The Steadies will bring a resort-town vibe to Red Deer next week.
If there’s any one internationally appreciated music style, it’s got to be reggae, said the group’s bassist Earl Pereira (formerly with Wide Mouth Mason), who performs Friday at Fratters Speakeasy.
“When I first started making my own music on the side… I would book weekend gigs at resort towns like Banff, Canmore, Jasper,” recalled Pereira. Whenever he launched into a reggae tune, he noticed the multinational crowd responded in a big way.
“I would make music they would really love in places with international, transient audiences.”
This reggae influence has been carried over into the tunes he makes with his current rock band, The Steadies. The Saskatoon-based group got a Top 50 radio single (See You When I Go) from their 2011 EP and a Western Canadian Music Award nomination for their Starcity Shakedown album of 2013.
Now a new release is in the works that’s adding more of a rock edge to the reggae sound.
Pereira said this is the influence of hard rock drummer Lex Moon. She joined the band, also comprised of Trinidadian guitarist Justin “Juice” Lee, a couple of years ago.
Although Lee grew up in the Caribbean, he and his friends listened to punk rock. Now that Lee’s older, he realizes reggae helped shaped who he is, said Pereira. But all the same, Lee brings a Red Hot Chili Peppers vibe to The Steadies.
Pereira grew up in a large musical family with Philippines roots in Saskatoon. His older brother, who now owns a recording studio, got him interested in becoming a career musician. Although Pereira co-founded Wide Mouth Mason in 1995 and racked up several Juno Award nominations with the band, it became apparent by about 2009 that he needed more playing opportunities and a greater creative voice.
“I think I realized my dreams and goals were just mine, not anyone else’s… If my goal was to play music non-stop, to tour and play all around the world, then, to do all those things (I decided) I might have to do that on my own.”
It was a painful decision to leave Wide Mouth Mason, but Pereira opted to devote himself to The Steadies. It was several years before he could even talk about the split. Now “I’m in a better place, a better head space,” realizing that bands change “but the music never dies.”
Pereira, who produces for up-and coming artists, look forward to releasing the new album, Love Revolution, on April 2. This CD was made more collaboratively and organically with songs that sprang from jam sessions.
He believes fans will hear The Steadies really gel on Love Revolution.
It takes time and practise for musicians to sound like a seamless band — as well as a certain number of live performances, Pereira added. “I think it takes playing about 100 show together. That’s the magic number.”
There’s a $15 cover for the 9 p.m. show at Fratters.
The Steadies will return to Red Deer for a March 6 show at Bo’s Bar and Grill, opening for The Wailers.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com