Eagle Tears have mastered co-operative salad-making
by Chris Morin
Eagle Tears
Thursday 18
McNally’s
It was just over a month ago that Montreal up-and-comers Eagle Tears earned the chance to play in front of thousands of fans in their hometown. In May, the group won a battle of the bands contest that put them on stage at the Heavy Montreal festival, where they got to play with the likes of Metallica and Offspring.
“It was absolutely wonderful,” says guitarist Steve Ludvik. “It’s probably the loudest I’ve ever gotten to play guitar.”
Their showcase appearance at the festival also lined up nicely with the release of their debut album. On their self-titled LP, Eagle Tears combines hip-shaking grooves with driving rock rhythms and a three-guitar attack, resulting in a sound that’s more retro, southern-fried riff-rock than heavy metal.
They formed in the fall of 2011, and Ludvik says that it’s taken several years for the band to finally settle into their sound.
“We had a different drummer and guitarist just prior to recording the album,” he says. “We recorded in November last year, [and] just before that we had the two new members come in and give us a different, and better, sound. We’ve been with the new guys for over a year now; we’re definitely comfortable with each other and the sound has finally gelled.
“We’re all songwriters, even the drummer, and we have a lot of ideas floating around,” Ludvik continues. “It’s a bunch of guys in the kitchen making a salad — everyone is bringing something to the table. We’re constantly writing songs, so there’s really no stepping on toes or anything. And with three guitar parts, everyone can put their own touch on it and we always make sure there are a lot of harmonies.”
Eagle Tears will be joined at McNally’s by Marystown and Black Drink Crier on Thursday, Sept. 18.
