The Addington County Revue

It turns out that some great things in life are still free. Case in point: Dave Bookman’s Nu Music Nite at the Horseshoe Tavern. Thanks to Nu Music Nite, I had the privilege of meeting the good-humoured boys of the Addington County Revue and partake of their riff-rich bluesy offerings. Not only did they put on a great show, but they were kind enough to endure the bitter cold outside of the Horseshoe with me for a post-show interview–a first for Toronto Rhapcity! Come inside and warm yourself up.

The Addington County Revue are only four shows old, but you wouldn’t know it based on their performance at the Horseshoe. For that matter, you wouldn’t know that it was their first performance with their new bassist, Chad. (I failed to ask for his last name, but let’s just leave it at Chad. It adds a certain mystique–like a more down-to-earth version of Prince, Madonna, or Bono. He is…Chad.) The band was firing on all cylinders on Tuesday night, and Chad was no exception, as he two-stepped and jigged away to the rocking “Movin’ On.”

The band tore through their repertoire of songs in an attempt to get through as many songs as possible within their set time while also playing their newest number that they wrote in the days leading up to the show. The result was an exhausting and exhilarating set–the type that makes you want a cigarette after the dirty deed is done.

My favourite part of the ACR sound is how well vocalist Mitch Arend and lead guitarist Evan Wise play off of one another. The rising action leading to the climax of “Southern Gentleman” was simply intoxicating, while other tracks sound larger than life when the two come together and square off.

On tracks like “Southern Gentleman,” Arend comes close to evoking the brazzen spirit of John Fogerty. Throw in some ripping harmonica here and there that damn near set Arend’s lips ablaze, and you’ve sold me. I swear, there was one point where Arend burst into a wicked harmonica riff, and it took all of my strength not to jump onstage and bust out the water jug or the spoons.

I cannot emphasize enough how much I admire their commitment to this band. As they mention in the interview, the guys of ACR have to travel from their respective homes in Toronto, Kingston, and Montreal, to get to whichever city they’re going to play in; then they have to go through a monster marathon jam session of 10+ hours to iron out any kinks and get back into a rhythm as a cohesive group.

This is a labour of love for them; it may interfere with their professional, academic, and social lives at times, but it is something that they do simply for the love of it and a love for each other. I can relate to this, because that’s how I feel about this site. Going out to a show on a Wednesday and not getting home until 1:45 in the morning despite having to teach the following day is a pain that I choose to endure because of the pleasure that I get from watching the live performances and being able to write about what I love. When Mitch, Chris, Evan, and Chad are onstage, you can tell that this is an absolute pleasure for them; it probably just feels like another jam session. - Toronto Rhapcity

Sounds Like:
Imagine an old locomotive, chugging full steam across the horizon and over rich rolling green hills, with the sun rising just above it. The train’s roar can be heard off in the distance. Its cry turns into a howl as it approaches, jerking at your heart as it travels up your spine. Another day has been given life. This is the power of the blues behind the force of the Addington County Revue.

The Story So Far

Mitch and Chris have been friends since Kindergarten, when they were still playing with playdough, and possibly eating some of it too. (Don’t act like you never tried it.) When the amiable Evan entered the picture in high school, the trio took up some instruments, and they haven’t put them down since.

These best buds continued to play together whenever the opportunity arose over the years, despite the fact that they’ve since scattered to Toronto, Kingston, and Montreal, because, well, they’re best buds!

Then one magical day, they decided to venture out into the world, and share the product of their jam sessions with the rest of us. With Chad now on bass, and some shows now under their collective belts, including a couple at the Rancho and one at the Horseshoe, the boys look primed to make some waves.

Why You Should Listen:
Reason #1: They’re a couple of affable, smalltown boys with big hearts, who happen to be childhood friends with a genuine love for playing vintage blues rock together. I mean, these guys have to travel six hours just to jam together! That’s dedication, not only to their friendship, but their passion.
Reason #2: Napanee, Ontario needs to be known for more than just Avril Lavigne.

Band Members
Mitch Arend – Vocals, guitar, harmonica thing
Chris Oldfield – Drums
Evan Wise – Guitar, Vocals
Chad, the groovy new bass player

Albums
Hopefully, one will be in the works by the year’s end. Fingers crossed! - Toronto Rhapcity

The Site is from Brazil. The text is in Portuguese.

Post pra começar a semana ao som do The Addington County Revue, banda canadense formada pelos amigos de Universidade Mitch, Chris e Evan, que mesmo morando em cidades diferentes, vêm tocando há pelo menos uma década juntos. A faixa “Movin’ On” é o primeiro single oficial lançado pelos caras, que começaram a se apresentar ao vivo no ano passado . É lo-fi, é vintage, é blues, folk… é apenas rock n’ roll. - STD11

The Site is from Brazil. The text is in Portuguese.

Post pra começar a semana ao som do The Addington County Revue, banda canadense formada pelos amigos de Universidade Mitch, Chris e Evan, que mesmo morando em cidades diferentes, vêm tocando há pelo menos uma década juntos. A faixa “Movin’ On” é o primeiro single oficial lançado pelos caras, que começaram a se apresentar ao vivo no ano passado . É lo-fi, é vintage, é blues, folk… é apenas rock n’ roll. - STD11