He has been a hit with his portrayal of Buddy Holly in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, but Parksville’s own Zachary Stevenson’s musical energy goes far beyond impersonating the music legend of ‘50s rock and roll who died in a plane crash in 1959.
Stevenson’s band, The Human Statues, which also includes Jeff Bryant, will showcase the pair’s diverse musical range when they perform Friday, March 9 at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo.
Stevenson said he’s excited to perform so close to home.
Stevenson and Bryant, who portrayed the Crickets’ lead guitarist in Buddy, bring plenty of talent to the folk/pop duo. With their combination of music and comedy, they have been likened to a mix of Simon and Garfunkel and Flight of the Conchords. Bryant, originally from Victoria, said they are musicians first, comedians second.
Stevenson and Bryant have been performing together off and on for a decade but made The Human Statues official in 2008. Stevenson said he and Bryant have a lot of elements when they are on stage but their show really reflects their love of music and live performance.
Described as a bit of folk, funk and punk with some comedy, choreography and theatre thrown into the mix the show with its three-part harmonies, catchy songs and funny on stage repartee, has been called musically infectious. The pair have toured the country several times and Stevenson admitted there is nothing better than performing close to his home turf.
The Ballenas grad, who now lives in Vancouver, said his music career has taken him to some big cities and he admitted growing up in Parksville, he never would have envisioned his life as it is now and appreciates all the support he has received in his music career from his home town.
“I remember feeling it was an impossible dream growing up in a small town. It’s great that a community can celebrate and show some pride and I hope what I do can make young kids feel enabled,” he said.
Friday night’s concert is a double bill and will also include the Good Lovelies, nominated in the 2012 Juno Award category of Roots and Traditional Album of the Year: Group. They picked up a Juno in the category in 2010.
For tickets to the March 9 show at 7:30 p.m. at the Port Theatre, call 250-754-8550 or visit the Ticket Centre at 125 Front Street. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.porttheatre.com.
