Looking for a great band with a good message? Your prayers have just been answered. Christian rockers Flood, consisting of Matt Baetz on lead guitar, Lee Casement on bass and mandolin, and Derek McGihon on lead vocals and guitar, have been producing quality sounds and inspiring lyrics for the masses since their formation in April, 1997.
Their first independently-produced recording was warmly received by the local media—Kingston This Week called them “Kingston’s best-kept secret”—and ultimately led to the release of their second CD, pushpull, on long shot Records.
Recorded last year, pushpull earned Flood a Canadian Gospel Music Association Modern Rock/Alternative Album of the Year nomination and air play on radio stations across the country. The band showcased material from the disc during their July 6 show opening for Function Junction at The Shot.
Flood’s set drew in a dedicated crowd who visibly appreciated the band’s full professional sound, which swaddles thought-provoking lyrics in waves of sexy, ambient reverb.
“I just like to play,” lead singer McGihon told the crowd, and it shows in the band’s performance. McGihon claims that he usually writes songs between three and four in the morning, when he wakes up from sleep, and records them on a “crappy ghetto blaster.” In the morning, he presses play and begins to hum the melody. The band then adds to the basic idea, working towards a result that resembles their live sound.
McGihon said that Flood’s next album, currently being recorded with new drummer Tim Forbes, will be dedicated to his father.
The band pays for their recording time with CD sales and show proceeds. Their material is geared to be radio friendly, as they explained in a recent interview on Queen’s own station, CFRC, 101.9 FM.
The band will be performing new material at the Verona Festival in Verona on August 11. You can also catch them in Ottawa, headlining Rockstock at The Salt Shaker on August 17.
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be ed, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to [email protected].