THUNDER BAY -- Not even a freshly dislocated shoulder can stop Royal Tusk vocalist and guitarist Daniel Carriere.
Our interview may have been rescheduled twice in the same day, but it eventually did happen. By the end of the chat he was in need of pain killers, but still took every question.
His timing is impeccable, injured just two days before the Canadian national tour kicks off, boasting 27 dates and counting. Accident prone? A klutz? Carriere calls this skateboarding encounter, “a freak accident” along with the broken ribs he sustained a few weeks ago. But can he still play guitar? He doesn’t seem to think it’ll be a problem.
“We’ll be there,” he says in his raspy tone.
Calling Edmonton home base, this tour will mark Royal Tusk’s second visit to Thunder Bay.
Local music lovers may remember seeing them as the opening act for Big Wreck last time around. Needless to say, this band lands some wicked tours, this time joining Atlanta rockers Collective Soul.
“We just want to put on a great show,” says Carriere. “We love playing, it’s fun to get out there. Everything else business wise comes and goes.”
Members include guitarist Quinn Cyrankiewicz, drummer Calen Stuckel and keyboardist/guitarist Mike James.
Though Royal Tusk as a collective is about to embark on their double take to the Lakehead, Carriere and bassist Sandy MacKinnon know our city a little too well.
Their resumes include past musical venture, alternative rock outfit Ten Second Epic.
It’s an understatement to say these guys have spent a lot of time in a tour van. Fifteen -- the number of times Carriere calculates he’s driven across the country.
“We think touring is important. Mentally you can’t prep for it. As a band, we’re rehearsed up and ready to rock. We’re excited. You’ll slip into the groove somewhere along the way. Being on the road is a different style of life.”
Carriere says that when it comes to touring northern Ontario, places to crash are few and far between.
Aside from the long drive, he says it’s nice to get to Thunder Bay, where the people are cool and the town is stoked that you made it.
“I live in Edmonton so I understand,” explains Carriere. “There’s a lot of fans who appreciate when people make their way to Thunder Bay to play. It’s not pretentious there.”
It was 2013 when the Royal Tusk jam sessions started to take shape. Fast forward three years to present day and their debut full-length album DealBreaker (produced by Eric Ratz) is about to hit the masses May 6.
“We always wanted more, that’s the nature of being a musician, and it’s insatiable. We’re very proud of the new record.”
Another reason to be proud, is coming full circle. When the respected front man of a band you grew up listening to, rips an explosive solo on your record, people pay attention. Cue Ian Thornley’s cameo on the track
“So Long the Build Up,” explains Carriere, “I grew up listening to Big Wreck and I admire Ian’s guitar playing and song writing.”
Thornley is also a fan.
"These are really great guys, in a really great band. It was an absolute pleasure to play on their record."
Having had a sneak peek, it’s a multi-layered pop rock gem, forged from rock 'n' roll soul, blue-collar charm and a renegade attitude.
Boasting memorable radio friendly singles “Fever” and “Curse the Weather.”
“We had a lot of time to write. We just played music we want to listen to, we’re happy for it, and we can’t wait to share it. We’re glad that people connect with the songs. Every time I write I try to put something real on the page, if not what’s the point?”
Royal Tusk and Collective Soul play the Community Auditorium on Wednesday, April 27.
