Monsters Of The Deep

While scared, they're excited to hit the stage and play for an audience for the first time - Toronto-based Monsters of the Deep are ready and waiting. Aussie lead singer Misty Fox originally got the news about their debut performance from guitarist/producer Scott Kaija while salvaging through Value Village. Her her only response? "Yikes.". The sweet, little Australian has only been in Canada for a couple of years, but has already formed a five-piece that is jumping into NXNE headfirst.

Fox credits loving deep-sea creatures for her quick progress. After living in Toronto for a couple of months, Fox met bassist Melissa Ball who had just moved to the city from L.A. "We became best friends right away," says Fox. Strangely enough, they both liked underwater creatures and "weird animal facts." Fox and Ball also shared musical talents; one could sing and one could play bass. The two clicked, so they formed a band.

Monsters started making songs packed with heavy bass, deep drums and low vocals. The songs were dark and reminiscent of The Cure with a dash of Debbie Harry. The sound grew naturally out of the fact that the girls had formed the band in the dead of a Canadian winter. Both had just moved to Toronto and neither one found it easy. Nothing was bright and cheery, so neither was their music. And to top it all off, Ball was forced to trudge through the deep snow to Fox's basement, which was in an old funeral parlour - and that just screams dark music.

That all changed when Fox went on tour with her now ex-boyfriend's band, who were also touring with Kaija's first band, Controller. Controller. The duotwosome was looking for a keyboardist to add some flair to their ensemble and Kaija decided to step up and audition for the part. Fox wasn't quite impressed, but as soon as the man picked up a guitar and began rocking out, she knew they had to have him in the band - even though they weren't looking for a guitarist.

The weather changed for the better and Kaija brought a new flavour to Monsters' unrefined sound. The music became more upbeat with pop, electro melodies - but don't think they turned all Blondie. The bright beats are equalized by "military style drums and short, sharp vocals" which keep you listening. Following Kaija's merge with the group, two more members were added: Mick Jackson on drums and John Hunter on guitar. Fox says the union was the highlight of Monsters' career: "When we got our new members, we felt like a full band."

Add the new faces to the band's existing talent and influences - The Cure, INXS, New Order, Liz Phair and, according to Ball, Pop Rocks candy - and Monsters of the Deep now have all the right pieces in place. The band plans on spending the next six months touring before heading into the studio to get an EP out. But for now, they "literally just want to keep playing," according to Kaija. And the next step is their first show, Friday night at SoundProof's North By Northeast showcase. "We're just excited to play for people," Fox says.

SoundProof is excited too! Catch Monsters of the Deep as they hit the stage for the very first time this Friday, June 8 during SoundProof's NXNE showcase at C'est What. - Soundproof Magazine: Jennifer Kentfield