

"Trigger Happy's" intensity and aggression, mixed with "Get It On's" nostalgic dynamics, are without a doubt, guaranteed to ROCK YOUR WORLD.

"Jason's Song" which was named after the author; a very close friend of the band, who wrote the song only days before his death. In keeping their promise to him, they have recorded this intense piece of music, which has taken a life of its own. This track embodies all that is dynamic. From amplitude to attitude.

THE HERE AND NOW

Constant development is a major part of A.K.A's philosophy. Having produced and released two (2) independent albums and their 3 latest singles, A.K.A have also finished shooting their first video for Jason's Song, which is slated for release in mid October.

LATEST NEWS

We have recently received two awards (in which 70'000 ballots were cast) by the readers poll of the Georgia Straight (#1 Entertainment Newspaper in Vancouver) in the 10th Annual BEST OF VANCOUVER READERS CHOICE AWARD!
To view article and thank you ad, refer to photos 8,9.