Fur Eel

Capndad blogs streaming links of "Elephant Summer" - Mogblog/Capndad

Leader Post readers voted Fur Eel the 7th best band in Regina for 2012! - The Leader Post

When a band releases two albums in two consecutive years, there are a couple usual expectations: first that the music will sound exactly the same. Song titles might be different, there might be some new melodies or rhythms, but the overall sound and quality of the albums will generally be the same. The second expectation is that the music will be completely different, and usually this is a bad thing. There are some bands, however, that are somehow capable of releasing a new album that is both different and the same in terms of their sound, and these are the bands worth loving. Enter Fur Eel.

Fur Eel’s 2011 release Elephant Summer received huge critical acclaim and praise, and after spreading their wings (and music) across Canada, they wasted no time in releasing both an acoustic album (Naked, 2012) and their newest album Perhaps Another Time.

Released in June 2012, Perhaps Another Time is a step in the right direction for Fur Eel. It’s slightly more mature, a bit less synthesized, and a huge demonstration of the band’s abilities. Like their first release, this album brings the ‘70s funk, bouncing and grooving along to get the audience dancing, but the band seems to have brought a whole new level of skill to this recording. These tracks are finely polished, thoughtfully written and richly produced, and it’s obvious right away that the band has been working hard to develop even greater talent. Songs have more cross-generational and universal appeal, and with some great diversity between tracks and a number of different influences, Perhaps is an album that will appeal to everyone.

A great thing about Fur Eel is the balance they bring to their music. All band members get equal playing time and guitar licks are used sparingly and unobtrusively, making them cooler, awesome and a lot more enjoyable. They also include some great brass solos on a number of their tracks, featuring sax and trumpet and really funking up the album with sweet bass lines. The album’s like a time machine, taking you back to days of upbeat funk on tracks like “Elephant Summer” and “Smooth City” and Pink Floyd-like psychedelic rock on tracks like “Black Mountain”. If you like Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tv On The Radio and Talking Heads, you will definitely love this album.

The best thing about this album? You can have it for free. Fur Eel decided to do something amazing with this release by making it available for download on their website and you really need to take advantage of it! With the waves they’re already making and the huge critical attention they’ve received, it won’t be long before they’re absolutely huge. Download the album immediately and send the link to all your friends. Once you do that, check out their show schedule; Fur Eel is always touring, and with shows across Canada this summer you need to put on your dancing shoes and see them.

Yes, Fur Eel is for real, and Perhaps Another Time is arguably one of the best Canadian releases of 2012. More info is always available on their website, Facebook and Twitter (@fureelmusic), so follow them obsessively and spread the word. If they’re already this good on their sophomore album, imagine how far they’re going to go. - Indie403

Readers of The Leader Post voted Fur Eel as one of the top 10 bands in Regina. Fur Eel placed 7th along with Library Voices, Rah Rah and Skavenjah. - The Leader Post

Frontman Justin Sheppard's voice is one that's full of howling and shrieking tones, bringing the listener through a mix of folk, rock and blues serenades."Black Mountain" highlights a darker-styled mood music and the titled track "Perhaps Another Time" has an unsteady flow to it - it grew on me after a couple of listens. Watch a stripped down performance of it here. Another odd flow of a song is "All Over Me", which really brings the R&B and urban rhythms to the forefront. The band recently was featured on CTV Regina and you can check out some of the footage here. You can also download the album for free on their site. Show dates can be found here.

— Kathryn Kyte
- NewCanadianMusic.ca

Posted by jenny on June 21st, 2012


When a band releases two albums in two consecutive years, there are a couple usual expectations: first that the music will sound exactly the same. Song titles might be different, there might be some new melodies or rhythms, but the overall sound and quality of the albums will generally be the same. The second expectation is that the music will be completely different, and usually this is a bad thing. There are some bands, however, that are somehow capable of releasing a new album that is both different and the same in terms of their sound, and these are the bands worth loving. Enter Fur Eel.

Fur Eel’s 2011 release Elephant Summer received huge critical acclaim and praise, and after spreading their wings (and music) across Canada, they wasted no time in releasing both an acoustic album (Naked, 2012) and their newest album Perhaps Another Time.

Released in June 2012, Perhaps Another Time is a step in the right direction for Fur Eel. It’s slightly more mature, a bit less synthesized, and a huge demonstration of the band’s abilities. Like their first release, this album brings the ‘70s funk, bouncing and grooving along to get the audience dancing, but the band seems to have brought a whole new level of skill to this recording. These tracks are finely polished, thoughtfully written and richly produced, and it’s obvious right away that the band has been working hard to develop even greater talent. Songs have more cross-generational and universal appeal, and with some great diversity between tracks and a number of different influences, Perhaps is an album that will appeal to everyone.

