ROCKNATION ISSUE 22
That was where we got our start really. From playing mid week upstairs, to having lineups
around the corner for 2 solid nights in a row on the mainstage downstairs. Very fun time in our
lives.
Any funny band stories you had while being in this band?
This band was always a living comic book. How about one where we were at the Foundations
Forum (Concrete Marketing Convention) in L.A.. I will never forget this, all of the bands were
staying at the Marriott where the convention was,so imagine a hotel filled with metal heads!
Our guitarist Rob decided to take a Skinny Dip at the courtyard pool in front of 100’s of people
where he was picked up by security. I was in my room when I heard a huge crowd applause, I
then looked off my balcony and there was Rob being escorted away nude and people all around
the courtyard and on their balconies cheering and clapping...Classic! Just one of many. HAHA
Pat Howarth your Bass player had a infamous driving incident at the 1994 Juno Awards,
what was the first words you had with him?
Honestly, this was not a tale of rock’n’ roll attitude at all.Pat was going through something
medically that made him impaired and caused him to act out with reckless behavior. We just
wanted him to get the help he needed, but unfortunately you can’t help those who don’t want to
be helped.
You sang backup vocals on Helix’s “Screaming at the Moon” track on their ‘Bastard of the Blues’ release. How did that
come about and the experience you had recording the vocals.
Well I had formally met Brian Vollmer through working on the Metal On Ice project in which I was fortunate enough to pen a
song with Sean Kelly and produce it. We had all of these great Candian icons singing on it Lee Aaron, Darby Mills, Carl Dixon
and Brian. After hearing me sing Brian wanted a specific high vocal on that track and thought of me. It was nice because he
called me directly to ask if i would sing on a Helix record and I said ‘ Are you kidding me!....YEAH’.
You appeared on the ‘Metal On Ice’ release covering Kick Axe’s “On The Road To Rock” song. How did that come
together picking the track and recording it?
Actually, Sean asked me to cover the Slik Toxik song Helluvatime originally. I said I would rather do a song by an influential
band from my early years Kick Axe, he was totally game for it and it was he who chose the song. I think they wanted to do
some of the more well known tracks. Once again I am on a track with Victor Langen and Raymond Harvey from Kick Axe,
never thought that would ever happen. \m/
Please name some bands you have toured or appeared with Slik Toxik in Canada.
Black Sabbath, April Wine, Lee Aaron....Spinal Tap.
Who was your influences growing up?
Like most rockers my age I would have to say it was originally KISS that got me into music. Loved Alice Cooper, Aerosmith and
Queen, these were the records in my older brothers collection. As I got a little older it was more metal bands like Judas priest,
Iron Maiden, Saxon bands from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Then I graduated to stuff like Metallica, Megadeth, King
Diamond, Queensryche, Crimson Glory, Dio.....
What is some of the music you listen to now?
It all depends on my mood. Everything from old school to new. If I’m cooking I generally like to hear world or smooth jazz music.
Music is the soundtracdk of our lives and I don’t need it to be on 10 all the time.
What plans do you have for 2016?
I am finishing up the writing of my own band Famous Underground’s second
album, will be part of an onstage musical entitled GIG, continuing to play with
MOXY and also the Classic Albums Live Led Zeppelin series. Maybe somewhere
in there I can take a vacation!
Thank you for taking time for this interview and last words to the fans.
I would just like to thank them for the continued support all of these years and
allowing me to still be a part of the entertainment business. Please find me and
my projects online and give me a LIKE! Cheers.
Photo by: John Tsourounis