--taken from: Metro News
by Trevor Greenway
Members of the Canadian rock band Sloan are literally getting their own 15 minutes of fame.
On their new album Commonwealth, each of the quartet’s members got a side of the double vinyl record to use as an open canvas – Canadian democracy at its finest.
It’s a way for the band to put out that inevitable solo record that aging rockers usually venture into without going on a hiatus or breaking up.
“Our band is probably one of the few bands where everybody could actually make a solo record if they chose to, because everybody sings and writes and plays different instruments,” said Jay Ferguson, who is typically the band’s rhythm guitarist.
On Commonwealth, he sings, shreds and hammers on the drums – skills he will put on display during the band’s Ottawa stop Nov. 28 at Mavericks.
“We thought we would do it all under the guise of Sloan and make a double album where everybody gets their own 15 minutes of real estate to do exactly what they want,” he said.
For guitarist Andrew Scott, he takes a bit more time, occupying his side with one epic track worth 17 minutes. Much of the album still sounds like classic Sloan, but each side has its distinct flavour – from the heavy, catchy riffs that made the band popular in the 90s to the more melodic tones that made 2001’s Pretty Together so fluid.
The beauty of releasing a solo album together as a band for Ferguson is that he gets to hear three-quarters of the record as a fan – something he hasn’t really experienced in the band’s 23-year career.
“I am a fan of the other people in the band, so almost reacting to it as a fan, it’s fun to listen to what I would imagine a Chris (Murphy) solo record to sound like,” said Ferguson.
“From a fan perspective, I like the record and I hope other people do to.”
--taken from: Metro News
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