By: Sheena LyonnaisMarch 10, 2008
Remember when bands used to get really trashed, smash hotel rooms and throw shit out windows? Well, Toronto’s Latefallen still do that. In fact, they do a lot of things bands these days are too scared to do: including admitting they actually WANT to be played on the radio.
The rock quartet consists of vocalist Stephan Lacasse, guitarist Vanya Drakul, bassist Gregg Wolfe and drummer Bob Onyskiw. They have a no nonsense policy that couldn’t care less if you think they lack indie cred. They’re all about being real and dreaming big.
Latefallen seems to think the fuss is bullshit, as they try to skate around the controversy inevitably surrounding any band that actually desires fame and success.
“If you’re not changing your music just to get on the radio then why does it matter?” Wolfe said.
Latefallen just premiered their first video for “Bloody Kiss” at the Bovine on February 29, a dark video that follows Lacasse’s exploits with a scantily-clad vampire-esque chick, laced with high contrast black and red colouring, close-up performance shots and sexy bar scene backgrounds. The song will be on their upcoming full-length album, set for release sometime in early spring.
The album was recorded in professional studios that Drakul, who has been a producer in Toronto for a number of years, works out of. It was mixed in New Jersey by famous producer Michael Barbiero (Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Anthrax).
“We’ve been recording for a while, but we just keep adding to it,” Wolfe added. “It’s our first release CD and you have one shot, so you really have to make sure everyone is happy with this. I think we recorded 20 or more songs for this record, and we’ve narrowed it down to twelve.”
The album has been a long time in the waiting, but will be a steady reflection of the band’s dedication. Calling themselves an “underground band that writes with pop sensibility,” the album intends to reflect just that: hard work, rock songs with catchy, pop riffs and elements and the kind of cohesion that helps bands succeed.
“We’re been lucky where we’ve all shared the same vision from the start and we got to really plot out our moves in a strategic way and we haven’t strayed from that strategy too much,” Lacasse said. “When things really start to get going, the advantage there is it’s all on our own terms.”
“We’ve done everything our selves,” Wolfe said. “We recorded the record ourselves. We’ve done the video ourselves. We haven’t got any advances for gear. We own the van and the trailer. Everything is ours. Nobody can ever accuse us of not being dedicated. We’re kind of taking a more business approach, but you have to with the state of the industry. Nobody wants to take a gamble with you, so you have to make it as easy as possible for a label to take the risk.”
Latefallen has been playing a lot of weekend gigs lately, not putting their lives on hold until the album is released. They’ve been in talks with radio stations and will be playing more gigs around Ontario in March, then heading east with Jar later in the summer.
All of them have played in previous bands and between the four they’ve opened for Motorhead, Jimmy Eat World, The Promise Ring and Corrosion Of Conformity, just to name a few. Together they’ve played Taste of Chaos (which they landed thanks to fan votes) and Warped Tour. All of this commitment and experience will hopefully help them reach their ultimate goal.
“You want your stuff to be played on the radio. That’s the ultimate prize. To be driving down the street in your car and you’re listening to whatever radio station and you’re song comes on, it’s a good feeling,” Onyskiw said.
Until then, the band can at least be happy with the success they’ve already garnered.
“If I could look back to when I was in grade four and had cassettes, if I could take a future glimpse of me and say when you’re in your twenties you’re going to be covered in tattoos, play in a rock band, ride a Harley and look like Guns and Roses, I’d be like no way,” Wolfe said.
To check out more from Latefallen, visit www.myspace.com/latefallen.