WADE (band)
WADE is an independent progressive rock band from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Its members are Cody Harper, Anton deGroot, Michael Petersen, and Joel Goundry.
History
While all acting in the University of Calgary's production of Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, the then five band members met and began rehearsing rock covers for a school event. After writing a few original songs, the then unnamed band decided to push their work further, getting bookings in bars all over Calgary. The name WADE was eventually chosen almost arbitrarily, taking it from the company logo on all the water fountains in Craigie Hall, where the university's drama department is located.
Originally a five-piece band, founding member George Wong left the band to pursue his solo work in late 2002. The remaining four members added an acoustic guitar - played by vocalist Harper - to the regular line-up, filling out the music to the sound heard today. The band has performed all across Alberta, including shows with the Swollen Members, and the Plaid Tongued Devils.
Music
WADE's career has been musically experimental. They credit Led Zeppelin as one of their main influences despite the fact they sound little alike. This association comes from Zeppelin's experimental style, fusing blues with rock and roll, among other things. WADE's work displays a similar approach to songwriting. Their early work is most definitely pop; forgettable but danceable. Crowd favorites include 'I'm Glad/The Monkey Song,' 'Unhero,' and the infamous 'Dragonfly.' However, once the acoustic guitar was introduced into the mix in 2002, WADE's style began to develop. Songs like '(Parenthesis),' 'Ghosts,' and 'Anthem 1,000,000,' all of which Appear on their debut album, have a distinct melodic folk-rock feel.
Vocally and melodically speaking, WADE is deeply attached to brit-pop rock. Harper's voice has a cadence that listeners of Thom York and Radiohead will find very familiar. Their large volume of slower intense songs is a definite throw to Coldplay (one of WADE's most popular cover is Coldplay's 'Trouble'), and more recently a nu-disco feel made prominent by Glasgow's Franz Ferdinand has found it's way into WADE's music very strongly.
All four members have had significantly different influences. Harper's affinity for both roots-country and electronica allows makes up for a good portion of the folky, rhythm-driven sound. Petersen grew up on Weezer and AC/DC, and his guitar work shows this raw and skilled sound. Goundry's jazz training gives the music a softer and precise edge, but great driving force when called for. deGroot's love of 90's alternative rock and modern Canadian music brings a simplicity to the low end that ties everything together very well, and keeps the work pushing forward.
The cannon of recent work, songs that include 'Summersong,' '[...] and the Fool,' 'Pendulum,' and 'Gloomy Gus,' has marked a new chapter in the band's development. WADE is currently writing their best music.
Discography
- (Parenthesis); June 4, 2005
- Produced, recorded and mixed by Chris Herard of the Heebee-jeebees
- Photography and artwork by Cody Harper and Anton deGroot
- Mastering by Dave Horrocks of Infinite Wave Studio
- The Ademain EP; June, 2007
- Produced by WADE and Mike Aiello
- Recorded at The Beach Studio in Calgary, Alberta
- Mixed by Cody Harper
- Ademain; To Be Released March 15, 2008
- Produced by Terry Tran
- Recorded at Riverdale Recorders in Edmonton, Alberta
Videography
In November 2006, WADE shot their debut video with Calgary director Doug Cook. The video, for The Title track of their debut album "(Parenthesis)," shows the two worlds of people who make art for a living. One world is harsh and technological, where the bandmembers are subjected to experiments by The Good Doctor (performed by actor Harris Hart). The second world is the payoff, the bliss of creative expression that cannot be overtaken by any force. This video will be released with the band's second album in 2007.
In January 2007, WADE participated in Calgary's $100 Film Festival with filmmaker Spencer Estabrooks to create a four-minute 16mm film based on their song "Money."
In May 2007, WADE and director Cook teamed up a second time to create "Summersong," a video for one of th band's most popular songs to date. The video is a combination of puppetry and live-action; it tells the story of Ademain, a tragic puppet figure in search of his jewel. IT Works with the thematic elements of the song, speaking to the perseverance of the human spirit through hardship, and the little pieces beauty and joy that push us to go on.