The Pasties can lay claim to being the most successful band in the area with a repertoire of only a dozen songs.
Should they become any more successful they‘re considering changing their “originals only” policy to include a cover version of “The Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats in their set list.
“We have 12 songs – they‘re all originals,”explains guitarist Robb O‘Day. “Actually we have 18 songs but six are still a work in progress.”
The Pasties – O‘Day, bass and keyboardist J.P. Babich and drummer Harley Pyrozyk – became a band by accident.
They all played in kid bands when they were in Grades 6 and 7 and at various times in their lives their musical paths crossed.
“We were just invited to come out and jam with some other guys and had a lot of fun and the next thing you know somebody asks us to play a gig,”said Babich. “We started out as a five-piece but that didn‘t really work out. We‘re much happier as a trio and we‘ve seemed to find our sound with only three.”
O‘Day is the only band member who is self-taught. His mates studied from professional teachers and Babich even took violin lessons when he was 10.
The three – all age 19 – are walking encyclopedias of popular music. Their tastes and
influences are eclectic and even at such a young age they have a solid knowledge and
appreciation of classic rock.
The common thread between the three is Michael Jackson.
O‘Day‘s other influences are Radiohead, Prince, Pink Floyd, Wings, John Lennon and Phil Collins. Pyrozyk listens to the likes of Floyd, Hendrix and Zeppelin as well as more modern artists such as Beck and Modest Mouse. Babich loves The Beatles, White Stripes, The Doors, Nirvana, Arcade Fire, Velvet Underground and Blink 182, although Jackson remains his all-time favourite. (Jackson died on the day of his prom.)
They also love and appreciate many of the other local bands from Penticton.
So what is their style?
“You can describe us as high-energey, electronic, folk, dance rock with a punk and rock soul, with a touch of reggae,”said O‘Day.
He‘s serious.
The band is perhaps better known for its energy and enthusiasm on stage more than their songs.
“Our goal is to make people want to dance while the three of us are up there dancing,”said Babich. “Our home is the stage. We want the crowd to enjoy the music.”
Earlier in their career they played venues
including Jose‘s Pepper Club, Voodoos and The Grateful Fed in Kelowna.
A big turning point for the band was in December when there was an impromptu jam at a Christmas party for the Soundstage Production‘s cast of “Hair”, which Babich
appeared in as a tribe member. Performing at The Barking Parrot for cast members and customers, they stole the show in a night where many talented performers appeared on stage.
Again it was the energy the audience connected with more than the songs.
It‘s led to a busy few weeks for The Pasties. They were one of three local bands which
performed at the Torch Run celebrations although admittedly most of the crowd had gone home by the time they began their set.
On Friday they will headline a show at The Parking Parrot at the Penticton Lakeside Resort while on Saturday they play a show at The Kelowna Club (554 Leon Ave.), on a bill with Know Tomorrow from Vernon. Their show in Penticton will include several warm-up bands including Gypsy Fist.
“We‘re taking baby steps,”said Babich. “Every show we do is a milestone and a learning experience. Playing The Parrot is a dream come true. It‘s a great bar... and Sloan has played there.”
One of their most memorable gigs was in the style of The Beatles in “Let It Be”, except it
wasn‘t on a roof. They set-up at Nanaimo Square one day last summer and began to play.
“It went over really well until police showed up and shut us down. We didn‘t have a permit. It was fun while it lasted,”said Pyrozyk.
As for the future, the trio hopes to graduate to larger venues and beyond the Okanagan.
“We appreciate everything that‘s happened so far and that some people like our music,”said Pyrozyk. “We need to write more. We‘d love to record a CD, but with only 12 songs it should be an EP. To travel to different parts of the country and play our music... we‘d be stoked. That would be the best.”
The Pasties with special guests plays The Barking Parrot at the Penticton Lakeside Resort, Friday evening. There is no cover. Ages 19 and over. Top of Page
