WL 362 – Sunday, May 6 – 12am
Purveyors of: Toronto rock melting pot

Deep Dark United, Lenin i Shumov, The Old Soul... Nick Taylor has played with so many great bands it almost makes you want to grab his lapels and shake him, asking, “Who are you?! Why is everything you do so good?” At least, that’s how Evan Dickson feels, so it’s probably best for Nick, Evan, and the police that Evan asked his questions via email.

How did you meet each your band-mates and what was your first impression of them?

The (live) band consists of myself, Katia Taylor, Andrew Innanen, Matt McLaren.

I met Katia when she was born. I was two. I can't really remember my first impression of her. I'm sure it involved curiosity and jealousy. I probably met Andrew at Ted's Wrecking Yard, either a Deep Dark United show or a More Plastic show. Either way, I'm sure it involved Jägermeister and wordplay. I met Matt when his old band Wild Honey opened for The Dirty Hearts. He broke Tara's amp but watching him play was humbling and terrifying. Basically that's what the band is all about - curiousity, jealousy, humility, terror, alcohol and puns intended.

The name "Church & State" strikes a particularly potent chord these days. Tell me why you chose that name and what is important about it.

I used the moniker "Church & State" for some solo shows during the time Blackeyes (the last band I fronted) was around. There was even one Church & State show with band (Kim Temple and James Anderson) back in 2001. This was before the Bush theocracy became truly ascendant and I probably just nicked the name from the Dave Sim comics. But yeah, of course I wanted the name to have some kind of resonance. The album I recorded has vague allusions to a lot of those "potent chords" that are being struck around this old rock at the moment and I wanted a name that reflected that.

Which is a worse faux-pas on stage, talking about religion or talking about politics?

Please don't do either. Imply, don't decry.

You've played gee-tar with Deep Dark United and The Old Soul, among others. Will fans of your other bands notice any similarities in Church and State?

Um, probably. I've played in a number of different bands in the 8 or 9 years I've been in Toronto, and I think each was celebrated for the same reason that caused me to join or form the band - an originality, excitement and energy in the sound and an above par sense of songcraft. As diverse as DDU or The Dirty Hearts or Lenin i Shumov or The Old Soul are from each other they all had/have this. On many given days I would have to call Alex Lukashevsky my favourite songwriter in the world, full-stop. His abilty to twist and challenge the music without losing the song's essence, or sense of humour, is a constant inspiration. I was still very green musically when I joined DDU so yeah, definitely that band has left a big impression. As far as the Old Soul is concerned - the way the five or seven or eight of us can play together in total sympatico and the way we relate as people and friends and brothers is something very special and something I would want all bands to aspire to.

I read an article in Eye in which Stuart Berman called your guitar playing "tasteful". In the rock and roll world that sounds almost like an insult. Do you think you are tasteful?

Well, the fact that music played tastefully has become an anathema to many so-called music fans speaks more to their fear of some kind of uncoolness than anything to do with who's making the music. I like tasteful music. Hell, the Knopf (Mark Knopfler) was my first guitar hero and I still listen to him way too much. Music is a language - communication should be the key. It may seem very English of me, but I like people who are tasteful with language just as I like tasteful musicians

As far as my own tastes, I like the smooth and I like the rough, as long as it's authentic. I like smart songs but not clever songs. I like art in my music, but I wish people would take some of the art-school out of it.

How many times have you played Wavelength now? What do you think will be special about this time?

I have no idea how many times I've played WL. Over a dozen I'd imagine. The first time was in a band with Lee Sheppard called Trains and Airplanes back in 2000, the last time was with Lenin i Shumov at for the 6th anniversary. I've played every anniversary show except for the last one, almost always with different bands. I'm in my 30s now and don't come much anymore, and usually feel a little out of place in 'the scene' whenever I do stop in to see a show. Generations seem to have two year lifespans in this town, but that's good, that's how it should be. It keeps things fresh and enthused. Priorites have changed for me. I'm looking forward to this show because of Donné Roberts. I'm a big fan of African guitar and I'm thrilled to see some more varied acts being booked at WL.

By Evan Dickson