For Those About To Rock

In an industry where tribute bands can some times over run the club scene, it's always a pleasant surprise when you have the opportunity to see multiple groups of musicians all paying tribute to the same band. Case in point, AC/DC. The legendary Australian band has influenced many youngsters to pick up a guitar and learn 'Highway to Hell' or 'Back in Black'. The familiar SG and schoolboy outfit are key components when a group of friends decide to form a band to honour the Aussie legends. 

Over the past few months, I have had the honor of seeing some incredible AC/DC tribute bands. Most recently, a trip to London, Ontario served as the backdrop for a show by 'For Those About To Rock' (FTATR). My usual ritual of researching a tribute band before attending their show resulted with a trip to their official website. The site is very well designed and offers an abundant amount of information, ranging from gig dates, band bios, fan feedback, media and the one area that caught my eye was the setlist tab. As I was reading the list, which is broken up by era (Bon Scott & Brian Johnson), a few songs instantly jumped off the screen at me. 'Ride On', 'Night Prowler', 'Big Balls' to name a few. Previous outfits we had seen, did not include those hidden gems, so I was extremely eager to get to this show in hopes of hearing those songs. 

I must admit I did reach out to the band and inquire about 'Ride On' and 'Night Prowler' being included for their show Friday night. I was informed that 'Ride On' does remain on the setlist, as vocalist James Pritchard says "That's my chance to NOT scream at everyone for five minutes." As for 'Night Prowler', while it had been included in previous setlists, he indicated he would try to have it added. With that, the eve of the show arrived and we were off to Eastside Bar & Grill in London to see 'For Those About To Rock'.

Allan Boriska (guitar), Jim Campbell (drums), James Pritchard (vocals), Rob Kowalishen (guitar), Eric Kowalishen (bass)

Eastside Bar & Grill is actually quite a cool place. It was surpsingly larger inside than what you would think from the outside appearance. The staff were friendly and welcoming, which made our time there enjoyable. It would definitely be a great place to go back to again.

The first thing we saw was the amazing stage set up. Of course, you couldn't ignore the giant banner hanging above the drumset. The stage was slightly elevated off the floor. There was a fair size dance floor between the stage and the first few tables. The guys continued to set up before running through a couple songs for soundcheck. The lighting, which was jointly supplied by the band as well as the venue was extraordinary. The red and blue spotlights provided a dramatic effect throughout the night. The spotlights located near the drums were a great touch, and came in handy at the end of the night during 'For Those About To Rock', which paired nicely along with the cannon sound effects that were on hand for the song.

Once guitarist Rob Kowalishen took the stage, in complete schoolboy attire, it was time to start the show. The opening riff of 'Stiff Upper Lip' echoed throughout Eastside's. It sounded amazing. Even more so once James began to sing.

The challenge for any AC/DC band, who decides to take on the duty of covering both eras, is having a vocalist that can do justice to both the Bon Scott material as well as the Brian Johnson material. 'FTATR' are fortunate to have a strong singer in James. 

Born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area, James "Problem Child" Pritchard, has been fronting the band since 2003. After a night of karaoke, he was hooked on singing and began to learn AC/DC songs. Soon, he was being asked to perform the songs whenever he was out at the bar. 

The original drummer for 'FTATR' approached James and asked him if he was interested in playing in and creating a tribute band. 

The rest they say, is history. In addition to fronting the band, James has also assumed managerial duties for the last little while.

James was very friendly and approachable throughout the night. It was nice speaking with him, not to mention he was generous in giving us 'FTATR' tshirts during one of the breaks. He also had no problem rounding up the band to sign one of their promotional posters for me.
With a dedication to Malcolm, the band began one of AC/DC's only slow numbers, and the song I was looking forward to hearing...from 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap' -  'Ride On'.
Watch video: Ride On

Fellow Toronto native, Rob "Riff Raff" Kowalishen, has over twenty-five years of experience. Having previously been in Lynard Skynard and Led Zeppelin tribute bands, he is more than just an incredible guitar player, but can proudly add luthier to his resume. He is the proud owner of a SG that he built and has used it during performances.

It's awe-inspiring to see a guitarist wearing a schoolboy outfit on stage and playing some of your favourite songs. Rob excels in the role of Angus Young. Throughout the night, his energy and playing mesmerized everyone in the bar. At one point during the night, he left the stage, fell to the floor on his back and twirled himself around a couple times, then jumped back on his feet and returned to the stage all while never missing a note. He's an enthralling performer, and along with the theatrics, he encapsulates the spirit of both 'FTATR' and AC/DC. 

