They've been chasing the dream for years. Now, two Squamish residents looking for fame and fortune through their music are taking new aim at the big time, with a new name, a new bandmate, new manager and renewed ambitions.
Todd Mader and Enzo Milia are with DMV, the band formerly known as Slivertooth. The new name reflects the fact that the band went from being a trio to a foursome. The name change also marks a raising of the bar for the band. Slivertooth's first two albums were serious efforts; however, this latest collaboration is considered by the band to mark a whole new level of professionalism and they are making a serious attempt to sign a recording contract with a major record label.
The band's new front man is John Delaney of Vancouver - the "D" in DMV. He disbanded his last group, called the Indestructibles, to join Mader, Milia and former Squamish resident Petri Vertiainen. Mader and Milia represent the 'M' in the band's name and the 'V' is for Vertiainen, who is leaving behind the lead vocals to concentrate on his guitar work.
The band's latest album went on sale July 28. It would have been finished sooner were it not for Delaney's entry into the band, which came to be when Milia asked him to sing on one of the songs on the band's new album.
There was already a connection between Delaney, an illustrator in the comic industry, and the band, as the artwork on Slivertooth's two albums was provided by Delaney.
After Delaney recorded the song, he listened to the rest of the material for the album and he decided that he wanted to be a larger part of the project. He tweaked the lyrics on some of the songs and then recorded vocals for the other 10 songs on the album.
"I brought a different kind of understanding," Delaney said of the original songs that were originally recorded with Vertiainen's lyrics. "My sensibilities are different and that opened it up to some new directions."
The band played some of the songs from the new album, called Paper Dragon, before a small but enthusiastic crowd at the Squamish Days Mid Summer Jam on Friday (July 30).
Before taking to the stage, the band members shared their thoughts on the new album and the band's future.
Delaney said he folded his other band because he feels DMV is going places.
"This band has so much more future," he said. "It has great groove, a great vibe."
"We had something good going on," Milia said of the band before Delaney's arrival. "He brought something we needed."
That something was a solid front man with great lead vocal abilities.
"John loves attention," Milia added, sending the band into loud laughter.
Confidence is not an issue for the four musicians. Milia and Vertiainen are both 39, Delaney is 40 and Mader is 42. All four have children and all four have been professional musicians for many years.
"We're in the best possible position now," said Milia. "Career-wise we've done enough things that we can step away."
The band members are prepared to tour to support the album.
"The plan is to get the CD out to record companies and A&R people," Delaney said. "We're going to arrange a proper CD release party and maybe a tour. When we tour we're going to play 1,200- to 1,500 seat halls."
According to Mader, it doesn't matter that the band members are all mature adults.
"You can be fat and ugly these days because it's about the songs now, it's about the music," Mader said. Delaney agreed with Mader and pointed out that there are many successful groups performing today with members who are over 40.
"Good songs are good songs," Delaney said.
The aspirations of the band are lofty as evidenced in a discussion about each individual's most preferred songs on the new album.
"The song that best represents the band is Paper Dragon and I base that on the fact that I could see us playing that song on Saturday Night Live," said Milia.
Paper Dragon is available for purchase at Noisey Boyes Music downtown.
