Halifax-based rock band Alert the Medic arrived in Ottawa March 11 to perform at Zaphod’s. The band trekked from their Montreal show sleepless but excited to play their second show in Ottawa.
The four piece band is made up of guitarist and vocalist Ryan MacDonald, guitarist Troy Arsenault, bassist Matt Campbell and drummer Dale Wilson.
Alert the Medic said they consider themselves an anomaly for the East Coast music scene, where they say musicians are “pigeonholed to play traditional East Coast music.”
The band said they place themselves as more a part of the pop-rock scene.
Alert the Medic has had many accomplishments throughout their career, including a nomination for the 2011 East Coast Music Award “Fan’s Choice of the Year.”
They have performed alongside bands like the Arkells, Hollerado, Ill Scarlett and Our Lady Peace. MacDonald said the band has been together for almost 10 years. They’re currently touring for their album We the Weapon, the follow-up to their 2006 self-titled debut.
“[Wilson], [Campbell] and I have played for about 10 years and we met in middle school. And, well, we’re still together, and nobody’s punched anyone yet,” MacDonald joked.
He said they were joined by guitarist Troy Arseneault three or four years ago.
The band likened their sound to that of the Foo Fighters but say their inspiration comes from late sixties and early seventies rock music like Rod Stewart and Electric Light Orchestra, as well as Seattle bands Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Nirvana.
The band said the fun of being a band was really about “loving what you do” and that as a collective they can continue to be passionate about music.