Suburban Home on UMFM 101.5 - Interview with Sekou Lumumba (drummer of Big Wreck)

 

Big Wreck's Sekou Lumumba (right): An Interview (all promo pictures and album artwork belong to their respective owners)

What are you listening to currently?

SL: I've been listening to the new Periphery album that came out this summer! Those guys always put out great music, and this is no exception.

How long have you been playing drums?

SL: I started playing drums when I was about 16; I originally played bass with some friends, but when they needed a drummer, I decided to try it out and got more and more comfortable with finding a simple rhythm. I started playing professionally in 1998 as a session/touring drummer, about 25 years ago.

How did you get the gig with Big Wreck?

SL: I mentioned previously, that I was doing some session and touring work early in my career. I had drummed with a Canadian R&B singer named Ivana Santilli. After that, I worked with a few more artists including Edwin & The Pressure [Edwin being the lead vocalist of fellow Canadian rock band I Mother Earth]. Somewhere around that timeline, I was picked up by Ian [Thornley] to play on his debut solo album [Come Again], and toured with them until 2005, with Ken Tizzard of The Watchmen also in the lineup. After 2005, I played with some more notable acts including Bedouin Soundclash for 2 years and Serena Ryder for 10 years, around the time when she was becoming one of the next big things in Canadian music. In 2020 or 2021, Ian called me up and asked if I could join them for some sessions for what would become Big Wreck's 7 EP series, we recorded about 15 songs in those sessions and I became their full-time drummer soon after, as their previous drummer was suffering through some medical issues that made it impossible for him to continue touring and drumming at 110%. 

Compared to the last series of EPs, was the writing and production process different at all, or was it similar? 

SL: I would say similar writing-wise, though I wasn't too involved with that side of things on the EP tracks. I was also not involved with the EP 7 series' pre-production, as I joined in the midst of that happening. For this release, I was there for the entire process, including writing. What I can tell you from experience, is that Ian is a great writer. He'll come in with a drum loop or drum machine part that he imagines the song had, plus his guitar parts for a rough demo. At that point, he'll kind of let me do whatever I want with the part.

What has the reception towards the new single been like? Big Wreck is always one band that loves experimenting, but this is by far the heaviest Big Wreck material I've heard. 

SL: I appreciate that man! Big Wreck gathers much influence from whatever we're all listening to at the time and therefore is an amalgamation of different sounds. From new and old fans alike, the reception has been super positive towards Bail Out, especially out on the road.

One thing that I have noticed about Big Wreck's legacy on commercial radio, as opposed to some of your contemporaries, is the lasting effect and play of some of your newer stuff (Albatross, etc.) Would you be able to speak on this, in some part?

SL: Certainly. Before I go on here, I would like to say Albatross just got gold-certified, which is really cool. What I will say, is that when we get put on a "nostalgia act" bill or festival with our friends including The Watchmen, The Tea Party, or whatever it may be, there is an understanding that a large majority of our setlist is comprised of our big commercial songs, or the songs that everybody grew up with on the MuchMusic charts. That's the difference between those sets and when we're able to play our own shows like we are currently.

What are some of your favorite venues that you've played in your career?

SL: Without Big Wreck, no doubt it has to be Red Rocks with Serena Ryder opening for OneRepublic. I saw multiple concerts there when I was younger, I was in awe of the venue. It was just an absolute dream to play there with Serena. With Big Wreck, I'd say History in Toronto. That is such a fantastic, huge venue that I believe holds about 2000 people, and sounds great no matter where you are, whether you're on the floor or up in the rafters. I saw Turnstile there this year, and that was such a wonderful, energetic show, with a huge, huge drum sound and great vocal sound.

What are some of your favorite parts about touring? Least favorite?

SL: My favorite parts have to be the people that we meet and see singing along with the songs in the crowd. You even get a person here or there who gets teary-eyed or cries during a song - I love that, it means they care. As for least favorites, there's not a whole lot I could say except for after when were in the tour bus, and everybody is cranky and farting in the bunk beds *laughs*.

