Picotalk Blog Compilation

Link: http://www.sugarblade.com

Since releasing my CD, I've regained communication with a number of musicians I'd lost touch with over the years. One such individual, Alex Brietzke of the many years disbanded "Four Corners" of Kamloops, recently co-formed "Sugarblade".

I checked out their first demo track (under the "Music" link on their website) titled "One Step" and thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, I am terribly anxious to hear more.

To help kickstart their new website, I thought I'd catch up a bit with a little question/answer style interview:

Mike> Today everything is about low calories. Tell me about Sugarblade?

Alec> Sugarblade is a band that recaptures the feeling of being in your first band. As you grow older, it's harder to play with the same youthful exuberance/innocence of a new band. All four members of the band feel the same type of bond, almost like being in a gang. Sugarblade has done more, in a shorter period of time than any other band I've been in. In a handful of shows, we've gone from doing small acoustic opening gigs, to headlining shows at established Vancouver clubs. We have attracted the interest of Juicemix Productions, featuring Todd Kerns, of Age of Electric fame, as well as CFOX DJ's who host the Indie Night in Canada show on air, as well as at The Roxy nightclub.

The music is a blend of styles that borrow from Kim's punk background drumming, Alec's hard rock 80's sensibilities, Greg's dark grooves, and Miguel's often haunting vocals. We've been compared musically to bands such as U2, Foo Fighters, and Stone Temple Pilots, with vocals reminiscent of Peter Gabriel, Bono, and 80' Brit pop artists like Morrissey. Sugarblade is doing preproduction, with the intent to enter the studio in early 2006 to record our first full length CD. We hope to do a couple of small tours in 2006, and also plan on doing some American shows.

Mike> In the original Star Wars movie, what type of ship was Lea travelling aboard when she was captured?

Alec> It was a Correllian "Corvette" by the name of *Tantive IV*, which also makes it's "debut" appearance as Senator Bail Organa's ship in Episode III, Revenge Of The Sith.

Mike> After all these years of playing guitar for various bands and projects, you're still at it. What gives?

Alec> I am addicted to music, without it I would go absolutely crazy. It is an escape, and a release, and it also lets me communicate with people without having to resort to words. It is a pure form of expression. I also get a huge kick out of performing for people, seeing their reactions, watching them dance and sing along to music I've created. There's nothing like it.

Mike> Whatever happened to the old "Four Corners" crew? Where are they now?

Alec> Junior is pursuing his dream of being a music producer in the Philippines. Ryan is playing bass on a cruise ship, the last I heard. I haven't heard from Scott in about 7 years, rumour has it his marriage was on the rocks, but I haven't heard anything new in a few years. Jon is happily married, with one (for now) son named Cedar. He lives in northern Alberta. He has moved from Vancouver, to Victoria, to Ottawa, and now Alberta.

Mike> What are your thoughts on the clone wars?

Alec> My only negative comment about almost the entire series is Jar Jar sucks ass.

Mike> I see a lot of photo's of you with a mic. When did you learn to sing? How much do you contribute to Sugarblade vocals?

Alec> Back in the days after Four Corners broke up, JR and I knew we wanted to be in a band with a lot of harmonies like Queen and Extreme. When we started the project that eventually became Junedog, we didn't want to work with a "lead" singer, so we started singing ourselves. The intent was to have a lot of songs with "call and response" vocals, or twin harmony. Eventually we had to decide on one of us being the actual lead singer, and at that time JR had written the majority of the lyrics, so he became singer by default. I still sang on almost every song though, and that is how I handle my duties in Sugarblade as well. To date, we have only one song out of about 12, that doesn't have background vocals. Generally, in tha context of Sugarblade, I do most of the harmony parts, unless what I'm playing on guitar is too intricate, at which point Kim covers my part. Greg handles most of the "Call and Response" type of back ups. There are a couple of points where we will have a four part vocal going on as well.

Mike> Black guitars look better in the shade. Describe your gear.

Alec> All my gear? or just the Sugarblade stuff. I'll start with just the 'Blade gear.

Main guitar (seen in most photos)- Washburn P-2 Princess Series (Co-designed by Nuno Bettencourt)

Back-up guitars- Fender Japanese Telecaster with Mick Mars style humbucker pick-ups, and soon I will be re-introducing my Floyd Rose Equipped Washburn N-2 strat style guitar

Main amp- Peavey 5150 120 watt head running into a Marshall 4x12 stereo cabinet

Back up amp- Marshall 60 watt Valvestate Stereo Chorus 2x12 combo amp

Pedals- Digitech Whammy pedal, Boss EQ pedal, Boss Super chorus pedal, Boss tuning pedal.

Mike> What influence do the Cardassians have on The Federation?

Alec> no idea....must be a Star Trek question

Mike> When will I get a copy of your CD? Will you be releasing it independently or through a label?

Alec> We hope to have the CD mixed/mastered by early spring 2006. At this time we are not on a label, so I'll say independantly released.

Mike> Your website looks great. Are you building a press kit and all the other marketing jazz?

Alec> We are working on promotional material, like merchandise. We will probably go with an Electronic Press Kit, rather than the traditional style. We are also in the market for an agent, as opposed to a manager, although we will wait to see what comes out of the Juicemix Productions angle.

Mike> Do you think Sugarblade's music would suit Anakin before or after he joined up with Darth Sidious?

Alec> There is some vocal content that would suit him more in Episode II, where we see he is beginning to exhibit dark tendencies.

Mike> How has becoming a father influenced you?

Alec> I don't know if it has directly influenced my playing, but it definitely has influenced my headspace. I am more driven to succeed with this band, because I don't want to be a starving musician, while my son grows up. Being a father has matured me in some respects, and that might come through some how, but in other ways, it also helps me keep in touch with my inner child.

Mike> Any plans for a tour to Kamloops?

Alec> Of course

Mike> Anything else I forgot to ask?

Alec> I'm wearing Darth Vader underoos, and a smile.

Thanks Alec!

Mickael Maddison