Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

Surge Presents:

MICHAEL WOOD BAND
w/ guests REAL MAD DECENT and HANDSOME DISTRACTION
August 31st at Lucky Bar
This is an EARLY SHOW - Doors are at 8pm and the show ends at 11pm

Tickets available at Ditch Records, Lyle's Place and online at http://tinyurl.com/nnxzwrd

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MICHAEL WOOD BAND ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.michaelwoodband.com/
http://www.facebook.com/michaelwoodband
http://www.youtube.com/michaelwoodband/
http://www.twitter.com/michaelwoodband


While fans are immediately struck by the relevance of the evocative lyrics, they are ultimately won over by Michael Wood Band’s attention to all the elements that make for great music. The live show is pure energy, with animated guitar leads, melodic rhythms, and a seriously infectious groove. From Canada’s west coast, the four-piece features Michael Wood (vocals/guitar), Josh Weed (guitar/vocals), Jon Burgundy (bass/vocals), and Alex Campbell (drums/vocals). Dynamic guitar and driving rhythms power this refined alternative rock offering, providing a showcase for Michael Wood’s fresh youthful vocals and perceptive lyrics.

MWB’s first album “Occupy This” was released in May 2012. The band’s sound reflects multiple influences, and diverse topics, such as the Arab Spring (Should We Be Afraid), over commercialism (End of the World) and finding your own path (I Think I'll Just Go to Bed). “It's definitely got some political themes,” said Wood. “But we weren’t trying to communicate any specific message, just being conscious of what's going on in the world; being aware of our surroundings.” While often compared with artists such as Green Day, The Killers, and the Kings of Leon, “Occupy This” makes it clear that Michael Wood Band has a unique sound all its own.

The past year has been a busy one for MWB. Since releasing their first album “Occupy This”, the band has played everything from small charity shows to large festivals, including a performance at the Calgary Stampede and opening spots for Buckcherry, Platinum Blonde, Faber Drive and Prism “It’s really great to see people responding so positively to our music.” says Michael. “People hear the songs and see our video for the single “End of the World” and are really excited to have us out to play. It’s been really encouraging.“ One club owner raves “We had an incredible response from the patrons and staff which all had nothing but great things to say. We even had a few members of some other bands that play our venue and they were blown away by their ability and diversity.”
Response from industry experts has also been positive. Recently MWB was selected as a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition from 20 thousand entries worldwide, nominated for two Vancouver Island Music Awards, and recognized as one of Victoria’s hottest bands of 2013 by Monday Magazine. Receiving radio play nationwide, MWB was voted New Artist of the Month on Ontario’s CKXS FM. Recorded at the Barn Recording Studio (Randy Bachman, Buffy Sainte-Marie) "Occupy This" continues to bring them new fans, proving that the MWB are as dedicated to writing and recording great songs as they are to playing an incredible live show.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ REAL MAD DECENT ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.realmaddecent.com/
http://realmaddecent.bandcamp.com/

With only 2 years experience under their collective belt, Real Mad Decent have already begun creating waves in Vancouver’s bustling music scene with their energetic brand of rock/funk – a sound with maturity beyond their young age of 20-21 years.

With Zac McMillian on vocals, Nik Dagsvik on guitar, Mitchell Santaga on bass and Marco Di Spirito on drums, Real Mad Decent craft songs with a heavy rock-guitar edge coupled by a fresh blend of funk/hip-hop vocals and drums. Live, the four-piece bring head-nodding, kickdriven drumbeats that power these infectious guitar riffs and thick bass lines, all accompanying smooth-flowing lyrics and rhymes.

Recently named in the 2013 Vancouver Fox Seeds contest as one of the Top 20 entries, Real Mad Decent will showcase their abilities to music industry professionals this August in the hopes of taking the top prize.
Their first EP, simply coined – The Real Mad Decent EP – showcases their ability to craft catchy songs with a level of confidence and attitude that few artists can after only 12 months as a band. “Their gritty debit EP can sound refreshingly purist in a digital landscape” says Vivian Pencz of The Georgia Straight. If this EP is any indication, you can expect big things from the band through 2013. The EP is currently available for download on the iTunes store.

“Real Mad Decent is one of these new talents who are creating a buzz and contributing to the growth of Vancouver’s music industry”
- Vancouver Weekly Magazine

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HANDSOME DISTRACTION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.handsomedistraction.com/
http://www.facebook.com/handsomedistraction

Handsome Distraction has taken a steady approach toward breaking into the rock music scene since its formation in 2009. Its refreshing, upbeat rock sound and authentic and energetic stage performance sets them aside from the surplus of others trying to make it big.

Devin Perfect sings with passion and power while blazing his two-step around the stage, Joey Mono's leads stay with you like a well placed catch phrase, while Chris Weaver dances his fingers over the bass’ fretboard, all supported by Kyle White’s robust nerve pulsing rhythms. Handsome Distraction’s talented quartet successfully combines the eclectic influences of bands like Weezer, Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon, and the Pixies.

Handsome Distraction have successfully recorded and released three EP’s over three years. Their latest EP, "A Mighty Roar," was released in May 2013. It was recorded at The Noise Floor Recording Studio with engineer Jordan Koop and mixed/mastered by Adam Sutherland at Infinity Studios. The band continues to earn their place among the best in Canadian rock music, as well as their ever-growing online presence and catching music, capturing the awe of their fans and attention of industry representatives.

The band had a very successful 2012. They released their second EP, “Fight or Flight,” which has received high acclaim. The band also went on a successful Canadian tour that August, catching the eye of fans, promoters and managers across the country.

So far, 2013 has had the band showcasing at Canadian Music Week in Toronto, a slot at the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival, the release of their new EP, "A Mighty Roar." Handsome Distraction will be embarking on a western Canadian tour this September, followed by a US tour this winter.

With tight arrangements, natural flare, and catching songs, this band has it all. Keep your eyes on these guys and your radios dialed in as Handsome Distraction makes their way through a city near you.