His playing during 'Night Prowler' was magnificent. That's not to say that the rest of the setlist wasn't, because he was on his game all night. 'Touch Too Much', 'Play Ball', 'Sin City', plus the rest of the three sets were spot on. Rob was also very friendly and welcoming. 

Watch video: Night Prowler
Watch video: Have a Drink on Me
Watch video: Play Ball


In charge of holding down the fort with his rhythm guitar playing is Al 'Big Balls' Boriska. Also calling Toronto home, Al is no stranger to AC/DC tribute bands. He was previously a member of 'Jailbreak', and he is also a founding member of 'FTATR'.

Al went to highschool with Rob. Having previously played together, it was only natural that the two would become bandmates in 'FTATR'.

Assuming the characteristics of the role he's playing, Al can duplicate Malcolm Young's stance and demeanor. His strong playing, as well as ability to provide impressive backing vocals, it's equally as entertaining watching him as it is the rest of the band.

Al was friendly and it was a pleasure meeting him.

Watch video: Jailbreak
Watch video: Rock & Roll Ain't Noise Pollution

Similar to AC/DC, it's a family affair. Eric 'Moneytalks' Kowalishen is lead guitarist Rob's brother.  When 'FTATR's original bass player moved out of the province, Eric was asked to stay in the band, assuming role of bass.

Eric's playing, along with the drums, are essentially the glue that musically holds the band together. Sometimes bass players are overlooked and underrated, but these 4-string players are responsible for anchoring the rhythm of any song. While he may not have the flash that his brother must display during the show, Eric's technique, along with his endearing demeanor make him a joy to watch and listen, as well as approachable to speak with after the show.

He fearlessly approaches the mic to provide backing vocals, along with guitarist Al. The two complement each other and provide a strong rhythm section for 'FTATR'.

 Watch video: Back in Black 
Watch video: Who Made Who/Given the Dog a Bone

You can't rely strictly on bass and rhythm guitar to provide a solid back beat to your band. That's where the drummer earns his title of the beat keeper. For 'FTATR', that honour goes to Jim 'Thunderstruck' Campbell. A Toronto native, he is the only non-original member of the band, but after seeing him perform the other night, there's no denying that he is a core member of the band. 

In the short time he's been with the band, Jim has brought precision, power, and great technique to 'FTATR'. I was instantly impressed with the setup of his drums. Located on either side of him, is a 22" bass drum, resembling Chris Slade's current kit set up that you can see on AC/DC's current tour. 

Aside from controlling the beat of the band throughout the sets, Jim also is in charge of the sound effects, namely the bell for 'Hell's Bells' and cannon explosions for 'For Those About To Rock'. He also controls the lights that belong to the band, located on the stage around his kit.

He also attended the same highschool as Rob and Al, and even played in some of the same tribute bands as Rob. So it really is like a family affair, a group of brothers. 

Jim was very friendly and accommodated my request for autographed drumsticks. Thanks so much Jim. 

Watch Video: Sin City/ Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be 
Watch Video: For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

The night that included three sets of non-stop, fun, rock and roll sadly came to an end way too soon. Time sure does fly when you're having a great time. It was nice to wait around at the end of the night, and speak to the guys, thanking them for a wonderful time. Playing the hits, along with the hidden gems that the die-hard AC/DC fans know and love, made for an enjoyable night. It was compelling to see how a group of hard working, talented musicians approach the music and execute it with great precision and skill. They appeared to really enjoy what they are doing, and they excel in their roles.

'FTATR' formed in Toronto during the fall of 2003. Throughout the years, they have played numerous places, had personnel changes, all while keeping true to the music. The chemistry that these men have, is evident in their performances. 

It was a great honour having the opportunity to see them in London. I would highly recommend them if they are playing in your area. I look forward to seeing them all again in the near future. 

Special thanks to James, Rob, Eric, Al and Jim for a great night, for the souvenirs and for being very welcoming, friendly guys. 

To keep up with 'For Those About To Rock', be sure to Like them on Facebook and bookmark their official website. 

Official FTATR Facebook
Official FTATR Website

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Selective Soul

I was first introduced to 'Selective Soul' thanks to bassist Tony Cappello. I had the honour of meeting Tony, who played at the very first 'Hell N Back' show I attended in February 2015. Excitedly, a friend and I headed to 'Stonewalls' in Hamilton. We were no strangers to the place, having previously seen the Led Zeppelin tribute band 'Coda' there.

Stonewalls has an ingenious set up. The stage is raised off the floor, allowing both the band and the audience an unobstructed view of each other. It's a friendly atmosphere and you feel comfortable being there. The wait staff are cordial and welcoming. Stonewalls' sound system can really accentuate any band's sound. The lighting was also impressive. Overall, Stonewalls is a great place to check out live entertainment and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a night out. 

