Boasting a sound that is reminiscent of some of The White Stripes most energetic material, it is merely coincidence that Ontario’s The Black Frame Spectacle also only number two in the band. There is a rawness to The Black Frame Spectacle’s sound that would absolutely serve as a nice compliment to the Stripes, yet the band takes things a step further. They are carving out a fairly unique niche for their sound, mixing aspects of rockabilly with good ol’ fashioned rock n roll.
The Black Frame Spectacle’s Ian Sullivan recently took the time to take part in the MusicNerd Q&A:
Where do you currently call home?
Dorchester, Ontario
Why do you live where you do?
I’m not a big city person – the traffic, the noise, the stress of getting around. I much prefer the tranquility of small town living. Dorchester’s around 7,000 people and is quite peaceful…
What is occupying your time these days?
We just released our debut album, Grady Sessions, at the end of February of this year. We’ve been busy promoting it and figuring out what our path is going to be.
First record purchased and at what age?
I can’t recall the first album I bought, but I do remember picking out a few 45’s when I was around 5 or 6 years old – John Lennon’s “Woman” and “Watching the Wheels”, as well as The Go-Go’s “‘We Got The Beat”.
When did you start to play music?
i took piano as a young child, but it didn’t resonate with me. i think the formal setting put me off and i found the theory to be too much like school for my liking. i got my first bass guitar when i was 15 and when i realized i could teach myself how to play, that’s when i really began to get into music.
If we took a look inside the bedroom of a 13-15 year old you, what posters would have been on the walls?
The Cult, Guns N’ Roses, The Northern Pikes
What three records could you not live without?
The Beatles – Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
System of a Down – Toxicity
Radiohead- OK Computer
Who or what is getting too much attention these days?
There are some pop stars whose faces are everywhere you turn. I think the coolest thing a few of them could do is disappear for a couple of years. Take your money, take your face, take your name and drop out of the spotlight for a while to give us all a rest… Madonna and Michael Jackson used this concept brilliantly.
Who or what is not getting enough attention these days?
The things that really matter. We’re so distracted by fluff in the media. There are a lot of people who are working hard to uncover truths about our food, our environment, and our society but the vast majority of people still don’t know or don’t care about any of it. Social media is changing that, but we’ve still got a long way to go…
What has been your most memorable show?
The one that really sticks out for me was playing at The Dogs Bollocks Scooter Rally in Pt Burwell (on the shore of Lake Erie) last summer. It was a cross between a bush party and a motorcycle rally (but with scooters) and it was brilliant. People jumping the bonfire on their bikes, naked people riding around, scooter jousting and we were asked to play a set on the Saturday night on a stage that overlooked the campsite and the lake beyond that. It inspired a song afterwards…
Worst career moment thus far?
Everything that has happened to us has lead us to where we are at this point in our lives. I don’t think there is a worst moment – they are all just steps in the journey and I wouldn’t change any of them…
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