Silvergun & Spleen

If ever someone was looking for a perfect example of a band's sound and its image just not lining up, they'll find it on Semi Truck – the debut album by Silvergun & Spleen. The clash is perfect; gazing at the cover of the album (which features a picture of all four bandmembers – including a ravishing set of twin sisters – mugging it up in the cab of a transport truck), we're given the impression of a rough and ready group of working class roughnecks (like Nashville Pussy maybe – except from Quebec) ready to shoot first and run like hell, or at least shake all night long. Then we hear the music; a sound and demeanor much closer to the most recent Gossip album than anyone could possibly expect, it will have those who hear it doing double-takes at the incisiveness and perfectly tidy nature of it. Semi Truck is a sort of rare gem; as rare as finding strings of pearls packaged in a brown paper bag.

After listeners get past the clash of impressions put forth early on Semi Truck, then they'll begin to realize that the experience is also diamond-dense and high-priced too. With what sounds like neatly appointed, Pro Tools production, singer Marie-Eve Mallet slinks and slithers her way around rock solid but perfectly smooth and even slippery strains of rock-punk laid out by guitarist Veronique Mallet, bassist John Lenherr and drummer Chris Page, and songs like “Just Enough To Dance,” “An Eye For An Eye,” “Highway Nightlife Intermezzo” and “Losing It” all snake-charm listeners as they continue to try and reconcile the difference between what they expected and what they're hearing. In the end, they'll either just succumb to the rhythm and just start dancing a funky, punky and modal two-step with the band – ignoring the puzzle of the record – or they'll stalk away in frustration because they still can't reconcile what they're hearing with what they see as “Too Late” pinwheels through and closes the record. In that end, it can only be said that Semi Truck is a “love it or hate it” affair – but, happily, those who get hooked on it will get hooked hard.
- Ground Control Mag

If ever someone was looking for a perfect example of a band's sound and its image just not lining up, they'll find it on Semi Truck – the debut album by Silvergun & Spleen. The clash is perfect; gazing at the cover of the album (which features a picture of all four bandmembers – including a ravishing set of twin sisters – mugging it up in the cab of a transport truck), we're given the impression of a rough and ready group of working class roughnecks (like Nashville Pussy maybe – except from Quebec) ready to shoot first and run like hell, or at least shake all night long. Then we hear the music; a sound and demeanor much closer to the most recent Gossip album than anyone could possibly expect, it will have those who hear it doing double-takes at the incisiveness and perfectly tidy nature of it. Semi Truck is a sort of rare gem; as rare as finding strings of pearls packaged in a brown paper bag.

After listeners get past the clash of impressions put forth early on Semi Truck, then they'll begin to realize that the experience is also diamond-dense and high-priced too. With what sounds like neatly appointed, Pro Tools production, singer Marie-Eve Mallet slinks and slithers her way around rock solid but perfectly smooth and even slippery strains of rock-punk laid out by guitarist Veronique Mallet, bassist John Lenherr and drummer Chris Page, and songs like “Just Enough To Dance,” “An Eye For An Eye,” “Highway Nightlife Intermezzo” and “Losing It” all snake-charm listeners as they continue to try and reconcile the difference between what they expected and what they're hearing. In the end, they'll either just succumb to the rhythm and just start dancing a funky, punky and modal two-step with the band – ignoring the puzzle of the record – or they'll stalk away in frustration because they still can't reconcile what they're hearing with what they see as “Too Late” pinwheels through and closes the record. In that end, it can only be said that Semi Truck is a “love it or hate it” affair – but, happily, those who get hooked on it will get hooked hard.
- Ground Control Mag

From Ottawa, Silvergun & Spleen is comprised of Marie-Eve Mallet (vocals, guitar), sister Véronique Mallet (guitar, keys, vocals), Chris Page (bass) and John Lenherr (drums). In town to promote their upcoming new album, Semi Truck, they closed out this installment of the “Wednesdays Go Pop” showcase at the Supermarket. The band has actually been around since 2006 but this was the first we’d heard them. At first glance, it was immediately apparent that we were for a fun show – the Mallet sisters were sporting thigh-high hockey socks, metallic short-shorts, and beehive hairdos while the guys donned bowties.

Silvergun & Spleen’s style of hard dance-rock is not something I would typically gravitate towards, however their live performance was quite entertaining to watch. Except for a couple of rehydration breaks, I don’t think Marie-Eve stopped dancing the entire length of their set. Her antics were perhaps overly theatrical at times, but the energy that poured out of her had me feeling like I shouldn’t be just sitting there watching. In a different setting – without the tables of the Supermarket in the way – and a larger crowd in attendance, I’m sure she could have gotten people to bounce along with her.

Tearing my attention away from the front-woman, it became obvious that the band behind her were talented musicians, a feat considering their bio notes that no one knew how to play an instrument when they first formed. Véronique meticulously rocked out on the guitar, and Page impressively kept going after breaking a bass string, playing with just three strings for the latter half of the set. They closed out their set with the punch-in-your-face single “Crack.” As the band mentioned, the track is now available for request on most rock radio stations for your listening pleasure.

If you followed Live 88.5’s Big Money Shot last year, you might already be aware that Silvergun & Spleen made it to the Top 6 in the competition. Their winnings helped fund the recording of Semi Truck, out September 11. It was produced and mastered by Jon Drew (Arkells, Tokyo Police Club, Fucked Up) and can be pre-ordered through Maple Music. - Buying Shots For Bands

From Ottawa, Silvergun & Spleen is comprised of Marie-Eve Mallet (vocals, guitar), sister Véronique Mallet (guitar, keys, vocals), Chris Page (bass) and John Lenherr (drums). In town to promote their upcoming new album, Semi Truck, they closed out this installment of the “Wednesdays Go Pop” showcase at the Supermarket. The band has actually been around since 2006 but this was the first we’d heard them. At first glance, it was immediately apparent that we were for a fun show – the Mallet sisters were sporting thigh-high hockey socks, metallic short-shorts, and beehive hairdos while the guys donned bowties.

Silvergun & Spleen’s style of hard dance-rock is not something I would typically gravitate towards, however their live performance was quite entertaining to watch. Except for a couple of rehydration breaks, I don’t think Marie-Eve stopped dancing the entire length of their set. Her antics were perhaps overly theatrical at times, but the energy that poured out of her had me feeling like I shouldn’t be just sitting there watching. In a different setting – without the tables of the Supermarket in the way – and a larger crowd in attendance, I’m sure she could have gotten people to bounce along with her.

Tearing my attention away from the front-woman, it became obvious that the band behind her were talented musicians, a feat considering their bio notes that no one knew how to play an instrument when they first formed. Véronique meticulously rocked out on the guitar, and Page impressively kept going after breaking a bass string, playing with just three strings for the latter half of the set. They closed out their set with the punch-in-your-face single “Crack.” As the band mentioned, the track is now available for request on most rock radio stations for your listening pleasure.

If you followed Live 88.5’s Big Money Shot last year, you might already be aware that Silvergun & Spleen made it to the Top 6 in the competition. Their winnings helped fund the recording of Semi Truck, out September 11. It was produced and mastered by Jon Drew (Arkells, Tokyo Police Club, Fucked Up) and can be pre-ordered through Maple Music. - Buying Shots For Bands

Our last pick already? It's hard to believe this is our 40th Band of the Day. With more than 200 bands playing Indie Week, I feel like we've barely scratched the surface. To round off our recommendations, let's end with a band from our nation's capitol. Silvergun and Spleen perfectly exemplify tourism Ottawa's most brilliant campaign of, "Not all our parties are political." This is a band that is wild and fun, but talented beyond beliefe. A co-ed concoction of energy and ferver, a word I sometimes overuse but I really do mean it this time. Sisters Merv and Vern Mallet are stylized and polished, embracing a little bit of Gwen Stefani meets Care Failure, mashed with dance, pop and rock influences, and chunky bass lines that separate them from the pack. If you're looking for the real deal, Silvergun and Spleen are your band. - Toronto Music Scene

Our last pick already? It's hard to believe this is our 40th Band of the Day. With more than 200 bands playing Indie Week, I feel like we've barely scratched the surface. To round off our recommendations, let's end with a band from our nation's capitol. Silvergun and Spleen perfectly exemplify tourism Ottawa's most brilliant campaign of, "Not all our parties are political." This is a band that is wild and fun, but talented beyond beliefe. A co-ed concoction of energy and ferver, a word I sometimes overuse but I really do mean it this time. Sisters Merv and Vern Mallet are stylized and polished, embracing a little bit of Gwen Stefani meets Care Failure, mashed with dance, pop and rock influences, and chunky bass lines that separate them from the pack. If you're looking for the real deal, Silvergun and Spleen are your band. - Toronto Music Scene

Growing up as a drummer and would-be rock musician in Rimbey could be a pretty lonely preoccupation, admitted John Lenherr.

“There were too many hockey players and not enough musicians,” said Lenherr, who eventually moved to Red Deer, then Ottawa to pursue his musical dreams.

His journey is now coming full-circle: Lenherr’s Ottawa-based band, Silvergun and Spleen, which won $20,000 radio station contest that paid for a new CD recording, is on a cross-Canada promotional tour that stops on Sept. 7 in the drummer’s hometown of Rimbey.

“It’s awesome to go home again,” said Lenherr, who’s looking forwards to the “reunion” of family and friends that’s sure to form when his “pelvic rock”/dance band performs at the Grand Hotel in Rimbey.

Silvergun and Spleen is throwing a CD release party for their Semi Truck album, which will be released on Sept. 11.

