They look like the boys with the bad ‘tudes that skipped class to smoke cigarettes in the parking lot behind school, cruised in nice cars, picked fights and listened to a hell of a lot of rock ‘n’ roll.

Luke, Jake and Cody Kennerd are the three musically-endowed brothers that together make up Winnipeg’s own Sons of York. The trio is preparing for the release of its debut full-length,  Black and White Summer, this Friday. It’s a follow-up to their EP, Chicks, Dudes, Bad Attitudes.

Together since 2001, Sons of York have said so long to more than a couple band members, but are convinced that this is the final lineup. The boys admit that if any of them were to quit the band, that would be it for them.
“The first one that quits is a quitter; brothers don’t like quitters,” laughed bassist Jake Kennerd.

The Sons maintain that there really isn’t any sibling rivalry that comes between them when taking the stage. Their familial background seems to work to the band’s advantage, as it’s particularly motivating and makes it easier for members to communicate.

“We get along pretty good and we’re free to be total jerks to each other,” guitarist Luke joked.

While they’re driven by what they refer to as the “revolutionary rock and roll” of the early ‘00s, drawing inspiration from bands such as The Strokes and The White Stripes, Sons of York also owe much of their old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll roots to bands like The Hollies, The Doors and The Who.

A great deal of their influence is also derived from many of the band’s favourite films and novels.

The group’s name originates from one of Luke’s favorite Steinbeck novels, The Winter of Our Discontent.

Although the boys admit the idea of running off to the big city is enticingly romantic, they enjoy the Winnipeg music scene for now. The band is extremely appreciative of the city-wide support they receive, not only from their fans, but from other local bands, often sharing bills, helping to promote one another.

The boys’ music has evolved considerably since their back-in-the-day bubble-gum pop. Some of their new tracks, such as Black and White Summer and Running Home to River Heights reveals a “manlier, edgier and more unique sound,” said drummer Cody Kennerd.

The title Black and White Summer, the band admitted, was inspired by Francis Ford Coppola’s Rumble Fish.

Filmed entirely in black and white, Rumble Fish is set in the late ‘60s or early ‘70s, during a feverishly hot and muggy summer in the city.

Heavy on ‘60s and ‘70s influence, Black and White Summer draws much of its influence from bands of that era, such as The Beach Boys and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Published in Volume 64, Number 11 of The Uniter (November 12, 2009)