1/30/2008 10:48:29 AM
The Saint Alvia Cartel is Burlington Ontario’s latest contribution to [good] music…. And these guys are no strangers to the music scene as they have all enjoyed success with former and current projects including: Boys Night Out, Jersey, The Video Dead, and hardcore legends Grade. ‘Nuff said.
Having ended his relationship with Boys Night Out, Rob Pasalic swore off booze, drugs, and mainly music. After getting word of the demise of punk rock legends Jersey, Greg Taylor (Jersey/Grade) bumped into Pasalic and revealed a brand spanking new vision: The Saint Alvia Cartel.
“It’s funny really, some abusive addictions you just can’t kick…”
Pasalic comments on the inception of the band that is named after Ernest Alvia “Smokey” Smith (Was Canada's last living recipient of the Victoria Cross for valor in WWII). With their roots firmly planted in punk-rock, the band also draws inspiration from almost every genre out there: roots, rock and roll, blues, soul, dancehall reggae, country, new wave and hip hop.
The Saint Alvia Cartel gave the world a taste of their eclectic and infectious melodies after recording and releasing a couple demo tracks via MySpace in 2006. It was enough for Montreal’s noted STOMP RECORDS who released their self-titled debut in May. The lead single "Don't Wanna Wait Forever" took the airwaves by storm and has quickly become THE summertime song of '07.
"A cunning and bold sound that breaks all rules that every genre has put forward, making St. Alvia my number one pick for 2007" - Punk Radio Cast
"So we liked “A Poet’s Life”, Tim Armstrong’s first solo—and primarily ska/reggae album—which reminded us we love this punk flavored spin on the roots and island sound. But sorry, it wasn’t the kind of pioneering work found on the refreshingly non-punk, self-titled release of the Saint Alvia Cartel, which is bubbling with pop/ska/punk crossover appeal, all with a re-imagining that is totally fresh. Reminiscent of the frontiers that Big Audio Dyn