Brendan Cummins Photography:Baron PhotoGraphics

THE ROOM IS SMALL, CROWDED AND NOISY.

The five guys hanging around by the instruments seem to fit right in. They're nice, hip and have no trouble talking to the people around them. They seem to be here for a good time just like everyone else, waiting for the band to start up, just like everyone else. Then someone steps up to the microphone and tells the crowd about the band that's going to rock them tonight. "Give it up for The Travezty!!!" The crowd looks around and the guys hanging beside the instruments are now the band, up close and personal; and for The Travezty, they wouldn't have it any other way.

The Travezty is Jason Ilczynski, Brad Ilczynski, Jason Robison, Danny Douglas and Scott Robinson. The five all live in Taber and work in and around the area during the day. Their nights tend to be taken up with their music. The four original members, the two Jasons, Brad and Danny, have been playing together for years; they met Scott through Brad's brother. "I was working the rigs and heard they were looking for a singer," says Scott. "I said, ‘I can sing,' but no one believed me." Eventually Scott proved he could sing, and his joining the band proved to be the last piece of the puzzle.

Their music is straight ahead rock and roll; there are no apologies or compromises. The band members cite influences like Guns N' Roses, Rage Against the Machine and "country, I grew up on country music," admits drummer Jason Robison. The sound has been compared to a lot of different bands, but that's all right with them. "It's not a bad thing to be compared to bands like Nickelback, it's a measure of appreciation for our sound," Brad says. "If Nickelback wasn't around, there would be someone else they would compare us to," adds Scott. "Besides they have it made, good song writers, good performers. There are worse bands to be compared to."

For the full story pick up the current issue of Lethbridge living Magazine