Scottish rockers Nazareth took the Centennial Centre by storm this past Saturday, entertaining fans of all ages.
Less than two hours before show time, lead vocalist Dan McCafferty and bass guitarist Pete Agnew, the band's two original members, sat down with the Nouvelle to talk about their new album, why they like Canada and what is has been like to be a staple in the rock music scene for over 40 years.
Backstage in a dressing room, the roar from local band Suspect 3's opening performance pounds through the walls. Still dressed in their street clothes, McCafferty pours himself a glass of Courvoisier while Agnew sips a Molson Canadian.
They discuss their new album, Big Dogz, which was released in April. Agnew describes it as an international album, explaining how it was recorded in Prague and mixed in Switzerland.
"It turned out very well, we're very happy with it," says McCafferty. "We tried to make it sound as live as possible."
Because all band members worked on the songs, with drummer Lee Agnew and guitarist Jimmy Murrison writing the most, he says it sounds like the band's typical style.
"You don't write songs that Nazareth can't use," he explains. "Everyone writes to suit Nazareth. So obviously, most of the songs end up sounding like Nazareth anyway."
He says the sounds are "really true" with good guitar and bass sounds.
It took Nazareth six weeks to record the album. Agnew says in the old days, they would have finished it in 10 days, such as with Hair of the Dog.
"That's what you did then, you just went ... and banged them out."
While some bands take a year to record an album, Agnew explains how that's not Nazareth's style.
"We could never do that. We would get bored," he says. "We'd get fed up with the songs."
But after six weeks, they still love the songs, he explains.
"If you take a year to make a record, I don't know if I'd like it very much by the end," adds McCafferty, explaining how he believes rock 'n' roll should be "instant and in your face."
Agnew talks about how some older bands don't produce new material and perform shows with their older music.
"We can change our set for the next 10 years without making a new album just going through all the albums we've made," he says, explaining how it's much better to have new material.
"I wouldn't like to become static like that," says McCafferty. It "keeps us ticking," and fans ask when they will release their next album - which could be spring of 2013, he adds.
Agnew says they have enough material to go to the studio now - although probably not enough to record a whole album.
"When you do your albums, sometimes you've got more (songs) than you need and it's hard making up your mind which ones to leave off," he says.
With Nazareth's The Newz album, the band had over 20 songs prepared, but only used 13 for the album.
And apparently if those songs don't make it on that first album, they don't have much of a chance of ever being recorded.
McCafferty attributes this to different times in which albums are made and how "everything changes."
He says a priority for the band has always been whether they like the songs.
The band has been travelling Canada as part of a tour that started in February and will last until December.
McCafferty says he enjoys being on the road some days, but then changes his mind and says, "Most days I enjoy it."
He says his family has become accustomed to him being on the road and how it would be weird for his wife if he were to be home all the time.
Agnew says it's nice to go home, but after two weeks, "your clock starts to tick."
He says his wife would say he would always become twitchy around 9 p.m. "because that's when I'm supposed to be going on stage."
When asked what it has been like to be a staple in the rock industry for over 40 years, McCafferty says it's "tiring" and laughs. He says he thought the band's ride would only last two or three years.
But even after four decades, the two say they have no plans to retire soon.
"I don't know what I'd do," says McCafferty. "It's become a way of life."
Agnew notes how they will both turn 65 this year, and how that is the normal age to retire from a traditional career.
"As long as we're enjoying it," says McCafferty, "people are still coming out to see us."
Local fans did just that Saturday night. The Centennial Centre's fieldhouse was full of fans of varying ages, cheering and singing along. A crowd formed in front of the stage with people dancing and taking photos. One excited fan sat up on someone's shoulders, beer bottle in hand, to take a closer look at the action.
The band performed old classics such as "Broken Down Angel" and "Sunshine," as well as tracks from their new album.
McCafferty and Agnew reflect on their music careers and share their favourite moments.
"Our first hit single back in the 70's. It was a big thrill, hearing yourself on the radio," says McCafferty. "I'm not saying it becomes old, but it's not as good as the first time."
Agnew recalls Nazareth's big Canadian tour in the mid 1970's when the band had three albums on the country's top 20 chart. He remembers how their tour was the fastest selling one in Canada - faster than Elvis Presley's.
"That was a real thrill."
Agnew reflects on 12 of the band's albums that reached platinum and gold status in Canada.
"We like this place because they like us."
