One of the great rock-n-roll bands to come out of Canada doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.
The Tea Party, was founded in 1990 and received seven of their 13 JUNO Award nominations between 1994 and 1988. The band has already survived longer than that of their idols, Led Zeppelin and The Beatles.
Their unmistakable guitar riffs infused with Middle Eastern, Celtic and Mediterranean music sets them a part from the rest. Their risk to stand out from the rest reaped its rewards and now the band is revered internationally.
As their 18 year career continues, each year they have grown in popularity internationally. Becoming well known and in-demand in Australia and the U.S.
In the beginning of their career lead singer, Jeff Martin was constantly compared to the likes of the Doors front man, Jim Morrison but they have forged their own path and cemented their mark on rock history.
“We have always stayed true to who we are never followed trends even when everyone was either doing the grunge thing or doing nothing,” said drummer, Jeff Burrows.
The band took a break in 2005 but couldn’t quit each other and reunited in 2011.
“When we fell out and we were the complete opposite of that time, that was Canada in rock’s heyday. None of it really had to do with the grunge scene. We always stayed true to our roots and realized we have always been very eclectic and we never pigeonholed ourselves to one sound,” said Burrows. “It’s strange now… listening to these new bands and all sound like stuff doing 30 years ago now they are right on track and we are just doing what we do.”
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When The Tea Party kicks off the Black River Tour, Dec. 27 in Toronto it will have been the longest time they haven’t toured together since their six year hiatus.
“2020 will be our 30th anniversary, when a band turns 30 years-old you really don’t have that perspective until say it out loud. Look at when Zeppelin started that they were done in 1980 and it’s crazy to look at things like The Beatles, did they play for 30 years? Nowhere near. So when you look at it that way to be appreciated on a national level like we are it’s an honour and we carry that weight knowing that we are very grateful for everything afforded us and keeps us going,” said Burrows.
The drummer says that their success stems from their inability to conform to trends, allowing them to be a band that almost 30 years later isn’t touring their hits but is still touring with new albums along with a few fan favourites thrown into the line-up.
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It was when the band played with the Sydney Youth Orchestra in Australia that Burrows had chills running down his spine. They performed Requiem, a song dedicated to their manager Steve Hoffman who died of cancer with the symphony and an opera singer wove her voice through the song to a full house in 2017.
“It was mind boggling, it’s something I am most grateful for, it’s those opportunities that you look around and say I don’t belong here. It’s unreal,” said Burrows.
The eclectic hard rock band will be stopping in Kelowna May 7 at the Kelowna Community Theatre. Tickets are available at selectyourtickets.com
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