More news, less whining.

Ok. Desite the last post which, while posted today is actually several months old, the album is already written and is well on the way to being recorded. We have been rehearsing twice a week together as a band and been getting together often in smaller units to work on specific things like vocals and various instrumental sections. The work has been paying off.

We had several live gigs to finish up before we got down to the business of recording. This year has been VERY busy for us with gigs in Toronto, Philadelphia, Quebec City and of course our home town, Ottawa. The last show we did was at The Nuance Art-Rock festival in Toronto. It was a great festival with lots of good people and good bands. We were determined to have a good time so we got there early and watched each band's performance. We were pretty vocal in our support too. That may have been a bad thing though. Because we had driven so far (well Ottawa to Toronto isn't actually all that far, but considering the awe people had there about us driving that far, I guess others think it is) and were so vocal, I am pretty sure the other bands figured we were a desperate wannabe band. As we played after the dinner break (it was an all-day fest) only Wilton and a few of his band-mates actually stuck around. The others, despite polite and unasked for assurances that they would stay, didn't bother. Thanks lads.

Well regardless, we went on and played up a storm. I won't pretend I wasn't disappointed in the other bands (obviously I really was) but the crowd was so friendly and enthusiastic we were more concerned about giving them a good show. We did! The band was well-rehearsed and all of us were ready to rock out. Our stuff ranges from total angular dissonace to some fairly straight-ahead songy-song type tunes so we mixed it up a lot.

Here is a review from the gig itself:

The last band up at the NUANCE festival was 'Rebel Wheel'. I had heard of them, but had I had never heard their music before. I, and all of us, were in for a real treat! Unfortunately, the only flaw in the show was that there was no lighting at all on the stage! I had to check the web site to see what they looked like! Other than that, Rebel Wheel simply blew me away! Intricate melodies weaved through amazing arrangements that soared through the the night! They had a touch of King Crimson with a taste of Mostly Autumn in their sound, and I could give no higher praise. However, they really do have a sound all their own, and they are an absolute delight to listen to! This is what great prog music is; fantastic playing at breakneck speed, with intricate facets of each piece shining like a diamond!

For those who get a chance to see this incredible band live, do not hesitate to do so! They are an absolute delight to watch and listen to. They have a CD out, but you have to order it from the website. It's not available in stores. Stupid stores. A great show, and a great ending to another fantastic NUANCE show. A great thanks to everyone involved, especially Wilton!

Doug LeBlanc "

Thanks Doug. Now to the album.

We have contacted some artists and they along with our own talented artist-in-residence (our drummer Aaron Clark) have agreed to let us use some of their art in our package. We would like to thank amazingly unique clockmaker Roger Wood http://www.klockwerks.com/ for letting us use some images of his work as well as artist Socar Myles for licensing (and selling us) some of her very beautiful art http://www.gorblimey.com/ . The design is still a work in progress, but we are very excited about it and hope to have something to show soon.

We are almost ready to record and intend to use my home studio (a fairly well outfitted one as I am a professional composer and gear slut). There will be a short hiatus throughout as Aaron undergoes knee surgery, but we will probably have everything done by Febuary 2009. We have some amazing musical guests lined up but we won't divulge who they are right now.

Ok. Thats the news and with the exception of some post-gig-fellow-band complaints, no whining.