The Occupational Side Effects
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The Occupational Side Effects

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | SELF

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | SELF
Band Rock Alternative

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"The Occupational Side Effects - Press"

"If this is the sound of occupational side effects, then you’ll probably want the job.

Formed in 2008 out of the ashes from the previous side project band “J.J.Antrobus”, The Occupational Side Effects was born. With their combined experience of over 40 years of playing, it was time to branch out on their own by changing the band name to “The Occupational Side Effects.” Their debut release “Not Your Dealer’s Friend, is a collection of what they call “dirty sexy funkadelious love songs.” Time to get your sexy on.

The album kicks off with the anthemic “Animal,” and “Naughty Nancy” tags along too, with pulse, gritty guitars and primal screams that get your fists pumping. “Bottle Rocket” introduces the accessible sing-songy rock tune with catchy chorus, “I’m an S.O.S. tied to a bottle rocket.” “Radio,” “Deal with the Devil,” and “The Reasons” follow suit, with “The Bug” breaking away, ballad-like with textured vocals and a country-reggae feel about living a lie. But lyrical play, like “do you concede defeat/Baby, let me know/Light the stage/Let’s get on with the show” lend the heart-break songs a break-out vibe and these ain’t no bleeding-heart sentiments. The signature versatile style in voice and pace, not to mention tone, is brilliantly captured in the one cover on the album: Rod Stewart’s “Is This the Thanks I Get.” Closing off is “Waited for You,” layered with an infectious percussive beat and the closing “Long Way Down” with its great guitars and big sound, excellent vocals and awesome chorus leave you wanting more."

Sylvie Hill
- Sylvie Hill


Discography

Number Four - Love Song (Coming Late 2013)
Not Your Dealer's Friend - 2012
Sophomore Baby - 2006
Pets That Chase Their Shadows - 2005
J.J.Antrobus - 2004
Fast Freight Train Demo - 2003

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Bio

THE OCCUPATIONAL SIDE EFFECTS – BIOGRAPHY

Stephen Clarke has been working as a session bass player for over 25 years playing in numerous recording and live projects. Born in Barbados, Stephen has been playing music since the age of five. It started off with piano lessons and by the time he was 13 he had been playing bass, guitar and drums. He was the youngest professional bass player on the island at the time and won several local talent contests for best original songs. At 16, Stephen moved to Canada to further his studies in music and focus on building a career in the music business.

At the age of 22, while living in Toronto, Stephen landed a gig playing for a band, which was signed to Universal Records and toured Canada and the U.S. for several years. After the band broke up Stephen moved to Ottawa and started playing sessions, touring with other bands including one that relocated to L.A., while all along writing songs for a solo project.

Over the next number of years, Stephen recorded five solo records under the stage name “J.J.Antrobus” and in 2003 his second album was number one in Australia on Mp3.com.au for six months. At this stage in his career and on record number six, it was time to branch out and focus exclusively on his latest band “The Occupational Side Effects”, which is a moniker for playing and supporting other artists. With the offering of his latest release “Not Your Dealer’s Friend” intended to be played at maximum volume, it just might be a diamond in the rough you have been looking for.