Non Sufficient Funds

Big Deal - a legend is born By Colin Fullerton Dateline: Saturday, October 28, 2006. On this date the emergence of a new force in rock and roll swept through the once quiet town of Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. The band was Big Deal, the place was the Glooscap Tavern, the air was electric. Never before has this poor man's eyes graced such grand eloquence, such ferocious talent, such splendid musicianship. The band hit the stage 20 minutes late, but no one minded, the buildup of suspense added to the show. And what a show they put on. Starting with the rythmic pounding of the drums by a manboy appropriately named Dirt. His sticks blurred by the speed of the pounding which he subjected his poor drum set to. Time and time again he whalloped them, showing them no mercy, no corner was given and none asked. Just when you thought he couldn't go on any further, he managed to reach down and lead the band into another legendary cover song or soon to be million selling original. His counterpart in the rhythm section was a man known by many names, among them Justine, Sinner boy, and Justin Sizzle. His pulse pounding bass lines rattled windows and eardrums alike. His music hearkens back to the early days of heavy metal, combined with the soulful sounds of African bushmen (which may be an apt description of his hair). Though his bladder was often stretched out to it's limits, he overcame great odds and managed to hold it in without embarrassing himself or his bandmates, what a trooper. The first of the Steven Seagal wannabes was one Bruce Fisher, a man of questionable morals, but undeniable talent. Throughout the night he strummed his guitar and screamed into his microphone, harmonizing with ease even the highest of notes. The sweat from his brow flew about the stage soaking the frenzied dancing mob, which only made them scream for more. The leader of this cacophony from heaven is Adam Siddall, a wild maned man from parts unknown. Crippled with pain from a surgically repaired back, he managed to suck up the pain (along with numerous beer) all night long. Weighed down by the heaviest guitar known to man, Adam led this ragtag band of heathens to glory. His hooks and riffs lifted the band to heretofore unknown realms and they carried the crowd with them as they went. His virtuoso guitar playing is only outdone by his angelic voice. After many songs were finished there were no dry eyes in the house, they affect of his voice was so moving. Though the crowd that night may not know it now, they experienced a life altering moment. It will be one of those eternal questions, such as where were you when Kennedy was shot, or where were you when they landed on the moon. Well this generation now has their question: Where were you when Big Deal played the Glooscap Tavern? I was there my friend, I was there. ----------------- Non Sufficient Funds: The Album Review By Andrew Wagstaff The Citizen All right, let's try and get this straight at the beginning. Non Sufficient Funds is the forthcoming CD release from local band Big Deal. The title of the disc is not to be confused with the local band of the same name, better known as NSF, which recently broke up after 10 years together. But Big Deal includes two former members of NSF - brothers Adam and Justin Siddall. It also includes Bruce Fisher, younger brother of former NSF guitarist Mike Fisher, and Kirk Merriam, a disciple of former NSF drummer Cow. Got it straight? Me neither, but let's try and get past the entanglements and get to the music on this 20-track collection of original material, slated for release on June 1. The truth is, when listening to the new album, the music sounds nothing like NSF or, for that matter, Siddall and Fisher's previous band, Aces High. The three-piece vocals are still there, as are the basic rock beats, but the songs lean much more towards acoustic and Celtic stylings. Kind of like if Great Big Sea and Seven Mary Three got in a bar fight, and those left standing picked up instruments and started jamming. Gems include 'Diamond Girl', Siddall's ode to his wife Sonya, which found itself onto Parrsboro radio this past summer in bootleg form, and quickly became one of the station's most requested songs. 'I Miss Her' kicks off the new CD, led by a throbbing rhythm section and huge vocals, and songs venture boldly into places never delved before by the members, including blues rock with the closing 'Heaven Twice'. One highlight of the album is 'Number 12', a song half-written by Siddall and Fisher 20 years ago when they were both in Grade Six and just learning how to sing and play guitar. Now the song is finished and it rocks right from the intro, which was taken from the original 1986 recording. The album was recorded in Adam Siddall's (Out Of) Control Room studio with the same cutting-edge computer recording technology he employed on his 2004 solo venture, Afternoon Shift: The Bubblegum Demos, and the results are once again astounding. But unlike the solo record, which featured an assortment of 80s-flavoured pop and other odds and ends, the Big Deal record is bigger and more ambitious. Drum machines are replaced by Merriam's catchy beats, while the younger Siddall's presence is made known by his trademark bass thumps and falsetto background vocals. And while Adam is still the 'lead singer', Fisher complements him by leading the way on tracks such as 'Because', 'Sorrow', and 'The Policeman's Daughter'. The disc also includes a remake of 'My Story', one of the highlights of the