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talking over drinks, hacksaw’sJon Sharron doesn’t sound anything like the dirty rock-star-cool dude on their spanking-new full-length Turned Up Way Down.”It’s the difference between a bored guy versus an excited guy,” he says to explain his low-key demeanour.
“Thanks a lot, buster!”
“No, wait. I didn’t mean it that way!” he backpedals.
Whatever. I like him anyway.
Turned Up Way Down (Deranged) is a piece of trash in the best possible sense — heavy-riffed, with roots in old Detroit rock, AC/DC, the Jesus Lizard, Swiz and pretty much all that is classic in this vein that spawned the likes of the Hellacopters, Tricky Woo, et al.
It’s also out on vinyl, as will be everything they release, because “records just sound better than CDs.”
Mass market stuff? Maybe not.
“The music we play isn’t in style right now,” says Sharron.
Does he care? “Fuck, no.”
As stage manager for Ice Cold rapper Choclair, Sharron knows all about the other side.
“When I’m on the road with him, I get to ride in a fancy bus. But with Hacksaw we’re in a shitty van eating crackers and getting drunk, fighting at the end of the night over who’s sober enough to drive.”
On those road trips, Hacksaw have played such high-profile venues as somebody’s kitchen, a church basement, a bowling alley and a few keg parties.
“I think it’s rad that one day you can be playing some kid’s basement and the next you’re playing some huge-ass club. It’s a good challenge to be able to play in all kinds of situations. We’re still learning how to do that, like, some days everyone loves you and the next people are throwing shit at you.”
Flying bottles aside, Hacksaw know to kick ass without gimmicks.
“I’m trying to take the music of our youth and turn it into something exciting.”
I’m excited.
HACKSaw with fireballs of freedom and Lost Goat at the Tequila Lounge (794 Bathurst), Sunday (May 5). $7. 416-968-2001.