Do you ever suffer from post-concert/post-tour depression?

SL: To be honest, I don't really. As much fun as I have on tour, I always can't wait to get back home to see my parents and my dog. Especially with this tour, being we started in early November, we will not be back home until a few days before Christmas. Another thing is that on tour off-season, I'm always trying to find work, whether it's at a wedding or a fill in. One time, I played a big show, and a girl wanted me to sign her chest. The week after that, I was at a bar mitzvah as a drummer waiting for the food line, and was told to wait in the kids' food line, so I was waiting with these kids for some chicken fingers and macaroni and cheese, *laughs*.

Are you a gamer?

SL: Absolutely, I love The Last of Us. It is likely my favorite game series besides Bioshock. Other games that I have loved or checked out recently include Alan Wake and Starfield. I got about 100 hours in Starfield, or whatever is enough to finish the game. Let me tell you, I didn't end up liking it all that much because I got stuck. I was doing all the tasks, mining and gathering all the resources and what have you, and then my marker for my home base disappeared, meaning I couldn't find my home anymore! Regardless, I think it's a nicely made game but there was some glaring issues like that that made me more critical about it.

Thanks for talking to me, Sekou! We'll see you in December at The Regent Casino here in Winnipeg.

SL: Thanks! I used to live in Winnipeg, so it'll be cool as always to be back. I'm very excited to continue the rest of the tour with Big Wreck! 

Check out Sekou's Instagram and Big Wreck's music via the links below. 

Sekou Instagram | Big Wreck Instagram | Big Wreck Facebook | Big Wreck Merch

Linktree (streaming)

"Bail Out" out now

"Pages" EP out November 24th, 2023 via Sonic Unyon

-Fish

Interview conducted as part of Suburban Home on UMFM 101.5 (Wednesdays 3-4pm)

My social links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Beaches "Blame My Ex Tour" Show Review - November 5th, 2023 (Winnipeg, Manitoba @ The Burton Cummings Theatre)

 

The Beaches w/ special guests Beach Weather show review (November 5th, 2023) (poster courtesy of The Burton Cummings Theatre website)

Toronto indie/alt-pop four-piece The Beaches took the stage alongside Beach Weather on Sunday night at the Burton Cummings Theatre, as part of the 2023 Blame My Ex tour, in support of their album of the same name, which came out in September on AWAL Recordings.

The night opened promptly at 8pm, with Beach Weather from Massachusetts, USA. They play a brand of jangly indie and pop rock similar to most of The Beaches recent stuff, however I would more accurately compare them to a band such as The Neighborhood, The Wallows or Hotel Ugly; something more in that laidback indie feel.

Beach Weather played about 40 minutes of their material, which is great for a highlight reel of what they offer in terms of their tunes. They played a handful of their popular songs from their two 2016 EP's, 'Chit Chat' and 'What a Drag', and some from their most recent album, 'Pineapple Sunrise', including their viral-on-the-internet hit, Sex, Drugs, Etc. (which was first released on their debut EP, but rereleased years later). The bands' live stage presence and vibe oozes sunny day beach vibes, and frontman Nick Santino (of A Rocket to the Moon fame) oozes sexual attitude with a great voice. What I enjoyed about these guys live presence the most, is their dynamics; a tendency to go from a great power pop tune to an emotional, rock 'n roll destruction fest with their instruments in mere minutes. 

The Beaches came on stage at 9:10pm, and delivered a set of both new and old hits and album cuts, including their latest album being played in full. Other favorites that aren't found on Blame My Ex include Grow Up Tomorrow, T-Shirt and Money. The only song that I noticed that was notably missing from any of their setlists (including this one) was Lame, but I'm not complaining. A major highlight of their set included Nick from Beach Weather coming on stage to sing with Jordan for My Body ft. Your Lips. Other notable moments included the crowd chanting enthusiastically during the song that changed The Beaches lives', 'Blame Brett', which went viral on TikTok this year, as well as the acoustic performance of If A Tree Falls - a personal favorite track of mine from this album.

