Rock Is Red #12 - Ghost Town Orchestra

The lead singer of an rock band is integral to the image of that band and any stepping into that position when a charismatic front man is vacated or vacates that position will learn fast what an unenviable position it is. In the case of VICTOR MARTISIUS, it is a chance to move forward after the acrimonious departure of former lead singer LOGAN STAATS and continue to give the people what they've come to expect from the band GHOST TOWN ORCHESTRA - blistering rock n roll and an electrifying live set. "You just keep working hard and keep honing your craft" says MARTISIUS. "We go to band practice every Tuesday and every Thursday and we think it's the best thing ever and it reflects in the tunes because the tunes are getting a little more edgy. A little more funky and a little more fun. A little more adventurous. A little more heavy. These are the things that keep us going. We've got to make sure that we do everyone proud. We play this for us but its' not just about us. There is a crowd of a hundred people in front of us and there is only three of us onstage now. We're outnumbered. There's a reason why we want to work so hard because everyone who comes out to see us to cheer us on we want to make sure that we do them proud." In speaking with MARTISIUS, the departure of STAATS still pains him as you'll hear inteh interview but any resentment is tempered by the success the band still continues to enjoy. Especially with their recent nomination by the INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS for BEST BAND and BEST ENGINEER/PRODUCER. 

CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT:
http://www.rockwired.com/rockisred/rockisred12.mp3

Rock Is Red #11 - Logan Staats

What is rock n roll without a little drama? The premiere edition of ROCK IS RED MAGAZINE boasted that bomb-ass photo by DARKO of First Nations rockers GHOST TOWN ORCHESTRA who were still high from their win at the ABORIGINAL PEOPLES CHOICE MUSIC AWARDS (now called the INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS) for BEST ROCK BAND. Who better to have featured on our debut cover? Within minutes of circulating the premiere issue in May of 2015, We received an instant message from front man LOGAN STAATS informing us that he was no longer with the band. It was a hell of a way for us to launch our new magazine but the tensions that have driven STAATS out of the front man position of GHOST TOWN ORCHESTRA and the tensions that have arisen since his departure between him, the band and the record label have made for one hell of a rock n roll blowout. Yet despite the drama, LOGAN STAATS is making his voice heard as a solo artist with the release of his solo album GOODBYE GOLDIA - a stripped down acoustic affair that highlights STAATS' raspy howl and haunted prose. 

CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT:

http://www.rockwired.com/rockisred/rockisred11.mp3

Rock Is Red #1 - Ghost Town Orchestra

Is there any wonder we gave this band the cover for the premiere issue of ROCK IS RED? We first became acquainted with this Ontario-based band of rockers back in August of 2014 after the band had just been nominated for BEST ROCK BAND in the ABORIGINAL PEOPLES CHOICE MUSIC AWARDS. Months after we had featured them  they had actually walked away with the prize. It always feels good when you can pick a winner.  There is still a tremendous amount of momentum that has been built by their win and ROCKWIRED sees really big things happening with this band - hopefully a little more attention Stateside. Citing influences such as RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, BOB DYLAN, TOM WAITS, THE DARKNESS, THE BLACK KEYS  and KINGS OF LEON, GHOST TOWN ORCHESTRA create a vibrant folk-inspired sound well suited for fans of rock & roll and alternative folk fans alike. LOGAN STAATS (guitar/vocals),VICTOR MARTISIUS (guitar/vocals), IAN MARTINS (Bass/vocals) and PAUL VENDITTI (Drums) steadily morphed themselves into an experimental rock-funk outfit during the the early summer of 2012 in the forgotten ghost town of Brantford, Ontario. What began as a simple collaboration project between the young but scattered musicians quickly transformed into a rambunctious hybrid of swaggering indie rock and danceable Folk not bound by any specific genre. Guided by sandpaper-gritty vocals, a blend of raw unpolished boogie rock, and unvarnished guitar parts these gentlemen of the stage are set to prove that anything is possible when you put you heart and soul into it.

CHECK OUT THE PODCAST AT:
http://www.rockwired.com/rockisred/rockisred1.mp3