A great thing about Fur Eel is the balance they bring to their music. All band members get equal playing time and guitar licks are used sparingly and unobtrusively, making them cooler, awesome and a lot more enjoyable. They also include some great brass solos on a number of their tracks, featuring sax and trumpet and really funking up the album with sweet bass lines. The album’s like a time machine, taking you back to days of upbeat funk on tracks like “Elephant Summer” and “Smooth City” and Pink Floyd-like psychedelic rock on tracks like “Black Mountain”. If you like Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tv On The Radio and Talking Heads, you will definitely love this album.

The best thing about this album? You can have it for free. Fur Eel decided to do something amazing with this release by making it available for download on their website and you really need to take advantage of it! With the waves they’re already making and the huge critical attention they’ve received, it won’t be long before they’re absolutely huge. Download the album immediately and send the link to all your friends. Once you do that, check out their show schedule; Fur Eel is always touring, and with shows across Canada this summer you need to put on your dancing shoes and see them.

Yes, Fur Eel is for real, and Perhaps Another Time is arguably one of the best Canadian releases of 2012. More info is always available on their website, Facebook and Twitter (@fureelmusic), so follow them obsessively and spread the word. If they’re already this good on their sophomore album, imagine how far they’re going to go.
- Indie 403

Fur Eel in the Earshot! Top 30 for Hamilton's CIOI - CIOI in Hamilton

It’s worth mentioning that Fur Eel are playing tonight down at the Distrikt. Fellow locals Indigo Joseph are opening the show!

But you, dear prairie dog Dog Blog reader, are no doubt a person with demands on your time and discriminating taste. “Why should I go into this concert blind, if I haven’t previously heard Fur Eel?” you might be saying to yourself. They’ve got that covered — if you go over to their site, you can download the album they’re releasing tonight, Perhaps Another Time, for free. Not a bad deal at all.

I did it myself a while back. The album isn’t my personal jam, but it is well done and definitely speaks to a band that bring the party live. One weird thing about the download situation, though: it first asks for your e-mail address and the city you live in. Then, you click on a button that says “Yes, I want free music!”

From there, it prompts you to “choose a way to share it with your friends”, through an automatic tweet, a Facebook like or entering someone’s e-mail address.

That seems a little off to me. I haven’t even listened to the album at that point; how do I know if I want to go around recommending it to people? What if I just want to listen to the music and don’t want to proselytize for the band, at least not yet? At the same time, I understand where Fur Eel is coming from. They’re working hard, touring a lot and now releasing an album for free, all to try and make a name for themselves.

I can’t remember what I entered when I downloaded it, but I punched in an e-mail along the lines of [fictional character's name]@gmail.com. My alternative for you: enter in reception@prairiedogmag.com. Let Gregory “G-Beat” Beatty have some fun with those e-mails
- Prairie Dog Magazine

New Regina-based band Fur Eel will be performing songs from their first album at Java Express on Tuesday.

The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. with two sets.

Justin Sheppard, who plays the guitar, sings and also co-writes the songs, said the band got together about eight months ago.

Also in the band with Sheppard are Thomas St. Onge, guitar and co-writer, Travis Reshaur, base guitar and James Belle, drums.

"It's not been that long but we have recorded our first CD in that time and we have another ready to record already so it's a lot of material in a short period of time," he told the Times-Herald.

The first album is called Elephant Summer and will be launched on Thursday when the band kicks off its tour in Regina.

As well as Moose Jaw, they are also performing in Calgary, Lethbridge, Edmonton and Winnipeg.

"I would call (our music) soul, funk, rock and RnB and pop could be in there too. We write all our own songs."

The band's name Fur Eel came about after Sheppard noticed lots of people were using the phrase ‘for real'.

"It's just a play on the English language and we are are just trying to make some real music and stuff we enjoy and that's where the name came from.

"This is our first time playing in Moose jaw and we are really looking forward to it," he said.

For more information about Fur Eel, see www.fureelmusic.com
- Moose Jaw Times Herald

Hammer Records was invited out by our friend Gabriel Savage to check out touring band Fur Eel. Which a name like that we didn't know WHAT to expect. From seeing this band enter onto the stage, a certain vibe emanated off them that can only be described in one word, Swag.

Once the mix had been adjusted and all the instruments could be heard clearly we could really feel the talent dripping off these guys. Such a deep groove and funk buried deep into their music that only comes from having listened and learned from the greats. Their front man had the soul of Elvis flowing through him that night as his soulful voice blasted over the speakers. He dance moves were artful with a slight hint of cheese for fun. Though most of the crowd was sitting, all heads were indeed bobbing!

The bass was fat, P-H fat. Perfectly in the groove, pushing or pulling the beat as he felt needed. Grooving off to the side worked well as leaving more room for the frontman to move around the stage.

Two lead guitarists are fairly common for bands, but both that have slightly different styles, but as talented as these two were rare. The singer also played lead and laid down some fantastic solos, while the other guitarist blew us away by his playing, rhythms, leads and just stage presence. Felt like every note was a word from his soul. Both were very melodic players with lots of tips and tricks up their sleeve to keep the crowds mouth wide open the entire show.

