With years of experience killing it on stage with bands like Sum 41, Cauterize, and Lucky Number 7, members of The Organ Thieves have all the talent and skill needed to put together one of the more distinctive sounds in new music.
Having each experienced Supernova in various bands during their teen years, Chuck Coles (lead vocals, guitar), Dave Brownsound (guitar, vocals), Mikesmith (bass), and Matt Worobec (drums) all see the value (and necessity!) of offering opportunities to young up and coming artists.
This is also why The Organ Thieves are giving Supernova.com bands the chance to open for them at a series of shows across Ontario this June!
I got the chance to talk with the indelible Chuck leading up to the Toronto Sound Academy show, about his musical background, about being a fan vs. an artist, and about his insight into the early experiences of young indie bands.
“We all come from somewhat different backgrounds; roots, reggae… Matt, our drummer’s been into punk rock since he was little. I was more into hip hop or punk.” Having known some of his band-mates since kindergarten, Chuck got to get up close and personal with music crowds early on.
“Like my first concert ever was Pantera… I was 13 and it was with Sepultura and Bio Hazard. And I totally smoked weed and got drunk, and these skids threw me over into the pit,” …a fearless introduction that seems to have translated into Chuck’s career as an artist as he joked, "I did watch the singer from Kideo get their c*ck sucked when I was a kid, and that's what really made me want to play music." (editor's note: BWAHAHA!)
No doubt, it takes a good sense of humour to get past the beats of the industry. When Chuck played his first show ever, the now accomplished
singer/guitarist told me he was signed in to a competition called Sink or Swim, “It was brutal. There were literally guys spitting on me, talking between or during our songs, and you either played or got completely kicked off. There was no mercy but, you learn to perform like that.”
Getting a good share of early stage experience is something common to all of The Organ Thieves, who share a common respect and chemistry, despite their individual styles.
“Unlike some of the bands I’ve played with, these guys just make it so easy to do recordings and get ideas across. We’re like a garage band at home, and playing becomes the easiest thing when you’re with guys you respect… it’s very natural. We’re all on the same level it seems, and it’s much more fun that way.”
When asked about his support for Supernova, Chuck admitted that the competitive aspect of the Battle isn’t the most important thing. “It’s not just about competition, because everyone’s music is so different. It’s definitely cool that [Supernova] does this, and that these opportunities exist where they might not otherwise. Playing on the big stage is definitely like putting on a magician’s show, and Supernova brings that magic.”
That magic still gets to him sometimes, too. “The last time I was moved by a band… oh man. I think Mastodon or Mumford & Sons… radio’s cool and everything, but magic is when the music is real and in front of you; someone’s putting soul in to it.”
On the flipside, he also sees a negative trends in music being bundled with fashion and pop culture. “I mean, when clothes are more important than music, and a band is just playing dress up… you might as well kill yourself.”
The Organ Thieves are gearing up for the release of their first full-length album, Somewhere Between Free Men and Slaves, which will feature unique roots, reggae, punk and rock influences combined in a respectably original style & performance. The first single will likely be Grandma’s got Cancer, which will be featured along with other tracks and acoustic offerings on their upcoming tour.
You can catch The Organ Thieves at these upcoming Supernova.com Band on the Run Finals events, alongside some of the best up and coming indie talent in Ontario:
I got the chance to talk with the indelible Chuck leading up to the Toronto Sound Academy show, about his musical background, about being a fan vs. an artist, and about his insight into the early experiences of young indie bands.
“Unlike some of the bands I’ve played with, these guys just make it so easy to do recordings and get ideas across. We’re like a garage band at home, and playing becomes the easiest thing when you’re with guys you respect… it’s very natural. We’re all on the same level it seems, and it’s much more fun that way.”
