If you have to work for a living it might as well be making video games like Rock Band for Harmonix.
That’s life for the Main Drag, a Cambridge based band which is making their first visit to Western Canada at Henotic, June 26. Their song “A Jagged Gorgeous Winter” is one of the songs featured in the latest Rock Band video game, though its appearance has nothing to do with the band’s employment at its parent company Harmonix.
“They put out a call for music and they usually use people they know. So we threw our songs into the pot. We’re all in different departments there,” said drummer John Drake who works in the public relations department of Harmonix.
“Matt (vocalist, producer, programmer, guitarist, keyboardist and trumpeter who works in the creative design department) got a job there first, then one by one we were all working there,” Drake continued joining band mates for a quick bite to eat before a gig in Allston, Massachusetts.
Vocalist, producer, programmer, guitarist and keyboardist Adam Arrigo works in audio department.
“We’re all involved in developing the game so it’s a good day job. Over 80 per cent of us are musicians. So we’re not alone” Drake chuckled adding the group has been putting the finishing touches on the Beatles Rock Band edition. The Main Drag also includes bassist Dan Cardinal and guitarist/bassist/keyboardist/vocaist Jon Carter. The band has been playing together for close to seven years, long before they joined Harmonix. Their heavily orchestrated sound is reminiscent of bands like the Broken Social Scene and Knot Twist, but their show is decidedly more stripped down.
“In the live show we want people to have a good time, so we keep it rocking,” he said adding they went back into the studio to re-record a more uptempo version of “A Jagged Gorgeous Winter,” including more guitars, less orchestration and a guitar solo. They also completed a video for the new version of the song. They are also looking forward to Lethbridge.
“It’s further west than we’ve ever been. We’re glad this show came up because we’re booked to play Sled Island and need something between Calgary and Winnipeg.
So we’ll hang out in Calgary then come down for the show in Lethbridge. We’re glad to make it one of the stops on an eight-nine city tour,” he said adding he is looking forward to playing in the Rock Band competition taking place before the show.
“We’ll kick everyone’s ass. We’ll enjoy playing together,” he said. Also on the bill are Calgary’s Fast Romantics and local drum and bass duo Amelia Earhart.
