Vancouver area musician Petunia has many different musical sides, which he will be bringing back to the Slice, Aug. 19 when he plays with his long time band the Vipers (Stephen Nikleva - Electric Guitar, Mandolin, Arranging; Jimmy Roy - Lapsteel, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Arranging; Patrick Metzger - Upright Bass, Acoustic Guitar, B. Vocals; Paul Townsend - Drums, Percussion).
he has been playing around B.C. since playing the South Country Fair after party.
“We just played Salt Spring Island, and I have four days off, so I’m still in vacation mode,” said Petunia from a canoe, along the cost of Parker Island.
“We’re looking for baby seals and we’ve seen a lot of them. It is the season for them. I have three lovely ladies paddling while I’m talking to you,” he said on a fading cell phone.
He is touring in support of his latest album “Dead Bird on the Highway,” which has a more bluesy feel.
“Actually the Vipers recorded on the last album. That’s where they first met. They had never played together before,“ he said.
“And we’ve been playing together for four years now,” he added, noting the CD is split half and half with originals and obscure covers.
“Sometimes people will give me tapes and songs just catch your ear and you play them with the band and it just clicks and they just become part of the repertoire,” he said.
“ These are songs we have already been playing for years.
He released a duo album last year with Calgary guitarist Nathan Godfrey in between albums with the Vipers albums.
“ We recorded the last album in Nanton and we’ll record the next album in Nanton too. So we’re thinking about that. You’ll be hearing some songs that will go on it,” he said.
