THE BAND: Bucky Driedger: Guitars, Lead Vocals Matt Schellenberg: Keyboards, Lead Vocals Michael Petkau: Guitars, Vocals Darren Grunau: Bass Terrell Froese: Drums
"Liberally sprinkled with singalong choruses, ear-worm hooks and playful lyrics, The Liptonians is a refreshingly gritty pop/rock record - and its little imperfections only add to its rosy-cheeked charm." - Uptown Magazine
"A raw talent that synthesizes everything from McCartney’s ribald blues rock piano with The Beatles to the jazz-noodling minimalist composition of Wilco to the frenetic charisma of The Pets." - The Alex P. Keaton
"Musically diverse and lyrically sharp. . . [an] earnest little pop-rock gem." - Uptown Magazine
"The songwriting never falters." - Winnipeg Free Press
"The strength of the band is the subtleties and a mature confidence." - herohill.com
Bio
When high school pals Matt Schellenberg and Bucky Driedger moved into a house on Lipton Street, dubbed in "Liptonia," and started making music, the outcome seemed uncertain. Two and a half years later they emerged with an "earnest little pop-rock gem," says Uptown Magazine.
The now five-piece band (rounded out by Mike Petkau, Darren Grunau and Terrell Froese) mines musical territory previously explored by Wilco, The Pets and The Beatles, but manages to carve their own sound. There's piano driven, horn laden pop tunes. There's guitars feeding back through rock and roll grooves. And there's subdued folk songs, wrapped up in noise.
This year will see the band putting thousands of kilometers on old vans to play shows from one end of Canada to the other.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
* WINNER of a 2008 Western Canadian Music Awards (Outstanding Pop Recording)
* Accepted to showcase at Canadian Music Week 2009
* Named one of the Top 5 Canadian Bands to Watch in 2008 (The Uniter)
Capital show last night gents. I trust the accommodations were... accommodating. Please next time make your ptbo show land on a non Monday or Sunday, ideally in April, September, or January!
Good luck with the last leg of the journey, watch out for van fever.
Hey guys, if you're in town we were invited to play at Lo Pub tonight in Winnipeg around 10pm. If you guys can make it, you should come and join us for a beer.
That was a great set at The Central for CMW. An exhilarating mix of Beatle-esque pop and 70's gold, with shimmering harmonies. Catchy energy-fueled gems that continues to ring true today.
