Ska band part of national compilation CD

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This article was published 19/02/2003 (8434 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A group of west Winnipeg musicians are excited to have a song on a prestigious national ska music compilation.

Bailey’s Car is one of four Winnipeg bands to be recognized on All Skanadian Club Volume 4, released by Stomp Records of Montreal and launched in Winnipeg at the West End Cultural Centre on Feb. 15. The others are The Wedgewoods, Ten Too Many, and The Afterbeat. All four bands performed at the launch.

Bailey’s Car includes Cam Stephens (guitar and vocals), Tim Melnyck (trombone), Jon Rash (trombone), Brent McCrea (bass) and Jon Peters (drums). Stephens, Melnyck and Rash live in Charleswood. McCrea lives in Waverley Heights and Peters is from East Kildonan. Their song Losing Time was selected for the compilation.

“The album is pretty big across Canada and the U.S.,” says Stephens. “We didn’t expect to get on it. We were touring Canada in the summer so we dropped off a demo CD at the record company office in Montreal. Over 50 bands submitted songs and only about 15 bands are on the album.”

Bailey’s Car was founded three years ago. Original members Stephens, Melnyck and Perry Giesbrecht (drummer) went to Oak Park High School together. Giesbrecht now performs with Ethan, another local band. Stephens and Melnyk went to the same church, Grant Memorial Baptist Church. McCrea was Giesbrecht’s pal, and Peters joined them later.

The group put out their first full-length CD last February. Vehicle of the 21st Century features 10 songs, including Losing Time. The group also recorded a four-song demo (the one they gave to the record company for consideration) for distribution to record labels, festivals and elsewhere.

“The demo is more professional,” says Stephens. “It includes three new songs and one old one. We have a lot of songs. Some come and some go. As our style changes, we just don’t play some of them any more. We’ve written about 20 songs or so in three years. We play 12 or 13 at any show.”

In Winnipeg, Bailey’s Car has performed for church youth groups and at the Royal Albert Arm’s Hotel.

Last summer, they toured Canada from Quebec City to Vancouver, playing churches, clubs and festivals.

“It was awesome. We did 30 shows. We had a great time. It was a blast,” says Stephens.

The group learned a lot by doing all their own bookings, and made themselves some contacts, too. On their seven-week tour, they also enjoyed the sights and various activities, from mini golf to cliff jumping in Kelowna.

Stephens has been playing guitar for eight years but has been singing since he was a small child. He fondly remembers church choir with Melnyck.

“Music has just always been a huge part of our lives,” says Stephens.

Like most musicians, Stephens and his fellow band members dream of making it big. But their immediate goal is to keep performing and to bring a positive message to people.

“We want to have fun, as long as we enjoy doing it,” says Stephens. “If we are supposed to go further, we will. But we also want to be realistic and have a good time.”

Stephens is a university student and part-time youth pastor at his church.

“We are Christians, but all Christian guys are not preachy,” says Stephens. “We do present a positive message and there is no swearing in our lyrics.”

There are three categories of ska music. The first is heavy on reggae, the second even more upbeat and the third is a mix of punk and ska, says Stephens.

“We are in the third wave. We bring a variety of musical influences and interests together in our music.”

All Skanadian Club Volume 4 is available in local record stores or from the bands featured on it.

For more on Bailey’s Car, visit their web-site at www.baileyscar.com, e-mail baileyscar@hotmail.com or call Stephens at 895-7923.

PHOTO LINDA VERMETTE/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS