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| AK of Comfortably Numb – Canada’s Pink Floyd Show |
EXCLUSIVE CONTEST: We have 2 passes to give away – read below for details on entry. Contest closes January 12 2013.
December 12 2012 – In a previous story we announced that Comfortably Numb – Canada’s Pink Floyd Show is coming back to Toronto for their annual pilgrimage. Here is what we had to say:
The best Canadian Pink Floyd tribute band we have ever seen is coming back to Toronto for 3 shows that will surely sell out. Earlier this year we saw and reviewed Brit Floyd at the Sony Center and have been waiting for some Pink Floyd action since then. Of course 2012 has been a great year for Floyd fans like ourselves as Roger Waters was on the road touring The Wall (which we reviewed in Austin, Buffalo, Toronto, Charlotte, Quebec City and London (thats right the night that Gilmour stood on The Wall!). Having seen Canada’s Comfortably Numb many times in the past we have nothing but the highest recommendations for the upcoming shows and strongly suggest you get tickets before they are gone. As Toronto’s biggest classic rock blog we are freakin stoked about this one!
We also promised an interview and a contest – well here they are!
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| AK of Comfortably Numb – Canada’s Pink Floyd Show |
T-Mak World: AK, thank you so much for taking the time out to talk to us. We take pride in being Toronto’s biggest classic rock website and have seen your annual Comfortably Numb show at the Opera House for many years now, but never got a chance to speak to you until now. How would you describe a Comfortably Numb show?
AK: Thank you!! A Comfortably Numb show is truly an amazing all-round experience – lights, sound and action! We take the time to really connect with the audience and to deliver a show that is unique in every way. We don’t just ‘play’ the music, we really ‘feel’ the music and for us as a band, it is a privilege to be able to share our passion with all our audiences. Comfortably Numb is not a clone act in any way – no costumes, sound-a-like copying etc. just an honest interpretation. Musically, the mood and feel of our show is very different than what Pink Floyd toured with during the ‘Delicate Sound Of Thunder’ and ‘Pulse’ tours as the early 70s shows included all four members of Pink Floyd who had an approach to the music that was exciting and new – not simply replicating it, but giving it new life each and every show. Even though technology in the 70s was very different at that time, we will still have a state-of-the-art show.
T-Mak World: You are embarking on a new tour and will be in Toronto on February 1 and 2 for three shows (details below). What can we expect from these shows? Any hints of what is on the setlist?
AK: We are looking forward to being in Toronto again, and I know that this show will be very special – we are doing the ‘Bootlegs Tour’ which is special in that the songs we’ll perform will have a true live feel as it was in the 70s – like Oakland, Boston and other shows like those. For me personally, this was what got me into Pink Floyd. The songs will have the same structure as the original albums but will have the feel and expression that made those tours, in my mind, some of the best ever. The Pink Floyd Live At Wembley 1974 and Live in Oakland ’77 concerts, for example, are simply brilliant; our shows will try to capture these types of ‘vibes’.
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| AK of Comfortably Numb – Canada’s Pink Floyd Show |
T-Mak World: Comfortably Numb only seems to make a visit to Toronto just once a year for 2 or 3 shows (which are ALWAYS sold out). Why don’t we see you out here more often?
AK: It’s simply logistics. We LOVE Toronto and all the people that have supported Numb though the years – a great place to perform, and amazing people!
T-Mak World: How long have you been playing Pink Floyd, and why Floyd?
AK: Personally, I have been playing Pink Floyd since I was in London, England, and as a band it has been 20 years. I think, personally, the music connects perfectly – ‘like a glove’, if you will. It means so much on many different levels. Being born in Great Britain, I was, from a young age, very politically and socially aware; the music of Pink Floyd seemed to connect perfectly and I identified with the music artistically, politically and socially – and still do.
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| AK of Comfortably Numb – Canada’s Pink Floyd Show |
T-Mak World: What is the most challenging Pink Floyd song to play live and why?
AK: That’s a tough question, as each song is unique. Sometimes the simplest thing can be challenging in that you have to ensure it is delivered correctly and with the right feel. The intro for Shine On You Crazy Diamond is simple in its essence but every note has to speak and every note has to tell its own story.
T-Mak World: Have you ever seen Pink Floyd live yourself? If so when and where.
AK: I have had the privilege of seeing the original Dark Side of The Moon show in England and also the Delicate Sound Of Thunder and Pulse Tours here in Canada. I have also seen Gilmour and Waters solo tours: About Face, On An Island, Radio Kaos, In The Flesh, Dark Side Of The Moon, The Wall. Every show was simply brilliant.
T-Mak World: I personally believe that the music of Pink Floyd will live on for centuries (as does Mozart and Bach), and passed on through the generations. As our rock idols are all getting older and many of them passing away year after year, what are your thoughts on the longevity of rock – will bands be performing it and people listening to it 200 years from now?
AK: I think yes, as it has relevance and meaning and many of the themes are still and will still be important – ‘Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day, You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way…’ still has meaning today. We still have war, fear, alienation and political distress, and it’s these topics that drive the writers to write and the fans to listen.
