The kind of music Jon Harvey’s band plays is the kind of music he’d like to listen to after a hard day of work.
Harvey is the lead vocalist and bass player for Monster Truck – one of a half-dozen bands performing at Party in Park at Nanaimo’s Beban Park on Canada Day (July 1).
Monster Truck hails from working class roots in Hamilton, Ont., which influenced the band as it evolved into one of the most popular hard rock acts in the world today.
“The town’s always been known for heavy bands,” Harvey said. “That kind of grit you can’t replace with anything else.”
Monster Truck released its first collection of songs, a self-titled EP, in 2010, but it was the follow-up album, The Brown, which spawned the hits Righteous Smoke and Seven Seas Blues.
The band’s first full-length album, Furiosity, followed in 2013 with the track, Sweet Mountain River, written about British Columbia.
The sound is loud, heavy and a throwback to garage rock of the 1970s. It’s no surprise then, that the band toured with The Sheepdogs at one point.
Harvey said they accomplish this sound by keeping everything stripped to its bare bones so that it comes across as authentic.
“We like to keep it very simple,” he said.
The intention is to keep that raw edge the band has become known for as it evolves at the same time. To do that, Harvey said they go even more old school, by recording on tape or live off the floor.
“We’re trying to get less polished as we go along,” he said.
The new album Sittin’ Heavy dropped in February of this year and reviews show it’s more of what you’d expect from the band – a loud, raucous party, which is often what attracts fans to the band.
“People are sick of being depressed,” Harvey said. “There’s lots of things in the world to bring you down – music shouldn’t be one of them.”
Apart from getting people out of their seats to party, the band also includes two to three political on each album. Although the interview was conducted prior to the British referendum to withdrawn from the European Union, Harvey said he saw a link between the popularity of bands like his and people becoming politically and socially motivated.
“Time is coming again for people to stick up for themselves,” Harvey said. “People want to fight for things.”
Monster Truck will be playing on a stage at Beban Park on Canada Day (July 1). Preparing for a big show on an outdoor stage is the same as Harvey and the band would approach any concert – focus on putting in a hard day’s work.
“Just be as good as we can,” Harvey said.
Supporting bands include One Bad Son, Girls Guns and Glory, and five more. Gates open at 1 p.m.
General admission is $48; $75/VIP; free/children under 10, with ticket-holding adult. Parking is $18.
The event is family friendly and includes food vendors and alcohol sales. Two refreshment areas – one in the VIP section and one for general admission – will require identification. Bring clear, empty containers for filling at water stations. Don’t bring animals (unless a certified assistance dog), musical instruments, tents, umbrellas or large backpacks. In-and-out privileges end at 5 p.m., so plan accordingly. Parking is limited.
For tickets or more information, please visit www.nanaimo2016.com.