NO LIES, NO TRICKS
A CONVERSATION WITH DES PARKS, JON DOMBROSKI & CHAD PLAMONDON OF SPARROW BLUE
There seems to be a common sentiment nowadays that rock music is dead. However, exciting acts like Sparrow Blue prove this completely wrong and demonstrate that rock music still has plenty left in its tank. The Canadian rock band’s classic ‘70s rock style with a modern twist is something you do not want to miss out on. Recently, I chatted with Sparrow Blue band members Des Parks, Jon Dombroski, and Chad Plamondon about their sophomore album, No Lies, No Tricks.
“I find that this one doesn’t stray too far from the first album, but it definitely has some more versatility as far as the sound goes,” remarks Dombroski. “Like it is all rock ‘n’ roll, in the end, I would say. But there’s different varieties in this album compared to the first one. So, it’s a little more of an ‘adventure for your ears,’ I guess you could say.”
Parks adds, “I think we added a bit of technicality to some of the playing as well. We always grow as musicians, and we always push ourselves as musicians, and you can hear it on the album.”
This technicality and variety in sound can be heard in “Don’t Tell Me Nothin’” and “Song B”. With “Don’t Tell Me Nothin’”, Dombroski shares, “That’s kind of an homage to ‘70s kind of southern rock. Lynyrd Skynyrd and Steely Dan, people say it kind of reminds them of that. And the chorus itself you can sing along to it. There’s a bit of an epic guitar solo there. It’s a very kind of throwback to familiar ‘70s rock, in my opinion.”
Meanwhile, with “Song B”, he reflects, “It has a little bit more of a funk kind of feel to it. With the chorus I feel it almost goes into a smoother pop kind of bit. And then back to the heavier funk rock. So that one is showing off our versatility.”
PURCHASE NO LIES, NO TRICKS
The album’s title, No Lies, No Tricks, comes from a line from the song “2 Coins”. “We liked it because that’s the type of music we play,” states Parks. “There’s no gimmicks. We’re not trying to hide behind anything. We just play good honest rock ‘n’ roll.”
The writing and creative process behind the songs is a group effort. “There will be a few of us that write a bit more, but everyone will have a role in helping in pushing that song forward and creating it from one of our songs to an actual Sparrow Blue song,” says Plamondon. “I think it’s great having a lot of different writers in the band, and I think it keeps the egos down a little bit… When we present something to the band, we know we’re giving that up to the band, and it’s not really our individual song anymore.”
For those that have ever come across Sparrow Blue then you most likely would know that they describe their sound as ‘Real Thick Rock ‘N’ Roll.’ This term came from their song “Real Thick”. “We didn’t really have a lot of ways to describe our music,” states Parks. “People would always ask, ‘what kind of music do you play? Oh, rock ‘n’ roll. Well, what kind of rock ‘n’ roll?’ And when that song came out, you could feel it in your soul when you’re playing the song or signing along, just: “Lay it on me / Baby lay it on thick”. I guess we kind of adopted that’s how we would describe our music: just ‘Real Thick Rock ‘N’ Roll.’ It’s got everything you need in it. It goes from funky grooves to hard rock to ‘straight to the edge balls to the wall’ hard rock.
No Lies, No Tricks certainly lives up to the ‘Real Thick Rock ‘N’ Roll’ title. This album is full of hard rocking tunes guaranteed to have you jamming out. “Party hard and just enjoy the hell out of it,” comments Parks. “Like turn it all the way up. Max volume. You always hope music can be cathartic for people in its own way so that’s what my hope for the album is. If people can just resonate with it and it makes them feel good.”
Sparrow Blue will appeal to anyone who enjoys classic ‘70s rock acts like Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, or Creedence Clearwater Revival. “You don’t hear it a lot anymore,” remarks Plamondon. “We wanted to bring it back as much as we could in our own way and bring some of our own modern flair and other inspirations into that and show there can still be stuff done with the genre.”
Sparrow Blue has shared the stage with many iconic Canadian rock bands, such as Finger Eleven, The Sheepdogs, and The Trews. “Noticing an alteration just in production size is just inspiring cause you know it’s uplifting being able to play in those big production stages,” states Parks. “You get to kind of see all the machinations of it. It definitely makes you want to step your game up. Like I said, it’s inspiring; I mean, it’s just an honour to be able to play with guys like that and see how they move along in the industry and see what their kind of processes are like so we can constantly learn from them.”
Dombroski adds, “As a kid, you hear a lot of these songs on the radio and then to be able to get to share the stage with those guys later on in life is kind of a check off the bucket list in a sort of way. And in reality, you start playing with these guys on that stage, and you’re like, ‘maybe eventually I can get to that point.’ So it kind of pushes you further and further.”
Despite going through some notable lineup changes, Sparrow Blue has retained their edge. They are as talented as ever, and their chemistry shines through on this album. “We’ve had a couple of changes; a couple of band members have come and gone, but we’re definitely in the lineup that’s in our prime, for sure,” comments Dombroski. “Like this is the best lineup we’ve ever had, and I’m sure it’s gonna stick. We’re happy to have Chad and Caden [Doyle] on board now… Can’t wait to see what the future brings us.”
Parks shares, “Chad was at one of our music videos. He’s been in the music industry forever. We played a couple of sets with Chad, and I was like, ‘man, I really like this guy’s guitar playing.’ He ended up being in one of our music video shoots just because he kind of knew the guys just from around. Then, next thing we know, we’re looking for a guitarist, and we put up an ad, and I was like, ‘we should see if that Chad guy wants to play.’ But we put an ad up, and Chad responded to our ad looking for a guitarist, and when we talked to him, we were like, ‘oh shit! It’s the guy we wanted anyway.’ It was kind of like fate right there—and Caden similar thing. We put up an ad, and he jumped at the opportunity. He’s a young kid. He’s like, what, 23 or something. I’m like ten years older than him. Him coming into a mature band that’s been doing it forever, and he never played live, and he just jumped right at the opportunity. His drive is unreal. So, it’s great to see that in him.”
Fans will be happy to hear that Sparrow Blue are getting ready for the new year, as Plamondon comments, “We’ve done some writing, and I think that’s where things are going to be going in the winter. More of a writing and regrouping for touring next year as well.”
Parks concludes, “Basically the first week we got home [after our tour], Chad already started doing dates for next year’s tour. He’s already trying to lock stuff in… Now that we’re all kind of settled down and figuring things out and the holidays coming up I intend to spend a decent amount of time in the studio writing and recording with the guys.”
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Photo Credits: Dana Zuk
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