May 2008

We are a fickle lot. After much discussion a mutual decision was made to pare our band down to a four-piece. Kenny Kanwisher joined in early 2008 and lent his considerable talents to the fray. We did the Avant-Garde gig in march and it went exceptionally well but during the rehearsal period we learned that were technical as well as scheduling issues that had to be addressed.

Kenny is a busy, in-demand session player and we are a rehearsal-intensive band so scheduling became a little hectic. While we certainly aren't an exceptionally loud band we were too loud for the nuances of the cello. It was mutually decided that we should try our hand as a four-piece instead. That meant that David and Ange had to cover keyboard parts again. So far so good.

We have done two gigs as a four-piece since then and the dynamic and sound is very very cool. There is some keyboard juggling and technical elements that still aren't as graceful as we'd like, but all in all we feel that band is finally coming into its own.

We were invited to play at Rosfest this year, not on the main Keswick stage, but at the after hours party at the Holiday Inn. It was a blast! Before our set, the room was filled with non-prog partiers who were ball-room dancing to a dj. It was somewhat of an upscale pick-up bar scene and we were a little disconcerted as we knew when we hit the stage that part of the evening would certainly come to a quick and painful end. As it turned out we were barely able to set-up before the after-hours prog crowd showed up and took over the room. Our first song was our sound check and some of the sound issues we had never really got ironed out, but the band was eager to play and all in all it was a pretty strong set played for folks who had been listening to prog all night but still seemed pretty happy to hear some more.

A week later we were in Quebec City playing with our friends Poligraf. Quebec is a beautiful city, perhaps one of the most gorgeous in North America. It has an ambience that is quite unique. We played at a small bar in the old section of town and opening up for Poligraf (who in turn has agreed to open for us in Ottawa in June), needless to say we had a great time and the crowd was really responsive. Prog is pretty popular in Quebec and the audience was gracious and appreciative. Poligraf was the headliner and they came out with all guns blazing; a very cool very tight band.

So...we have a lot of gigs coming up. We are playing again at the Avant Garde Bar bar (a favorite place of ours), we are doing a live radio broadcast at CKCU on June 12th and then there are a few unconfirmed gigs at various bars in Ottawa. We have some gigs in Perth after those and a festival in Ottawa in August. In the fall we are in Toronto playing the Nuance festival. Through-out this period we are writing and rehearsing our follow up CD on 10T. We have a new blog about the process so you check that out to see the travails of that little endeavour.

Go here for more details about our past and upcoming gigs.

March 2008

Well we have some good news and we have some bad news. The bad news is that drummer Alain Bergeron and guitarist-keyboard player Paul Joannis have both left to pursue other projects. They will both be missed and the work that they have done with the band will always be appreciated. We wish them luck with their other projects and thank them for their strong creative contributions to the Diagramma CD.

The good news is that we have two new members and the band has expanded its sound as a result. Drummer Aaron Clark brings a fresh attitude, great chops and a unique modern sound to the band and the brilliant keyboardist/cellist Ken Kanwisher adds another new dimension allowing us to expand and explore some different composition and arrangement ideas. Both members are strong players and right now the band is working hard rehearsing and writing new material for the followup CD on 10 T records.

Something else on the good news side; we also have some more reviews. We have posted them in our reviews section.

The new line-up is debuting at The Avant Garde Bar on March 22nd 2008. We are pretty excited about the gig and we have Hunter Eves opening up for us. For more info go here .

November 2007

Well the CD has been out a little more than three months now and has been selling steadily and getting some pretty good reviews! Go to our new reviews page to read them.

We have just finished a spate of live gigs culminating with the annual Ottawa prog fest Progtoberfest. It went really well and we had a lot of fun. Thanks to Chuck Ho and his pals, we have a dvd and a lot of pics from the gig. We will post them soon.

