Preview
BROCK SKYWALKER
Friday, May 27
Karma Local Arts House
Considering their history, it’s amazing that Brock Skywalker, (formerly of Captain Tractor) and Arrogant Worm John Whytock managed to co-pen several tunes for Skywalker’s recent album, Cerebral Re-Runs. After all, it was thanks to Skywalker and Company that the beleaguered Worms had to tolerate calls for bloated 1970s rock songs during their last few tours.
The pair met about 10 years ago when Skywalker was working for the CBC. The Worms were playing at the Street Performers Festival three times a day for five consecutive days. By the week’s end, Skywalker knew all their songs, all their jokes and their favourite brand of beer, which he often quaffed with Whytock. The friendship continued as both acts crossed paths during tours.
"I went to one of their shows in Toronto and they asked for requests from the audience. I started yelling out for ‘Desperado’ (by The Eagles), so they knew it was me and they played a verse and a half of it or so," Skywalker says. "Then we were in Saskatchewan somewhere and people started yelling out for ‘Desperado’ and we did exactly the same thing, a verse and a chorus. Afterwards we were talking to the people and they said ‘Yeah, the Arrogant Worms were through here a few days ago and they said if you see Captain Tractor make sure you ask for their version of "Desperado."’"
It’s the kind of request that could have made one band want to hunt the other down for the purpose of bodily harm, but the friendship/rivalry remained amiable. When asked if his band’s version of "Desperado" could blow the Worms off the stage, Skywalker was clear.
"They’re wily, they’re agile, but we’ve just got the sheer volume. And we are the second tallest band in Canada after The Tragically Hip. If only our drummer wasn’t so damn short."
Working with Whytock was a natural progression for Skywalker as about five years ago Captain Tractor decided to pursue side projects and take longer breaks from touring. Skywalker spent many hours twiddling knobs as a producer for other bands during this era. Then, last year, a conversation turned into a career change.
"It was one of those weird amicable breakups. We were sitting around a table discussing what we were going to do next and for the first time ever we didn’t agree." When the band tried to figure out what to do, Skywalker had a surprising response. "I said ‘I guess I quit.’ And everybody went, ‘Oh.’ So I just sat there for a few minutes and left. I didn’t want to quit the band, but I didn’t want to have the plans they had."
Still, with his new album and a new group of musicians (Brock Skywalker & His Irregular Heartbeats) already on the go, the retreat from Tractor was almost subtle. And Cerebral Re-Runs features the same humour and melody we have come to expect from Skywalker. Even though he left them of his own accord, he jokes it would feel good if the band started to suck because of the hole he left in their heart.
"It was such a slow transition that it almost feels like nothing happened. I got to attend my first Captain Tractor show as an audience member a couple of months ago," he says. "They rocked – I couldn’t believe it!" |
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