Some bands style themselves in a more traditional fashion. Others are outright rock 'n' roll purists.
Surrey-based Mary's Gunns fits firmly into the latter category.
ìIt's very authentic,î said drummer and backing vocalist Corey Bryant, heaping scorn on bands that use backing tracks. ìWe don't really use anything in the way of electronics. All the sound comes from the band members.î
The band counts acts like Guns n' Roses, Skid Row and Motley Crue as influences, but also draws from artists like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple.
ìOriginally we were very into 80s hard rock,î he said, noting as the band developed they started to step further back in time. ìThe addition of the organ really brought us in that direction.î
Wesley Sheppard, lead vocalist and guitarist, Kylan Prince, bassist and backing vocalist, and Bryant have been playing together since elementary school. Shaun Arthurs had been a secondary guitarist included on Mary's Gunns' debut release Smuggler's Cabaret.
ìIt was a lot of southern rock on the first record,î he said. ìYou can hear a lot more 80s influence when two guitars play together.î
After the band parted ways with Arthurs they added keys for their followup self-titled album in 2012.
ìThat was the first album with keyboards,î he said. ìIt gave a new edge to the sound of the band.î
The next step is another record, and Bryant says the band is well on its way.
ìWe feel like we're probably half-way there,î he said. ìWe're still picking though and writing stuff.î
Expect the band to play about half original material and half cover songs at the Innisfail gig, Bryant says.
ìIt's always fun ñ that's the thing,î he said. ìWe try to make a party out of it and show people a good time.î
Mary's Gunns hits The Zoo Jan. 18 with openers Set and Stoned. Doors at 8 p.m., show at 10 p.m.
