The Retrofits
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New and Improved - The Retrofits!! Now with more Dyamic Sound than Ever Before!! (We're ready for the K-Tel promotion department...K-Tel still around?)
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THE RETROFITS are an exciting band from just north of Toronto who are becoming well-recognized throughout the local music scene for their uniquely entertaining performances of the best of the 70s rock and roll. They are, moreover, fantastically talented songwriters who are able to seamlessly weave their unique compositions into a supremely satisfying evening of entertainment.
Matthew Marren and Martin Barret met in Grade 7 when Star Wars ruled the screen and 70s rock topped the charts. Both picked up guitars around the same time and started learning the tunes as they heard them, while eventually developing their own song-writing skills and subsequent talents on bass (Matthew), lead guitar (Martin), keyboards and harmonica (both).
Taking on several bands over the years, Matthew enjoyed focusing on rock performance and recording, while Martin, for the most part, remained solo, performing with sequenced back-up music and accomplishing many of his own recording projects.
Throughout the years, Matthew and Martin's paths crossed intermittently, always with respect to sharing in their musical skills and interests. The two finally got together in early 2003 and decided to combine their musical talent and share it with the world under the name 'The Retrofits' © 2003. This superbly entertaining duo features a strong focus on the best music of the 70s, but they also delight audiences by throwing their own well-crafted original songs into an evening's mix.
THE RETROFITS DEBUT CD - NOT OUR DAY JOB
Not Our Day Job features 12 of the best original compositions of both Matthew Marren and Martin Barret.
Many of these songs have taken years to mix and master in the studio. Both gents are obsessive about 'getting it right' and playing and singing to the very best of their abilities.
Each of the 12 songs has unique character or story framed with superb musicality that will captivate the listener from composition to composition. For more song info, please visit the band's website at www.retrofits.ca.
Matthew Marren and Martin Barret met in Grade 7 when Star Wars ruled the screen and 70s rock topped the charts. Both picked up guitars around the same time and started learning the tunes as they heard them, while eventually developing their own song-writing skills and subsequent talents on bass (Matthew), lead guitar (Martin), keyboards and harmonica (both).
Taking on several bands over the years, Matthew enjoyed focusing on rock performance and recording, while Martin, for the most part, remained solo, performing with sequenced back-up music and accomplishing many of his own recording projects.
Throughout the years, Matthew and Martin's paths crossed intermittently, always with respect to sharing in their musical skills and interests. The two finally got together in early 2003 and decided to combine their musical talent and share it with the world under the name 'The Retrofits' © 2003. This superbly entertaining duo features a strong focus on the best music of the 70s, but they also delight audiences by throwing their own well-crafted original songs into an evening's mix.
THE RETROFITS DEBUT CD - NOT OUR DAY JOB
Not Our Day Job features 12 of the best original compositions of both Matthew Marren and Martin Barret.
Many of these songs have taken years to mix and master in the studio. Both gents are obsessive about 'getting it right' and playing and singing to the very best of their abilities.
Each of the 12 songs has unique character or story framed with superb musicality that will captivate the listener from composition to composition. For more song info, please visit the band's website at www.retrofits.ca.
Why this name?
We played a lot of great 70's tunes (what we grew up learnin') and yet felt it important to mix in our originals - hence the name, 'Retro' and our own stuff, which we felt 'fits'. (okay, it just sounded funky...whatever..)
Do you play live?
You can check out our website for engagements and lots of other goodies (www.retrofits.ca).
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
Makes it harder to make a buck, but the paradigm shift that will take place in the industry (re downloading for a price which will outdo record store sales...that sort of thing) could alter the whole she-bang in time. We'll shall see,...
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Oh sure - as long as they don't ask us to get tatoos or tongue peircings to fit their format...they don't do that do they?
Band History:
www.retrofits.ca
Your influences?
Beatles, Stones, Classic Rock, Rock Folk, Elton John, Eagles, Don Henley,...the good stuff...
Favorite spot?
Toronto (actually, we prefer anywhere just outside of Toronto)
Equipment used:
Sonar 2.2 multi-tracking software - Soundforge 7 for mastering (lots of WAVES plugins)
Anything else...?
Once again - please visit the homepage at
www.retrofits.ca
www.retrofits.ca