If you like your rock music loud, guitar-laden, and louder still, you're probably already a fan of Protest the Hero.
And if you are a fan of the Ontario-based band then you'll want to be at the Agripavilion in Yorkton next Thursday (March 31) as Protest the Hero headlines a show as part of an extended tour in support of their new disk Scurrilous.
In an era where bands come and go with surprising regularity, and line-up shuffles seem the norm, Protest the Hero are a veteran unit with a string of successful albums on the resume.
Tim Millar, spokesperson for the band said a key to the success is the longevity.
"We've been playing together for about 12-years," he told Yorkton This Week, adding "it took awhile to establish ourselves as Protest the Hero."
Millar said the band started out based on the exuberance of youth, and have gained maturity as a band as the years have passed. It's a process he sees continuing.
"The next 10-years will be great," he said, adding experience is an important element in the music industry.In terms of youth Millar said the band members basically "grew up together and went to high school together," noting that has been important when the strains of road life pop up. "The friendships always there."
The friendships have helped steady the band. "Most of us haven't developed an ego," said Millar, noting that has limited creative disputes which often hurt a band. " All of us have had our voices heard," in terms of the creative process.
The years together have allowed both the individuals within Protest the Hero, and the overall unit to mature, and with each year, and each recording they have learned new things, suggested Millar.
As a result Millar said each new album tends to be a favourite at the time.
"We're always trying to refine things," he said, adding a new disk is automatically "the freshest" for a band.At the same time older albums are still appreciated for what they were.
"It captures a time period for Protest the Hero as a band and as individuals," said Millar.
While the tour supports the new disk for Protest the Hero, Millar said it's always important to play live.
"The most important thing is to speak directly to the fans about what they like and what they dislike," he said.
Millar said it's all part of carving out what he hopes will be a long career for Protest the Hero.
"Hopefully we can mature as a band and as individuals and continue to make music," he said, adding they want "to keep it unique and original."
