Cody Canada and the Departed make a new start, come to Abilene Modern Music

Cody Canada and the Departed make a new start, come to Abilene

Written by Leah Gillies on July 16, 2011 – 5:42 am

The best way to label Cody Canada & the Departed is simply “rock ‘n’ roll.”

“Everybody sort of uses their own label on it, Texas this or Texas that. It’s a rock ‘n’ roll band and there’s not really a lot of other ways to look at it,” guitarist Seth James explained in a recent telephone interview. “We do some things that are more country than the rest, but it’s still rock ‘n’ roll. That’s really how we look at it.”

Cody Canada & the Departed and Callahan Divide perform Friday night at the Lucky Mule Saloon (1850 South Clack St.) as a part of 99.7 KBCY’s summer Live Concert Series.

The group formed after the popular country-rock infused Cross Canadian Ragweed decided to part ways last fall. That left frontman Cody Canada and bassist Jeremy Plato eager to continue playing music.

Bring in guitarist James (who has led his own band), Steve Littleton on Hammond B3 organ and keys and drummer Dave Bowen.

The music of the Departed covers a lot of ground and is quite a departure from what each member has become known for over the years on their own. The band’s first album, “This Is Indian Land,” is scheduled for release June 21.

“We played everything on there,” James said. “We cut the record. We were the players, the producers and that’s our first album.”

James — and the rest of the band — is excited for the album to come out, not only for his sake but for the fans’.

“A lot of people put a lot of trust in us by coming out and seeing the show and having no idea what they are going to hear,” he explained. “And now that is going to change for them to have it in their pocket and have ownership of the project.”

Band members haven’t had to undergo an ego-check or make hard decisions regarding who is going to play lead and rhythm guitar or who will sing, as James, Canada and Plato can all sing lead.

The quintet has known each other for years now and often have sat in on each other’s shows. Now everyone is an equal partner in the same band. Age and maturity have helped the band’s chemistry a great deal.

“Everybody is more of less a veteran of this and it really makes for a mature way of looking at the show, the music, and the music business in general,” said James, the youngest in the band at 33. “We all are doing what we want to do, and we are very grateful for that.”

He and the band are getting fulfillment out of playing live rock n’ roll on the road. Each member has always had a bug to play live music in concert across the state, region and country.

“We are a very powerful live band. And every night is different and exciting.,” James said. “That’s what we all live for, playing for people.”

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