DAVE KLYM - Vocals/Guitars
BEN WILSON - Vocals/Bass
ERNIE BASILIADIS - Drums/Vocals
Influences
the cars, the ramones, the dickies, xtc, crazy horse, husker du, firehose, replacements, bob marley, elvis costello, nick lowe, the police, zz top, the jam, nomeansno, split enz, squeeze, buzzcocks, DOA, CCR, david bowie, the band, buddy holly, the pixies, fugazi, the who, bad brains, and stampede wrestling!
Sounds Like
A SUPER POPTASTICAL FUNFILLED ELASTICAL ROCKIN GOOD TIME!!!
Check us out here!!
Armed with a tattered van, some broken gear, and a passion to play, drummer Ernie Basiliadis and guitarist Dave Klym were two guys from the Alberta prairies who spent several years (and many, many miles) touring and performing around the world. After a few years playing in the Nashville scene, Dave & Ernie decided they wanted to do something completely different. They had a simple vision: to create their own, new sound; a sound that borrows from and celebrates the music of the artists they love. It was 2002 when they headed to Ontario to form The Populars, a power trio made complete with the addition of Toronto bassist Ben Wilson.
The Populars influences are all over the map. Starting with pop innovators like The Jam, Joe Jackson, and Squeeze, to punk rock staples like the Dead Kennedys, The Dickies and The Ramones, and throw in a few classic rock legends like The Who, Tom Petty, and The Kinks, The Populars honor their heroes with a sound that emphasizes catchy hooks, well-crafted melodies and their sheer ability to play.
In 2008, The Populars will release A Pill For Everyone on Kindling Music/Warner Music Canada, their second full length album that follows their 2005 debut, the vindicator lp. Produced by Moe Berg of The Pursuit of Happiness, “A Pill For Everyone” offers a little bit of everything… ranging from the soulful “I Feel Better Now” to the driving, rhythmic beat of “Good News,” to the sardonic pop gem “Teenage Party Girl” and alt-country Birdsesque “Can You Keep A Secret?” Dave Klym explains, "In all honesty, for every song we wrote, we just tried to write a melody that would get Joey Ramone’s stamp of approval."
Apart from their quirky, edgy pop sensibility, one of the most defining elements of The Populars experience is their live performance. The band gives their all during their theatrical, energetic sets, making each and every show a unique, personal experience for their fans. “We play every show like it’s our last," says Dave Klym. "The best thing for me is that what ever sort of insignificant problems I may have that day, it all evaporates when I get on the stage with these guys. It really is a privilege to play. To have people that show up and want to see us play the music we created – that is really powerful. It’s essential to give everything we have to our fans, every night, at every show. That chemistry and enthusiasm is what makes it so exciting."
The Populars toured their debut album hard and will gladly keep up that hectic pace with A Pill For Everyone. "The trick is to expose people to this new album, doing it the old fashioned way. Playing live is one of many ways to do it. It also happens to be what we live for," says drummer Ernie Basiliadis. Adds bassist Ben Wilson: “This is really an exciting time for us. We’re seeing more and more fans at every show we play, and they’re just so passionate about our music - it’s awesome. We can’t wait for everyone to hear how we’ve evolved with the new songs we’ve written.”
The Populars believe that in today’s over-marketed and overmedicated society there seems to be a pill for everything. For them music is the best medicine. So fill out your prescriptions with "A Pill For Everyone" and use three times daily.
Experience The Populars for yourself by visiting their website
Buddy ya gotta remember its Alberta... the weather likes to mess with ya. Thats awesome your playing a few shows. Now I am very excited for the end of June.
Hey Dave! My sources tell me you had a tailgate party on a sidestreet in SMokY... Did you make Maple Surple? Good, clean Canadian Fun! I's in Calgary at the Feist-ival. Catch you later!
Feel Better Now is our #1 Independant Tune again this week...congrats... Our tunes are rated by our listeners and they obviously like The Populars. Keep Rockin AC Stewart Programme Director spiderwebradio a live365. com station
Just wondering how you guys are doing? Havent talked to you guys in over a year. I jsut got back into the myspace thing again. You guys should set up a gig at the new Centential place in bonnyville. They are starting to get bands to play now and id love to hear you guys again.
We'd like to take the time to wish you a Happy Easter and invite you to our next open house! We've just launched our new website with the following departments;
