Barber Shop Podcast

Country girl with a fiery disposition and a hunger for the spotlight, meets punk rocker turned Bluesman and start making music like granddad's old time moonshine. Ginger St.James was always up for a challenge, and fearlessness was the ante, when she won over audiences first as a burlesque queen, then as a bonafide musician on the scene. Fusing the swagger of the blues with the sparkle of the golden era of country, her growl and howl proved the stuff of a modern day legend. Hooking up with talented guitar slinger SnowHeel Slim allowed that special union of synergy and passion to develop into what can now only be described as contemporary classic Americana, wearing a Southern Ontario badge of honour. Enjoy an hour with the super sweet, funny, and talented Ginger St. James as she struts her stuff with SnowHeel Slim. Take a trip with Ginger and Slim as they play a few from the CD Tease, and give Kevin and Ryan three live numbers to make the show another instant classic.

Hamilton has forged a ton of great music over the years, and the story of TRICKBAG is right there where it needs to be. Long, long time friends Paul Panchezak and Larry Feudo began a music club in their early teens when there was three bands a block. The chops and passion they shared led to the longstanding relationships with bassist Michael Hickey, singer/soulmate of Paul, Donna Panchezak and the multi dimensional Les Smith, produced an intoxicating mash of Ozark/Ontario hybrid Americana that has blues as it's foundation and evokes so many other influences to form the walls. World class and certainly a solid chapter in the history of music in the steel city, TRICKBAG has the timeless qualities of form and function, taking the dirt road to the next stop on their journey. If you've never seen one of the great original traditional acts this area has ever produced, you're in for a treat because the TRICKBAG story is a good one, and their music will take you to where you need to go - on BARBER SHOP PODCAST

Sometimes there exists the perfect blend of originality and tradition, vulnerability and strength, and up close from a distant eye. Lori Yafes always knew she was going to sing, always knew she was going to write, and was never afraid of the next great opportunity. North Toronto born, Queen Street denizen, Yates was there for so much of the incredible explosion of new and dangerous music that grew from the rock, country, blues and edgy punk laced fusion of that era. Signed, sealed and delivered into a big record deal saw her actually live the life she dared to dream so convincingly. Over the next decades, Lori Yates stayed right there, always moving in step with her own visions and directions while delving into musical relationships and discovering yet another layer to this incredible singer songwriter. Power pop punk princess to country queen was and is just part of the story, and this episode of BARBER SHOP PODCAST has one of the country's sweetest assassins right here sharing a bit of herself in song a

Some of our favorite guests from our first year of shows dropped into the studio for a bit of cheer on BARBER SHOP PODCAST. Kevin and Ryan got the place all dolled up and the good cheer was flowing on this very special episode. Sarah Beatty kicks off the night and sings a couple with the help of Craig Kosul, Sam DeRosa and Mike Holler and it's a great bit of synergy and fun. Next up Maggie Ciere and her bud Monica teamed up with Holler and DeRosa. You know Maggie's great songs and signature 100 proof vocals would astound and jaws were dropping all around. Week 3 guests Chris and Christa Bradbury of Social Animals were next on the couch with a breathtaking demonstration of song smithing with a real power ballad and a new one never recorded. Closing up the night were a couple of electric devils - metal guys going solo with just an acoustic. Neither Colby Simms or Joe Towers write simple songs about simple things. Great players and singers, these front men lay it open with a couple of tunes each. Wow. Did all t

You have to give it to a band that knows a good thing when they see it. Putting together a cohesive outfit of individuals who share the same vision and work ethic is a tough gig, making it actually work quite another. Sound As People is the love child of Andrew Hines and Rob Crate and has morphed into the current incarnation of the band with the additions of Rob Kemp and Jake Campagnaro - which is a very good thing. Soulful layered math rock, unique and approachable, the boys in Sound As People have a pretty good grip on a thing that's hard to quantify. Four individuals from different places share a common mission to do it their way. They aren't the first and surely will not be the last, but what they do is honest and uniquely theirs. It's another great show and a real pleasure to give Sound As People a place like Barber Shop Podcast to hang out and let us get to know them

Growing up in rural Ontario in the shadow of the Danko clan, Duane Rutter was always surrounded by music and community. Tight knit family and the country/roots sounds that flowed from the parlour hooked Duane at an early age and his life was forever changed. Playing pretty well everything he could get his hands on, soon the young man had a vehicle to express the words he had collected and an honest to goodness singer songwriter was now making his mark. Sacrifice and priorities pulled Duane Rutter away from his craft, but the fire never went out, even in the darkest times. Releasing his first album in 2006, Waiting Room was a testament to the hard work and faith in his music and his message. The follow up in 2011, Never Bet The Devil Your Head continued to showcase Duane Rutter as a deeply soulful artist to be reckoned with. Spend the next hour or so hearing the stories and the sounds of Duane Rutter as he shares his life and times at BARBER SHOP PODCAST. Definitely the real deal

The blues is the foundation that holds the walls of pretty well every popular music form today. Never has the world needed the message of common experience and community that the blues has to offer than now. Hamilton sits at the crossroads of the rail lines and highways that carried the great blues men (and ladies) from The States to the scores of fans in Canadian cities like Toronto and Montreal. It's safe to say that many examples of great Canadian music owe their sound to the deep set roots the blues has established. Big Johnny Blue drops by with Velvet Glen Brown And Mile the Knife to talk about the Hamilton Blues Society and the good things they do here in Steel City. Community, dedication and the life story of many souls can't be wrong and trust me when I tell you it's l good.

