Vancouver power trio Elvin Screamer is breaking the rules in its quest for success

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 28, 1983

By Steve Newton

“We kind of call this the ‘breakin the rules’ project,” says Rod Black, aka Elvin Screamer, after his band’s performance at a local club last Saturday night.

The power trio–comprised of guitarist-lead vocalist Black, bassist Dave Keown, and drummer Kim Masse–had already shattered the first Cabaret Commandment: “Thou Shalt Play Familiar Tunes”, by either playing obscure cover songs or their own heavy originals–mainly the latter.

And while the room was almost deserted, most of the club’s patrons having journeyed downstairs for a more recognizable sound, those with a taste for something different were visibly impressed. And no wonder, since–even though they’ve only been together two months–Elvin Screamer are one hot band.

At the forefront is Mr. Screamer himself, guitarist Black, whose sizzling and speedy fretwork has been honed to a cutting edge on U.S. tours with the Jerry Doucette Band (who, it should be noted, accompanied the Doobie Brothers on their farewell tour). Whether going wild on powerful originals like “Caught in a Dream’ or Pat Travers‘ “Snortin’ Whiskey”, Black and his blue Explorer are a deadly team.

Lanky blonde Keown is the showman of the band, madly tossing his lengthy locks while pulling off rock poses, and muscular Masse–who played with Keown in various Alberta bar bands before teaming up with Black–pounds everything into place.

But despite their markedly heavy approach, Elvin Screamer have no aspiration of becoming Vancouver’s answer to Judas Priest.

“We don’t want to be labelled heavy metal,” stresses Black between gulps of Heineken. “And there’s very few bands that play it well, anyway. The ones I think do it good are Def Leppard–who are not really labelled as heavy metal–and Iron Maiden. A lot of those English and European bands, Krokus and that, they’ve got amazing vocal power, and they play it well. But they don’t really get a receptive crowd as far as the crowd that we’re aiming for.

“I’m trying to get a very strong rock star-ish type of following. Like Rick Springfield, Eddie Money, the Doobies, Journey. That’s the category that we’re aiming for, ’cause that’s class as hell.

Black’s idea of class is definitely arguable, but when he points out in the same breath that “Journey made 17 million dollars in 1982”, you realize he’s measuring class in dollars and cents. And Black is not ashamed of Elvin Screamer’s commercial ambitions.

“I love commercial music,” he admits, “because, number one, it’s lots of money–and I’ve been broke for the last 15 years, so I’ll take all the money I can get.”

Black’s struggling days may be nearly over though, because his band has received a real push in winning a recent Battle of the Bands. First prize for the competition is 25 hours of studio time at Little Mountain Sound and video packaging by Vancouver’s Videotech Productions. So whether on film or on record, Elvin Screamer will be making themselves known to the powers that be in the music industry.

And even if it means cold responses at first, Black says Elvin Screamer will stay true to their original sound till things start paying off.

“If you look at it with a professional point of view, you’ve got to do what we’re doing or else you just don’t get anywhere. Any hot band on the market today knew they were good, knew they had the potential, knew they had the tunes, and they were ready to go out and do it.”

With their sights set on success, Elvin Screamer are about to make their mark on today’s music scene. They’ve certainly got the talent, experience, and confidence to do it.

“Whether it be in Vancouver, or Toronto, or whether we have to go to England or somewhere to do it,” Black declares, “we’re going to get signed up shortly. ‘Cause the magic is there, and we’re not a bunch of immature punks. I’ve been in the business for a lot of years, and if I couldn’t have handled it I wouldn’t still be here.”

To read over 100 of my other interviews with local Vancouver musicians since 1983, go here.