Chiefs of the North
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Welcome Chiefs of the North
This band really rocks. The presence Chiefs of the North brings to the stage is incredible. “The bigger the stage the better” says Tony Metcalf, lead vocals and guitar. “We like to run around the stage and get crazy and throw a lot of emotion around”. Tony, drummer Tom Busch and lead guitar player Justin Collins came together in 2009 to form a rock n roll band that everyone would love. In 2010 Chris Brown who plays keys, guitar and sings backing vocals joined the band along with first bass player Tom Laing. A few months ago Tom was replaced by Erik Christenson because of outside family obligations. Now with Erik as the fifth completion they feel their band is stronger than ever. ”Erik is such a good singer” says Tony. They have filled in back up vocals and with recent voice lessons Tony has really improved his sound as well.
Chiefs of the North have a passion for song writing and love it but, the best part is being on stage. “There’s nothing like playing live. We can interact with the crowd and jump around”, says Tony. They make sure they find time away from their busy life to practice twice a week. “We do it cause we love it, where there’s a will there’s a way”
Fans, I have great news. Chiefs of the North have plans to start working on a new album. “We really want to push to get this album out because it’s really showing how we’ve grown as musicians”, explains Tony. The band raised money for the studio cost participating in a doubles disc golf tournament at Maxx Bar in Ham Lake, Minnesota. They even shot a little movie to advertise on youtube.
Where can you find Chiefs of the North?
Minneapolis is their central spot to play. The Fine Line is their favorite venue because of the big stage and the crowd that it attracts. Another place Chiefs of the North like to play is at the Amsterdam Bar and Hall. “They have great food” says Tony. The next upcoming event they will be playing is at Minneapolooza, which is an outdoor music and arts festival. You don’t want to miss it.
Meaning behind Chiefs of the North
All of the band members grew up in the northern twin cities and still currently live in the area. Hence, that’s where the word “north” comes from. And the word Chief is a dominant name. It symbolizes their strive as musicians to be the best of the best. Chiefs of the North can be interpreted as one of the best bands in the Minnesota area. “We really have grown into our own, we have solitified our sound” expresses Tony.
- our city music
Welcome Chiefs of the North
This band really rocks. The presence Chiefs of the North brings to the stage is incredible. “The bigger the stage the better” says Tony Metcalf, lead vocals and guitar. “We like to run around the stage and get crazy and throw a lot of emotion around”. Tony, drummer Tom Busch and lead guitar player Justin Collins came together in 2009 to form a rock n roll band that everyone would love. In 2010 Chris Brown who plays keys, guitar and sings backing vocals joined the band along with first bass player Tom Laing. A few months ago Tom was replaced by Erik Christenson because of outside family obligations. Now with Erik as the fifth completion they feel their band is stronger than ever. ”Erik is such a good singer” says Tony. They have filled in back up vocals and with recent voice lessons Tony has really improved his sound as well.
Chiefs of the North have a passion for song writing and love it but, the best part is being on stage. “There’s nothing like playing live. We can interact with the crowd and jump around”, says Tony. They make sure they find time away from their busy life to practice twice a week. “We do it cause we love it, where there’s a will there’s a way”
Fans, I have great news. Chiefs of the North have plans to start working on a new album. “We really want to push to get this album out because it’s really showing how we’ve grown as musicians”, explains Tony. The band raised money for the studio cost participating in a doubles disc golf tournament at Maxx Bar in Ham Lake, Minnesota. They even shot a little movie to advertise on youtube.
Where can you find Chiefs of the North?
Minneapolis is their central spot to play. The Fine Line is their favorite venue because of the big stage and the crowd that it attracts. Another place Chiefs of the North like to play is at the Amsterdam Bar and Hall. “They have great food” says Tony. The next upcoming event they will be playing is at Minneapolooza, which is an outdoor music and arts festival. You don’t want to miss it.
Meaning behind Chiefs of the North
All of the band members grew up in the northern twin cities and still currently live in the area. Hence, that’s where the word “north” comes from. And the word Chief is a dominant name. It symbolizes their strive as musicians to be the best of the best. Chiefs of the North can be interpreted as one of the best bands in the Minnesota area. “We really have grown into our own, we have solitified our sound” expresses Tony.
- our city music
"Listening to ‘Time and a Half’ on your Facebook page. I can’t help but picture sort of a modern day saloon as the backdrop. The almost honky tonk keys, the bouncy bass, overdriven guitar along with the booming vocals pull you right in. It somehow doesn’t seem like it should work, but fits together beautifully all at once. How would you describe your sound to an outsider?
