Hey Readers!
There has been this tune that I've heard on Jamsterdam numerous times which took hours to get out of my head after hearing it because it totally paints a picture of drinking in the Maritimes (maybe it's just me- but either way, good vibes) called "Bay O' Wolves", from the Montreal-based band, Whisky Trench Riders, which consists of Ryan Bevan: vocals/guitar; Jeff Linstead: vocals/guitar/drums. Here I am today- sharing with you my interview via email with WTR frontman, Ryan Bevan! Here it is:
JGIC: What inspired you to get into music?
RB: I took up the guitar at age 13, with not a lot of direction really, just the desire to learn a few chords so I could play along with some AC/DC songs. Most of my friends started to play too, but while they were immersed in learning scales and perfecting solos by Eddie Van Halen, I became more and more interested in the craft of songwriting; experimenting with melodies and lyrics. I'm not a great guitar player. I'm more inspired by great narrative songs, so our own style is an interesting mixture of simple rock progressions with more 'involved' lyrics.
JGIC: How did you start?
RB: The Riders began as a partnership between myself and a friend I grew up with, Jeff Linstead. Jeff was just starting his own studio and label when I contacted him about maybe collaborating on some songs I had written. We recorded the first two albums on our own, and then expanded the band so we could start performing live. We're currently working on our fourth album.
JGIC: That's exciting- looking forward to hearing it! I've heard your tunes on your bandcamp and the tunes are pretty addictive and you guys have quite a range in terms of your sound, so hearing about a fourth WTR album is pretty sweet! How did you come up with the band name "Whiskey Trench Riders"?
RB: The Whisky Trench is a stretch of highway in Montreal leading to the Mercier Bridge which crosses the St. Lawrence River. Growing up in Chateauguay, we constantly had to drive through the Whisky Trench from home to work and back again. It's called the Whisky Trench because when you drive through it you can still smell the whisky from the old Seagram plant that has seeped into the concrete walls lining the highway.
JGIC: What are your top 3 fondest moments being an artist?
RB: This is a difficult question. Creativity is its own reward, so I never really think about it terms of what I get from it. But it's certainly fulfilling to hear a completed song come out the way you envisioned it out of nothing. And there's something about being in a band that reaches a deeper level. Each member working together for nothing or next to nothing in order to make music. It's a brotherhood; a clan. You can gain a lot of strength from that.
JGIC: Now that's a great answer! I'm glad there are bands that think this way, for I've seen too many bands fall apart due to forgetting why they started in the first place. You answer totally made me smile as I was reading it! What do you find is the toughest part of being an artist?
RB: I'm not sure there really are any (tough parts). I think if you can make a living by writing and performing songs for people, you're far too fortunate to be anything but grateful. I'm not making a living out of this, but I'm still grateful.
JGIC: Amen. Favorite bands?
RB: The bands who have been with me the longest are bands like AC/DC, Sabbath, the Stones. I also listen to a lot of country music. Johhny Cash and Hank Williams are huge influences.
JGIC: Oh, a man after my own heart- I love Johnny Cash and the Stones! haha! Great choices! I have seen one too many musicians with jealous girlfriends because the stereotype about musicians is that chicks dig them, so of course, there would be potential for groupies hanging around them. If you are/were in relationships, how would you deal with groupies?.
RB: Groupies? I don't think we have any. If we did, we would deal with them fairly and indiscriminately.
JGIC: If you could form a “dream tour” with any musicians of your choice, deceased or living, who would you choose?
RB: Hell, there are dozens of people we'd love to get on stage and play with. Guys like Dave Grohl, Eddie Vedder, Angus and Malcolm, Ozzy, Noel Gallagher, you name 'em, we'll play with them.
JGIC: Any shout outs?
RB: My partner and buddy Jeff has just signed on as lead singer for the Montreal metal band 'The Catalyst'. Their new album is absolutely fantastic. The music is phenomenal and Jeff and I collaborated on the lyrics. These guys are going to be huge.
JGIC: I've gotta check them out! Anything else you would like to add?
RB: We're working on a new album at the moment. Check us out on Youtube, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates on shows and other events!
JGIC: Thank you for your time, Ryan and I look forward to hearing more from Whisky Trench Riders!