The drums were solid and but not quite as fat as the rest maybe it was just a rough night but it felt like they weren't as expressive as the rest of the band. But solid playing, great beats which made the whole vibe so much sweeter.

The whole collective sound really captured the audience but everyone got off their feet and danced the night away near the end of the night to one of the best songs in their set. Involving the audience during the breakdown to build them back up again with singing.

Next time they are in Vancouver, go check them out. Buy a shirt, they were very kind in giving us a CD which is GLUED into our cd player in the car.

- Hammer Records - Vancouver

Fur Eel's new album "Perhaps Another Time", which features collaborations with the Pile of Bones Brass Band and Damien Walsh of Vancouver’s Five Alarm Funk, will be officially released at the band’s cd release event this Saturday at The Distrikt. But it’s already available on-line, for free, on their website at www.fureelmusic.com and, truth be told, has been since the band departed Regina for their recent tour of the west.

“This is the first time we went on tour immediately after releasing new material online,” said Fur Eel vocalist, Justin Sheppard. “It was good to have the online buzz growing along the tour.”

In fact, many of the tunes on “Perhaps Another Time” were introduced in performance as far back as the date of their first release “Elephant Summer” in February of 2011. Doing so, says Sheppard, helps the band polish and refine the new material before recording it.

“It’s cool to work with the guys in the band,” says Sheppard, “because they all have unique approaches. They’re character players, which is great. We have diverse influences and we’re open to a lot of different types of music.”

You can hear that diversity in the new album.

“We’ve got The Pile of Bones Brass Band on quite a few tunes,” said Sheppard. “Karl Valiaho, tenor sax and vocals with Pile of Bones, has a sax solo on the last track of the album. He plays some really awesome sax at the end of the song. It’s a really cool build-up to his solo.”

Damian Walsh from Vancouver’s Five Alarm Funk is also on the album.

“It was great to work with them,” said Sheppard. “When we recorded the sax part we were playing a gig with them that night and after sound check we went and recorded the sax part for the tune.”

Fur Eel credits Jeff (Redbeard) Corbett for hooking them up with Five Alarm Funk, a high energy, ten-member band from Vancouver. “He’s been a big supporter since we started,” said Sheppard. “When he was asked to recommend a band to open for Five Alarm’s gig at the Exchange, he recommended Fur Eel.” That was over a year ago. Since then, Fur Eel has opened twice for Five Alarm and feel honoured to work with them. If you haven’t heard them yet, you can catch them Friday at O’Hanlons. And then, since you’ll be well-primed for a little more, The Pile of Bones Brass Band, plus Indigo Joseph will be with Fur Eel at The Distrikt on Saturday. Yeah, you read it. That’s three of the hottest bands in town all together in one of the best venues in the city. Methinks there may be serious hoppin’ and boppin’.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Buzz City - Regina

I’ve said it before and will again. The Saskatchewan music scene is just blowing up and bands like this insanely tight quartet are why. Rather than favouring the retro or roots sounds of better-known contemporaries the Sheepdogs or Deep Dark Woods, this group sounds like its auditioning for a place on the Sire or Rough Trade roster back in the late seventies. How a bunch of prairie boys managed to channel this kind of lockstep funk is anyone’s guess, but somewhere in between the Prince and Talking Heads albums there were certainly some straight-ahead blues boogie bands as well. It makes a track such as “Elephant Summer” work so well as it has seriously soul pairing up against some harder rocking breaks for a great tune. Ditto the lightning fast breaks on “Zoo” which gives guitarist Thomas St. Onge ample space to show he knows how to pull off burning metal solos in the middle of a dance workout. The slower songs are a tad less successful owing to their similarities to other classic rock tracks you can hear referenced. Still, this is a young group with ace chops and a clear direction that sounds super fresh. Might want to make the saxophonist a full time member as it adds a lot to the songs where it appears. Oh yeah, they are great live.

Grade: B

- The Province - Stuart Derdeyn - Vancouver

The guys from Regina-based funk/rock/soul outfit Fur Eel decided to put their latest album out on a 'pay-what you-want' basis. A budget roof rack almost had them giving away T-shirts, too.

"You know the ones where they come with a two-year warranty and all that? Yeah - we didn't get one of those," laughs Fur Eel frontman Justin Sheppard as he describes how a cargo container the band had mounted on their van's roof flew open as they were leaving Saskatchewan on the western leg of their tour, scattering merch, T-shirts and the drummer's seat across the highway.

Despite valiant efforts and a store of Bungee Cords, the four members of the band found themselves riding with the container in the van after the third time they had to gather their scattered effects from the blacktop.

Cramped quarters in the van aside, Sheppard says he and bandmates Thomas St. Onge (guitar), Travis Reshaur (bass), and James Belle (drums) have been enjoying themselves playing shows through Alberta and British Columbia ahead of the official release of their latest album, Perhaps Another Time. As mentioned, the new album is available for fans at whatever price they choose, either direct from the band at their shows or via download at http: // www.fureelmusic.com.

