"The thing with this show that people need to know is that we're super-loud," says Julie Doiron, the sometimes-loud, sometimes-quiet veteran alternative rock hero. This tour is definitely in the loud category thanks to backing band The Wrong Guys. Made up of emerging songwriter Eamon McGrath and Cancer Bats' rhythm section Mike Peters and Jaye Schwarzer, 2012's debut seven-inch Heartbeats features the title track breakup song with Doiron's classic personal and bare lyrics intertwined with grunge rock instrumentals and a musically heavier B-side re-recording of "Swan Pond."
After threatening retirement from touring early last year, Doiron has been won back thanks to a new baby, sparking a pregnant touring frenzy that took her across Canada, Europe and Japan. The tour was followed by a post-birth inspiration, says Doiron. "There's something about having a baby that re-inspires me. I don't know if it's just a burst of energy---all of a sudden you have the energy and the will to do stuff."
Doiron's East Coast Winter Classic Tour with The Wrong Guys is a reunion of sorts for the dispersed-across-Canada band, who began playing together during Doiron's residency at Saving Gigi in Toronto in early 2012. Originally having set this rare week aside to take a stab at co-writing new songs, the lure of a live show at Stereophonic Music Festival in Sackville swung their plans into a full east coast tour.
"It's a coming together again of a project that's really fun," says Doiron. "These guys are amazing, it's going to be great, definitely a rock show." Don't miss the rare chance to mosh around to the usually lullaby-like---and always rock-rolling---hits this Sunday at the Khyber.
Julie Doiron and The Wrong Guys w/Quivers, Moonsocket
Sunday, January 19 at 8pm, $7
Gus' Pub, 2605 Agricola Street