Lenherr’s group is made up of his beehive-sporting girlfriend, vocalist/guitarist Marie-Eve “Merv” Mallet, and her equally tall-haired sister Veronique “Vern” Mallet, who sings, plays the guitar and keyboards.

The Mallets are from New Brunswick, but met Lenherr after all three musicians were living in Red Deer.

The trio relocated to Ottawa about a decade ago, thinking they might study music at university, but ended up forming a band instead. Eventually they became a quartet with the addition of bassist Chris Page-Manson.

Forming Silvergun and Spleen in 2006 was inevitable, said Lenherr, since “being rock musicians was something we’d always dreamt about.”

The heavy-hitting band was getting regular gigs in the Ottawa area, and as far as Montreal and Toronto, before entering The Big Money Shot contest sponsored by radio station Live 88.5 FM.

As one of 64 groups in the running, “it was pretty intense,” said Lenherr, but his band members relied on their tight musicianship and aggressively upbeat sound to get noticed. “You don’t want to get cocky, but you have to have some confidence,” he added.

After winning the contest, the band hired producer Jon Drew, who has worked with Tokyo Police Club and Alexisonfire, to help record their Semi Truck album, as well as a professional publicist and promoter.

This seems to be paying off with an article about the band appearing in UMM (Urban Male Magazine), some 7,000 Twitter followers, and now the first Silvergun and Spleen single, Crack, picked up for regular rotation at the Live 88.5 FM station.

Despite his group’s distinctly urban sound, Lenherr believes some rural sensibilities are retained in the hard rock influences that lie beneath the synthesizers.

“I might live in Ottawa, but I’ll always have my rural roots.”

Tickets to the Rimbey Grand Hotel performance are $20 (which includes a copy of the soon-to-be-released CD) from the hotel or by visiting www.silvergunandspleen.com.

lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com - Red Deer Advocate

Growing up as a drummer and would-be rock musician in Rimbey could be a pretty lonely preoccupation, admitted John Lenherr.

“There were too many hockey players and not enough musicians,” said Lenherr, who eventually moved to Red Deer, then Ottawa to pursue his musical dreams.

His journey is now coming full-circle: Lenherr’s Ottawa-based band, Silvergun and Spleen, which won $20,000 radio station contest that paid for a new CD recording, is on a cross-Canada promotional tour that stops on Sept. 7 in the drummer’s hometown of Rimbey.

“It’s awesome to go home again,” said Lenherr, who’s looking forwards to the “reunion” of family and friends that’s sure to form when his “pelvic rock”/dance band performs at the Grand Hotel in Rimbey.

Silvergun and Spleen is throwing a CD release party for their Semi Truck album, which will be released on Sept. 11.

Lenherr’s group is made up of his beehive-sporting girlfriend, vocalist/guitarist Marie-Eve “Merv” Mallet, and her equally tall-haired sister Veronique “Vern” Mallet, who sings, plays the guitar and keyboards.

The Mallets are from New Brunswick, but met Lenherr after all three musicians were living in Red Deer.

The trio relocated to Ottawa about a decade ago, thinking they might study music at university, but ended up forming a band instead. Eventually they became a quartet with the addition of bassist Chris Page-Manson.

Forming Silvergun and Spleen in 2006 was inevitable, said Lenherr, since “being rock musicians was something we’d always dreamt about.”

The heavy-hitting band was getting regular gigs in the Ottawa area, and as far as Montreal and Toronto, before entering The Big Money Shot contest sponsored by radio station Live 88.5 FM.

As one of 64 groups in the running, “it was pretty intense,” said Lenherr, but his band members relied on their tight musicianship and aggressively upbeat sound to get noticed. “You don’t want to get cocky, but you have to have some confidence,” he added.

After winning the contest, the band hired producer Jon Drew, who has worked with Tokyo Police Club and Alexisonfire, to help record their Semi Truck album, as well as a professional publicist and promoter.

This seems to be paying off with an article about the band appearing in UMM (Urban Male Magazine), some 7,000 Twitter followers, and now the first Silvergun and Spleen single, Crack, picked up for regular rotation at the Live 88.5 FM station.

Despite his group’s distinctly urban sound, Lenherr believes some rural sensibilities are retained in the hard rock influences that lie beneath the synthesizers.

“I might live in Ottawa, but I’ll always have my rural roots.”

Tickets to the Rimbey Grand Hotel performance are $20 (which includes a copy of the soon-to-be-released CD) from the hotel or by visiting www.silvergunandspleen.com.

lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com - Red Deer Advocate

What’s more Canadian than hockey? Silvergun & Spleen have created a distinct image borrowing the hockey socks and pairing them with their shorts, tees and big hair.

A lot of bands today don’t seem to pay much attention to image, however Silvergun & Spleen considers it an essential part of their band, along with the distinct name. As Vern stated “When I go watch a band, I want to see something, feel something and be wowed.” While they may have tinkered with things a little since the beginning, their image has always contained the same basic elements ever since their first show.

However, Silvergun & Spleen is more than just a cool name and hockey socks. Their new album Semi Truck contains a solid collection of songs showcasing their evolving sound from their debut EP. The album was a #1 seller on Maple Music and made the Soundscan Top 200 for first day sales, both feats the band are very proud of. Aside from getting spins on LiVE 88.5, the band is also getting regular play in Victoria, and are working hard to get it heard on radio stations across the country.

Recorded with Jon Drew (Arkells, Tokyo Police Club, Fucked Up), the band couldn’t be happier with the end result. Through pre-prouction, with bits of songs left in the trash, Jon helped the band focus things. They would jump at the chance to work with him again.

When it came to getting different sounds in the studio, they basically let Jon take the lead. As John stated, “He just learned by doing it. He put his time in the studio.” One memorable moment for John was on the breakdown for Semi Truck. “He had a lot to do with the track. He fine tunes. He had some cool ideas. He grabbed this old 1930's bass drum and put it on the floor in the middle of the room. He gave me a couple beaters and said play this.”

Semi Truck wasn’t the original plan for this year. The band wanted to tour, until they hooked up with their publicist. She got them in the studio working on the album, insisting they would then have a reason to tour.

Our conversation drifted to last year’s Big Money Shot. When I asked about the disappointment about not winning it all, they just took it stride. They were grateful for the opportunity LiVE 88.5 had given them. Not only did they win a nice chunk of cash along the way, they gained access to a wealth of knowledge from industry experts. They learned how to start approaching labels and to attract their attention. According to Vern, “We got a lot of help from Live 88.5. I don’t think we would have been able to learn everything that fast. We got to work with Tom Jackson. Wrote Crack with Simon Wolcox. She helped me come out of my shell. I never would have written those lyrics before.” John was quick to add with a laugh, “They flat out tell you, don’t just come and stick a cd in my hand!”

So what does the future hold for Silvergun & Spleen? Well, they are finally working on planning that tour they wanted to do earlier this year. Vern mentioned, “We’ve quit our jobs and we’re busier than when we had jobs. The music is only about 10% of it. The rest of the stuff takes up a lot of time – radio spots, interviews, emails.”

A few days after our chat, they were filming their first video. They had recently connected with one of John’s childhood friend’s who just happens to be producing television commercials now. He offered to take on the project. Other than telling me it would be for the song Crack, they held back on any more details. So that will be another story, for another time… - Spotlight Ottawa

What’s more Canadian than hockey? Silvergun & Spleen have created a distinct image borrowing the hockey socks and pairing them with their shorts, tees and big hair.

A lot of bands today don’t seem to pay much attention to image, however Silvergun & Spleen considers it an essential part of their band, along with the distinct name. As Vern stated “When I go watch a band, I want to see something, feel something and be wowed.” While they may have tinkered with things a little since the beginning, their image has always contained the same basic elements ever since their first show.

However, Silvergun & Spleen is more than just a cool name and hockey socks. Their new album Semi Truck contains a solid collection of songs showcasing their evolving sound from their debut EP. The album was a #1 seller on Maple Music and made the Soundscan Top 200 for first day sales, both feats the band are very proud of. Aside from getting spins on LiVE 88.5, the band is also getting regular play in Victoria, and are working hard to get it heard on radio stations across the country.

Recorded with Jon Drew (Arkells, Tokyo Police Club, Fucked Up), the band couldn’t be happier with the end result. Through pre-prouction, with bits of songs left in the trash, Jon helped the band focus things. They would jump at the chance to work with him again.

When it came to getting different sounds in the studio, they basically let Jon take the lead. As John stated, “He just learned by doing it. He put his time in the studio.” One memorable moment for John was on the breakdown for Semi Truck. “He had a lot to do with the track. He fine tunes. He had some cool ideas. He grabbed this old 1930's bass drum and put it on the floor in the middle of the room. He gave me a couple beaters and said play this.”

Semi Truck wasn’t the original plan for this year. The band wanted to tour, until they hooked up with their publicist. She got them in the studio working on the album, insisting they would then have a reason to tour.

Our conversation drifted to last year’s Big Money Shot. When I asked about the disappointment about not winning it all, they just took it stride. They were grateful for the opportunity LiVE 88.5 had given them. Not only did they win a nice chunk of cash along the way, they gained access to a wealth of knowledge from industry experts. They learned how to start approaching labels and to attract their attention. According to Vern, “We got a lot of help from Live 88.5. I don’t think we would have been able to learn everything that fast. We got to work with Tom Jackson. Wrote Crack with Simon Wolcox. She helped me come out of my shell. I never would have written those lyrics before.” John was quick to add with a laugh, “They flat out tell you, don’t just come and stick a cd in my hand!”

