Thursday, February 1, 2001
By JOHN KENDLE
Winnipeg Sun
Could it be true? Has Moffatsmania actually waned?
"Well, I don't know. It's still pretty high-pitched
and loud out there," says Bob Moffatt of the reception he
and his three brothers are getting as they make their way across
Canada on a national tour.
But what's this, Bob? This family band of teeny-boppers is
getting good reviews from national rock critics.
"I know, I know," says the 16-year-old drummer.
"I think we're really convincing a lot of people. The
critics are even complimenting us for trying to stand on our own
as a rock band."
Three years ago, The Moffatts were the Can-Pop version of
the boy-band phenomenon.
Triplets Bob, Dave and Clint, along with older brother
Scott sold more than two million copies of Chapter 1: A New
Beginning, an album rife with teen ditties and the sort of well-produced
pop balladry that causes young girls' hearts to melt. With their
carefully coiffed hair and baggy clothes, the boys looked set to
follow the Backstreeters, 'N Sync, even Hanson down the road to
pinup stardom.
Then The Moffatts decided to follow up Chapter 1 with
Submodalities, a guitar-based album produced by Vancouver hard
rock veteran Bob Rock, who has produced the likes of Aerosmith,
Bon Jovi, and Metallica.
The move shocked many people in the music industry who
whispered that the idea would alienate the group's fan base. That
rock fans wouldn't take them seriously.
But Bob says he and his brothers haven't found a backlash
at all.
"I'm sure a few people were shocked when they first
heard some songs from the record," admits Bob. "But we
were trying to make an attempt to broaden our audiences. And I
think we're doing it.
"We do autograph sessions after every one of our
shows," he explains. "And we're finally seeing more
guys in our audiences, where before it was all girls, screaming
and hollering for their favourite Moffatt. We still have a long
ways to go but our goal throughout our career has been to make it
as a real band -- a rock band."
That said, Submodalities isn't exactly the second coming of
Nirvana's Nevermind. It's sound runs the gamut from vaguely
British-sounding trance-rock, to uptempo Bon Jovi/Def Leppard pop
metal, such as first single Bang Bang Boom.
Bob acknowledges that the album reflects the brothers'
influences more than it presents a singular "Moffatts sound."
He says his 17-year-old guitarist brother Scott is a huge
Radiohead fan, and mentions the Matthew Good Band and Our Lady
Peace as personal picks.
Producer Rock "pushed us to do more," Bob says.
"He says our next record will be the one that gives The
Moffatts their sound, so we're working on songs and sending him
demo tapes all the time. He likes to stay in touch."
When the Moffatt brothers are on the road, Bob says they
spend about six hours a day studying in a self-directed home
school program (less on show days). Sleep, travel and eating
takes up much of the rest of their spare time.
The boys' father and stepmother still travel with the group
and when the family isn't on the road, it splits time between
homes in Calgary (where dad's parents live) and Minot, N.D. (where
their stepmother's family lives).
"People know who we are in Minot," Bob says.
"We don't go to school there and we didn't have a big
radio hit in the States but they know about us, and word travels
fast in a place like that."
About as fast as word travels that the Moffatts may now
rock -- but they still rule the hearts of their fans.
(Original text: http://www.canoe.ca/AllPop-Moffatts/020101_moffatts-sun.html )