After about a year recording the new disc, the band opted to let fans pay what they can in order to get the music to as many people as possible.

"In today's day and age with the download society and the YouTubers they're going to get it for free eventually - so we may as well just give it to them straight from us," says Sheppard, adding: "A lot of folks bring enough money for drinks and a cab ride, they may as well go home with a CD rather than just forgetting us."

Even without a CD in their hands, Sheppard is confident Fur Eel will put on a show audiences will remember as they officially unveil the new album on Saturday at The Distrikt.

Drawing on an eclectic mix of influences, from vintage R&B to funk pioneers like James Brown and Prince through to rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rush, Fur Eel casts a wide net with infectious grooves sure to get audiences moving.

"We get better every time we play, it's almost hard to come home from tour because we just want to keep playing and keep getting better. Getting on stage is a divine opportunity to connect with people in a positive way," says Sheppard.

After the gig in Regina, Sheppard said he is looking forward to getting back on the road for dates in Eastern Canada - although this time, he says, the roof rack will be staying behind.

FUR EEL

When: Saturday

Where: The Distrikt



Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/entertainment/lets+fans+price+album/6742582/story.html#ixzz1xFJOEA6H - The Leader Post - Bryn Levy - Regina

See URL - CTV Regina

Fur Eel moves beyond traditional

Group plays for global audience

By Mike Shiplack, For The Leader-Post May 17, 2012



Let's be clear - this is not a traditional music preview.

The show was last night at The German Club, sorry. The good news is this is still a music preview, but it's a preview about how time, space and even albums are no longer the most significant factors for a band's success. The venue is wherever there's Wi-Fi, the sounds are available for live stream or download, and the audience is now one out of a possible few billion people.

Regina's own Fur Eel is a band that is experimenting just as much with the Internet as they are with their sound. The band has learned a lot after returning from a weeklong learning exercising at Canadian Music Week in Toronto. It now knows how to building a fanbase and gain exposure, but Fur Eel is doing it by going beyond traditional means.

So, this is not a traditional music preview, but it is an opportunity to preview just how for real Fur Eel can be.

"The power of the independent artist these days is phenomenal," said Justin Sheppard, lead singer and guitar play of Fur Eel. "It's the main thing we walked away from (Canadian Music Week) is that you should do it all yourself - A lot of bands think it's going to happen for them, that they're going to meet someone and it's just going to happen. But if that did happen, you'd lose a lot of power of how your music is marketed and who you are.

"If you're an independent artist you have complete control over your identity."

So what, and who is, Fur Eel? It's not a fuzzy sea creature. The name derives from the common saying, 'Are you for real?' This Saskatchewan soul, funk, rock'n roll infused band includes Sheppard, Thomas St. Onge on guitar, Travis Reshaur on bass and James Belle on drums.

In 2010, the band released its debut album Elephant Summer. For the last two years this album has taken the band on tours across Canada and has reached playlists around the world.

This year is the true test to just how innovative Fur Eel can be. Through innovations in digital media such as www.ustream.tv (which allows anyone anywhere to sign-in and watch shows live) and recording devices, Fur Eel is expanding its music catalogue and audience base. On April 16, the band setup cameras, plugged in the audio recorders and linked-up to the World Wide Web before playing their acoustic set for a small group of fans.

That experience is now its new album and it was also recorded for a DVD.

"I believe in the art form of albums, but if you're looking to make music as a living where you don't have another job you've got to have brand recognition," explains Sheppard. "And that involves having your name out there more than once a year with a CD ... I'd love nothing more than to have a huge fat bank account that's used just for making an elaborate record.

"That's why we let the Internet help do the work for us. We'll still do some touring but that's one thing we want to use more - allow the technology to help us out."

Fur Eel is hosting a CD release party for their new album, Perhaps Another Time, on June 9 at The Distrikt.
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post
- Leader-Post

Fur Eel has been around only two short years, and already is taking Canada by storm. Comprised of Justin Sheppard, Thomas St. Onge, Travis Reshaur and James Belle, Fur Eel certainly does not come up short when it comes to energy and talent. The band describes their performances as “a passionate, high energy SHOW.” Audiences can expect something different every time. “Our goal is to have a good time when we are on stage, and we hope that our happiness is contagious so the audience can join in on the fun.”

The band recently concluded a two-part tour, rocking Western Canada. Shortly after their return, they will be heading to Toronto to showcase at Canadian Music Week. (Catch them at The Painted Lady on March 22, 9pm.) They plan to head out on a huge cross-Canada tour this spring in support of a new album, during which they hope to make new friends and bring in a whole new audience.

The band is taking well to touring, only running into minor problems so far; the most difficult thing they’ve had to encounter being Travis’ ongoing battle with an addiction to chicken fingers. They had to be sure to find a good chicken joint everywhere along the road in order to keep him from quitting and heading back home to Regina. (They believe the saddest day of tour is the day you have to drive back home.)

