Bio

The full length sound of Canadian act HECTOR might not lead one to believe there are only two musicians which comprise the band, but it's true! The bass 'n drum duo includes Darryl R. Shackelly on drums and accomplished bassist Andréa Hector, who is responsible for writing of the material and programming.

After many years of playing in bands as a keyboard player and being heavily influenced by early metal acts such as Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden, Andréa went on to play bass and form LIQUID AMBER (CD: "Breed," 1996). Because of creative differences with LIQUID AMBER, Andréa finally formed the electronic duo HECTOR in 1999, with a four-song EP being released in the same year, and was even short listed for Courtney Love's band HOLE.

Darryl R. Shackelly, whose solid drumming has been well-known in the Vancouver area for years, has performed with Hissy Fit, Flicker, Burn and (2001 Vancouver Seeds Winners) Monochrome.

With her extraordinary songwriting ability along with her band's infectious electronic pop-rock sound, Andréa has done much to raise the band's profile not only in western Canada but also in Australia. Two songs from the band's most recent CD, "DESTRUCTIKA" (2001), have been successful on KAOS FM Australian radio, including "On To You" has also been featured in the video game "Steer Madness".

HECTOR is also involved in charitable events. The most recent (November 2003), a benefit to help the animals of the province's 2003 forest fire devastation, was staged in Vancouver with proceeds going to the B.C.S.P.C.A.

HECTOR's 2004 CD titled "Bitch, Bitch, Bitch" is due for release in early February and plans for touring and air play are already in the works.

- Ronald Scott, 2004

 

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When you're short listed to fill the bass-player slot in Courtney Love's HOLE, you have to wonder whether this is a good thing or not. Andrea Hector - songwriter, vocalist, bassist and programmer for Vancouver poptronic metallurgists HECTOR - made the short list. About the same time, however, Ms. Love decided to sue her record label, her boyfriend's ex-wife and her dead husband's former bandmates, thereby propelling her own musical career into creative limbo.

Love's loss is your gain.

The thwarted brush-with-greatness allowed erstwhile LIQUID AMBER leader HECTOR to form the eponymous HECTOR. But whereas LIQUID AMBER took a decidedly grungy approach to Ms. Hector's deeply personal (albeit universally resonant) musings on their 1996 album, Breed, HECTOR wisely opts for a more groove-driven sensibility, replete with sunshiny vocal interplay, infectious melodies and a heavy bottom end, powerful enough to shake wallflowers onto the dance floor.

Imagine JULIANA HATFIELD with CHRISSIE HYNDE's swagger fronting RADIOHEAD with BODY COUNT's rhythm section and you'll have an idea of what HECTOR is all about.

Formed on the heels of LIQUID AMBER's demise, HECTOR recorded a four-song demo in the summer of 1999. The resultant package, coupled with a triumphant series of nighttime raids on assorted speakeasys, tweaked the interest of more than a few label scouts. This year's model, Destructika, should do more than that.

Eight tracks, including the anti-depressant anthem TAKE A PILL and the bop-till-you-drop booty-shaker THIS TIME AROUND, showcase HECTOR's knack for melding contagious pop with rhythmic hybrids and sonic miscellany.

See what you're missing out on, Courtney?

- Greg Potter, author of Hand Me Down World: The Canadian Pop-Rock Paradox (Macmillan)



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