Big John Bates is in the middle of his next evolution of his musical career. He started out playing metal in the ’80s with his band Annihilator, then moved on to psychobilly. And now the sound of his band is completely different again with the release of his latest CD “ From the Bestiary to the Leathering Room,” which was released in May.
“ It’s more desert rock and ’70s punk, Americana dark and a little bit of the je ne sais quois that comes from us,” said frontman/ guitarist John Bates who brings his new band and CD to the Slice, Dec. 9, noting they have left the rockabilly and psychobilly influences behind them.
They band has changed since their last Lethbridge show with White Cowbell Oklahoma last December.
“Some of them played on half the album. But that was the last tour for them,” he said.
The new band includes upright bassist Brandy Bones, cellist Justine Echo and drummer “Ty Ty the Saviour.”
“It’s because he looks like Jesus. He’s a wicked drummer,” chuckled Bates, enjoying a day off in Kenora, Ontario, with a few friends.
“Brandy and I have been together since 2009. She almost does more vocals than I do now. We all met through mutual friends. They’re really a top notch band. It’s the first time I’ve had a permanent band since we stopped doing the Voo Doo Dolls thing,” he said, adding he formed the new band in the spring after which he took them on a European tour.
“Audiences there are a little more open minded. North American audiences and media cater more to the status quo than change,” he said.
“Audiences seem to be digging the new sound. There is more intensity there is a very cool energy and we’re more unique than most bands we see,” he said.
“We know how to bring it live,” he promised.
After they play Lethbridge, they will be opening for Nashville Pussy in Calgary the following Friday.
“We’ve played a lot of bands from their agency. I’ve been a fan of them since their first EP. We’ve never played with them before, so this will be a great way to introduce ourselves” he said
“It’ll be great,” he said.
They are also planning on a busy 2016.
“We’re working on a European tour in the Fall 2016. We’ll go down to the United States again and we’re thinking abut recording a new record,” he said.
The show begins at 9 p.m. There is a $15 cover.
