Welland's The Snips excited for move from main stage to Mansion at this year's S.C.E.N.E.
Chris Illich
Issue date: 6/9/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
The Ceremonial Snips started out in 1999 as an opportunity for some high school boys to learn what it was like to play in a band.
Who would have guessed that 10 years later, after a few transformations in the line-up, all their hard work would have paid off?
In the 10 years following their formation, they have released several albums and played countless shows - which included some Warped Tour dates last summer, as well as an opening slot for NOFX in the fall. They also changed their name to a more subtle "The Snips".
Now heading into their seventh year at St. Catharines' beloved S.C.E.N.E. Festival, The Snips are feeling eager for what is looking to be a promising summer of recording and touring.
Currently, The Snips are hard at work at Drive Studios, working with Steve Rizun on their currently untitled album, which is due out this fall. Guitarist and trombone player Chris Accursi, explained that this album will mark a 'turning of the page' for The Snips; not only because they have grown exponentially in terms of song writing, but because they just recently lost the jam space that housed them for four years, where they wrote and rehearsed the material for their upcoming album.
"For the last three or four years, we have had a jam space on Fraser St. in Welland," said Accursi. "The space was what really allowed us to develop as a band. It was kind of just a lounge for us, our clubhouse so to say. We just lost it, the guy that was in charge of it is retiring and selling the building. The day we moved all our stuff out was the day we went into the studio."
Following the completion of their upcoming album, Accursi said that they are more than excited to be part of S.C.E.N.E. Festival again this summer. With S.C.E.N.E. experiences ranging from playing in both the smallest club in the downtown core, to the main stage last year, The Snips are ready to showcase their energetic show at the Mansion House outdoor stage.
"Over the years, we've played some super small places. One year, we played at On 81, and that place could barely fit our band, let alone the crowd. People were just coming in through the windows. Then another year, we played Big Bucks, and that place was packed even though it was the end of the night. We were kind of taken by surprise that so many people came out to see us," said Accurssi.
"S.C.E.N.E. has always been really good to us. We all like to come out and hang out. Last year we got to play the main stage for the first time. After playing the main stage, it kind of made me realize how nice it is to play smaller venues, where it's a little bit tighter and people have to work in order to see the band and get a good spot. It's just a little bit more intimate and it helps people get way more into the experience of seeing a concert."
Who would have guessed that 10 years later, after a few transformations in the line-up, all their hard work would have paid off?
In the 10 years following their formation, they have released several albums and played countless shows - which included some Warped Tour dates last summer, as well as an opening slot for NOFX in the fall. They also changed their name to a more subtle "The Snips".
Now heading into their seventh year at St. Catharines' beloved S.C.E.N.E. Festival, The Snips are feeling eager for what is looking to be a promising summer of recording and touring.
Currently, The Snips are hard at work at Drive Studios, working with Steve Rizun on their currently untitled album, which is due out this fall. Guitarist and trombone player Chris Accursi, explained that this album will mark a 'turning of the page' for The Snips; not only because they have grown exponentially in terms of song writing, but because they just recently lost the jam space that housed them for four years, where they wrote and rehearsed the material for their upcoming album.
"For the last three or four years, we have had a jam space on Fraser St. in Welland," said Accursi. "The space was what really allowed us to develop as a band. It was kind of just a lounge for us, our clubhouse so to say. We just lost it, the guy that was in charge of it is retiring and selling the building. The day we moved all our stuff out was the day we went into the studio."
Following the completion of their upcoming album, Accursi said that they are more than excited to be part of S.C.E.N.E. Festival again this summer. With S.C.E.N.E. experiences ranging from playing in both the smallest club in the downtown core, to the main stage last year, The Snips are ready to showcase their energetic show at the Mansion House outdoor stage.
"Over the years, we've played some super small places. One year, we played at On 81, and that place could barely fit our band, let alone the crowd. People were just coming in through the windows. Then another year, we played Big Bucks, and that place was packed even though it was the end of the night. We were kind of taken by surprise that so many people came out to see us," said Accurssi.
"S.C.E.N.E. has always been really good to us. We all like to come out and hang out. Last year we got to play the main stage for the first time. After playing the main stage, it kind of made me realize how nice it is to play smaller venues, where it's a little bit tighter and people have to work in order to see the band and get a good spot. It's just a little bit more intimate and it helps people get way more into the experience of seeing a concert."
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