As this was my second time seeing 'Selective Soul', I was already familiar with what their show was going to be like. Having previously been a Collective Soul tribute band, they have since expanded their repertoire with various artists from all genres, but still retain some Collective Soul songs. Despite personnel changes, this line up appears strong and fully capable of handling the demanding setlists. First and foremost, they give the audience an amazing, high energy, music filled night. As I mentioned, the songs they perform, cross all genres and decades, making for a very eclectic mix of songs. Collectively they deliver a high energy performance spread over two sets. It is quite remarkable to see the seamless transition from The Beatles, Johnny Cash,The Tragically Hip, Billy Idol to Big and Rich.

Tony Cappello (Bass), Nick Benjamin (Drums), Brian Sokolich (Vocals), Gene Murray (Guitar)

Individually, they are superb musicians. With each show, they hone their craft. Once they hit the stage, they become like one. Each instrument, including vocals, compliment each other. They possess the chemistry and respect for each other that is required to make a band work. The down to earth personalities, sense of humour and genuine friendliness along with their musical prowess, results in everyone having a wonderful time at a 'Selective Soul' show.

You can't help but watch in amazement while Brian is performing.
The dance moves, microphone stand twirling, hand gestures that coincide with the lyrics, he definitely gives it 100% when on stage.
He commands the stage with confidence and enthusiasm, not to mention his harmonica playing is quite impressive.

He is one of the most energetic singers I've seen since Mick Jagger.

Being a Tragically Hip fan, I am blown away by his performances of their songs.

Watch Video: Ahead By A Century

Tony is an incredible bass player. He maintains consistent dynamics while playing. 

The bass can be quite hypnotic and Tony contributes to that with his approach to each song.
Always with a smile on his face, he's a very warm and friendly guy.

Watch Video: New Orleans Is Sinking
Watch Video: Little Bones

Watch Video: Keep Your Hands To Yourself
Watch Video: Born To Be Wild

What Nick brings to the band by ways of his drumming is nothing short of brilliant. Having the responsibility of having to sustain the rhythm and beat of the band, Nick delivers by being a strong, powerful drummer. He effortlessly maintains the groove, all while having precision and finesse.

Watch Video: You Can Leave Your Hat On

Watch Video: Mustang Sally (with Allanah on vocals)

It's fascinating to watch Gene and his guitar on stage. Visually it seems quite effortless. By sound, it is anything but ordinary.
A remarkable player as well as vocalist. He fearlessly approaches the solos and executes them with great skill.
It's evident that he's comfortable in his role and the dedication to his craft comes through his playing.

Watch Video: Folsom Prison Blues
Watch Video: Roadhouse Blues

Throughout the night, they continued to deliver hit song after hit song. As their website describes: "Dance-able Classic to Current Rock to '80's New Wave to New Country with an Edge." The audience was enjoying themselves, the energy feeding back on stage to the guys. At one point, Allanah, a waitress at Stonewalls, joined the band on stage and delivered a mesmerizing rendition of 'Mustang Sally'. As the end of the night approached, the crowd kept demanding 'one more song'. They ended their show when Gene took the mic for 'I Saw Her Standing There'.

It was a very enjoyable night. We had a great time chatting with the guys. Four extremely talented musicians entertained the audience and kept the mood at Stonewalls rocking all night.  They demonstrated their passion for the music all while having respect for the songs that they were covering. While they stayed true to the original song, they enhanced the tunes with their own unique style and personality.

With over fifty songs currently in their catalog, and new songs being added regularly, it's pretty sure that no matter how often you see the band, you will be sure to hear different songs. It may be daunting to some to get into a cover band, but these four men seem right at home on stage and performing for audiences whenever they can. I look forward to the next show and recommend 'Selective Soul' to any music fan.

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I would like to thank Brian, Tony, Nick and Gene for not only providing some great entertainment but for their friendship and always being welcoming to their shows.

These guys have a busy schedule and you can usually find them playing around Southern Ontario weekly.

For more information about Selective Soul, be sure to check them out on:
Official Selective Soul Website
Official Selective Soul Facebook

High Voltage Rock and Roll

The dilemma I find myself faced with after seeing 'Hell N Back' a few times now, is discovering new adjectives to describe them. Sure you could use 'great', 'amazing', 'incredible', 'fantastic'...the list goes on, but honestly, those words don't do them justice. In the short time that I've known the band, I can say with certainty that I have nothing but the utmost respect for each of them. They are not only exceptional musicians, but down-to-earth guys, with hearts of gold, great sense of humour and it is just an honour to be able to call them friends.
 
Individually they have their own strengths and skills, but collectively they create something electric that they exude while on stage. There's that certain chemistry that makes a band a band. No inflated egos here. They play superbly together and anyone attending their show can undoubtedly see that.

