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| BLOODSHOT BILL - Tim Snow photo |
His brand of rock ’n’ roll gets greasy
“If you’re a horrible band, then that’s your fault,” says Bloodshot Bill. “That has nothing to do with anybody but you,” as he takes ownership of his musical project. For him, this is something he really can’t escape due to the fact that he often travels as a one-man band. His ‘raved about’ performances are living proof.
A prolific touring machine, the Montreal-based Bloodshot Bill serves up good old-fashioned rock and roll with a side of twang and no shortage of grease. He started playing in 1998 armed with his instruments and distinctive voice. Once he hit the road and hasn’t stayed off since.
His look and sound have a 1950s flavour and according to Bloodshot Bill it was in this time period that “they really got it right.” But it is not just ‘paint by numbers’ nostalgic rock and roll. “There are bands today that try to do that and it’s just horrible and they are missing something, and then there are bands that don’t try to do that and do something else and they are just great. It’s truly up to the band, not necessarily style,” he adds.
He has a distinctive look, he even had his own brand of hair grease, and this sometimes draws comments from the general public. Some lady in a diner will say, “You remind me of Elvis!” He doesn’t mind so long as the comments are made by the really old or the really young, but if someone is making the comment to be a jerk they had better watch out.
“This one time I remember walking down the street, I was with some friends and we had split up and were going to meet somewhere. Blocks away some guys were like, ‘Hey Elvis,’ or whatever, and I was like, ‘That’s it!’ I was just in a mood and I start walking back. I see a bottle, so I pick up a bottle. And I’m just about to toss it at them and it’s my friends. They all thought it was really funny… But I usually don’t get too violent, I usually look at what the other person looks like, usually someone from the cast of friends, and I call them that,” Bill explains.
This feistiness not only affects his personal life, it is a key part of his survival as a musician. He was banned from entering the USA from 2006 to 2011 but is now taking full advantage of his regained freedom. While he has found some success as a Montreal-based artist, there still have been some limitations. “There used to be a couple papers in town, like French and English version type of style, but they don’t have those anymore. I think you get a little more press I think if you’re French.” But according to Bill the audiences in Montreal are great and don’t care whether good music is in French or English.
When asked what song he would recommend for someone to listen, he favoured a slower song called “Jill.” His track record for releases throughout his career has been consistent and is definitely worth checking out. The 2014 LP Shook Shake is a great place to start.
Bloodshot Bill will be live onstage this January but also keep your ears open because he hinted at a West Coast tour with Shannon and the Clams. If you’re smart, catch this one-man firehouse solo as he is gonna heat up a cold and lonely January night.
Bloodshot Bill performs at the Hindenburg on January 23.
- by Alex Moulton
