PREVIEW
BELVEDERE
Friday, November 16
The Night Gallery
Belvedere has a beautiful view of success
Third album a blend of pop hooks with lyrical moodiness
When the guy who twiddles the knobs for hair groups like Metallica, Motley Crüe, Coverdale Page, Aerosmith and Bon Jovi is responsible for engineering your latest melodic speed-punk album, well, should you celebrate? Heck ya.
Belvedere's latest high-speed record, ’Twas Hell Said Former Child, was recorded by Endre Lukacsy, a prime witness of ’80s rock. Despite all the Final Net jokes you could make right about here, Belvedere boasts that the man is a pro at what he does. As a result of Lukacsy's talent and Belvedere's production savvy, this recording certifies that the band is still lip-locked with punk rock.
’Twas Hell Said Former Child is the quartet's third album and, for all you keeners, is their third album to have five words and six syllables in the title. It was released by The Union Label Group, a Montreal triad (comprised of Union Local 2112, Tyrant and Stomp) that is responsible for the distribution of music by the likes of The Kingpins, Planet Smashers and Gruesomes. With Victory Records' resident artist, Ken Adams, penning the cover art, Belvedere's latest effort is both a taste of celebrity fanfare and newly matured sound.
This time around, Belvedere decided to stick with the familiar pop-punk delivery, but at the heart of their new recording there is more angst and undertones of hardcore. Steve Rawles, on guitar and vox since the band began in 1995 (and founder of local label Hourglass Records), says that this album shows more refined songwriting, is carried by different time changes, and has a slightly different atmosphere that should excite the listener.
The record contains elements of both moodiness and pop. Along with Jason Sinclair (bass, vocals), Chris Foster (drums) and Scott Marshall (guitar, vocals), Steve says that they've amalgamated all the tricks of the trade to make an outstanding album.
"There's songs on this album that are very reminiscent of Angels Live In My Town (2000). But there are also poppier songs than anything we've done before and even heavier songs than anything we've done before. It's a way more well-rounded album."
While ’Twas Hell Said Former Child has just been released, fans have been pumped about it for weeks. Not too long ago, a kid was sighted screaming and running up and down Toronto's Queen Street with a Belvedere sign. That kid is a proud member of Belvedere's street team – a group of volunteers who promote the band and get free swag in return. As far as we know, the boy completely escaped arrest for the enthusiastic gesture.
While the youthful frenzy spreads across the country, the epicentre of enthusiasm for Belvedere remains right here in the local punk scene, where the band has been blasting out solid material and touring it to death since the mid-90s.
"Touring is the best way to get your music out," says Steve. "We get stoked to see kids in different places singing along. Even though we tour a lot, it's nice to come home and play to kids here because throughout the band's history, we've had so much support from the Calgary scene."
The success of the band is evident in the numbers. As of today, Belvedere has sold more than 8,000 units (combined album sales of their first two releases) and has contributed to various compilations and soundtracks in Canada, U.S., Brazil and Japan. They have also supplied their music for television programming such as Nickelodeon's Caitlin's Way and Fox Sports. They've gone a long way by circumventing professional management and have competently scored another in-yo-face rack of points for the do-it-yourself gang.
If you want to become a member of Belvedere's street team, or check out all the places they're visiting during this tour, head to www.belvederepunk.com. |
