The Transformation

As the original drummer and a founding member of Big Wreck - one of Canada’s leading rock bands of the 90’s, Forrest Williams left the music industry to raise a family shortly after the original lineup folded. Resurfacing on social media to engage with fans, Forrest created the “Retro Wreck” project, releasing an unused Big Wreck demo from his personal archives to fans who would create an original song using it. It was during this process that he met Scott Maybee, an active musician, and devout Big Wreck fan.

Scott’s work on the project showcased his abilities as a lyricist, musician and songwriter, catching the attention of both Forrest and Matt DeMatteo, co-producer of Big Wreck’s debut album “In Loving Memory Of…”. Aside from his involvement during Big Wreck’s formative years, Matt has an extensive musical resume; over the past two decades he has worked with big name Canadian acts like Hawksley Workman, Danko Jones, Big Sugar, Rusty, The Watchmen and many more.

While Forrest and Matt have worked together on several projects since Big Wreck (see The Jack Burton Project), they decided it was time to bring Scott into the fold to create something entirely new together, and thus The Forrest Williams Democracy was born.

“In Service of the Greater Good” is the band’s debut release. The song blends hard-hitting Bonham-style drums with Sabbath-laden riffs and contemporary production to deliver a sweeping, relentless and unforgiving hard rock epic of our time.

In Service Of The Greater Good

Why does the work of the English author, J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) resonate so well with the modern imagination? Why are there often so many "battles" over his legacy and how his ideas are interpreted or depicted today? What is the significance of Tolkien's Christianity to what he wrote? How important might his work be today for how we think about contemporary issues like race, nationalism, multiculturalism and more.

Aaron and Andy discuss all this and more, connecting the dots between different aspects of Tolkien's life and work, and showing why he remains as relevant as ever.

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=== BOOKS/RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE ===

* Bannister, Andy, "Have You Ever Wondered Why the Best Stories Are About Good and Evil?" (Solas Website) https://www.solas-cpc.org/have-you-ever-wondered-why-the-best-stories-are-about-good-and-evil/

* Carpenter, Humphrey, "The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien" (New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2000)

* Carpenter, Humphrey, "J. R. R. Tolkien: A Biography" (London: HarperCollins, 2016 [1977])

* Loconte, Joseph, "A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-1918" (Nashville: Nelson, 2015)

* Shippey, Tom, "J. R. R. Tolkien: Author of the Century" (London: HarperCollins, 2000)

Episode 47 - Why Tolkien Matters

Blown Wide Open (Big Wreck cover)

Elementals

Emmas Ringer

The Haig

My version of Tariq Anwar's great song "Get Your Mind Over It" off the album "Split Perspectives".  

Listen and purchase the original version here: 

http://tariqanwar.bandcamp.com/track/get-your-mind-over-it

I wanted to do a completely original version of this song from what was previously recorded.  My original plan was to do a gritty detuned blues version of it.  For one reason or another I felt inspired by uptempo punk music and thought it would be fun to take the song in that direction.  I had to come up with a new take on the main progression, which only worked by ripping the song out of 6/8 and increasing the tempo.  Although the song remains in the same key it's a much different version that makes it impossible to compare with the original.

Get Your Mind Over It (Tariq Anwar Cover)

Recorded June 26, 2020 in support of the 99.3 County FM Radiothon 2020.

In Service Of The Greater Good

ForrestWilliamsDemocracy

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