The Bucket List has 400 years' experience
Songs created with local lore, writes Dunmore
WHATSON Mar 23, 2019 by Kathryn Dunmore Burlington Post
Showcasing what the Burlington Concert's stage at the Slye Fox is about, the Bucket List, a local popular band consisting of talented veteran musicians, performs this Saturday.
Set within the pub located at 4057 New St., the stage will highlight local talent such as the Bucket List, formed of experienced musicians: John Staley leading with gritty vocals, John Godek on saxophone and backing vocals, Russ McAllister on guitar and backing vocals, Ralph Lefevre on guitar, Carl Korody on trombone, Dave Baldry on trumpet, Alex Karcza on drums, and Dave Dalgleish on keyboard.
"We are relatively new to the Hamilton scene but, between all of us, there is close to 400 years of experience," said frontman Staley. "I put the band together almost five years ago. It was something I wanted to do on my bucket list; I thought I retired from music, which lasted three months, but I always wanted to put together a band reminiscent of '60s Motown (classic) rock. I was surprised at the calibre of musicians who said they wanted to do that music too. Originally, we jammed to have fun but the more we rehearsed, the more we realized we had something unique. Our music is continuing to evolve."
The eight-piece horn band from Hamilton released its first CD,Rumrunner, in 2016. The album features the band's diverse sound of blues, roots, R&B, and classic rock in songs about local stories such as Brant Inn Boogie, about Brant Inn's dance hall days, and Rumrunner, about a local bootlegger, Rocco Perri.
"We take any type of music and rearrange and adapt to our own style," added Staley. "It can be '20s, '30s, '40s, rock 'n blues, roots blues, R&B, reggae, ska. We've developed a unique sound but we're constantly striving for perfection. We're constantly working and reworking our songs."
With such a large band, with different working styles between the horn section and rhythm section, Staley said they may work on a new song in pieces but always get together regularly to rehearse.
For the lyrics, Staley is inspired by local lore to create the stories in his songs.
"I'm a history buff," he explained. "I (do) a lot of research and I put myself there to give a real feel for what they've done or accomplished. That's how I write songs; I do it backwards as most come up with a tune and fit words in but I come up with the story then what kind of tune or feel will fit them."