INTRODUCING TORONTO BASED BAND THE SHELTERS….
The Shelters got in touch with us at the website and told us all about their debut EP that had just been released, we got chatting and the next thing you know, they've agreed to do an interview with us (crazy people), we caught up with Tom and Geoff from the band and asked them a bunch of questions, here's how it rolled….
Please introduce yourselves, who are you, where are you from and what are you all about?
Tom: Hello, we are The Shelters and I am Tom, along with Geoff, we have Mike and Chris.
Lately I am all about reading books on 19th century use of morphine and opium dens in London and Paris.
Geoff: I'm from Saltspring Island BC and I'm at York U studying music to support my drinking and smoking.
How would you describe your debut EP?
Tom: It's a combination of our love for bands like The Jam,The Kinks and The Clash with the sounds of Serge Gainsbourg, Johnny Thunders and Velvet Underground, tinged in the green light of Absinthe and the green fairy.
Geoff: Happy-Go-Lo Fi, if London Calling came out in 1959.
Where have you recorded your latest record? Tom: It was recorded at The Leopard Lounge Studios in Mississauga.
There is a touch of The Libertines in your music, has the British music scene played some part in your style?
Tom: The Libertines have certainly been a big influence on us, as well as the British Northern Soul and Punk movements.
Geoff: Sure, I bought a 12 string to give it some George.
Favourite venue to play at in Toronto?
Tom: Rancho Relaxo.
Geoff: Bovine
How would you describe your music if you had to compare it to a fictional character?
Tom: The character that would best describe our sound would definitely be Dean Moriarty from On The Road. He's raw, reckless and in constant motion, always in some sort of trouble, but is not beyond redemption, ah and he smokes and drinks, heavily.
Geoff: Vince Noir (Mighty Boosh
Is there anyone out there that is under the radar you would like musicmuso to review/interview?
Tom: Bears Empire
Geoff: Bernadette The Collective
Favourite sound engineer?
Geoff: Dave Kalef
Tom: Phil Spektor
Social media has become bigger over the years, how has this helped you to get your music heard?
Geoff: Ladies <3 my profile pic, so when I invite dem, dey come.
Tom: Social media is huge for sure, but its kind of a double edge sword, yeah it makes the music more available making it easier for fans to get it, but you still need a tone of money to get it out there and promote it. Regardless, our little site is out there on the internet, for your liking pleasures.
First song you all learnt?
Tom: Mozart's Sonata for piano in C-major.
Geoff: Day Tripper.
What does music mean to you in 10 words?
Geoff: Guns, Bitches and Bling. Sex, Drugs, and Jazz. Onion, Giraffe
Tom: Alive, love, happiness, sadness, everything that Geoff mentioned, energy, vibration.
Massey Hall or Bovine Sex Club?
Geoff: Which one has cheaper shooters?
Tom: Bovine.
Which classic song would you have liked to have written?
Tom: Waterloo Sunset, so good it should have been mine.
Geoff: Space Trackin'
To date, have you had any Spinal Tap moments?
Geoff: Anything Mike says into the mic at the Drake is Spinal.
Tom: Ha! Yes! We just finished playing a great show, and Mikey yells "worst show ever", not realizing he was speaking directly in to the microphone.
Whilst the guys were recharging their batteries with a well earned glass of wine, we steamrollered in with the quick fire questions….
Mac or PC Computer?
Geoff: Mac
Tom: Mac
Holidays/Vacations – Beach or ski-ing?
Tom: Beach but not tropical.
Geoff: Beach.
Wine or Beer?
Tom: Wine and Beer.
CD or Vinyl?
Tom: Cassettes and Vinyl.
Geoff: Vinyl
Car or Motorbike?
Geoff: Car
Tom: Motorbike
Cat or Dog?
Tom: Cats
Geoff: Dogs
Bath or Shower?
Geoff: Neither.
Tom: Bath.
Robert De Niro or Al Pacino?
Tom: Al Pacino.
Geoff: De Niro.
Vanilla Ice or MC Hammer?
Tom: Marc Boland for sure!
Geoff: Lenny Breau.
Acoustic or Electric?
Geoff: Electric.
Tom: Electric.
Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Aniston?
Geoff: Jolie.
Tom: These are the only choices?
Cooked Breakfast (bacon/eggs/mushrooms/toast etc) or Breakfast Cereal?
Geoff: Coffee.
Tom: Cooked breakfast all the way.
You've read all about what makes the band tick, why not spend a few more minutes checking out their social media pages? Go on, you know it makes sense!
Social Media
Live Dates
April 5th The Press Club
April 25 at The Rivoli.
Musicmuso would like to thank Tom and Geoff for sparing the time to chat to us about life, love and everything in-between, we wish them every success in the future and look forward to more material as and when it appears.
Interview by Mark Wincott