| Staylefish began in London, Ontario, Canada when old friends Dereyk Goodwin and Trevor Blumas approached Chad Kivisto and Will Dunlop to help assist them in a performance for their highschool talent show. With Trevor’s punk-ska style of writing, Chad’s Dave Matthews influenced folk guitar playing and hauntingly melodic voice, Will’s slap and funk style bass, Dereyk’s pop-punk, hard hitting percussion, and a small repertoire of both covers and originals, they began to play shows locally at venues such as The Whippet Lounge and The Embassy Hotel.
With a little local popularity behind them, the band stepped into the studio to record their
first three-song demo, entitled “Next Wave to Paradise.” The demo featured the original versions of “Next Wave to Paradise”, “Fallen” and the crowd favourite “Formerly Known As...” The demo was a portrait for the sound Staylefish had at the times which was a more faster paced, hard driven ska sound.
With a demo behind them, the band started playing more shows around town, but at the same time gained new band member, and old friend Dan Tran on a blues, rock, and metal influenced lead guitar. As the band began to experiment with their sound, the outcome was a reggae based rhythm with distinct influences of folk, blues, rock, alternative, punk, world-beat, hip-hop, and fusion.
After a little more than a year together, Staylefish emerged onto the music scene with a completely original sound. With the addition of Richard Howard, providing his Caribbean vibe and rocking stage presence, Staylefish became a hit in the University and College music scene. New songs such as “Give It Up” and the newly recorded verison of “Next Wave To Paradise” gained popularity and were featured on CHRW 94.9 FM. After many club appearances in London’s biggest music venues, Staylefish acquired another member which contributed greatly to the new sound of the band. Tyler Clarke on the turntables adds a Long Beach style of reggae dub scratching and sampling that gives Staylefish the ultimate rock reggae sound. After being a hit at the University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College, the band did multiple live interviews on various local television stations. Staylefish soon branched out of London, playing shows at clubs, colleges and universities across Ontario
With the assistance of musical genius Rich Gillespie on keyboards and the Production of Dan Santarella of Dansanman Studios, Staylefish’s debut full length album “Utopian Theory” will certainly become a landmark album within the London Music Scene. “Utopian Theory” was released in the late fall of 2004 and has already sold many copies across Ontario. Staylefish is currently planning a tour to support the release of the album that can be expected in early 2005. “Utopian Theory” was chosen by James Reaney of the London Free Press as one of the top 10 albums of 2004. Staylefish has also gained local recognition by the London Music Awards and The Jack Richardson Music Awards. The crew is also consistently busy writing material for the follow up EP to “Utopian Theory” which can be expected sometime early 2006.
Staylefish Has:
- Won a 2005 London Music Award.
- Won a 2005 Jack Richardson Music Award.
- Received notable air play on Ontario radio stations including: FM96, 102.1, 94.9 and others.
- Shared the stage with such acts as The Planet Smashers, The Salads, Pepper, Truth’s N’ Right’s, Gob, The Pocket Dwellers, Sweatshop Union and The Slackers.
- Been selected as part of the London Free Press Top 10 Albums of 2004 for “Utopian Theory.”
- Organized and participated in numerous benefit concerts raising money for various charities.
- Received a fair number of favourable press from magazines, newspapers, and internet sites.
- Been accepted to the infamous Sublime Archive website.
- Recently been receiving record label interest from several indie labels across Ontario.
- Become known for their intense and energetic dub reggae live performances
Discography:
2002 - “Staylefish Live” from The Embassy Hotel
2003 - “Next Wave To Paradise” - Three song demo
2003 - “Humane Society Benefit” - Live from Call the Office
2004 - “Utopian Theory” - Debut Full Length |
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