THE BUTTLESS CHAPS
Country-Fried Flare!
by Christine Leonard
In the twang-rich province of Alberta, country bands come and go like tumbleweeds before a Chinook wind. So, how is it that a Victoria-grown foursome, namely The Buttless Chaps, have managed to put down deep roots in the subconscious of Canadian country music? Pure innovation – a talent perhaps best demonstrated on their newest album, Love This Time, which includes some collaborations from their Mint Records label-mates Ford Pier and Carolyn Mark.
Reflecting on five years playing electro-prog-country-rock, singer, guitarist and banjo maestro Dave Gowan reveals what The Buttless Chaps have been up to since the 2001 release of Death Scenes I II and III, and how the band has been evolving since we last heard from them.
In the two years since the release of Death Scenes, lots of things have changed. This time out sees the Chaps experimenting with strings, horns and choirs to expand the sound and make it richer. At the same, Gowan says the band was conscious about not overcrowding the songs.
In the twang-rich province of Alberta, country bands come and go like tumbleweeds before a Chinook wind. So, how is it that a Victoria-grown foursome, namely The Buttless Chaps, have managed to put down deep roots in the subconscious of Canadian country music? Pure innovation – a talent perhaps best demonstrated on their newest album, Love This Time, which includes some collaborations from their Mint Records label-mates Ford Pier and Carolyn Mark.
Reflecting on five years playing electro-prog-country-rock, singer, guitarist and banjo maestro Dave Gowan reveals what The Buttless Chaps have been up to since the 2001 release of Death Scenes I II and III, and how the band has been evolving since we last heard from them.
In the two years since the release of Death Scenes, lots of things have changed. This time out sees the Chaps experimenting with strings, horns and choirs to expand the sound and make it richer. At the same, Gowan says the band was conscious about not overcrowding the songs.
"We
also spent about four months in the studio on Love this Time, which gave
us a lot more time to arrange and compose the songs."
While possessing a golden ear certainly has its advantages, Gowan still remains at a loss when it comes to describing The Buttless Chaps’ laid-back approach to the creative process. It seems that these things just come naturally to some folks. And, of course, Gowan gets a lot of help from his faithful band of amigos. Lasse Lutick (electric guitar, lap steel, synthesizers, banjo), Morgan McDonald (keyboards and synth) and Torben Wilson (drums and pads) each add their own secret spice to The Buttless Chaps’ country-fried flair.
"There is no real plan to it, we just let it go where it wants to," explains Gowan.
"When the band is playing well together and we are feeling relaxed, we usually become inspired to write new songs. I think music all ties together – we are not very punk, but Hall and Oates are. Is Lyle Lovett considered new country? I like Lyle Lovett’s voice. I really like his role in the movie Short Cuts, where he plays the evil baker phoning about the birthday cake."
Strange tastes indeed, but what else would one expect from a band that calls itself The Buttless Chaps? Gowan has encountered just about every reaction possible to this all-too-apt anointment of his wonderfully twisted little gang of players. Aren’t all chaps buttless, Dave? Isn’t that kind of the point? Gowan dutifully attempts to extinguish this burning question.
"I have tried to answer that one many times… and have given up. I like the way the name gets misspelled more: ‘Buttless Chips,’ ‘Buttless Chups,’ ‘Buttless Chops.’ and my personal fave, ‘Buttless Craps.’"
All modesty aside, The Buttless Chaps continue to leap the barbwire fences of the imagination, grabbing the whole western music genre by the horns and wrestling it to the muddy ground in one swift movement. Some unwitting concert-goers may resent being pelted with their oven-fresh audio road apples, but that’s just the price you’ll pay for sittin’ rail side at The Buttless Chaps rodeo.
"We are very honoured to get to play for people and that they choose to share their time with us... Some people prefer the rootsy stuff, some prefer the ’80s stuff, some people are brought by their friends and kindly tolerate both. Some people threaten us, or tell us to play the blues.… I think people kind of know that the show mixes different genres."
While possessing a golden ear certainly has its advantages, Gowan still remains at a loss when it comes to describing The Buttless Chaps’ laid-back approach to the creative process. It seems that these things just come naturally to some folks. And, of course, Gowan gets a lot of help from his faithful band of amigos. Lasse Lutick (electric guitar, lap steel, synthesizers, banjo), Morgan McDonald (keyboards and synth) and Torben Wilson (drums and pads) each add their own secret spice to The Buttless Chaps’ country-fried flair.
"There is no real plan to it, we just let it go where it wants to," explains Gowan.
"When the band is playing well together and we are feeling relaxed, we usually become inspired to write new songs. I think music all ties together – we are not very punk, but Hall and Oates are. Is Lyle Lovett considered new country? I like Lyle Lovett’s voice. I really like his role in the movie Short Cuts, where he plays the evil baker phoning about the birthday cake."
Strange tastes indeed, but what else would one expect from a band that calls itself The Buttless Chaps? Gowan has encountered just about every reaction possible to this all-too-apt anointment of his wonderfully twisted little gang of players. Aren’t all chaps buttless, Dave? Isn’t that kind of the point? Gowan dutifully attempts to extinguish this burning question.
"I have tried to answer that one many times… and have given up. I like the way the name gets misspelled more: ‘Buttless Chips,’ ‘Buttless Chups,’ ‘Buttless Chops.’ and my personal fave, ‘Buttless Craps.’"
All modesty aside, The Buttless Chaps continue to leap the barbwire fences of the imagination, grabbing the whole western music genre by the horns and wrestling it to the muddy ground in one swift movement. Some unwitting concert-goers may resent being pelted with their oven-fresh audio road apples, but that’s just the price you’ll pay for sittin’ rail side at The Buttless Chaps rodeo.
"We are very honoured to get to play for people and that they choose to share their time with us... Some people prefer the rootsy stuff, some prefer the ’80s stuff, some people are brought by their friends and kindly tolerate both. Some people threaten us, or tell us to play the blues.… I think people kind of know that the show mixes different genres."
by Christine Leonard
Catch The Buttless Chaps Live:
Friday, September 19
Liberty Lounge
Saturday, September 20, 2003
Original Joe's
Liberty Lounge
Saturday, September 20, 2003
Original Joe's