Amidst all the touring and the showcase, Fur Eel has been recording new album “Perhaps Another Time,” expected out at the end of April. It features collaborations with The Pile of Bones Brass Band and Damien Walsh of Vancouver’s Five Alarm Funk. Listeners can expect everything from funky guitars to subliminal messages, bongos, electronic drums, horns, and of course, the classic Fur Eel sound.

For more information on Fur Eel, and to check out their upcoming tour dates, visit www.fureelmusic.com. - Brandy Exner - SaskMusic

When Regina's Justin Sheppard and Thomas St. Onge started jamming together seven months ago, an album and tour were hardly something the guitar players had in mind. Enter bass player Travis Reshaur and drummer James Belle, and suddenly it looked like they might have a project with legs.

Fast forward half a year, and the group, dubbed Fur Eel, has recorded its debut album, Elephant Summer, and is preparing for a six-city tour, starting tonight at McNally's.

"This is a great project," says 22-year-old Sheppard, the group's singer and one of its songwriters. "I've jammed with other projects, and had experiences with egos or people that aren't into what I'm into, but there's a great chemistry with us."

Self-described as a funk, rock and soul experience, Fur Eel is all about making music with a feel-good groove. Sheppard, who counts Prince among his biggest vocal inspirations, says the group has a similar style to Maroon 5, though the record is hardly as polished as the mainstream band -an intentional move by the group.

"This album is to illustrate how good we are after just starting," says Sheppard.

"The point is to be raw."

As for the name Fur Eel, Sheppard came up with it on the way to rehearsal after noticing how prevalent the phrase 'for real' is today.

"It's a play on the English language, and we're real people, real every day normal dudes and the music is pretty for real too."

Co-written by Sheppard and St. Onge, Elephant Summer's eight songs are as meaty as the melodies, often motivated by women and relationships. The album's cover art, which depicts the foursome being taken captive by an attractive cavewoman, stems from Sheppard's own personal experiences.

"There's a perception that innocence and beauty is all good, but I believe there's people like that out to hurt good people, which is the concept behind the song 'Sting.' The music offers lighter fare too like 'Entertainaz,' a funk jam whose purpose is to get people rocking."

Sheppard says that while Fur Eel's music provides for a great party atmosphere, there's depth in it if people sit down and really listen.

"The fact there's two writers adds to it being a great record. There are more progressions and more melodies. It's kind of like a Beatles record in that it wasn't all written by John Lennon. All those guys were co-writing, which made for more of a good listen."

On stage, Fur Eel is confident and energetic despite only having played a few shows around Regina. Sheppard's experience as a solo artist and as a member of Pile of Bones Brass Band has given him an onstage presence that is sure to pack the dance floor. But audience members might want to stay clear of the front row as Fur Eel lays into their original material and covers of Prince and Queen songs.

"I sweat like crazy when I'm singing that type of stuff," says Sheppard. "I just let loose; it's my opportunity to connect with people."

After "bringing the house" down at past performances in Regina, Sheppard and his bandmates are eager to perform for new audiences. The foursome will soon hit the road to play shows across the Prairies.

"We've been doing everything from recording and writing to merchandising and packaging the record," he says. "We want to show people how much work we've put into it." - Erin Harde - Leader-Post

Fur Eel was written about in The Leader Post's Best of 2011 for music! - The Leader Post

Fur Eel has a vision - not only for the songs on the new album the band is recording, but also for the way its hometown audience will respond to the material.

"I think people from Regina specifically will feel pretty proud to say that we're from this town, which is something that we would love," said Fur Eel vocalist and guitarist Justin Sheppard. "That would be really good with the (album's) release - to earn full hometown support."

The new album, which has yet to be named, is slated for release in early 2012 and is a followup to Fur Eel's debut album, Elephant Summer. While Sheppard described Elephant Summer as having a very raw feel - greatly due to the fact it was recorded quickly, as it was written, and with lots of improvisation - he said the new album would be better because the band has more vision and time to record.

"The new album is going to have a lot more cool stuff going on. The songs are better and there are horns and more auxiliary percussion," said Sheppard. "With the songs written, you kind of know what you want to do before hitting the studio."

Fur Eel's music can be described as a soul, funk and rock experience, said Sheppard. However, with numerous influences, including Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Prince and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the band also incorporates elements of jazz, pop and hip-hop into its songs, creating a unique blend of music.

And while just a few years ago, the song Sound and Vision by David Bowie was merely one of Sheppard's favourite songs by the artist, the title and subject matter have now become a formula for Fur Eel's music.

"When you look at music, especially from the recording side of things, you really need to have a sound in your head and a vision before you try to record it," he said, noting the band has naturally started to incorporate sound and vision into its songs.

"But you can't always live by that too, because a lot of the beautiful stuff happens without consciously thinking of it, which is a lot of the fun in playing improvised solos and stuff like that."

