When asked how the four-piece ska/punk/rock/reggae band the Luggernauts has
managed to pull together in the mere six months that they have been playing together, guitarist Mikey Heppner didn’t attribute it to the musical training that each member has been receiving in Vanier College’s music program, or the fact that they seemed to “click” musically almost immediately.
“It all boils down to sexual frustration, really,” said baby-faced Heppner, 19,
the self-labelled ‘eccentric cute guy’ from Morin Heights, as he casually took a
puff from a cigarette he looked barely old enough to be smoking. “Chicks dig us now that we’re in a band.”
Whether it is misplaced libidos or actual musical talent, the Luggernauts have made significant progress since their formation in July. The band, comprised of Heppner, bassist Ryan Fleury, Jeremy MacCuish on drums and Melissa Pipe playing baritone saxophone, alto sax and flute, has been playing multiple shows in and around Montreal for the last few months, and it does not look as though they are
slowing down in the near future.
“We’re music students, right, so the point is to eventually live off of our music,” said Fleury, but acknowledged that their ideal life of music is a bit far off. He said that if the chance to tour came up, they would certainly not
turn it down. As it stands now, The Luggernauts play two to three shows a month, but prefer to be on stage as much as possible.
Fleury’s 22 years make him the ‘veteran’ of the band, a title that on first glace would not seem a difficult one to attain, considering the ‘boyish charm’ that Heppner and MacCuish seem to have gushing from every orifice.
It was not surprising, then, when it surfaced that the entire male contingent of the band were also choirboys at Vanier.
“Jer’s the only person I have ever heard of who failed choir!” smirked Fleury, “And Mikey’s a castrato (a male that had been castrated in order to maintain a high singing voice)!”
“Oh yeah,” retorted MacCuish, using his most grown-up voice, “you’re the teacher’s pet – and you sing like a Backstreet Boy!”
Pipe’s together, nonchalant demeanour is an interesting contrast to the schoolyard-esque remarks and sexual innuendos coming from the rest of the band.
With musical goals that include the performance of contemporary classical and jazz music, and influences ranging from Tom Waits to Morphine, she brings a wide range of experience to the The Luggernauts’ ensemble.
“Maybe I’d like to be doing something a little less mainstream,” she mused, but concluded that for now, the eclectic sound that the Lugs are producing suits her just fine.
The music itself is mostly original, with the band occasionally performing covers by Frank Zappa and Sublime. The Luggernauts’ recently released demo tape, available at their shows only, features a variety of catchy tunes, some much harder than others, but all written in a style that is easy to listen to.
“I used to be really into progressive music,” said Heppner, “until I realized that I would never be able to find anyone to play with me. I’ve noticed that it’s much easier to write a complicated song that no one understands than a
catchy song that people will love and want to dance to. I guess that’s where we’re going.”
MacCuish seems to be no stranger to dancing, as is apparent by the constant bobbing of his head and endless amount of energy spent on playing air drums throughout our entire conversation. Formerly the drummer from Montreal-based
old-school ska band General Rudie, he left the band and began playing with The Luggernauts when he felt that the music he was playing was not changing, while he was developing further and further as a musician.
“It was straight ahead and boring,” he said. “And that’s not what I’m all about.”
Whatever they are about, The Luggernauts have high hopes, and either together or separately, the band is determined to make it in the music industry.
“I don’t have anything else to fall back on but my lovely body,” said Heppner, after giving himself the once-over and thinking aloud about the consequences of the evening’s interview. “I don’t want the Concordia girls all over me once you print this article. And I know they will be- except my mom.”
The Luggernauts will be playing at Clydes in the West Island on April 14, and on April 16 at Foufounes Electriques.
managed to pull together in the mere six months that they have been playing together, guitarist Mikey Heppner didn’t attribute it to the musical training that each member has been receiving in Vanier College’s music program, or the fact that they seemed to “click” musically almost immediately.
“It all boils down to sexual frustration, really,” said baby-faced Heppner, 19,
the self-labelled ‘eccentric cute guy’ from Morin Heights, as he casually took a
puff from a cigarette he looked barely old enough to be smoking. “Chicks dig us now that we’re in a band.”
Whether it is misplaced libidos or actual musical talent, the Luggernauts have made significant progress since their formation in July. The band, comprised of Heppner, bassist Ryan Fleury, Jeremy MacCuish on drums and Melissa Pipe playing baritone saxophone, alto sax and flute, has been playing multiple shows in and around Montreal for the last few months, and it does not look as though they are
slowing down in the near future.
“We’re music students, right, so the point is to eventually live off of our music,” said Fleury, but acknowledged that their ideal life of music is a bit far off. He said that if the chance to tour came up, they would certainly not
turn it down. As it stands now, The Luggernauts play two to three shows a month, but prefer to be on stage as much as possible.
Fleury’s 22 years make him the ‘veteran’ of the band, a title that on first glace would not seem a difficult one to attain, considering the ‘boyish charm’ that Heppner and MacCuish seem to have gushing from every orifice.
It was not surprising, then, when it surfaced that the entire male contingent of the band were also choirboys at Vanier.
“Jer’s the only person I have ever heard of who failed choir!” smirked Fleury, “And Mikey’s a castrato (a male that had been castrated in order to maintain a high singing voice)!”
“Oh yeah,” retorted MacCuish, using his most grown-up voice, “you’re the teacher’s pet – and you sing like a Backstreet Boy!”
Pipe’s together, nonchalant demeanour is an interesting contrast to the schoolyard-esque remarks and sexual innuendos coming from the rest of the band.
With musical goals that include the performance of contemporary classical and jazz music, and influences ranging from Tom Waits to Morphine, she brings a wide range of experience to the The Luggernauts’ ensemble.
“Maybe I’d like to be doing something a little less mainstream,” she mused, but concluded that for now, the eclectic sound that the Lugs are producing suits her just fine.
The music itself is mostly original, with the band occasionally performing covers by Frank Zappa and Sublime. The Luggernauts’ recently released demo tape, available at their shows only, features a variety of catchy tunes, some much harder than others, but all written in a style that is easy to listen to.
“I used to be really into progressive music,” said Heppner, “until I realized that I would never be able to find anyone to play with me. I’ve noticed that it’s much easier to write a complicated song that no one understands than a
catchy song that people will love and want to dance to. I guess that’s where we’re going.”
MacCuish seems to be no stranger to dancing, as is apparent by the constant bobbing of his head and endless amount of energy spent on playing air drums throughout our entire conversation. Formerly the drummer from Montreal-based
old-school ska band General Rudie, he left the band and began playing with The Luggernauts when he felt that the music he was playing was not changing, while he was developing further and further as a musician.
“It was straight ahead and boring,” he said. “And that’s not what I’m all about.”
Whatever they are about, The Luggernauts have high hopes, and either together or separately, the band is determined to make it in the music industry.
“I don’t have anything else to fall back on but my lovely body,” said Heppner, after giving himself the once-over and thinking aloud about the consequences of the evening’s interview. “I don’t want the Concordia girls all over me once you print this article. And I know they will be- except my mom.”
The Luggernauts will be playing at Clydes in the West Island on April 14, and on April 16 at Foufounes Electriques.
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