THE ARROGANT WORMS

A hilarious and strikingly patriotic Canadian musical trio, the Arrogant Worms have been splitting sides the world over for 20 years.

These three successful boys have entertained audiences large and small since their humble start at Queen’s University.

In 1991, three students started acting out little sketches on a campus radio show in hopes of scoring a few laughs. Sketches turned to songs and Mike McCormick, Chris Patterson and Trevor Strong hit it big. After 12 albums, they’re still making funny music for the masses.

“We’ve spent our entire working lives singing these dorky little songs,” said Patterson in a phone interview. “It almost feels like we’ve gotten away with something.”

The band members never expected to become such musical sensations, but after 150,000 albums sold, the public is still crying out for more.

“The world is still a dumb place and there’s plenty to write about,” Patterson said.

The inspiration for song lyrics comes from anywhere and everywhere.

“The ridiculous can come from the imagination or something else,” Patterson said.

What started as an amusing pastime has turned into a thriving musical career for these would-be Queen’s graduates, which, ironically, is kind of funny. 

“It would be fun to do this into our 50s,” Patterson said. “Twenty years from now we’d be really old, but then again, so are the Rolling Stones.”

The Arrogant Worms play at the West End Cultural Centre on Thursday, March 3. Visit www.arrogantworms.com.

-Sara Shyiak

FIVE ALARM FUNK

Yes, there are 10 members in Vancouver-based Five Alarm Funk, and yes, trying to co-ordinate a time to practice and arrange a tour is can be a bit taxing.

“With 10 guys, it makes a logistics a bit difficult,” said saxophonist Dameian Walsh over the phone at a gas station in Grande Prairie, Alta. “For the most part, we’re all trying to make this a priority. We plan enough in advance and just let everyone know when the gigs are and try to make ourselves available for that as much as possible.”

Since 2003, the horn – and percussion-driven instrumental group has carved a niche for themselves with their theatrical live performances, and, as Walsh admits, a brand of music that’s still looking for a genre.

“I remember filling some forms online and one of the genres listed was Primus,” Walsh laughed, adding the band has floated around medieval-death-funk as an apt label.

“It’s that sort of thing where we’re creating our own musical little corner. Our only rule is if it sounds good, we’re going do it. We play gypsy, classic, punk, rock, heavy metal. If you don’t like the tune we’re playing, you’re going to like the next one, or the one after that.”

Pair those with choreography and spontaneous dancing, the band has earned love with audiences at festivals throughout Canada and the world.

“The goal for us is to give the audience the best show we can,” said Walsh. “We really think it makes the show a more all-around kind of experience, not where you just close your eyes and listen.”

Catch Five Alarm Funk live Friday, March 4 at the Pyramid Cabaret. Visit www.myspace.com/fivealarmfunkmusic.

– Matt Preprost

MARK BERUBE AND THE PATRIOTIC FEW

Mark Berube is thinking of two things when he arrives in Fredericton, N.B. on Feb. 26 for a show at The Capital Bar: the protests and growing unrest in Libya, and whether or not to drive through the night back to Montreal after the show is over.

It’ll be another 10 days before the Brandon, Man.-born musician returns home to showcase his latest album, June In Siberia, released March 1.

“It’s going to be extra cool,” said Berube, who was last in Winnipeg in fall 2009, adding that the CBC will be recording his March 8 performance at the West End Cultural Centre.

Recorded live off the floor in just two weeks with Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire, Basia Bulat), June In Siberia is laced with Berube’s bouncy piano riffs and surrounded by elaborate arrangements that weave together piano, cello, accordion and more.

“It’s one of the smoothest albums I’ve recorded yet,” said Berube. “Only having two weeks ... forces you to look at things differently. I think it can be a more honest representation of your songs because you can’t meditate on them too long, and you go with the vibe you’re in that moment in the studio.

“There are points on the album where I go ‘Oh, damn, I would change that,’ but that’s inevitable, even if you had a year to make an album.”

Catch Berube and The Patriotic Few perform Tuesday, March 8, at the West End Cultural Centre. Visit www.markberube.com.

– Matt Preprost

Published in Volume 65, Number 21 of The Uniter (March 3, 2011)