What's my name
Rachel Reid

Have you got the Big ticket? If so, consider yourself fortunate, and punctual. Big Wreck tickets, for their appearance at the Turret this Saturday, February 6th, sold out in less than three days.

Forrest Williams, Ian Thornley, David Henning, and Brian Doherty met in 1992 while studying at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. They began practising together, occasionally opting out of classes to turn their technical proficiency in music into the powerful, guitar-driven sound that has made them Big Wreck. There are moments on their debut album, In Loving Memory Of... when the beat threatens to run away from the song, as though the studio can barely contain the enthusiasm of this group that has risen from the apartment and night-club jam sessions from which it began.

Big Wreck has played, and continues to play, the role of opening act, though they are much more frequently the main event these days. The likes of Big Sugar, Tea Party, Joe Satriani, Creed, and Dream Theatre have benefited from the energy of this band described as "a remarkably passionate set of live players."

Any advice for the little people, Mr. Williams? (When you are Big, that is what they call you). "Never give up. Meet as many people as you can. School is a great way to meet people. [He should know!] Just stay in the scene, get involved, and eventually one of those connections may lead to something."

Good advice. It worked big-time for Big Wreck. They played a demo tape for producer Allan Gregg, a friend of Thorn

ley’s father. Upon Gregg’s advice, the foursome tirelessly played night clubs in Toronto and Boston and now have substantial fan bases on both sides of the border.

Williams noted that, in comparison, Canadian audiences are usually younger than their American counterparts, due largely to the age of majority and the types of places in which they play. They generally play in larger venues in Canada and draw bigger crowds.

The upcoming K-W stop is part of a short two-week tour, the final one for this album. The band previously toured across Canada with The Watchmen. They will finish this tour on the East Coast and will then head back to the studio to begin work on their second album.

Says Williams, "The first album is every song you’ve ever written, you can pick from all of those. The second is made up of parts, of ideas that come along the way." Big Wreck has not been inspired by anyone in particular, but by music in general. "It comes from everywhere," comments Williams, "from blues, rock, jazz, and classical. It’s the way you interpret all of that. The way we play just happens because of who we are, our personalities."

When asked recently by ECHO whether their appearance at Laurier will feature new material, lead vocalist and guitarist (and sole Canadian of the four) Ian Thornley responded, "I was thinking about running some of the new stuff past the audience. There’s some songs that would be very audience friendly." Expect a cover tune or two as well, perhaps Led Zeppelin or Lynard Skynard.

Big Wreck draws big responses from the audience. Says Drummer Forrest Williams, "The first show we did, people were singing so loudly the guys couldn’t hear themselves! It’s fun for us to see people out there enjoying it so much." The university crowds are particularly appreciative. Remarks Williams, "They’re more rambunctious. They really get into the spirit of things,"

Check out the website, www.bigwreck.com.