06. May 2009

Mary Rose Obsession (MRO)- Battle of the Bands, Article

May 6, 2009 at 9:57pm

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Mary Rose Obsession (MRO):

Daniel Grandinetti (Vocals & Guitar)

Christopher Bundas (Lead Guitar)

David Grandinetti (Bass Guitar)

Matthew Bundas (Drums)

For the past month, Mary Rose Obsession (MRO) has been competing against a number of other bands in a battle of the bands to represent Toronto at Hyde Park in London England. The prize was the opportunity to play on the same stage and open for the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, and others. This was a high profile event for the underground Rock scene, put on by The Hard Rock Café and promoted by radio station Q107.There were a number of well know judges secured for this competition which included Rudy Blair from 680 News Radio, a Sony Music representative, an Indie Solo.com representative, and one from The Hard Rock Café. These judges held the key to doors that could possibly be opened. On April 29, 2009 the heated Toronto finals were held, and the winner could potentially be off to London England.

Mary Rose Obsession had a great start in the event winning their round and was on their way to the final round. The band attributes a large part of their success and new found attention to their loyal and growing fan base. The band has even managed to get some high profile attention within the music industry. With so much at stake, the competition began to get intense, especially when it was announced mid competition, that joining MRO, The Apollo Effect, and A Fourth World in the Toronto Finals, as a wild card, would be Easy Sleezy, a band previously eliminated. Here’s what MRO had to say: Daniel: It’s unfortunate, but it seems like in the music business you’re always having to deal with some kind of adversity. The rest of the bands aren’t very happy about it either David adds in: we just want to have fun man, gotta keep it fun you know. Daniel: We feel like we are accomplishing what we need to and no one can take that away. David: This industry knows everyone, good news circulates, we keep it positive, and we don’t want the negative but yes, sometimes we’re confronted by obstacles. Daniel: The politics mean nothing!

As the music industry takes on major changes, this is what they have to say about it: Christopher: It’s difficult to get recognized in the Canadian music industry, it’s even tough to find venues in a city like Toronto that have a natural crowd going out to see Indie Rock bands. In Canada, playing out west like Vancouver is probably the best place to get some attention. Matthew: We’re trying to bring back Classic Rock, we want to be able to hit everyone with our music, our crowd covers a lot of different kinds of people, groups, and cultures. We give them old Rock N’ Roll! With a modern edge. Christopher: There’s no band out there that has the aura of a band like The Rolling Stones- we want to be that band; we hope to have the music and the career that will stand with time. We want to give the world Rock N’ Roll…not just Rock.

Regardless of the challenges, they keep in mind that this is for the love of the music and the fans that relate to them! Daniel: Our fans are like a 60/40 divide, some people listen to Rock and others are crossovers; formerly Hip Hop, Techno listeners, etc. People have said: “you’ve turned us to Rock”- that’s cool! If one person can feel the music, that’s the best feeling for us. David: It’s been amazing we just wanted to have fun and like we said the venues keep filling up! Our friends and family supported us right from the start. We have noticed new fans at shows and ones that come to all of our shows, it’s a great feeling. Christopher: We gained a lot of attention since those early days, and we are so appreciative of all our fans and supporters.

These four guys are cool, inspiring, and inventive check them out: Matthew: Just four dudes with guitars and drums. We’re brothers and they’re brothers and we all played when we were younger. When we all met, it was chemistry so we formed the band. Christopher: We found each other; each of us brings together a missing piece to complete the puzzle. Dirty Rock ‘N Roll is our new religion…we created a new genre- Dirty Rock ‘N Roll! Ha-ha, we even made a drink called Dirty Rock ‘N Roll it’s: Jaggermister, JD, Vanilla liqueur, and Tequila- fun fact!

While you Rock, you have a Santa on stage when you play, what’s the story there? David: LOL, that’s not a Santa, we call him the Wizard, he’s good luck, he stands on stage and guides MRO… lol Christopher: it started off as a joke, but we play well when he’s on stage so we have to believe it’s him bringing us the good luck/ guiding MRO.

MRO is a relatively newly formed group with a 14 track demo and even more where that came from. Fan favourites include <U>“Rock N’ Roll Queen”, and “Wanderer”. David: we have been a band for a year and a half! Christopher: We have been playing in the Toronto circuit! We’ve played at the Tattoo Rock Parlor, The Opera House, Lee’s Palace, etc. etc. We’ve even written songs for websites and radio stations. HOOKEDUPB asked the group about their highly anticipated album: Christopher: it’s going to be called, Chains to Nowhere, it’s our début album. It’s a concept album, different from a regular album. In mid May we will be in the studio (at Metal Works in Mississauga), it’s one of the top studios. DMX, Christina Aguilera, Tea Party, Metric, etc.. etc, have all used this studio and we’re thrilled to record in those same hallowed walls.

Most rock stars are known for there overwhelming allure over women; I tell ya Mary Rose Obsession has it. Females were gaga over them, wearing pink MRO T-shirts, screaming, and bringing signs saying: we love Mary Rose Obsession! There were even fantasies being told in the ladies bathroom after their show. For all the female fans who would like to know, are you guys in a relationship or single? Christopher: We are all single… David: Girls keep coming, we love it, and the bonus is they attract guys to come out so they get to hear our music too, everyone wins. Matthew: Our fans are awesome, amazing…they come to our shows even if we have shitty time slots, rain/ snow…they give us energy! They are the reason we do this!

As they stated the venue was indeed filled mostly, but not only, by MRO fans and they did make the most noise. These fans are loyal fans and of all demographics. All of the bands that night brought their best to the challenge. Most people were expecting Mary Rose Obsession to win and it appeared through the crowd response that they indeed should have. It was a tough decision for the judges; the grand prize went to Easy Sleezy another band that is good indeed, but if you recall was the wild card and sudden addition to the finals. MRO reserved any comments on the outcome except for saying “it was what is was, I guess the judges had their reasons.”

Does MRO follow the passion of music, for fame or fortune? Christopher: Neither; it’s for the passion of the music, and because we love it! David: but it would be nice to make a living at it. Christopher: we like sharing moments through our music with fans…everyone has favorite music and songs which touch certain emotions and feelings…we give them feelings to relate to, take them on a trip!

*More Pic’s of MRO and the event in “Picture Section” of HOOKEDUPB’s profile*

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