THE PERPETRATORS BIO:

Once a not-so-well-kept secret in their hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - where they acted as house band for visiting blues legends Hubert Sumlin, Louisiana Red, Paul "Wine" Jones and others - The Perpetrators kicked things up a notch in 2006. A European tour capped off a Juno nomination and a win at the Western Canadian Music Awards. 2007 saw the band continue to expand and grow with the release of their third album, "Tow Truck" - an uncompromising expression of their varied musical influences that never loses sight of their blues roots. It is nominated for two 2008 Western Canadian Music Awards - best blues and best independant recordings. Their fourth album, recorded live at their home base, Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club, will be released before they cross the ocean this fall for their fourth European tour.

"Blues for people who hate blues," they distill rock 'n' roll, punk and country into their heady houserockin' punch. Give them a stage, any stage and they'll put on the best show they can for whoever's there. Each one is a seasoned pro on their instrument of choice but, never afraid to take chances, the boys are fond of switching it up in an onstage game of musical chairs. To quote a much used and abused cliche, The Perpetrators have to be seen to be believed.

"...my favourite band."
- Sue Foley

"J Nowicki has been my favorite guitar player since we were both 15 years old at the Blue Note Cafe in Winnipeg... & it's taken over 15 years for me to get over my initial fear, which has only subsided into a tingling sort of awe. The Perps' committment to the things they have loved (& mastered) since they were kids, is a template for what every artist should endeavour to achieve. Ironically it's their dedication to the tradional elements of blues, country music, & dirty rock & roll, that, combined with just the inevitable doses of ingenuity & personality, makes them possibly the most honest & unique band i've ever heard. In this arena, there is no other band that i know who can touch them."
- Luke Doucet

"These guys know what I'm talking about... when we're playing, I can feel the Wolf looking down and smiling."
- Hubert Sumlin, blues legend; long-time Howlin' Wolf guitarist; Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton's favorite guitar player

"I didn't see one unhappy person all night."
- Barb Wynnyk, co-owner of the Auditorium Hotel, Nanton, AB

"The Perpetrators have made the blues tent in Canada bigger."
- Shelagh Rogers, host of CBC's Sounds Like Canada

 

  

J "Howik" Nowicki - guitar, vocals & sometimes drums
Already a formidable guitar player at the age of fifteen, time has only honed and focused J's style, which runs the gamut from subtle to boisterous. His singing and songwriting display an honesty not often heard in music these days. After the breakup of the much-beloved band, The Blues Puppies (also featuring ODL, and Chris Saywell of D.Rangers fame), he performed with a number of acts around Winnipeg. But the road was calling. During the late 90's, he toured the continent extensively with bluesman, Nigel Mack. This experience combined with his natural ease commanding a room made fronting his own band just a matter of time.

 

 

Ryan "ODL" Menard - bass, vocals & sometimes guitar
Ryan likes to balance laying down a no-frills foundation 99% of the time with the occasional all-out, barely-in-control burst... at least he claims to know what he's doing. He was called away from work in Winnipeg as a freelance bass player to join the Rockin' Highliners in '96. During his two year stint with the band, he played on their "Chicks, Suits and Cadillacs" and Juno-nominated "What Were You Thinking?" albums and was nominated for a Maple Blues Award for bassist of the year. After leaving the band to work on his own musical ideas, he rejoined with J as a member of Nigel Mack's band for a three month tour of the US and Canada. Late night beers led to late night talk that led to the Perpetrators.