@JerZGrlinCanada
There has been this tune that I've heard on Jamsterdam numerous times which took hours to get out of my head after hearing it because it totally paints a picture of drinking in the Maritimes (maybe it's just me- but either way, good vibes) called "Bay O' Wolves", from the Montreal-based band, Whisky Trench Riders, which consists of Ryan Bevan: vocals/guitar; Jeff Linstead: vocals/guitar/drums. Here I am today- sharing with you my interview via email with WTR frontman, Ryan Bevan! Here it is:
 |
| Whisky Trench Riders |
JGIC: What inspired you to get into music?
RB: I took up the guitar at age 13, with not a lot of direction really, just the desire to learn a few chords so I could play along with some AC/DC songs. Most of my friends started to play too, but while they were immersed in learning scales and perfecting solos by Eddie Van Halen, I became more and more interested in the craft of songwriting; experimenting with melodies and lyrics. I'm not a great guitar player. I'm more inspired by great narrative songs, so our own style is an interesting mixture of simple rock progressions with more 'involved' lyrics.
JGIC: How did you start?
RB: The Riders began as a partnership between myself and a friend I grew up with, Jeff Linstead. Jeff was just starting his own studio and label when I contacted him about maybe collaborating on some songs I had written. We recorded the first two albums on our own, and then expanded the band so we could start performing live. We're currently working on our fourth album.
JGIC: That's exciting- looking forward to hearing it! I've heard your tunes on your bandcamp and the tunes are pretty addictive and you guys have quite a range in terms of your sound, so hearing about a fourth WTR album is pretty sweet! How did you come up with the band name "Whiskey Trench Riders"?
RB: The Whisky Trench is a stretch of highway in Montreal leading to the Mercier Bridge which crosses the St. Lawrence River. Growing up in Chateauguay, we constantly had to drive through the Whisky Trench from home to work and back again. It's called the Whisky Trench because when you drive through it you can still smell the whisky from the old Seagram plant that has seeped into the concrete walls lining the highway.
JGIC: What are your top 3 fondest moments being an artist?
RB: This is a difficult question. Creativity is its own reward, so I never really think about it terms of what I get from it. But it's certainly fulfilling to hear a completed song come out the way you envisioned it out of nothing. And there's something about being in a band that reaches a deeper level. Each member working together for nothing or next to nothing in order to make music. It's a brotherhood; a clan. You can gain a lot of strength from that.
JGIC: Now that's a great answer! I'm glad there are bands that think this way, for I've seen too many bands fall apart due to forgetting why they started in the first place. You answer totally made me smile as I was reading it! What do you find is the toughest part of being an artist?
RB: I'm not sure there really are any (tough parts). I think if you can make a living by writing and performing songs for people, you're far too fortunate to be anything but grateful. I'm not making a living out of this, but I'm still grateful.
JGIC: Amen. Favorite bands?
RB: The bands who have been with me the longest are bands like AC/DC, Sabbath, the Stones. I also listen to a lot of country music. Johhny Cash and Hank Williams are huge influences.
JGIC: Oh, a man after my own heart- I love Johnny Cash and the Stones! haha! Great choices! I have seen one too many musicians with jealous girlfriends because the stereotype about musicians is that chicks dig them, so of course, there would be potential for groupies hanging around them. If you are/were in relationships, how would you deal with groupies?.
RB: Groupies? I don't think we have any. If we did, we would deal with them fairly and indiscriminately.
JGIC: If you could form a “dream tour” with any musicians of your choice, deceased or living, who would you choose?
RB: Hell, there are dozens of people we'd love to get on stage and play with. Guys like Dave Grohl, Eddie Vedder, Angus and Malcolm, Ozzy, Noel Gallagher, you name 'em, we'll play with them.
JGIC: Any shout outs?
RB: My partner and buddy Jeff has just signed on as lead singer for the Montreal metal band 'The Catalyst'. Their new album is absolutely fantastic. The music is phenomenal and Jeff and I collaborated on the lyrics. These guys are going to be huge.
JGIC: I've gotta check them out! Anything else you would like to add?
RB: We're working on a new album at the moment. Check us out on Youtube, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates on shows and other events!
JGIC: Thank you for your time, Ryan and I look forward to hearing more from Whisky Trench Riders!
@JerZGrlinCanada
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