Fur Eel - made up of Sheppard, guitarist Thomas St. Onge, bassist Travis Reshaur and drummer James Belle - performs Friday night at The Distrikt along with fellow Regina band Ink Road and Edmonton's Stone Iris.

In addition to some songs from Elephant Summer, Fur Eel is going to play a number of new songs, and will also be inviting some friends on stage to take part in a song that needs a little extra funk.

"We've been really well received everywhere we play and we just want to get as many people in Regina to know that there's this really cool music being created," said Sheppard.

"I genuinely feel that people will dig us. I'm a fairly humble guy, but I also think that if the people in Regina knew that we were rocking the way we do, the word will spread pretty fast."

In addition to assuring people of a good show, Fur Eel is giving everybody who buys a $10 ticket in advance a free download of Elephant Summer. Tickets can be purchased by calling 530-4588 or by sending an email to fureel@hotmail.com.
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/entertainment/continues+evolve/5439785/story.html#ixzz1ZNCD032m
- Leader Post

RAGE Regina caught one of Fur Eel's shows at the Dragon Boat festival this weekend at Wascana Park. Frontman Justin Sheppard's high energy performance, combined with the band's funky gotta-dance beats, make their performances more engaging than the average concert. Fur Eel proves that they are not just talented musicians, but "entertainaz". - RAGE Regina

Only a year old, Regina’s soul/funk/rock and roll band Fur Eel is quickly becoming a hit with local music fans. Fur Eel already has one album out and is in the process of recording another. The crew of Fur Eel (Justin Sheppard, Thomas St. Onge, James Bellè, and Travis Reshaur) met with RAGE Regina to discuss their upcoming album, Justin’s recent joining of Sound Society, and even their poster for their August 26th show at O’Hanlons which has been a recent topic of controversy.


The band’s first album, titled “Elephant Summer” was recorded and released last summer.

“It was a big summer for us,” said Thomas St. Onge, guitar player

“We just got together, we wrote, we recorded everything within like 2 months,” Sheppard explained, “so it really was an elephant summer.”


When asked how their upcoming album differs from Elephant Summer, the band described it as better, heavier, and more diverse.

“The last album was really thrown together,” explained St. Onge, “like some of the tunes on the first album we literally wrote as we recorded them and half the tunes [Sheppard] ad-libbed and we cut them up and kept the good stuff and it worked out. But this time we're really focused on song writing, making sure all the parts are written well.”

“Yeah this time the songs are already written before we hit the studio,” added Sheppard. “It’s way better because then you can kind of hear in your head what you wanna do.”

Sheppard explained that last summer St. Onge was heading to Ottawa for school and they wanted to finish the album so it was very rushed.

“But now we have the time, like if a bass or guitar track isn’t perfect, we'll have the time to work on it. And I honestly believe that people will be really impressed with what we put out this next time. It's much more focused.”

The members revealed certain information about different songs on their upcoming album. Bass player Travis Reshaur said there is one song on the new album that’s very dark and “satanic”.

Discussing another, Sheppard said “Have you listened to Prince very much? Like older stuff from Dirty Mind or Controversy? I'll bring you to that part of the world. It's really a different album. I'm really excited about it.”

The band is a busy group, with all of the members being involved in at least one other band, but they make sure to find time to practice two to three times a week.

“This takes priority for everyone,” said St. Onge, “if something comes up, we always make room for this.”

Sheppard is a member of the Pile O Bones brass band, and he recently joined local hip-hop group, the Sound Society.

“They actually had me in their band for like a month and then they kicked me out because I couldn’t rehearse,” Sheppard explained. “But now I have time. I love hip hop. These guys don't listen to a lot of hip hop so we don't do that sort of avenue of music so I thought it was a great opportunity to do that.”

Reshaur also balances Fur Eel with two other bands, The Dustin Ritter band and Black Drink Crier. James Bellè, drummer, is a member of Brain Dead Romeo and St. Onge is a member of a Motown band.

“Busy people are happier I think,” said Sheppard. “You never meet busy people that are unhappy generally.”

The band also mentioned they have received some criticism regarding their poster for their upcoming show at O’hanlon’s August 26th. The poster features three women, two beating each other up with the third looking down on them.

“We maybe shouldn’t allow our sense of humour to be displayed on our show posters,” said Sheppard. “If you look at our album, it's a cave woman and every single poster is a cave woman. We love women dearly, we're not putting women down. That's something that I think has been misunderstood by some people.”

“I'm sorry if it offended anyone,” St. Onge added. "It’s a learning experience.”

The band’s easy going sense of humour was evident throughout the night with their constant joking and making fun of each other. St. Onge’s first response to how the band met Bellè was,

“We put a mask over his head and pulled him in a van real quick! And said, you’re comin’ with us James!”

“When you spend a lot of time with people, when you drive around the country with them and record with them all the time, you kinda start to see other sides of people.” Sheppard said. “And then you start to make fun of each other all the time, which is what we've grown to do, but we still love each other.”