Right now the band is taking a wee hiatus as we develope music in our respective corners and catch our breath for the next stage of rehearsals and gigs. The momentum is very inspiring and we have some fairly big changes in store. Stay tuned.

Following a recent debate at Progressive Ears, we have decided to give away a new tune. It is a little less staid than the other tunes on the Diagramma CD, and uses a series of 12-tone rows that David wrote. It is a fair indication of some of the newer material we are working on and will be included on the new CD in a partially altered form. Go to Mad Night to hear it.

June 2007

The Rebel Wheel signs to 10T Records

We are very proud and excited to be a part of 10 T records roster and are releasing our second CD Diagramma with them. The CD contains seven songs ranging from the quiet pastoral 12 string of Three Valley Gap to the raucous and modern sonics of the epic suite, Diagramma. It is a blend of modern production techniques, solid playing and writing and a definite nod to "traditional" classic prog. Below is a copy of the official press release, or go here to see the original 10 T Release

THE REBEL WHEEL Signs with 10T Records, Releases “Diagramma”

10T Records is excited to announce the signing of The Rebel Wheel and the release of the band’s second full-length CD, “Diagramma.” Containing a total of seven tracks totaling over an hour of music, with the largest piece (the 20 minute epic "Diagramma Suite”) in the middle, acting as the fulcrum, “Diagramma” is dark, cinematic and dense; a complex slice of modern progressive rock that never sacrifices melody while sustaining unrelenting waves of mounting tension and euphoric release. Angular twists and riffs morph into ambient soundscapes with soft, emotional vocals seamlessly binding the diverse elements together.

Owing as much to modern influences as progressive legends of the past, The Rebel Wheel’s sound on Diagramma is unique and urgent, blending cutting-edge production techniques with diverse musicality and technical precision. “Diagramma” features tracks alternating between hard-edged vocal tunes, and instrumentals that range from the quiet pastoral 12-string of "Three Valley Gap,” to the hard-edged fusion of "Tempra".

Originally formed in 1991 as a fusion-based midi ensemble, the floating lineup of The Rebel Wheel has gradually solidified to the current five piece featuring guitars, keyboards, sax, drums and bass, and the music has focused more on modern, genre-blending Progressive Rock. Based in Ottawa, Ontario, the band consists of producer David Campbell on guitars, keyboards and vocals; Alain Bergeron (formerly of Nathan Mahl) on drums, percussion, and keyboards; Paul Joannis on guitars and keyboards; Gary Lauzon on bass, bass pedals, and keyboards; and Angie MacIvoron on saxes, vocals, and keyboards.

“The Rebel Wheel is very excited about our deal with 10T Records. We were searching around for a label that specializes in progressive rock but also one that was modern sounding and innovative. When we realized that some of our favorite bands were on the same label, we sought 10T out specifically,” says bandleader David Campbell. “We feel being on the label is a perfect fit as 10T is artist-run and puts a premium on artistic creativity and band autonomy. It also has an incredible roster of artists who have fused progressive rock with modern technology and production techniques.”

10T Records president, Steve Carroll, says, “We instantly fell for The Rebel Wheel’s unique blend of old and new school progressive rock. The more we listened to it, the more we clicked with it. I’m really glad that we’ve been able to not only expose this great band to a wider audience, but also that we were able to expand the release with even more great music.”

“Diagramma” is available for immediate pre-order through the 10T Records website. All orders received between now and the official release date will ship by the end of the week prior to the official release. Additionally, all tracks from “Diagramma” are available to listen to in their entirety HERE.

After August 14, “Diagramma” will be available at your favorite retail outlet for immediate purchase.

Go to Diagramma to hear some clips and to order.

It is very exciting to release this album in its newer 7 song form as it gives us a chance to highlight our newest member, Angie MacIvor on saxophones, vocals and keyboards. Angie is a strong player and after one rehearsal with the band it was obvious we had found our newest member. She lends another element to our music and her personality fits in perfectly. We are currently writing new songs with our new lineup in mind.