The Vernon Jazz Club will be bouncing as The Beladeans hit the stage this Saturday night.
The band will be playing hot covers such as Shake (Isley Bros.), Wooly Bully (Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs), Peppermint Twist (Joey Dee and the Starliters), and You Never Can Tell (Check Berry), along with some originals.
The Beladeans are Mike Guild (guitar and vocals), Rob Lord (drums), Melissa Lee (sax), Steve Graf (trumpet), Gordon Rempel (keys), and Bruce Emery (bass).
This energetic group has been rocking venues since 2001. Starting out as a duo with just Guild and Lord, it has evolved into the sextet that it is today.
The Beladeans are active members of the West Coast music scene and can be heard regularly at well-known Vancouver clubs such as The Railway Club, The Biltmore and The Rickshaw Theatre.
They have opened for The Bell Rays, Bob Log III, King Khan & BBQ and The Pack.
“What makes us unique is our ability to play to a vast number of different types of audiences. We have played loud rock clubs, classic car show ‘n shines, curling rinks, on the front steps of CBC Radio Vancouver, restaurants, pubs, outdoor festivals… and to have people aged five to 95 enjoy our music is what keeps us going,” said Guild.
Recently the band has been busy recording its EP, Hot Hand, which was released by the independent Vancouver label Neptoon Records. They have also just released their video of Boogie Haircut.
“We play every show as if it’s our last; 110 per cent energy is what you will get at every Beladeans show or event. We are like a family, we truly enjoy playing live music,” said Guild.
A former member of popular bands Seamen and The Hell Caminos, Guild not only plays with The Beladeans, he also performs with The Country Club Hustlers.
Lord began his career as a performer with the band Chapter 3 and has toured extensively throughout the country. He can also be heard playing with The Stag Reels.
Lee has been a part of Vancouver bands Thee Manipulators, Blondewich, and currently plays the saxophone for The Country Club Hustlers.
Graf is a multi-talented musician who not only plays the trumpet but also the guitar, bass, and keyboard. Along with The Beladeans he can be heard playing with The Liquor Kings, Big Top, The Country Club Hustlers, and The Surf Messiahs.
Rempel’s musical career began in Winnipeg. He moved to Germany, and then returned to Canada, where he has since worked with various Vancouver indie groups and can be heard playing with Big Top.
Emery, the newest addition to the Beladean family, is a former bassist for the Vancouver Island band Trouble Galore.
The Beladeans’ music can be heard on their website at thebeladeans.com.
The band takes the stage at the Vernon Jazz Club (3000-31st St.) Saturday at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:15. Tickets are $20 at the Bean Scene, Bean to Cup and at www.vernonjazz.ca.
