HATband has a great Maritime sound rising from the various members’ roots and strengths. The group plays a bouncy mix including traditional Celtic and Maritime fiddle tunes, original songs and ballads and even a little rock and roll. They have been together a relatively short time but, individually, they have been entertaining and honing their skills for years. As the actor said, “After many years of hard work I am an over-night success!” Their new CD release, Folk Song Songs (Trad ‘n’ True) bears testimony to the professionalism of the group and to their desire to have a good time!
Reg Hayes has been playing and singing for over 35 years, first with the Fredericton Folk Collective and later with the Fredericton Folk Club. For several years he, George and Bill were in another group. When the opportunity to form HATband arose they jumped at the chance. Reg brings his lead Guitar, song writing skills, singing abilities and harmonicas to HATband. He also mixes HATband’s “live” audio and he recorded, mixed, mastered and co-produced HATband’s CD.
George has been a percussionist for many years and recently has expanded his equipment to include a full drum kit. He has taught himself bodhran and tin whistle. His percussion has been featured on a recent CD released by Val MacDonald of Saint John. He started early with the saxophone but drums soon won his heart. George has sung in local choirs, and sings and harmonizes with HATband. He has an amazingly eclectic collection of percussion instruments, all of which find their way into the music.
Bill Toner has been singing and playing in various venues for many years. Bill has long played the twelve-string guitar and took up the electric bass to give HATband a more complete sound. He brings a strong love of Celtic music and a few Celtic relatives to the band (He is uncle to Alicia and Colleen). Bill and Reg hooked up when Bill showed up one day and said that he was looking for someone with whom to perform. Reg listened to his playing and incredible voice and…the rest, as they say, is history.
Alicia Toner is an integral part of the sound and flavour of the group. She plays both classical violin and Maritime fiddle with equal ease and recently played Carnegie Hall with the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra. She has been playing the violin for nine years and is currently studying with David Adams and Sylbie Roy. She also adds her excellent vocals to the mix. Anyone who has heard the harmonies of HATband cannot help but be impressed with the smoothness of Alicia’s voice.
Colleen Burns says, “My name actually helps me with what type of dance I do because in Gaelic my name means “girl” and my last name is Irish too. Both of my parents grew up on the Miramichi and we go back there often.” She studies at the “Stanford School of Irish Dance”, in Fredericton, studying under Sharon Stanford Rutter. She has performed in the Multicultural Festival and at many other places. This will be her first year competing in Irish dance in Halifax. Colleen has recently been seen using George’s tambourine during numbers to which she does not dance.
