Sum 41 guitarist goes "Into the Mouth of Badd(d)ness"
Marshal Hignett
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
The tears of thousands of Sum 41 fans soon became excitement in May of 2006, as guitarist Dave Baksh announced he was leaving his high school pals to form classic metal band Brown Brigade.
In September of that year, Brown Brigade became label-mates with Sum 41 by signing to Aquarius Records and then recording the cleverly titled debut EP, Appetizer for Destruction.
In September 2007, their first full-length, Into the Mouth of Badd(d)ness was released. Brown Brigade has been busy touring and plans to turn their Iron Maiden-inspired metal band into a multiple genre experience.
"What we wanted to do is, basically, have a band that releases a metal record, but also puts out a record for free on the internet. This record is going to be comprised of three EP's: pop-rock, funk, and reggae … It's pretty much anything we feel like writing, we're going to release on the internet and it's going to be available for download," said Baksh.
Not only has Baksh taken on the role of songwriter, along with his cousin Vaughn Lal, but he has also stepped into the spotlight as the lead singer of Brown Brigade. Although he did occasional backing vocals with Sum 41, seeing Baksh in the energetic role of front-man will be an unexpected delight for new listeners.
"I was kind of half-way there with background vocals, but it's definitely been hard to adjust to," said Baksh. "It took me almost out of my element, because I'm used to just sitting there and playing guitar. It's weird. But it feels more satisfying after the end of the show because you've expelled so much energy."
To lead the way for this passionate, musically-diverse band, Brown Brigade has decided to follow in the footsteps of Iron Maiden's "Eddie the Head" and Megadeth's "Vic Rattlehead" and create a mascot. Their mascot is named the "Brown Knight", and provides a metaphoric motto that the band relates to, as well as a mythological heavy metal logo.
"Vaughn and I have always talked about having a mascot along with our metal band," said Baksh. "We have basically talked about having a mascot for probably the past 20 years. The first time we ever laid eyes on Eddie [from Iron Maiden] and Vic from Megadeth, we just wanted to have one.
"So we decided to make a story to go along with it, which is a bit of a metaphor for our career. His mission in his life is to unite the musical realms. The musical realms have become separated because everything has become so image-based. We're not here to unite the world, but we're here to record as much music and as many different types of music as possible."
Equipped with a full band that even includes a bongo player, Baksh and Lal will hit St. Catharines later this week. Even though Brown Brigade takes influence from '80s metal, do not expect any gimmicks of a flamboyant glam-rock performance.
"It's an intense show. It's a rock show," said Baksh. "We don't really feel like putting on make-up. We don't feel like putting on suits or anything like that. We'll probably come in shorts and T-shirts. Just come to listen to music."
Brown Brigade play the Red Hot Chili Pepper on Oct. 18.
In September of that year, Brown Brigade became label-mates with Sum 41 by signing to Aquarius Records and then recording the cleverly titled debut EP, Appetizer for Destruction.
In September 2007, their first full-length, Into the Mouth of Badd(d)ness was released. Brown Brigade has been busy touring and plans to turn their Iron Maiden-inspired metal band into a multiple genre experience.
"What we wanted to do is, basically, have a band that releases a metal record, but also puts out a record for free on the internet. This record is going to be comprised of three EP's: pop-rock, funk, and reggae … It's pretty much anything we feel like writing, we're going to release on the internet and it's going to be available for download," said Baksh.
Not only has Baksh taken on the role of songwriter, along with his cousin Vaughn Lal, but he has also stepped into the spotlight as the lead singer of Brown Brigade. Although he did occasional backing vocals with Sum 41, seeing Baksh in the energetic role of front-man will be an unexpected delight for new listeners.
"I was kind of half-way there with background vocals, but it's definitely been hard to adjust to," said Baksh. "It took me almost out of my element, because I'm used to just sitting there and playing guitar. It's weird. But it feels more satisfying after the end of the show because you've expelled so much energy."
To lead the way for this passionate, musically-diverse band, Brown Brigade has decided to follow in the footsteps of Iron Maiden's "Eddie the Head" and Megadeth's "Vic Rattlehead" and create a mascot. Their mascot is named the "Brown Knight", and provides a metaphoric motto that the band relates to, as well as a mythological heavy metal logo.
"Vaughn and I have always talked about having a mascot along with our metal band," said Baksh. "We have basically talked about having a mascot for probably the past 20 years. The first time we ever laid eyes on Eddie [from Iron Maiden] and Vic from Megadeth, we just wanted to have one.
"So we decided to make a story to go along with it, which is a bit of a metaphor for our career. His mission in his life is to unite the musical realms. The musical realms have become separated because everything has become so image-based. We're not here to unite the world, but we're here to record as much music and as many different types of music as possible."
Equipped with a full band that even includes a bongo player, Baksh and Lal will hit St. Catharines later this week. Even though Brown Brigade takes influence from '80s metal, do not expect any gimmicks of a flamboyant glam-rock performance.
"It's an intense show. It's a rock show," said Baksh. "We don't really feel like putting on make-up. We don't feel like putting on suits or anything like that. We'll probably come in shorts and T-shirts. Just come to listen to music."
Brown Brigade play the Red Hot Chili Pepper on Oct. 18.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Joyce Hignett
posted 10/19/07 @ 2:31 PM EST
I think Marshal's first article is awesome! And I'm only slightly biased as his mother....
Have a great day!
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