By Erica Leon
The members of Silvertone Hills, who are Steeltown (aka Hamilton, Ontario) bred, are a force to be reckoned with. The power of Liam O’Sullivan’s vocals, Andrew Billone’s guitar/vocals, Nick Slagter’s guitar, Mike Park’s bass and Bryan Mostert’s drums, generously invites listeners to what could easily be an exclusive assemblage, for a musical jaunt that will take the pandemic blues away.
“Reaction” is the band’s latest single, and they were in the middle of shooting their music video, when the pandemic, in Pinky and the Brain style, “took over the world.”
I had a chance to speak with Andrew Billone, who discusses the band’s creative style, musical influences, and how the pandemic has affected them.
MB: How would you describe Silvertone Hills’ musical style?
Andrew: We are mainly influenced by alternative bands such as Oasis, Queens of the Stone Age and The Strokes and we try to convey their musical styles through our own music.
MB: What would you like to tell your fans about your recent single “Reaction?”
Andrew: I caught Nick playing a catchy riff one day, which I thought had potential. I recorded it on my phone and built the song up from there. The lyrics came to me at work one day, playing on the ‘us against the world’ mentality that you feel when your choices go against what is considered morally righteous. “No one can tell us different; no one can make it stop.” Everyone warns the “good ones never can last,” but it does not matter. No one can take away the feeling of something you love. Playing music gives all of us in the band that feeling.
MB: Can you tell your fans about who Silvertone Hills are as a band?
Andrew: The band formed in 2016, playing the odd gig and getting some lineup changes. Our first EP was released 2018, “Follow Suit” which was followed by “Running in Circles” in 2019. The lineup we now have consists of myself, Liam, Nick, Mike, and Bryan. All of us have jobs outside of music that are so diverse. Mike works in HVAC, Liam works at Dofasco, Brian works in granite, Nick works in masonry, and I am an accountant. We do not usually write about our jobs, although I occasionally I have found myself writing lyrics at my office desk. We are not trying to pretend we are hardened rock stars from humble beginnings; we just pass on the music we love.
MB: Covid-19 has suspended all public concerts. How has this affected the band?
Andrew: We have had more time to create and were able to complete songs we did not have the time to complete before the pandemic. We have also been interacting with fans more on social media platforms, which has been important to us. We are preparing for the release of a new single, “Upside Down,” which will stream on all streaming service outlets.
“Reaction” envelopes Silvertone Hills’ indie rock ambiance and musical influences with their own milieu spin. Follow Silvertone Hills on social media platforms. Their new release “Upside Down” will be streaming in July 2020.
