Music
Press
Canadian 4 piece THE BIG MAN HIMSELF have self-released a 5 song demo CD of rowdy, rough-edged punk/ska titled "Packing the Heat". These Ontario based youngsters hope to put out their debut full length album in 2007. Info:www.thebigmanhimself.com
->Kevin Flowdew, Thatcham England, Do the Dog Skazine, Issue 43, December 2006. - Do The Dog Skazine
Canadian ska/punk crew THE BIG MAN HIMSELF have recently added a brass section to their line up to become a 7 piece. They have put a few live videos up on Youtube & are currently hard at work on their debut album. They also hope to do a mini tour around Ontario & possibly Quebec in the summer. Info: www.thebigmanhimself.com - Do the Dog Skazine
A local band has just released its first CD and to celebrate, members are putting on a concert in Bolton.
The Big Man Himself (which includes members Stefhan Iwaskow, Jess Taylor, Ken Taylor, Jess Ferg, Lydia Voura, Traven Smith and Tyler Campbell) are hosting a show at Bolton's Main Street Station this Saturday, October 20 to mark the release of their new disc, available for purchase at the show.
The band members have been together for three years and have played a number of local shows, as well as performing at more famed locales such as the El Mocambo and Playdium. The band also recently opened for illScarlett at a concert in July.
Also featured at the October 20 show will be Mississauga's ska-punk band KEEPIN6 and the Johnstones.
->The Caledon Enterprise, October 17, 2007. - Caledon Enterprise
Discography
Ballin' is our current single. It has so far been played on 102.1 The Edge's Punk-o-rama on January 15th and on The Indie Hour on January 16th.
All or Nothing-> Debut full length c.d. released October 20th, 2007.
Packing the Heat-> 5 song E.P. released September 2006.
Ska Radio-> 2006 single, played on 89.5 CIUT's Ska Party radio show.
Photos
Bio
The Big Man Himself was started in October 2004 when Jess and Ken Taylor approached Daniel Tziatis about starting a punk/ska band. They already had several unique songs written that they wanted to get out there. Things did not start to take off for the band until they found a steady bassist, Stefhan (aka Sven) Iwaskow, and changed their name from Fuzzy Green Monster to The Big Man Himself in February 2005. They started to make energetic punk/ska songs that exposed the huge potential hidden within them.
Influenced by other bands in the local indie scene such as Angry Agency, Skratch 3, The Delegates, Keepin6, and the Flatliners, The Big Man Himself continued to refine their musical skills and songs. They played several shows around the GTA and won awards such as People's Choice and 2nd Place in Supernova Battle of the Bands. Always willing to help out a good cause, the Big Man Himself also played for several charities, including CCSK8, an organization dedicated to building a skatepark for the youth in Caledon.
After releasing their E.P., Packing the Heat, in September 2006 and getting attention from a couple radio stations in Ontario and Quebec and getting mentioned in Do the Dog Skazine in England, the Big Man Himself decided it was time to add more complexity to their sound. In January 2007, Lydia and Jess Ferg were introduced on Tenor and Baritone Sax respectively, along with Mike on Trombone, and The Big Man Himself began recording All or Nothing, not even six months after Packing the Heat. Mike didn't stay in the band, however, deciding the life didn't suit his already busy schedule. Tyler Campbell filled the void in late March 2007 with his amazing skills on Trumpet and Trombone.
In July 2007, the Big Man Himself had to say goodbye to Dan and introduced Traven Smith on the drums. The result was a tighter, more professional sound, and the band finished recording All or Nothing by August 2007.
October 20, 2007, only one year and one month from the Big Man Himself's previous release, All or Nothing was released in Bolton, the first c.d. release show of eight. The Big Man Himself teamed up with Corporation to release their c.d.s in Bolton, Oshawa, Brantford, Barrie, Chatham, Newmarket, Brampton, and London. The c.d. got great fan response and will be reviewed in the next issue of Do the Dog skazine.
The Big Man Himself shows no signs of slowing down! Their single from All or Nothing, Ballin' was played on 102.1 the Edge's Punk-o-rama on Jan 15th and played again during the Indie Hour on Jan 16th. They are currently working on songs for their next release, Packing the Horns, which will feature songs from Packing the Heat rerecorded with horns and also feature two songs that have never been recorded: Elephant and Bombs and Children. The Big Man Himself also hopes to have another full-length released in October/November of 2008, as well as create a couple of music videos for songs off of All or Nothing. They have been developing a street team, which will hopefully release a zine, "Skids, Kids and Big Man Lids", an updater on the Big Man Himself and the ska music scene in the GTA.
The Big Man Himself has gone from playing under their influences to playing beside them. For such a young band, they have accomplished a great deal, approaching their work with energy, professionalism, and enthusiasm. Look out for them in the future!
For more audio, show listings, merch check out: www.myspace.com/thebigmanhimself
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