the Cameltones

Cameltones getting known with over-40s
Kathryn Dunmore, Backbeat

As the name may convey, the Burlington band called the Cameltones is all about fun, as well as good music and energizing its audience.
For the past year, the Cameltones has consisted of David Little as guitarist and lead singer, Serge Tremblay as lead guitarist and vocalist, Henry Wilk as bass guitarist and back up vocalist and Ryan DeGelder on the drums.

“We get an amazing amount of comments on our name,” said Little. “One bar booked us on our name alone but when they heard us play, they kept us on for six months.”

The Cameltones perform classic and new rock to appeal to a wide range of audiences. The group covers tunes from Steppenwolf and the Doobie Brothers to Tragically Hip and Pearl Jam.

While band members hope people from all ages enjoy their music, Little said they are targeting a specific age group.
“A lot more people are coming out to hear live music again,” he explained. “I think its the mid-40 year olds, whose kids are old enough to stay at home, who are coming back out. We’re looking to give them that song they immediately remember from their past and get up and dance to it. That’s the sound we’re trying to create — we want people up out of their seats and dancing on the floor.”
By performing newer material, Little said they’re trying to show off the members’ musicianship.
“Our members have been involved in music for a long period of time now,” he said. “Because of their experience, we have an amazing depth of musicianship. We often get comments on the quality of the music we perform.”

With this current lineup, Little said the four members also create an energy that the band in its different incarnations has never known before.
“There’s definitely a click with these guys,” noted Little. “There’s a lot of energy with this band and I think people can really feel that.”
Although all members have successful daytime careers, they manage to find the time to get together at least once a week to practise and they perform a couple of times a month.

To date, the band has played all around the Greater Toronto Area including places such as Jersey’s, Bishop & Firkin, Shoeless Joe’s, Joe Dog’s, JT Plucker’s in Burlington.

As for long-term goals, Little doesn’t have any in mind currently, although the Cameltones has just recorded a demo CD, which should be available soon.

“If we’re looking to do anything, we’re looking to do corporate bookings and bigger bars.

“If the right doors open, then we’d do something in the music business that doesn’t make us give up our day jobs. We are serious about the band. This is fun for us, but our purpose is to bring quality music and entertainment to an audience. We seem to accomplish that.”