Wildheart: Toronto Band All Pumped Up For New Vinyl Release March 28

(Toronto, ON) – This Saturday night, March 28, get pumped at Cherry Cola’s Rock ‘n’ Rolla Cabaret & Lounge when indie rock band Wildheart officially release their vinyl album Pumped at the Piston.

Pumped at the Piston is the follow-up to The Gypsy Soul – a five-song EP released in 2014. It features 10 tracks recorded live last August in downtown Toronto’s The Piston bar.

So, who is Wildheart? Formed in 2012, Wildheart is a five-piece band based out of Toronto. Band members include singer Cody Vaillant, guitarist Lewis Mrotzek, guitarist Scotty B. Goode, bassist Renee Parr and drummer Mike Parr.

Since forming a few years ago, Wildheart continuously works hard playing “almost every notable venue in the downtown Toronto area” and has opened for such acts as Cherie Currie (of The Runaways) and Killer Dwarfs.

There are plans to record and release another five-song studio EP later this year and another one in early 2016.

This Saturday’s vinyl release party also includes Calgary band The Electric Revival (who are releasing a new CD Saturday night as well) and The Cola Heads. Cherry Cola’s Rock ‘n’ Rolla Cabaret & Lounge is located at 200 Bathurst Street in Toronto.

Music Life Magazine caught up with Vaillant to talk about the band and new release.

JOEL – Congratulations on the upcoming release of Pumped at the Piston. The album is being officially released this weekend on vinyl at your release party. Why did Wildheart decide to release a live album at this point with only one previous release, a five-song EP?

CODY – We actually set out to record a DVD. We are releasing the footage song by song on Youtube as we edit them. The first one, Runnin’ Hot,  just went up this week so be sure to check that out here: https://youtu.be/JTx-ACMbXi0. After we sat down with the audio from the filming we realized it was too damn good not to do something really special with it.

JOEL – Will the album be available on other formats?

CODY – Nah, not really. Well, just the digital download option but that is hardly a “format” … kind of an anti format in my opinion! That being said, it sure would be hard to lug a 12 inch and a turntable for some on the go listening.

JOEL – For anyone who has never seen or heard Wildheart, how would you describe your music?

CODY – You know that top 40 pop crap? Not that. HAHA! Just no holds barred rock and roll baby!

JOEL – Wildheart formed in 2012. Were you all friends or worked in other bands with each other before this?

CODY – Scotty met Lew at some club downtown where Lew was playing like a demon from hell and that seemed to get Scott’s attention. They started jammin’. Renee, Mike and I are all from Thunder Bay. They played and still play in a band called The Communication together. I was off doing other stuff and we never really crossed paths until we all moved to Toronto. One of Scotty’s ex-girlfriends introduced us. We tried a few other rhythm section combinations before I reached out to the lovely Parrs. We all just work so damn well (together)!

JOEL – You play any Toronto venue that will book you. Being in Toronto with many other bands, what does Wildheart do to stand out and to get people to notice your band?

CODY – We just play as hard as we can and hope everyone likes it. And honestly we don’t just play any old dive that calls us up. We used to for sure but now we try to be a little more selective, especially with hometown shows. There is never a lack of requests and booking inquiries in Toronto, really, so now we try to seek out shows that will help us build ourselves even more as a band. We try and get in on gigs with headliners that will expose us to even more potential fans or even just with other great entry level rock bands so we can all compliment each other’s fan bases with our own.

JOEL – Who influences Wildheart musicially?

CODY – Each of us has such a diverse list of influences that I am surprised any of us ended up playing rock music in the same band. I think the band’s sound can collectively claim some influence by bands like The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith…CCR even.

JOEL – What are the goals of Wildheart? Any tour plans?

CODY – This summer we are focusing mostly on recording, some writing and just playing the hell out of Southern Ontario, Montreal, Ottawa and such. We like to get out on the road as often as possible but thought a full scale tour this summer was unwise if we wanted to complete all the recording projects we have our dirty little fingers in.

JOEL – Anything else you want to add or plug?

CODY – Aside from, “Please buy our record”? Nah, not too much. Just the record, maybe grab an EP, some merch if you so fancy. It is all available at www.wildheartrocks.com. Oh, and make sure to subscribe to our Youtube page www.youtube.com/wildheartrock and check out the first live music video for Runnin’ Hot from the “Pumped at the Piston” concert. We will be slowly uploading videos for all 10 tracks that are on the record.

And come rock out with us this Saturday!  Peace, love, be rad!

JOEL – Thanks for your time!