Heartwood Slacks

Cape Breton

Heartwood Slacks is a five-man Sydney house (party) band that—ironically—happens to meet the criteria for a Great American Heritage Revival band.

The personnel—who bring banjo, guitars, blues harp, mandolin and bass fiddle—have shared stages and bills for years, a variety of local "band-me-downs" who were weaned on blues, metal and country music. Miles away from schlocky, and untouched by the suspenders of folk emulators sweeping today’s industry showcases, Heartwood Slacks principle songwriter—the 22-year old baritone dishwasher John Gill, who has been sneaking into rock clubs to make a buck since he was 18—bangs out incomparably sincere bar-room shout alongs. Catchy and melodic, the tunes are as meek and contemplative as they are the soundtrack to the most visceral, cathartic foot-stomping.

The Slacks (as their pals call them), cut their teeth playing tunes everywhere. They are the gigging-est band in Sydney. In their year-and-a-bit history, Slacks have been around the Maritimes tightening tunes, loosening screws playing barrooms, living rooms and at one point, an abandoned, cobblestone hockey rink.