Double Pumpers Offer Old Gold On New Album
Thursday March 20, 2008 @ 05:00 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff

Double Pumpers

Seventies blues, rock and metal are Ottawa's Double Pumpers' main influence, but don't think of them as mere imitators. They've been refining their tight, riff-heavy sound since 2003 and, with the release of the new Old Gold, they find themselves in a comfortable place.

"Our sound has changed considerably from the early days," says bassist/vocalist Damian Sawka. "The songwriting definitely has roots steeped in the blues of one form or another, but lately some jazz and metal influences have been creeping in.

"We certainly don't actively pursue any specific style, we just play what feels true to us. A lot of it comes out with a classic feel, probably because we're the kind of dudes that listen to records, not MP3s."

"Everything we do seems to come naturally," adds drummer Paul Granger. "If anything sounds forced or wrong, we scrap it right away. It's great to be playing in a band where you enjoy playing every song in a set."

Double Pumpers have reached this place of ease with a lot of hard work. One song on their last album was recorded 17 times until it felt right. When they began, Sawka explains, he was "concentrating more on being a better bass player and just hitting some vocal harmonies with [guitarist/vocalist Dave] Martindale." Now the songwriting and singing duties are more equally split, and all three players work on a song until every person gives the final OK.

For Old Gold, Double Pumpers' third album, Sawka says, "I think we've all endured a few more scrapes and bruises since the last record, as well as becoming better musicians."

Martindale adds, somewhat mysteriously, "We're delving deeper into our heart and soul through pains that we've experienced together and individually. For the record, we didn't go to counseling."

Who needs counseling when you have classic bluesy songs of heartache, and heavy monster rockers. Old Gold's big sounds come across best on big vinyl platters and powerful stereos.

"We knew we were going to press this record to vinyl and approached the recording with that in mind," explains Granger. "We use vintage instruments and recording gear along with a mentality which focuses on a warm and tight sound — raw yet clear."

Live, the sound is even rawer. For the record's two Ottawa release parties on Friday and Saturday, Double Pumpers have assembled some similarly hard-hitting bands. Bionic and Mad Parish will join them the first night, while C'mon and Starvin Hungry are on the Saturday bill. Both shows are close to selling out, but the band plan more shows across Ontario, Quebec and the east coast later in the spring. In the meantime, Old Gold can be ordered on both CD and vinyl through Music For Cats Records.

—Caitlin Crockard