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.
Posted by Dyingscene.com on Friday, July 25, 2014 at 10:48 AM (PST)
In good news, the guys in Toronto punk act The Class Assassins have released a music video for their song “Start Again.” In not so good news, they have also announced the departure of longtime guitarist Cactus Vella, who is leaving the band to focus on his solo work.
The music video and a statement from Vella can be found below.
“Start Again” appears on The Class Assassins’ Treason 7-inch, which was released back in 2011 through Rebel Time Records. The band’s latest release, a 9-minute ‘concept single’ entitled The Addiction & The Solution came out last March.
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.
DYINGSCENE COVERS THUNDER ROAD COMP, DOGS 7INCH
May 15, 2014
Posted by JerryLowLife on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 9:26 AM (PST)
Anxiety Attack Recordings have released a new compilation album called Thunder Road. The album is a folk-punk tribute to Bruce Springsteen and features Cactus Vella, Jon Creeden, Jesse LeBourdais, The Matchup, and more!
Give it a listen below, and if you like what you hear, you can download it for free.
Posted by JerryLowLife on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 11:12 AM (PST)The EP was released by Rubber Factory Records.
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.
POUZZA FEST, SPRINGSTEEN, SNFU AND MORE
February 18, 2014
Hey friends, there’s lots going on these days. Last night I was interviewed on StenchRadio.com and we talked about Punk rock, Wrestling, the snow, Johnny Cash, Chicago vs Toronto, and Pouzza Fest. Thanks to Starsky Starcevich for the great interview!
My good friend Hugo (Sainte Catherines, Yesterdays Ring, and Miracles) hosts the Pouzza Fest every year in downtown Montreal. I was fortunate enough to play it a couple of years ago with The Class Assassins and it was a great time! This year I’ll be playing two sets. One of which will be a solo set on the same bill as Tim Barry. The second set will be with none other than a band called Dogs. I was a member of Dogs for several years before parting ways with them a few years ago. I was recently asked to play the Pouzza Fest set with them and possibly a new recording. I’m really looking forward to jamming out those tunes once again. The Fest takes place from May 16th to the 18th and there’s a whole lot of awesome bands playing. Check out this link for more info.
The newest release from Anxiety Attack Recordings will be a folk-punk tribute to Bruce Springsteen featuring an all-Canadian line up. Some of the artists confirmed so far include Jesse LeBourdais, Ben Sir, The Matchup, Jon Creeden, James Renton, Swiss Knife, Summer Of 92 and myself just to name a few. Expect a digital download spring release. There will be more info coming very soon.
I am very happy to be playing a gig next month with Chi Pig, the legendary front man of Canadian punk icons SNFU. He’ll be performing an acoustic set as he tours Canada with punk rock author Chris Walter. The show is taking place at the Bovine Sex Club on Sat March 2st. For more info check out the event page. I met Chi many years ago at a boozcan late one night. He was a really cool guy and I’m stoked to have this opportunity to share the stage with him.
Cactus Vella Music 