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Strawman, we’re together with your plan

Up and coming band puts the art back in music

By Mike Coleman

Strawman are a band who play hard rock. And don’t expect them to apologize for it.

As most new bands fight to get themselves out of the post-grunge rut Strawman is stepping over them to create the music they really want to: hard-edged, guitar driven music in the Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper tradition.

“Our music sounds a bit like this, a bit like that,” says guitarist John Hitzroth. “It’s a real mongrel creation. After our first gig we had no idea how it would be received,” adds principal songwriter Al McMullan.

And five-and-a-half months later it’s clear that it has been received extremely well. The band has gradually attracted a dedicated group of fans and filled local clubs. Journalists have been impressed by their originality, calling them an intelligent Iron Maiden. And their album has been charted all over Canada on college radio. 

One reason for the success could be their openness towards and adoption of other art forms and even other artists. Going to see a Strawman show is more than just seeing a rock concert. Frequently, opening acts include performance artists and spoken word performers. Visual art including short films and slides serve as a backdrop and accompany the band’s performance.

“We were influenced by the idea of bringing theatre to rock and roll music,” says Hitzroth. “But bringing it back in a way where it once again had some class.”

But in the end for Strawman, it’s the music that matters.

“A band with a highly visual focus can be a dangerous thing,” says McMullan.

“It’s really easy for people to say ‘they’re shit. What about their music?.’ For us, it’s the music first. Once John and I have a song that we feel strongly about, then it’s ‘all right how do we make that look fucking amazing?’”

McMullan admits that Strawman crowds are very weird things. Their fans include displaced grungers, the dressed-in-black crowd and confused Scarborough kids wondering what to do now that Slik Toxik has died. 

“People that don’t know what to dig right now are digging us.” McMullan says. “It’s been real interesting to watch.”

Strawman is an eclectic band filled with members who have experienced the evils of the music business. The result is a very organized, goal-oriented, yet occasionally cynical band. 

“Hating the music business is like a farmer hating his combine,” says McMullan. “There’s nothing the matter with some big monster company wanting to sell you as long as they’re selling the you you wanted to be in the first place.”

The most striking thing about Strawman is their sincerity. They’re a band that will continue to make the music they want to despite trends and industry pressures. 

“If we’re part of a scene,” says Hitzroth. “It will be part of a scene we create.”

Closet hard rock fans unite. 

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