Rock and Roll music that comes from the roots... know what i mean? hand made guitars... tube amps... harmonicas... leslie speakers... Song based music.
Described as the perfect blend of indie-Canadiana and commercial music by CBC Radio, The Greg Cockerill Band is now playing full time across Canada in support of their debut record “Summertime & Heartache” Fueled by an all-star, young but seasoned rhythm section hailing from across Canada, the music is characterized by its honest blue collar roots-rock approach. Frontman Greg Cockerill crafts simple songs reflecting the complexity of human emotion and relationships. “I write about my hopes and my fears, we play hard to try to get into these feelings with our audience” Cockerill states. Inspired by songwriters such as Dylan, Springsteen and Young, there is no mistaking the cultural lineage of the music as it rings with authenticity and urgency. After a recent move from Calgary to Toronto and whole new batch of songs in the making the next year of 2010 should be a promising one the Greg Cockerill Band.
Greg Cockerill was born in Montreal, Canada in 1980. Second son of a military father, Greg soon discovered the great companion that music could be. Originally starting out on classical piano, a move to Calgary, Alberta in 1993 led to Greg’s discovery of the guitar and of Rock, Roots and Jazz music. Upon finishing high school Greg decided to pursue his passion in the form of a jazz performance diploma at St. Francis-Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia in 2001 and then to complete a degree with double majors in Jazz Performance and composition arranging with distinction at Humber in Toronto in 2004. Finding the jazz scene too esoteric for his tastes however and wishing to reconnect with his heritage, Greg returned to Calgary and began learning all of the popular music he could to get work as a solo performer if the jazz gigs wouldn’t work out. During this time he also rediscovered his deep passion for song based music through artists such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and a host of other folk- rock based performers mainstream and otherwise. At this time he also began performing with Matt Masters and the Gentleman of the Rodeo, an original roots country act that most notably played 100 shows in Alberta to celebrate its’ centennial, as well as performing in a jazz/blues quartet called Dr.Z and the Boys. Years of playing with these acts and with others as a side man as well as to playing hundreds of shows as a solo performer, Greg began wanting to explore more with his own compositions and to lead his own group representing his diverse influences and his passion for songwriting. The result was a collaboration with lap-slide player Sam Masterton; Hammond B-3 organ and piano player Geoff Hillhurst, and drummer Pat Phillips to start ‘the Greg Cockerill band’. Through his growing industry relationships, Greg met up with David Baxter (Justin Rutledge, Lori Yates, Bob Snider) to produce his first record “Summertime & Heartache” (2008) and launched a cross Canada tour in the fall of ’08. The band and the touring are being increasingly well received all across the country and more touring and a new record are currently underway.
Thank you so much for your friendship! I really enjoyed your song "Suzy 2" I would be honored if you would take the time to check out the new tune The People Game and let us know what you think.
Cheerz & Have a HUGE day!
Netty Mac
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Thanks for the add. It was a terrific to see you perform at the Black Pirates Pub. I am hooked on your music now; I've been listening to it frequently since.
Greg! It was so great seeing you again last Friday at The Dakota Tavern. Sorry we couldn't stick around 'til the end... congratz on an awesome show. Looking forward to your return and to catching up, I'll touch base with you again in June when you're back in town. Talk soon~ // jP.
hello, first thanks for accepting my add then wow huge congrats, love your music and your brother one too! wow congrats!
im in contact with your aunt Joanne on a NCIS fansite and she gave me your myspace links.... i try to start to compose music... i try to find website to download free piano/keybords/synthe samples.... so she gave me your links... maybe you ahve some good ones... she is very proud of you two and you deserve to be more known! huge congrats!!! nathfromfrance
Yo! Thanx for being online buddies with us. I'm looking for storytellers and radical rockers for my radio show Sound Resistance on Vancouver Co-operative Radio (www. coopradio. org). Keep in touch if you have a CD worthy of airplay. I'm also writing for BC Musician magazine and am always looking for good touring stories. Keep in touch, thanx very much..joey