The guys of Fur Eel were a pleasure to interview. They all have great spirits and love what they are doing.

Make sure to catch Fur Eel this Friday night at O’hanlon’s, and at the Dragon Boat Festival September 2nd and 3rd. You can buy Elephant Summer on their website www.fureelmusic.com and stay tuned for their next CD which will be released in early 2012. - RAGE Regina

The band moves quick: they formed in November 2010, released their first full-length (Elephant Summer) this past February, and are going into the studio this summer for a new one. Real rock 'n' roll moves quick, I suppose. - Prairie Dog Magazine

Passion rules the game for Justin Sheppard. Although still in his early 20s, he’s a veteran singer-songwriter and touring musician, a music student studying online with Berklee College of Music and a guitar teacher who also works at St. John’s Music in his home base of Regina. Indeed, music has been all-consuming for Sheppard since his family used to host giant country and gospel jamborees at the family farm near Pangman, Sask. when he was a mere tot.

“There were always a ton of people and my grandfather would basically turn a quonset into a concert hall,” he says with a chuckle. “Even though I was a small child I thought it was so neat how a bunch of people could come together and experience something that made everybody feel good. I guess you could say that I always understood the power of music and I became obsessed with it.”

To that end, Sheppard has been playing in bands and writing songs since he was 13, but even he was surprised at how quickly his latest project, a soulful rock and funk combo called Fur Eel, came together only eights months ago.

“It wasn’t something I knew was going to happen,” he says of his quartet and its recently released debut, Elephant Summer. “It just happened to fall into place with the right guys.”

The right guys are guitarist Thomas St. Onge, bassist Travis Reshaur and skinsman James Belle — fast friends who seem to have a chemistry many musicians work their entire careers to attain. The results are easily apparent on the eight-song blast, which the group is currently supporting on a tour through Western Canada.

Prior to its February 25 gig at Vern’s in Calgary, Sheppard couldn’t help but get reflective on how and why these songs manifested themselves so quickly and so organically.

“In the past six years, artists like Prince and David Bowie became new to me,” he says. “But I also liked a lot of hip-hop and most of my favourite artists are funk-based. Every songwriter is a thief, and I’ve studied this music and tried to figure out how to mesh it together and put my own stamp on it.”

The lyrics and topical matter for Elephant Summer, however, weren’t so cut and dry. Sheppard experienced dark days as a result of the trials and tribulations of life and a medical misdiagnosis which sent him into his own personal tailspin.

“I guess life always comes into it,” Sheppard offers. “The last few years have brought some strange experiences into my life, but I also found that through songwriting — even in vague terms — people can relate.

“It’s funny... I was so personally attached to the songs that I was writing that I was almost resistant to reveal them to anyone in the fear that it was something that maybe they wouldn’t connect with. The good news is that I couldn’t have been more wrong.”

Fur Eel will take the stage at Vern’s and unveil the album. But it’ll also throw in some Queen, Zeppelin and Prince covers and engage the audience with an interactive experience, something that’ll capture the attentions of those not yet familiar with Sheppard’s work.

“Playing live is always the greatest reward,” Sheppard says. “Being consumed by music every day by writing, rehearsing, teaching and working at the music store gives me such an appreciation in doing this. I don’t want to sound corny, but it’s a totally sacred blessing in my opinion to be able to get up in front of people... and have them freely giving you their attention. It’s such a great opportunity to give and receive and to let them know the energy and impact they have on the show.” - FFWD Weekly

It can be a difficult job for musicians to get exposure, but Youtube is changing that.


In Regina, a self described “soul, funk and rock” band is turning to the video giant with hopes of promoting themselves, much like Justin Bieber and Maria Aragon have done in recent years.


“I think it's a good way to get out there and get noticed,” Fur Eel guitarist Thomas St. Onge said.


St. Onge, Justin Sheppard, Travis Reshaur and James Belle formed the band nine months ago and have already released an album, Elephant Summer, and went on a tour across western Canada.


They frequently update their Youtube page Fur Eel Music with anything they think will grab the public’s attention.


“We've been putting live footage from gigs up, little updates of what we've been up to, and right now we're in the middle of cutting up some videos from our recent tour,” St. Onge explained.


The bonus: it all goes online for free. Fur Eel is a band with young musicians who do not have a lot of money for promotion.


“Any avenue of promotion that's free is very much appreciated,” Sheppard said. “We're grateful for it, so we try to use it in the best way we can.”


They are lucky they have such an outlet. For Regina guitar player Bob Evans, who has been performing off and on for forty years, it used to be much more difficult to get exposure. He thinks social networking is an advantage.


“Now, it's really more kind of do it yourself,” Evans explained. “You've got Facebook, you've got Youtube, you've got your own website and it's all ways of getting your face in front of the public.”


Evans warns aspiring musicians the system comes with a downfall.


“The catch is, of course, everybody's doing it, so you've still got to fight your way through the noise,” he said.