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| Comfortably Numb – Canada’s Pink Floyd Show |
T-Mak World: You are working on a record. What can you tell us about it? When can we hear it?
AK: Yes, we have a brand new album, the second release for THE AK PROJECT. Unlike the first release which was a great success and was done by myself solely on all instruments, I wanted to work with other musicians and take my songs to different places and have different expression but to grow as a band together. I believe we have achieved a perfect balance. Ahenk (bassist) and Solveig (vocals, keyboards) have been amazing in getting me to focus and have really helped tie this together – as a unit we really have had a great time in creating these tunes, especially over the last three months. This new album will be a progressive rock album and draws inspiration from our music idols like Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes and Rush and other greats. We loved the 70s period of progressive rock and its influence. We have a great sound and a truly unique style which we are very excited to present and perform live. The music has some great musical challenges and time signature changes as well as some great drive to it. There will be a running theme and concept that draws on experiences we have seen and felt along the way. We are very excited about the project and how it has come along. It has been a long time in the making and we are near its completion – it will be released in very early 2013. We had hoped to have it out by the end of December but we will get it out just after that – CDs will be available at the Comfortably Numb shows and we’ll be doing some giveaways at the shows too. I am so proud of the work we have done as a band on this album which also includes members that are also in Comfortably Numb.
T-Mak World: AK at the end of 2011 we released our picks for the Top 10 Rock Albums of 2011 (which you can see here). We are currently working on the 2012 version – what do you think deserves to be on our 2012 top 10 list?
AK: I think the newly released Steve Hackett (Original guitarist of Genesis) Genesis Revisited II should be on the list – it’s a ‘covers’ album of older Genesis material like ‘Supper’s Ready’ etc. It’s absolutely brilliant. What makes it so good is that it features newer prog artists like Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt, Steve Wilson of Porcupine Tree and Phil Collins’ son and more. The music is done with the feel of the 70s but with new sound – stellar! Also, The Wall – Immersion Box Set should be on the list.
T-Mak World: Gotta ask you the desert island question AK but this time you can bring with you 2 records. One Pink Floyd and one non. What 2 records would you have with you on that desert island?
AK: Hmm. I love Wish You Were Here… Today it would be Animals, and Genesis’ Selling England By The Pound. If I was able to cheat, I’d bring the ‘Shine On’ Pink Floyd box set and Genesis Archive 1967–75!
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| AK of Comfortably Numb – Canada’s Pink Floyd Show |
T-Mak World: We have 2 tickets to give away for your show at Toronto’s Opera House on Friday February 1st. AK I would like you to give our readers a Pink Floyd trivia question. {To enter the contest please email us at tmakworld (at) gmail (dot) com, include NUMB ROCKS in the subject line and your name and answer to AK’s trivia question in the main body }
AK: What is Syd Barrett’s full/real name?
T-Mak World: Any closing words for our readers?
AK: We are absolutely excited and honoured to play the music of Pink Floyd and to bring our shows to you. We really love this music and it is very special to us. We don’t simply want to play these shows, we want to experience them with you and share the journey!
Below you will find full information on the shows and links to purchase tickets. Trust us on this one you dont want to wait too long to buy tickets as these shows always sell out.
TORONTO CONCERT INFORMATION:
Comfortably Numb – Canada’s Pink Floyd Show ™
Q107 Classic Rock & Y108 Rocks Presentation
Friday February 1st, 2013
Doors 7:30 pm / Show 8:30pm
Saturday February 2nd
ALL AGES SHOW – Doors 3pm / Show 4pm
Saturday February 2nd, 2013
Doors 7:30 pm / Show 8:30pm
The Opera House, 735 Queen St, E. Toronto
Comfortably Numb – Canada’s Pink Floyd Show ™
Q107 Classic Rock & Y108 Rocks Presentation
Friday February 1st, 2013
Doors 7:30 pm / Show 8:30pm
Saturday February 2nd
ALL AGES SHOW – Doors 3pm / Show 4pm
Saturday February 2nd, 2013
Doors 7:30 pm / Show 8:30pm
The Opera House, 735 Queen St, E. Toronto
Ticket Promo Codes – Save $5 off all tickets
Toronto – “toronto”
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
OTTAWA SHOW INFORMATION:
Comfortably Numb – Canada’s Pink Floyd Show ™Chez 106 World Classic Rock Presentation
Friday February 15th & Saturday February 16th, 2013
Canadian Museum of Civilization Theatre
Doors 7:30 pm / Show 8:00pm
Ticket Promo Codes – Save $5 off all tickets
Ottawa / Gatineau – “numb”
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
KINGSTON SHOW INFORMATION
Comfortably Numb – Canada’s Pink Floyd Show ™
KROCK Exclusive Presentation
Thursday, February 21st, 2013
Kingston Grande Theatre
Box Office Tel: 613-530-2050
218 Princess Street
Kingston ON
Doors 7:30 pm / Show 8:00pm
Ticket Promo Codes – Save $5 off all tickets
Kingston – “krock”
