Hip drummer part of stellar band set to debut in Surrey

Tom Zillich, Surrey Now
Published: Friday, August 29, 2008
This has the makings of a stellar band, alright — and a stellar night out, if a ticket can be had.
The tiny Crescent Beach Legion hall will stage the debut of a new Canadian band that features Tragically Hip drummer Johnny Fay, Kevin Kane of the Grapes of Wrath, Steven Drake of Odds fame, veteran keyboardist Simon Kendall and acclaimed songwriter Wyckham Porteous.
The sextet, brought together by Drake and known as the Stellar Band of Neighbours, will record an album this fall and perform its first official public concert on October 4 at the South Surrey hall. Tickets ($30) go on sale Tuesday, September 2 via the Arts Council of White Rock & District (604-536-8333). The gig is part of the council’s yearly Up Close and Intimate concert series.

The Stellar Band of Neighbour’s music is a mix of songs written by all band members and boasts “soaring harmonies a la CSNY,” according to Wednesday’s concert announcement.
“The vocals are unbelievable,” Porteous told the Now, adding that studio time for the Neighbours is booked for October, following the Crescent Beach show.

© Surrey Now 2008