Wide Mouth Mason shakes Shaughnessy’s

Being only a three-man band has its challenges, said Shaun Verreault, lead guitarist and vocalist for Wide Mouth Mason.

The hard-driving blues and rock influenced band will perform at Shaughnessy’s Pub and Grill, 187 Shaughnessy St., on Jan. 21, at 10 p.m.

“(Being only three) demands a lot from each of us,” Verreault said. “You have to use all the dynamics, the peaks and valleys (of the notes) to get a full sound from intent to delivery.”

The band is noted for its full sound despite the numbers, said Verreault.

“With three there is no room for weak links.”

It seems to have worked for Verreault, Safwan Javed (percussion and vocals) and Earl Pereira (bass and vocals), who have been together since 1993.

All are from diverse ethnic backgrounds and are natives of Saskatoon, Sask.

Taking the band’s name from the jars they once drank from, Wide Mouth Mason has been nominated for three Juno Awards and won eight Western Canadian Music Awards.

Playing with world famous rock bands, including the Rolling Stones and AC/DC, was an eye-opener for the band, said Verreault. In 2001, they opened for the latter in New York City.

“There is good reason why AC/DC are tops. I have seen (lead guitarist)Angus Young really sick with the flu but still play until he exhausted himself. I have seen him taken away in an ambulance after a show.”

They also played with the Rolling Stones on their Bridges to Babylon tour in 1997 and 1998.

“There are few bands that have the (song) catalogue like theirs and the balls to keep touring,” Verreault said. “It is amazing (guitarist) Keith Richards is still around.”

Besides current rockers like the Rolling Stones and AC/DC, and musicians and bands such as Jimmy Hendrix, Cream with Britain’s Eric Clapton, and The Police, the blues have had a major influence on the group.

“Blues influenced us so much when we first came out that we were considered unusual, a square peg in a round hole. It had a large and sweeping influence.”

Verreault said he respected blues from all time periods, before the second world war and afterwards, with Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddie Albert and B.B. King.

The band is set to release a greatest hits live album, celebrating its 10-year anniversary of its performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Wide Mouth Mason is getting ready to tour again to support the new CD. The CD, t-shirts and other items will be available at the Shaughnessy’s concert.

In addition, Verreault said the group has another CD under development — a collaboration with Big Sugar’s lead singer and guitarist Gordie Johnson.

“We have played with Big Sugar and The Trews before. Gordie knows us very well, our personalities. We made a CD, Stew, with him in 2000.” Verreault said it should be out in late 2010 or early 2011.

The audience at Shaughnessy’s can expect a loud and funky show from Wide Mouth Mason, Verreault added.

“It will be a danceable bluesy and rock mix. We enjoy smaller venues. People get up real close and we can see the whites of their eyes.”

The band will play tunes from the live CD, from the past and some new songs they are working on for their next CD.
Tickets are $10 and are available by phoning 673-1866 or visiting www.widemouthmason.com.