So what does the future hold for Silvergun & Spleen? Well, they are finally working on planning that tour they wanted to do earlier this year. Vern mentioned, “We’ve quit our jobs and we’re busier than when we had jobs. The music is only about 10% of it. The rest of the stuff takes up a lot of time – radio spots, interviews, emails.”

A few days after our chat, they were filming their first video. They had recently connected with one of John’s childhood friend’s who just happens to be producing television commercials now. He offered to take on the project. Other than telling me it would be for the song Crack, they held back on any more details. So that will be another story, for another time… - Spotlight Ottawa

Have you ever heard such a cool band name? I have not. These guys get bonus points for a great fun name, and having a real bonafide “look”, which most bands lack. I’ve always liked bands with a look (Devo, KISS, Gruesomes, etc). I feel it helps the band and fans get into a certain frame of mind. Silvergun and Spleen are keeping good company, and have a look something akin to the B-52's escaping a high school gym class.

Of course, that would mean nothing if the songs weren’t this good. Their sound lies somewhere between pop and punk, and has a ”just about to explode” kinda vibe. In short, they are as good as it gets.


Download

From their very well-written bio:

Formed in 2006 by vocalist/guitarist Marie-Eve “Merv” Mallet, vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Veronique “Vern” Mallet and drummer John “El Conquistador” Lenherr when the trio abandoned all previous scholastic and professional ambitions for the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, Silvergun & Spleen’s (S&S) instinctive, provocative and undulating yet refined and wily rock ‘n’ roll is truly inspired by following dreams.

Their new album, Semi Truck, is out in September 2012 on Maple Music. Check out the band and their infectious pop-rock at http://silvergunandspleen.com. You will like it.



Silvergun and Spleen: website, twitter, facebook

Kevin (your host): website, twitter, facebook
- Ottawa Citizen - Capital Review

Have you ever heard such a cool band name? I have not. These guys get bonus points for a great fun name, and having a real bonafide “look”, which most bands lack. I’ve always liked bands with a look (Devo, KISS, Gruesomes, etc). I feel it helps the band and fans get into a certain frame of mind. Silvergun and Spleen are keeping good company, and have a look something akin to the B-52's escaping a high school gym class.

Of course, that would mean nothing if the songs weren’t this good. Their sound lies somewhere between pop and punk, and has a ”just about to explode” kinda vibe. In short, they are as good as it gets.


Download

From their very well-written bio:

Formed in 2006 by vocalist/guitarist Marie-Eve “Merv” Mallet, vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Veronique “Vern” Mallet and drummer John “El Conquistador” Lenherr when the trio abandoned all previous scholastic and professional ambitions for the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, Silvergun & Spleen’s (S&S) instinctive, provocative and undulating yet refined and wily rock ‘n’ roll is truly inspired by following dreams.

Their new album, Semi Truck, is out in September 2012 on Maple Music. Check out the band and their infectious pop-rock at http://silvergunandspleen.com. You will like it.



Silvergun and Spleen: website, twitter, facebook

Kevin (your host): website, twitter, facebook
- Ottawa Citizen - Capital Review

There is an 80's revival happening in music these days. No, this isn’t necessarily news unto self. After all, bands like Metric have been enjoying massive success with a sound as rooted in the modern day as it is in the past.

Ottawa-based band Silvergun & Spleen are set to release their full-length debut Semi Truck next Tuesday (September 11). Owing as much to the 80's as any of their contemporaries twice their age, the band’s blend of electro-pop is pretty damn infectious.

Silvergun & Spleen are comprised of siblings Marie-Eve Mallet and Veronique Mallet along with John Lenherr and bassist Chris Page-Manson.

Last week, S&S vocalist-guitarist Marie-Eve took the time to chat with The Musicnerd Chronicles last about the group’s new record and why the 80's weren’t so bad in hindsight.

How do you feel the band has grown since the release of your 2011 EP Through My Skeleton?

Mallet: I think some of the most noticeable differences that we see is around the fact that we were more willing to experiment and try new things. We didn’t have a whole lot of keyboards on the EP and have toned down some of the more aggressive aspects of the band. I feel we are a lot more concise and straight to the point with the songs on Semi Truck.

Your sound owes as much to the 80’s as it does more current bands like Metric who also boast a kind of new wave influence to their music. What kind of music did you listen to growing up?

Mallet: We’ve been collectively influenced by so many different artists. It was our father that turned Vern and I onto music. We got exposed to everything from The Tragically Hip and Pink Floyd to Francophone bands like Offenbach.

It’s my perception that music these days is less about sticking to one defined sound over the course of a record. Bands are blurring the lines between genres often within the confines of one album. I’m assuming that this is something that Silvergun & Spleen are comfortable doing as well?

Mallet: I feel that each of in the band are definitely comfortable with this, especially because we each bring distinct influences to the table. We aren’t the type of people that can just stick to one thing and be content with that. None of us are people that like to colour within the lines. But I think that is a big reason why the band sounds like the melting pot that it does.

I find it interesting that not too long ago, it seemed as though the 80’s were the laughing stock of history. But now, it seems like more people are reaching back to that decade and finding some of the best aspects of it and incorporating into music they are making in the present day.

Mallet: I’m guilty of that too though; I used to be totally against anything from the 80’s. I have no idea why the tide has changed but many people, including our band, are open to embracing aspects of that decade now. I feel that the more people experiment with their instruments and their songwriting and if you’re open minded about trying new things, you’re bound to move forward. - Music Nerd

There is an 80's revival happening in music these days. No, this isn’t necessarily news unto self. After all, bands like Metric have been enjoying massive success with a sound as rooted in the modern day as it is in the past.

Ottawa-based band Silvergun & Spleen are set to release their full-length debut Semi Truck next Tuesday (September 11). Owing as much to the 80's as any of their contemporaries twice their age, the band’s blend of electro-pop is pretty damn infectious.

Silvergun & Spleen are comprised of siblings Marie-Eve Mallet and Veronique Mallet along with John Lenherr and bassist Chris Page-Manson.

Last week, S&S vocalist-guitarist Marie-Eve took the time to chat with The Musicnerd Chronicles last about the group’s new record and why the 80's weren’t so bad in hindsight.

How do you feel the band has grown since the release of your 2011 EP Through My Skeleton?

Mallet: I think some of the most noticeable differences that we see is around the fact that we were more willing to experiment and try new things. We didn’t have a whole lot of keyboards on the EP and have toned down some of the more aggressive aspects of the band. I feel we are a lot more concise and straight to the point with the songs on Semi Truck.

Your sound owes as much to the 80’s as it does more current bands like Metric who also boast a kind of new wave influence to their music. What kind of music did you listen to growing up?

Mallet: We’ve been collectively influenced by so many different artists. It was our father that turned Vern and I onto music. We got exposed to everything from The Tragically Hip and Pink Floyd to Francophone bands like Offenbach.

It’s my perception that music these days is less about sticking to one defined sound over the course of a record. Bands are blurring the lines between genres often within the confines of one album. I’m assuming that this is something that Silvergun & Spleen are comfortable doing as well?

Mallet: I feel that each of in the band are definitely comfortable with this, especially because we each bring distinct influences to the table. We aren’t the type of people that can just stick to one thing and be content with that. None of us are people that like to colour within the lines. But I think that is a big reason why the band sounds like the melting pot that it does.

I find it interesting that not too long ago, it seemed as though the 80’s were the laughing stock of history. But now, it seems like more people are reaching back to that decade and finding some of the best aspects of it and incorporating into music they are making in the present day.

Mallet: I’m guilty of that too though; I used to be totally against anything from the 80’s. I have no idea why the tide has changed but many people, including our band, are open to embracing aspects of that decade now. I feel that the more people experiment with their instruments and their songwriting and if you’re open minded about trying new things, you’re bound to move forward. - Music Nerd

Another find by Larry. The album, Semi Truck, came out in September. Listen for the lyrical shout-out to MC Hammer.
- Alan Cross

Another find by Larry. The album, Semi Truck, came out in September. Listen for the lyrical shout-out to MC Hammer.
- Alan Cross

Interesting eyewear, tall hair and a strange name. Oh, and a new album entitled Semi Truck coming in September. "Crack" is the first single. Learn more here.
- Alan Cross

Interesting eyewear, tall hair and a strange name. Oh, and a new album entitled Semi Truck coming in September. "Crack" is the first single. Learn more here.
- Alan Cross

Ugh. Do we have to start thinking about Labour Day and the end of summer? Best wring out as much enjoyment as possible before reality settles in. Lose yourself in music, I say.

Here's a new Top 11 List, powered by the people at Mediazoic. Notice the number of Canadian tracks this week. Listen now using the player below or anytime (including all the archived playlist) using the link in the right-hand column. Details on the playlist after the jump

The Whigs : Waiting Artist Info - Buy
Silvergun & Spleen : Crack Artist Info - Buy
Pojul : DIY2K Artist Info - Buy
English Words : People I Know Artist Info - Buy
Jens Lekman : I Know What Love Isn't Artist Info - Buy
Caviare Days : You'll Qualify Artist Info - Buy
Mother Mother : Let's Fall in Love Artist Info - Buy
Slightly Stoopid : Top of the World Artist Info - Buy
Camera : E-Go Artist Info - Buy
Electroshock Therapy : Hey Little Girl Artist Info - Buy
Highlands : Railroad Artist Info - Buy
- Alan Cross

Ugh. Do we have to start thinking about Labour Day and the end of summer? Best wring out as much enjoyment as possible before reality settles in. Lose yourself in music, I say.

