Supergroup to Debut at Black Pirates Pub
Story by Abigail Heron, Photo by Jesse Talakoski
Quilted together from members of bands past and present, Loudtooth is a culmination of almost two decades of musical experience. Founded by Josh Talakoski of Pedestrian Lifestyle and Mike Nazvesky of Hello Justice in January of 2022 and polishing their lineup off with Josh Therriault of Son Hound and Jared Schaaf of Action Cat this past May, the band is ready to debut with a boom on September 17 at Black Pirates Pub.
“Our original idea was to have the first show a little bit more chill, but then it ended up we’re opening for Single Mothers from London, Ontario.” says Talakoski, drummer and vocalist of Loudtooth. “It’s kind of crazy as our first show in this band. [The Single Mothers] show last year was like the greatest show that I’d seen at [Black Pirates] period, so there’s a little bit of pressure to contend with that.”
Loudtooth is dark, staying true to its noise-rock genre. “It’s loud, there’s feedback on guitars, [it’s] a little bit more visceral, [and] you don’t have to worry about being quiet,” says Talakoski about his preference for the alternative style of music. The lyrics work in tandem with the band’s sonic atmosphere, explains Therriault, one of Loudtooth’s lyricists and guitarists, who has played locally since 2008. “[Our lyrics] usually end up being about existential angst, past relationships, or macabre stuff,” he says— subjects well appreciated by artists in the cold city of Thunder Bay. “Long ass winters; short summers. People are obviously very affected by the weather and their environment,” he adds. “I think that’s where the energy of the music [in town] comes from.”
Even though they’re no strangers to the stage, Loudtooth still brings challenges for its members. “It’s a new thing for me, playing drums and singing at the same time,” says Talakoski, who was primarily a singer and guitarist in past projects. “It’s kind of exciting and also scary. I’m looking at bands like Death Row, 1979, or Brutus, [where] the drummer is the singer of the band, and [thinking about] how I get in [that] different headspace.”
With years in the scene comes great wisdom. “You want to feel proud of what you’re putting out, not trying to adhere to some kind of idea of whatever’s popular around the time,” says Talakoski. “[For] anybody who’s thinking about getting into a band [who’s] intimidated by the scene, speaking from 17 years of experience, it’s so easy to get in,” says Therriault. “Nobody’s judging—we’re all just having a good time.”
See Loudtooth live at Black Pirates Pub on September 17 and keep up on Instagram and Facebook @loudtoothband.