Last night was proof positive why 'Hell N Back' can proudly boast to be 'The Ultimate Canadian AC/DC Tribute'. Appearing in Bolton at Stewart Maguire's Landing, the men in no time had their stage set up and were ready to kick off the night.
Stewart Maguire's is an impressive place, with a state-of-the-art sound system that can easily administer the output that 'Hell N Back' can produce. The stage is slightly raised off the main floor which allows for non-obstructed views for both the band and patrons. The atmosphere is welcoming, wait staff were friendly and attentive and would be a great place to go to any evening of the week, regardless if there was a band there or not.

Once it was time to begin, Marty kicked it off with the opening hypnotizing bass of 'Livewire'. Soon, Jeff and Garry joined in on guitar and drums respectively. Kyle soon appeared in schoolboy outfit, utilizing the floor in front of the stage and eventually James joined them belting out the first line of the song. In no time the five of them contemporaneously delivered the high energy rock and roll that they can do magnificently.

As they continued through the setlist of classic AC/DC hits, combined with hidden gems, 'Hell N Back' performed the songs with great prowess, all while having a good time. Similar to previous shows, the boys delivered the goods. The more familiar tunes get the audience up on their feet and filling up the dance floor. It's usually at this time that James will wander down to the floor and join in with the dancers.

James possesses all of the characteristics required to pull off not only one AC/DC singer, but two. A charismatic personality, he can switch between Bon Scott and Brian Johnson with ease, yet precision. He clearly enjoys himself while on stage. His friendly disposition, high energy and self-confidence contributes to his ability to approach the microphone with determination to deliver an amazing show to his audience. During the night, he wandered around the bar, even at times singing from on top of the divider railing. A showman in every sense of the word, he is fascinating to watch.



As a rhythm guitarist, Jeff strengthens the line up, thanks to his distinct guitar playing and his easy going personality. His whimsical sense of humour draws people in and makes those around him feel comfortable. He seems right at home on the stage and approaches the microphone to deliver backing vocals with confidence. A charming and talented young man, he knows his music and that will contribute to his future being very bright.


 
Accompanying Jeff in the band's strong rhythm section, is bassist Marty. He commands attention at the start of the set with the thundering bass intro of the band's opening number 'Livewire'. He maintains that attention quite effortlessly throughout the night. Originally picking up the guitar before he was a teen, Marty would eventually switch to bass. During those teen years, he would develop his ear for music to prepare him to play seriously in bands in his early twenties. I was impressed to discover that Marty learns everything by ear. That in itself is a gift. Some may say the bass is underrated, when in fact it's part of the heartbeat of the band. Marty said it best "Bass and drums are the most primal of sounds." 





Rounding off and forming the remaining part of the heartbeat of the band is Garry on drums. There are some drummers who need to flail their arms around like a madman to generate the thunderous sound that Garry can emit without all that excess flash. Powerful, but steady and fully capable of maintaining each beat throughout the night's performance. Besides being the timekeeper of the band, he's also very approachable and pleasant to speak with.

Last, but certainly not least, what would an AC/DC tribute band be without their own 'Angus'. Someone to adorn the recognizable school boy outfit, occupy as much of the floor as possible all while performing some of the most iconic riffs in music. For 'Hell N Back' they are blessed with the phenomenal presence that Kyle contributes to each show. A remarkable talent in spite of the short time that he has been playing. A modest personality that seems to change once he transforms into his stage persona. Dominating as much of the floor space that he can, Kyle is anything but short of energy. He's captivating to watch and there's no doubt that the future will hold many opportunities for a talent like himself.

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When you go to a 'Hell N Back' show, you get the best of both worlds. The raunchy, innuendo laced songs from the Bon Scott era to the primal scream vocals and equally innuendo laced songs from the current Brian Johnson era. For James to convey both those eras throughout their two sets is quite remarkable.

Individually, all five men excel with their instrument, vocals included. While some members have various side projects, there's no denying that when you put them all together, it's like you've been 'Thunderstuck'. Still a relatively new band, each show seems to have improved cohesiveness. With the possibility of additional songs being added to their repertoire it's irrefutable that they will maintain the title of Canada's Ultimate AC/DC Tribute band for a long time coming.

First and foremost I personally need to thank 'Hell N Back' - James, Jeff, Marty, Kyle and Garry, for being both amazing musicians and friends. It's been an honour getting to know these guys and at every show there's always welcoming smiles followed by some incredible music.

These guys deserve all the success that the future holds. Be sure to check them out on Facebook for upcoming shows.
Official Facebook Page
Hell N Back Photo Albums-Flickr