The sold-out Beaches show at the Burton Cummings Theatre lived up to my expectations, and even smashed some. I've been looking into going to more indie/pop-centered shows, and this one was an extremely fun one, and a band I'll be looking more into as well as attending more shows in the future. I think the only thing that hindered my excitement a little bit was just how big the sold-out crowd was, and being pushed back slowly (I was on the floor for reference). Overall, I'll give this experience a 4/5 stars. Much love to The Beaches and Beach Weather, and I wish them well on the rest of their tour, where they go out to western Canada, then Europe later this month and USA (again) next year!

-Fish 

The Beaches 'Blame My Ex' now available on streaming services and thebeachesband.com

Blame My Ex Streaming

The Beaches Music, Merch + More

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courage My Love

 

Photo credit: Anthony Chung

Ontario is no stranger to great pop rock and punk bands, both past and present. Like Pacific, Seaway, Bearings, Sum 41 and The Dirty Nil all come to mind. Courage My Love is no exception. If the name doesn't familiar, it's possible that you might know Phoenix and Mercedes' new band, Softcult. More about that in a minute. Courage My Love formed in Kitchener, Ontario, in 2009 as a pretty heavy pop punk and rock band featuring twin sisters, Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn on drums/keys/backing vocals and guitar/vocals respectively. Joining them on bass was David Blake-Dickson on bass, who contributed to the recording of their first EP in 2011, For Now. He was replaced by Brandon Lockwood in 2012.

Sonically, in their early days, their material is for fans of bands who were up and coming at that time, such as Tonight Alive, Crystalyne (more Canadian music), Against the Current (they were a bit later. but worth the mention) and VersaEmerge, and even some of the big players in the game who came up earlier, such as Hey Monday and Paramore. They would later transition to a synthpop/alternative pop sound which has callbacks and influences from all kinds of artists, including Pale Waves, Cocteau Twins and HAIM. In total, the band would release 6 EPs and 2 albums, and received a JUNO nomination (the Canadian Grammy's) in 2014 for their Becoming EP. They appeared at Vans Warped Tour 2017, and toured with As It Is, Trash Boat and Holding Absence in 2018, also appearing at 2000 Trees fest that same year.

The sisters felt cast down by their label, which led to their disbandment in 2020. Very soon, their new band, Softcult would be formed. Softcult is more of a indie/dream pop and shoegaze sounding-band, in the same vein as bands such as Loathe, Teenage Wrist and Lush. Please check out Softcult as well, as they are gaining serious heat, as of these past couple years. They will also be going on tour in the US with Movements and Mannequin Pussy, which is a stacked bill adding Softcult on it.

Here are some links which you can use to support the artist(s) music

Courage My Love Spotify

Softcult Spotify

Softcult Instagram

Courage My Love Bandcamp

 

 

 

 

Brandon Maxwell - Walk Away TRACK REVIEW

 

Picture credit: Unknown

Brandon Maxwell is a punk rock musician and Twitch content creator out of Orange County, California who incorporates many influences and genres into his sound, including ska, emo, pop punk and post-punk. Brandon was formerly a member of the skacore band Maxwell Smart, in which he played guitar and vocals. In his own words, the point of his own music is to bring light to the darkness [of life], until we can understand it and fear it less.

 His track "When I'm Old", released in October of 2022 gives us a taste of his songwriter-punk side, with some undertones of Rancid and the like. I'm happy that I got to meet Brandon in a The Hard Times comment section of all things, and he wanted to share a taste of what you'll be hearing out of the Californian pop rock/punk singer-songwriter. His new single, entitled 'Walk Away', was written by Brandon (who also performed guitar and lead vocals on the track). Rounding out the session is Tristan Garcia from Maxwell Smart on bass, Dan Evans of Bite Me Back on drums, Tara Hahn of Half Past Two on background vocals and Esteban Flores on keys. David Irish at Pot of Gold Studios in Orange County engineered, mixed and mastered the release. David Irish has worked on some notable releases including a handful of We Are The Union releases. 

