Blasting from Canada, the Johnny McCuaig Band is powerhouse rock & roll band that delivers a substantial sonic wallop. The group’s leader McCuaig reveals their origins in this interview.
Q: What was your introduction to music? How old were you, and how did it affect you?
A: I was introduced to music at a very young age. My mother used to sing and played a little guitar. We would sing along with her and request songs. Growing up, we would listen to the radio and our parents’ records. I remember listening to the albums and spending hours looking at the album art work or the cover of the record. I would picture myself playing with that group and trying to figure out the music and its relationship to the album art. When I was 8 years of age my father decided it was time for me to learn the bagpipes. I took traditional lessons with the Nelson Kootenay Kiltie Pipe Band. It was an amazing time for me as my brother and I were the youngest pipers in the group at that time. After a parade or performance, the older band members would usually go for a drink at the local Legion or the VFW. We were to young to go into those places but not as a performer. So, they would bring us in and put us on a table and we would play. I got a chance to meet a lot of people and listen to many stories. It was very cool for me to be in that atmosphere.
Q: Did you grow up in a musical environment?
A: Boy, that’s an understatement. I was very lucky musically. The elementary school I went to had a kick ass music program. While other students at other schools were learning the recorder or ukulele, we had access to guitars, bass, drums vocals and keyboards. The teachers were very musically inclined so much so that they even had their own little group. In music class they would teach us rock and country songs. We would get a chance to play whatever instrument we liked. I played in my first band in grade 6. The teachers put together a full on show with grade fives, sixes and sevens that featured the student bands with drummers, guitars, bass keyboards and singers. We did a American Bandstand spoof where two students would come out and talk about a song with the the host Dick Clark. The band would play the tune and then they would say “I like that beat, I give it a “7 out of 10” or something along those lines. We toured other schools in our area and by my grade 7 i had my own group that would play at lunch time. Doing performances for the whole school. I learned about setting up a P.A system and tearing down the show afterwards so you could say I got the full meal deal. Outside of school I would sing in the church choir as well as take bagpipe lessons. It seemed that I was always playing or practicing. And I loved every minute of it.
Q: What styles of music had the greatest impact on you creatively?
A: That is a loaded question for me. I have always been into all types on music. I love rock, blues, funk and O.C. (Old Country). I love a good story in the music. I want to feel something or think about something. I want to be entertained. I want to hear what the artist has to say or how the instruments are working together. I want to feel it.
Q: How would you describe the overall sound of the Johnny McCuaig Band?
A: We are influenced by AC/DC and Foo Fighters.
Q: Who is in the band and how did you meet them? What instruments do they play?
A: I met Kevin Kyle (bass) in Regina, Saskatchewan at a local music venue then named McNalleys Tavern. It was the place to play if you were any kind of touring band. Kevin had played in a few local bands and toured on cruise ships. He was tending bar and had caught a few of my shows. I had just recently decided to take a break from music as I was burned out from touring and was needing some distance from my group at the time. I had known Kevin from McNalleys but not really as a musician. He approached me with a fresh outlook on things and we got to chatting. One thing lead to another and we started The Johnny McCuaig Band.
James Picton (lead guitar) and I grew up in the same small town. James was always the phenomenal guitar player that everyone around our town was in awe of. In high school I would see him in the hall ways hanging out or playing guitar in the music room. He is a quiet guy but has a way of making the guitar do the talking for him. He was the guy that you knew you wanted to play with if you had a band that was serious and wanted to do something. A few years after school James and I played in a couple of local cover bands together just messing around and having some fun. When I had moved away and was touring with different bands, I would always come home for Christmas or holidays. I would run into James and just shoot the shit. We had just been looking for a lead player in the Johnny McCuaig Band and James seemed to fit the bill. The timing was right and so was the band.
Allan Morrison (rhythm guitar and back-up vocals) is from a small town in central Saskatchewan. Allan was introduced to me through our agent Trent Schmiedge. We had been looking for a 5th member to help fill out the songs while I was honking away on the bagpipes. Trent told me of Allan and what his back round was. I didn’t know it at the time but Al had seen me play a few times at a club in Saskatoon. He kinda had an idea of what we were all about and what the music was. At that time I had no idea who he was. Trent spoke very highly of him so I agreed to hire him site unseen. I figured that if he was willing to travel 12 hours to have a rehearsal than he was going to be the guy we were looking for. Al is a great fit for us with his guitar, vocals and his personality. I guess Trent knew what he talking about.
Q: Which of your songs are most personal to you and why?
A: All our songs mean something to me. But to pick a few I would have to say “For the Love of a Son” is up there with “Fight” and Here We Go.” For the Love of a son is a song I wrote for my son. My sister was in the Canadian military for years and would tell me stories of families who had lost Fathers and Mothers. Afterwards my son would ask me why would this happen? Why do people have to protect other people? I would explain to him that some people have to leave their families for a cause or work and its important to understand why they go. So tell them why they go.
“Fight” is a song about being frustrated. At the end of everyday we all have things we reflect upon. Sometimes you wish you could change things and sometimes you don’t want to deal with them. But at the end of the day we all have to fight to get through. “Here We Go” is a “let’s get pumped up song.” This tune gets me in the mood to rock out every time we play it. I imagine getting ready for the concert or big event. The big game. All that emotion comes out in this tune. So fun to play.
Q: What artists influenced you the most growing up?
A: Again, this question I always have a tough time with. I played all types of music growing up. And loved elements of everything. My favorites are hard to pick out but here goes. I love everything from Johnny Horton to Johnny Cash. The Band to the Doors. AC/DC to Stevie Wonder. Stevie Ray Vaughn to The Foo Fighters.
Q: How have you evolved creatively?
A: My musical journey has seen me go from a roots rock phase to a blues funk phase to a rock phase. Seems the older I get, the more I want to rock! Most groups seem to go the other way. Rock to singer/songwriter stuff. For me, rock music gives me a pulse. I gotta have it.
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