Who are The X-N-TRIX and why are they in a rock and roll band with local bar jam songwriter Glen Gravel?
The X-N-TRIX are lead guitarist Lorne Fugle, key member of phenom rock and roll dance band Pacific Disturbance. On bass guitar is remarkable all-round musician Dave Lyons, one of the best local ears for music and one of the most sought-after and hardest-working players on the Island.
Fresh from touring with the Pink Floyd tribute band All in All and playing with many other bands is studio musician Robb Flannery on drums. Playing rhythm guitar with just enough harmonica is singer/songwriter Gravel.
And finally, the band is graced with the clear and sensuous voice of Juanita Bradley, performing lead and background vocals.
鈥淕len鈥檚 songs have their own sound 鈥� they are varied, some quite complicated, many good dance tunes, played full forward in 4/4 time 鈥� and I love the challenge of what I am to play behind these songs that are like empty canvases waiting for some bits of colour,鈥� says Fugle.
鈥淚鈥檝e played with Glen off and on for about five years 鈥� he is a decent rhythm guitarist and a better singer,鈥� adds Lyons. 鈥淏ut he writes these songs that are like no one else鈥檚 and there鈥檚 a lot of them, more than enough for one night; some of them are power classical style, but most are rockers and good blues dance tunes.鈥�
鈥淭hese are the kind of songs that I have always been willing leave some time in my schedule for,鈥� comments Flannery. 鈥淚鈥檝e played in a lot of bands, so breaking away from the typical cover tunes most bands play is like a holiday for me.鈥�
鈥淚t really is an honour to be asked to sing with this band 鈥� music that鈥檚 not just a bunch of words strung together,鈥� Bradley says. 鈥淪ongs containing a story and some of them hold a sentiment of meaning that strikes to the core. There are songs about the province, about the local area and the things we all do while living around this beautiful valley 鈥� and absolutely screaming rockers.鈥�
Gravel remarks, 鈥淚 really don鈥檛 consider myself much of a musician 鈥� not in this valley 鈥� but after 30-plus years on the guitar, I can play a decent lead lick or two. Still, my favourite parts of music have always been voice and lyrics.
鈥淚 suppose if I had spent the time necessary to be able to play guitar like Lorne, Dave and many of the other very gifted musicians in the Valley 鈥� and a number of them have said they are willing to come down and join us for a set or two 鈥� I may never have written any of these songs. But I did, and now The X-N-TRIX are playing them.鈥�
The show is Jan. 15, with an 8:30 p.m. start, at the Mex Pub in Courtenay. There鈥檚 no cover charge.
Call 250-334-8697 or the Mex for more information.
鈥� The X-N-TRIX
