Skip to content

Act of Defiance make Thunder Bay Debut

Act of Defiance have been called, “an extreme metal super group.” One look at their player roster and you’ll agree. Drummer Shawn Drover has broken my Skype interview cherry.
390106_98179138
From the Left: Henry Bonner Chris Broderick Matt Bachand Shawn Drover (Photo supplied)

Act of Defiance have been called, “an extreme metal super group.”

One look at their player roster and you’ll agree. Drummer Shawn Drover has broken my Skype interview cherry. 

I recently spoke with drummer Shawn Drover from Winnipeg via Skype. Drover and highly skilled guitarist Chris Broderick are former members of Megadeth.  But we don’t get into that. 

He’d rather talk about his new band, and I don’t blame him.

Rounding out this powerhouse is former Scar the Martyr vocalist Henry Bonner and bassist Matt Bachand, formerly of Shadows Fall. Together, this four piece presents first class chops and a burning fire of creativity to the metal world. Formed in 2014, Act of Defiance skillfully, passionately, and rapidly pieced together their debut album, Birth and the Burial. 

Act of Defiance play Rockhouse tonight (June 1) with Untimely Demise, Caught in the Crossfire, Slavestate and Railgun.  Cover is $15 at the door.

Angie Valente, tbnewswatch.com: How is the North American Tour progressing so far?

Shawn Drover: It’s been great. This is the third time we’ve toured North America. The first time we played a few cities like Vancouver and Saskatchewan and now we’re playing Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, all the way across Canada. It’s a full blown Canadian tour. That’s a great thing for me being Canadian, it’[s fun for me to tour my homeland.

AV: What part of Canada are you from?

SD: I was born and raised in Montreal.  When I was 18 I moved to Toronto for five years and then to America in 1987. I lived in Florida and I’ve been in Atlanta.

AV: Have you ever experienced Thunder Bay?

SD: I’ve never played Thunder Bay or driven through it.  It’ll be the first time I’ve been up there, I’m really excited about it. The furthest North I’ve been was Sault Ste. Marie back in 2007.  I’m really looking forward to hitting new territory.  The more places you can play, the better. We’re a traveling heavy metal band. The fact that we can explore new territory is a good thing for us.

AV: What was the biggest challenge with making Birth and the Burial?

SD: All of it was a challenge because we had nothing. We had a time frame for completion by May 1. That was a goal we had set and we actually turned it in on April 30. We needed management, a record company, a booking agent, art work, band members and songs.  We did it all on our own without any help.  I think it came down to being focussed and dedicated to make a good heavy metal record. We really believed in it. We pulled it off, and I’m really proud.

AV: How have you seen the music industry change over the decades?

SD: Record sales and concert ticket sales are down, it’s not like how it was in the ‘80s.  Nobody tours the hockey arena circuit anymore.  The industry has changed and not in a good way, despite that we were able to do what we wanted to do.  I’ve been doing this for many years now, so I’ve seen the industry change as I’ve been a part of it.

With Napster Music (file sharing service), that’s when this whole thing started.  The decline of sales happened in the industry, with the younger generation.  People’s mentality changed.  Why should I go buy an album when I can get it for free? 

It’s a fact. Albums were selling less and less, with more internet piracy.  I don’t want to turn this into a depressing conversation, I’m trying to make a living out here and tour. 

We built a solid fan base from touring.  That’s what we’re doing. We want to be a dedicated touring unit, playing wherever we can, in an old school, grassroots, blue collar way.  We’re here and playing, and want you to come to the show.

AV: Where does your “Blue collar sensibility and perspective” stem from?

SD: I’ve been around the block a couple times, I’m no spring chicken. I’ve seen the other side of the music industry coin, but mostly in heavy metal. In the mid ‘80s when MTV started to take off, heavy metal was a massive part of that network.  MTV saw the revenues and exploited it. Back in the day we bought records of the bands we liked.

We’re a heavy metal band. We play different styles of heavy metal.  That’s what bands should do.  Bands should tour and get their music out there, and tour their product. We have an old school, blue collar mentality.  You put out a record and you tour.  We look forward to playing for you guys.

Act of Defiance play Rockhouse tonight with Untimely Demise, Caught in the Crossfire, Slavestate and Railgun.  Cover is $20 at the door.

 





push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks