Killin' Time Band
on the cover of View Magazine
Oct 7-13 2010 Story by Ric Taylor
The Killin’ Time Band may have had its roots in more seemingly less serious ways to fill up an available schedule, but the band that singer/guitarist Brad Hails
formed six years ago has taken on so much more meaning for its members and all of the fans they’ve
touched. They’re the ultimate party band you can find as easily at big outdoor gigs, the neighbourhood pub or a friend’s secret birthday party – playing up party tunes and injecting their own originals for some spice. In the end, people sing along and dance
and everyone raises a glass to the band in thanks.
But while they love to party, KTB has also been committed to insuring that their revelry can also have a positive effect on the community. Whether it’s bed races or growing their moustaches for Movember benefiting Prostate Cancer Canada (theta-omega-mo.com) or even lending their services to the Make A Wish Foundation – the Killin’ Time Band’s parties are often charitable fundraisers.
With the official Hamilton release party for Three Day Weekend, the Killin’ Time band celebrate a three day Thanksgiving Weekend by offering what’s expected to be another killer party and again helping out another worthwhile cause. “We are all very proud of this album, it really brought us back to why it is we have been playing music together and have been family for the last six years,” smiles Hails. “We never lose site of the fact that we are lucky. We get paid to play music which is what we would all be doing regardless for free in our basements. So you always have to keep the big picture in sight and forget about the petty shit. No matter what went on that day when we get on stage and the engine starts clicking; these are my best friends in the world. “We all came from an original music background having had successful bands in the past that all brought us together in this group,” he adds. “Killin’ Time has always played original music as well as choice covers that we enjoy playing our way. Then you add a family and a mortgage and those big paycheck gigs start looking really good. Many of our influences come from the school of Jam Bands where we love to reinvent other people songs, medley them with our own and make girls dance. KTB is a party band. We never show up half–assed. If there are two people or 2000 people, we come to empty your fridge and shake your ass. We appreciate so many styles of music; we just turn on the gear open our minds and jam until something clicks. That’s where the most honest music comes from and people’s subconscious picks up on that stuff. I think the best ability we have as a band is the ability to read a crowd. Genre doesn’t matter as long as you are feeling the mood and throw the right jam out.” With Jaret Koop (guitar and vocals), John Bauld (bass and vocals), and Paul Dickinson (drums), Hails and company have had years to learn how to work a room and that’s probably figured into what makes a good song work but KTB aren’t as calculated to write for any other reason than to feel the moment and have fun.
Recorded by Justin Koop at B–Town Sound in Burlington, Three Day Weekend offers reggae infused rock (“It’s Always 420”, “Lay Your Body Down”), laid back disco (“Late September”), funk (“Hippie Girl”), country (“Rested, Relaxed and Feelin’ Good”) and hard rock (“Shaker Monkeys”) that’s all held together with Hails’ gravelly voiced baritone grin. It’s infectious party music that always seems to be able to draw a crowd.
Even guest musicians flocked to recording sessions – including Ron Elliott on keyboards (Fat Cats, Roadside Attraction), Aaron Goldstein on pedal steel (Lee Harvey Osmond, Huron), Ritch Thoman on sax (Jam Central Station), Troy Dowding on trumpet (Backroom 11), MAC N AWE rapping, Bianca Bernardi on vocals and Tim Park on vocals, guitar. With the CD quietly released this summer, the band documented one makeshift roller disco party for the leadoff single, “Late September” – and recently wrapped up visuals for a video for the title track. The band has never been busier and they show no signs of slowing down – but again whether it be helping out a worthwhile cause or heading out to the cottage – the band knows their abilities and puts them to use every chance they get. “We all have the sickness,” chuckles Hails. “Playing music is the centre of our universe and the vibe that is created when the four or more of us get together and jam is addictive. People really pick up on the honesty of Killin’ Time. We aren’t fooling anyone; we don’t have a stylist or someone telling us what genre of music to shoot for because it’s the next big hit. We write what we are feeling
regardless of style. “The song ‘Three Day Weekend’ is
definitely what we are about,” he adds. “Life is too short to get
caught up in all the drama I would rather party myself into the
grave with no regrets than to plan every step only to die
disappointed. Who knows when this is all going to end so enjoy it
while you can. All the planning in the world can’t save you when
your time is up. Three Day Weekend just seemed the perfect
theme and title for the album. Our friends really dig the
Canadian references all the way through the song.
Everyone remembers the excitement and anxiety of Friday
afternoon of a three–day weekend loading up the car and
heading up north to party at the cottage
with your friends, some cute girls and no inhibitions.” Offering
some universal truth in the lyrics, some solid riffs and a whack
of sing–along choruses, KTB have been getting radio play
on CFMU, Y108, CHTZ–FM, Edge 102 and selling CDs
briskly. And as half of all sales have been saved for
another charitable goal – the band hopes to have raised
$5,000 to present to Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation
by November. “I am not a rich man so instead of
donating money I donate my time as often as I can,”
confides Hails. “We aren’t looking to be the next big
thing we are just doing the only thing we know how to
do and doing a lot of partying along the way. Like this
weekend, there are three of the area’s most kick–ass
party bands, one of the city’s best live music venues
and a Saturday night. Sleep late Sunday, stay late
Saturday and do some things you’re going to regret
– well, except missing the party of the year.”