After seeing Big Sugar playing Europe earlier in their career, Antwerp, Belgium based trio Triggerfinger formed a band and discovered how much they love playing together.
So vocalist/ guitarist Ruben Block, drummer Mario Goossens and bassist Monsieur Paul, described by Big Sugar’s Gordie Johnson as one of the best bands in Europe, couldn’t pass up an offer from their idols to tour across Canada with them. They bring their show to Average Joes, Nov. 15.
“ It’s been amazing,” said frontman Ruben Black.
“Big Sugar made us an offer to play Canada with them. They let us ride on the bus with them, we’re on the same stage as them. It’s been amazing,” he enthused, adding the band instantly fell in love with Canada's scenery and the people.
“I like to go jogging three times a day. So I’ve jogged around beautiful towns like Jasper and Nelson,” he said.
“Audiences have been just great and it‘s great to play for them and turn around and see Big Sugar every night,” he said.
“They have a great energy. We saw them in 97. And they”re half the reason we play. I liked that they had their own style,” he said.
“ So you can imagine what it’s like on the bus. We have a lot to talk about. I’ll sit down with Gordie and we’ll talk about guitar and music. And talking to Kelly, Mr. Chill’ Hoppe. He’s seen everybody to see in the 1960s and ’70s. He’s got lots of stories about old blues musicians. So it’s been a pretty amazing ride,” he enthused.
“It’s a lot of fun. There's'a lot of variety, so that keeps it interesting. We recorded it in Los Angeles again,” he said, noting he doesn't know if it marks a change in the band’s sound.
“We’re still a three piece. There’s variety. We’re trying new things and experimenting, so there’s some subtle and delicate change,” he said .
He didn’t expect the band to achieve the success they have in Europe.
“Good or bad, we just love playing together. We were all playing with other musicians before , but when we started playing together it just felt right. When we started, we had jobs on the side, but we just loved to play together. It just felt right. We played smaller clubs and bigger venues and we still play small cubs for 80 people. The more we played over the years, we eventually had to decide whether to keep the jobs or do this,” he said.
It ended up being a wise choice as they opened for the Rolling Stones twice.
“ The first time was Hyde Park. That was pretty amazing. I still remember standing on the side watching them play. People say they’re old and can’t do it anymore. So you’re a bit afraid to go see them because you’re afraid they won’t be good. But they were good and of course they’re old. a lot of older musicians still play great shows and make great music. They played a great show,” he said adding the fact they were on stage still playing inspired them.
They are excited to play the show.
“We’re going to come and really hit it. We’ll have a good time and play some rock and roll. Hopefully it will be a good show,” he said, noting they have been jamming together with Big Sugar during encores, but they don’t know if that will happen in Lethbridge.
“We’ll see. It will be a special surprise,” he said.
“Please come to the show and if you are coming from out of town, call a friend or two and bring them. It’s going to be very nice night of music,” he said.
The concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the show, Nov. 15.
