Odds Looking Good For Former Odds Creating Non-Odds Album

Although the Odds released their last studio album (Nest) 10 years ago, and a career-spanning singles compilation in 2000, three of the four members are getting back together to work on a new non-Odds album.

"We've written it together in the old fashioned way and we're trying to play some low key shows and try the stuff out," singer/guitarist Craig Northey wrote on his website on Tuesday.

Northey, along with drummer Pat Steward and bassist Doug Elliott, played a benefit gig for friend Ryan McMahon at Vancouver's Media Club on Oct. 26 to test their new material and will perform again in the city at Limerick Junction on Nov. 9.

"I must say we had a blast," Northey wrote of the first gig. "New material makes the set go faster for the performers and probably slower for the listeners who want to hear the old stuff."

Northey elaborated further on the "do-it-yourself" album in an email message."It's a rock record that we have written together so listeners have said it sounds just like our old selves but I'm too close to know for sure. We gave the same voices and hands and that makes that sound."

Northey also said that the current band name is The Craig Northey Power Trio, but that might change. Although there's no slated release date, Northey says the plan is to "make the album and then decide if we want help (labels, money, producers, etc.)."

Northey will play a string of acoustic dates with Colin James in B.C theatres, which will give them a chance to write new material for a new James album, starting later this month. Before that, however, Northey will play as part of Sharkskin for the juvenile diabetes "Rockin For Research" fundraiser at Vancouver's Hyatt Ballroom on Nov. 11. Paul Hyde, Strippers Union, The Tragically Hip's Rob Baker, Bill Henderson and Camille Henderson will also perform.

Here are Northey and James' tour dates:
Nov. 24 Mission, BC @ Clarke Foundation Theatre
Nov. 28 Powell River, BC @ Evergreen Theatre
Dec. 5-6 Prince George, BC @ Treasure Cove
Dec. 7-8 Prince Rupert, BC @ The Underground
Dec. 9 Vernon, BC @ Performing Arts Centre
Dec. 10 Cranbrook, BC @ Key City Theatre
Dec. 13 Penticton, BC @ Cleland Community Theatre
Dec. 14 Salmon Arm, BC @ Salmar Theatre