Here's a new Top 11 List, powered by the people at Mediazoic. Notice the number of Canadian tracks this week. Listen now using the player below or anytime (including all the archived playlist) using the link in the right-hand column. Details on the playlist after the jump

The Whigs : Waiting Artist Info - Buy
Silvergun & Spleen : Crack Artist Info - Buy
Pojul : DIY2K Artist Info - Buy
English Words : People I Know Artist Info - Buy
Jens Lekman : I Know What Love Isn't Artist Info - Buy
Caviare Days : You'll Qualify Artist Info - Buy
Mother Mother : Let's Fall in Love Artist Info - Buy
Slightly Stoopid : Top of the World Artist Info - Buy
Camera : E-Go Artist Info - Buy
Electroshock Therapy : Hey Little Girl Artist Info - Buy
Highlands : Railroad Artist Info - Buy
- Alan Cross

Sound 4.5/5

Merv, Vern, Johnny and Chris make up the raucous outfit known as Silvergun and Spleen, harbouring crunchy riffs, breakneck beats and an affection for glam attire. Made up as twins, both girls (also sisters) the two resembled a Bowie meets Gwen Stafani pastiche, thrashing Mick Ronson licks with a sexy punk vivaciousness that confronted you up front and centre.

Performance 4.5/5

Rock ‘n’ roll. Heals perched, mic stand bent forward, two hands clasped overtop, lead singer Merv brought it with her black-rimmed glasses and pulled back beehive-meets-Mohawk do. Ditto for Vern, shameless in her power chord stance, fashioning her Gibson SG like a galactic punk princess, converse shoes and legwarmers included. Both gentlemen were equally wild-eyed too, specifically the inspired drumming, complimenting the riffage with crashes and booms like a party animal.

Professionalism 4/5

Cherry Cola’s sensual red ambience only accentuated Silvergun and Spleen’s set, taking the excited crowd into their universe of boisterous space babes and a dynamite aural assault. For their last song, Merv riled the crowed for a call and response, yelling, “What’s up with that?!” allowing the audience to retort with, “Are you on crack?!” The party never ended.

Aesthetic 4.5/5

It was hard to take your eyes off both sisters. Their wardrobes were slick and fresh while their playing was fuzzed-out and explosive. The two males on the other hand played it relatively safe stylistically, although the drummer was decked out in suspenders and a bowtie.

Authenticity 4/5

Lets put it this way – Silvergun and Spleen were like cheerleaders who kicked the high school band off stage, winning over the audience with their style and attitude. They literally grabbed you by the throat. They sang. They strutted. They were theatric. It wasn’t hard to surrender and go along for the journey.

Overall: 21.5/ 25 - Toronto Music Scene

Sound 4.5/5

Merv, Vern, Johnny and Chris make up the raucous outfit known as Silvergun and Spleen, harbouring crunchy riffs, breakneck beats and an affection for glam attire. Made up as twins, both girls (also sisters) the two resembled a Bowie meets Gwen Stafani pastiche, thrashing Mick Ronson licks with a sexy punk vivaciousness that confronted you up front and centre.

Performance 4.5/5

Rock ‘n’ roll. Heals perched, mic stand bent forward, two hands clasped overtop, lead singer Merv brought it with her black-rimmed glasses and pulled back beehive-meets-Mohawk do. Ditto for Vern, shameless in her power chord stance, fashioning her Gibson SG like a galactic punk princess, converse shoes and legwarmers included. Both gentlemen were equally wild-eyed too, specifically the inspired drumming, complimenting the riffage with crashes and booms like a party animal.

Professionalism 4/5

Cherry Cola’s sensual red ambience only accentuated Silvergun and Spleen’s set, taking the excited crowd into their universe of boisterous space babes and a dynamite aural assault. For their last song, Merv riled the crowed for a call and response, yelling, “What’s up with that?!” allowing the audience to retort with, “Are you on crack?!” The party never ended.

Aesthetic 4.5/5

It was hard to take your eyes off both sisters. Their wardrobes were slick and fresh while their playing was fuzzed-out and explosive. The two males on the other hand played it relatively safe stylistically, although the drummer was decked out in suspenders and a bowtie.

Authenticity 4/5

Lets put it this way – Silvergun and Spleen were like cheerleaders who kicked the high school band off stage, winning over the audience with their style and attitude. They literally grabbed you by the throat. They sang. They strutted. They were theatric. It wasn’t hard to surrender and go along for the journey.

Overall: 21.5/ 25 - Toronto Music Scene

A couple of former Red Deer College students are now truly making their mark as professional musicians in Quebec.

Marie-Eve Mallet, Veronique Mallet and John Lennher formed Silvergun & Spleen back in the summer of 2005 in Ottawa. They’re eager to get the word out about their no-holds-barred style of rock which is steadily attracting a loyal fanbase.

They’re back home after a promotional sweep through Alberta, which saw them bolster their profile and garner more attention from local radio. Marie Eve says it was great to be back in western Canada and is thrilled with the progress the band is making in terms of getting the word out about what they’re up to.

Looking back at the band’s history, it all started with a passion to make music which was sparked at an early age. Marie Eve insisted on belting out the lyrics to a 1988 Mitsou hit (Bye Bye Mon Cowboy) at an honorary Mother’s day lip sync show in St. Simon New Brunswick. A knack for songwriting also surfaced early on. She penned her first tune at the age of 12.

As the years went on, she participated in many contests and talent shows but opted for another career path, enrolling at the Red Deer College to major in sciences in hopes of becoming a clinical psychologist. At the time, getting an education just seemed like the right thing to do – particularly with her mother being a teacher and all. And she was genuinely interested in the subject. But her love for music didn’t fade. Marie Eve kept writing songs and learning guitar anyways and couldn’t let go of the idea of playing music and performing. “Going home to books to study the human brain, while having a friend in the music program who went home to music and called it homework drove me crazy.”

When her family announced they were moving back east, she dropped out of the program and moved to Ottawa. She continued to participate in shows and talent contests such as Star Académie 2005 (Francophone version of Canadian Idol) where she was among the 50 finalists. It was a bittersweet experience, but Marie Eve says she learned a lot about the business and about tenacity – it takes plenty of hard work to succeed in music and the reality of that truly hit home.

Meanwhile, for Veronique, music was always a mainstay. Whether it was her dad’s collection of records or Marie-Eve’s, Veronique was eager to listen and learn all she could. And while some kids played house, Vernonique and her sister played band. Then she landed her first guitar. She began learning cover tunes of Nirvana and Radiohead and, like her sister soon began writing her own songs.

Last but certainly not least is John Lennher, who knew he’d found his calling at Rimbey Junior High School’s air band competition. Drums were what it was pretty much all about. But ultimately, he knew remaining in Central Alberta wouldn’t get him to where he wanted to be. He moved to Ottawa where he would have easy access to cultural hubs Montreal and Toronto.

The three joined creative forces in 2005 and pretty much went without a social life while they focused on practicing. There were tough moments when they didn’t see eye to eye, says Marie Eve, but they forged ahead and went on to create some memorable tunes they’re proud of today.
A demo was recorded in 2008, an EP is on the way soon and a summer tour is in the works. The band plans to include Western Canada on their national trek.

Single-minded devotion to what they love won the day, and the future is looking promising indeed. “We all knew if this band didn’t work out, there pretty much wasn’t anything else we wanted to do.”
For more information, check out www.silvergunandspleen.com.




Article:

http://www.reddeerexpress.com/article/20100324/EXP03/303249996
- Red Deer Express

A couple of former Red Deer College students are now truly making their mark as professional musicians in Quebec.

Marie-Eve Mallet, Veronique Mallet and John Lennher formed Silvergun & Spleen back in the summer of 2005 in Ottawa. They’re eager to get the word out about their no-holds-barred style of rock which is steadily attracting a loyal fanbase.

They’re back home after a promotional sweep through Alberta, which saw them bolster their profile and garner more attention from local radio. Marie Eve says it was great to be back in western Canada and is thrilled with the progress the band is making in terms of getting the word out about what they’re up to.

Looking back at the band’s history, it all started with a passion to make music which was sparked at an early age. Marie Eve insisted on belting out the lyrics to a 1988 Mitsou hit (Bye Bye Mon Cowboy) at an honorary Mother’s day lip sync show in St. Simon New Brunswick. A knack for songwriting also surfaced early on. She penned her first tune at the age of 12.

As the years went on, she participated in many contests and talent shows but opted for another career path, enrolling at the Red Deer College to major in sciences in hopes of becoming a clinical psychologist. At the time, getting an education just seemed like the right thing to do – particularly with her mother being a teacher and all. And she was genuinely interested in the subject. But her love for music didn’t fade. Marie Eve kept writing songs and learning guitar anyways and couldn’t let go of the idea of playing music and performing. “Going home to books to study the human brain, while having a friend in the music program who went home to music and called it homework drove me crazy.”

When her family announced they were moving back east, she dropped out of the program and moved to Ottawa. She continued to participate in shows and talent contests such as Star Académie 2005 (Francophone version of Canadian Idol) where she was among the 50 finalists. It was a bittersweet experience, but Marie Eve says she learned a lot about the business and about tenacity – it takes plenty of hard work to succeed in music and the reality of that truly hit home.

Meanwhile, for Veronique, music was always a mainstay. Whether it was her dad’s collection of records or Marie-Eve’s, Veronique was eager to listen and learn all she could. And while some kids played house, Vernonique and her sister played band. Then she landed her first guitar. She began learning cover tunes of Nirvana and Radiohead and, like her sister soon began writing her own songs.

