Original line-up: Matt Reid (keyboards/vocals/drum machine), Rita McKeough (drums), Rebecca Young (bass), Stephen Kelly (guitar/banjo). Final line-up: Reid, McKeough, Diana Campanero (guitar), Judy Armstrong (bass, vocals), Lucas Dambergs (clarinet), Alex Fraser (trumpet). Other members: Rosie Sharples (trombone) and Cara MacDonald (vocals)
Influences
Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, Buck 65, Eric's Trip, DJ Shadow, Genesis (circa 1973), Liquid Liquid, Elevator to Hell, Piggy
In the Fall of 1997, Fine Arts student Matt Reid and artist/professor Rita McKeough transferred to NSCAD from Mt. Allison University. Eager to start playing music again (Matt led a surf band in Sackville, Rita had performed in numerous punk projects since the eighties), the two teamed up for a show at the Halifax Experimental Music Festival. After a second gig of original instrumentals and cover songs, Matt began adding instrospective lyrics to his compositions. Confidence Band enjoyed great popularity with art school and indie rock crowds. They performed countless shows at the Khyber, Marquee Club and NSCAD dances during a unique period in Halifax music, and ventured to Cape Breton and New Brunswick for a number of festivals. Following a NS Arts Council creation grant Matt recieved in 1998, the group began work on a quirky yet ambitious album. Matt spent the following winter recording numerous overdubs (guest vocals, horns, strings, audio samples and electronic beats) with J Lapointe of North America. The album 'Songs of Dance and Fractured Romance' was launched in February 2001, with brand new group The Maynards opening for them. Following two shows in Toronto and a contribution to the first Out Of Touch 7" Compilation, Confidence Band dissolved a year after the album was released. Matt later started the group Death By Nostalgia, and currently performs instrumental numbers with Music Inspired The Film.
