THUNDER BAY – Raechel Reed of The Multi Media Group (MMG) had a chance to sit down for the first time with the up and coming local band Love Candy. With five extremely talented musicians, Love Candy take you back in time to an era when man first meets metal.
During their sound check @ Crocks’ we got up close and personal with them.
Morgan Hamelin, born in Elliot Lake, and the lead guitarist of Love Candy, always in deep thought explains, “You know I always like to take things to the next level”.
Morgan’s mischiveious smile reveals how playful and fun he really is, and why he is one of the fans favorites! Being around a guitar since he was three and playing music for twelve solid years Morgan creates an audible experience on stage that leaves one word on your mouth “Shredder”.
Morgan compliments his fellow guitar player Dustin Harrington who WOWs the ladies with his natural good looks and incredible talent on his vintage Gibson guitar.
It’s funny how far he has come having played for only 6 years.
Growing up in Ignace and a nephew of John Ricci, a local musical legend that will continue to live long in our hearts here in the north, thanks to Dustin’s Mother, Rosa Harrington who puts on The John Ricci Memorial in Ignace every year in commemoration, it’s no wonder it runs in the blood.
He says he will still pursue music after graduating from the kinesiology program @ LU in 2012.
While Dustin and Morgan hold up the lead and rhythm, Dave Campbell compliments them with his groovy licks and funky slaps that keep the bass action solid.
Having moved from southern Ontario it was a big step coming to Thunder Bay four years ago to further his education.
Dave says “I don’t see myself doing anything else and these guys are a lot of fun plus Bev’s and I work well as a team on stage together”. Campbell sees high promise for the band to take things a lot farther down the road with each performance.
Bev’s (Scott Bevilacqua) the soft spoken 23 year old hockey player from Dryden came to Thunder Bay with drumsticks in hand in the pursuit of musical happiness. Being the heart beat of the band he describes recruiting Campbell and replacing Love Candy’s former bassist back in September 2010.
He also laughs talking about how everyone hooked up in the beginning with Cody Vaillant (aka as Cody V) the lead vocalist and creator of Love Candy.
Born and raised in Murillo, Cody’s been here from the start, and knows how challenging it is to break out onto the music scene and be successful in Thunder Bay.
Cody confides “It took me two years to find the musicians we have now.” He goes onto explain that utilizing the free resources like Facebook, Myspace and Youtube is key to help get yourself out there along side drive, determination, and consistency.
Cody states “I don’t want to have to ever work a 9 to 5 job again”. As is the case for so many young talents in our city, it’s hard finding and receiving a helping hand from veterans and fellow musicians in Thunder Bay.
Family values and pride are apparent to the obvious succession of the group. On many occasions you can see the Harrington family, and the Vaillant’s front row and centre with their group of die hard Love Candy fans with video and cameras in tow.
Love Candy separate themselves from the rest in their gender creating a different atmosphere and experience at every show leaving the men rocking out, and the ladies screaming, and wanting more.
If you love candy and rock n roll, you’ll Love Candy.
Follow Love Candy’s Social Stream for more details and upcoming events.
http://www.facebook.com/lovecandymusic
http://www.myspace.com/lovecandymusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/lovecandymusic
MMG will have full interview photos and a full recorded studio release of Rocket Fuel for your viewing & listening pleasure coming soon to our website.
Raechel Reed