Last but certainly not least is John Lennher, who knew he’d found his calling at Rimbey Junior High School’s air band competition. Drums were what it was pretty much all about. But ultimately, he knew remaining in Central Alberta wouldn’t get him to where he wanted to be. He moved to Ottawa where he would have easy access to cultural hubs Montreal and Toronto.

The three joined creative forces in 2005 and pretty much went without a social life while they focused on practicing. There were tough moments when they didn’t see eye to eye, says Marie Eve, but they forged ahead and went on to create some memorable tunes they’re proud of today.
A demo was recorded in 2008, an EP is on the way soon and a summer tour is in the works. The band plans to include Western Canada on their national trek.

Single-minded devotion to what they love won the day, and the future is looking promising indeed. “We all knew if this band didn’t work out, there pretty much wasn’t anything else we wanted to do.”
For more information, check out www.silvergunandspleen.com.




Article:

http://www.reddeerexpress.com/article/20100324/EXP03/303249996
- Red Deer Express

Mais qui sont-ils?
Permettez-moi de vous présenter des jeunes de
chez-nous, dynamiques, qui sauront révolutionner ce
que vous connaissez de la musique:

Marie-Ève Mallet: voix et guitare
Véronique Mallet: guitare et voix
John Lenherr: batterie
Alex Prud'Homme: guitare basse

Mais avant tout, un peu d’histoire…
Marie-Ève a été parmi les 50 fi nalistes de Star Académie en 2005. Elle a aussi été sélectionnée au
Canada et aux États-Unis pour Best Buy pour faire un spectacle à Atlanta en Géorgie, sous la direction de Jim Papoulis, qui a entre autre travaillé avec des artistes tels que Christina Aguilera, Faith Hill et Vanessa Williams. Après avoir dit à Star Académie : « La musique c’est ce que je veux faire et rien d’autre », Marie-Ève ne se découragea pas et forma le groupe « Silvergun & Spleen ». Soucieux de la qualité, de l’aspect musical, de l’écriture et de la performance sur scène, Marie-Ève, Véronique et John s’enfermèrent dans un sous-sol pendant quatre ans pour travailler et maîtriser tous ces aspects.

Silvergun & Spleen a enregistré une démo au Studio Metal Works de Toronto. N’ayant pas assez d’argent pour continuer le « mixage », le studio leur a offert du temps gratuitement. Le gérant du studio (Paul Gross) leur a dit : « La seule chose que je veux en retour, c’est la plaque de votre premier disque d’or, afin que je l’affi che dans notre studio ». L’équipe du studio est donc certaine que leur musique ira loin. Le groupe Silvergun & Spleen a gagné la première place de la première tranche du concours organisé par Supernova à Ottawa. Il a également été sélectionné par la station de radio LIVE 88.5 à l’édition du « Big Money Shot » du 17 avril 2009.

Du talent à l’état pur…
Début avril, j’ai eu la chance d’assister à l’un de leur concert donné à l’Université d’Ottawa,
concert donné pour souligner la fi n des études de ce trimestre. Que d’énergie! J’ai eu cette chance, de partager des moments intenses avec eux, offrir aux spectateurs tout ce qu’ils ont! Du talent brut!

J’avoue qu’au débutde la soirée, je me sentais un peu comme dans le fi lm
« Flashdance », un grand classique. Vous savez la séquence où la fi lle danse devant plusieurs juges. Eh bien, j’étais un peu comme ces juges. Au premier rang, à battre la mesure sur ma cuisse, à taper du pied…

À un moment, nous avons vu des choses peu ordinaires, des rebondissements à ne plussavoir ou regarder, c’était spectaculaire. Tout ce que je peux ajouter, c’est mémorisez ces noms, parce que
vous risquez d’en réentendre parler…

Silvergun & Spleen… un groupe que l’on gagne à découvrir...

www.silvergunandspleen.com

LINK: (PAGE 36)

http://www.echocantley.ca/Editions/EchoCantley_May2009.pdf

- Echo de Cantley - Stéphanie Tremblay

Mais qui sont-ils?
Permettez-moi de vous présenter des jeunes de
chez-nous, dynamiques, qui sauront révolutionner ce
que vous connaissez de la musique:

Marie-Ève Mallet: voix et guitare
Véronique Mallet: guitare et voix
John Lenherr: batterie
Alex Prud'Homme: guitare basse

Mais avant tout, un peu d’histoire…
Marie-Ève a été parmi les 50 fi nalistes de Star Académie en 2005. Elle a aussi été sélectionnée au
Canada et aux États-Unis pour Best Buy pour faire un spectacle à Atlanta en Géorgie, sous la direction de Jim Papoulis, qui a entre autre travaillé avec des artistes tels que Christina Aguilera, Faith Hill et Vanessa Williams. Après avoir dit à Star Académie : « La musique c’est ce que je veux faire et rien d’autre », Marie-Ève ne se découragea pas et forma le groupe « Silvergun & Spleen ». Soucieux de la qualité, de l’aspect musical, de l’écriture et de la performance sur scène, Marie-Ève, Véronique et John s’enfermèrent dans un sous-sol pendant quatre ans pour travailler et maîtriser tous ces aspects.

Silvergun & Spleen a enregistré une démo au Studio Metal Works de Toronto. N’ayant pas assez d’argent pour continuer le « mixage », le studio leur a offert du temps gratuitement. Le gérant du studio (Paul Gross) leur a dit : « La seule chose que je veux en retour, c’est la plaque de votre premier disque d’or, afin que je l’affi che dans notre studio ». L’équipe du studio est donc certaine que leur musique ira loin. Le groupe Silvergun & Spleen a gagné la première place de la première tranche du concours organisé par Supernova à Ottawa. Il a également été sélectionné par la station de radio LIVE 88.5 à l’édition du « Big Money Shot » du 17 avril 2009.

Du talent à l’état pur…
Début avril, j’ai eu la chance d’assister à l’un de leur concert donné à l’Université d’Ottawa,
concert donné pour souligner la fi n des études de ce trimestre. Que d’énergie! J’ai eu cette chance, de partager des moments intenses avec eux, offrir aux spectateurs tout ce qu’ils ont! Du talent brut!

J’avoue qu’au débutde la soirée, je me sentais un peu comme dans le fi lm
« Flashdance », un grand classique. Vous savez la séquence où la fi lle danse devant plusieurs juges. Eh bien, j’étais un peu comme ces juges. Au premier rang, à battre la mesure sur ma cuisse, à taper du pied…

À un moment, nous avons vu des choses peu ordinaires, des rebondissements à ne plussavoir ou regarder, c’était spectaculaire. Tout ce que je peux ajouter, c’est mémorisez ces noms, parce que
vous risquez d’en réentendre parler…

Silvergun & Spleen… un groupe que l’on gagne à découvrir...

www.silvergunandspleen.com

LINK: (PAGE 36)

http://www.echocantley.ca/Editions/EchoCantley_May2009.pdf

- Echo de Cantley - Stéphanie Tremblay

Qui sont-ils?
Marie-Ève Mallet : Voix, guitare Véronique Mallet : guitare, voix John Lenherr : batterie Alex Prud’homme : guitare basse

Rappelons-le, ces jeunes talentueux n’ont d’égal qu’eux-mêmes. Quelle surprise quand j’ai demandé à Marie-Ève à quel groupe leur musique ressemblait. Je voulais dire par là que je ne connaissais pas de groupe de punk-rock-alternatif ayant une chanteuse et non un chanteur. Elle me regarda avec ses grands yeux et me répondit tout simplement « Eh bien à Silvergun & Spleen! C’est unique et c’est très bien comme ça! »

Un peu de recul...
Oh oui, ils en ont fait du chemin de- puis un an! Les jeunes de Silvergun & Spleen ont travaillé fort depuis notre entrevue en avril 2009 (voir article paru dans l’Écho de Cantley, édition de mai 2009, p.36).

En voici un aperçu :
Un bon matin, je reçois l’appel de Bertrand, l’agent de Silvergun et père de Marie-Ève et Véronique. Tout excité, il me dit : « Hé ! Stéphanie, je veux te donner des nouvelles du groupe! » Enthousiastes, on a jasé pendant plus de 35 minutes! Voulant tout savoir, je les ai contactés et nous avons convenu d’une date de rencontre.

Quelques minutes après, le télé- phone sonne et c’est Véronique. Elle m’annonce qu’une de leurs nouvelles chansons jouera dans quelques minutes sur les ondes de LIVE 88.5 FM. Pour me donner un avant-gout de notre rencontre, je me dépêche de syntoniser ce poste. Malheur! Je ne trouve pas la télécommande du cinéma-maison pour changer les postes. Maudite tech- nologie! Vite une autre radio! Ah non, elle « griche »! Passons au plan B : l’auto. Eh bien! Figurez-vous que je me suis trouvée des courses à 20h30, en direction de Gatineau! Oh oui, depuis un an, il s’en est passé des choses!

La venue du nouveau...
Depuis presque un an, un nouveau bassiste, Alex Prud’homme, s’est joint au groupe. Travailler ensemble autant d’heures par semaine, ça prend une belle complicité, me confia Marie-Ève. Écrire une chanson, c’est comme ouvrir son journal intime aux autres. En plus, il faut plus que simplement savoir jouer de la « basse ». Il faut une bonne connaissance de la musique et une bonne présence sur scène. Parlant de présence sur scène, très bientôt sur YouTube, il sera possible de voir un extrait de leur premier « show », ainsi que deux chansons acoustiques.

