On its upcoming album, Edmonton rock group Black Mastiff is learning what it’s like to be in a long-distance relationship.
Two years ago drummer Allan Harding moved to Vancouver to run a drum shop, while bassist Clay Shea and singer/guitarist Bob Yiannakoulias remained in Alberta. The band has stayed together in the face of that change of address and a new album is in the works.
Yiannakoulias said they’d rather call it quits than bring in a new drummer, so they’ve chosen to “embrace the technology” to erase the 1,000-kilometre divide.
“Clay and I will probably work on some stuff, send it to Allan and he’ll add his part and we just kind of bounce stuff back and forth and then jam whenever we get together for tour,” he said, adding that he feels confident with how the record is coming along despite the challenges of having a bandmate out of province.
“There were times when we had to really motivate ourselves just because of the distance situation. Because it’s totally different when you all of a sudden can’t wake up and just meet up at lunch and start working on song ideas.”
They started recording the album, their fourth and first since 2014, in February and Yiannakoulias said the group is aiming for a spring 2019 release. He said the album expands on their metal, punk and ’70s rock influences.
“As we’ve evolved I try to insert a little bit more of a progressive sound,” he said.
“We grew up in a generation where bands like the Melvins and Nirvana, that kind of scene was big and I definitely feel more influenced than normal by that music right now. I’m not sure exactly why.”
Over the next few days the trio is uniting for a three-shows-in-three-nights B.C. tour, starting with their inaugural debut Nanaimo concert at the Queen’s on Thursday, July 19. The band is headlining Fuzz Fest 5, an evening of heavy riff rock.
Yiannakoulias said this tour will see Black Mastiff playing new material, fan favourites and deeper cuts.
“Once you start to develop a bit of a catalogue you kind of forget about songs and then for whatever reason you never played them live … so you throw it on the back burner and then all of a sudden it appears again out of the woodwork,” he said.
The group is approaching its 10th year as a band and Yiannakoulias said the members’ lasting friendship and fan support have kept the trio together. Black Mastiff formed out of casual jam sessions. When the musicians ended up simultaneously between bands, they decided to team up.
“We just really enjoy playing together,” Yiannakoulias said.
“Any time we play, it’s the best.”
WHAT’S ON … Black Mastiff headlines Fuzz Fest 5 at the Queen’s on Thursday, July 19. Doors at 8 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter