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During the progressive rock heydays of the seventies there was a thriving progressive folk sub genre. Bands like Pentangle, Roy Harper, Fairport Convention and early Strawbs performed side by side with the rockier bands such as Genesis and Yes. Carrying on in that same musical fashion today is Vancouver BC’s Gentle Infidels. This creative trio consisting of Edwin Bond (guitar, vocals), Ferdy Belland (fretless bass, vocals) and Christina Rzepa (cello, vocals) deliver a totally unique sound that is equal parts acid-folk and progressive-folk. It’s a sound you just don’t hear much these days, it’s all acoustic and its all there on their first CD entitled Insolents and Indolents.
Insolents and Indolents features ten tracks ranging from the short “Mourning Song” [2:57] to the longer “A Taste for Waste” [8:24]. The disc starts off with the Led Zeppelin flavoured “Blackguard” [4:15]. Obviously the instrumentation is entirely different but there is an overriding feel that this is a lost track from Led Zeppelin III, you know that album where everyone thought Zep went acoustic. It’s that hesitant strumming, solid rhythmic bass and descending cello lines that make it so haunting and Bond’s vocals delivered in melancholy fashion provide a totally pleasing capstone. There are more than a few times where the cello reminds me of some obscure Beatles backing track and the bass, all smooth and velvety is seamlessly bonded to these tunes, while the acoustic guitar is picked and strummed to perfection. I’m not going to suggest that there are a lot of musical change-ups in the music of the Gentle Infidels because there aren’t, however each of these tracks is written in such a fashion that there is actually more going on than you think and it’s only with repeated listening and solid reflection that you pick up on the musical craftiness. Now that’s not that hard actually because these compositions have a way of drawing you in and playing with parts of your brain that normally aren’t played with. In classic proggy fashion some of these songs feature long and extended musical explorations that deviate from the opening or closing passages. Certainly the longer tracks like “March Where You Stand” [7:23] weave their way through more than a few changes in time and tempo.
I found the music of the Gentle Infidels quite hypnotically soothing. It’s not the kind of music I listen to a lot, but Insolents and Indolents was a refreshing change. In fact it surprised me that I liked it as much as I did. If you have a soft spot for real honest progressive folk that places and emphasis on acoustic sounds I think you’ll really like the music of The Gentle Infidels. Give them a listen they might surprise you too. - Jerry Lucky - progressive rock files
This Vancouver trio’s deep love of the acoustic textures guitar, fretless bass and cello can create rings through on its immaculately rendered 10 track debut. A fondness for early seventies progressive folk/rock is clear in the writing, the tasty CD design and package. Serious chops. B
- Stuart Derdeyn”
and
If this were the early 1970s and this drummerless trio was from the U.K.
rather than Vancouver, the Gentle Infidels would be branded acid-folk.
The album is occasionally lovely with a mix of acoustic guitar and
cello and a progressive edge. B…– Tom Harrison - the Province
The Gentle Infidels have a new and wonderful album out called “Insolents and Indolents”. They played at Trees last month to a pitifully small house. A shame because for the few of us who were there, we knew we were seeing a great band at work. This is a trio that brings a chamber music vibe to the pop world. Edwin Bond is the principal vocalist and guitar player (he makes his own instruments too). Christina Rzepa plays cello and sings back up. And Ferdy Belland, who also plays in a Queen tribute band (!) plays bass. Together they make musical magic. The album reflects their live performance. I can’t say enough about it. So go and listen for yourself. - Trees Music Newsletter
Discography
Insolents and Indolents - full length album - released April 2010
Photos
Bio
With a series of handmade guitars, a fretless bass and a cello, The Gentle Infidels offer a unique take on contemporary folk music. They draw influence from iconic rock acts such as Led Zeppelin and Canadian band The Tea Party, as well as more subdued guitar-driven artists like Burt Jansch and Leo Kotke. A thread of Indian classical music comes through in the alternate guitar tunings used in each song, while their tightly locked rhythms and unusual song structures speak to a love of complex progressive rock. This music is fluid and melancholic, driving and intense. On stage, The Gentle Infidels take the energy of a symphony and compress it down into three instruments. They are ready to burst with enthusiasm and good humour while professionally delivering a high-energy performance.
In November 2007, guitarist and songwriter Ed Bond was planning to sell his stage gear and focus on building his Tinker guitars. But first, he had to play one show, solo, to showcase the songs that just wouldn’t leave his head. His long time friend from music school, bassist Ferdy Belland, was in attendance that night, and heard something very unique in Ed’s music. It was something that he couldn’t let fall by the wayside, and something that he wanted to be a part of. Ferdy joined Ed with his 5-string fretless bass and added intuitive countermelodies to Ed’s solid guitar structure. The duo played several shows together around Vancouver. Still, there was something missing that would blend the low and high ends of the band together. Ferdy asked his friend and cellist-about-town Christina Rzepa to listen in on a performance at the Railway club. She was impressed by what she heard and The Gentle Infidels as a trio were formed that night.
After two weeks of intensive studying, Christina added her dark Slavic cello stylings to the music and the band recorded their first set of demos with Felix Fung at Little Red Studios.
Since their formation, The Gentle Infidels have been captivating audiences with their intense live performances. Their compact stage setup has allowed them to perform in a variety of locations, from the Railway club and other established rock venues, to art galleries, radio booths, coffee shops and living rooms around Vancouver. They have travelled to the Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island and the Kootenays in British Columbia and intend to push their boundaries into the United States and Europe.
The Gentle Infidels’ music fits well with a variety of sonic styles. They have been the opening act for punk shows, and finished the night off at acoustic singer-songwriter events.
They have had the pleasure of sharing a stage with notable Canadian artists: Cara Luft and Hugh McMillan, Birch-Neve-Young, Tuck, Mahogany Frog, Dan Mangan, David Gannet, Adaline, and more.
Chris also plays around Vancouver with the Creaking Planks and les Mains d'Isabelle. Ferdy plays with the Belushis and Stone Cold Crazy (a Queen tribute band). Both Ferdy and Chris have done recording session work and/or played live with many other artists such as the Feminists, Spark that Screams, Dan Mangan, Adaline, Elias, Jason Zumpano, the Emily Carr film/animation program, Shawn Cole, the Jordan Stringer Trio - and more!
Currently, The Gentle Infidels are proud to present their debut album, “Insolents and Indolents”, recorded and produced themselves in the Quietkeep, this record represents a year of hard work and lessons learned. Pick up a copy at a show and listen for yourself!
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