Goin' back to Cali

>> Led Astray kicks Montreal in the ass one last time

by LATEEF MARTIN

 Lead singer/screamer Wil Dowd-Martin and guitarist Uriah Wilkins started Led Astray four years ago in California. So why the hell did these guys leave the sunny West Coast for ice-cold Montreal? "School," says drummer Jonathan Alexander Boles, who adds a little drum & bass stylee to the band's sound, known as "flow-core" (I think it's safe to say he was recruited on the basis of his great hair alone). And how did J.S., who supplies the "five-string funky slap stuff," fit into the picture?
 "Each of our old bass players spontaneously combusted," explains Wilkins. Bands across the whole board are fused into Led Astray's style, from Motown, Soundgarden to Tool, Depeche Mode, Incubus, Helmet and their gods the Deftones. So how does a band with such a wide variety of influences work a song? "Sometimes it's more complete compositions and sometimes it just starts with a riff that gets refined," says Wilkins.
 "I usually write a whole bunch of different stuff at once and stockpile it, refer to it later on, unless it's something really specific that is very happenstance," adds Dowd-Martin, explaining the process of his lyrical input.
 You'll find Led Astray most comfortable performing at Madhatter's--where they have a bit of a history. "Well, when we played at the Molson Centre you get that stadium rock feel... No, every single show we play is small."
 "It's the people," explains Boles, "who make the biggest difference, because certain places that we played--no need to name names--the people don't move. But what's cool about Hatter's is maybe the consumption of alcohol. People get up and move more, which just makes the place better."
 Now that they've conquered Montreal, the boys are headin' back to sun 'n' surf. And what's the plan once they get back to California? "To take over the world." :
 
 

Led Astray's "Last Show in Canada!" takes place at Madhatter Pub on Saturday, May 27, 11pm, $2