UNSIGNED SPOTLIGHT

Waxmen

This trio from Toronto, Canada know how to rock. Always tight in the pocket with a big sound to match, their new four-song demo is proof of how much these guys really rock. Let's meet the Waxmen!
By: Gian Erguiza

Gian: Who is Waxmen? Where are you guys originally from and how did it all begin?

Waxmen: In the Fall of 2002, James Stefanuk and Tyson Froese met while gigging at clubs in the Toronto Indie-Rock scene. While in seperate bands, the two became fast friends and began trudging through the dog-eat-dog Toronto Club scene together, booking many shows and small tours trogether. Years later when their own bands dissolved, the two found a long-awaited opportunity to pick up the pieces and work together to make something new.

In January 2008, The two began writing harmony driven songs, mostly in a stuffy Danforth house with Tyson's acoustic guitar and James singing and scribbling in his notepad. The first song was called 'Human is my Name', and every aspect of that song has been scrutinized and picked apart by the band. Strangely enough, they found this fun. From the first inception of the WAXMEN on a Starbucks patio, Tyson and James agreed to one thing which would protect the integrity of the project and themselves as artists, and this was: Every piece of every song had to be great and have purpose. Filler is to be thrown out with the trash.

Soon an album's worth of material had been written, mostly in acoustic fashion. Six months and eight drummers had come and gone. James and Tyson had filled the internet and rehearsal studio corkboards with ads for a drummer that would give WAXMEN their groove. Finally an ad in a local Toronto drum shop was answered by a Mr. Shawn Royal. Shawn had toured extensively with two other Toronto-based Indie bands over the past decade, and had been taking a one-year hiatus, during which he honed his chops even more with lessons and woodshedding. Shawn was ready to begin something new and original, with the right guys, but had a few offers to consider. After an impressive jam in a tiny back-alley rehearsal space, Shawn was still unsure as to what direction he wanted to go in musically. So James called him up the next day and set up a meeting. For four hours James explained to Shawn his dreams, aspirations and motivations for the WAXMEN and where they were heading sonically and socially. The fire was lit, and Shawn promptly agreed that this would be the best move for all concerned, leaving with a laugh and our waitresses' phone number.

Now a unified creative entity, WAXMEN continue to push forward together, touring farther and farther away from their home.

Gian: What best describes the music that you guys play and how did you guys get started?

Waxmen: WAXMEN music is emotionally driven Alt/Rock. A sonic rollercoaster with groove, the music speaks softly like a lover on the way up, then thunders downhill with a deafening roar.

Gian: If there was any artist or band that you guys would like to share the stage with one day, who would you guys choose and why?

Waxmen: Led Zeppelin. Every member of Zeppelin is inspirational. Amazing musicians and showmen, they couldn't possibly sound like anyone else. They are true to their roots, and themselves.

Gian: What is the message that your band is trying to convey or what are you guys trying to accomplish?

Waxmen: Good music is timeless and creates an emotional bond with the listener. This can be said for any art form. What we're trying to accomplish as WAXMEN is simply an aesthetic expression of emotion in motion. It's an acceptance of humanity in general, and the struggles and joys we all go through; and making something tangible out of that. Something beautiful, and something a person can re-experience. It could be as simple as revisiting an innocent love or inversely, recognition of our own potential destuctive natures.

As far as a message, that is totally dependent on the song and subject matter. The lyrical content remains poetic enough to allow the listener individual interpretation. At the core of it all, how does one face the eternal dichotomy of life, birth and death, pain and pleasure? We like to cultivate the ability to have fun even in the pits of despair. Just do your own thing. And never stop smiling.

Gian: Any additional comments or shout-outs?

Waxmen: http://www.WaxmenMusic.com

I Email to Friend I Print