The Band

The New OFFICIAL band bio

Paul Quarrington, frontman, vocalist and guitarist for the Porkbelly Futures is checking the LAST “official” bio for the band. “Hmmm,” he mutters, sipping a beer in a downtown Toronto bar, before scribbling, “…who has been called a national treasure” in the margin next to his name.

A little uncertain as to exactly who called him that, he moves on. “King Leary, winner of the 2008 Canada Reads programme on CBC Radio,” he adds in the margin.  “On, and what about The Ravine, my new book?’ he asks.

He looks at the original bio: “Porkbelly Futures takes the true and traditional and creates music that is both irreverent and respectful,” he reads. That, he thinks, says it pretty well.

A BACKGROUND

Look, it’s not every day that an award-winning Canadian novelist writes songs, fronts a band, and goes on the road. But if Quarrington has had success (The Stephen Leacock Award for Humour for King Leary, a Governor General’s Literary Award, a Giller Prize finalist, and Gernie Awards for best screenplay, best writing and best song), his musical credentials are impeccable too.

There were years on the road with Joe Hall’s Continental Drift, a much-loved and well-remembered band from the ’80s, playing bass. Earlier, he had recorded with Porkbellys drummer Martin Worthy, and the Quarrington/Worthy Band did have (for a week) a #1 hit single called Baby and the Blues.”

As best friends, the pair started Porkbelly Futures eight years ago, and recruited other musical friends to help create a band who could interpret the material the pair were writing. Stuart Laughton — who has toured world-wide as a member of one of Canada’s best-known classical groups, The Canadian Brass — plays electric guitar, harmonica, mandolin, pedal steel, trombone and (at least once a set) trumpet. And, as a bonus, writes songs for the band as well.

Chas Elliott, Porkbelly’s bass player, sometimes calls himself an escapee from the Toronto Symphony, and as a sessions musician he has played with a mind-boggling collection of artists, from Glenn Gould to The Scorpions, with Hagood Hardy, Holly Cole, the Rankin Family, Rob McConnell and Louis Quillico also on his resume.

Backup vocals, a solo turn, and exquisite harmonies from Rebecca Campbell, are a vital part of the band. For years a mainstay of Jane Siberry’s live performances, and the focus of the Ottawa band Fat Man Waving, she is as happy singing “experimental” art music as she is the blues.  Rebecca brings a touch of theatricality — as well as off-beat femininity — to the band.

The New OFFICIAL Band Bio

The Porkbellys have recorded two CDs since the band formed eight years ago. The first, Way Past Midnight, established the band as a serious contender, winning critical applause and slots on major festivals across the country.

The new one — self-titled — was recently released (April 2008) and, like its predecessor, was produced by David Gray, who’s worked with Parachute Club, Paul Butterfield and dozens of other major names.

The new CD is an unusual collection of songs. Quarrington wrote or co-wrote nine of them, and there are contributions from his brother Tony, as well as ban members Worthy and Lauughton.

Dedicated to the late pianist Richard Bell, who plays on many of the tracks, the material touches a lot of bases. Loneliness, lost love, found love, true stories about boxers and savage storms off Newfoundland, spring in Alberta, girls with tight dresses, and the desperate need to get your bowling ball (and your heart) back….

Blues? Well, not really. Not country for that matter. Not “literary” either — but Quarrington, Martin Worthy and Stuart Laughton sure know how to write songs that folk can relate to, with economy and pinpoint precision. Try neo-blues, with more than a dash of good humour; re-use that line about irreverent and respectful. Above all, how about “truthful music”?

And, these days, telling true stories deserves an award. Who does the band talk to about a Juno Award?