Daydreams For Dollars

Pembroke was treated to some rock and roll Friday night at local band Daydreams for Dollars and Canadian rockers The Trews hit the stage at the Pembroke Memorial Centre.

The event served as the official launch of Daydreams for Dollars first full-length album entitled Back in the Day, as it was available for purchase for the first time at the concert. The local boys lead singer and guitarist Matt Lemay, drummer Cory Zadorozny and bassist Curtis Kennedy opened the show with a 40-minute set of new material and songs of the group's previous EP. It marked Daydreams for Dollars' first arena show.

The Trews didn't disappoint as they played many top-10 singles, including some acoustic numbers. The band has released four albums in seven years, including two that went gold. The band is comprised of lead vocalist Colin MacDonald, his brother John-Angus MacDonald on guitar, cousin Sean Dalton on the drums, and long-time friend and bassist Jack Syperek.

They performed Highway of Heroes, which was released last week on iTunes. This song was inspired by the death of Captain Nichola Goddard, who was killed in May 2006 while serving with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan and returned from duty along Canada's Highway of Heroes. Capt. Goddard attended high school in the Trews' hometown of Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

Concert promoter Brian Abdallah of Green Tomato Productions is calling the event as a success as he has received plenty of positive feedback from those who attended the show. As well, although the final totals aren't in, the event served as a fundraiser r the Kinette Club of Pembroke and the Pembroke Kinsmen Club. Both organizations provided volunteers to work in various capacities at the show, noted Mr. Abdallah.

After the show he had an opportunity to speak with members the The Trews who indicated it was the best crowd they've played to in a while, prompting the group to extend its show by about 30 minutes.

"The entertainment was a true value," he said of the show which helped to kick off the Victoria Day weekend, marking the unofficial start of summer in the city.

Tina Peplinskie is a Daily Observer reporter - Pembroke Daily Observer

Local band Daydreams for Dollars will celebrate the release of its first full-length album by opening for Canadian rockers The Trews at the Pembroke Memorial Centre this Friday.

Drummer Corey Zadorozny and lead vocalist/guitar player Matt Lemay have been rocking together since 2006, and Pembroke native Curtis Kennedy recently joined the band as the bass player after returning from Toronto.

The band released a six-song EP in February 2009 and after slowing down a bit, Daydreams for Dollars connected with Green Tomato Productions earlier this year and began recording in mid-April at Pembroke's French Kiss Studios with Mr. Zadorozny's brother Jordan.

The album Back in the Day was just completed and it should be available for purchase at Friday's show.

"It's nice to have the support because it's tough when you have to be involved in the business side of things and also worry about the music," Mr. Zadorozny said.

He also credited Jordan for his hard work in the studio, as he gave the band the push it needed.

"I think you're a better musician and better band when you come out of the studio," the drummer said. "Now the pressure is on since we will be playing the new stuff Friday."

The challenge for the band will be trimming its typical two-hour set into 40 minutes as they get the crowd warmed up for The Trews.

Mr. Lemay continues to write the original material for the band and he hopes the fans will enjoy what they hear at the show on Friday. Jordan also co-wrote one of the songs on the album.

"We haven't changed the recipe, but I think we've all evolved and matured," he said during an interview Wednesday. "I'm writing more about my experiences and getting more serious."

The band has already been playing the new stuff at pre-Trews events in Renfrew and Deep River, where it's received good feedback. The Trews show is the first of a busy summer for Daydreams for Dollars, who plan to play a number of festivals and fairs across Quebec and Ontario, including Ottawa's Bluesfest in July.

Mr. Zadorozny is looking forward to welcoming The Trews, comprised of lead vocalist Colin MacDonald, his brother guitarist John-Angus MacDonald, cousin and drummer Sean Dalton, and long-time friend bassist Jack Syperek, to Pembroke. Between 2003 and 2005 he spent time on the road with the band while touring and playing drums with the Sam Roberts Band.

"It will be nice to see the whole gang after working on the same stage with them for so long," he said.

As a fan of The Trews, Mr. Lemay is looking forward to seeing the band live but also enjoys the idea of being on the same bill.

"This is a nice treat for the people of Pembroke," he said.

Daydreams for Dollars takes the stage for the all-ages show at 8 p.m. and The Trews are expected to start around 9 p.m.

Tina Peplinskie is a Daily Observer reporter - Pembroke Daily Observer