Alberta-Based Blues Rock Sextet SPARROW BLUE Releases “That Rock N Roll” Single From No Lies, No Tricks Album
St. Albert, Alberta’s blues rock sextet Sparrow Blue has managed to do something that is rare: make classic rock sound as fresh, energetic, and punchy as it did when it first started. The result is a short but incredibly sweet, party-starting, rowdy rock nugget, “That Rock N Roll,” the latest single from the band’s 2024 album No Lies, No Tricks. And judging by the sizzle on this sonic steak, Sparrow Blue has so, so much to offer.
The single captures all the pent-up energy and angst the pandemic created for everyone, especially musicians who weren’t able to perform for fans, giving out that energy from the stage to fans and in turn receiving their energy. “‘That Rock N Roll’ was a direct response to being locked down in 2020,” the band says. “It came from the frustration of not being able to connect with people in a live setting and missing the freeing feeling of a full PA pumping through your body. The song evolved into an anthem of passion and love for live music, our fans, and appreciation that one day we will be on the road again.”
That verve comes through immediately on “That Rock N Roll.” Singer Des Parks’ classic rock rasp and slightly southern delivery in the vein of Cinderella’s Tom Keifer reaches through the speakers (or earbuds) to grab your attention immediately. Meanwhile, guitarists Chad Plamondon and Jon Dombroski lay down some rockabilly-ish riffs that keep the lean, lovable tune rolling down the tracks and gathering steam. The rhythm section of bassist Caden Doyle, percussionist Russell McCann, and drummer Liam Holm hold down the backbeat and groove without sacrificing any oomph. Think of some fine boogie blend of the Georgia Satellites, Stray Cats, and Guns N Roses circa The Spaghetti Incident? and you might get the gist of this incredible rocker.
I’ll take what I can get cause it’s been a while ya know
The tremble and the shaking when the lights start getting low
I feel it in my heart running rhythms at full speed
Good God, in this moment I’ve never felt so free
I just can’t wait to hear that rock n roll
I just can’t wait to hear that rock n roll
“That Rock N Roll” is the latest single from Sparrow Blue’s No Lies, No Tricks album, a record the band describes as a “loose concept of a gunslinger’s journey through time and space while staying relevant to the modern world and the human condition.” The group, who cite influences like classic rock legends Mountain, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin, has shared the stages with a myriad of bands such as The Trews, Finger Eleven, The Sheepdogs, Rick Springfield and The Pursuit of Happiness among others.
Having recently wrapped up a tour supporting Australian rock group The Lazys, Sparrow Blue will now bring “That Rock N Roll” to the masses with an extensive touring schedule from British Columbia to Nova Scotia from mid-September through late October. And with a great single in “That Rock N Roll” at their disposal, look for Sparrow Blue to provide a show that is free of tricks or gimmicks. It’s a great rock band with a great rock single. And that’s no lie!
Hi, Chad! Good to meet you! Care to introduce yourself to the readers?
My name’s Chad Plamondon, I play guitar in the six-piece Alberta rock band Sparrow Blue.
“That Rock N Roll” captures the energy of live music—how did the pandemic influence the creation of this single?
I started writing this one after we kept re-opening and closing. We had to keep cancelling shows for reasons out of our control and we just wanted to play again. I was feeling deflated and frustrated at the situation, and the song kinda just came out.
You’ve shared the stage with acts like The Trews and The Sheepdogs. How have those experiences shaped your live performances, and what have you learned from touring with such renowned bands?
Seeing guys who’ve been doing this at that level for so long is really inspiring. Seeing how tight a band can be and noticing the nuances after a few different shows is a treat, it helps push us after seeing a great band perform. Even playing with smaller-scale bands, there are some really incredible musicians across Canada.
As a blues rock sextet, you have a large, dynamic sound. How do you approach balancing each member’s contributions to maintain that punchy, cohesive energy?
It comes pretty naturally, we are all aware that there’s going to be a lot going on with six of us. We’re conscious when writing and working out our parts it’s about how to serve the song, rather than filling as much as we can on it. I think that comes out in “That Rock N Roll”.
The song mentions the freeing feeling of live music—what do you think is the most powerful connection between live music and the audience, and how do you harness that energy in your shows?
Like any musician you start as a fan, one good show can change someone’s life, I know that’s how I got into it. It’s written from the band’s perspective but it holds true to any concert goer too. We feed off the crowd big time but, that involves us showing up from the first note and keeping that drive all night. We keep our shows spontaneous and change our sets every night to really stay tight and on our toes but to also give fans something different every time they see us.
Upcoming Shows:
September 27, 2024 — Ducky’s — Sackville, NB (with Dali Van Gogh)
September 28, 2024 — Shoebox Cantina — New Glasgow, NS (with Hugh Wilson)
September 29, 2024 — Gus’ Pub — Halifax, NS (with The Fabulous Pontoona Bros, Dali Van Gogh)
October 2, 2024 — Five & Dime — Saint John, NB (with The Fabulous Pontoona Bros)
October 3, 2024 — District Saint Joseph — Quebec City, QC (with Atome Hits)
October 4, 2024 — Piranha Bar — Montreal, QC (with The Occult, Black Magic)
October 5, 2024 — Dakota Tavern — Toronto, ON (with Cold Weather Captains, Propter Hawk)
October 6, 2024 — St. Andrews Church — Peterborough, ON (with Nitetime Drive)
October 7, 2024 — Vertagogo — Hamilton, ON (with The Reed Effect, Gypsy Brydge)
October 10, 2024 — Harris Hotel — Harris, SK
October 11, 2024 — Cheers Live — Lloyd, AB (with Makenna Gallagher)
October 12, 2024 — The Vat — Red Deer, AB (with Grim, Hungry Hollow, Chuck Spadina)
October 25, 2024 — Pure Yellowhead Casino — Edmonton, AB (with You Me & Zach, King Theory)
Connect with Sparrow Blue:
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