Mardeen aren't afraid to admit they love ZZ Top — and for that we commend them. (Their former Limp Bizkit-owning might be less admirable, though.) Whatever, they make good music and are making their maritime home proud by rocking your god damned socks off. Between the aforementioned rockings, they took the time to answer our weird questions and help us get inside the head of Mardeen.
How do you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard you before?
Our music is based on vocal melodies first, and satisfying our needs
to rock out second. If you attend one of our shows, you'll probably go
home with a melody stuck in your head, along with a nice little
ringing in your ear.
If you could open for one current band that you haven't played with
before, who would it be?
St. Vincent. She's incredibly talented – and gorgeous.
St. Vincent. She's incredibly talented – and gorgeous.
If you could play one venue you've never played before, what would it be?
Probably Massey Hall in Toronto. It's not really known for rock shows,
but why not?
What's the worst album you own?
Definitely something from the nu-metal/rap-rock era. Let's say Significant Other by Limp Bizkit. (However, that record was bought and burned a long time ago)
What would be your all-time, all-star supergroup?
Because these "supergroups" never seem to work, let's go in the Lou Reed/Metallica direction. Something we could at least laugh at. Morrissey crooning, with Black Sabbath backing him.
What was the craziest live show you've ever seen?
When we first moved to Halifax, we saw a show at the Marquee. It was a punk band called Oh God. The singer was walking on tables, smashing pint glasses and slapping people. It was shocking to us country folk.
What was the craziest live show you've ever played?
Cornerbrook, NFLD. Not a lot of people showed up. It was my birthday, so all of the guys got me really drunk and just let things unravel onstage. It wasn't a pretty sight but the laughs the next day were worth it.
What's your favourite song to play live? Why?
Our song “Telephones” is always fun because the crowds really love to sing along. We've been covering a Museum Pieces song called "It Keeps Me Up" lately. It has been a lot of fun covering a song by a friend of ours.
What was the first record you ever bought? When was the last time you listened to it?
Weezer - Blue Album. I somehow ended up choosing a great first record, although, I shouldn't brag after admitting to Limp Bizkit earlier. I have definitely listened to it within the last year. Come to think of it, the record was a Christmas gift and was paired with the Presidents of the United States of America first record. I haven't listened to that record in a very long time.
Who was your favourite band (or artist) when you were 12 years old? Do you still like them?
I am guessing it was Pearl Jam. I was 12 in 1996, which is when No Code came out. I liked that record a lot. Matt, Jon and I have been playing in a band together since we were 12, and at our first show we covered "Hail Hail" by Pearl Jam (from No Code) and "Aneurysm" by Nirvana. It was a Christmas concert at our school. Very festive choices. If someone put on Pearl Jam, I wouldn't tell them to turn it off. I don't listen to them at all anymore, but still respect the hell out them.
If you could only listen to one band or artist for the rest of your life, who would you pick?
The Kinks. Their catalogue is long and weird enough to keep you interested.
If you could switch places with another musicians in some type of "Freaky Friday" type incident, who would you want it to be?
I'd definitely switch with any member of English Words. Just to witness the process of writing and everything that comes with it would be worth it. Not to mention playing those incredible songs live. Plus they are friends of Mardeen, and it'd be fun to pull some wild and crazy body switching pranks!
Partridge Family or Monkees?
The Monkees. But I bet Danny Bonaduce knew how to rip it up. Tough question.
If you could have one musical superpower, what would you want it to be?
Whatever superpower the drummer in the video below has.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG5lhcSoPfM
A ZZ Top reference is not a coincidence. They rule.
Do you hate your hometown?
No way. Love our hometown. We come from a tiny little town in Cape Breton called Whycocomagh. Everyone knows your name and it's one of the last Tim Hortons-free sanctuaries left in the country.
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Photo: Mardeen
Meet The Band is a regular feature in which we introduce you to bands we like. You'll find the rest of them here:
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