We feel that our music is what rock and roll was originally founded on: pure passion and excitement for music and songwriting. We like to think of ourselves as a 70’s/80’s/90’s rock influenced band with a 2012 sound. How we mix our different influences together is what creates our own unique sound. All five members of Chiefs of the North have different musical backgrounds and all of us write songs—so you can imagine what that’s like in practice. But if you still need a comparison, Kenny Loggins…. just kidding.
Chiefs of The North have been together for 3 years now. Can you describe the songwriting and creative process you employ to craft your music?
It usually starts with someone bringing a riff or melody, if not a whole song, to the band and together we hash out the small details, then open up the song so everyone has their time to shine. Sometimes we just get to practice, start playing, and next thing you know we have a song. At times things go smooth and easy—other times it’s like having too many cooks in the kitchen. All and all it’s a democracy and we have a certain musical respect, in that, at the end of the day we choose to play with each other. Luckily, we’re usually on the same page and communication gets better the longer we play together—or at least we learn how to argue better."(continued) - Twin Cities Music
Chiefs of the North answered a few questions for City Pages Gimme Noise section about our new album Remember When. - City Pages
Minneapolis Nightlife on a Monday Night
Redroomsalon.wordpress.com
By redroomsalon
Got in the car, and drove not too far to nearby downtown Minneapolis. (St. Paul and Minneapolis are 9 miles apart, according to the tour guide of the Capitol Building.) I was surprised to find parking meter hours extended to 10 pm, and dutifully plugged quarters into the meter. But too many, as I didn’t realize it was almost 9 pm, because it was still plenty light out. Silly northern latitudes! Fine Line Music Cafe was my destination; Chiefs of the North were playing, for the price of free!
Chiefs of the North came to set up.... The singer came across as kind of shy, and couldn’t decide if he wanted to wear his Buddy Holly b.c. glasses or not, whether he wanted to see the audience or not. But then he sang, and the musical stylings of the band ranged from blues to metal to hard rock and roll, and they were awesome. The singer was obviously enjoying himself, whether shy or not. He teased the audience, and they had a devoted fan base, which immediately started dancing once they took the stage. They ended up playing an extra two songs since the audience would not let them leave. They gave away free CDs at the end of their show to any who wanted them. - Red Room Salon
Minneapolis Nightlife on a Monday Night
Redroomsalon.wordpress.com
By redroomsalon
Got in the car, and drove not too far to nearby downtown Minneapolis. (St. Paul and Minneapolis are 9 miles apart, according to the tour guide of the Capitol Building.) I was surprised to find parking meter hours extended to 10 pm, and dutifully plugged quarters into the meter. But too many, as I didn’t realize it was almost 9 pm, because it was still plenty light out. Silly northern latitudes! Fine Line Music Cafe was my destination; Chiefs of the North were playing, for the price of free!
Chiefs of the North came to set up.... The singer came across as kind of shy, and couldn’t decide if he wanted to wear his Buddy Holly b.c. glasses or not, whether he wanted to see the audience or not. But then he sang, and the musical stylings of the band ranged from blues to metal to hard rock and roll, and they were awesome. The singer was obviously enjoying himself, whether shy or not. He teased the audience, and they had a devoted fan base, which immediately started dancing once they took the stage. They ended up playing an extra two songs since the audience would not let them leave. They gave away free CDs at the end of their show to any who wanted them. - Red Room Salon
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
You know that feeling, when you hear a song that makes all of lifes realities melt away. It could be one lyric in the middle of a verse or a big soaring chorus. Whatever it is it takes you somewhere, it impacts you, inspires you. This is what Chiefs of the North survives on. We conspire to make rock-n-roll that moves us.
The quest for this rock-n-roll bliss brought founding members Tony Metcalf, (guitar lead vocals) Tom Busch, (drums) and Justin Collins (lead guitar) together in 2009. By 2010 Chris Brown (keys, guitar) joined the group with Tom Laing (bass). We recorded a 5 song E.P. in 2010 titled Tributaries and followed that up the next year with a 9-song L.P. Remember When.
Since our albums release we have played a few small mini tours, radio shows, and almost every venue in the twin cities. Tom Laing left the band in late 2012. With Toms departure we found ourselves being forced to take a step back and focus on new material while searching for a bass player. Our search proved successful, as Eric Christenson became the other half of our rhythm section. With Eric, we are quickly developing what we feel to be our most creative and powerful songs to date.
We are 5 people working in a crazed democratic manner in order to get the sounds out of our hearts and through our instruments. This amazingly exciting challenge along with some gigging, will keep us busy with our goal to record another full-length album within the year.
You can find our music on our website (www.chiefsofthenorth.com) its the one stop shop for any and all things Chiefs of the North.
Cheers,
Chiefs of the North
Band Members
Links
