Hollywood Gods have been active in the Calgary punk scene since 2005 and continue to play shows today. The band is known for their frantic, fun, and fast melodic punkrock that draws influences from many bands including Bad Brains, The Undertones and Swingin' Utters and plays a significant role in the history of Canadian Punkrock. Their releases have had good reviews not only in Canada, but also the United States and Europe. As the band continues to draw influence from a greater amount of acts, Hollywood Gods sound is adding elements of powerpop and 80's style hardcore into their sound. Many more high energy shows can be expected in the future from Hollywood Gods.
Band Members:
Jim Drinkle: Vocals (2005-present)
Mattlan Wickens: Guitar (2005-present)
Nick Kapple: Guitar (2005-early 2007) & (summer 2008)
Andrew Visser: Drums (2005-present)
Grant Guidry: Bass Guitar (2005-mid 2007)
Bill Kerr: Bass Guitar (late 2007-present)
Al Drinkle: Temporary Guitar (2007)
History:
Hollywood Gods started out in March of 2005 under the name "The Nervous Wrecks" when members of The Touchers changed their line up and added members of The Suits: Mattlan Wickens on guitar and Andrew Visser on Drums. Shortly after, the name "Hollywood Gods" was adopted from a song written by an old Calgary punk band called "The Casket Crew". After deveoping a setlist, the songs "The Alibi", "Friday Night", "Time Enough At Last" and "Strikes and Gutters" were roughly recorded in the bands garage. These songs were never officially released and only a few people have the recordings today. Continuing to write songs and play sets at their own parties, their first paying show was at the Underground in Calgary on May 13th opening for the Vibrators. Later that same month, Hollywood Gods pooled their money and hit Echobase Studios to record. Only two of the original garage session recordings made the cut at the recording studio: "Time Enough At Last" and "Strikes And Gutters". 4 Days and 10 songs later, Hollywood Gods found themselves talking to Brooklyn NY record label Longshot Music. Longshot suggested the band should be a part of the split 7" serires the label was releasing. Plans were set in place and a split 7" was released on September 9th, 2006 with Soundcity Hooligans from Kamloops. The band continued playing shows weekly around Alberta for the rest of the year.
When 2007 arrived, Hollywood Gods hit the stage with DOA, The Motherfuckers, Lets Dance, Rum Runner and many other punk bands in the scene at this time. Hollywood Gods also made their first appearance in British Columbia playing at the Fernie Hotel. At some point, guitar player Nick Kapple's family had to move to Texas due to work related issues and was temorarily replaced by Rum Runner's Al Drinkle. On June 22nd 2007, a self-titled full length album was finally released on the bands DIY label Juxtaposition Records at The Castle Pub with Edmonton punk band On The Brink. The song "When We Come Home" was cut from the final issuing of the album and was never officially released. An all-ages CD release was also played at the Chinese National League in Calgary, but was a huge failure due to the promoting band The Black Wednesdays. In combination with the disintrest and eventual leaving of the band of bass player Grant Guidry to persue educational goals, it was at this point Hollywood Gods decided that they needed to take a break over the months of July and August. After a long summer break, the songs "Bad Reputation" and "Satisfaction" were perfomed for the first time at Castlefest 2007 with new bass player Bill Kerr.
Upon the return of Nick Kapple, Hollywood Gods first cross-country tour was planned for May 2008. Meeting up with Toronto punk band Hostage Life, Hollywood Gods played shows at cities including: Belleville, Berlngton, Toronto, and London. As the band did not have a very large listening population in eastern Canada being relatively unknown, the turn outs for the shows were somewhat dissapointing from what the band was used to. Hollywood Gods decided to tour the Niagra Falls strip club scene to brighten their moods. Unfortunately, driving across Canada at this time was overly expensive as gas prices were as high as $1.36 per Litre. The band returned home happily after a small stint at Canada's Wonderland. Upon their return, Hollywood Gods played at the Hifi Club with Vancouver powerpop band Riff Randells and The Distillery with Edmonton's Wednesday Night Heroes. Due to unknown circumstances, Nick Kapple was unable to return the the Alberta College of Art and Design and had to remain in Texas, limiting the band to only one guitar.
As 2009 approached, Hollywood Gods were feeling increased stress and pressure on the band schedule, and it was decided that two final shows were to be played on October 18th before the band took an extended break. Playing an all-ages show at Tubby Dog and a bar show at The Palomino, Hollywood Gods packed up their merch and money box for their break, or "vacation", as the band liked to refer to it. Plans to record some of their new songs in early December fell through, but a surprise show on December 27th at The Underground was booked.
Discography:
Garage Sessions (Juxtaposition Records 2005) (unreleased)
Hollywood Gods/Soundcity Hooligans split 7" (Longshot Music 2006)
Hollywood Gods (Juxtaposition Records 2007)
Basement Sessions (Juxtaposition Records 2008) (unreleased)