There's something about Tom Wilson that has always attracted attention. Sure of his destiny at an early age, musical moments from the cathode flicker of Don Messer to the transcendent Frankie Venom formed the foundation for Hamilton's roots rock chameleon. A singer songwriter bent on showcasing his own material from the onset, the coffee house folkie turned wild eyed frontman rose to prominence with such legendary outfits as The Florida Razors and Junkhouse. His constant musical evolution has Wilson continuing to work alongside some of his favourite artists with current projects Blackie & The Rodeo Kings and Lee Harvey Osmond and you know he will always be sharing the stage with someone great, somewhere great in the world. Dropping by with his talented son Thompson, Tom Wilson has a great conversation with Kevin about some of the colour that paints such a vivid canvass around here. Hamilton to the bone, talented and smart so the ladies love him, this is one guy who the Barber likes to see come in the do

There's a first for everything, and Ryan's band Black Ozz presents a wicked little tribute to Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osborne. Although we mainly feature original artists, we here at Barber Shop Podcast give heed to the ones who fly the flag if greatness - and Sabbath is the cornerstone of heavy metal. Born from the gritty streets of Birmingham, Black Sabbath hooked untold legions on the lure of the mystical 5th note tri tone. You will be hard pressed to find any band who are worth their salt who don't cite Ozzy and company as a huge influence. Ryan plays kitchen party style with singer Darren and Luis - and I'm sitting in for drummer Bill on this episode of Barber Shop Podcast. Settle in as we bring the black magic of Sabbath to you with Black Ozz at Barber Shop Podcast.

Trevor Howard grew up a fierce individual in a phone booth of expectation and doctrine. Revealed, and relevant, the young Howard grew his chops singing in church choirs and set pieces that showcased his chops and his discipline but left his fierce individuality wanting. Writing early and often, Trevor Howard made his name fighting the good fight and soldering on in the rough-and-tumble world of singer songwriters. Hooking up with his Newfie genius pal Gerry and after a magic fueled night - formed Ghosts Of Memphis in 2011. Recording the alt country, roots infused soul music of a genuine treasure. Hamilton Ontario gives birth to great music,and the life of an artist rewards only those who completely buy into their own press. Steeltown eats its young. Concrete kisses from a hard mistress make a good soldier, and if you're going to stand shoulder to shoulder with someone who believes in the cause. Trevor Howard walks the walk.

It's a warm autumn day, the leaves are blazing and so are we at Barber Shop Podcast. Sarah Beatty has found a following among the music fans who dig the rootsy soul tinged stylings a of a born and trained singer songwriter. Early fascination with, and immersion in, a wide scope of music made the young Beatty a disciplined singer and a multi instrumental prodigy of sorts. Gifted at songwriting, early home recordings gave way to a 12 song release BLACK GRAMOPHONE last year, recorded at River 16 studios in Oakville Ontario. Combining deft finger picking, sharp timing and incredible range, these off-the-floor recordings demonstrate a flow and grace that makes for an instant classic. Things are a lit brighter when a beautiful smile lights the room, and Sarah Beatty is dazzling. Sitting down for an honest and earnest talk about her career and giving three superb live performances, Sarah is in fine firm and looking sharp at Kevin's Barber Shop Podcast

Hamilton has seen its share of musicians, each a snapshot in time. Some have a singular frame. others have a series spanning years and genres. Gavin O'Sullivan was a music rat from early on, digging into the West Hamilton music scene with so many others who have left their mark. Steve Foster, Mike Trebilcock, Tom Wilson, Tim Gibbons, Ray Ferrugia, Colin Cripps are but a few of the people whose work makes up the formative years of his calling. All Good Children and the Rayburns saw him chase the dream to its physical limit and soon after the demise of those units, Gavin saw his way westward to British Columbia about 9 years ago, he laid the guitar down and took time to restart the inevitable creative process. Four years or more passes and the germs of ideas, melodies and rhythms began to form into a new entity, songs that would eventually find their way onto his new CD, A Postcard From The Hammer

Sometimes music is your best friend, your only friend. All three of these folks had an early, committed relationship with music. Embracing both the instrument as well as the mindset, Bill Majoros rose to note in early outfits like Altogether Morris, A Universal Honey and the critically acclaimed Flux AD.. Recently Majoros has crafted his soundscapes as The Foreign Films and the recent additions of Kori Pop and Anna Jarvis make the cake rise with grace and passion . A whole batch of brand new songs performed live at this formative juncture and a very cool creatively ad hoc video frame up some history and insights of Bill Majoros and The Foreign Films. Join Kevin, Ryan and two wonderful ladies in Kori Pop and Anna Jarvis getting relaxed and kicked back with this week's Hamilton heavyweight, Bill Majoros

