The big rock bands of 90′s Canadian rock have finally been united thanks to the debut album from Crash Karma the new Canadian super group featuring Edwin (I Mother Earth), Mike Turner (Our Lady Peace), Amir Epstein (Zygote), and Jeff Burrows (The tea Party). The self-titled album is full of rock riffs, giant drums, and hooky chorus’s. I was lucky to catch up and chat with Guitarist/Producer Mike Turner.

First off, I want to say for someone who wasn’t Canadian born you have had a tremendous roll in Canadian music. I cant think of many Canadian rock bands who weren’t influenced by OLP and now CK. How does it feel making such an impact on other aspiring musicians lives?

Thanks for the nice words, even if I find them a little too flattering! I’ve always thought that music is an international language and that you are only of a ‘nationality’ in that where you live can dictate what music or art you’re exposed to and have the opportunity to be influenced by. As for having had an influence, I’m not so sure that what I’ve done is of lasting impact other than perhaps I can serve as an example of what you can do if you set your mind to it and are willing to work hard. I’m certainly not the most gifted player technically speaking but I’m lucky enough to have an identity of my own and love music enough to be willing to do whatever it took to play it full time.


How did the members of Crash Karma all come together?

It was through Amir, he had worked with me @ my studio on an EP of his own and I produced an album for his band, Zygote. He had arranged to meet Edwin with the idea of co-writing with him for a new solo record but on the way to that meeting decided to suggest a band featuring Jeff Burrows (at this point Amir only knew Andy Curran who worked at the management company that had handled the Tea Party) and myself. Ed agreed that it sounded interesting and that if the rest were into it, he would be as well. A series of phone calls and we found ourselves in a room together deciding to give it a try. 


Having toured with OLP throughout the 90′s and even contributing to the creation of the festival “Summersault” in 98 and again in 2000 (which featured acts such as The Smashing Pumpkins and Foo Fighters) do you see a difference in the audience from then to now being back on tour with CK?

Well, the music industry is a completely different place now than it was then, that’s for sure! There are real differences in audiences on a superficial level, more diverse tastes and shorter attention spans due to the increased consumption of ‘on demand’ media via the internet. At the essence the experience is the same even with all of these changes. When a band is having a good night and the audience is in synch with them it feels every bit as great as it always has. The experience of live music is the same as it’s always been, band and audience build on each others contributions to make the event greater than it could have been without the participation of both.


You were involved in the music production for the new CK record. Will you be taking a break or can we expect more music from a production standpoint?

I certainly hope so! I’ve been producing for a while now and enjoy the musical collaboration that it presents. Check out ‘Bury The Bully’  or more recently ‘Sixxxer’ as well as ‘Age Of Daze’ as examples of what I’ve been up to on that front and look out for ’20 Amp Soundchild’ that should be done in the next few weeks. I’m always looking for interesting projects to be involved with and excited by.


Which do you prefer more – writing and recording your material or performing it live and why?

The beauty is that they’re totally different yet complimentary things. The trick is to keep them in balance! I love the studio in terms of being able to carefully craft a ‘sonic environment’ that enhances the material you’re presenting and I love playing live because of the ephemeral nature of that experience, a great show exists at one particular moment in time and is shared by only those in attendance a that time (thankfully the less great nights aren’t forever either!)


I know growing up you were heavily influenced by punk rock, which bands/artists did that include and in which way did they influence you?

That’s a long list…maybe the important thing is that most of them never ‘gave up’ even when tastes changed away from what they did. You can still get records by New Model Army and Killing Joke and they’re 25 and thirty years into their career! I suppose it’s that they have retained their passion all along. We could all be so lucky!


What are you currently listing to? Any recommendations?

I listen to a lot of demos from bands that are interested in working with me but that’s a private thing! A couple of records that I’m liking right now…..hmm…the new Yeasayer record is really solid, and I loved the Jonsi (from Sigur Ros) record that came out last year…also, loving the new Deftones single!


I have seen some of your instruments you own and I must say you have a pretty nice collection of gear. If you had to choose one guitar and amp to tour with which ones would you choose and why?

I love my Tom Anderson guitar works Hollow T classics! The best guitar ever! As for amps, I’ve recently started using the Axe FX Ultra from Fractal audio live and it is pretty damn amazing! I drive a Boogie 4X12 with a VHT 2-50-2 and that’s about as happy as I’ve ever been live!!
As for amps in the studio I tend towards my modded early ’80s JCM 800 (2204 I think…100W with metal switches) for the big crunch, a Matchless DC-30 for nice shimmer, a Silver face Fender twin for clean and the big furry, saturated stuff either comes from my ’95 Boogie Trem-o-verb or a Marshall JMP-1 / VHT 2-50-2 power amp most of which ends up going through a Boogie 4X12 with vintage 30s in it. Usual recording chain is 57 and 421 for mics going into Chandler Abbey Road edition pre/EQ (usually pretty flat) and maybe a little bit of compression from a Drawmer 1969 I usually sum them to one track to avoid too many options down the line. I guess that’s more than you asked, but I do tend to get lateral….


Now having success in not only one but two major bands in Canada what are some of the things you do to stay grounded?

Understand that although music is one of the most important things in my life, it doesn’t mean it’s that big of a deal to anyone else. That and don’t hang out with sycophants to feed your own ego! Maybe a bit of yoga as well….


 Last but never least, what advice would you give artists, producers and performers who are trying to follow their dreams?

Like I said above, don’t assume that everyone will make choices the same way that you do because of your priorities. The other is, be outstanding. The chances are that when your friends/family/girlfriend/boyfriend tells you that you’re great, they’re coming from a place of love and that won’t allow them to be really critical. That’s your job. Be critical of yourself; is that new tune you just finished as good as the latest Muse single? As good as whoever your heroes are? The chances are you’ll never feel that way but that should be the spur that keeps you trying to get better. Never settle and don’t concentrate on what you’re good at, work on what is difficult and sucks to practice because that’s what needs the work. Learn to play and sing so that you don’t spend forever in the studio! Yes you can tune and time a performance of almost anything and while doing that does improve your ears and critical listening skills, when you go to play live you’ll have to do it right without a second chance.

After meeting Mike Turner and finding out how down-to-earth a guy who has experienced as much as he has in a lifetime can be very refreshing at times. From all the years of hard work, Mike will most definatly go down in history as a major contributor to Canadian music. 

To get more info on the band or tour dates visit their website at www.crashkarma.com