Vans Warped Tour...
Ils ont participé à la « Vans Warped Tour » à Calgary, la plus grosse tournée de musique Punk-Rock-Alternatif en Amérique du Nord (50 villes, dont 4 au Canada). Lors de cette tournée, ils ont eu la chance d’être approchés par la deuxième plus grosse compagnie de disques au monde, EMI. Une séance d’autographes a suivi durant toute la journée. Ils ont également fait la première partie de Die Mannequin. Rappelons-le, pour avoir eu la chance d’assister à plusieurs spectacles, ce qui est important pour le public, c’est que les artistes soient accessibles et croyez-moi, Silvergun & Spleen est accessible!

Faits actuels...
Bon, maintenant « ça déboule » comme on dit. Ils ont enregistré un EP (Extended Play), c’est-à-dire un album d’environ sept à huit chansons. Dû au phénomène du téléchargement et du piratage, vous remarquerez que les albums ne contiennent plus 20-21 chan- sons comme avant, mais bien autour de 10-12 en moyenne et les coûts de studio sont très dispendieux.
Il serait impossible de passer sous silence l’implication de Jordon Zadorozny, célèbre producteur, qui a produit entre autres, Sam Roberts, Queens of the stone age, Hole, Melissa Auf der Maur, Chris Cornell. Il a per- mis à Silvergun d’utiliser tout l’équipe- ment imaginable et a même brièvement participé à l’une de leur chanson.

Tournée promotionnelle...
Une fois l’égo gonflé à bloc et le courage au plus fort, nos deux artistes ont pris l’avion et sont parties faire une tournée promotionnelle de leur musique. Elles sont allées visiter des stations de radio. Quoi de moins conventionnel? Armées de talent, courage, bière et pizza, elles ont rencontré des stations de l’Alberta, Nouveau-Brunswick, Gaspésie, Ontario et ça continue! Tous ceux qu’elles ont rencontrés ont eu la même réaction : WOW, j’aime! On peut entendre leur musique sur les stations FM suivantes :
- 92.9 Calgary’s Rock Alternative - 98.9 Alberta’s Home of Rock & Roll - 106.7 The drive (Classic Rock) - 97.1 La radio Péninsule - 88.5 LIVE Ottawa New Alternative - 107.1 New Carlisle - 99.1 Carleton - 98.3 Chandler - 93.5 Université de Moncton - 94.9 et 106.1 Baie des Chaleurs

Projets futurs...
Le groupe travaille maintenant à la sélection et la confection de leurs costumes, en vue des prises de photo, la pochette de l’album, un vidéoclip, une tournée ainsi que le lancement de l’album cet été : Through my skeleton. Ce qui aiderait à faire connaître leur musique serait les demandes spéciales dans les stations de radio de votre région (Ottawa-Gatineau LIVE 88.5 et Tag Radio 96.5). De plus, ne les manquez pas sur You Tube en attendant le lance- ment officiel ainsi que les primeurs s - Echo de Cantley - Stéphanie Tremblay

Qui sont-ils?
Marie-Ève Mallet : Voix, guitare Véronique Mallet : guitare, voix John Lenherr : batterie Alex Prud’homme : guitare basse

Rappelons-le, ces jeunes talentueux n’ont d’égal qu’eux-mêmes. Quelle surprise quand j’ai demandé à Marie-Ève à quel groupe leur musique ressemblait. Je voulais dire par là que je ne connaissais pas de groupe de punk-rock-alternatif ayant une chanteuse et non un chanteur. Elle me regarda avec ses grands yeux et me répondit tout simplement « Eh bien à Silvergun & Spleen! C’est unique et c’est très bien comme ça! »

Un peu de recul...
Oh oui, ils en ont fait du chemin de- puis un an! Les jeunes de Silvergun & Spleen ont travaillé fort depuis notre entrevue en avril 2009 (voir article paru dans l’Écho de Cantley, édition de mai 2009, p.36).

En voici un aperçu :
Un bon matin, je reçois l’appel de Bertrand, l’agent de Silvergun et père de Marie-Ève et Véronique. Tout excité, il me dit : « Hé ! Stéphanie, je veux te donner des nouvelles du groupe! » Enthousiastes, on a jasé pendant plus de 35 minutes! Voulant tout savoir, je les ai contactés et nous avons convenu d’une date de rencontre.

Quelques minutes après, le télé- phone sonne et c’est Véronique. Elle m’annonce qu’une de leurs nouvelles chansons jouera dans quelques minutes sur les ondes de LIVE 88.5 FM. Pour me donner un avant-gout de notre rencontre, je me dépêche de syntoniser ce poste. Malheur! Je ne trouve pas la télécommande du cinéma-maison pour changer les postes. Maudite tech- nologie! Vite une autre radio! Ah non, elle « griche »! Passons au plan B : l’auto. Eh bien! Figurez-vous que je me suis trouvée des courses à 20h30, en direction de Gatineau! Oh oui, depuis un an, il s’en est passé des choses!

La venue du nouveau...
Depuis presque un an, un nouveau bassiste, Alex Prud’homme, s’est joint au groupe. Travailler ensemble autant d’heures par semaine, ça prend une belle complicité, me confia Marie-Ève. Écrire une chanson, c’est comme ouvrir son journal intime aux autres. En plus, il faut plus que simplement savoir jouer de la « basse ». Il faut une bonne connaissance de la musique et une bonne présence sur scène. Parlant de présence sur scène, très bientôt sur YouTube, il sera possible de voir un extrait de leur premier « show », ainsi que deux chansons acoustiques.

Vans Warped Tour...
Ils ont participé à la « Vans Warped Tour » à Calgary, la plus grosse tournée de musique Punk-Rock-Alternatif en Amérique du Nord (50 villes, dont 4 au Canada). Lors de cette tournée, ils ont eu la chance d’être approchés par la deuxième plus grosse compagnie de disques au monde, EMI. Une séance d’autographes a suivi durant toute la journée. Ils ont également fait la première partie de Die Mannequin. Rappelons-le, pour avoir eu la chance d’assister à plusieurs spectacles, ce qui est important pour le public, c’est que les artistes soient accessibles et croyez-moi, Silvergun & Spleen est accessible!

Faits actuels...
Bon, maintenant « ça déboule » comme on dit. Ils ont enregistré un EP (Extended Play), c’est-à-dire un album d’environ sept à huit chansons. Dû au phénomène du téléchargement et du piratage, vous remarquerez que les albums ne contiennent plus 20-21 chan- sons comme avant, mais bien autour de 10-12 en moyenne et les coûts de studio sont très dispendieux.
Il serait impossible de passer sous silence l’implication de Jordon Zadorozny, célèbre producteur, qui a produit entre autres, Sam Roberts, Queens of the stone age, Hole, Melissa Auf der Maur, Chris Cornell. Il a per- mis à Silvergun d’utiliser tout l’équipe- ment imaginable et a même brièvement participé à l’une de leur chanson.

Tournée promotionnelle...
Une fois l’égo gonflé à bloc et le courage au plus fort, nos deux artistes ont pris l’avion et sont parties faire une tournée promotionnelle de leur musique. Elles sont allées visiter des stations de radio. Quoi de moins conventionnel? Armées de talent, courage, bière et pizza, elles ont rencontré des stations de l’Alberta, Nouveau-Brunswick, Gaspésie, Ontario et ça continue! Tous ceux qu’elles ont rencontrés ont eu la même réaction : WOW, j’aime! On peut entendre leur musique sur les stations FM suivantes :
- 92.9 Calgary’s Rock Alternative - 98.9 Alberta’s Home of Rock & Roll - 106.7 The drive (Classic Rock) - 97.1 La radio Péninsule - 88.5 LIVE Ottawa New Alternative - 107.1 New Carlisle - 99.1 Carleton - 98.3 Chandler - 93.5 Université de Moncton - 94.9 et 106.1 Baie des Chaleurs

Projets futurs...
Le groupe travaille maintenant à la sélection et la confection de leurs costumes, en vue des prises de photo, la pochette de l’album, un vidéoclip, une tournée ainsi que le lancement de l’album cet été : Through my skeleton. Ce qui aiderait à faire connaître leur musique serait les demandes spéciales dans les stations de radio de votre région (Ottawa-Gatineau LIVE 88.5 et Tag Radio 96.5). De plus, ne les manquez pas sur You Tube en attendant le lance- ment officiel ainsi que les primeurs s - Echo de Cantley - Stéphanie Tremblay

Il y a maintenant trois ans que j’ai découvert ce talentueux groupe plein d’énergie et de foi. Je crois aussi en ces jeunes et en leur potentiel.

« Je savais depuis longtemps que c’est ce que je voulais faire, maintenant, je n’imagine pas faire autre chose », m’a confié Marie-Ève Mallet.

Entre-temps...
Depuis notre dernière rencontre l’an passé, il y a eu plusieurs changements. Ils ont participé, ainsi que plusieurs autres artistes invités, au spectacle « concert of hope » à Slave Lake en Alberta, pour aider ce village grandement touché par des incendies de forêt, l’été dernier.

Un album est lancé, Through my skeleton. Beaucoup de matériel promotionnel est offert dans leur boutique en ligne. Leur site Internet a également été amélioré considérablement. Pour l’ins- tant, deux de leurs chansons passent sur les ondes de plusieurs chaînes radiophoniques, dont LIVE 88.5 FM à Ottawa, mais plusieurs dans l’Ouest canadien.

« C’est une émotion extraordinaire quand tu entres dans ton auto et qu’en mettant le contact, c’est ta voix que tu entends, tu as juste le goût de baisser la vitre et de crier à tout le monde: hé! C’est ma toune! ».