Youth is sometimes wasted on the young, but not in this case. A couple of primary school buds get together to thrash out some electric noise and before long they are writing original tunes and playing gigs. Dean Irvine (guitar/vox) and Mike Park (bass) chewed through a few drummers before hooking up with Gabe Bitti this year and the pudding was 100 proof. Releasing their self titled CD in February and garnering a Hamilton Music Award has made quite a few people look up and take notice. Showing skills beyond their years, these three are on their way and there ain't nothing going to stop them. Check out the live vibe as they lay it down for you - only at Barber Shop Podcast.

When Joe Varga met Dan Fila in grade 2, one of Canadian metal's premier rhythm sections was born. A mutual love of music meant that frequent jams soon led to bands soaked in the tradition of Rush, Kiss, and the second wave of UK speed demons such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Flash to the halcyon days of the late 80's and early 90's and the boys were pushing the limits with guitarists Sean Williamson and Adam Alex in VARGA, blowing people away with their own brand of thrash metal. Counting the likes of Dimebag Darryl and Rob Halford as fans, this was a group on a serious mission. A ton of touring, press and plain hard work saw them signed in the 90's to BMG - and the train was stopped by the corporate bandits just as the station appeared. After a layoff and time apart, Joe got the boys together to see how it would feel to play again - and it felt great. Freshly mastered, Kevin and Ryan have some brand new material from the anticipated double release - Enter The Metal and Return Of The Metal. Sounding

It just keeps rolling at Barber Shop Podcast as one of the hottest outfits out of Steel City kicks down the door. 40 Sons have been making waves for 9 years and the work shows. Slick production cannot hide the raw talent that these four put out - with what seems like incredible ease. Big tuneful vocals. searing guitars and a hard driving rhythm section propel yet another uniquely Hamilton sound into the world through their videos, recordings, and epic live shows. Laid back, funny and at ease with the whole situation, Repic, Spick, Link and Christiano are friends and comrades in this viscous game and it shows in what they do and in how they do it. Seriously good in all the right places, 40 Sons have made it clear that they're here to stay - and we are certainly all the better for it. World class in every respect, this is a band that is doing exactly what it takes to show the world what they're all about. So good live in studio you'll swear you were there.

Half the band dropped in to get buzzed at Barber Shop Podcast as George Panagopoulos and Ryan Davie from RADIO FREE UNIVERSE bless us with their rock n roll presence. Purely Hamilton, killer axe men abound with all these Ontario boys. George Panagopoulos was actually Toronto by way of Los Angeles, but we'll forgive him for that now that he's here. Born to rock, tight as a tiger and ready to go - this band has been garnering worldwide attention with (actually) millions of new fans who know some awesome music when they hear it. We will spin some great tunes from their new CD 13 Day Hangover featuring the stellar driving source Marcus Star and a quite sublime Ashton Norman drumming for the band. Rock and roll has always been about fearlessness and rebellion. In this day and age, consider yourself lucky to have a homegrown outfit so damn talented and loaded for bear. Give this episode a spin as Kevin and Ryan ask the eternal question. - "WHAT DO TOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE"? Don't miss a damn minute of this

Chris Houston was playing music before he joined up with the Forgotten Rebels as a 16 year old high school kid. Extensive touring and recording prepared him for the long and varied career in the music industry, still recording, still performing some of the most sly and wry material around. Long a student and now a teacher of music and things Hamilton, solo projects and collaborations with the cream of the crop have yielded a bumper crop of fine music indeed. Never one to rest on yesterday's laurels, Chris Houston drops by with his new 7" 45rpm and some very rare gems for all of us to enjoy on The Barber Shop Podcast!

Being in the Barber Shop, you see all kinds over the years. Fashion and style might change, but a classic look lasts through the fads and trends. Pretty near thirty years after being a hyped up b-boy from the Big O (Oakville) in the era where your musical passions and chops were the tunic you wore into an adolescent war like we all do. His was the world of Chuck D, Run DMC, Beasties and anything else outa Compton. As much as anything, the birth, progression and current state of rap, hop hop, and urban music make a good chunk of the time in the chair with Mac-N-Awe MacDonald as we spin some classics ahead of three killer tracks from his new album. Never hurts to say high to an old friend at the Barber Shop Podcast - until the next morning anyway.

In all honesty, punks don't really give a shit what you think, but Glen has earned a place in Hamilton Oi history. Steel Town born and bred, The Hamilton Kid devoured the works of The Exploited, The Clash, Sex Pistols and Forgotten Rebels, forming a hard edged, sweet centred treat for the ears over his formative years. Vinyl and leather were the soap box that a young man could scream his mantra from in a post-industrial world where what you see is not at all what you get. Sit back and soak in the life and times of one of the guys who has made music so much more than a pastime. Let the needle drop on another smoking episode of Barber Shop Podcast