When I think of Hairy Holler, I think of massive sky scrapers crumbling to the ground, fire raging through the skies and the earth splitting into mammoth cracks that would swallow continents whole. I think of comets catapulting to the earth with the savagery of a thousand ruinous strikes all in the timed perfection of this band's music.
If the world were to come to an end, I think this band would be perched upon the Devil's Tower Monument in Wyoming performing the leading soundtrack to this apocalyptic event, with scarcely enough room to fit all the band members that entail this rare, unrefined (in a good way) and natural project.
Hairy Holler originated in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada and are making an admirable impact on the local scene. Major marketing and promotional strategies almost seems like a mistake for this band to make, considering their disposition.
Something that primarily comes to mind is the show experience. This a show to see and the fervour with which they engage and lure the audience is nothing short of exquisite. Their energy and unadulterated spirit managed to wake my comatose grandmother. I brought her along for the show. I thought she'd enjoy herself.
This isn't just a show folks, this is all encompassing experience. They have a wide range of band members, who barely fit on stage, sometimes having to stand on benches or chairs. They remarkably employ belly dancers, the provocative Keni Markland and Casey Anne for your viewing pleasure.
A member dubbed the 'Con Doctor' madly uses his fiddle bow like a conductors baton to converge 'The Voracious Horn Section' whom adds a standout quality to this band, adding just another element with which to use creative and new ways to charge the vibrant nature of this gritty act.
One thing I love about this band, is the constant creativity and amount of change that they go through in order to keep coming up with new material. They are always thinking of new and ambitious ways to assault your ears, keeping your interested peaked. The writing is highly organic, almost taking on a wounded quality that I can only best explain as joy. I know it's a contradiction. This is a very contradictory band.
Myke, an eccentric and intriguing character to meet, has vocal ranges that vary from sombre and ominous to aggressive with a maddened sense of passionate frenzy. He manages to reach those fierce notes that dig into your spiritual essence, raising the hair on the back your neck. You'll will never find him remaining static or motionless on stage, which is one of my favorite qualities of this member.
He stands behind his music with movement, and that's a quality I respect.
Having worked with The Steppin' Cat ( Jason Ducey) for and untold number of years, I have watched him progress through his path of life. He shines best with Hair Holler. Providing metric, pulsating percussion for the band, he is befittingly outstanding with his hands, provoking the need to go on a tear of dance throughout the bar with his pounding rhythm skills.
The music, almost callous and raw retains the melodic qualities necessary to seduce you into the song.
Seduce: a word I use very rarely to describe a man. At the show, I was never once disappointed with the song creation. The uncommon instrumentation kept me interested throughout. My eyes were hooked.
Be ready for their upcoming album, expecting to be released before the new year.
They are never lacking in creativity and have a number of side projects in the works.
These include:
Mandelion & The High Heenas – Featuring the gorgeously talented Mandy Mae
Fish Head Phil - The brain child of Jamek Spring and Bruce Mackinnon
The complete list of band members, and their intrinsic assets would end up making this article a 2000 word endeavour. To those I have missed, I apologize, but your incredible, unique work is much a needed demand to this over pop-cultured music industry. Don't give in to that manufactured style.
A complete list of members of Hairy Holler:
Ring Leader
Myke Pulito - Guitar, Vocals
Mandelion
Mandy Mae - Washboard, Vocals
The Steppin' Cat
Jay Ducey - Dejembe, Cajon
Con Doctor
Seann Battams - Fiddle, Horn-Olin
Octomentalist
Bruce Mackinnon - Trombone, Keys, Accordion, Upright Bass, Glockenspiel, Percussion, etc.
Arsonist
CAB – Trumpet,, Assorted Percussion (Gong, Pocket Cowbell, Tambourine, Rotary Phone,
Broken Brass, etc.
fisH Head
Jim Spring - Sax, Bodhran
New members are being added all the time, so this list could change faster than I change my socks, which is twice a day.
A list of upcoming shows:
- Every Tuesday you can find this band rocking steady at the Atria, Oshawa
- Hair of The Dog Sunday's Open Mic at Murphy's Pub, Oshawa (weekly basis)
- Magic Theatre at the Hot Box Cafe in Kensington Market, Toronto are held on the first Saturday of every month: Next shows are October 1st and November 5th.
- Hairy Holler will be performing with Bradley Boy Mac Arthur at The Bomb Shell, Oshawa on Saturday October 22nd.
- Monday Oct 31st Hairy Holler will be holding a haunted house/Freak show at the Diesel Room, Oshawa
- November 18th at The Drake, Toronto
Don't miss your chance to see these unique performances and outstanding live shows!
To Experience Hairy Holler:
Visit http://www.youtube.com/user/Lounartic to view videos of Hairy Holler at its best.
You can also visit http://www.youtube.com/user/Armenianofadown#p/u/8/M6cfbMtEWm4 to get the full experience that you can't miss out on.
Good god I hate Google Blogger
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