Mike Trebilcock (and The Lo-Heels)

Those mourning the demise of The Killjoys will be glad to hear that leader Mike Trebilcock has released his solo CD Shield Millions. Trebilcock continues to hone his rock and roll craft, but the real story here is the roots stylings of tracks like Snow Angel Blues, This Side Of Human, and Box Of Failures. You really get fine music from both worlds here. Personally, I think Trebilcock is poised to finally get the attention he deserves as one of Canada's finest songwriters today.


- Claudio Sossi

Mike Trebilcock
Shield Millions
A Canadian has escaped from the Killjoys - it's Mike Trebilcock, and on he is on own, writing, producing and performing new music. Formerly with Canadian rock group the Killjoys, Trebilcock has written a creative collection of catchy tunes and his album houses a mix of pop, rock and a tid-bit of new country sounds. One can just listen to this music and chill, and possibly have the urge to break out the old lighter.
"Stark Raving Glad" is a wonderful pop tune, which could easily make its way into the lyric memory of the human brain. One of the great things about this album is that the songs are short and sweet, and they are enjoyed for their lyrics and not an over-played chorus, like we hear all too often in modern music. "This Side of Human" is a dark, self-reflecting song, wonderfully written and it remains an absolutely perfect example of Trebilcock's lyrical talent. The album possesses something for everyone. For the fun and happy sort, take a listen to "Shut Us Up (And Make Us Smile)." The new country beat comes out in "Snow Angel Blues," a song destined to become one of those songs frequently requested from your guitar playing friend. Just remember, Trebilcock also includes the violin and banjo. Right out of the KIA commercial comes the "Ya-HEEE" beat of "Dog Hill." Being the only song not written by Trebilcock, this track is an amazing, eclectic swarm of instruments and beats that compel someone to kick up their heels.
This is an album one hopes for in the modern world of boy-bands and lyrics out of a Full House episode. Shield Millions is a great album and should be welcomed into music collections with open arms (and ears). Despite the slight 'hick' factor, Shield Millions should still make its way on to your CD rack

- Kyle Kofsky

Hamiltonian Mike Trebilcock has been a staple of the local music scene for years now. Most might recognize him as the front man of the now defunct, Juno winning, (The) Killjoys. His debut CD, Shield Millions, shows Trebilcock embracing his folkier leanings, while maintaining his pop edge, and for the most part, he succeeds. Tunes like the mellow, funky "Today's Crossword", the country-tinged "Stacked Back To the Wishing Well", and the great reworking of "Dog Hill" (I love Kim Deschamps' dobro work) are fine indications of Trebilcock's talent and range. He recruits the help of the areas finest musicians.
Besides Deschamps (Blue Rodeo, The Cowboy Junkies), Carl & Tim Jennings (Freedom Train), Mike Daley (Uncle Violet), Sean Ashby (Sara McLaughlin), and Shelley Woods (Killjoys) are among those who support Trebilcock on the album's ten tracks. It is a very good debut, suffering only from the production limitations which doom any independent release, but it is the performance, not production, which will make Shield Millions a springboard to bigger and better things for Trebilcock. It will be interesting to see what comes next from him .
- Manrico Erasmi

Trebilcock's intimate, assured debut - which features his keen basement pop-smithery shot through with roots music - is so good that it might make references to his prior band a thing of the past. - David Young

(Translation is below)

MIKE TREBILCOCK / SHIELD MILLIONS / JOLLEYCUT CD-7181 (34.11) Totaal verrast was ik, bij het ontvangen van deze cd uit Hamilton , Ontario. Mike Trebilcock, van wie ik nog nooit gehoord had, maar die een serieus verleden heeft in de Canadese punkrockscene, ontpopt zich op deze plaat immers tot een steengoede songschrijver die zonder enige twijfel houdt van country, maar die evengoed zijn hart verloren heeft aan Randy Newman of Elvis Costello. Op deze debuutplaat - Trebilcock schreef op één schitterende Boozoo Chavis-cover na alle songs zelf - produceerde hij ook nog, nadat hij alle zang had gedaan, gitaar speelde, drumde en de piano- en orgeltoetsen beroerde. Veelzijdig ventje dus, dat zijn geheimpjes maar mondjesmaat prijsgeeft. Dit is niet echt een toegankelijke plaat te noemen, maar naarmate je er vaker naar luistert, dring je door de lagen heen naar de kern van de songs en dan merk je pas echt hoe goed deze zijn. Opener Stark Raving Glad kan zo op een Foster & Lloydplaat, het folky Snow Angel Blues huppelt heerlijk weg, Little Box Of Failures had van Jonathan Richman kunnen zijn. In komt het punkverleden van Trebilcock nog even bovendrijven, terwijl afsluiter Pretty Girl Bruise van weemoed overloopt, met zijn jankende slide-tonen. Ik ben geneigd te denken dat Mike Trebilcock tot de betere songwriters van Canada behoort en ik ben er zeker van dat u maar eens een poging moest ondernemen om, webgewijs, tot ginder te surfen en u dit kleintje aan te schaffen. (DH) (miketrebilcock.com)
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I was caught by surprise when I receieved this CD from Hamilton, Ontario. I had never heard of Mike Trebilcock before despite his Canadian PunkRock reputation. On this record he shows he's an outstanding songwriter. Country meets Randy Newman/Elvis Costello. For his debut record Mike wrote all the songs except for one, a wonderfull Boozoo Chavis song. This multi talented guy produced, played guitar, keys and drums on his record. He doesn't seems to eager to reveal his secrets at first glance. The more you listen the more you like it. As if you have to dig through the layers of the songs to find it's real beauty. Opener "Stark Raving Glad" might as well be on a "Foster&Lloyd" record. Folky "Snow Angel Blues" strolls away very nice. Little Box of failures could well be a Jonathan Richman song. Pretty Girl Bruise shows us a little bit of Mike's past (punkrock influences / hauling slide guitar) I come to think Mike Trebilcock is one of Canada's better songwriters and you should really take an effort in surfing the web and grab a hold of this little beauty. (DH)
- DH