Glace Bay’s Ricochet have been putting the Pee Pee in Punk, or at least taking the piss out of it, since the Spring of 2006. Ricochet is a fine example of what working in a call centre can lead to. Bassist JT Mitchell and guitarist Orrin Sparrow began to lay down the foundations of the band when they started jamming together after spending their days working for “the man” at Stream. Eventually, other pieces of the band were added. These pieces included vocalist Colin Mitchell, the human drum machine Dylan Mombourquette and, finally, guitarist Shaemus Squires. This is the line-up that injects Ricochet’s music into your veins. Sitting down during a Ricochet show is impossible after the syringe has been plunged into your ear hole.
When asked to describe what sound Ricochet offers the world Colin said, “The urge to hug your friends and punch a baby in the face simultaneously.” Mind you, the band does not condone or promote either of these two things. Instead they tend to call upon their influences, which include Bad Religion, NOFX, Weezer and of course Slayer, to help ensure that their sound is never duplicated from track to track. Ricochet is a punk band, however, they have no problem incorporating the sweet sounds of ska or borrowing the viciousness of thrash metal to keep their sound fresher than the Farmers’ Market.
Ricochet has played a hundred or so live shows, including gigs with Iron Giant, the Divorcees, and C’mon, and released an album in 2008, 4 Chords and 7 Beers Ago—testaments to the band’s diversity and gusto to be heard. They have a second album in the pipeline with plans for a Spring 2010 release followed by a Maritime tour. The band has its fingers crossed that shows in Newfoundland, Quebec and Ontario can be added to their touring schedule before twenty-ten comes to its inevitable conclusion.
However, before the release of a new album and an expanded touring schedule, Ricochet has a date with the ECMA’s in Sydney on March 5th at Maxwell’s on Charlotte Street. The band finds themselves playing alongside ECMA Loud category nominees Black Moor, We the Undersigned, and the Motorleague. They will also be sharing the stage with Sydney’s very own Static In Action. When asked what the inclusion of a Loud Award to ECMA’s means to Ricochet, Colin responded, “It’s a great thing. No style of music should be overlooked, especially in a place like the East Coast that is just polluted with all kinds of talent.” Colin was asked who he and the rest of his band are interested in seeing during ECMA week and he replied, “The Motorleague, Iron Giant, Slowcoaster, Carmen Townsend, The Sidewalks, The Stanfields, oh man, it’s gonna be a wild time. We can’t wait.”
Make sure to check out Ricochet during the ECMA’s, March 5th at Maxwell’s on Charlotte Street. They’ll bring the attitude, they’re counting on you bring to the beer.
