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Behind almost every overnight success story is an untold tale of toil. So yes, the chart-storming, inked-up lads of Stereos seem to have come out of nowhere (they call it Edmonton) with their seasonal smash “Summer Girl.” But the five band members spent a good half-decade hunkered down -- writing songs in basements, doing time in other bands and working soul-crushing McJobs before a twist of fate (you call it MuchMusic) turned made them “instant” pop stars.
But the reality is that television might lead an audience to kool-aid, but it won’t let them drink it. (Just ask, um, y’kno ...read more
Behind almost every overnight success story is an untold tale of toil. So yes, the chart-storming, inked-up lads of Stereos seem to have come out of nowhere (they call it Edmonton) with their seasonal smash “Summer Girl.” But the five band members spent a good half-decade hunkered down -- writing songs in basements, doing time in other bands and working soul-crushing McJobs before a twist of fate (you call it MuchMusic) turned made them “instant” pop stars.
But the reality is that television might lead an audience to kool-aid, but it won’t let them drink it. (Just ask, um, y’know, that band from P. Diddy’s show. Or the, uh, other one.) It might also lead Gene Simmons to write up a record deal, but it won’t make Stereos sign—though the Alberta band did accept Universal’s offer, which was made before their episode even aired. Besides, besting 700 rivals on disBand was just a prologue to them besting 700,000 rivals on iTunes, where their now-platinum first single went straight to number one.
It’s been a rapid six-month rise from playing in front of three people to rocking out before 10,000 –but consider that the first chapter. The fall release of their debut album is where we’ll get into the meat of Stereos’ story.
Singer Pat, lead guitarist Miles, rhythm guitarist Robby, bassist Daniel and drummer Aaron have taken the best bits from their favourite genres to create one of their own: “crunk-rock.”
“It encompasses everything. It’s pop music. It’s also got rock because we’re a band. There’s a huge R&B and hip-hop influence because that’s just what we listen to,” says Pat. “It is the mutt of all music,” adds Miles, with a grin. Just take “She Only Likes Us When We’re Drunk,” which sounds like an old-time country tune crooned by a pop-rock R. Kelly.
After getting signed, the guys relocated from E-Town to Tdot and got right to work. “This is our job,” Miles says. “The moment we sit back will be a bad thing. We don’t want to stop working so hard. We want to improve every day.”
So they’ve been ensconced in a studio crafting hooks and laying down tracks with uber-producer Gavin Brown, the man who made Billy Talent blow up and is now helping the Stereos make music for the masses. “He pushes you, he’s brutally honest, which is what you need. You can't call it in,” Pat says. “We wanted to make an album with 13 singles. And it really feels like we’re doing that. This is all happening because of one song. But at the same time, we have songs even better than ‘Summer Girl.’ Wait until the next one comes out.”
Though they look more hardcore than they sound—arm sleeve tattoos will do that—Stereos are happy to have moved beyond the heavier music of their past bands to embrace their pop future. “You can’t fake this,” Pat says. “Kids are smart. If you’re not doing something you love they’ll see right through it.”
And if people don’t dig them? Well, that’s cool, too. “I love that it’s hateable,” grins Pat. “You can go down the middle and be a band that people kinda like or don’t care enough to hate. That’s not us. People hate us. But if you look at the following we have, the kids that love us are so devoted.
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