Bands I like

This has been a long time in coming, but I wanted to wait until I did a BIL about this particular artist.

I first encountered him through a video for “Wonderful (It’s Superman)” on Much Music. The song is a really peppy up-beat tune, perfect for driving.

I sing you this song, so you can see
Whatever became of me
This summer I will wait under your cherry tree
Just to hear wonderful from you

His single “Stutter” got a fair amount of airtime on the Edge (Toronto radio station). I sort of filed his name in the back of my mind for a couple years, until I saw a poster for a show he was playing in Waterloo. I called up a friend and we went to Bomber to see him play.

Little did I know that those two singles would only scratch the surface on my love for the musical stylings of

Andy Stochansky

While 5 star Motel wasn’t Andy’s first released album, it was the first one I was exposed to. That night he played most of his songs from the album, as well as some other song from previous recordings. The thing that struck me about Andy the first time was the sheer honesty that dripped from every line. These words MEANT something to him. The other thing that I liked about Andy was his voice, a sort of worn-in-jeans soulful croon that fits his musical style like a cup in a saucer.

I got another chance to see him play in the SLC in November. He and Les (his guitarist – really cool guy who kinda looks like Gord Downie) played some semi-unplugged stuff in the afternoon. One of his songs (“Here Nor There”) was apparently on Felicity, so if you watch that show you might have heard him. I was really jazzed to hear that he was releasing another album soon, and that he would be coming back to Waterloo.

So when Andy found himself in Waterloo again, I found myself standing in the middle of a seated crowd singing at the top of my lungs along to “Wonderful”. Most of the material in the show came from the upcoming album 100, including the first single “Shine”. Whereas 5 star Motel was a bit more romantic and quiet, 100 appears to be a more well-rounded blend of moods. Some happy, some hard, some quiet (including a song reacting to rock super-stars and their boyish mentality), all AMAZING. He closed out the set with a few old favourites, including a rocked-up version of Fly which saw a somewhat impromptu drum solo by Andy. It was a really fun show.

The one bone I have to pick with Andy is that nobody I know has a CLUE who he is. So… I went to the show alone. However, as soon as he hit the stage, Andy made everyone feel as though we weren’t watching him on a stage, but hanging out getting drunk in his basement and jamming. I half-expected him to pull someone out of the audience and hand them a guitar.

I HAVE to throw a line or two to the opening band

Turn Off the Stars

A Toronto 4-piece still in the shallow end of the fame pool. I have been to a few live shows, but I have NEVER seen a group sound so polished on stage. Their effects and musical blends were tight as all get-out. It’s a little difficult to classify TOTS, but the closest comparison I can make is to Our Lady Peace, especially the stuff on Happiness (except One Man Army, which everyone hates). TOTS is touring with Andy across the country, so if you’re living in London or Toronto or points west of Waterloo, make sure to check out the website to see when Andy and TOTS are in your town.

Also! March 29th, 100 is in stores. I will be getting my grubby mitts on a copy as soon as I can.

Andy Stochansky Songs to Check Out

- 22 Steps
- Wonderful (It’s Superman)
- One Day
- Paris
- Miss USA