Geronimo Aren't Jumping Out Of Planes Or After Record Deals

06/07/07 5:30pm

by Shawn Despres (CHARTattack)

Having enjoyed a small taste of the indie spotlight with their previous band, the late, great Despistado, guitarists Dagan Harding and Leif Thorseth have big ambitions for their current act, Geronimo.

"We want to take over the world," says Harding matter-of-factly.

The Regina quartet, rounded out by drummer Garret Matheis and bassist Henry Brass, came together in 2005. They quickly began penning material and self-released an EP titled Enlightenment In A Small Town last year. They've been gigging in support of it ever since, and their current tour includes a show on Friday at Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern as part of the North By Northeast Music Festival.

"It's important to do things like NXNE to be on the industry radar, but at the same time they are just another gig," explains Harding. "They can be cheesy and fun at the same time.

"It's fun when there are people there that are into the music and not just a bunch of guys with folded arms taking notes, but it is nice to get some attention at the same time. Mostly it's nice to do interviews that make you sound deadly and, of course, to see how weird the music industry is."

While additional exposure is important to Geronimo, the group aren't actively chasing a recording contract. Content doing things themselves for the time being, Harding and crew hope that if they eventually find a deal that they deem worthy of accepting, it will simply complement what they've already worked to establish.

"We released our EP on our own and were quite happy doing that. We have also been getting some attention despite the fact that we aren't signed. However, the perfect deal would be nice to get, but we aren't holding our breaths. We figure if we keep doing what we're doing and have a certain degree of self-sufficiency already in place, if a label wants to help out things will only get better for us and will take us one step closer to world domination."

Realizing that they can't conquer the globe without a kick-ass soundtrack, Geronimo have been writing new music for their debut full-length between tours. Although there's no time frame for when the project will be finished, it promises to expand the act's catchy brand of post-hardcore-infused indie rock.

"The album is more coherent, with a consistent narrative," Harding says. "The EP was great in its diversity and youth, but the album will be very different from the EP. We're changing these days with every song we get through."

Harding admits that being associated with Despistado has helped get people to listen to what Geronimo are doing. And while he loves that many old fans are open to his current band, he doesn't worry too much about those who aren't.

"Despistado has helped us to promote the band, however we are a totally different, more competent and focused band. A lot of people have said they like what we're doing better, although I'm sure some don't because they're still stuck in 2003."

Here are Geronimo's Canadian tour dates:

June 7 Ottawa, ON @ End Hits
June 8 Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern (NXNE)
June 10 St. Catharines, ON @ Level 3
June 12 Barrie, ON @ Foundation
June 13 Waterloo, ON @ Starlight
June 14 London, ON @ Salt Lounge
June 15 Guelph, ON @ Albion
June 16 Brantford, ON @ Ford Plant
June 29 Calgary, AB @ Grand Theatre