New members revive former glory of 80s band

BY MATTHEW GILLIES

It was in the 80s when the original classic rock cover band Trixx was formed.

Following a 16-year hiatus, original drummer Dan Howard, along with a new lineup of musicians, revived the band bringing back the classic sound of rock music, and the almost forgotten guitar solo back to music fans throughout Ontario.

With female vocalist Jessica Crowe, lead guitarist Danny Cole, bass player Brad Tegman and drummer Howard, the quartet delivers high-energy performances to its fans, covering classic rock music, as well as performing original material reminiscent of the music they cover.

With influences ranging from metal musicians like Pantera to the sounds of The Beatles, Trixx incorporates the melodies and harmonies of music they grew up listening to, giving music fans a reality check of what made music so great.

Playing for private functions, outdoor parties, bar scenes, local events as well as out-of-town shows, Trixx has established itself as a serious band looking to break out into the music scene.

With high-energy performances, the band puts all their efforts into entertaining an audience, regardless of the size.
"It doesn't matter if we feel a bit of pressure before going on," Tegman said. "It's game on the moment we're on stage and whether it's 10 people or 100, we give 100 percent."

"You can tell by the performance, a band that can get along well can play well," Howard said.

What makes this instrumental power trio and vocalist so unique is their appeal to the sounds of what Tegman said is the old school riff rock.

"You never hear anymore fills or drum fills," Howard said. "It's the same three riffs over and over again."

Referring to the new trend in music, which uses a similar formula of starting off mellow and breaking into a power chorus, Cole brings up the question, "What happened to the guitar solo?"

Getting his musical ambition from guitarists like Dimebag Darrell of Pantera, Slash of Guns'N'Roses and Zack Wylde of Black Label Society, the icons that thrived on playing classic guitar solos, Cole blends his own style of hair metal into the band with rhythmic ease.

As for Crowe, who began singing country, the transition into a rock band was something new for her. While she's only been the vocalist for Trixx for little over a year, she said her voice has become accustomed to singing rock.

When listening to her sing, a strange resemblance can be heard in her voice of female musicians such as Joan Jett and Ann Wilson of Heart, proving her capability in holding her musical ranges.

Among the band there is the unofficial fifth member. Much like the fifth member of the Beatles, (Neil Aspinall, who acted as road manager, personal assistant and Apple Corps Ltd. executive for the Fab Four) Crowe's father, Owen, or as the members like to call him, Colonel Crowe, has been supportive of the quartet since they began performing together.

His support ranged from making the Trixx banner, getting the CD airplay and even going as far as nearly buying a bus for the group to tour in - instead he settled on a trailer for their equipment.

"He's the type of guy who at the last minute, if you needed a new cord or instrument, he would go out and find it," Tegman said.

Since settling on its current lineup last September, Trixx has recorded their debut five-song EP at Easter Island Studios. The band also opened for Helix and Trooper at Summerfest and Honeymoon Suite at the opening of Cranky Joe's in Hanmer. They also have other gigs lined up across Ontario.

"Keep an eye and ear out for us," Tegman said. "You don't just get music - you get a show."