Afternoon Shift release. The result is a more polished version with a slower tempo, not so much an improvement on the original as it is an alternate take for collectors. Overall, Big Deal proves from the outset they are more than just an NSF offshoot. With a more mature sound and modern appeal, they prove with their debut that they are set to blaze a fresh and more interesting trail. ----------------- Big Deal says goodbye to NSF By Andrew Wagstaff The Citizen SOUTHAMPTON, NS - When popular local rock band NSF came to a halt more than a year ago, Adam Siddall knew he was not finished with music. But he had no idea his next move would take him back to the beginning. After 10 years together, NSF saw many ups and downs, rebirths and rebounds, but always seemed to come back stronger. But with the departure of guitarist/vocalist Jeff Harrison, and the retirement of drummer Cow, it seemed the Happy Song was finally over. Siddall, himself sidelined by a herniated disc in his back, soon found himself making music with the unlikeliest of partners - his childhood friend Bruce Fisher, with whom he had learned to sing and play guitar with in elementary school years ago. 'Bruce and I just started getting together and playing songs, and it was feeling great,' he said. 'So we decided we were going to start an acoustic band, just the two of us.' Meanwhile, he and NSF bandmate and younger brother Justin Siddall had been on the lookout for two more musicians to join them in keeping NSF going. Rather than pursue that project, the two brothers joined with Fisher, and brought in longtime friend and Cow protégé Kirk Merriam as drummer. The quartet started practicing together in November of last year, working on all original songs written by Siddall and Fisher. 'It clicked right away,' he said. 'We knew we had something.' While the initial plan had been to keep going with the NSF name, that idea was soon scrapped. The name Big Deal was picked up for no apparent reason other than that it is a popular expression, and is a reference to one of the new songs, 'No Big Deal', which describes the trials of a small-town band trying to make it with their own songs in front of an audience demanding covers. 'We were going to call ourselves NSF, and Bruce and I had been writing songs all along with that in mind,' said Siddall. 'But when we got together and played them, we realized it didn't sound anything at all like NSF. So we thought it wouldn't be right to keep that name because audiences would be expecting something different than what they were getting.' Although Siddall's back problems have kept the new band off the stage for the past year, but for a short set at a Parrsboro benefit concert this summer, he said he feels like he is coming around enough to try a few shows. Bookings have been made, and Big Deal will make it's official debut at Smooth Herman's in Sydney on Oct. 21. Local shows will follow at the Glooscap Lounge in Parrsboro on Oct. 28 and at the Lamp Cabin in Springhill on Nov. 25. As for the new CD, titled 'Non Sufficient Funds' as a tribute to the former band and as a signal to their established fan base, the band is hoping for a release by June. 1. The disc is now away being mastered, while the cover artwork is being prepared. Several singles are being provided to radio stations for airplay, and a distributor has also come on board for the pending release. ----------------- Big Deal web page comments: april 19 Apr 2007 16:42 Big Deal is like CRACK once you get a tatse.........Your HOOKED! Luv Ya Guys Allana 4 Apr 2007 23:09 Just wanna say..Chris and I love your music and have been loving it for years now! Can't wait for your new CD..since we missed out on the last release! Keep up the great work! AWAKE BY SUNDAY 22 Mar 2007 19:01 Can't wait until you guys make it back to Fredericton man!!! We'll party it up!!!! Keep it up guys, you're doing great!!! Your Friends from Nicky Zees and -AWAKE BY SUNDAY Camp- Brad 22 Mar 2007 14:48 oh i love you craig 30 Jan 2007 20:45 hey. U did an awsome show on friday hope u do another for us again!ttyl ®alysa® 27 Jan 2007 20:38 awesome show last night boys! i loved it. Can't wait to come hear you again! Krystaleigh 27 Nov 2006 10:18 you guys ROCKED at the lamp cabin.. whoo Cassandra 25 Nov 2006 22:32 Hey Big Deal!!! We are all at a house party and we are listening to Your songs on Myspace! It rocked! Moi, Brazil,Trevor, Beniffer, Abby,Nicole, Gillis and everyone else at this Party! Ben and Trevor say they are sorry they missed the concert tonight, but we know you rocked!!! Woooooo Rock on!!! Sue 29 Oct 2006 13:17 You guys rocked last night! I'm absolutly lovin the new stuff. You sounded great! Andrew 29 Oct 2006 9:54 You guys kicked some arse last nite boys. Loved the originals and the cool cover choices. Nice job on 'Breakfast in America'. Wish I could have stayed longer! Meaghan 23 Oct 2006 9:39 Hey Rock Stars!!! You guys were unbelievable, you rocked that stage!!! Awesome!! Andrew 24 Oct 2006 15:30 Live stuff sounds great, boys. Sounds like you had a great time. I was wondering how 'Diamond Girl' would come across live, but you pulled it off in fine style. Has anyone else ever noticed that Adam always uses a British accent when he's talking to the crowd between songs? Pretty bizarre but funny. Can't wait for the Glooscap boys! Katie 4 Sep 2006 22:00 You guys ROCKED saturday night!!!!!!Thank you so much! Sue 13 Jul 2006 14:52 Lovin every second of it! Can't wait till your out playing again. April 12 Jul 2006 17:55 Once again you come out kicking ASS.