Oct. 31, 2012 - Issue #889-Human Trafficking Problem
Mad Bomber Society
» Let the good times roll
After taking a couple of years for kids, life and a little Zen, Mad Bomber Society is back in full force.
The energetic six-piece ska-punk outfit made its raucous debut on the Edmonton music scene back in 1997 and after a few years developing at the local level, the guys hit the road to tour Western Canada. Following the release of its debut album Atomic A-Go-Go in 2001, it was a wild ride of shows and touring across the country, growing a legion of fans along the way.
Following a break from 2008 to 2011, the band was offered a show in Whitehorse, Yukon, and spurred on by that performance, the Mad Bomber Society has returned armed with a brand new album, Butchers, Stompers and Cheats, which will played back to back with Atomic A-Go-Go at Friday's show. Mad Bomber Society recorded the album between 2005 and 2007, finishing the mixing and mastering stages a couple of years later.
"I really like it and it was actually great to be able to get away from it and then come back and start playing it again," says guitarist and vocalist Rich Liukko. "I guess the next step is, we've got a whole bunch of songs built up from over the quiet years, so you know, over the next six months, over the winter here, we'll get together and practice and work on enough songs for a new album."
Despite Mad Bomber Society taking a break from doing gigs and recording together, none of the band members ever left music completely, taking on roles in different local bands. Liukko adds there was never any bad blood between the members, and says the relationship they have is a family-style one. The reason for the break was due mostly to the economic boom of 2008, where Liukko says he encouraged everone to pursue their own endeavours and try to be as successful as possible while the going was good.
"As a result pretty much everyone in the band has career jobs now, which developed during that time," adds Liukko, who runs Freecloud Records. "Focus on more important things because music is there, but it's not the only thing in the world."
With changing careers and families, Mad Bomber Society plans to continue making music and potentially heading back out on tour, but Liukko says this time around, the focus is playing music for pure enjoyment.
"Usually when a band first starts out, it's a lot of work and there's a lot of stress and pressure, and then you sort of grow up and hit a point where you're like, 'Wait, we can do this for fun?'" Liukko laughs. "There's way more reward when you're playing for fun and playing for a crown than when you're sitting there worrying about where the next gas tank is coming from."
Fri, Nov 2, 2012 (8 pm)
With the Von Zippers, Preying Saints
Pawn Shop, $10
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