Arkells Plot World Domination

10/29/08 5:41pm

by Scott Bryson (CHARTattack)

Canadian rock snobs have lately been faced with a troubling semantic dilemma: What happens to the term "indie music" when said music keeps bleeding into the mainstream?

One by one, Canada's best kept secrets are being heard in television commercials and on the radio, and Hamilton's Arkells might be next in line. Their Jackson Square full-length debut was just released and they're finding support in some unlikely places. For starters, MuchMusic has been streaming their entire album on its website.

"We thought it'd be a cool way to give people a sneak preview," says keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist Dan Griffin. "It's hard for a band that not a lot of people know about.

"We're doing our best on tour, trying to get the music out there, but I think using stuff like a MuchMusic site is a great way to get people listening to songs. And if they like it, maybe we see them at the shows.

"It's a really cool outlet. We've never done that before. We just did a video for MuchMusic as well. It was our first time doing that. It has been cool that they're giving us some support that way."

The quintet (rounded out by drummer Tim Oxford, guitarist/vocalist Mike DeAngelis, bassist Nick Dika and vocalist/guitarist Max Kerman) also recently made an appearance on MTV Live, and have another one coming up.

"It was a lot of fun, but it's really hectic," says Griffin. "It definitely is live. Everything is sort of on-the-go."

According to a career map laid out by Arkells, with these music station appearances and the release of Jackson Square taken care of, they're already on the seventh and final stage of their plot for world domination: "Reap rewards, recognition, cheers and applause."

Bravado aside, Griffin says their stage show is still the most important part of the equation.

"I think that's always been the strongest part about this band. That's where we have the most fun. That's what we like to do. There's definitely something special about playing with a group of guys that you enjoy making music with. Every night, we're lucky enough to recreate that with each other. I'd like to think that we're good. I hope we are."

Here's where you can find out for yourself, as Arkells cross the country with Matt Mays & El Torpedo:

Oct. 29 Calgary, AB @ Flames Central
Oct. 30 Regina, SK @ The Pump Roadhouse
Nov. 1 Thunder Bay, ON @ The Outpost
Nov. 4-5 Ottawa, ON @ Barrymore's Music Hall
Nov. 6 Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
Nov. 7 Peterborough, ON @ The Montreal House
Nov. 8 Hamilton, ON @ The Casbah
Nov. 10 Toronto, ON @ MTV Live
Nov. 11 Kitchener, ON @ Elements Nightclub
Nov. 12 Kingston, ON @ The Ale House
Nov. 13 London, ON @ Cowboys Ranch
Nov. 21 Montreal, QC @ Cabaret Du Musee Juste Pour Rire