Since their inception, The Mohawk Lodge have left concertgoers sated and stages sweat-stained as they entrench their reputation as a live band to be reckoned with. Bringing their working man’s ethic to the fore, the Lodge launch a three- pronged guitar assault supported by an airtight rhythm section backed up by the soaring melodies of a stage full of friends.
While early Mohawk Lodge material often relied on homespun charm, every track on their recent CD, Crimes, seems an act of desperate catharsis. This time around the band’s song writing manages to nod as much to Springsteen as Smog, while their playing manages to bridge the gap between Fleetwood Mac and the Constantines.
Overseen by producer Darryl Neudorf (New Pornographers, Neko Case), Crimes explores new lyrical depths for the band and evidences an emboldened musical direction. As vocalist/guitarist Ryder Havdale wails, an exhilarating sonic backdrop is forged by duelling dustbowl guitars, swirling keyboards, melodic bass, driving percussion, atmospheric brass and a boisterous chorus. It took nothing short of a small army to achieve such devastating results. Rob Josephson (drums), Arch (guitar), Paul Goertzen (bass) and Cory Price (guitar) were already card-carrying members of the Lodge.
However, Crimes would have never raged without honorary recruits Dan Mangan, Eamon McGrath, Jesse Gander (Ghost House), J.P. Carter (Great Aunt Ida), Marc Morrissette (Octoberman), and Leah Abramson (The Abramson Singers, Dyad).
The Mohawk Lodge have played showcases at CMJ and SXSW and opened for a number of notable acts including Constantines, Besnard Lakes, Chad VanGaalen, Athlete, Handsome Furs, Blood Meridian, Adam Franklin, and Apostle of Hustle. Their last record, Wildfires,reached #3 on CBC Radio 3, Top 10 on the Earshot charts and was featured in CMJ.
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