Bell Tower

four kids and a summer

By Sean-Paul Boynton

They are between 18 and 19 years old, their moms carry their instruments for them after a show, and they play howling, Nuggets-era garage rock. If this sounds unlikely, then you have not witnessed Bell Tower.

As a matter of fact, you most likely have not, as the band has only been together since January and their résumé features just a few appearances at the Blind Beggar’s open-mic night. But last month, Bell Tower edged out seven other bands to win the Battle Royale at Mount Royal’s Liberty Lounge. Can’t believe it? Neither could the band.

“It’s pretty crazy,” admits singer and guitarist Tom Englund. “I certainly didn’t expect it at all.”

If one were to step in the band’s shoes, it would almost certainly look like an unexpected victory. However, behind the band’s relative inexperience lies a solid foundation of friendship and musical camaraderie.

“Tom and I used to jam together in his basement, way before this band even became a band,” says drummer Ross Watson, whose experience behind the kit started just four months ago. “We met up with (bassist) Jordan (Ackerman) and (lead guitarist) Mike (Hudec) and just started playing together. That was that.”

It all sounds so simple, but after mere months together, the four members of the band display a dynamic with each other that looks like years in the making. What could account for it?

“We were supposed to play a benefit for multiple sclerosis at MacEwan Hall,” said Ackerman. “It eventually fell through, but that really made us practice hard and we just got really tight.”

When grilled about their influences, the four guys become a widely diverse group. Ackerman and Hudec do not hesitate to express their love for the blues, while Watson, with his Led Zeppelin t-shirt and thundering drum rolls, proudly calls himself a metal-head. Only Englund, listing off neo-garage rockers like the Hives and the Vines, seems to be in touch with what Bell Tower punches out on stage.

However, their music thrives within the push and pull between the four seemingly different mindsets. While Englund howls like a Jonathan Richman bastard child and stabs wildly at his Gibson SG, Hudec plays shimmering lead runs that are not afraid to squeal with feedback (he also plays a mean slide guitar). Watson pounds away with remarkable skill, considering his lack of experience, while Ackerman fluidly fills in the holes with grooving basslines reminiscent of Noel Redding’s work with Hendrix. If it sounds like all this could become a noisy mess, it sometimes does, but it is always thrilling.

“I just love the catharsis of playing music,” said Englund, smiling. “It really thrills me when I’m up there.”

The band is not sure of its plans for the immediate future, but that is understandable considering what they have to look forward to. Among the winnings from the Battle Royale: free recording time at Arch Audio and a show at the Liberty Lounge in September. This is going to be one long summer.
Check out myspace.com/belltowerband for their song, “Mr. Popular.” Stay tuned and cross your fingers for information on shows and more songs.