The Hi-Strung Downers combine dapper suits, slicked-back hair, high energy and heartbreak with a rockabilly sound and punk rock attitude.
The sharp-dressed foursome, Joe Love, Greg Callsen, Terry Starchuk (T-Bone), and Earl Garnet, is a relatively new group, but each has been active in southern Alberta’s music scene for numerous years.
The Calgary-based group centres its sound on rockabilly, an early version of rock and roll music that gained popularity in the 1950s. Rockabilly combines elements of rock, blues and country. Of course, the Hi-Strung Downers added their own twist with an injection of punk rock.
“We might not be traditional rockabilly in the way people might think of Elvis or Carl Perkins,” said Callsen, also known as Greasy Greg. “We definitely play our music with an edge and with a real attitude.
“Our music is something the country fan can like, the rockabilly fan can like; the punk rockers and metal [enthusiasts] all get it.”
The Hi-Strung Downers are influenced by the time period “when rockabilly started to morph into rock and roll … [when] a lot of bands were playing their music faster, a little dirtier a little greasier, and that’s what our sound is all about.”
Some see the term greasy as an insult, explained Callsen, but the Hi-Strung Downers attribute it to something that’s “edgy and cool.”
“People might think you’re low rent, but it’s [being] proud of being a little cold-hearted, maybe drinking a little bit too much, and having a bad attitude.”
The band’s greasiness oozes from their debut album, Here She Lies. The songs are a product of failed relationships and love stories gone awry. “I would say one of the big reasons I got asked to join the band was due to my relationship status,” laughed Callsen.
He joined the Hi-Strung Downers in September 2014, a few months after the album was released.
After its western Canada tour, the group aims to settle down in the studio and record a follow-up album.
And it seems they’re not done with bad breakup sentiments.
“Speaking from my own song-writing, there’s definitely a few more things that have to be exorcised before we move on to something else.”
The “ooh, baby, I want to hold your hand and dance with you all night” songs might have to wait for another record, he hinted.
Despite the perceivably depressing song inspiration, the Hi-Strung Downers’ music is anything but slow and melancholy. Their upbeat and energetic set leaves few audience members in their chairs.
“If you’re not dancing, we’re not doing our job.”
Although the Hi-Strung Downers have only toured in western Canada, their music has been well received everywhere they go.
“People like to drink beer and have a good time out here, and this music is made for that.”
Callsen hasn’t been to Jasper before and said he thinks it’s also the first visit for one or two of the other Hi-Strung Downers.
“I’m really excited to come,” he said. “We just want Jasper to keep it greasy.”
Sarah Makowsky
Special to the Fitzhugh
