pdq

pdq's heavy grooves and soulful harmonies draw listeners in and leave them wanting more. Through their powerful live performances, pdq is redefining rhythm and blues.

Four talented musicians, songwriters, and distinct voices combine, contrast and compliment each other to create one unique sound. Be it rock, jazz, blues or funk, pdq doesn't hesitate to draw from a wide range of musical influences. Known for their energetic live performances, the band's shows are driven by heavy grooves, positive energy and a relaxed atmosphere. By interacting with each other and the crowd, pdq pulls the audience into every performance. pdq has its roots in two different environments the huge urban city of Toronto and the rural Nova Scotia town of Pugwash. Since Dom was eight, he and Guy have been friends. They began playing music together when they were seventeen in Pugwash. Brendan and Jon met in a Toronto high school and began to play in a band together. In the fall of 2000, the members of pdq converged in Halifax. Brendan returned to Dalhousie, Guy returned to Halifax, Jon transferred to Kings College (affiliated with Dalhousie) from Queens University and Dom was living in his apartment on York Street where the members of pdq held their first rehearsal in the cold, wintry basement. After we had written our first six tunes and were about to play our first show, we realized we had a band and it needed a name, says Brendan. Over the next two years pdq played shows in Toronto, Halifax, Montreal, Kingston and many places on their tour of Eastern Canada. Jon remembers, One of my most memorable nights was at CBTGs in St. Johns Newfoundland. We were on our first tour, and it was mine and Doms first time on the island. The bar was really narrow to the point that servers had to slide by us to get the booze. Everything was cramped, we were standing as close to single file as I think possible for us but it was amazing. The people really got into it, and when we did a Toots and the Maytals cover, the bar owner got so excited he started singing along at a level that I could even hear. Lucky for us he was a huge Toots fan. Thinking about it, I just remember how nice it was to go into a place where the owner took a risk by a band at which very few people knew in Newfoundland, and get that kind of respect and support. So far, pdq has landed in interesting places. pdqs song, "Long Grass," appears in the soundtrack to Canadian filmmaker Scott Simpson's feature film, "Touch and Go." As well, 2002 found pdq recording with the assistance of Terry Pulliam, who produced Sloans "Smeared", at SoundMarket Studio (Halifax). pdq is currently touring to promote their first full length CD Every New Place. The album includes their best compositions from over the last three years. Weve traveled in that time, changed, and matured. We do almost everything together and we accept and rise to new challenges as a unit. The title refers to a lyric in Good News which outlines the costs of seeking this opportunity. We have all sacrificed something to pursue this band, but also know that the sacrifices are worth the music, says Jon. For Guy the memory of beginning recording their record Every New Place is a pleasant reminiscence. Every New Place was originally recorded at Fletcher Lake near the small town of Dorset, Ontario. We spent a week at Brendans family cottage recording the base tracks in the various spaces that the cabins and buildings provided. The drums in the openly insulated loft, the bass and keys in the large two storey wooden cottage, and the guitar in one of the smaller log cabins at the end of a small peninsula by the lakeThe music is still rock and roll, but the memory for me is being away from it all and in a calm quiet country surrounding. The approach since the first week has had a similar feeling. People who hear pdq play truly understand that pdq offers its fans a musical style style of music that is refreshing and original.

pdq has played in different venues in nearly all the major cities across eastern Canada. For pdq, its all about the live show. The live show is the chance for band mates to connect with each other, but more importantly, with their audience. Unlike recordings, the live experience is about the moment, and, after the fact, remains only an intangible memory. In short, pdq loves to play live.

Among pdq's favourite artists are Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, The Beatles, Bob Marley, Phish, Hawksley Workman, Stevie Wonder, Wide Mouth Mason and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Solid grooves, soulful melodies, and thoughtful harmonies are all essential aspects of good music.

Equipment wise, pdq can generally adapt to any situation.