Leurs chansons sont maintenant diffusées via ITunes. Nous pouvons les suivre au moyen de Facebook, Twitter et de leur blog. Il y a lieu de souligner que le blog est mis à jour régulièrement; que plusieurs vidéos faits lors de leur tournée dans l’Ouest canadien y sont présentés ainsi que plusieurs faits co- casses. Ils se font un plaisir d’échanger avec leurs fans, autant individuellement qu’en groupe.
Nos joyeux lurons participent présentement à un événement, disons un concours, auquel plus de 350 personnes ou groupes se sont inscrits. Ce concours est organisé et orchestré entièrement par la station de radio LIVE FM, soit 88.5 FM et s’appelle « THE BIG MONEY SHOT ». Un tel concours aide considérablement à percer dans le domaine de la musique, pour ainsi constituer la relève musicale. « Disons qu’il y a plus de médecins de famille au Québec que de rock stars », nous a confié Bertrand Mallet, agent de nos jeunes artistes.

« THE BIG MONEY SHOT » le Star Académie de la radio...
Comment ça fonctionne?
Plus de 350 participants se sont inscrits à ce concours, de ce nombre, seulement 75 ont été retenus. Les 75 candidats choisis ont dû fournir plu- sieurs éléments, dont l’historique du groupe, cinq chansons et un spectacle devant public. Il est à noter que les organisateurs du concours ont scrupu- leusement examiné tous ces éléments à la loupe.

On a retenu 30 des 75 participants. Maintenant que le nombre de candidats a considérablement diminué, ces derniers ont dû fournir un plan d’action, un peu comme un plan d’affaire pour une entre- prise, décrire leurs réalisations au cours de la dernière année, mais aussi décrire leur projet d’avenir. À la suite de cette étape, le groupe Silvergun & Spleen a remporté une bourse de 5 000 $.
Il ne restait que 15 candidats sur 30. Les exigences étaient de plus en plus grandes. Les 15 candidats sélec- tionnés ont dû composer une chanson avec un artiste que les organisateurs avaient préalablement choisi, c'est-à- dire quelqu’un avec qui ils n’avaient jamais travaillé! Le producteur était Liam Titcomb, le co-producteur et ingénieur de son était Saam Hashemi, lequel a travaillé à la BBC. La diffi- culté n’étant pas assez grande, ils ont dû premièrement composer la chanson en une journée, mais aussi enregistrer cette chanson en une journée. Il est à noter que, habituellement, l’enregis- trement d’une chanson peut prendre une semaine, car tous les instruments sont enregistrés individuellement. Par exemple, il faut environ quatre heures pour installer la batterie et procéder aux tests de son. Un micro inadéqua- tement placé devant une des caisses peut fausser le résultat de la chanson, même un petit centimètre peut faire toute une différence... À cette étape, Facebook est un élément clé. Le public virtuel est appelé à voter et le nombre de J’aime est pris en compte. Précisons qu’ils ont eu le plus grand nombre de J’aime et qu’après cette étape, une autre bourse de 5 000 $ a été attribuée au groupe.

Toujours parmi ces 15 candidats, ils ont pu obtenir notamment une séance photo à Toronto, la collaboration d’un publiciste pour promouvoir leur site Internet et un entraîneur vocal. Le ré- sultat en faveur de la chanson qu’ils ont enregistrée lors de l’étape précédente leur a valu la première place et un spectacle devant public, spectacle auquel j’ai pu assister d’ailleurs. Compte tenu de la réaction de la foule à l’endroit de ce groupe, la 1re place lui a été accordée également. C’était tout simplement euphorique! À la suite de cette étape, le groupe a obtenu une autre bourse de 10 000 $.
Il ne reste plus que six participants sur 15. En collaboration avec le produc- teur de scène, Tom Jackson, la tournée a débuté le 23 octobre à Kitchener, s’est poursuivie le 24 à Hamilton, le 25 à Kingston, le 26 à Peterborough, le 27 à Toronto. La grande - Echo de Cantley - Stéphanie Temblay

Il y a maintenant trois ans que j’ai découvert ce talentueux groupe plein d’énergie et de foi. Je crois aussi en ces jeunes et en leur potentiel.

« Je savais depuis longtemps que c’est ce que je voulais faire, maintenant, je n’imagine pas faire autre chose », m’a confié Marie-Ève Mallet.

Entre-temps...
Depuis notre dernière rencontre l’an passé, il y a eu plusieurs changements. Ils ont participé, ainsi que plusieurs autres artistes invités, au spectacle « concert of hope » à Slave Lake en Alberta, pour aider ce village grandement touché par des incendies de forêt, l’été dernier.

Un album est lancé, Through my skeleton. Beaucoup de matériel promotionnel est offert dans leur boutique en ligne. Leur site Internet a également été amélioré considérablement. Pour l’ins- tant, deux de leurs chansons passent sur les ondes de plusieurs chaînes radiophoniques, dont LIVE 88.5 FM à Ottawa, mais plusieurs dans l’Ouest canadien.

« C’est une émotion extraordinaire quand tu entres dans ton auto et qu’en mettant le contact, c’est ta voix que tu entends, tu as juste le goût de baisser la vitre et de crier à tout le monde: hé! C’est ma toune! ».

Leurs chansons sont maintenant diffusées via ITunes. Nous pouvons les suivre au moyen de Facebook, Twitter et de leur blog. Il y a lieu de souligner que le blog est mis à jour régulièrement; que plusieurs vidéos faits lors de leur tournée dans l’Ouest canadien y sont présentés ainsi que plusieurs faits co- casses. Ils se font un plaisir d’échanger avec leurs fans, autant individuellement qu’en groupe.
Nos joyeux lurons participent présentement à un événement, disons un concours, auquel plus de 350 personnes ou groupes se sont inscrits. Ce concours est organisé et orchestré entièrement par la station de radio LIVE FM, soit 88.5 FM et s’appelle « THE BIG MONEY SHOT ». Un tel concours aide considérablement à percer dans le domaine de la musique, pour ainsi constituer la relève musicale. « Disons qu’il y a plus de médecins de famille au Québec que de rock stars », nous a confié Bertrand Mallet, agent de nos jeunes artistes.

« THE BIG MONEY SHOT » le Star Académie de la radio...
Comment ça fonctionne?
Plus de 350 participants se sont inscrits à ce concours, de ce nombre, seulement 75 ont été retenus. Les 75 candidats choisis ont dû fournir plu- sieurs éléments, dont l’historique du groupe, cinq chansons et un spectacle devant public. Il est à noter que les organisateurs du concours ont scrupu- leusement examiné tous ces éléments à la loupe.

On a retenu 30 des 75 participants. Maintenant que le nombre de candidats a considérablement diminué, ces derniers ont dû fournir un plan d’action, un peu comme un plan d’affaire pour une entre- prise, décrire leurs réalisations au cours de la dernière année, mais aussi décrire leur projet d’avenir. À la suite de cette étape, le groupe Silvergun & Spleen a remporté une bourse de 5 000 $.
Il ne restait que 15 candidats sur 30. Les exigences étaient de plus en plus grandes. Les 15 candidats sélec- tionnés ont dû composer une chanson avec un artiste que les organisateurs avaient préalablement choisi, c'est-à- dire quelqu’un avec qui ils n’avaient jamais travaillé! Le producteur était Liam Titcomb, le co-producteur et ingénieur de son était Saam Hashemi, lequel a travaillé à la BBC. La diffi- culté n’étant pas assez grande, ils ont dû premièrement composer la chanson en une journée, mais aussi enregistrer cette chanson en une journée. Il est à noter que, habituellement, l’enregis- trement d’une chanson peut prendre une semaine, car tous les instruments sont enregistrés individuellement. Par exemple, il faut environ quatre heures pour installer la batterie et procéder aux tests de son. Un micro inadéqua- tement placé devant une des caisses peut fausser le résultat de la chanson, même un petit centimètre peut faire toute une différence... À cette étape, Facebook est un élément clé. Le public virtuel est appelé à voter et le nombre de J’aime est pris en compte. Précisons qu’ils ont eu le plus grand nombre de J’aime et qu’après cette étape, une autre bourse de 5 000 $ a été attribuée au groupe.

Toujours parmi ces 15 candidats, ils ont pu obtenir notamment une séance photo à Toronto, la collaboration d’un publiciste pour promouvoir leur site Internet et un entraîneur vocal. Le ré- sultat en faveur de la chanson qu’ils ont enregistrée lors de l’étape précédente leur a valu la première place et un spectacle devant public, spectacle auquel j’ai pu assister d’ailleurs. Compte tenu de la réaction de la foule à l’endroit de ce groupe, la 1re place lui a été accordée également. C’était tout simplement euphorique! À la suite de cette étape, le groupe a obtenu une autre bourse de 10 000 $.
Il ne reste plus que six participants sur 15. En collaboration avec le produc- teur de scène, Tom Jackson, la tournée a débuté le 23 octobre à Kitchener, s’est poursuivie le 24 à Hamilton, le 25 à Kingston, le 26 à Peterborough, le 27 à Toronto. La grande - Echo de Cantley - Stéphanie Temblay

Silvergun & Spleen

Where: St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts, 302 St. Patrick St..
When: Friday at 9 p.m. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $10 at the door
I haven’t seen so many pairs of glasses since an Elton John convention for nearsighted fans.

One glance at Silvergun & Spleen and you know Marie Eve and Veronique Mallet, two sisters from Cantley, love being in music 24/7 because they wear it on their sleeve and around their eyes.

