04/09
Rev Dan

Dead Boy Productions Interviews Cousin Harley

So tell me a bit about your self?
I'm originally from Toronto Canada but have been living out west for about 15 years now.   I started performing at 12 years old around Ontario playing early rock n roll and it all steamrolled from there.   bought my first vintage guitar at 16 and never looked back (well... except for a short stint to get a degree in classical theory.. but hey.. its all music)

You go by cousin harley, why not by paul?
Many years ago I played in a band called the Fixins with Carolyn Mark from Vancouver Island (she's still one of my favorite songwriters).   We were playing punked out honkytonk when it wasn't very cool at all and part of the deal was we all had to have "stage names".    She gave me the name when she gave me a fringed western shirt that had "Harley" embroidered on it.   Kinda stuck ever since.   I guess it worked out as I've always had jazz trios under my own name and didn't want the two projects to get confused either

Your sound is has a large blues influence, where else do you look to for influence?
Anywhere I can find it!  The classical stuff really helped my fingerstyle in the end.   I've always been into a ton of different music.  you kinda have to be if you plan to make a living playing the guitar.   I grew up on RnR and punk which has always influenced me in my approach.  I played country for a lot of years and i think that comes through too.   I'm also really into early swing and country blues and a ton of other stuff.   I guess I just try and take something from every style I get to play and put it all together.   keeps it interesting


Can you talk a little bit about your backing band?
I've been pretty lucky with my band.   the sceene here in Vancouver is a small one so finding guys that firstly are into this kind of music and secondly can really play can be difficult.   I've gone through a bunch of rhythm sections.   In the past I've had Pete Turland and Steve Taylor (they both appear on 'Jukin') from Ray Condo and the Ricocetes and JT Taylor from the Twisters amogst other cats.   I think the current line up is fantastic.   Jesse Cahiill on drums is hands down my favorite drummer I've ever worked with in any band.   Not only does he understand how to lay it down agressively but his chops are amazing.   He's a jazz guy with a punk inside.   He played with Fathead Neuman (Ray Charles Band) until he passed away earlier this year.   Keith Picot on bass is the roots part of the band.   slaps like a maniac and never wears out.   Awsome bass player and hey, its always good to have a guy in the band who can cut down a stand of 100 foot plus Douglas Fir trees and make a house out of it (no kiddin!)  as I said before, I'm pretty lucky

You have been playing guitar for a while now, you have seen a lot of bnads come and go. What do you think about today’s rockabilly bands?
When you're living up here in the north it can be a bit tough hearing a lot of new stuff in this gendre(I perfer to hear a band live) because of borders and distance however what i do get to see, I really like.   I'm by no means a purest so i'm really into all different directions people are taking this music

Is this your first year performing at viva?

Yeah, I never really applied before.  Not sure why but we're all pretty stoked!

Looking forward to anything in particular?
As its our first time, I think we're all just into soaking up the sceene and checking out as many bands as possible.   I'd also like to get a chance to hang out with Buzz Campbell from the Hot Rod Lincolns again.   We had a heck of a good time last time he was in Vancouver and we've chatted about makin some noise together one day

There was something that I came across while I was doing some research on you. Something I found fascinating, you have a few “how to” dvd’s available. I saw the clips that were provided online. I was really impressed. Can you talk about that?
Those Dvds started out as a whim and they seem to have taken on a life of their own.   I've always taught guitar on the side so when a friend asked me to do a Dvd for his new company I thought, hey what the heck.   I did a couple more and now they've been picked up by Mel Bay.  Never thought they would have gotten as much attention as they have.   I think they really have raised the profile of the band in the last couple of years so in hind sight it was a really smart thing to do.  Got a few more in my head but just have to find the time to getting around to recording them

When you perform live, do you have those dvd’s with you or is it just a online thing?
I try and have some at most gigs so I'll do my best to get some and bring em with me

You have posted a blog on your MySpace page about your set up when you play and record. Are those specs still the same are have you changed the equipment you use?
I had a bunch of emails from guitarists asking about my rig so I set up those blogs.   Its still pretty much the same (the amp, guitars etc)  but I've added a few things to the pedal board for roadwork.    Its pretty tough to find a vintage Ampeg Gu12 when you're playing in places like Medicinehat, Alberta (or anywhere else for that matter) so i've found a few boxes that can get me close to what I'm used to.  

Anything else you would like to add?
Just hope people will come out to the show and have a great time with us!   

Thank you
Hey Dan, Thanks for thinkin of us and hope to see ya at the show.  First beer is on me!!!!!