Their first single, Standing All Alone, has made its way onto the charts with their pop-punk style. The song is also being featured on Much Music's annual compilation album Big Shiny Tunes 7. They are in the ranks with other popular bands like New Found Glory, Jimmy Eat World and of course, the Sums.
Most recently, NBC's album has earned them a CASBY (Canadian Artist Selected by You) Award for favourite indie album at the ceremony held at the Kool Haus in Toronto on Nov. 23. Edge 102.1, a popular alternative rock station, sponsored the awards where the public could vote for the best artist in each category.
Lineups were already formed outside of the Trasheteria by 6:30 p.m. when the doors opened. Patrons filed into the dark club gathering at both the bar and in front of the stage. People were excited to get in out of the blistering cold. Members of NBC mingled in the crowd while local bands took over the stage. All of the opening bands were being judged on their performance for the night in a battle-of-the-bands type event. Featured were Handheld, Jetison Idol, No Word of a Lie, Another Season and crowd favourite, 11:11 (Eleven Eleven).
Despite the immense talent on display, most of the people in the audience were there for one reason; to see NBC. As soon as it was time for them to go on people gathered in front of the small stage to ensure a good view of the guys. NBC lead singer and guitar player Mike Bilcox says playing in small clubs has a different atmosphere than stadium shows. �The fans are a lot closer to us and it is usually much warmer in the smaller clubs,� he said following the show. Bilcox, whose major musical influences include Green Day and Goldfinger, belted out every song off of their album. He took brief breaks to speak to the audience with his fellow band-mates drummer Liam Killeen, bassist AJ Bovaird and guitarist Glenn �Chico� Dunning.
�We are getting a little tired of playing the same old stuff all of the time, so we are going to play something new for you guys,� Bilcox told the crowd. With the audience all hyped up to hear something new, Bilcox looked at the other band members and smiled.
�You take my breath away, with all the things you say�� Members of the audience started jumping and cheering to the song, but not because it was new, in fact it is the song they are most well-known for, Standing All Alone.
As for the progress of some new material for NBC, Bilcox says they have been far too busy in the last few months to have worked on anything. �I have been working on stuff individually, but not really as a band,� he said. �I usually do that in my basement.�
For Bilcox, Dunning, Killeen and Bovaird the last few months have been a little overwhelming at times. �I feel like we still haven�t made it all the way,� said Bilcox. �But I realized when we were in Vancouver touring with Sum 41 that this is pretty � awesome.�
�Not many people get a great opportunity when they are just starting out to tour with a huge band like Sum 41, it was a really awesome experience,� he said.
Over the last few months the guys have went from being local celebrities to being recognized all over Canada. �We get the chance to meet and talk to the fans and it is really great,� Bilcox said. �You have to realize that people have paid to come and see you perform so you have to give your best all of the time.�
Since September the band has been working like crazy to get their album out there, sometimes playing three to four nights a week. After each show they try and stay around to sell CDs and merchandise. Of course they all have their markers ready to sign countless autographs for the fans.
They played to a sell-out crowd at the University of Waterloo campus bar, the Bomber, on Nov. 29. The event was only open to those 19 years or older.
�Since this has started I have realized that it is still hard to be a musician,� said Bilcox. �We have worked really hard up to this point and we will continue to work hard.�
Since their job is to play music, the band has to be ready to go on stage all of the time. �You always have to be in the mood to play,� said Bilcox. �We owe it to the fans to give them a good show; we have to give it our all.�
NBC is on the road again this month travelling to Belleville, Peterborough, Newmarket, Quebec and Ottawa. They are scheduled all the way until Dec. 23 when they get to relax for the holidays. �We basically finish playing, drive home and it is Christmas.�
Now That You are Leaving is the newest single released by NBC. They are looking to have a video out by January.
�We are also hoping to do another cross-Canada tour in the New Year,� said Bilcox.
Like Sum 41, NBC is attempting to break into the United States market. �Our manager is doing his job, hopefully talking to some record labels in the U.S. and we may be going to play in New York sometime soon,� said Bilcox. The band is getting airtime on Much Music U.S.A as well as play on some of the smaller campus stations across the country. Like here, their success in the United States relies heavily on the response from fans.
�I just want to say thanks to all of our fans,� Bilcox added. If it wasn�t for all of you guys we wouldn�t be where we are today.� NBC will be relatively close to the area on Dec.17 when they play at Club Phoenix in London with Simple Plan. For more information on tour dates visit the band's official Web site at www.notbychoice.com.
