Magnetic

MAGNETIC -- "QUEEN CITY ROCKS" FINALIST

hard rock/metal

REGINA -- Well, fuck me, who would've thought Regina's Indie's rock scene was even in existence, let alone on the rise and kicking some serious ass?

Well, it is, and this upcoming Friday (March 28th), Regina's main metal/rock venue THE EXCHANGE is hosting the final round of QUEEN CITY ROCKS, where five hopeful rock troupes, each having performed against some impressive competition of local Regina talent, have just twenty minutes to impress the judges and bring home a wicked batch of prizes, including $2000 up front, a VIP pass into the Junos (hosted right here in town), and more than 350 spins on Regina's rock station THE WOLF.

Last week I chatted over the phone with Drew Hanwell of MAGNETIC. We tackled some serious issues like why they deserve the cash money, what they think of the local music scene, and what they would more likely survive -- an apocalypse with zombies, or a cutthroat medieval world? Hmm...

Founded in '09, MAGNETIC is Heavy Metal infused Rock band featuring the musical stylings and experience of it’s members..., with their broad range of influences - MAGNETIC has a “sound” while maintaining variety within. With members both current and former of Into Eternity, Annihilator, Metalist, and Celestial Machine, they have the experience to go far live and in the studio. On guitars is Drew Hanwell (rhythm), Justin Bender (lead) and Harley K (bass), while Cam Dixon provides the lead vocals and Colin Molleken on drums.

MAGNETIC released their debut album titled STORM early 2012.

DROP OUT ENTERTAINMENT: Okay, first off, congrats on making the finals. You guys were up against some serious competition on March 14. There were couple of guys who came late to the show and asked who I thought would be heading onto the finals. With all honesty, the only thing I could do in response was give a long shrug and say, "Man, I really have no idea. The competition is almost too good for somethine like this, you know?" How did you feel while waiting for the judge's verdict on whether you'd be advancing or not?

Well, we never went in there thinking "Okay, we got this thing, we're going to win it", nothing like that. It was all pretty much right down right to the wire, in all our opinion.

What do you think you guys have going in your favor to come on the victor of QUEEN CITY ROCKS?

Well, I think our music stands out for itself. Our music had its own unique sound to it. I mean, all the bands we played against were really talented, but, you know, we're not trying to maybe get on to the radio, or to fit into a certain genre. Sometimes when you listen to a band you'll say "Oh, if you listen closely that song really sounds like this song or this song sounds like that song". We really try not to be like that. I think we have a sound that doesn't sound like everybody else, and I think that's why we made it in this competition.

What would you do if you won, other than drink and give the world's greatest high-fives?

Carry on what we're doing it already! (laughs) Our goal is just to try and get out there and become more known -- not becoming world-famous or playing in arenas or anything, which would be great, but we live in the real world. We would be happy just being able to play as a band for a living. To us "making it" isn't being driven around in limos but being able to get up in the morning and play guitar, and not have to go to my day job and then come and play in the evenings; I want to make my living playing music. Winning this would hopefully help us toward that goal.

Any plans for the upcoming year?

We've already started work on our next album. We've got some tracks ready and good to go; we just need to get into the studio and record it soon. After that, we want to go on tour. We've never really been outside the prairies, so this summer we want to book off enough work from our jobs and get out there and see the rest of Canada, get our name out there.

Were there any particular highlights over the band's career outside of "Storm"?

Um... nope! (laughs) No, I mean, we've won the Ralwco 10K20 grant back in 2010, and our lead guitar player Justin Bender just won the same grant with his other band [Into Eternity], but outside of "Storm" (2012) we've mainly just been trying to support our local music talent and playing close to home. Of course our main goal now is to try and get our name out there, which we'll hopefully start this summer.

I know that bands pretty much have an infinite amount of influences throughout their musical career, both as individual members and as a band, but could you highlight some of the key influences on your guys' work? In other words, what are the biggest influences that have had the most direct impact on the band's music.

Well see, it's really tough for us to give key influences. Cam grew up on Steve Harris and Cliff Burton, so basically there's Iron Maiden in our sound. My biggest influence is basically Metallica, but Justin is into other stuff like Dream Theatre and Soil Work and some of the really heavy music. Our drummer, though, is into The Melvins, so he's all over the map with his influences (laughs), and Harley likes pretty much anything so long as it's not mainstream...So we're a pretty well rounded metal band, I guess.

Tell me, what do you think of the music scene in Saskatchewan (and, in particular, in Regina) compared to the rest of Canada? What would you as a band like to see change/improve?

Yeah, well. the only thing I'd say for the general music scene is it'd be nice to see more bands coming through here. I mean, usually bands will come to Canada and they'll play in Toronto or Vancouver or Montreal on the weekend, then either skip or play in Saskatchewan and Regina on a Tuesday or Wednesday, because of the low population. It's understandable, but some bands like the Sheepdogs are working to change that by promoting where they came from, and I think that's great.

As for local talent, I try to see as many local bands as I can here in the city -- as many as I can while working and stuff -- and lots of our local talent is phenemonal. Unfournately, most of us have day jobs and bills to pay and can't get up and tour the country and things like that. Usually, if we're going to play some gigs, we'll try to book a Friday, Saturday, or a Sunday, and then try to be home for Monday and the work week. The problem is that not many venues don't want to book their weekend slots for little-known bands, so it makes it hard to find good oppourtunities to play.

Also, I think if we had more local support from the local fans, it'd be easier for the bands to play more often. I mean, they need to be willing to come out on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, because the talent is definitely there, but the local fans need to support their local music, right?

Actually, that's why I wonder if this Battle-of-the-Bands idea is really the best for local talent. Really, we should be trying to support local bands and encourage them to showcase their music, not having them compete against each other and whatever's considered "the Best".

Right. We should be trying to celebrate the sharing of local music, not singling out a band as "better" than others based on the opinions of three people

Yeah, that's right.

Okay. So, speaking of Saskatchewan... You guys fans of the Roughriders?

Never miss a game! (laughs) Actually, three of us are huge fans, while the other two could care less. Sometimes we'll be practising with the Rider game in the background with no volume. It makes for some interesting moments when there's a big play and there's three of us watching in the middle of a song.

What're are the chances we'll be seeing you headline the 101st Grey Cup held right here in the Queen's City?

Well, that'd be nice...(laughs). But we plan on doing our own stuff by then. Right now our focus is actually on this Juno stuff. We're on a wait list to play at some venues, though we'll see how that goes; again, we're not as soft and radio-friendly as some other bands.

Alright, so just one last question for you: which setting would you more likely survive in. a zombie apocalypse or a cutthroat medieval land world?

Oh, I'd take zombies, man. It'd be way more entertaining to watch.

...

So, if you're in Regina and want to kick off Easter long weekend by getting drunk and rockin out, THE EXCHANGE opens the doors at 7:00 pm, with the first performance at 8:00. Tickets are $10 at the door.

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