Source: Brandon Maxwell's Social Media

Brandon noted that 'Walk Away' is a slight departure from the style he usually plays, which I love regardless. This most likely means that when a full release comes, it won't be super focused on one sound, rather an experimentation of different genres and subgenres. Walk Away goes for a bit of a mid-2000s post-punk revival and indie rock/power pop sound and excels at it. The organ in the majority of this track paired with the pushing drums and anthemic guitars give it a Death Cab For Cutie or The Weakerthans quality, and Brandon's vocals matched with his harmonies work very well for this type of music.

'Walk Away' is a just a great piece of emotional pop rock music, through and through. Some great harmonies and a hook that will make me want to keep it on repeat for at least the next little bit. Brandon is starting out extremely strong as this is his first non-acoustic song under his solo name, and he will be releasing more songs very soon with both a similiar sound to this, and heavier stuff for the traditional punk fans. To put it bluntly, there will be something for everybody.

Brandon Maxwell's new single 'Walk Away' releases officially March 3rd, 2023, and will be available wherever you listen to music. Remember to support small and/or local artists! Here's a few links to his social media and his streaming pages that you can find his music on.

Brandon Maxwell Spotify

Brandon Maxwell Soundcloud (if you're interested in hearing his old stuff!)

Brandon Maxwell Twitter

Brandon Maxwell Twitch

Maxwell Smart Spotify

 

 

 

Co Komono

Photo credit: Mikey Jablonski Photography

Co Komono

Co Komono is another band that is local to me, in the Winnipeg, Canada area. They are a 5-piece pop punk group who are influenced by a varied range of genres, including easycore, deathcore, indie rock and math rock. They have seemingly coined the subgenre term, called 'bummercore'. Active members are Jordan Skelly on vocals, Zach Skelly (also in Steady Glow and A Grizzly Fate) and Caitlin Brakel (formerly Epirus/Crisis Averted, currently also in Lowlife) on guitars, Nick Paluck (also in Jupiter Meltdown/Guilty Sleep) on bass and Liam Sewell (also in Jupiter Meltdown/Seweller/Guilty Sleep) on drums.

Co Komono was formed in late 2017 as a project between Zach, Liam (who went to the same high school) and Nick, under the name 'Memorial Brigade'. Derek Westra would join on guitar in early 2018, followed by Zach's 14-year-old sister Jordan, in the summer of 2018. Zach and Jordan come from a musical family, with their father Paul Skelly being the lead vocalist and guitarist of hard rock band X-Engine-X, who have notably opened for Godsmack on a Winnipeg date.

 

Memorial Brigade would play their first show in late 2018 and released multiple singles such as 'Kasper' in 2019. They would later release an EP called 'Fall of The Marginal' in 2020. 

Despite the world as we know it changing around this time, they persevered and started writing more music for a possible full-length, which will be released this year. They played a few more shows under the Memorial Brigade moniker when live music returned in 2021, notably the Manitoba Loud Music Awards and Cowboys Emo Night, but announced that they would be changing their name to Co Komono in January of 2022.

In June of 2022 they announced that they would be parting ways with Derek Westra. Caitlin Brakel, who had been playing in Epirus and Lowlife at this time was announced as their new member.

Over their short career, they have played many stages big and small, including Bankside Music Festival (alongside previously mentioned X-Engine-X) and The Burton Cummings Theatre (TJ’s Gift Foundation’s Rockin’ for Choices concert). They are a local music scene staple and have been one of the tightest bands in the community - especially as of current.

Co Komono is simply put, a talent powerhouse. The experience they have between all their former and current bands - e.g. Epirus, Jupiter Meltdown, A Grizzly Fate - makes the band super tight, very unique to the scene and is a pleasure to watch live. They have big things including a full length coming in 2023. I would like to thank Jordan Skelly, lead singer of Co Komono, for helping me write this.

Below are a few links in which you can use to support them, and follow their consistent posting schedule where they will be announcing new shows and music very soon.

Instagram

Website 

Facebook

Spotify

YouTube

Apple Music

Bandcamp

Last.FM

Here is one of their awesome merch designs designed by Tengkorak Kucing.