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For a band that hardly rehearses together, The Neckers end up playing tight live shows that attract even the most shy wallflower onto the dance floor. Playing peppy rock n roll anthems suitable for a rave-up as well as the backseat, The Neckers have had years to become the house band for fun on the Western Canadian scene.

Their origins date back to junior high school when Jim Blood (guitar, vocals) and Brendan Tincher (drums, vocals) bonded over worn out Metallica and Crue cassettes and started writing songs about Cheech and Chong skits. At this time, Blood was also honing his pop songwriting sensibilities by composing jingles with his sister. A few years later, Blood and Tincher would connect with Bil Hetherington (vocals) in high school. They coerced him to be their front man with a promise that their first single would be named in his honour. In perfect Hetherington form, the front man proudly debuted the song in front of their high school friends, belting out the verse (and chorus) of B - I - L. The cafeteria audience would never be the same. Nor would Hetheringtons parents. After joining the band, Hetherington was promptly grounded for two months.

The next few years were spent sharpening their sound. They wore out Nuggets box sets and vinyl by The Clash and Velvet Underground. They worked in an indie record store to fund and feed their rock n roll dreams. They were also trying to find a perfect match in a bass player. The group felt that they struck gold with bassist Steve Elaschuk. A veteran of the scene and perfectionist punk rocker with discerning taste, Elaschuk was quickly recruited. The Neckers were finally a complete package suitably equipped to work their audiences into a frenzy.

The charismatic quartets undeniable chemistry is on full display throughout Love and Infection, their third effort. Experience, ability and excellent music taste have neatly intersected in an irresistible collection of rocknroll and twangy songs that are built to endure repeated listens. With deeply melodic choruses and classic influences finally surfacing, Love and Infection is a curve ball in The Neckers repertoire. Decidedly a mature release, The Neckers are no longer a garage rock band, but a band. There are plenty of hooks leaping from each song and those lyrics that youre bopping along to actually have some heavy duty meaning behind them.

Its time to meet the boys that girls cant help but wink at and their boyfriends dont mind. Theyre a bunch of sassy naturals with as much talent as a sense of humour. At the end of their songs, the girl comes back along with the dog and the house. Calgary has come to depend on them to remedy any bad mood caused by Stanley Cup losses and Chinook headaches, but were willing to share. Hear their album that made a splashy debut on the national campus radio charts. Meet Calgarys eight-legged instant dance party. Meet The Neckers. Theyll make those summer nights last all year long.