Wearing red and turquoise glasses and matching beehive hairdos is the game face for two hard-rocking sisters.

“I didn’t want to stand out as the only one wearing glasses,” explains the band’s vocalist Marie Eve, 27, the older sister and the one who writes most of the music. “I’m almost blind without them. Veronique has an astigmatism. It’s important to be different, and not be a been-there, done-that kind of band.”

The glasses and the flashy promotional materials are opening doors for them now, but the real test comes on Nov. 18 when radio station Live 88.5 FM announces their $50,000 Big Money Shot winner. The band entered the competition armed with their first EP, Through My Skeleton, a neat package of seven songs that Marie-Eve, also known as Merv, describes as “aggressive but cute pop music.”

“It’s feel-good music for a bush party. Just back up the truck and party in the woods,” she says laughing.

Thanks to a big investment in the band’s look, which include videos of the band’s recently completed western tour streaming on their website silvergunandspleen.com, sales of Through My Skeleton have been bigger than anticipated.

Bilingual New Brunswickers, the Maillet sisters moved to Alberta when their father moved the family there for work in 1989. By the time these dance and punk loving girls were ready to leave the roost, they’d developed a taste for Led Zeppelin and the Tragically Hip.

She hopes that their big pop sound will win the Big Money Shot finals on Friday night.

“It’s the most important day of our lives. With a little sparkle, strength and a lot of emotion, we can do anything.”

Silvergun & Spleen will be the first of six bands competing live Friday for the Big Money Shot at Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts. Also playing is Hearts & Mines, The Love Machine, Down In Ashes, Liam Llyod and Fire & Neon. The winner announced at 1:00 a.m. - The Ottawa Sun - Denis Armstrong

Silvergun & Spleen

Where: St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts, 302 St. Patrick St..
When: Friday at 9 p.m. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $10 at the door
I haven’t seen so many pairs of glasses since an Elton John convention for nearsighted fans.

One glance at Silvergun & Spleen and you know Marie Eve and Veronique Mallet, two sisters from Cantley, love being in music 24/7 because they wear it on their sleeve and around their eyes.

Wearing red and turquoise glasses and matching beehive hairdos is the game face for two hard-rocking sisters.

“I didn’t want to stand out as the only one wearing glasses,” explains the band’s vocalist Marie Eve, 27, the older sister and the one who writes most of the music. “I’m almost blind without them. Veronique has an astigmatism. It’s important to be different, and not be a been-there, done-that kind of band.”

The glasses and the flashy promotional materials are opening doors for them now, but the real test comes on Nov. 18 when radio station Live 88.5 FM announces their $50,000 Big Money Shot winner. The band entered the competition armed with their first EP, Through My Skeleton, a neat package of seven songs that Marie-Eve, also known as Merv, describes as “aggressive but cute pop music.”

“It’s feel-good music for a bush party. Just back up the truck and party in the woods,” she says laughing.

Thanks to a big investment in the band’s look, which include videos of the band’s recently completed western tour streaming on their website silvergunandspleen.com, sales of Through My Skeleton have been bigger than anticipated.

Bilingual New Brunswickers, the Maillet sisters moved to Alberta when their father moved the family there for work in 1989. By the time these dance and punk loving girls were ready to leave the roost, they’d developed a taste for Led Zeppelin and the Tragically Hip.

She hopes that their big pop sound will win the Big Money Shot finals on Friday night.

“It’s the most important day of our lives. With a little sparkle, strength and a lot of emotion, we can do anything.”

Silvergun & Spleen will be the first of six bands competing live Friday for the Big Money Shot at Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts. Also playing is Hearts & Mines, The Love Machine, Down In Ashes, Liam Llyod and Fire & Neon. The winner announced at 1:00 a.m. - The Ottawa Sun - Denis Armstrong

How do you kick off a 50 date cross-Canada tour? If you are Silvergun and Spleen, you invite three good local bands to open and then hit the stage with a ton of energy and play your self-coined “pelvic rock.”

Silvergun and Spleen started with a bang, flying out of the gates with ”A Little More,” ”An Eye for an Eye” and capping the opening three with the highly dancy “Kiss & Tell.”

The band, which is fronted by two sisters, Marie-Eve Mallet aka Merv on vocals and keys, and Veronique Mallet aka Vern on guitar and vocals, and is reenforced by John Lenherr on drums and Chris Page-Manson on bass, had a treat in store for the crowd.

“We are going to do something we have never done live before” said Merv. “We are going to do a cover. Here is a song by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.” They played “Gold Lion” which was a great choice. Covering the Yeah Yeah Yeahs made sense, because I would describe Silvergun and Spleen as a mix of Sleater Kinney’s female led rock with the danciness of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

They also gave a shout out to the opening bands, all from Ottawa as mentioned, thanking them because “there would be no show without them.” A very classy move. Back to the music, the crowd joined in and helped Merv sing “Too late,” and danced the night away with the closing track “Crack.” Their penetrating rhythm and dominant stage presence truly inspires all out dance parties. The crowd was loving every minute of it, chanting for an encore.

Silvergun and Spleen photobooth coming to a show near you!
Anyone checking them out on their cross-Canada tour, and you all should, should take the time to go pose in the Silvergun and Spleen photobooth for your own autographed polaroid. The miniscule $3 will go a long way to helping the band. Good luck on tour, gang. I am sure you will make the 613 very proud. - Ottawa Showbox

Last night Ottawa’s Silvergun & Spleen won a Toronto Independent Music Award for Best Indie/Rock Band.

The band was so caught of guard by the nomination. “I was very surprised when I found out we were nominated. My exact thought was ‘WHAT?!'” said guitarist Vern Mallet. “There are so many great indie bands out there and just to be recognized alongside great groups is a real honour.”

Competitions are not new to the band, as they were previously finalists at the 2011 Live 88.5 Big Money Shot, but they remain quite humble. “In my opinion, all the bands won, just being nominated is a great accomplishment. To get the award in the best indie and best rock category is such a great feeling. We really feel like our hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed,” said an ecstatic Mallet. “I think this will give us more exposure, which means a great deal to us. Our goal as a band is to reach out to as many people as possible and hopefully rock their socks off!” If you have never seen them live, let me tell you, you better tie down your socks.

These are exciting times for the band. “Merv (Mallet) and John (Lenherr) are currently working their butts off on the oilfield in Alberta so that we can fund a Canadian and European tour, new album, and video!” said Vern. “I came back to town due to a broken finger after it got crushed by a 100 lb check valve on the pipeline.” She says finger has healed nicely, which is good news for the guitarist.

So when should we expect all these cool things? “We don’t have exact dates as these are all very costly projects, but what we can promise is that our blood, sweat, and tears will be on this new album. Our soul belongs to rock & roll.”

Keep your ears open and dials tuned to The Verge on SiriusXM as they will be featuring an interview with S&S and some airplay of their song “An Eye For An Eye.” You can also check out a video interview with the band on V-Mix Omni TV in the near future.

In its tenth year, the Toronto Independent Music Awards is an annual competition supporting independent music in Ontario. The not-for-profit organization acknowledges and celebrates songs by independent Canadian musicians across Ontario without regard to recording quality, industry affiliation, or sales history. - Ottawa Showbox

I recently sat down with Merv and Vern to discuss their upcoming Canadian tour. Don’t miss the tour kick off September 5th at Ritual!

The last time I sat down to chat with Silvergun & Spleen, they had recently released their latest disc Semi Truck. Fast forward almost a year, and the band is ready to set out on a hectic 50 date cross Canada tour! It’s definitely exciting times for the band.

They wish they could have done a full tour after the release of Semi Truck, but it just wasn’t possible, mainly due to lack of funding. Instead they had to make due with a handful of dates.

Almost a year later, things have finally fallen into place. Silvergun & Spleen will be heading all the way to BC, then reversing course and driving all the way to Nova Scotia, before finally returning home. 50 dates over 2 1/2 months. There won’t be too many days off, and they have been reserved for some of the longer drives.

The last few months have been spent planning the tour. According to Vern, “We’ve been doing a lot of things that aren’t even music related for the last few months. We’ve been doing 13-16 hour days 7 days a week booking this tour.” Merv added, “We basically did it ourselves. The venues were easy to find. It was the bands that were hard to find. We had to do a lot of research. Contact them and wait for them to get back to you. At least now we know all these Canadian bands.”

Between scheduling and travelling “we just barely made it work,” stated Merv. “The guys had to be back at work on Monday, November 18th. The 16th, we play Halifax and then we have the 17th to drive home and the guys have no time to rest!”

The band released a video for Crack earlier this year, for which they’ve gotten a good response. “Maybe not so well in the furry community,” joked Merv.

They’ve also spent a lot of time working on getting their music heard across the country. Part of those efforts involved a small radio tour. “The radio tour was an expensive venture but necessary. Generally with new bands radio stations are pretty hesitant to play you if you are not touring and playing in the area. It helps build relationships and helps you stand out from the crowd trying to be heard,” shared Merv.

With all the pieces in place, and hopefully their suitcases packed, Silvergun & Spleen are finally ready to hit the road and enjoy some of the benefits of their hard work. As we chatted, you could tell they were just itching to get the tour started. “We’re so excited to get to play with all these cool bands,” said Vern.

The tour kicks off tonight (September 5th) with a show at Ritual. Joining them will be The Lionyls, The Superlative and The Ginger Fox Band. Tickets are only $10.

Head on out for a great night of local music. It will be at least a few months before you’ll get to catch Silvergun & Spleen on an Ottawa stage again! - Spotlight Ottawa