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Max and Dan from the Arkells arrived just as The Junction and their posse were stepping off the streetcar. While we got set up for them, the two bands chatted and talked a little shop. For our third shoot, we brought along a 2nd camera, handled by noted DOP Rob Scarborough, to see if we could catch a bit of a different look and feel; it also helped us to get some ‘candid’ shots around the actual performances. You’ll see some of these clips in the intro sequences to the songs. As we pulled out from the McCaul St. turnaround, Max and Dan sat in the back working out the arrangements. As fans of the band will know, Dan is the keyboard player and so he had to work out the transposition of his parts to guitar. When they were set, we did a couple of takes each of “Ballad of Hugo Chavez” and “Pulling Punches while rolling along QSW. A couple of times, our driver had a bit of a heavy foot and wiped out the crew and band in the middle of a performance, but the two guys were very cool and seemed to get a kick out of the rougher edges of our ‘venue’. Even when the auto-announcer – “Betsy” – announced the odd route stop or “system paused” it didn’t faze them. As we wound up their set, they played a couple of versions of “Tragic Flaw” as well. Hopefully we'll have this song available in the near future. We can’t say enough great things about how cool both the guys were, how great their performances were, and how they never stopped smiling the whole time. Hope you enjoy the performances as much as we did! Arkells are: Sharing a love of the kind of raw, soulful “Springsteenesque” rock that inspires a teen to pick up a guitar and start a band, the Arkells formed in Hamilton, ON, in 2006. The ambitious and prolific five-piece quickly found its groove, and recorded debut EP “Deadlines” in 2007. From the strum of the first track, the six-song EP showcased the Arkells masterful blending of traditional blues hooks mixed with modern rock-laden riffs, and a touch of classic Motown era rhythms. Their catchy melodies and unbridled energy live garnered critical acclaim with NOW Magazine describing the Arkells as having “an awesome muscular quality that sets it apart from the output of so many of their sad-sack indie rock peers…” Since the release of “Deadlines” the band has traveled across Canada sharing stages with Bedouin Soundclash, Matt Mays & El Torpedo, Sam Roberts Band, Constantines, Alexisonfire, and City and Colour. More recent performances include a stint opening for legendary rockers Black Crowes, MTV Live and V-Fest. With live shows fueling the buzz created by the EP, the band quickly caught the ear of Dine Alone Records (home to City and Colour, Bedouin Soundclash, Attack in Black and Black Lungs) who re-released “Deadlines” digitally in March 2008. The Arkells’ recently released their first full-length album titled “Jackson Square” in October, 2008 on Dine Alone. Featuring undeniably catchy tracks like Oh, The Boss Is Coming, No Champagne Socialist, and Ballad of Hugo Chavez, “Jackson Square” captures the essence of the band’s hard-hitting live show and their boundless passion for making meaty, rootsy rock that any listener can relate to. – From dinealonerecords.com For more information, or to contact Arkells: Web: http://www.myspace.com/arkellsmusic |
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