Classic Canadian band, The Odds, will headline the musical entertainment in Parksville this Canada Day.
And Craig Northey, an original founding member of the band and one of its two vocalist-guitarists, hopes they can inspire plenty of dancing and flag waving.
“Come have fun,” he said. “We have fun … we hope it’s infectious.”
The Odds, who formed in Vancouver in 1987, are known for hit songs Eat My Brain, Heterosexual Man, Someone Who’s Cool and others. They also produced music for several television shows, including the theme music for The Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town and the Corner Gas theme song, Not a lot Going On.
The Odds toured extensively during the 1990s, including as an opening act for The Tragically Hip and Barenaked Ladies, and released several records over the past couple decades.
More recently, The Odds were the house band at the Canada Hockey House during the 2010 Winter Olympics and were named the house band for the Vancouver Canucks throughout the 2010 and 2011 NHL playoffs, according to the band’s website.
“We’re still passionate about it,” said Northey. “Nothing has really changed.”
But things have changed a little bit in The Odds nearly 30 year history. Only Northey and bassist Doug Elliott remain of the band’s original line up. Today, they play with drummer Pat Steward, who joined them in 1995, and Murray Atkinson, who joined on guitar and vocals in 2005.
The band also split up for nearly a decade in the late 90s and early 2000s, but Northey said that didn’t last because the band members “just kept collaborating.”
Back together again now for almost 10 years, The Odds are still recording and touring. The band recorded and released a trilogy of EPs over the past year and a half, the last being Party, Party, Party around four months ago. Northey also said he and his band mates have started writing their next full-length album. That record, and its corresponding tour, won’t be ready for another five or six months, though.
Until then, The Odds are busying themselves with a number of gigs throughout the summer, which includes their trip to Parksville.
And although they have so much new material, Northey said the band plans to focus on their most popular songs for this show.
The Odds will take the stage in Parksville Community Park at 9 p.m. on
July 1, and will play until just after 10 p.m. As they are the headliners, this band will be the last to perform.
Starting off the music-filled day, however, will be a selection of local and Island talents.
“I get so many requests,” said organizer Megan Olsen of Arbutus Events of people wanting to play onstage. “I try to stick with the Island as much as possible.”
Unlike the last few years, however, Olsen said the musical entertainment will be more varied in 2015.
Alongside the usual folk/acoustic rock, there will also be country, hair metal, bluesy rock and reggae.
“This year, I wanted to try a few different genres,” she said, adding that this would “give everyone the chance to listen to music they love.”
New talent Alex Wicket will kick things off from 12:30-1 p.m., followed by Tora Leigh from 1:15-2 p.m. and Mike Tompkins from 2:15-3 p.m.
Long-time local performers Bev Finch and the Baseman will then play from 3:15-4 p.m.
From 4:15-5 p.m., Nanaimo contemporary country band The Boot Hill Boys with take the stage. They will then be followed by bluesy rock locals Counting Time from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Next, Turn it to 11 will cover classic arena-rock-hair-bands from 6:45-7:45 p.m.
“It’s full performance… spandex and all,” said Olsen.
Finally, the second to last group will be the popular Canadian reggae group Tasman Jude from 8-8:45 p.m. This group last played in Qualicum Beach on June 20.
All musical entertainment on Canada Day, which takes place on the stage in the Parksville Community Park, is free for everyone to attend.