Fur Eel says they will continue to fight through the noise.


“Just using it that way to get ourselves out there as much as possible, and keep your fans into you as well,” Sheppard said.


With a final goal of becoming a Youtube Sensation, which would boost any musician’s career.

http://www.globalregina.com/Youtube+strikes+chord+with+Regina+band/4386861/story.html

http://www.globalregina.com/video/index.html?releasePID=RmSn_T35D4JWIWZCVptQjtfdFaJXvoYn - Sarah Richter - Global News

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCBA0YJlH1k&feature=player_embedded

http://buzzcity.ca/Music.html - Buzz City

Passion rules the game for Justin Sheppard. Although still in his early 20s, he’s a veteran singer-songwriter and touring musician, a music student studying online with Berkley College of Music and a guitar teacher who also works at St. John’s Music in his home base of Regina. Indeed, music has been all-consuming for Sheppard since his family used to host giant country and gospel jamborees at the family farm near Pangman, Sask. when he was a mere tot.
“There were always a ton of people and my grandfather would basically turn a quonset into a concert hall,” he says with a chuckle. “Even though I was a small child I thought it was so neat how a bunch of people could come together and experience something that made everybody feel good. I guess you could say that I always understood the power of music and I became obsessed with it.”
To that end, Sheppard has been playing in bands and writing songs since he was 13, but even he was surprised at how quickly his latest project, a soulful rock and funk combo called Fur Eel, came together only eights months ago.
“It wasn’t something I knew was going to happen,” he says of his quartet and its recently released debut, Elephant Summer. “It just happened to fall into place with the right guys.”
The right guys are guitarist Thomas St. Onge, bassist Travis Reshaur and skinsman James Belle — fast friends who seem to have a chemistry many musicians work their entire careers to attain. The results are easily apparent on the eight-song blast, which the group is currently supporting on a tour through Western Canada.
Prior to its February 25 gig at Vern’s in Calgary, Sheppard couldn’t help but get reflective on how and why these songs manifested themselves so quickly and so organically.
“In the past six years, artists like Prince and David Bowie became new to me,” he says. “But I also liked a lot of hip-hop and most of my favourite artists are funk-based. Every songwriter is a thief, and I’ve studied this music and tried to figure out how to mesh it together and put my own stamp on it.”
The lyrics and topical matter for Elephant Summer, however, weren’t so cut and dry. Sheppard experienced dark days as a result of the trials and tribulations of life and a medical misdiagnosis which sent him into his own personal tailspin.
“I guess life always comes into it,” Sheppard offers. “The last few years have brought some strange experiences into my life, but I also found that through songwriting — even in vague terms — people can relate.
“It’s funny... I was so personally attached to the songs that I was writing that I was almost resistant to reveal them to anyone in the fear that it was something that maybe they wouldn’t connect with. The good news is that I couldn’t have been more wrong.”
Fur Eel will take the stage at Vern’s and unveil the album. But it’ll also throw in some Queen, Zeppelin and Prince covers and engage the audience with an interactive experience, something that’ll capture the attentions of those not yet familiar with Sheppard’s work.
“Playing live is always the greatest reward,” Sheppard says. “Being consumed by music every day by writing, rehearsing, teaching and working at the music store gives me such an appreciation in doing this. I don’t want to sound corny, but it’s a totally sacred blessing in my opinion to be able to get up in front of people... and have them freely giving you their attention. It’s such a great opportunity to give and receive and to let them know the energy and impact they have on the show.”
- Gerry Krochak - FFWD Magazine

For real. For real. For real. For real. For real.

Say that 10 times fast, and what does it sound like?

That’s how this Regina soul-funk quartet got their name, after vocalist and lead guitarist Justin Sheppard noticed how ubiquitous the phrase “for real” has become.

With their lineup formed somewhat by chance (bassist Travis Reshaur joined when Sheppard sold him an amplifier) little over eight months ago, the band is set to release their debut album, Elephant Summer, on Feb. 17.

“We just clicked instantly,” said Sheppard in a release. “There’s no ego involved, just a common passion for the music.”
The band, rounded out by guitarist Thomas St. Onge and drummer James Belle, clearly has fun with their music, with its rhythmic and shuffling funk flair of jazz guitars, chunky bass and perky keys.

The band’s soul and funk influences shine through in their live show as well, which are known to include covers of Prince and Queen.

With both Sheppard and St. Onge having penned the album’s eight tracks, the album wanders from soul-searching to philosophical.

Sheppard says the songwriting dynamic gives the album the charm and diversity of a Beatles album.

“It wasn’t just Lennon. With all the Beatles contributing, it made for a more interesting listen,” he said.

Fur Eel play Sam’s Place (159 Henderson Hwy.) on Saturday, Feb. 19. Local artist Justin Lacroix will also perform. Show starts at 9 p.m. and tickets are $5 at the door.

Visit http://www.fureelmusic.com.

- The Uniter