CACTUS CONTRIBUTES SONG TO HOLIDAY COMP
December 16, 2015
Toronto’s MusicSheBlogged has launched a new compilation, Ho Ho Holy Shit, It’s the Holidays. The comp features tracks from The New Enemy, Wasted Potential, Sixteen Scandals and more, and it aims to raise money for local charity Toy Mountain.
The song I contributed is “Rhythm And The Rebel” and it’s a very old recording I did on a digital 8-track recorder in the attack of a house I rented on Dovercourt Ave back in 2000. The master files were lost but I was bale to digitize the track from a cassette tape dub of the session.
Click here to listen to Rhythm And The Rebel.
PLAN 37 RECORDS NEW ALBUM
November 9, 2015
Hey everyone! Great news from the Plan 37 camp. We entered Taurus Recording Studio this weekend and under the guidance of producer Jon Drew we recorded 13 songs for our full length album. After three long days we were able to get all drum, bass and guitar tracks down. To be completely honest we did all of the rhythms live off the floor. So with the exception of vocals and my guitar leads, everything you hear on the album is totally live and raw. This process requires a little more time and patience but the end result can be something special if captured properly and the band is well rehearsed and up to the task.
Our good friend Nic Pouliot from RockPhoto.ca stopped by to document the recording session on Saturday afternoon. Nic is easily one of the best live band photographers around these days. Check out the pics on facebook at the link.
We’ll be returning to the studio shortly so Shawn get get his vocals down, followed by another session for back up vocals from all of us.
It’s my hope that this recording ends up on vinyl, but only time will tell. We have no information to share yet as to who will be releasing the record.
Our next gigs are on Friday Nov 27th in Guelph and Saturday Nov 28th in Toronto. Both shows are My Fingers My Brains showcase gigs.
CACTUS JOINS PLAN 37, STARTS ACOUSTIC BAND AND MORE
September 1, 2015
Back in June I was asked to fill in and play a few gigs with Plan 37 after they parted ways with their lead guitarist. I had two weeks to learn the 9 song set before the first show. That first gig was a supporting spot for the Ataris here in Toronto. I learned the tunes and had a killer jam session with the band. A couple of days later we rocked the Dance Cave at Lees Palace.
A few more gigs later and we decided I would stick around and continue playing guitar in the band. Since then we’ve played a handful of shows around Ontario and we’re now gearing up to record the bands first full length album this November with producer Jon Drew.
I recently formed a new acoustic band this past May. It features Cindy from Plan 37 on percussion and Matt from Whiskey Hearts on the upright bass. Our first show was the Mini-Pouzza Fest event in Toronto. We’ve recently taken it on the road and performed in Guelph as well as an opening spot for Mischief Brew last month.
Speaking of Whiskey Hearts, Ty recently moved to Mexico city to be a teacher. We played our last gig back in May opening up for the amazing Nato Coles and the Blue Diamond Band. It’s safe to say Whiskey Hearts are definitely on hiatus for the time being.
STEREO DYNAMITE PODCAST W/ CACTUS VELLA
February 1, 2015
I was very fortunate to be asked to be the first ever guest on the new Stereo Dynamite Podcast. It was a great honor to sit back with my good friend and Toronto alumni Adam Sewel as we chatted for a good 30 minutes in his Parkdale office on a cold January night.
In the podcast we talk about Whiskey Hearts, The Class Assassins, growing up in Vaughan, Sinkin’ Ships, my graphic Design company Anxiety Attack Designs and many other things. After recording the podcast we hung out for a while and I was lucky enough to hear some brand new tracks from the upcoming Simone Denny record on Stereo Dynamite Recordings… and Damn they sound awesome!
So if you have half an hour and want to hear two dudes shoot the breeze about this and that give the first episode of the new Stereo Dynamite Podcast featuring your truely a listen.
Click here to check it out.
FINAL SHOWS WITH THE CLASS ASSASSINS
July 14, 2014
After 8 awesome years of guitar slaying with my brothers in The Class Assassins I’ll be playing my last couple of gigs as a full-time member.
I’ll be playing my final shows on July 19th in Guelph Ontario, and on July 25th in Toronto Ontario. I hope many of you can make it out and catch the sets.
I’ve had a great run with the boys as we’ve played some of the best shows of my musical career. We’ve shared the stage with Bad Religion, The Dropkick Murphys, The Bronx, Black Flag, GBH, Agnostic Front, DOA, Angelic Upstarts, The Business, Red Alert, Tiltwheel, Horropops, Jello Biafra, Hard Skin, NOFX, Pennywise, Face To Face and others
We’ve had an amazing support system and I really need to thank a few people. Big thanks to Randy from Rebel Time Records. Randy is probably our biggest fan and he always showed us a great deal of respect. Also thanks to Dave Baksh. Dave is the best producer I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with. His generosity, kindness and wisdom will always be appreciated. I also need to thank Dan Farr. He handpicked me as his replacement when he left the band. I was honored and so damn appreciative of the gesture. He left some big shoes to fill. Stinky shoes. Thanks Dan!
Chris, Gary, Chad and Dave, I will always be grateful for my time as a Class Assassin.
Thank you very much my brothers. I’ve learned so much from all of you.
CACTUS SINGS SPRINGSTEEN FREE DOWNLOAD
July 11, 2014
This past week Cactus released a free download of “Cactus Sings Springsteen”, two Bruce Springsteen covers. The download features “Going Down” from the “Thunder Road” compilation released earlier this year, as well as “Hungry Heart”, an out-take from that same recording session.
Both songs feature Katie Kaboom of The Mahones on accordion and were recorded by Moby Holman who also recorded the “Sailin’ On” EP in 2012.
Speaking of the “Thunder Road” comp, a big thank you to everyone who has supported it. We’ve reached over 100000 plays from the bandcamp page alone!
The good people at DyingScene wrote this little blurb about the release of “Cactus Sings Springsteen”.
Posted by DyingScene.com on Thursday, July 10, 2014 at 1:51 PM (PST)
Toronto’s favorite punk rock solo artist Cactus Vella has released a short EP entitled Cactus Covers Springsteen, featuring covers of Bruce Springsteen’s “Going Down” and “Hungry Heart.” You can stream and/or download it for free below.
Vella’s debut EP Sailin’ On was released in December of 2012. That’s also available on his Bandcamp page.
DOGS “NIGHTRIDER” MUSIC VIDEO
April 19, 2014
Back in 2006 the Dogs recorded what was supposed to be our debut album at Rumenal Records. The sessions were lost and we were left with the raw unmixed recordings. We never released them. Recently JDM put together this music video for the track “Nightrider”from that very session. The song and video are a tribute to the 1979 movie Mad Max. Click here to check out the video.
Last month we returned to the recording studio, this time choosing to work with Dave Baksh at the Gentlemens Den. We recorded three songs and plan on releasing them as our debut 7inch this summer on Rubber Factory Records.
Cactus Vella Music 